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Daradoumis J, Ragonnaud E, Skandorff I, Nielsen KN, Bermejo AV, Andersson AM, Schroedel S, Thirion C, Neukirch L, Holst PJ. An Endogenous Retrovirus Vaccine Encoding an Envelope with a Mutated Immunosuppressive Domain in Combination with Anti-PD1 Treatment Eradicates Established Tumours in Mice. Viruses 2023; 15:v15040926. [PMID: 37112906 PMCID: PMC10141008 DOI: 10.3390/v15040926] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) account for 8% of our genome, and, although they are usually silent in healthy tissues, they become reactivated and expressed in pathological conditions such as cancer. Several studies support a functional role of ERVs in tumour development and progression, specifically through their envelope (Env) protein, which contains a region described as an immunosuppressive domain (ISD). We have previously shown that targeting of the murine ERV (MelARV) Env using virus-like vaccine (VLV) technology, consisting of an adenoviral vector encoding virus-like particles (VLPs), induces protection against small tumours in mice. Here, we investigate the potency and efficacy of a novel MelARV VLV with a mutated ISD (ISDmut) that can modify the properties of the adenoviral vaccine-encoded Env protein. We show that the modification of the vaccine's ISD significantly enhanced T-cell immunogenicity in both prime and prime-boost vaccination regimens. The modified VLV in combination with an α-PD1 checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) exhibited excellent curative efficacy against large established colorectal CT26 tumours in mice. Furthermore, only ISDmut-vaccinated mice that survived CT26 challenge were additionally protected against rechallenge with a triple-negative breast cancer cell line (4T1), showing that our modified VLV provides cross-protection against different tumour types expressing ERV-derived antigens. We envision that translating these findings and technology into human ERVs (HERVs) could provide new treatment opportunities for cancer patients with unmet medical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Daradoumis
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- InProTher, Bioinnovation Institute, COBIS, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emeline Ragonnaud
- InProTher, Bioinnovation Institute, COBIS, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Isabella Skandorff
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- InProTher, Bioinnovation Institute, COBIS, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Amaia Vergara Bermejo
- InProTher, Bioinnovation Institute, COBIS, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne-Marie Andersson
- InProTher, Bioinnovation Institute, COBIS, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Lasse Neukirch
- InProTher, Bioinnovation Institute, COBIS, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Johannes Holst
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- InProTher, Bioinnovation Institute, COBIS, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Neukirch L, Schmidt P, Zörnig I, Jäger D, Uhrig-Schmidt S. Abstract 3563: CD8+ T cell-mediated tumor rejection by an Adeno-associated virus-like particle (AAVLP) vaccine. Cancer Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2022-3563] [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
The utilization of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) as vaccines has primarily been focused on the induction of antibody responses. Displaying antigens derived from HER2 or HPV on the AAV capsid surface lead to strong humoral immune responses. However, the potential of AAVs as T cell inducing vaccines has been poorly investigated. Model antigens have been inserted into the capsid of AAVs to analyze T cell responses, but these studies rather focused on preventing vector immunity for an improved tolerance of gene therapies. By using this as a starting point, we set out to test AAVs as T cell inducing vaccines with the prospect of targeting cancer neoantigens. In first experiments, the general properties of the vaccination strategy were estimated by displaying the ovalbumin-derived model antigen SIINFEKL on the surface of adeno-associated virus-like particles (AAVLPs). Upon injection of the AAVLP-SIINFEKL vaccine, mice developed strong CD8+ T cell responses against the displayed antigen. Highest immune responses were achieved by subcutaneous hock injection of AAVLPs, adjuvanted by Montanide ISA 51 VG. SIINFEKL-specific T cell responses peaked around three weeks after vaccination, whereas a memory subset remained present for long term. The anti-tumor efficacy of the vaccine was shown by injecting SIINFEKL-expressing B16F10 melanoma cells subcutaneously into mice, in which the tumor was completely rejected after vaccination. Interestingly, the induction of CD8+ T cell responses and the tumor protection depended on the presence of CD4+ T cells. Accordingly, T helper epitopes were identified in the AAVLP capsid sequence. In addition to the initial tests, a set of murine neoantigens, derived from B16F10 cells, were displayed on AAVLPs. In direct comparison to a peptide vaccine, which did not have an effect on tumor growth, the AAVLP vaccine had a significant impact on the tumor growth rate. In conclusion, AAVLPs show promising effects as T cell vaccines. The vaccination strategy can be used to induce cytotoxic T cell responses in general and anti-tumor effects in particular. AAV capsid-specific helper epitopes is one inherent advantage, since the AAVLP vaccine delivers immune stimulation within the viral particle itself. Thus, antigen-displaying AAVLPs could be an alternative to current gold standards in the field of neoantigen vaccines and have a prospect for future clinical applications.
