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Wang H, Medina R, Ye J, Zhang Y, Chakraborty S, Valenzuela A, Uher O, Hadrava Vanova K, Sun M, Sang X, Park DM, Zenka J, Gilbert MR, Pacak K, Zhuang Z. rWTC-MBTA Vaccine Induces Potent Adaptive Immune Responses Against Glioblastomas via Dynamic Activation of Dendritic Cells. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024; 11:e2308280. [PMID: 38298111 PMCID: PMC11005728 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308280] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Despite strides in immunotherapy, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains challenging due to low inherent immunogenicity and suppressive tumor microenvironment. Converting "cold" GBMs to "hot" is crucial for immune activation and improved outcomes. This study comprehensively characterized a therapeutic vaccination strategy for preclinical GBM models. The vaccine consists of Mannan-BAM-anchored irradiated whole tumor cells, Toll-like receptor ligands [lipoteichoic acid (LTA), polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly (I:C)), and resiquimod (R-848)], and anti-CD40 agonistic antibody (rWTC-MBTA). Intracranial GBM models (GL261, SB28 cells) are used to evaluate the vaccine efficacy. A substantial number of vaccinated mice exhibited complete regression of GBM tumors in a T-cell-dependent manner, with no significant toxicity. Long-term tumor-specific immune memory is confirmed upon tumor rechallenge. In the vaccine-draining lymph nodes of the SB28 model, rWTC-MBTA vaccination triggered a major rise in conventional dendritic cell type 1 (cDC1) 12 h post-treatment, followed by an increase in conventional dendritic cell type 2 (cDC2), monocyte-derived dendritic cell (moDC), and plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) on Day 5 and Day 13. Enhanced cytotoxicity of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in vaccinated mice is verified in co-culture with tumor cells. Analyses of immunosuppressive signals (T-cell exhaustion, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), M2 macrophages) in the GBM microenvironment suggest potential combinations with other immunotherapies for enhanced efficacy. In conclusion, the authors findings demonstrate that rWTC-MBTA induces potent and long-term adaptive immune responses against GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herui Wang
- Neuro‐Oncology BranchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland10022USA
- Present address:
Staff Scientist Neuro‐Oncology BranchNational Cancer Institute Center for Cancer ResearchNational Institutes of HealthBuilding 37 Room 100437 Convent Dr.BethesdaMD20892USA
| | - Rogelio Medina
- Neuro‐Oncology BranchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland10022USA
| | - Juan Ye
- Neuro‐Oncology BranchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland10022USA
| | - Yaping Zhang
- Neuro‐Oncology BranchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland10022USA
| | | | - Alex Valenzuela
- Neuro‐Oncology BranchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland10022USA
| | - Ondrej Uher
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentNational Institutes of Health9000 Rockville PikeBethesdaMD20892USA
| | - Katerina Hadrava Vanova
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentNational Institutes of Health9000 Rockville PikeBethesdaMD20892USA
| | - Mitchell Sun
- Neuro‐Oncology BranchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland10022USA
| | - Xueyu Sang
- Neuro‐Oncology BranchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland10022USA
| | - Deric M. Park
- John Theurer Cancer CenterHUMCHackensack Meridian School of Medicine92 2nd StHackensackNJ07601USA
| | - Jan Zenka
- Department of Medical BiologyFaculty of ScienceUniversity of South BohemiaČeské Budějovice37005Czech Republic
| | - Mark R. Gilbert
- Neuro‐Oncology BranchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland10022USA
| | - Karel Pacak
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentNational Institutes of Health9000 Rockville PikeBethesdaMD20892USA
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Neuro‐Oncology BranchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMaryland10022USA
- Present address:
Senior Investigator Neuro‐Oncology BranchNational Cancer Institute Center for Cancer ResearchNational Institutes of HealthBuilding 37 Room 100037 Convent DrBethesdaMD20892USA
