1
|
Van der Jeught K, De Koker S, Bialkowski L, Heirman C, Tjok Joe P, Perche F, Maenhout S, Bevers S, Broos K, Deswarte K, Malard V, Hammad H, Baril P, Benvegnu T, Jaffrès PA, Kooijmans SAA, Schiffelers R, Lienenklaus S, Midoux P, Pichon C, Breckpot K, Thielemans K. Dendritic Cell Targeting mRNA Lipopolyplexes Combine Strong Antitumor T-Cell Immunity with Improved Inflammatory Safety. ACS Nano 2018; 12:9815-9829. [PMID: 30256609 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b00966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In vitro transcribed mRNA constitutes a versatile platform to encode antigens and to evoke CD8 T-cell responses. Systemic delivery of mRNA packaged into cationic liposomes (lipoplexes) has proven particularly powerful in achieving effective antitumor immunity in animal models. Yet, T-cell responses to mRNA lipoplexes critically depend on the induction of type I interferons (IFN), potent pro-inflammatory cytokines, which inflict dose-limiting toxicities. Here, we explored an advanced hybrid lipid polymer shell mRNA nanoparticle (lipopolyplex) endowed with a trimannose sugar tree as an alternative delivery vehicle for systemic mRNA vaccination. Like mRNA lipoplexes, mRNA lipopolyplexes were extremely effective in conferring antitumor T-cell immunity upon systemic administration. Conversely to mRNA lipoplexes, mRNA lipopolyplexes did not rely on type I IFN for effective T-cell immunity. This differential mode of action of mRNA lipopolyplexes enabled the incorporation of N1 methyl pseudouridine nucleoside modified mRNA to reduce inflammatory responses without hampering T-cell immunity. This feature was attributed to mRNA lipopolyplexes, as the incorporation of thus modified mRNA into lipoplexes resulted in strongly weakened T-cell immunity. Taken together, we have identified lipopolyplexes containing N1 methyl pseudouridine nucleoside modified mRNA as potent yet low-inflammatory alternatives to the mRNA lipoplexes currently explored in early phase clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Van der Jeught
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Brussels 1090 , Belgium
| | | | - Lukasz Bialkowski
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Brussels 1090 , Belgium
| | - Carlo Heirman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Brussels 1090 , Belgium
| | - Patrick Tjok Joe
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Brussels 1090 , Belgium
| | - Federico Perche
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, University and Inserm , Orléans 45071 , France
| | | | - Sanne Bevers
- eTheRNA Immunotherapies NV , Niel 2845 , Belgium
| | - Katrijn Broos
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Brussels 1090 , Belgium
| | - Kim Deswarte
- VIB Inflammation Research Center , UGent , Ghent 9052 , Belgium
| | - Virginie Malard
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, University and Inserm , Orléans 45071 , France
| | - Hamida Hammad
- VIB Inflammation Research Center , UGent , Ghent 9052 , Belgium
| | - Patrick Baril
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, University and Inserm , Orléans 45071 , France
| | - Thierry Benvegnu
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS UMR6226 , Rennes 35708 , France
| | - Paul-Alain Jaffrès
- CEMA, CNRS UMR 6521, SFR148 ScInBioS , Université de Brest , Brest 29238 , France
| | - Sander A A Kooijmans
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteit Utrecht , Utrecht 3584 , Netherlands
| | - Raymond Schiffelers
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteit Utrecht , Utrecht 3584 , Netherlands
| | | | - Patrick Midoux
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, University and Inserm , Orléans 45071 , France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, University and Inserm , Orléans 45071 , France
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Brussels 1090 , Belgium
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Brussels 1090 , Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bialkowski L, Van der Jeught K, Bevers S, Tjok Joe P, Renmans D, Heirman C, Aerts JL, Thielemans K. Immune checkpoint blockade combined with IL-6 and TGF-β inhibition improves the therapeutic outcome of mRNA-based immunotherapy. Int J Cancer 2018; 143:686-698. [PMID: 29464699 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Improved understanding of cancer immunology has provided insight into the phenomenon of frequent tumor recurrence after initially successful immunotherapy. A delicate balance exists between the capacity of the immune system to control tumor growth and various resistance mechanisms that arise to avoid or even counteract the host's immune system. These resistance mechanisms include but are not limited to (i) adaptive expression of inhibitory checkpoint molecules in response to the proinflammatory environment and (ii) amplification of cancer stem cells, a small fraction of tumor cells possessing the capacity for self-renewal and mediating treatment resistance and formation of metastases after long periods of clinical remission. Several individual therapeutic agents have so far been developed to revert T-cell exhaustion or disrupt the cross-talk between cancer stem cells and the tumor-promoting microenvironment. Here, we demonstrate that a three-arm combination therapy-consisting of an mRNA-based vaccine to induce antigen-specific T-cell responses, monoclonal antibodies blocking inhibitory checkpoint molecules (PD-1, TIM-3, LAG-3), and antibodies targeting IL-6 and TGF-β-improves the therapeutic outcome in subcutaneous TC-1 tumors and significantly prolongs survival of treated mice. Our findings point to a need for a rational development of multidimensional anticancer therapies, aiming at the induction of tumor-specific immunity and simultaneously targeting multiple resistance mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Bialkowski
