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Bojko M, Węgrzyn K, Sikorska E, Ciura P, Battin C, Steinberger P, Magiera-Mularz K, Dubin G, Kulesza A, Sieradzan AK, Spodzieja M, Rodziewicz-Motowidło S. Peptide-based inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis: potential immunotherapeutics for cancer. Transl Oncol 2024; 42:101892. [PMID: 38359715 PMCID: PMC10877416 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The PD-1/PD-L1 complex belongs to the group of inhibitory immune checkpoints and plays a critical role in immune regulation. The PD-1/PD-L1 axis is also responsible for immune evasion of cancer cells, and this complex is one of the main targets of immunotherapies used in oncology. Treatment using immune checkpoint inhibitors is mainly based on antibodies. This approach has great therapeutic potential; however, it also has major drawbacks and can induce immune-related adverse events. Thus, there is a strong need for alternative, non-antibody-based therapies using small molecules, peptides, or peptidomimetics. In the present study, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated a set of PD-1-targeting peptides based on the sequence and structure of PD-L1. The binding of these peptides to PD-1 was investigated using SPR and ELISA. We also assessed their ability to compete with PD-L1 for binding to PD-1 and their inhibitory properties against the PD-1/PD-L1 complex at the cellular level. The best results were obtained for the peptide PD-L1(111-127)(Y112C-I126C), named (L11), which displaced PD-L1 from binding to PD-1 in the competitive assay and inhibited the formation of the PD-1/PD-L1 complex. The (L11) peptide also exhibited strong affinity for PD-1. NMR studies revealed that (L11) does not form a well-defined secondary structure; however, MD simulation indicated that (L11) binds to PD-1 at the same place as PD-L1. After further optimization of the structure, the peptide inhibitor obtained in this study could also be used as a potential therapeutic compound targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Bojko
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Węgrzyn
- University of Gdańsk, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk, Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Emilia Sikorska
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Piotr Ciura
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Claire Battin
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katarzyna Magiera-Mularz
- Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Dubin
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Adam Kulesza
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Adam K Sieradzan
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marta Spodzieja
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
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Funk MA, Leitner J, Gerner MC, Hammerler JM, Salzer B, Lehner M, Battin C, Gumpelmair S, Stiasny K, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Steinberger P. Interrogating ligand-receptor interactions using highly sensitive cellular biosensors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7804. [PMID: 38016944 PMCID: PMC10684770 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43589-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions of membrane-resident proteins are important targets for therapeutic interventions but most methods to study them are either costly, laborious or fail to reflect the physiologic interaction of membrane resident proteins in trans. Here we describe highly sensitive cellular biosensors as a tool to study receptor-ligand pairs. They consist of fluorescent reporter cells that express chimeric receptors harboring ectodomains of cell surface molecules and intracellular signaling domains. We show that a broad range of molecules can be integrated into this platform and we demonstrate its applicability to highly relevant research areas, including the characterization of immune checkpoints and the probing of cells for the presence of receptors or ligands. The platform is suitable to evaluate the interactions of viral proteins with host receptors and to test for neutralization capability of drugs or biological samples. Our results indicate that cellular biosensors have broad utility as a tool to study protein-interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian A Funk
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T cell activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T cell activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Marlene C Gerner
- Division of Biomedical Science, University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jasmin M Hammerler
- Division of Biomedical Science, University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Salzer
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manfred Lehner
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire Battin
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T cell activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Gumpelmair
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T cell activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Peter Steinberger
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division for Immune Receptors and T cell activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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3
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Battin C, De Sousa Linhares A, Leitner J, Grossmann A, Lupinek D, Izadi S, Castilho A, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Stritzker J, Steinberger P. Engineered soluble, trimerized 4-1BBL variants as potent immunomodulatory agents. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3029-3043. [PMID: 37310433 PMCID: PMC10412504 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03474-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Targeting co-stimulatory receptors promotes the activation and effector functions of anti-tumor lymphocytes. 4-1BB (CD137/TNFSF9), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFR-SF), is a potent co-stimulatory receptor that plays a prominent role in augmenting effector functions of CD8+ T cells, but also CD4+ T cells and NK cells. Agonistic antibodies against 4-1BB have entered clinical trials and shown signs of therapeutic efficacy. Here, we have used a T cell reporter system to evaluate various formats of 4-1BBL regarding their capacity to functionally engage its receptor. We found that a secreted 4-1BBL ectodomain harboring a trimerization domain derived from human collagen (s4-1BBL-TriXVIII) is a strong inducer of 4-1BB co-stimulation. Similar to the 4-1BB agonistic antibody urelumab, s4-1BBL-TriXVIII is very potent in inducing CD8+ and CD4+ T cell proliferation. We provide first evidence that s4-1BBL-TriXVIII can be used as an effective immunomodulatory payload in therapeutic viral vectors. Oncolytic measles viruses encoding s4-1BBL-TriXVIII significantly reduced tumor burden in a CD34+ humanized mouse model, whereas measles viruses lacking s4-1BBL-TriXVIII were not effective. Natural soluble 4-1BB ligand harboring a trimerization domain might have utility in tumor therapy especially when delivered to tumor tissue as systemic administration might induce liver toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Battin
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annika De Sousa Linhares
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Grossmann
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Lupinek
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Shiva Izadi