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Ye J, Wang H, Medina R, Chakraborty S, Sun M, Valenzuela A, Sang X, Zhang Y, Uher O, Zenka J, Pacak K, Zhuang Z. rWTC-MBTA: autologous vaccine prevents metastases via antitumor immune responses. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:163. [PMID: 37434263 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02744-8] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autologous tumor cell-based vaccines (ATVs) aim to prevent and treat tumor metastasis by activating patient-specific tumor antigens to induce immune memory. However, their clinical efficacy is limited. Mannan-BAM (MB), a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP), can coordinate an innate immune response that recognizes and eliminates mannan-BAM-labeled tumor cells. TLR agonists and anti-CD40 antibodies (TA) can enhance the immune response by activating antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to present tumor antigens to the adaptive immune system. In this study, we investigated the efficacy and mechanism of action of rWTC-MBTA, an autologous whole tumor cell vaccine consisting of irradiated tumor cells (rWTC) pulsed with mannan-BAM, TLR agonists, and anti-CD40 antibody (MBTA), in preventing tumor metastasis in multiple animal models. METHODS The efficacy of the rWTC-MBTA vaccine was evaluated in mice using breast (4T1) and melanoma (B16-F10) tumor models via subcutaneous and intravenous injection of tumor cells to induce metastasis. The vaccine's effect was also assessed in a postoperative breast tumor model (4T1) and tested in autologous and allogeneic syngeneic breast tumor models (4T1 and EMT6). Mechanistic investigations included immunohistochemistry, immunophenotyping analysis, ELISA, tumor-specific cytotoxicity testing, and T-cell depletion experiments. Biochemistry testing and histopathology of major tissues in vaccinated mice were also evaluated for potential systemic toxicity of the vaccine. RESULTS The rWTC-MBTA vaccine effectively prevented metastasis and inhibited tumor growth in breast tumor and melanoma metastatic animal models. It also prevented tumor metastasis and prolonged survival in the postoperative breast tumor animal model. Cross-vaccination experiments revealed that the rWTC-MBTA vaccine prevented autologous tumor growth, but not allogeneic tumor growth. Mechanistic data demonstrated that the vaccine increased the percentage of antigen-presenting cells, induced effector and central memory cells, and enhanced CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses. T-cells obtained from mice that were vaccinated displayed tumor-specific cytotoxicity, as shown by enhanced tumor cell killing in co-culture experiments, accompanied by increased levels of Granzyme B, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and CD107a in T-cells. T-cell depletion experiments showed that the vaccine's antitumor efficacy depended on T-cells, especially CD4+ T-cells. Biochemistry testing and histopathology of major tissues in vaccinated mice revealed negligible systemic toxicity of the vaccine. CONCLUSION The rWTC-MBTA vaccine demonstrated efficacy in multiple animal models through T-cell mediated cytotoxicity and has potential as a therapeutic option for preventing and treating tumor metastasis with minimal systemic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ye
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 37, Room 1000 37 Convent Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Herui Wang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 37, Room 1000 37 Convent Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Rogelio Medina
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 37, Room 1000 37 Convent Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | | | - Mitchell Sun
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 37, Room 1000 37 Convent Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Alex Valenzuela
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 37, Room 1000 37 Convent Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xueyu Sang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 37, Room 1000 37 Convent Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Yaping Zhang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 37, Room 1000 37 Convent Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ondrej Uher
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jan Zenka
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Pacak
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 37, Room 1000 37 Convent Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Uher O, Hadrava Vanova K, Lencova R, Frejlachova A, Wang H, Zhuang Z, Zenka J, Pacak K. Intratumoral immunotherapy of murine pheochromocytoma shows no age-dependent differences in its efficacy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1030412. [PMID: 37342258 PMCID: PMC10277857 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1030412] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has shown remarkable clinical progress in recent years. Although age is one of the biggest leading risk factors for cancer development and older adults represent a majority of cancer patients, only a few new cancer immunotherapeutic interventions have been preclinically tested in aged animals. Thus, the lack of preclinical studies focused on age-dependent effect during cancer immunotherapy could lead to different therapeutic outcomes in young and aged animals and future modifications of human clinical trials. Here, we compare the efficacy of previously developed and tested intratumoral immunotherapy, based on the combination of polysaccharide mannan, toll-like receptor ligands, and anti-CD40 antibody (MBTA immunotherapy), in young (6 weeks) and aged (71 weeks) mice bearing experimental pheochromocytoma (PHEO). The presented results point out that despite faster growth of PHEO in aged mice MBTA intratumoral immunotherapy is effective approach without age dependence and could be one of the possible therapeutic interventions to enhance immune response to pheochromocytoma and perhaps other tumor types in aged and young hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Uher
