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Slieker RC, Warmerdam DO, Vermeer MH, van Doorn R, Heemskerk MHM, Scheeren FA. Reassessing human MHC-I genetic diversity in T cell studies. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7966. [PMID: 38575727 PMCID: PMC10995142 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58777-2] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The Major Histocompatibility Complex class I (MHC-I) system plays a vital role in immune responses by presenting antigens to T cells. Allele specific technologies, including recombinant MHC-I technologies, have been extensively used in T cell analyses for COVID-19 patients and are currently used in the development of immunotherapies for cancer. However, the immense diversity of MHC-I alleles presents challenges. The genetic diversity serves as the foundation of personalized medicine, yet it also poses a potential risk of exacerbating healthcare disparities based on MHC-I alleles. To assess potential biases, we analysed (pre)clinical publications focusing on COVID-19 studies and T cell receptor (TCR)-based clinical trials. Our findings reveal an underrepresentation of MHC-I alleles associated with Asian, Australian, and African descent. Ensuring diverse representation is vital for advancing personalized medicine and global healthcare equity, transcending genetic diversity. Addressing this disparity is essential to unlock the full potential of T cells for enhancing diagnosis and treatment across all individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roderick C Slieker
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Center for Computational Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daniël O Warmerdam
- Centre for Future Affordable & Sustainable Therapy Development (FAST), The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten H Vermeer
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Remco van Doorn
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Dermatology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferenc A Scheeren
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Roozen GVT, Prins MLM, Prins C, Janse JJ, de Gruyter HLM, Pothast CR, Huisman W, Koopman JPR, Lamers OAC, Kuijer M, Myeni SK, van Binnendijk RS, Hartog GD, Heemskerk MHM, Jochems SP, Feltkamp MCW, Kikkert M, Rosendaal FR, Roestenberg M, Visser LG, Roukens AHE. Intradermal delivery of the third dose of the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: safety and immunogenicity of a fractional booster dose. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024:S1198-743X(24)00159-9. [PMID: 38552793 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2024.03.028] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the safety and immunogenicity of a dose-sparing fractional intradermal (ID) booster strategy with the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine. METHODS COVID-19 naive adults aged 18-30 years were recruited from a previous study on primary vaccination regimens that compared 20 μg ID vaccinations with 100 μg intramuscular (IM) vaccinations with mRNA-1273 as the primary vaccination series. Participants previously immunized with ID regimens were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a fractional ID booster dose (20 μg) or the standard-of-care intramuscular (IM) booster dose (50 μg) of the mRNA-1273 vaccine, 6 months after completing their primary series (ID-ID and ID-IM group, respectively). Participants that had received a full dose IM regimen as the primary series, received the IM standard-of-care booster dose (IM-IM group). In addition, COVID-19 naive individuals aged 18-40 years who had received an IM mRNA vaccine as the primary series were recruited from the general population to receive a fractional ID booster dose (IM-ID group). Immunogenicity was assessed using IgG anti-spike antibody responses and neutralizing capacity against SARS-CoV-2. Cellular immune responses were measured in a sub-group. Safety and tolerability were monitored. RESULTS In January 2022, 129 participants were included in the study. Fractional ID boosting was safe and well tolerated, with fewer systemic adverse events compared with IM boosting. At day 28 post-booster, anti-spike S1 IgG geometric mean concentrations were 9106 (95% CI, 7150-11 597) binding antibody units (BAU)/mL in the IM-IM group and 4357 (3003-6322) BAU/mL; 6629 (4913-8946) BAU/mL; and 5264 (4032-6873) BAU/mL in the ID-IM, ID-ID, and IM-ID groups, respectively. DISCUSSION Intradermal boosting provides robust immune responses and is a viable dose-sparing strategy for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The favourable side-effect profile supports its potential to reduce vaccine hesitancy. Fractional dosing strategies should be considered early in the clinical development of future mRNA vaccines to enhance vaccine availability and pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geert V T Roozen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Centre for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Parasitology, LUCID, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Manon L M Prins
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Centre for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Corine Prins
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Centre for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Wesley Huisman
- Department of Parasitology, LUCID, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Marjan Kuijer
- Department of Immune Surveillance, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sebenzile K Myeni
- Department of Medical Microbiology, LUCID, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rob S van Binnendijk
- Department of Immune Surveillance, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerco den Hartog
- Department of Immune Surveillance, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Simon P Jochems
- Department of Parasitology, LUCID, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marjolein Kikkert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, LUCID, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Centre for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Parasitology, LUCID, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Leo G Visser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Centre for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anna H E Roukens
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Centre for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
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3