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute for Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Castilho
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute for Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jochen Stritzker
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Kuncewicz K, Bojko M, Battin C, Karczyńska A, Sieradzan A, Sikorska E, Węgrzyn K, Wojciechowicz K, Wardowska A, Steinberger P, Rodziewicz-Motowidło S, Spodzieja M. BTLA-derived peptides as inhibitors of BTLA/HVEM complex formation - design, synthesis and biological evaluation. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115161. [PMID: 37473684 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoints can be divided into co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules that regulate the activation and effector functions of T cells. The co-inhibitory pathways mediated by ICPs are used by cancer cells to escape from immune surveillance, and therefore the blockade of these receptor/ligand interactions is one of the strategies used in the treatment of cancer. The two main pathways currently under investigation are CTLA-4/CD80/CD86 and PD-1/PD-L1, and the monoclonal Abs targeting them have shown potent immunomodulatory effects and activity in clinical environments. Another interesting target in cancer treatment is the BTLA/HVEM complex. Binding of BTLA protein on T cells to HVEM on cancer cells leads to inhibition of T cell proliferation and cytokine production. In the presented work, we focused on blocking the HVEM protein using BTLA-derived peptides. Based on the crystal structure of the BTLA/HVEM complex and MM/GBSA analysis performed here, we designed and synthesized peptides, specifically fragments of BTLA protein. We subsequently checked the inhibitory capacities of these compounds using ELISA and a cellular reporter platform. Two of these peptides, namely BTLA(35-43) and BTLA(33-64)C58Abu displayed the most promising properties, and we therefore performed further studies to evaluate their affinity to HVEM protein, their stability in plasma and their effect on viability of human PBMCs. In addition, the 3D structure for the peptide BTLA(33-64)C58Abu was determined using NMR. Obtained data confirmed that the BTLA-derived peptides could be the basis for future drugs and their immunomodulatory potential merits further examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kuncewicz
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Bojko
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Claire Battin
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Agnieszka Karczyńska
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Adam Sieradzan
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Emilia Sikorska
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Węgrzyn
- University of Gdańsk, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk, Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Karolina Wojciechowicz
- Medical University of Gdańsk, Department of Physiopathology, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Wardowska
- Medical University of Gdańsk, Department of Physiopathology, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Marta Spodzieja
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
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5
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Zierfuss B, Buda A, Villoria-González A, Logist M, Fabjan J, Parzer P, Battin C, Vandersteene S, Dijkstra IME, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Steinberger P, Kemp S, Forss-Petter S, Berger J, Weinhofer I. Saturated very long-chain fatty acids regulate macrophage plasticity and invasiveness. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:305. [PMID: 36528616 PMCID: PMC9759912 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02664-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Saturated very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA, ≥ C22), enriched in brain myelin and innate immune cells, accumulate in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) due to inherited dysfunction of the peroxisomal VLCFA transporter ABCD1. In its severest form, X-ALD causes cerebral myelin destruction with infiltration of pro-inflammatory skewed monocytes/macrophages. How VLCFA levels relate to macrophage activation is unclear. Here, whole transcriptome sequencing of X-ALD macrophages indicated that VLCFAs prime human macrophage membranes for inflammation and increased expression of factors involved in chemotaxis and invasion. When added externally to mimic lipid release in demyelinating X-ALD lesions, VLCFAs did not activate toll-like receptors in primary macrophages. In contrast, VLCFAs provoked pro-inflammatory responses through scavenger receptor CD36-mediated uptake, cumulating in JNK signalling and expression of matrix-degrading enzymes and chemokine release. Following pro-inflammatory LPS activation, VLCFA levels increased also in healthy macrophages. With the onset of the resolution, VLCFAs were rapidly cleared in control macrophages by increased peroxisomal VLCFA degradation through liver-X-receptor mediated upregulation of ABCD1. ABCD1 deficiency impaired VLCFA homeostasis and prolonged pro-inflammatory gene expression upon LPS treatment. Our study uncovers a pivotal role for ABCD1, a protein linked to neuroinflammation, and associated peroxisomal VLCFA degradation in regulating macrophage plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Zierfuss
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Neuroscience, Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Université de Montréal, Montréal, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Agnieszka Buda
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Villoria-González
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maxime Logist
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Translational Research in GastroIntestinal Disorders, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jure Fabjan
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia Parzer
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Streggi Vandersteene
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Inge M E Dijkstra
- Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Grabmeier-Pfistershammer
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Kemp
- Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sonja Forss-Petter
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Berger
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isabelle Weinhofer