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Katerina Hadrava Vanova
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Radka Lencova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Andrea Frejlachova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Herui Wang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jan Zenka
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Karel Pacak
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
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Frejlachova A, Lencova R, Venhauerova A, Skalickova M, Uher O, Caisova V, Majer P, Tenora L, Hansen P, Chmelar J, Kopecky J, Zhuang Z, Pacak K, Zenka J. The combination of immunotherapy and a glutamine metabolism inhibitor represents an effective therapeutic strategy for advanced and metastatic murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 118:110150. [PMID: 37030115 PMCID: PMC10182763 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110150] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite constant advances in cancer research, the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains extremely challenging. The intratumoral immunotherapy approach that was developed by our research group and was based on a combination of mannan-BAM, TLR ligands, and anti-CD40 antibody (MBTA) showed promising therapeutic effects in various murine tumor models, including a pancreatic adenocarcinoma model (Panc02). However, the efficacy of MBTA therapy in the Panc02 model was negatively correlated with tumor size at the time of therapy initiation. Here, we aimed to further improve the outcome of MBTA therapy in the Panc02 model using the glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON). The combination of intratumoral MBTA therapy and intraperitoneal administration of DON resulted in the complete elimination of advanced Panc02 subcutaneous tumors (140.8 ± 46.8 mm3) in 50% of treated animals and was followed by development of long-term immune memory. In the bilateral Panc02 subcutaneous tumor model, we observed a significant reduction in tumor growth in both tumors as well as prolonged survival of treated animals. The appropriate timing and method of administration of DON were also addressed to maximize its therapeutic effects and minimize its side effects. In summary, our findings demonstrate that the intraperitoneal application of DON significantly improves the efficacy of intratumoral MBTA therapy in both advanced and bilateral Panc02 subcutaneous tumor murine models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Frejlachova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Radka Lencova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Venhauerova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Skalickova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Uher
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic; Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Veronika Caisova
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. 166 10, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Tenora
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. 166 10, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Per Hansen
- Immunoaction LLC, Charlotte, VT 05445, USA
| | - Jindrich Chmelar
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Kopecky
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Karel Pacak
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Jan Zenka
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic.
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Wang H, Medina R, Ye J, Lookian P, Uher O, Zenka J, Gilbert M, Pacak K, Zhuang Z. IMMU-44. AN IMMUNOTHERAPEUTIC VACCINE COMPOSED OF IRRADIATED WHOLE TUMOR CELLS PULSED WITH MANNAN-BAM, TLR LIGANDS AND ANTI-CD40 ANTIBODY INDUCES POTENT IMMUNE RESPONSE IN PRECLINICAL GBM ANIMAL MODEL. Neuro Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab196.403] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Despite numerous therapeutic advances, the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains a challenge, with current 5-year survival rates estimated at 4%. Multiple characteristic elements of GBM contribute to its treatment-resistance, including its low immunogenicity and its highly immunosuppressive microenvironment that can effectively disarm adaptive immune responses. Hence, therapeutic strategies that aim to boost T-lymphocyte mediated responses against GBM are of great therapeutic value. Herein, we