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Wijdeven RH, Luk SJ, Schoufour TAW, van der Zanden SY, Cabezuelo M, Heemskerk MHM, Neefjes J. Balanced Epigenetic Regulation of MHC Class I Expression in Tumor Cells by the Histone Ubiquitin Modifiers BAP1 and PCGF1. J Immunol 2024; 212:446-454. [PMID: 38088808 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules are critical for CD8+ T cell responses to viral infections and malignant cells, and tumors can downregulate MHC-I expression to promote immune evasion. In this study, using a genome-wide CRISPR screen on a human melanoma cell line, we identified the polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) subunit PCGF1 and the deubiquitinating enzyme BAP1 as opposite regulators of MHC-I transcription. PCGF1 facilitates deposition of ubiquitin at H2AK119 at the MHC-I promoters to silence MHC-I, whereas BAP1 removes this modification to restore MHC-I expression. PCGF1 is widely expressed in tumors and its depletion increased MHC-I expression in multiple tumor lines, including MHC-Ilow tumors. In cells characterized by poor MHC-I expression, PRC1 and PRC2 act in parallel to impinge low transcription. However, PCGF1 depletion was sufficient to increase MHC-I expression and restore T cell-mediated killing of the tumor cells. Taken together, our data provide an additional layer of regulation of MHC-I expression in tumors: epigenetic silencing by PRC1 subunit PCGF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruud H Wijdeven
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sietse J Luk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tom A W Schoufour
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sabina Y van der Zanden
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marta Cabezuelo
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jacques Neefjes
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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4
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Prins MLM, Roozen GVT, Pothast CR, Huisman W, van Binnendijk R, den Hartog G, Kuiper VP, Prins C, Janse JJ, Lamers OAC, Koopman JPR, Kruithof AC, Kamerling IMC, Dijkland RC, de Kroon AC, Azimi S, Feltkamp MCW, Kuijer M, Jochems SP, Heemskerk MHM, Rosendaal FR, Roestenberg M, Visser LG, Roukens AHE. Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of intradermal mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: a non-inferiority, randomized-controlled trial. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:1. [PMID: 38167735 PMCID: PMC10761693 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00785-w] [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: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Fractional dosing can be a cost-effective vaccination strategy to accelerate individual and herd immunity in a pandemic. We assessed the immunogenicity and safety of primary intradermal (ID) vaccination, with a 1/5th dose compared with the standard intramuscular (IM) dose of mRNA-1273 in SARS-CoV-2 naïve persons. We conducted an open-label, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial in the Netherlands between June and December 2021. One hundred and fifty healthy and SARS-CoV-2 naïve participants, aged 18-30 years, were randomized (1:1:1) to receive either two doses of 20 µg mRNA-1273 ID with a standard needle (SN) or the Bella-mu® needle (BM), or two doses of 100 µg IM, 28 days apart. The primary outcome was non-inferiority in seroconversion rates at day 43 (D43), defined as a neutralizing antibody concentration threshold of 465 IU/mL, the lowest response in the IM group. The non-inferiority margin was set at -15%. Neutralizing antibody concentrations at D43 were 1789 (95% CI: 1488-2150) in the IM and 1263 (951-1676) and 1295 (1020-1645) in the ID-SN and ID-BM groups, respectively. The absolute difference in seroconversion proportion between fractional and standard-dose groups was -13.95% (-24.31 to -3.60) for the ID-SN and -13.04% (-22.78 to -3.31) for the ID-BM group and exceeded the predefined non-inferiority margin. Although ID vaccination with 1/5th dose of mRNA-1273 did not meet the predefined non-inferior criteria, the neutralizing antibody concentrations in these groups are far above the proposed proxy for protection against severe disease (100 IU/mL), justifying this strategy in times of vaccine scarcity to accelerate mass protection against severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon L M Prins
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Geert V T Roozen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cilia R Pothast
- Department of Haematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wesley Huisman
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rob van Binnendijk
- Department of Immune Surveillance, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gerco den Hartog
- Department of Immune Surveillance, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, RadboudUMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent P Kuiper
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Corine Prins
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline J Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Olivia A C Lamers
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Pieter R Koopman
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annelieke C Kruithof
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Center for Human Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid M C Kamerling
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Center for Human Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Romy C Dijkland
- Department of Haematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alicia C de Kroon
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Shohreh Azimi
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mariet C W Feltkamp
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marjan Kuijer
- Department of Immune Surveillance, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Simon P Jochems
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Haematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frits R Rosendaal
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Leo G Visser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anna H E Roukens
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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van der Wulp W, Remst DFG, Kester MGD, Hagedoorn RS, Parren PWHI, van Kasteren SI, Schuurman J, Hoeben RC, Ressing ME, Bleijlevens B, Heemskerk MHM. Antibody-mediated delivery of viral epitopes to redirect EBV-specific CD8 + T-cell immunity towards cancer cells. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:58-68. [PMID: 37945970 PMCID: PMC10794138 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00681-4] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-mediated delivery of immunogenic epitopes to redirect virus-specific CD8+ T-cells towards cancer cells is an emerging and promising new therapeutic strategy. These so-called antibody-epitope conjugates (AECs) rely on the proteolytic release of the epitopes close to the tumor surface for presentation by HLA class I molecules to eventually redirect and activate virus-specific CD8+ T-cells towards tumor cells. We fused the immunogenic EBV-BRLF1 epitope preceded by a protease cleavage site to the C-terminus of the heavy and/or light chains of cetuximab and trastuzumab. We evaluated these AECs and found that, even though all AECs were able to redirect the EBV-specific T-cells, AECs with an epitope fused to the C-terminus of the heavy chain resulted in higher levels of T-cell activation compared to AECs with the same epitope fused to the light chain of an antibody. We observed that all AECs were depending on the presence of the antibody target, that the level of T-cell activation correlated with expression levels of the antibody target, and that our AECs could efficiently deliver the BRLF1 epitope to cancer cell lines from different origins (breast, ovarian, lung, and cervical cancer and a multiple myeloma). Moreover, in vivo, the AECs efficiently reduced tumor burden and increased the overall survival, which was prolonged even further in combination with immune checkpoint blockade. We demonstrate the potential of these genetically fused AECs to redirect the potent EBV-specific T-cells towards cancer in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willemijn van der Wulp