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Klasinc R, Battin C, Paster W, Reiter M, Schatzlmaier P, Rhein P, Spittler A, Steinberger P, Stockinger H. TLR4/CD14/MD2 Revealed as the Limited Toll-like Receptor Complex for Chlamydia trachomatis-Induced NF-κB Signaling. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122489. [PMID: 36557742 PMCID: PMC9783372 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common cause of genital tract infections as well as preventable blindness worldwide. Pattern recognition receptors such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) represent the initial step in recognizing pathogenic microorganisms and are crucial for the initiation of an appropriate immune response. However, our understanding of TLR-signaling in Chlamydia-infected immune cells is incomplete. For a better comprehension of pathological inflammatory responses, robust models for interrogating TLR-signaling upon chlamydial infections are needed. To analyze the TLR response, we developed and utilized a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent transcriptional cellular reporter system to measure the activity of the transcription factor NF-κB. Upon incubation of the reporter cells with different preparations of Ct, we were able to pinpoint which components of TLRs are involved in the recognition of Ct. We identified CD14 associated with unique characteristics of different serovars as the crucial factor of the TLR4/CD14/MD2 complex for Ct-mediated activation of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, we found the TLR4/CD14/MD2 complex to be decisive for the uptake of Ct-derived lipopolysaccharides but not for infection and replication of Ct. Imaging flow cytometry provided information about inclusion formation in myeloid- as well as lymphocytic cells and was highest for Ct L2 with at least 25% of inclusion forming cells. Ct E inclusion formation was eminent in Jurkat cells without CD14 expression (11.1%). Thus, our model enables to determine Ct uptake and signal induction by pinpointing individual components of the recognition and signaling pathways to better understand the immune response towards infectious pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romana Klasinc
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence:
| | - Claire Battin
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Paster
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Reiter
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Schatzlmaier
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Rhein
- Luminex B.V., A DiaSorin Company, 5215 MV ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Spittler
- Medical University of Vienna, Core Facility Flow Cytometry and Department of Surgery, Research Laboratories, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannes Stockinger
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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7
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Battin C, Leitner J, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Olive D, Steinberger P. BTLA inhibition has a dominant role in the cis-complex of BTLA and HVEM. Front Immunol 2022; 13:956694. [PMID: 36081508 PMCID: PMC9446882 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.956694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The engagement of the herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM, TNFRSF14) by the B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) represents a unique interaction between an activating receptor of the TNFR-superfamily and an inhibitory receptor of the Ig-superfamily. BTLA and HVEM have both been implicated in the regulation of human T cell responses, but their role is complex and incompletely understood. Here, we have used T cell reporter systems to dissect the complex interplay of HVEM with BTLA and its additional ligands LIGHT and CD160. Co-expression with LIGHT or CD160, but not with BTLA, induced strong constitutive signaling via HVEM. In line with earlier reports, we observed that in cis interaction of BTLA and HVEM prevented HVEM co-stimulation by ligands on surrounding cells. Intriguingly, our data indicate that BTLA mediated inhibition is not impaired in this heterodimeric complex, suggesting a dominant role of BTLA co-inhibition. Stimulation of primary human T cells in presence of HVEM ligands indicated a weak costimulatory capacity of HVEM potentially owed to its in cis engagement by BTLA. Furthermore, experiments with T cell reporter cells and primary T cells demonstrate that HVEM antibodies can augment T cell responses by concomitantly acting as checkpoint inhibitors and co-stimulation agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Daniel Olive
- Team Immunity and Cancer, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Inserm, U1068; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7258; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- *Correspondence: Peter Steinberger,
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Battin C, Kaufmann G, Leitner J, Tobias J, Wiedermann U, Rölle A, Meyer M, Momburg F, Steinberger P. NKG2A-checkpoint inhibition and its blockade critically depends on peptides presented by its ligand HLA-E. Immunology 2022; 166:507-521. [PMID: 35596615 PMCID: PMC9426624 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
NKG2A has emerged as a new immunotherapy target and its blockade with the novel immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monalizumab can boost both NK cell and CD8+ T cell responses. NKG2A forms heterodimers with CD94 and binds to the human non-classical MHC class I molecule HLA-E. HLA-E forms complexes with a limited set of peptides mainly derived from the leader sequences of the classical MHC class I molecules (HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C) and the non-classical class I paralogue HLA-G, and it is well established that the interaction between CD94/NKG2x receptors and its ligand HLA-E is peptide-sensitive. Here, we have evaluated peptide dependence of NKG2A-mediated inhibition and the efficiency of interference by monalizumab in a transcriptional T cell reporter system. NKG2A inhibition was mediated by cell-expressed HLA-E molecules stably presenting disulfate-trapped peptide ligands. We show that different HLA-class I leader peptides mediate varying levels of inhibition. We have used NKG2A/NKG2C chimeric receptors to map the binding site of NKG2A and NKG2C blocking antibodies. Furthermore, we determined the functional EC50 values of blocking NKG2A antibodies and show that they greatly depend on the HLA-leader peptide presented by HLA-E. Monalizumab was less effective in augmenting NK cell-mediated killing of target cells displaying HLA-G peptide on HLA-E, than cells expressing HLA-E complexed with HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C peptides. Our results indicate that peptides displayed by HLA-E molecules on tumour cells might influence the effectivity of NKG2A-ICI therapy and potentially suggest novel approaches for patient stratification, for example, based on tumoral HLA-G levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Gabriel Kaufmann
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Joshua Tobias
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Ursula Wiedermann
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Alexander Rölle
- Clinical Cooperation Unit “Applied Tumor Immunity”German Cancer Research CenterHeidelbergGermany
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor DiseasesUniversity Hospital HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Marten Meyer
- Clinical Cooperation Unit “Applied Tumor Immunity”German Cancer Research CenterHeidelbergGermany
- Antigen Presentation and T/NK Cell Activation GroupDKFZHeidelbergGermany
| | - Frank Momburg
- Clinical Cooperation Unit “Applied Tumor Immunity”German Cancer Research CenterHeidelbergGermany
- Antigen Presentation and T/NK Cell Activation GroupDKFZHeidelbergGermany
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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9
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Bojko M, Węgrzyn K, Sikorska E, Kocikowski M, Parys M, Battin C, Steinberger P, Kogut MM, Winnicki M, Sieradzan AK, Spodzieja M, Rodziewicz-Motowidło S. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of PD-1 derived peptides as inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 complex formation for cancer therapy. Bioorg Chem 2022; 128:106047. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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10