present a therapeutic vaccination strategy that promotes the phagocytosis of tumor cells, enhances tumor antigen presentation, and induces a tumor-specific adaptive immune response. This strategy consists of vaccinations with irradiated whole tumor cells (rWTC) pulsed with phagocytic agonists (Mannan-BAM), TLR ligands [LTA, Poly (I:C), and R-848], and anti-CD40 antibody (collectively abbreviated as rWTC-MBTA). We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of rWTC-MBTA strategy in a mouse syngeneic GL261 orthotopic GBM tumor model. rWTC-MBTA or vehicle control were administered subcutaneously over the right foreleg three days after intracranial injection of GL261 cells. Complete regression (CR) of intracranial tumors was achieved in 70% (7/10) of rWTC-MBTA treated animals while none survived in the control group. Immunophenotyping analyses of peripheral lymph nodes and brain tumors of rWTC-MBTA treated mice demonstrated: (1) increased mature dendritic cells and MHC II+ monocytes; (2) increased effector (CD62L-CD44+) CD4-T and CD8-T cells; (3) increased cytotoxic IFNγ-, TNFα-, and granzyme B-secreting CD4-T and CD8-T cells. Of note, the therapeutic efficacy of rWTC-MBTA disappeared in CD4-T and/or CD8-T lymphocyte depleted mice. Three mice that achieved CR were rechallenged with 50k GL261 cells intracranially 14 months after the last rWTC-MBTA treatment and all rechallenged animals resisted GL261 tumor development, confirming the establishment of long-term immunological memory against GL261 tumor cells. Collectively, our study demonstrated that rWTC-MBTA strategy can effectively activate antigen presenting cells and induce more favorable T-cell signatures in the GBM tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jan Zenka
- University of South Bohemia, Bezdrevská, Czech Republic
| | - Mark Gilbert
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Uher O, Caisova V, Padoukova L, Kvardova K, Masakova K, Lencova R, Frejlachova A, Skalickova M, Venhauerova A, Chlastakova A, Hansen P, Chmelar J, Kopecky J, Zhuang Z, Pacak K, Zenka J. Mannan-BAM, TLR ligands, and anti-CD40 immunotherapy in established murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma: understanding therapeutic potentials and limitations. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:3303-3312. [PMID: 33855601 PMCID: PMC9927628 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02920-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, and its therapy remains a challenge. Our proposed therapeutic approach is based on the intratumoral injections of mannan-BAM, toll-like receptor ligands, and anti-CD40 antibody (thus termed MBTA therapy), and has shown promising results in the elimination of subcutaneous murine melanoma, pheochromocytoma, colon carcinoma, and smaller pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Panc02). Here, we tested the short- and long-term effects of MBTA therapy in established subcutaneous Panc02 tumors two times larger than in previous study and bilateral Panc02 models as well as the roles of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in this therapy. The MBTA therapy resulted in eradication of 67% of Panc02 tumors with the development of long-term memory as evidenced by the rejection of Panc02 cells after subcutaneous and intracranial transplantations. The initial Panc02 tumor elimination is not dependent on the presence of CD4+ T lymphocytes, although these cells seem to be important in long-term survival and resistance against tumor retransplantation. The resistance was revealed to be antigen-specific due to its inability to reject B16-F10 melanoma cells. In the bilateral Panc02 model, MBTA therapy manifested a lower therapeutic response. Despite numerous combinations of MBTA therapy with other therapeutic approaches, our results show that only simultaneous application of MBTA therapy into both tumors has potential for the treatment of the bilateral Panc02 model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Uher
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Veronika Caisova
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Lucie Padoukova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Kvardova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Kamila Masakova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Radka Lencova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Frejlachova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Skalickova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Venhauerova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Adela Chlastakova
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Per Hansen
- Immunoaction LLC, Charlotte, VT, 05445, USA
| | - Jindrich Chmelar
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Kopecky
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological, Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Karel Pacak
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Jan Zenka
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, 37005, Czech Republic.