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Dennis F G Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Michel G D Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Renate S Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Paul W H I Parren
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sander I van Kasteren
- Division of Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Rob C Hoeben
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike E Ressing
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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6
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Gelmi MC, Gezgin G, van der Velden PA, Luyten GPM, Luk SJ, Heemskerk MHM, Jager MJ. PRAME Expression: A Target for Cancer Immunotherapy and a Prognostic Factor in Uveal Melanoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:36. [PMID: 38149971 PMCID: PMC10755595 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.15.36] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare disease with a high mortality, and new therapeutic options are being investigated. Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME) is a cancer testis antigen, expressed in the testis, but also in cancers, including uveal melanoma. PRAME is considered a target for immune therapy in several cancers, and PRAME-specific T cell clones have been shown to kill UM cells. Methods We studied the literature on PRAME expression in hematological and solid malignancies, including UM, and its role as a target for immunotherapy. The distribution of tumor features was compared between PRAME-high and PRAME-low UM in a 64-patient cohort from the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort of 80 cases and differential gene expression analysis was performed in the LUMC cohort. Results PRAME is expressed in many malignancies, it is frequently associated with a negative prognosis, and can be the target of T cell receptor (TCR)-transduced T cells, a promising treatment option with high avidity and safety. In UM, PRAME is expressed in 26% to 45% of cases and is correlated with a worse prognosis. In the LUMC and the TCGA cohorts, high PRAME expression was associated with larger diameter, higher Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage, more frequent gain of chromosome 8q, and an inflammatory phenotype. Conclusions We confirm that PRAME is associated with poor prognosis in UM and has a strong connection with extra copies of 8q. We show that PRAME-specific immunotherapy in an adjuvant setting is promising in treatment of malignancies, including UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Gelmi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gulçin Gezgin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Sietse J. Luk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Martine J. Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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7
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Pool ES, Kooy-Winkelaar Y, van Unen V, Falkenburg JF, Koning F, Heemskerk MHM, Tjon JML. Mass cytometric analysis unveils a disease-specific immune cell network in the bone marrow in acquired aplastic anemia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1274116. [PMID: 38094307 PMCID: PMC10716190 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1274116] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic acquired aplastic anemia (AA) is considered an immune-mediated syndrome of bone marrow failure since approximately 70% of patients respond to immunosuppressive therapy (IST) consisting of a course of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) followed by long-term use of ciclosporin. However, the immune response that underlies the pathogenesis of AA remains poorly understood. In this study, we applied high-dimensional mass cytometry on bone marrow aspirates of AA patients pre-ATG, AA patients post-ATG and healthy donors to decipher which immune cells may be implicated in the pathogenesis of AA. We show that the bone marrow of AA patients features an immune cell composition distinct from healthy donors, with significant differences in the myeloid, B-cell, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells lineages. Specifically, we discovered that AA pre-ATG is characterized by a disease-specific immune cell network with high frequencies of CD16+ myeloid cells, CCR6++ B-cells, Th17-like CCR6+ memory CD4+ T-cells, CD45RA+CCR7+CD38+ CD8+ T-cells and KLRG1+ terminally differentiated effector memory (EMRA) CD8+ T-cells, compatible with a state of chronic inflammation. Successful treatment with IST strongly reduced the levels of CD16+ myeloid cells and showed a trend toward normalization of the frequencies of CCR6++ B-cells, CCR6+ memory CD4+ T-cells and KLRG1+EMRA CD8+ T-cells. Altogether, our study provides a unique overview of the immune landscape in bone marrow in AA at a single-cell level and proposes CCR6 as a potential new therapeutic target in AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma S. Pool
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Vincent van Unen
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation, and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | | | - Frits Koning
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Jennifer M-L. Tjon
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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8