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Kuncewicz K, Battin C, Węgrzyn K, Sieradzan A, Wardowska A, Sikorska E, Giedrojć I, Smardz P, Pikuła M, Steinberger P, Rodziewicz-Motowidło S, Spodzieja M. Targeting the HVEM protein using a fragment of glycoprotein D to inhibit formation of the BTLA/HVEM complex. Bioorg Chem 2022; 122:105748. [PMID: 35325694 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy using blockade of immune checkpoints is mainly based on monoclonal antibodies. Despite the tremendous success achieved by using those molecules to block immune checkpoint proteins, antibodies possess some weaknesses, which means that there is still a need to search for new compounds as alternatives to antibodies. Many current approaches are focused on use of peptides/peptidomimetics to destroy receptor/ligand interactions. Our studies concern blockade of the BTLA/HVEM complex, which generates an inhibitory effect on the immune response resulting in tolerance to cancer cells. To design inhibitors of such proteins binding we based our work on the amino acid sequence and structure of a ligand of HVEM protein, namely glycoprotein D, which possesses the same binding site on HVEM as BTLA protein. To disrupt the BTLA and HVEM interaction we designed several peptides, all fragments of glycoprotein D, and tested their binding to HVEM using SPR and their ability to inhibit the BTLA/HVEM complex formation using ELISA tests and cellular reporter platforms. That led to identification of two peptides, namely gD(1-36)(K10C-D30C) and gD(1-36)(A12C-L25C), which interact with HVEM and possess blocking capacities. Both peptides are not cytotoxic to human PBMCs, and show stability in human plasma. We also studied the 3D structure of the gD(1-36)(K10C-D30C) peptide using NMR and molecular modeling methods. The obtained data reveal that it possesses an unstructured conformation and binds to HVEM in the same location as gD and BTLA. All these results suggest that peptides based on the binding fragment of gD protein represent promising immunomodulation agents for future cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire Battin
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katarzyna Węgrzyn
- University of Gdańsk, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Adam Sieradzan
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Wardowska
- Medical University of Gdańsk, Department of Physiopathology, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Emilia Sikorska
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Irma Giedrojć
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Pamela Smardz
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Michał Pikuła
- Medical University of Gdańsk, Department of Embryology, Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Marta Spodzieja
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
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11
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Radakovics K, Battin C, Leitner J, Geiselhart S, Paster W, Stöckl J, Hoffmann-Sommergruber K, Steinberger P. A Highly Sensitive Cell-Based TLR Reporter Platform for the Specific Detection of Bacterial TLR Ligands. Front Immunol 2022; 12:817604. [PMID: 35087538 PMCID: PMC8786796 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.817604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are primary pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which recognize conserved microbial components. They play important roles in innate immunity but also in the initiation of adaptive immune responses. Impurities containing TLR ligands are a frequent problem in research but also for the production of therapeutics since TLR ligands can exert strong immunomodulatory properties even in minute amounts. Consequently, there is a need for sensitive tools to detect TLR ligands with high sensitivity and specificity. Here we describe the development of a platform based on a highly sensitive NF-κB::eGFP reporter Jurkat JE6-1 T cell line for the detection of TLR ligands. Ectopic expression of TLRs and their coreceptors and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of endogenously expressed TLRs was deployed to generate reporter cell lines selectively expressing functional human TLR2/1, TLR2/6, TLR4 or TLR5 complexes. Using well-defined agonists for the respective TLR complexes we could demonstrate high specificity and sensitivity of the individual reporter lines. The limit of detection for LPS was below 1 pg/mL and ligands for TLR2/1 (Pam3CSK4), TLR2/6 (Fsl-1) and TLR5 (flagellin) were detected at concentrations as low as 1.0 ng/mL, 0.2 ng/mL and 10 pg/mL, respectively. We showed that the JE6-1 TLR reporter cells have the utility to characterize different commercially available TLR ligands as well as more complex samples like bacterially expressed proteins or allergen extracts. Impurities in preparations of microbial compounds as well as the lack of specificity of detection systems can lead to erroneous results and currently there is no consensus regarding the involvement of TLRs in the recognition of several molecules with proposed immunostimulatory functions. This reporter system represents a highly suitable tool for the definition of structural requirements for agonists of distinct TLR complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Radakovics
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sabine Geiselhart
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Paster
- Clinical Cell Biology and FACS Core Unit, St. Anna Children´s Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Stöckl
- Division Regulation of the Immune System, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Hoffmann-Sommergruber
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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12
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Puck A, Künig S, Modak M, May L, Fritz P, Battin C, Radakovics K, Steinberger P, Reipert BM, Crowe BA, Stöckl J. The soluble cytoplasmic tail of CD45 regulates T-cell activation via TLR4 signaling. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:3176-3185. [PMID: 34626426 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The soluble cytoplasmic tail of CD45 (ct-CD45) is a cleavage fragment of CD45, that is generated during the activation of human phagocytes. Upon release to the extracellular space, ct-CD45 binds to human T cells and inhibits their activation in vitro. Here, we studied the potential role of TLR4 as a receptor for ct-CD45. Treatment of Jurkat TLR4/CD14 reporter cells with ct-CD45 induced the upregulation of the reporter gene NFκB-eGFP and could be blocked by inhibitors of TLR4 signaling. Conversely, ct-CD45 did not promote the NFκB-controlled eGFP induction in reporter cells expressing TLR1, TLR2, and TLR6 transgenes and did not lead to the activation of the transcription factors NFκB, AP-1, and NFAT in a Jurkat reporter cell line expressing endogenous TLR5. Moreover, ct-CD45 binds to recombinant TLR4 in an in vitro assay and this association was reduced in the presence of oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine. Blockade of TLR4 with mAb HTA125 partially reversed the ct-CD45-mediated inhibition of T-cell proliferation. Interestingly, targeting of TLR4 with mAb W7C11 also suppressed T-cell proliferation. In summary, the results of this study demonstrate that ct-CD45 acts via a noncanonical TLR4 activation pathway on T cells, which modulates TCR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Puck
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarojinidevi Künig
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Madhura Modak