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Kevin Van der Jeught
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Sanne Bevers
- eTheRNA Immunotherapies, Galileilaan 19, Niel, 2845, Belgium
| | - Patrick Tjok Joe
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Dries Renmans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Carlo Heirman
- eTheRNA Immunotherapies, Galileilaan 19, Niel, 2845, Belgium
| | - Joeri L Aerts
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, 1090, Belgium.,eTheRNA Immunotherapies, Galileilaan 19, Niel, 2845, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
Recent advances in molecular biology have led to dramatic enhancement of the stability of in vitro transcribed (IVT) messenger RNA (mRNA) and improvement in its translational efficacy. Nowadays, mRNA-based vaccines represent a promising approach in the field of anticancer immunotherapy, gaining attention over the earlier-established bacteria-, virus-, or cell-based vaccination approaches. Here, we present the experimental procedures employed in our laboratory to induce anticancer immune responses in different murine tumor models using IVT mRNA encoding for immune activation signals and antigens of interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Bialkowski
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kevin Van der Jeught
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dries Renmans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alexia van Weijnen
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carlo Heirman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marleen Keyaerts
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103K, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bialkowski L, van Weijnen A, Van der Jeught K, Renmans D, Daszkiewicz L, Heirman C, Stangé G, Breckpot K, Aerts JL, Thielemans K. Intralymphatic mRNA vaccine induces CD8 T-cell responses that inhibit the growth of mucosally located tumours. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22509. [PMID: 26931556 PMCID: PMC4773884 DOI: 10.1038/srep22509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of appropriate mouse models is likely one of the reasons of a limited translational success rate of therapeutic vaccines against cervical cancer, as rapidly growing ectopic tumours are commonly used for preclinical studies. In this work, we demonstrate that the tumour microenvironment of TC-1 tumours differs significantly depending on the anatomical location of tumour lesions (i.e. subcutaneously, in the lungs and in the genital tract). Our data demonstrate that E7-TriMix mRNA vaccine-induced CD8+ T lymphocytes migrate into the tumour nest and control tumour growth, although they do not express mucosa-associated markers such as CD103 or CD49a. We additionally show that despite the presence of the antigen-specific T cells in the tumour lesions, the therapeutic outcomes in the genital tract model remain limited. Here, we report that such a hostile tumour microenvironment can be reversed by cisplatin treatment, leading to a complete regression of clinically relevant tumours when combined with mRNA immunization. We thereby demonstrate the necessity of utilizing clinically relevant models for preclinical evaluation of anticancer therapies and the importance of a simultaneous combination of anticancer immune response induction with targeting of tumour environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Bialkowski
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alexia van Weijnen
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kevin Van der Jeught
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dries Renmans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lidia Daszkiewicz
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carlo Heirman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geert Stangé
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joeri L Aerts
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Van Lint S, Renmans D, Broos K, Goethals L, Maenhout S, Benteyn D, Goyvaerts C, Du Four S, Van der Jeught K, Bialkowski L, Flamand V, Heirman C, Thielemans K, Breckpot K. Intratumoral Delivery of TriMix mRNA Results in T-cell Activation by Cross-Presenting Dendritic Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2015; 4:146-56. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-15-0163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
|
6
|