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Uher O, Huynh TT, Zhu B, Horn LA, Medina R, Wang H, Palena C, Chmelar J, Zhuang Z, Zenka J, Pacak K. Systemic Immune Response in Murine Bilateral Pheochromocytoma Model During Immunotherapy Based on a Combination of Mannan-BAM, TLR Ligands and Anti-CD40 Antibodies (MBTA Therapy). J Endocr Soc 2021. [PMCID: PMC8089186 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvab048.2113] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become an essential component of cancer treatment, however, a majority of patients with solid metastatic cancers, such as pheochromocytoma (PHEO), do not respond to this type of therapy. Recently, we developed an intratumoral (i.t.) immunotherapy based on the unique combination of TLR ligands, anti-CD40 antibodies, and mannan, which is artificially bound to tumor cells via an anchor (MBTA therapy). This therapy resulted in the complete eradication of aggressive subcutaneous PHEO in 67% of mice and demonstrated a systemic antitumor immune response and regression of non-treated lesions in the metastatic model (1). To further evaluate this systemic effect generated during MBTA therapy, we established a murine bilateral PHEO model, where MBTA therapy was i.t. injected into one tumor, and the distant (non-treated) tumor was monitored for changes in size and immune cell infiltration. The growth of both MBTA-treated and distant tumors was reduced compared to that of the control. Interestingly, survival of the MBTA-treated mice was twice as long compared to the control mice. Moreover, we have made several unique observations during the experiments which were focused on the tumor microenvironment. Flow cytometry analysis revealed the ability of MBTA therapy to significantly increase the infiltration of innate immune cells (monocytes, DCs, macrophages, NK cells) not only in MBTA-treated tumors, but also in distal tumors, despite the fact that MBTA therapy was designed to elicit only local inflammation. An analysis of the macrophage phenotype revealed a switch from protumor M2 to antitumor M1 macrophages in both tumors during the entire MBTA therapy treatment. Analysis of splenic adaptive immune cells revealed that naïve CD4+ or CD8+ T cells differentiated into central memory cells and effector memory cells. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were elevated in MBTA-treated and distant tumors with a significantly higher frequency of CD8+ effector memory T cells. Moreover, the adoptive transfer of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells revealed that immune memory, after tumor rechallenging, was driven by CD4+ T cells. Collectively, these results illustrate the ability of MBTA therapy to activate both parts of the immune system and render a systemic antitumor response against non-treated metastases. We believe that our results could lead to the use of MBTA therapy in patients with aggressive, metastatic lesions. Reference: Caisova et al., Cancers (Basel), 2019. 11(5).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Uher
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Thanh-Truc Huynh
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Boqun Zhu
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lucas A Horn
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rogelio Medina
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Herui Wang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Claudia Palena
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jindrich Chmelar
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jan Zenka
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Pacak
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
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8
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Medina R, Wang H, Caisová V, Cui J, Indig IH, Uher O, Ye J, Nwankwo A, Sanchez V, Wu T, Nduom E, Heiss J, Gilbert MR, Terabe M, Ho W, Zenka J, Pacak K, Zhuang Z. Induction of Immune Response Against Metastatic Tumors via Vaccination of Mannan-BAM, TLR Ligands and Anti-CD40 Antibody (MBTA). Adv Ther (Weinh) 2020; 3. [PMID: 33709018 DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence is demonstrating the extent of T-cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment has favorable prognostic and therapeutic implications. Hence, immunotherapeutic strategies that augment the T-cell signature of tumors hold promising therapeutic potential. Recently, immunotherapy based on intratumoral injection of mannan-BAM, toll-like receptor ligands and anti-CD40 antibody (MBTA) demonstrated promising potential to modulate the immune phenotype of injected tumors. The strategy promotes the phagocytosis of tumor cells to facilitate the recognition of tumor antigens and induce a tumor-specific adaptive immune response. Using a syngeneic colon carcinoma model, we demonstrate MBTA's potential to augment CD8+ T-cell tumor infiltrate when administered intratumorally or subcutaneously as part of a whole tumor cell vaccine. Both immunotherapeutic strategies proved effective at controlling tumor growth, prolonged survival and induced immunological memory against the parental cell line. Collectively, our investigation demonstrates MBTA's potential to trigger a potent anti-tumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogelio Medina
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States.,David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Herui Wang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Veronika Caisová
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Jing Cui
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Iris H Indig
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Ondrej Uher
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States.,Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Juan Ye
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Anthony Nwankwo
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Victoria Sanchez
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Tianxia Wu
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Edjah Nduom
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - John Heiss
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Mark R Gilbert
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Masaki Terabe
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Winson Ho
- UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children's, Austin, Texas, United States
| | - Jan Zenka
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Pacak
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
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9
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Caisova V, Gupta G, Jochmanova I, Jha A, Li L, Huynh TT, Pang Y, Ghayee HK, Taïeb D, Zenka J, Pacak K. Abstract B90: Improved mice survival by reducing pheochromocytoma burden through activation of innate immunity using mannan and toll-like receptors. Cancer Immunol Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6074.tumimm18-b90] [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
Background and Purpose: Pheochromocytomas (PHEOs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neuroendocrine/neural crest cell tumors. Therapeutic options for PHEOs/PGLs are limited, particularly in metastatic patients. Therefore, efforts to find new and more effective therapies are crucial in PHEO/PGL research. Recently, immunotherapy based on activation of innate immunity via pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) has been tested in melanoma. PAMPs-based immunotherapy uses mannan, a simple polysaccharide from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a ligand stimulating phagocytosis in combination with toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. Thus, in the present study we evaluated (1) the effect of intratumorally administered mannan-BAM + TLR ligands in a PHEO mouse model, (2) the participation of innate immunity on the PHEO growth reduction, (3) the leukocyte infiltration in treated PHEO, and (4) in vitro interactions of PHEO cells (with or without mannan) with neutrophils.