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lara May
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pia Fritz
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire Battin
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Radakovics
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit M Reipert
- Department of Immunology, Drug Discovery Austria, Baxalta Innovations GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brian A Crowe
- Department of Immunology, Drug Discovery Austria, Baxalta Innovations GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Stöckl
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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13
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Leitner J, Battin C, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Steinberger P. PD-1 blocking antibodies moonlighting as killers. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:1361-1364. [PMID: 33954999 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic antibodies that block PD-1-mediated inhibition of T cells have revolutionized cancer therapy. Murine cancer models are an essential tool for testing the efficacy of PD-1 blockers alone or in combination with other treatments. Depending on the isotype of the antibody and the host species, blocking antibodies can also exert cytotoxic activity towards cells expressing the target molecule. In the current issue of the European Journal of Immunology [Eur. J. Immunol. 2021. 51: 1473-1481], Polesso et al. demonstrate that depletion of PD-1+ T cells by "blocking" PD-1 antibodies can greatly impact the outcome of preclinical immunotherapy experiments. Whereas some PD-1 antibodies promoted activation and proliferation of PD-1-expressing murine T cells, the authors report that administration of a particular PD-1 antibody can result in a significant loss of antigen-specific CD8 T cells in different in vivo models. These findings once more highlight that a comprehensive characterization of antibodies is warranted to avoid misinterpretation of immunotherapy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptor and T-Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptor and T-Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Grabmeier-Pfistershammer
- Division of Immune Receptor and T-Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptor and T-Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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14
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Reithofer M, Rosskopf S, Leitner J, Battin C, Bohle B, Steinberger P, Jahn-Schmid B. 4-1BB costimulation promotes bystander activation of human CD8 T cells. Eur J Immunol 2020; 51:721-733. [PMID: 33180337 PMCID: PMC7986150 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Costimulatory signals potently promote T‐cell proliferation and effector function. Agonistic antibodies targeting costimulatory receptors of the TNFR family, such as 4‐1BB and CD27, have entered clinical trials in cancer patients. Currently there is limited information how costimulatory signals regulate antigen‐specific but also bystander activation of human CD8 T cells. Engineered antigen presenting cells (eAPC) efficiently presenting several common viral epitopes on HLA‐A2 in combination with MHC class I tetramer staining were used to investigate the impact of costimulatory signals on human CD8 T‐cell responses. CD28 costimulation potently augmented the percentage and number of antigen‐reactive CD8 T cells, whereas eAPC expressing 4‐1BB‐ligand induced bystander proliferation of CD8 T cells and massive expansion of NK cells. Moreover, the 4‐1BB agonist urelumab similarly induced bystander proliferation of CD8 T cells and NK cells in a dose‐dependent manner. However, the promotion of bystander CD8 T‐cell responses is not a general attribute of costimulatory TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) members, since CD27 signals enhanced antigen‐specific CD8 T cells responses without promoting significant bystander activation. Thus, the differential effects of costimulatory signals on the activation of human bystander CD8 T cells should be taken into account when costimulatory pathways are harnessed for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Reithofer
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Rosskopf
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Bohle
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Beatrice Jahn-Schmid
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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15
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Tobias J, Battin C, Linhares ADS, Lebens M, Baier K, Ambroz K, Drinić M, Högler S, Inic-Kanada A, Garner-Spitzer E, Preusser M, Kenner L, Kundi M, Zielinski CC, Steinberger P, Wiedermann U. Abstract 3151: Active immunization with PD1-derived mimotope-Combination immunotherapy against Her-2/neu-expressing tumors. Cancer Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2020-3151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Application of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has demonstrated a tremendous effect in cancer immunotherapy. However, high costs for and frequent applications of mono- or combination-therapies or possible development of resistance justify modifications of this approach. In this line, active immunization with mimotopes (B cell peptides) of ICIs, activating the patients' own immune system, rather than application of the corresponding therapeutic mAbs, may provide advantages over the costly treatment of the mAbs. Overlapping peptides spanning the extracellular domains of human PD1 (hPD1) were used to identify hPD1-derived mimotope, using the therapeutic mAb Nivolumab as a proof of concept. Additionally, for in vivo evaluation in a tumor mouse model, a mouse PD1 (mPD1)-derived mimotope was identified using an anti-mPD1 mAb with mPD1/mPDL-1 blocking capacity. The identified mimotopes were characterized by in vitro assays, including a reporter cell-based assay, and their anti-tumor effect was evaluated in a syngeneic mouse model involving grafting with human Her-2/neu-expressing tumors. The PD1-mimotopes were shown to specifically inhibit the binding of the corresponding mAbs, and also the mAbs capacity in blocking the respective PD1-PDL1 interactions. Applying the syngeneic tumor mouse model, a significant tumor growth reduction following active immunization with the mPD1-mimotope was shown. Importantly, combined vaccination with the mimotope and a multiple B-cell epitope Her-2/neu vaccine potentiated the anti-tumor effect in the syngeneic mice. Tumor growth reduction in the mice immunized with the mimotope was associated with a significant increase of the apoptotic (CC3) and significant reduction of proliferation (Ki67) markers, as evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. However, the tumor growth reduction following active immunization with the cancer vaccine (alone or in combination with the checkpoint mimotope) showed a different IHC picture, namely highly increased levels of CC3 without reduction of proliferation (Ki67 levels) in the tumor cells. In depth studies on the underlying mechanisms of tumor growth reduction are currently ongoing. Our results suggest active immunization with B cell mimotopes of ICIs as either monovalent vaccine or a combination therapy with tumor specific vaccines to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy. Such strategies may potentially lead to multipurpose treatment regimens adapted to the type, stage and progression phase of the various tumors.