Van der Jeught K, Joe PT, Bialkowski L, Heirman C, Daszkiewicz L, Liechtenstein T, Escors D, Thielemans K, Breckpot K. Intratumoral administration of mRNA encoding a fusokine consisting of IFN-β and the ectodomain of the TGF-β receptor II potentiates antitumor immunity. Oncotarget 2015; 5:10100-13. [PMID: 25338019 PMCID: PMC4259408 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It is generally accepted that the success of immunotherapy depends on the presence of tumor-specific CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells and the modulation of the tumor environment. In this study, we validated mRNA encoding soluble factors as a tool to modulate the tumor microenvironment to potentiate infiltration of tumor-specific T cells. Intratumoral delivery of mRNA encoding a fusion protein consisting of interferon-β and the ectodomain of the transforming growth factor-β receptor II, referred to as Fβ², showed therapeutic potential. The treatment efficacy was dependent on CD8⁺ T cells and could be improved through blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 interactions. In vitro studies revealed that administration of Fβ² to tumor cells resulted in a reduced proliferation and increased expression of MHC I but also PD-L1. Importantly, Fβ² enhanced the antigen presenting capacity of dendritic cells, whilst reducing the suppressive activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that intratumoral delivery of mRNA encoding soluble proteins, such as Fβ², can modulate the tumor microenvironment, leading to effective antitumor T cell responses, which can be further potentiated through combination therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Van der Jeught
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick Tjok Joe
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lukasz Bialkowski
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carlo Heirman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lidia Daszkiewicz
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - David Escors
- Rayne Institute, University College London, London, UK. Biomedical Research Centre NavarraBiomed-Fundacion Miguel Servet, National Health Service of Navarre, Pamplona, Navarre, Spain
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Van der Jeught K, Bialkowski L, Daszkiewicz L, Broos K, Goyvaerts C, Renmans D, Van Lint S, Heirman C, Thielemans K, Breckpot K. Targeting the tumor microenvironment to enhance antitumor immune responses. Oncotarget 2015; 6:1359-81. [PMID: 25682197 PMCID: PMC4359300 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of tumor-specific antigens and the immune responses directed against them has instigated the development of therapies to enhance antitumor immune responses. Most of these cancer immunotherapies are administered systemically rather than directly to tumors. Nonetheless, numerous studies have demonstrated that intratumoral therapy is an attractive approach, both for immunization and immunomodulation purposes. Injection, recruitment and/or activation of antigen-presenting cells in the tumor nest have been extensively studied as strategies to cross-prime immune responses. Moreover, delivery of stimulatory cytokines, blockade of inhibitory cytokines and immune checkpoint blockade have been explored to restore immunological fitness at the tumor site. These tumor-targeted therapies have the potential to induce systemic immunity without the toxicity that is often associated with systemic treatments. We review the most promising intratumoral immunotherapies, how these affect systemic antitumor immunity such that disseminated tumor cells are eliminated, and which approaches have been proven successful in animal models and patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Van der Jeught
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Immunology-Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, Jette, Belgium
| | - Lukasz Bialkowski
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Immunology-Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, Jette, Belgium
| | - Lidia Daszkiewicz
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Immunology-Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, Jette, Belgium
| | - Katrijn Broos
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Immunology-Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, Jette, Belgium
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Immunology-Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, Jette, Belgium
| | - Dries Renmans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Immunology-Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, Jette, Belgium
| | - Sandra Van Lint
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Immunology-Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, Jette, Belgium
| | - Carlo Heirman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Immunology-Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, Jette, Belgium
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Immunology-Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, Jette, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Immunology-Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, Jette, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|