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Luk SJ, Schoppmeyer R, Ijsselsteijn ME, Somarakis A, Acem I, Remst DFG, Cox DT, van Bergen CAM, Briaire-de Bruijn I, Grönloh MLB, van der Meer WJ, Hawinkels LJAC, Koning RI, Bos E, Bovée JVMG, de Miranda NFCC, Szuhai K, van Buul JD, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. VISTA Expression on Cancer-Associated Endothelium Selectively Prevents T-cell Extravasation. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:1480-1492. [PMID: 37695550 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Cancers evade T-cell immunity by several mechanisms such as secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, down regulation of antigen presentation machinery, upregulation of immune checkpoint molecules, and exclusion of T cells from tumor tissues. The distribution and function of immune checkpoint molecules on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating leukocytes is well established, but less is known about their impact on intratumoral endothelial cells. Here, we demonstrated that V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA), a PD-L1 homolog, was highly expressed on endothelial cells in synovial sarcoma, subsets of different carcinomas, and immune-privileged tissues. We created an ex vivo model of the human vasculature and demonstrated that expression of VISTA on endothelial cells selectively prevented T-cell transmigration over endothelial layers under physiologic flow conditions, whereas it does not affect migration of other immune cell types. Furthermore, endothelial VISTA correlated with reduced infiltration of T cells and poor prognosis in metastatic synovial sarcoma. In endothelial cells, we detected VISTA on the plasma membrane and in recycling endosomes, and its expression was upregulated by cancer cell-secreted factors in a VEGF-A-dependent manner. Our study reveals that endothelial VISTA is upregulated by cancer-secreted factors and that it regulates T-cell accessibility to cancer and healthy tissues. This newly identified mechanism should be considered when using immunotherapeutic approaches aimed at unleashing T cell-mediated cancer immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sietse J Luk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rouven Schoppmeyer
- Molecular Cell Biology Lab, Department of Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, Molecular Cytology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Antonios Somarakis
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ibtissam Acem
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Oncological and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis F G Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daan T Cox
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Max L B Grönloh
- Molecular Cell Biology Lab, Department of Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, Molecular Cytology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Werner J van der Meer
- Molecular Cell Biology Lab, Department of Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, Molecular Cytology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lukas J A C Hawinkels
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Roman I Koning
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Erik Bos
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Judith V M G Bovée
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap D van Buul
- Molecular Cell Biology Lab, Department of Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, Molecular Cytology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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9
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Wachsmann TLA, Meeuwsen MH, Remst DFG, Buchner K, Wouters AK, Hagedoorn RS, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. Combining BCMA-targeting CAR T cells with TCR-engineered T-cell therapy to prevent immune escape of multiple myeloma. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6178-6183. [PMID: 37567150 PMCID: PMC10582830 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Miranda H. Meeuwsen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis F. G. Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karen Buchner
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anne K. Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Renate S. Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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10
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Gille I, Hagedoorn RS, van der Meer-Prins EMW, Heemskerk MHM, Heidt S. Chimeric HLA antibody receptor T cells to target HLA-specific B cells in solid organ transplantation. HLA 2023; 102:436-448. [PMID: 37370222 DOI: 10.1111/tan.15146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
HLA-sensitized patients on the transplant waiting list harbor antibodies and memory B cells directed against allogeneic HLA molecules, which decreases the chance to receive a compatible donor organ. Current desensitization strategies non-specifically target circulating antibodies and B cells, warranting the development of therapies that specifically affect HLA-directed humoral immune responses. We developed Chimeric HLA Antibody Receptor (CHAR) constructs comprising the extracellular part of HLA-A2 or HLA-A3 coupled to CD28-CD3ζ domains. CHAR-transduced cells expressing reporter constructs encoding T-cell activation markers, and CHAR-transduced CD8+ T cells from healthy donors were stimulated with HLA-specific monoclonal antibody-coated microbeads, and HLA-specific B cell hybridomas. CHAR T cell activation was measured by upregulation of T cell activation markers and IFNγ secretion, whereas CHAR T cell killing of B cell hybridomas was assessed in chromium release assays and by IgG ELISpot. HLA-A2- and HLA-A3-CHAR expressing cells were specifically activated by HLA-A2- and HLA-A3-specific monoclonal antibodies, either soluble or coated on microbeads, as shown by CHAR-induced transcription factors. HLA-A2 and HLA-A3 CHAR T cells efficiently produced IFNγ with exquisite specificity and were capable of specifically lysing hybridoma cells expressing HLA-A2- or HLA-A3-specific B-cell receptors, respectively. Finally, we mutated the α3 domain of the CHAR molecules to minimize any alloreactive T-cell reactivity against CHAR T cells, while retaining CHAR activity. These data show proof of principle for CHAR T cells to serve as precision immunotherapy to specifically desensitize (highly) sensitized solid organ transplant candidates and to treat antibody-mediated rejection after solid organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse Gille
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Renate S Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Sebastiaan Heidt
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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11
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van Eck van der Sluijs J, van Ens D, Brummelman J, Heister D, Sareen A, Truijen L, van Ingen Schenau DS, Heemskerk MHM, Griffioen M, Kester MGD, Schaap NPM, Jansen JH, van der Waart AB, Dolstra H, Hobo W. Human CD34 +-derived complete plasmacytoid and conventional dendritic cell vaccine effectively induces antigen-specific CD8 + T cell and NK cell responses in vitro and in vivo. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:298. [PMID: 37728691 PMCID: PMC10511603 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04923-4] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) can be curative for hemato-oncology patients due to effective graft-versus-tumor immunity. However, relapse remains the major cause of treatment failure, emphasizing the need for adjuvant immunotherapies. In this regard, post-transplantation dendritic cell (DC) vaccination is a highly interesting strategy to boost graft-versus-tumor responses. Previously, we developed a clinically applicable protocol for simultaneous large-scale generation of end-stage blood DC subsets from donor-derived CD34+ stem cells, including conventional type 1 and 2 DCs (cDC1s and cDC2s), and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). In addition, the total cultured end-product (DC-complete vaccine), also contains non-end-stage-DCs (i.e. non-DCs). In this study, we aimed to dissect the phenotypic identity of these non-DCs and their potential immune modulatory functions on the potency of cDCs and pDCs in stimulating tumor-reactive CD8+ T and NK cell responses, in order to obtain rationale for clinical translation of our DC-complete vaccine. The non-DC compartment was heterogeneous and comprised of myeloid progenitors and (immature) granulocyte- and monocyte-like cells. Importantly, non-DCs potentiated toll-like receptor-induced DC maturation, as reflected by increased expression of co-stimulatory molecules and enhanced cDC-derived IL-12 and pDC-derived IFN-α production. Additionally, antigen-specific CD8+ T cells effectively expanded upon DC-complete vaccination in vitro and in vivo. This effect was strongly augmented by non-DCs in an antigen-independent manner. Moreover, non-DCs did not impair in vitro DC-mediated NK cell activation, degranulation nor cytotoxicity. Notably, in vivo i.p. DC-complete vaccination activated i.v. injected NK cells. Together, these data demonstrate that the non-DC compartment potentiates DC-mediated activation and expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and do not impair NK cell responses in vitro and in vivo. This underscores the rationale for further clinical translation of our CD34+-derived DC-complete vaccine in hemato-oncology patients post alloSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper van Eck van der Sluijs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Diede van Ens
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jolanda Brummelman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Daan Heister
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Aastha Sareen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Truijen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michel G D Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas P M Schaap
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joop H Jansen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anniek B van der Waart
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Harry Dolstra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Willemijn Hobo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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12
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Knezevic L, Wachsmann TLA, Francis O, Dockree T, Bridgeman JS, Wouters A, de Wet B, Cole DK, Clement M, McLaren JE, Gostick E, Ladell K, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Price DA, van den Berg HA, Tabi Z, Sessions RB, Heemskerk MHM, Wooldridge L. High-affinity CD8 variants enhance the sensitivity of pMHCI antigen recognition via low-affinity TCRs. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104981. [PMID: 37390984 PMCID: PMC10432799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104981] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cell-mediated recognition of peptide-major histocompatibility complex class I (pMHCI) molecules involves cooperative binding of the T cell receptor (TCR), which confers antigen specificity, and the CD8 coreceptor, which stabilizes the TCR/pMHCI complex. Earlier work has shown that the sensitivity of antigen recognition can be regulated in vitro by altering the strength of the pMHCI/CD8 interaction. Here, we characterized two CD8 variants with moderately enhanced affinities for pMHCI, aiming to boost antigen sensitivity without inducing non-specific activation. Expression of these CD8 variants in model systems preferentially enhanced pMHCI antigen recognition in the context of low-affinity TCRs. A similar effect was observed using primary CD4+ T cells transduced with cancer-targeting TCRs. The introduction of high-affinity CD8 variants also enhanced the functional sensitivity of primary CD8+ T cells expressing cancer-targeting TCRs, but comparable results were obtained using exogenous wild-type CD8. Specificity was retained in every case, with no evidence of reactivity in the absence of cognate antigen. Collectively, these findings highlight a generically applicable mechanism to enhance the sensitivity of low-affinity pMHCI antigen recognition, which could augment the therapeutic efficacy of clinically relevant TCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Knezevic
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Department of Haematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Tassilo L A Wachsmann
- Department of Haematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ore Francis
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tamsin Dockree
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Anne Wouters
- Department of Haematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - David K Cole
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK; Immunocore, Abingdon, UK
| | - Mathew Clement
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK; Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - James E McLaren
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Emma Gostick
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kristin Ladell
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Sian Llewellyn-Lacey
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - David A Price
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK; Systems Immunity Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Zsuzsanna Tabi
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Haematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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13
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Hofsink Q, Haggenburg S, Lissenberg-Witte BI, Broers AEC, van Doesum JA, van Binnendijk RS, den Hartog G, Bhoekhan MS, Haverkate NJE, van Meerloo J, Burger JA, Bouhuijs JH, Smits GP, Wouters D, van Leeuwen EMM, Bontkes HJ, Kootstra NA, Vogels-Nooijen S, Rots N, van Beek J, Heemskerk MHM, Groen K, van Meerten T, Mutsaers PGNJ, van Gils MJ, Goorhuis A, Rutten CE, Hazenberg MD, Nijhof IS. Fourth mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in immunocompromised patients with haematological malignancies (COBRA KAI): a cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 61:102040. [PMID: 37337616 PMCID: PMC10270678 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with haematological malignancies have impaired antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We aimed to investigate whether a fourth mRNA COVID-19 vaccination improved antibody quantity and quality. Methods In this cohort study, conducted at 5 sites in the Netherlands, we compared antibody concentrations 28 days after 4 mRNA vaccinations (3-dose primary series plus 1 booster vaccination) in SARS-CoV-2 naive, immunocompromised patients with haematological malignancies to those obtained by age-matched, healthy individuals who had received the standard primary 2-dose mRNA vaccination schedule followed by a first booster mRNA vaccination. Prior to and 4 weeks after each vaccination, peripheral blood samples and data on demographic parameters and medical history were collected. Concentrations of antibodies that bind spike 1 (S1) and nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 