Citation Format: Joshua Tobias, Claire Battin, Annika De Sousa Linhares, Michael Lebens, Karin Baier, Katharina Ambroz, Mirjana Drinić, Sandra Högler, Aleksandra Inic-Kanada, Erika Garner-Spitzer, Matthias Preusser, Lukas Kenner, Michael Kundi, Christoph C. Zielinski, Peter Steinberger, Ursula Wiedermann. Active immunization with PD1-derived mimotope-Combination immunotherapy against Her-2/neu-expressing tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3151.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Karin Baier
- 1Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
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16
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Tobias J, Battin C, De Sousa Linhares A, Lebens M, Baier K, Ambroz K, Drinić M, Högler S, Inic-Kanada A, Garner-Spitzer E, Preusser M, Kenner L, Kundi M, Zielinski CC, Steinberger P, Wiedermann U. A New Strategy Toward B Cell-Based Cancer Vaccines by Active Immunization With Mimotopes of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Front Immunol 2020; 11:895. [PMID: 32528470 PMCID: PMC7266955 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), targeting tumor antigens, or immune checkpoints, have demonstrated a remarkable anti-tumor effect against various malignancies. However, high costs for mono- or combination therapies, associated with adverse effects or possible development of resistance in some patients, warrant further development and modification to gain more flexibility for this immunotherapy approach. An attractive alternative to passive immunization with therapeutic antibodies might be active immunization with mimotopes (B-cell peptides) representing the mAbs' binding epitopes, to activate the patient's own anti-tumor immune response following immunization. Here, we identified and examined the feasibility of inducing anti-tumor effects in vivo following active immunization with a mimotope of the immune checkpoint programmed cell death 1 (PD1), alone or in combination with a Her-2/neu B-cell peptide vaccine. Overlapping peptides spanning the extracellular domains of human PD1 (hPD1) were used to identify hPD1-derived mimotopes, using the therapeutic mAb Nivolumab as a proof of concept. Additionally, for in vivo evaluation in a tumor mouse model, a mouse PD1 (mPD1)-derived mimotope was identified using an anti-mPD1 mAb with mPD1/mPDL-1 blocking capacity. The identified mimotopes were characterized by in vitro assays, including a reporter cell-based assay, and their anti-tumor effects were evaluated in a syngeneic tumor mouse model stably expressing human Her-2/neu. The identified PD1-derived mimotopes were shown to significantly block the mAbs' capacity in inhibiting the respective PD1/PD-L1 interactions. A significant reduction in tumor growth in vivo was observed following active immunization with the mPD1-derived mimotope, associated with a significant reduction in proliferation and increased apoptotic rates in the tumors. Particularly, combined vaccination with the mPD1-derived mimotope and a multiple B-cell epitope Her-2/neu vaccine potentiated the vaccine's anti-tumor effect. Our results suggest active immunization with mimotopes of immune checkpoint inhibitors either as monotherapy or as combination therapy with tumor-specific vaccines, as a new strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Tobias
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annika De Sousa Linhares
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Lebens
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg Vaccine Research Institute (GUVAX), University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Karin Baier
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Ambroz
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirjana Drinić
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Högler
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aleksandra Inic-Kanada
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erika Garner-Spitzer
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Preusser
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Experimental Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Kundi
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph C Zielinski
- Vienna Cancer Center (VCC), Medical University Vienna, and Vienna Hospital Association, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Wiedermann
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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17
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Tobias J, Battin C, De Linhares AS, Lebens M, Baier K, Ambroz K, Högler S, Inic-Kanada A, Garner-Spitzer E, Preusser M, Kenner L, Kundi M, Zielinski C, Steinberger P, Wiedermann U. Active immunization with immune checkpoint inhibitors-mimotope elicits strong anti-tumour effect against HER-2/neu-expressing tumours. Ann Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz253.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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18
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Battin C, De Sousa Linhares A, Paster W, Isenman DE, Wahrmann M, Leitner J, Zlabinger GJ, Steinberger P, Hofer J. Neuropilin-1 Acts as a Receptor for Complement Split Products. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2209. [PMID: 31572401 PMCID: PMC6753332 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Complement split products (CSPs), such as the fragments C4d and C3d, which are generated as a consequence of complement regulatory processes, are established markers for disease activity in autoimmunity or antibody-mediated graft rejection. Since immunoglobulin-like transcript 4 (ILT4) was previously shown to interact with soluble CSPs, but not with CSPs covalently-bound to target surfaces following classical complement activation, the present study aimed to identify novel cellular receptors interacting with covalently-deposited CSPs. By applying an unbiased screening approach using a cDNA mammalian expression library generated from human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and probed with recombinant human C4d, we identified neuropilin-1 (NRP1) as a novel receptor for C4d, C3d, and iC3b. NRP1, a highly conserved type 1 transmembrane protein, plays important roles in the development of the nervous and cardiovascular system as well as in tumorigenesis through interaction with its established binding partners, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and semaphorin 3A (Sema3A). NRP1 is also expressed on immune cells and serves as a marker for murine Tregs. Although NRP1 contains domains homologous to ones found in some complement proteins, it has not been linked to the complement system. We demonstrate that binding of C4d to NRP1 expressing cells was dose-dependent and saturable, and had a KD value of 0.71 μM. Importantly, and in contrast to ILT4, NRP1 interacted with CSPs that were covalently bound to target surfaces in the course of complement activation, therefore representing a classical complement receptor. The binding site of CSPs was mapped to the b1 domain of the coagulation factor V/VIII homology domain of NRP1. Taken together, our results demonstrate a novel role for NRP1 as a receptor for CSPs deposited on surfaces during complement activation. Further work is required to elucidate the functional consequences of the NRP1-CSP interactions in immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annika De Sousa Linhares