Citation Format: Lasse Neukirch, Patrick Schmidt, Inka Zörnig, Dirk Jäger, Silke Uhrig-Schmidt. CD8+ T cell-mediated tumor rejection by an Adeno-associated virus-like particle (AAVLP) vaccine [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3563.
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Bobers J, Klika Skopic M, Sakthithasan P, Neukirch L, Gramse C, Weberskirch R, Brunschweiger A, Kockmann N. Design of an automated reagent‐dispensing system for reaction screening and validation with DNA‐tagged substrates. CHEM-ING-TECH 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/cite.202055152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Bobers
- TU Dortmund Fakultät BCI, Arbeitsgruppe Apparatedesign Emil-Figge-Str. 68 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - M. Klika Skopic
- TU Dortmund Fakultät Chemie und chemische Biologie, Medizinalchemie Otto-Hahn-Str. 6 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - P. Sakthithasan
- TU Dortmund Fakultät BCI, Arbeitsgruppe Apparatedesign Emil-Figge-Str. 68 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - L. Neukirch
- TU Dortmund Fakultät Chemie und chemische Biologie, Medizinalchemie Otto-Hahn-Str. 6 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - C. Gramse
- TU Dortmund Fakultät Chemie und chemische Biologie, Polymere Hybridsysteme Otto-Hahn-Str. 6 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - R. Weberskirch
- TU Dortmund Fakultät Chemie und chemische Biologie, Polymere Hybridsysteme Otto-Hahn-Str. 6 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - A. Brunschweiger
- TU Dortmund Fakultät Chemie und chemische Biologie, Medizinalchemie Otto-Hahn-Str. 6 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - N. Kockmann
- TU Dortmund Fakultät BCI, Arbeitsgruppe Apparatedesign Emil-Figge-Str. 68 44227 Dortmund Germany
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Scherr AL, Jassowicz A, Pató A, Elssner C, Ismail L, Schmitt N, Hoffmeister P, Neukirch L, Gdynia G, Goeppert B, Schulze-Bergkamen H, Jäger D, Köhler BC. Knockdown of Atg7 Induces Nuclear-LC3 Dependent Apoptosis and Augments Chemotherapy in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1099. [PMID: 32046105 PMCID: PMC7038172 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031099] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a catabolic process that enables cells to degrade obsolete content and refuel energy depots. In colorectal cancer (CRC) autophagy has been shown to promote tumorigenesis through energy delivery in the condition of uncontrolled proliferation. With this study, we aimed at evaluating whether autophagy sustains CRC cell viability and if it impacts therapy resistance. Initially, a colorectal cancer tissue micro array, containing mucosa (n = 10), adenoma (n = 18) and adenocarcinoma (n = 49) spots, was stained for expression of essential autophagy proteins LC3b, Atg7, p62 and Beclin-1. Subsequently, central autophagy proteins were downregulated in CRC cells using siRNA technology. Viability assays, flow cytometry and immunoblotting were performed and three-dimensional cell culture was utilized to study autophagy in a tissue mimicking environment. In our study we found an upregulation of Atg7 in CRC. Furthermore, we identified Atg7 as crucial factor within the autophagy network for CRC cell viability. Its disruption induced cell death via triggering apoptosis and in combination with conventional chemotherapy it exerted synergistic effects in inducing CRC cell death. Cell death was strictly dependent on nuclear LC3b, since simultaneous knockdown of Atg7 and LC3b completely restored viability. This study unravels a novel cell death preventing function of Atg7 in interaction with LC3b, thereby unmasking a promising therapeutic target in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lena Scherr
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; (A.-L.S.); (A.J.); (A.P.); (C.E.); (L.I.); (N.S.); (P.H.); (D.J.)
| | - Adam Jassowicz
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; (A.-L.S.); (A.J.); (A.P.); (C.E.); (L.I.); (N.S.); (P.H.); (D.J.)
| | - Anna Pató
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; (A.-L.S.); (A.J.); (A.P.); (C.E.); (L.I.); (N.S.); (P.H.); (D.J.)
| | - Christin Elssner
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; (A.-L.S.); (A.J.); (A.P.); (C.E.); (L.I.); (N.S.); (P.H.); (D.J.)
| | - Lars Ismail
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; (A.-L.S.); (A.J.); (A.P.); (C.E.); (L.I.); (N.S.); (P.H.); (D.J.)
| | - Nathalie Schmitt
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; (A.-L.S.); (A.J.); (A.P.); (C.E.); (L.I.); (N.S.); (P.H.); (D.J.)
| | - Paula Hoffmeister
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; (A.-L.S.); (A.J.); (A.P.); (C.E.); (L.I.); (N.S.); (P.H.); (D.J.)
| | - Lasse Neukirch
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg 69120, Germany;
| | - Georg Gdynia
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; (G.G.); (B.G.)
| | - Benjamin Goeppert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; (G.G.); (B.G.)
| | | | - Dirk Jäger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; (A.-L.S.); (A.J.); (A.P.); (C.E.); (L.I.); (N.S.); (P.H.); (D.J.)
| | - Bruno Christian Köhler
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; (A.-L.S.); (A.J.); (A.P.); (C.E.); (L.I.); (N.S.); (P.H.); (D.J.)