were quantified in binding antibody units (BAU) per mL according to the WHO International Standard for COVID-19 serological tests. Seroconversion was defined as an S1 IgG concentration >10 BAU/mL and a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection as N IgG >14.3 BAU/mL. Antibody neutralising activity was tested using lentiviral-based pseudoviruses expressing spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (D614G), Omicron BA.1, and Omicron BA.4/5 variants. This study is registered with EudraCT, number 2021-001072-41. Findings Between March 24, 2021 and May 4, 2021, 723 patients with haematological diseases were enrolled, of which 414 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the current analysis. Although S1 IgG concentrations in patients significantly improved after the fourth dose, they remained significantly lower compared to those obtained by 58 age-matched healthy individuals after their first booster (third) vaccination. The rise in neutralising antibody concentration was most prominent in patients with a recovering B cell compartment, although potent responses were also observed in patients with persistent immunodeficiencies. 19% of patients never seroconverted, despite 4 vaccinations. Patients who received their first 2 vaccinations when they were B cell depleted and the third and fourth vaccination during B cell recovery demonstrated similar antibody induction dynamics as patients with normal B cell numbers during the first 2 vaccinations. However, the neutralising capacity of these antibodies was significantly better than that of patients with normal B cell numbers after two vaccinations. Interpretation A fourth mRNA COVID-19 vaccination improved S1 IgG concentrations in the majority of patients with a haematological malignancy. Vaccination during B cell depletion may pave the way for better quality of antibody responses after B cell reconstitution. Funding The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development and Amsterdam UMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quincy Hofsink
- Department of Haematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sabine Haggenburg
- Department of Haematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Annoek E C Broers
- Department of Haematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jaap A van Doesum
- Department of Haematology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Rob S van Binnendijk
- Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Gerco den Hartog
- Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Michel S Bhoekhan
- Department of Haematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nienke J E Haverkate
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Johan van Meerloo
- Department of Haematology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Judith A Burger
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joey H Bouhuijs
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gaby P Smits
- Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Dorine Wouters
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ester M M van Leeuwen
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hetty J Bontkes
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medical Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Neeltje A Kootstra
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Nynke Rots
- Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Josine van Beek
- Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | | | - Kazimierz Groen
- Department of Haematology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tom van Meerten
- Department of Haematology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Pim G N J Mutsaers
- Department of Haematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marit J van Gils
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Abraham Goorhuis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Caroline E Rutten
- Department of Haematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mette D Hazenberg
- Department of Haematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Haematopoiesis, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Inger S Nijhof
- Department of Haematology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine-Haematology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, Netherlands
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14
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van der Wulp W, Gram AM, Bleijlevens B, Hagedoorn RS, Araman C, Kim RQ, Drijfhout JW, Parren PWHI, Hibbert RG, Hoeben RC, van Kasteren SI, Schuurman J, Ressing ME, Heemskerk MHM. Comparison of methods generating antibody-epitope conjugates for targeting cancer with virus-specific T cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1183914. [PMID: 37261346 PMCID: PMC10227578 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1183914] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic antibody-epitope conjugates (AECs) are promising new modalities to deliver immunogenic epitopes and redirect virus-specific T-cell activity to cancer cells. Nevertheless, many aspects of these antibody conjugates require optimization to increase their efficacy. Here we evaluated different strategies to conjugate an EBV epitope (YVL/A2) preceded by a protease cleavage site to the antibodies cetuximab and trastuzumab. Three approaches were taken: chemical conjugation (i.e. a thiol-maleimide reaction) to reduced cysteine side chains, heavy chain C-terminal enzymatic conjugation using sortase A, and genetic fusions, to the heavy chain (HC) C-terminus. All three conjugates were capable of T-cell activation and target-cell killing via proteolytic release of the EBV epitope and expression of the antibody target was a requirement for T-cell activation. Moreover, AECs generated with a second immunogenic epitope derived from CMV (NLV/A2) were able to deliver and redirect CMV specific T-cells, in which the amino sequence of the attached peptide appeared to influence the efficiency of epitope delivery. Therefore, screening of multiple protease cleavage sites and epitopes attached to the antibody is necessary. Taken together, our data demonstrated that multiple AECs could sensitize cancer cells to virus-specific T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willemijn van der Wulp
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Anna M. Gram
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Renate S. Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Can Araman
- Division of Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Robbert Q. Kim
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Rob C. Hoeben
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sander I. van Kasteren
- Division of Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Maaike E. Ressing
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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15