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Paster
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Clinical Cell Biology and FACS Core Unit, Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - David E Isenman
- Departments of Biochemistry and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Markus Wahrmann
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard J Zlabinger
- Division of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Hofer
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Humeniuk P, Geiselhart S, Battin C, Webb T, Steinberger P, Paster W, Hoffmann-Sommergruber K. Generation of a Jurkat-based fluorescent reporter cell line to evaluate lipid antigen interaction with the human iNKT cell receptor. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7426. [PMID: 31092850 PMCID: PMC6520406 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43529-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a specialized subset of T cells contributing to both, the innate and adaptive immune responses. In contrast to conventional T lymphocytes they recognize lipid antigens. The aim of the project is to establish a novel model system, to study iNKT-TCR - ligand interaction. An iNKT reporter cell line (JE6-1REP-iNKT) was engineered by introducing the human iNKT-TCR into a human leukemic T cell line carrying an NF-κB-driven fluorescent transcriptional reporter construct. Antigen presenting BWSTIM cells expressing human CD1d and CD80 were generated. Reporter induction in JE6-1REP-iNKT cells was assessed by flow cytometry. CRISPR/Cas9 was used for β2M knock out in JE6-1REP-iNKT cells to abrogate CD1d expression and thus excluding antigen self-presentation. Reporter cells were shown to specifically react with iNKT antigens presented via CD1d. Their sensitivity towards α-GalCer was comparable to a murine iNKT hybridoma cell line. In conclusion, we created a novel iNKT reporter platform which, compared to traditional iNKT cell assays, is characterized by a shorter turnaround time and lower costs. It thus facilitates the identification of antigenic structures that drive the activation of iNKT cells in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Humeniuk
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sabine Geiselhart
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire Battin
- Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tonya Webb
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Paster
- Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria.
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Battin C, Hennig A, Mayrhofer P, Kunert R, Zlabinger GJ, Steinberger P, Paster W. A human monocytic NF-κB fluorescent reporter cell line for detection of microbial contaminants in biological samples. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178220. [PMID: 28542462 PMCID: PMC5443541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensing of pathogens by innate immune cells is essential for the initiation of appropriate immune responses. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are highly sensitive for various structurally and evolutionary conserved molecules derived from microbes have a prominent role in this process. TLR engagement results in the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, which induces the expression of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. The exquisite sensitivity of TLR signalling can be exploited for the detection of bacteria and microbial contaminants in tissue cultures and in protein preparations. Here we describe a cellular reporter system for the detection of TLR ligands in biological samples. The well-characterized human monocytic THP-1 cell line was chosen as host for an NF-ᴋB-inducible enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter gene. We studied the sensitivity of the resultant reporter cells for a variety of microbial components and observed a strong reactivity towards TLR1/2 and TLR2/6 ligands. Mycoplasma lipoproteins are potent TLR2/6 agonists and we demonstrate that our reporter cells can be used as reliable and robust detection system for mycoplasma contaminations in cell cultures. In addition, a TLR4-sensitive subline of our reporters was engineered, and probed with recombinant proteins expressed in different host systems. Bacterially expressed but not mammalian expressed proteins induced strong reporter activity. We also tested proteins expressed in an E. coli strain engineered to lack TLR4 agonists. Such preparations also induced reporter activation in THP-1 cells highlighting the importance of testing recombinant protein preparations for microbial contaminations beyond endotoxins. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of monocytic reporter cells for high-throughput screening for microbial contaminations in diverse biological samples, including tissue culture supernatants and recombinant protein preparations. Fluorescent reporter assays can be measured on standard flow cytometers and in contrast to established detection methods, like luciferase-based systems or Limulus Amebocyte Lysate tests, they do not require costly reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annika Hennig
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patrick Mayrhofer
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Renate Kunert
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard J. Zlabinger
- Division of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail: (PS); (WP), (WP)
| | - Wolfgang Paster
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail: (PS); (WP), (WP)
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Stecher C, Battin C, Leitner J, Zettl M, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Höller C, Zlabinger GJ, Steinberger P. PD-1 Blockade Promotes Emerging Checkpoint Inhibitors in Enhancing T Cell Responses to Allogeneic Dendritic Cells. Front Immunol 2017; 8:572. [PMID: 28588576 PMCID: PMC5439058 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors, which target coinhibitory T cell molecules to promote anticancer immune responses, are on the rise to become a new pillar of cancer therapy. However, current immune checkpoint-based therapies are successful only in a subset of patients and acquired resistances pose additional challenges. Finding new targets and combining checkpoint inhibitors might help to overcome these limitations. In this study, human T cells stimulated with allogeneic dendritic cells (DCs) were used to compare immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting TIM-3, BTLA, LAG-3, CTLA-4, and TIGIT alone or in combination with a PD-1 antibody. We found that PD-1 blockade bears a unique potency to enhance T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Other checkpoint inhibitors failed to significantly augment T cell responses when used alone. However, antibodies to TIM-3, BTLA, LAG-3, and CTLA-4 enhanced T cell proliferation in presence of a PD-1 antibody. Upregulation of coinhibitory T cell receptors upon PD-1 blockade was identified as a potential mechanism for synergistic effects between checkpoint inhibitors. Donor-specific variation in response to immune checkpoint inhibitors was attributed to the T cells rather than DCs. Additionally, we analyzed the regulation of checkpoint molecules and their ligands on T cells and allogeneic DCs in coculture, which suggested a PD-1 blockade-dependent crosstalk between T cells and APC. Our results indicate that several immune checkpoint inhibitors have the capacity to enhance T cell responses when combined with PD-1 blockade. Additional in vitro studies on human T cells will be useful to identify antibody combinations with the potential to augment T cell responses in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Stecher