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Abstract
Introduction: Despite their appeal as vaccine vectors, adenoviral vectors are yet unable to induce protective immune responses against some weakly immunogenic antigens. Additionally, the maximum doses of adenovirus-based vaccines are limited by vector-induced toxicity, causing vector elimination and diminished immune responses against the target antigen. In order to increase immune responses to the transgene, while maintaining a moderate vector dose, new technologies for improved transgene presentation have been developed for adenoviral vaccine vectors.Areas covered: This review provides an overview of different genetic-fusion adjuvants that aim to improve antigen presentation in the context of adenoviral vector-based vaccines. The influence on both T cell and B cell responses are discussed, with a main focus on two technologies: MHC class II-associated invariant chain and virus-like-vaccines.Expert opinion: Different strategies have been tested to improve adenovirus-based vaccinations with varying degrees of success. The reviewed genetic adjuvants were designed to increase antigen processing and MHC presentation, or promote humoral immune responses with an improved conformational antigen display. While none of the introduced technologies is universally applicable, this review shall give an overview to identify potential improvements for future vaccination approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lasse Neukirch
- Clinical Cooperation Unit "Applied Tumor Immunity", National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cyrielle Fougeroux
- Center for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne-Marie Carola Andersson
- Center for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,InProTher ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Johannes Holst
- Center for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,InProTher ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Schwerdtfeger M, Andersson AMC, Neukirch L, Holst PJ. Virus-like vaccines against HIV/SIV synergize with a subdominant antigen T cell vaccine. J Transl Med 2019; 17:175. [PMID: 31126293 PMCID: PMC6534914 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-1924-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In non-human primates (NHPs) and humans, partial protection from HIV/SIV infection or suppression of replication is achievable by Env-binding antibodies and Gag-specific CD8+ T-cells targeting protective epitopes. Unfortunately, such T-cell responses are frequently dominated by responses to non-protective, variable epitopes. In this study we attempt to combine three independent approaches, each developed to prevent immunodominance of non-protective epitopes. These approaches were (1) vaccines consisting exclusively of putatively protective p24 Gag highly conserved elements (CEs), (2) vaccines using solely subdominant antigens which were acutely protective in a recent NHP trial, and (3) virus-encoded virus-like particle vaccines (virus-like vaccines/VLVs) using heterologous Env and Gag sequences to enable selection of broadly cross-reactive responses and to avoid immunodominance of non-conserved sequences in prime-boost regimens as previously observed. Methods We vaccinated outbred CD1 mice with HIV-1 clade B Gag/Env encoded in an adenoviral prime and SIVmac239 Gag/Env in an MVA boost. We combined this completely heterologous immunization regimen and the homologous SIVmac239 Gag/Env immunization regimen with an additional prime encoding SIV CEs and accessory antigens Rev, Vif and Vpr (Ad-Ii-SIVCErvv). T-cell responses were analyzed by intracellular cytokine staining of splenocytes and antibody responses by trimer-specific ELISA, avidity and isotype-specific ELISA. Results Env dominance could be avoided successfully in the completely heterologous prime-boost regimen, but Env immunodominance reappeared when Ad-Ii-SIVCErvv was added to the prime. This regimen did however still induce more cross-reactive Gag-specific CD8+ T-cells and Env-specific antibodies. Including Ad-Ii-SIVCErvv in the homologous prime-boost not only elicited accessory antigen-specific CD8+ memory T-cells, but also significantly increased the ratio of Gag- to Env-specific CD8+ T-cells. The CD4+ T-cell response shifted away from structural antigens previously associated with infection-enhancement. Conclusion The homologous Gag/Env prime-boost with Ad-Ii-SIVCErvv prime combined acutely protective CD8+ T-cell responses to subdominant antigens and Env-binding antibodies with chronically protective Gag-specific CD8+ T-cells in outbred mice. This vaccine regimen should be tested in an NHP efficacy trial. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12967-019-1924-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schwerdtfeger
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 07-11, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark. .,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. Armanni 5, 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - Anne-Marie Carola Andersson
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 07-11, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark.,InProTherApS, BioInnovation Institute, COBIS, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Lasse Neukirch
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 07-11, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark.,Clinical Cooperation Unit "Applied Tumor Immunity", National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Johannes Holst
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 07-11, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark.,InProTherApS, BioInnovation Institute, COBIS, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
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