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Meeuwsen MH, Wouters AK, Wachsmann TLA, Hagedoorn RS, Kester MGD, Remst DFG, van der Steen DM, de Ru AH, van Hees EP, Kremer M, Griffioen M, van Veelen PA, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. Broadly applicable TCR-based therapy for multiple myeloma targeting the immunoglobulin J chain. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:16. [PMID: 36850001 PMCID: PMC9969645 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01408-6] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immunoglobulin J chain (Jchain) is highly expressed in the majority of multiple myeloma (MM), and Jchain-derived peptides presented in HLA molecules may be suitable antigens for T-cell therapy of MM. METHODS Using immunopeptidomics, we identified Jchain-derived epitopes presented by MM cells, and pHLA tetramer technology was used to isolate Jchain-specific T-cell clones. RESULTS We identified T cells specific for Jchain peptides presented in HLA-A1, -A24, -A3, and -A11 that recognized and lysed JCHAIN-positive MM cells. TCRs of the most promising T-cell clones were sequenced, cloned into retroviral vectors, and transferred to CD8 T cells. Jchain TCR T cells recognized target cells when JCHAIN and the appropriate HLA restriction alleles were expressed, while JCHAIN or HLA-negative cells, including healthy subsets, were not recognized. Patient-derived JCHAIN-positive MM samples were also lysed by Jchain TCR T cells. In a preclinical in vivo model for established MM, Jchain-A1, -A24, -A3, and -A11 TCR T cells strongly eradicated MM cells, which resulted in 100-fold lower tumor burden in Jchain TCR versus control-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS We identified TCRs targeting Jchain-derived peptides presented in four common HLA alleles. All four TCRs demonstrated potent preclinical anti-myeloma activity, encouraging further preclinical testing and ultimately clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda H Meeuwsen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anne K Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tassilo L A Wachsmann
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Renate S Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michel G D Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis F G Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk M van der Steen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arnoud H de Ru
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Els P van Hees
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn Kremer
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A van Veelen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J H Frederik Falkenburg
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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16
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Pothast CR, van Dijk K, Pool ES, Halkes CJM, Heemskerk MHM, Tjon JM. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination of aplastic anemia patients is safe and effective. Am J Hematol 2023; 98:E20-E23. [PMID: 36371670 PMCID: PMC9877677 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26780] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cilia R. Pothast
- Department of HematologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Kayleigh van Dijk
- Department of HematologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Emma S. Pool
- Department of HematologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Jennifer M.‐L. Tjon
- Department of HematologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
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17
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van Amerongen RA, Tuit S, Wouters AK, van de Meent M, Siekman SL, Meeuwsen MH, Wachsmann TLA, Remst DFG, Hagedoorn RS, van der Steen DM, de Ru AH, Verdegaal EME, van Veelen PA, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. PRAME and CTCFL-reactive TCRs for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1121973. [PMID: 37026005 PMCID: PMC10070997 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent disease emerges in the majority of patients with ovarian cancer (OVCA). Adoptive T-cell therapies with T-cell receptors (TCRs) targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are considered promising solutions for less-immunogenic 'cold' ovarian tumors. In order to treat a broader patient population, more TCRs targeting peptides derived from different TAAs binding in various HLA class I molecules are essential. By performing a differential gene expression analysis using mRNA-seq datasets, PRAME, CTCFL and CLDN6 were selected as strictly tumor-specific TAAs, with high expression in ovarian cancer and at least 20-fold lower expression in all healthy tissues of risk. In primary OVCA patient samples and cell lines we confirmed expression and identified naturally expressed TAA-derived peptides in the HLA class I ligandome. Subsequently, high-avidity T-cell clones recognizing these peptides were isolated from the allo-HLA T-cell repertoire of healthy individuals. Three PRAME TCRs and one CTCFL TCR of the most promising T-cell clones were sequenced, and transferred to CD8+ T cells. The PRAME TCR-T cells demonstrated potent and specific antitumor reactivity in vitro and in vivo. The CTCFL TCR-T cells efficiently recognized primary patient-derived OVCA cells, and OVCA cell lines treated with demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC). The identified PRAME and CTCFL TCRs are promising candidates for the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer, and are an essential addition to the currently used HLA-A*02:01 restricted PRAME TCRs. Our selection of differentially expressed genes, naturally expressed TAA peptides and potent TCRs can improve and broaden the use of T-cell therapies for patients with ovarian cancer or other PRAME or CTCFL expressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sander Tuit
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Anne K. Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marian van de Meent
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sterre L. Siekman
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Miranda H. Meeuwsen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Dennis F. G. Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Renate S. Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Arnoud H. de Ru
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Els M. E. Verdegaal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Peter A. van Veelen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Mirjam H. M. Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Mirjam H. M. Heemskerk,
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18
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Boerenkamp LS, Pothast CR, Dijkland RC, van Dijk K, van Gorkom GNY, van Loo IHM, Wieten L, Halkes CJM, Heemskerk MHM, Van Elssen CHMJ. Increased CD8 T-cell immunity after COVID-19 vaccination in lymphoid malignancy patients lacking adequate humoral response: An immune compensation mechanism? Am J Hematol 2022; 97:E457-E461. [PMID: 36106926 PMCID: PMC9537869 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lara S. Boerenkamp
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental BiologyMaastricht University Medical CenterMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Cilia R. Pothast