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire Battin
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Zettl
- Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & CoKG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Grabmeier-Pfistershammer
- Division of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Höller
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard J Zlabinger
- Division of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Rosskopf S, Jahn-Schmid B, Bohle B, Battin C, Schmetterer K, Pickl WF, Steinberger P. The role of coinhibitory pathways in allergen-specific CD4+ T cell responses. The Journal of Immunology 2017. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.198.supp.194.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
More than 25% of the population suffers from IgE-mediated immune reactions and its related symptoms. T lymphocytes have a crucial role in initiating and promoting allergies and their responses are tightly regulated by numerous activating and inhibitory signals provided by APCs. Currently, there is limited knowledge regarding the role of inhibitory pathways in allergen-specific CD4+ T cell responses. To address this issue, patients allergic against house dust mites, birch pollen, mugwort pollen and grass pollen were recruited. PBMCs were isolated and then stimulated with allergenic extracts to evaluate coinhibitory pathways using blocking antibodies (e.g. nivolumab, ipilimumab) and to assess the expression of coinhibitory receptors on allergen-specific T cells. Allergenic extracts were analyzed for presence of TLR triggering molecules using NF-κB-eGFP reporter cells expressing TLR1/2, TLR2/6, TLR4 or TLR5. Furthermore, allergen-specific T cell reporters, T cell lines or T cell clones from allergic patients were cocultivated with engineered APCs that present allergenic peptides on MHC class II molecules and express different coinhibitory molecules. Blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis strongly enhanced proliferation of allergen-specific CD4+ T cells in response to allergenic extracts. No correlation was found between IgE concentration and T cell proliferation. Preliminary results show a distinct expression pattern of coinhibitory molecules on allergen-specific T cells. In a next step Th1/Th2 cytokine patterns will be analyzed. Research was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approval of the local ethics committee was obtained (EK1538/2014).
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Bouvet C, Battin C, Le Roy-Hatala C. [The Clubhouse model for people with severe mental illnesses: Literature review and French experiment]. Encephale 2014; 41:477-86. [PMID: 25438970 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this article is 1) to present the Clubhouse (CH) Model and the first French CH, and 2) study the empirical background on the efficiency of the CH concerning employment, quality of life and hospitalization for people with mental illness. HISTORICAL, THEORETICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BACKGROUND The first Clubhouse was created sixty years ago in the U.S. The Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation is a program that offers to people with mental illness support and opportunities to find a job and return to a normal social life. The Clubhouse model has been built over the years thanks to the experiences of members and staff. It is based on "36 standards" (rules which each Clubhouse follows in order to attain its goals). Supported by associations and families of people with mental illness, health professionals, and the international federation of Clubhouses (Clubhouse International), the first Clubhouse in France has opened in November 2011. This non-medicalized association and its co-management by both members and staff are innovative in France. The aims of the Clubhouse are founded on the concept of empowerment and "peer-help", and on the fight against isolation and stigmatization. Clubhouses offer day-programs which allow people with mental illness to have a sense of community and a useful purpose within the association. Indeed, the salaried management team is voluntarily understaffed so that the participation of members is necessary and so that they can benefit from the opportunities for useful activity within the Clubhouse, developing a real opportunity of empowerment. METHOD In order to study the efficiency of CH, we conducted a systematic review of publications on CH, first in the database of Club House International (500 publications) and second, in the scientific data base (Psycinfo, Psycarticles, Academic Search Premier, Medline et Science Direct) (205 publications included in the 500). We identified 64 scientific studies. We have selected 28 of them that focused on the variable: employment, quality of life and hospitalisation. RESULTS Clubhouses have shown their effectiveness regarding employment, quality of life and hospitalization. Indeed, several studies compare Clubhouses with other programs of psychosocial rehabilitation. The results have demonstrated that Clubhouses' members: find more salaried work, find jobs of higher quality, have a better quality of life and face fewer hospitalizations, than people in other psychosocial rehabilitation programs. DISCUSSION We discuss the interest of the CH in France using the experiment of the CH in Paris. This experiment in providing an innovative place of support, mutual aid, and autonomy is currently successful in France. Over 18 months, a team of 65 members and 3 staff members has come together. This enthusiasm is probably due to the fact that the Clubhouse in Paris is a place which helps people with mental illness establish a daily rhythm, social usefulness and affective links, all essential for recovery, in a context different from the usual medically supervised care in other settings: people are treated as individuals rather than as "sick persons" or "patients". This article discusses the benefits of this new model of psychosocial rehabilitation in France, by presenting the originality and complimentarity of this concept, in comparison with other health structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bouvet
- Laboratoire CLIPSYD (EA 4430), université Paris-Ouest, UFR SPSE, 200, avenue de la République, 92001 Nanterre cedex, France.
| | - C Battin
- Laboratoire CLIPSYD (EA 4430), université Paris-Ouest, UFR SPSE, 200, avenue de la République, 92001 Nanterre cedex, France; Clubhouse Paris, 7, rue de Lunéville, 75019 Paris, France
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