Methods: PHEO cells were subcutaneously transplanted into mice and mannan-BAM + TLR ligands were intratumorally administered. CD45+ infiltration in tumors was measured using flow cytometry. In vitro experiments were performed using mouse/human PHEO cell lines incubated with mouse/human neutrophils.
Results: The intratumoral administration of mannan-BAM and TLR ligands into PHEO resulted in 90% tumor growth reduction. The survival median increased from 16 days in the control group to 50 days in the group treated with mannan-BAM + TLR ligands. Subsequently, mice lacking functional T and B cells were used. Intratumoral administration of mannan-BAM + TLR ligands resulted in 86% reduction of tumor growth, which proved the key role of innate immunity in PHEO tumor elimination. The flow cytometry analysis of tumor-infiltrating CD45+ cells revealed higher levels of CD45+ cells in the group treated by mannan-BAM + TLR ligands. Significant increase in the levels of granulocytes was observed on days 3 and 18 of the treatment. Cytotoxic experiments using PHEO cell lines revealed increased cytotoxic effect of neutrophils toward PHEO cells labeled with mannan-BAM compared to the cells without mannan-BAM. Microscopic evaluation of neutrophils and PHEO cells labeled with mannan-BAM revealed enhanced frustrated phagocytosis and neutrophils rosette formation dependent on the presence of mannan-BAM.
Conclusion: We demonstrate excellent therapeutic effects of enhanced innate immunity using intratumorally administered PAMPs and TLR ligands in a subcutaneous PHEO mouse model.
Citation Format: Veronika Caisova, Garima Gupta, Ivana Jochmanova, Abhishek Jha, Liping Li, Thanh Truc Huynh, Ying Pang, Hans Kumar Ghayee, David Taïeb, Jan Zenka, Karel Pacak. Improved mice survival by reducing pheochromocytoma burden through activation of innate immunity using mannan and toll-like receptors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2018 Nov 27-30; Miami Beach, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2020;8(4 Suppl):Abstract nr B90.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Caisova
- 1Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,
| | - Garima Gupta
- 1Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,
| | - Ivana Jochmanova
- 1Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,
| | - Abhishek Jha
- 1Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,
| | - Liping Li
- 1Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,
| | - Thanh Truc Huynh
- 1Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,
| | - Ying Pang
- 1Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,
| | | | - David Taïeb
- 3Department of Nuclear Medicine, La Timone University Hospital, CERIMED, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France,
| | - Jan Zenka
- 4Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Pacak
- 1Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,
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10
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Wang H, Medina R, Caisova V, Uher O, Zenka J, Pacak K, Zhuang Z. IMMU-23. TARGETING METASTATIC AND CNS TUMORS VIA MANNAN-BAM, TLR LIGANDS AND ANTI-CD40 ANTIBODY. Neuro Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz175.516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on activation of innate immunity has been tested in syngeneic mouse tumor models via intratumoral administration of the following components: phagocytosis-stimulating ligands (Mannan-BAM), toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, and immunostimulant anti-CD40 antibody (abbreviated as MBTA). In this study, syngeneic colon carcinoma (CT26) and glioma (GL261) models were established to assess MBTA’s efficacy in generating immune responses against distal metastatic lesions and CNS tumors. Additionally, we investigated if therapeutic delivery of MBTA could be optimized beyond intratumoral delivery. In the colon carcinoma model, intratumoral injection of MBTA significantly reduced all metastatic CT26 tumor growth rate and induced complete remission (CR) in 33% (3/9) of treated animals. In the glioma model, subcutaneous injection of GL261 cells incubated with MBTA resulted in the complete regression of intracranial gliomas in 87.5% (7/8) of treated animals. Therapeutic effect of MBTA was abrogated in CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte depleted mice. Tumor infiltrating leukocyte analyses demonstrated significantly increased CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) in metastatic tumors with higher percentages of TNFα and IFNγ positive cells. Further assessments with MHC I tetramers revealed significantly increased CT26-associated peptide (AH1) specific CTLs in the blood of MBTA treated animals. All animals that achieved complete remission in the colon carcinoma model resisted subsequent peripheral and intracranial challenges with CT26 cells, confirming the induction of immunological memory against CT26 tumors. Collectively, our investigation demonstrates that MBTA can effectively induce a tumor-specific adaptive immune response that can target tumors located in the periphery and within the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jan Zenka
- University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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11
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Uher O, Caisova V, Hansen P, Kopecky J, Chmelar J, Zhuang Z, Zenka J, Pacak K. Coley's immunotherapy revived: Innate immunity as a link in priming cancer cells for an attack by adaptive immunity. Semin Oncol 2019; 46:385-392. [PMID: 31739997 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
There is no doubt that immunotherapy lies in the spotlight of current cancer research and clinical trials. However, there are still limitations in the treatment response in certain types of tumors largely due to the presence of the complex network of immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive pathways. These limitations are not likely to be overcome by current immunotherapeutic options, which often target isolated steps in immune pathways preferentially involved in adaptive immunity. Recently, we have developed an innovative anti-cancer immunotherapeutic strategy that initially elicits a strong innate immune response with subsequent activation of adaptive immunity in mouse models. Robust primary innate immune response against tumor cells is induced by toll-like receptor ligands and anti-CD40 agonistic antibodies combined with the phagocytosis-stimulating ligand mannan, anchored to a tumor cell membrane by biocompatible anchor for membrane. This immunotherapeutic approach results in a dramatic therapeutic response in large established murine subcutaneous tumors including melanoma, sarcoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and pheochromocytoma. Additionally, eradication of metastases and/or long-lasting resistance to subsequent re-challenge with tumor cells was also accomplished. Current and future advantages of this immunotherapeutic approach and its possible combinations with other available therapies are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Uher
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, MD 20814, USA; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Caisova
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, MD 20814, USA
| | - Per Hansen
- Immunoaction LLC, Charlotte, Vermont, VT 05445, USA
| | - Jan Kopecky
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Jindrich Chmelar
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, MD 20814, USA
| | - Jan Zenka
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Pacak
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, MD 20814, USA.
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12
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Abstract
The substrate specificity of fumarate reductase activity of Taenia crassiceps mitochondria is surprisingly low. Possible practical utilization of this phenomenon is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zenka
- Institute of Parasitology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Ceské Budĕjovice
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13
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Giboda M, Zenka J, Julis I, Vítovec J. Experimental schistosomiasis mansoni: modulation of granulomas by inhibition of collagen cross-link formation. Preliminary report. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 1992; 86:631-6. [PMID: 1304705 DOI: 10.1080/00034983.1992.11812719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
beta-Aminopropionitrile (BAPN) is an inhibitor of the lysyl oxidase required for cross-link formation in collagen maturation. The efficacy of BAPN, alone or in association with the anti-schistosomal drug, praziquantel (PZQ), was primarily assessed by measuring the reduction in liver and intestinal egg loads in murine schistosomiasis mansoni. Depending on the treatment group (PZQ, BAPN, BAPN + PZQ), organ-specific effects were observed using microscope image analysis. Most notable was the relatively small size of granulomas in the livers of BAPN-treated mice, which contrasted with the relatively large size and irregular shape of the granulomas in the intestinal tissues of these mice. Mice treated with the combination of BAPN and PZQ had decreased liver and spleen weights, and a significant reduction in the number of eggs trapped in both the liver (86%) and the intestine (99.1%), compared with untreated mice and those given PZQ alone. The lowest number of living eggs/g of tissue in both the liver and intestine was recorded in the combined BAPN + PZQ-treated group. These results suggest that the concurren treatment of infected mice with PZQ and BAPN enhances the release of eggs trapped in the intestine and also results in a significant reduction of liver egg load. The mechanism by which BAPN reduces the number of liver granulomas in PZQ-treated mice is currently being investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Giboda
- Institute of Parasitology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Ceské Budĕjovice
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