- Experimental HematologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Romy C. Dijkland
- Experimental HematologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Kayleigh van Dijk
- Experimental HematologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Gwendolyn N. Y. van Gorkom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental BiologyMaastricht University Medical CenterMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Inge H. M. van Loo
- Medical MicrobiologyMaastricht University Medical CenterMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Lotte Wieten
- Department of Transplantation ImmunologyMaastricht University Medical CenterMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Catharina H. M. J. Van Elssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental BiologyMaastricht University Medical CenterMaastrichtThe Netherlands
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19
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Zlei M, Sidorov IA, Joosten SA, Heemskerk MHM, Myeni SK, Pothast CR, de Brouwer CS, Boomaars-van der Zanden AL, van Meijgaarden KE, Morales ST, Wessels E, Janse JJ, Goeman JJ, Cobbaert CM, Kroes ACM, Cannegieter SC, Roestenberg M, Visser LG, Kikkert M, Feltkamp MCW, Arbous SM, Staal FJT, Ottenhoff THM, van Dongen JJM, Roukens AHE, de Vries JJC. Immune Determinants of Viral Clearance in Hospitalised COVID-19 Patients: Reduced Circulating Naïve CD4+ T Cell Counts Correspond with Delayed Viral Clearance. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172743. [PMID: 36078151 PMCID: PMC9455062 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172743] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-specific cellular and humoral responses are major determinants for protection from critical illness after SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the magnitude of the contribution of each of the components to viral clearance remains unclear. Here, we studied the timing of viral clearance in relation to 122 immune parameters in 102 hospitalised patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 in a longitudinal design. Delayed viral clearance was associated with more severe disease and was associated with higher levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific (neutralising) antibodies over time, increased numbers of neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, and a range of pro-inflammatory cyto-/chemokines illustrating ongoing, partially Th2 dominating, immune activation. In contrast, early viral clearance and less critical illness correlated with the peak of neutralising antibodies, higher levels of CD4 T cells, and in particular naïve CD4+ T cells, suggesting their role in early control of SARS-CoV-2 possibly by proving appropriate B cell help. Higher counts of naïve CD4+ T cells also correlated with lower levels of MIF, IL-9, and TNF-beta, suggesting an indirect role in averting prolonged virus-induced tissue damage. Collectively, our data show that naïve CD4+ T cell play a critical role in rapid viral T cell control, obviating aberrant antibody and cytokine profiles and disease deterioration. These data may help in guiding risk stratification for severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Zlei
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Igor A. Sidorov
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Simone A. Joosten
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H. M. Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sebenzile K. Myeni
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cilia R. Pothast
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline S. de Brouwer
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A. Linda Boomaars-van der Zanden
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Krista E. van Meijgaarden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Shessy T. Morales
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Els Wessels
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline J. Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle J. Goeman
- Medical Statistics Section, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Christa M. Cobbaert
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aloys C. M. Kroes
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne C. Cannegieter
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Leonardus G. Visser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Kikkert
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mariet C. W. Feltkamp
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sesmu M. Arbous
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Intensive Care, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frank J. T. Staal
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tom H. M. Ottenhoff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Anna H. E. Roukens
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jutte J. C. de Vries
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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20
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Haggenburg S, Hofsink Q, Lissenberg-Witte BI, Broers AEC, van Doesum JA, van Binnendijk RS, den Hartog G, Bhoekhan MS, Haverkate NJE, Burger JA, Bouhuijs JH, Smits GP, Wouters D, van Leeuwen EMM, Bontkes HJ, Kootstra NA, Zweegman S, Kater AP, Heemskerk MHM, Groen K, van Meerten T, Mutsaers PGNJ, Beaumont T, van Gils MJ, Goorhuis A, Rutten CE, Hazenberg MD, Nijhof IS. Antibody Response in Immunocompromised Patients With Hematologic Cancers Who Received a 3-Dose mRNA-1273 Vaccination Schedule for COVID-19. JAMA Oncol 2022; 8:1477-1483. [PMID: 35951338 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2022.3227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Importance It has become common practice to offer immunocompromised patients with hematologic cancers a third COVID-19 vaccination dose, but data substantiating this are scarce. Objective To assess whether a third mRNA-1273 vaccination is associated with increased neutralizing antibody concentrations in immunocompromised patients with hematologic cancers comparable to levels obtained in healthy individuals after the standard 2-dose mRNA-1273 vaccination schedule. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective observational cohort study was conducted at 4 university hospitals in the Netherlands and included 584 evaluable patients spanning the spectrum of hematologic cancers and 44 randomly selected age-matched adults without malignant or immunodeficient comorbidities. Exposures One additional mRNA-1273 vaccination 5 months after completion of the standard 2-dose mRNA-1273 vaccination schedule. Main Outcomes and Measures Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to spike subunit 1 (S1) antigens prior to and 4 weeks after a third mRNA-1273 vaccination, and antibody neutralization capacity of wild-type, Delta, and Omicron variants in a subgroup of patients. Results In this cohort of 584 immunocompromised patients with hematologic cancers (mean [SD] age, 60 [11.2] years; 216 [37.0%] women), a third mRNA-1273 vaccination was associated with median S1-IgG concentrations comparable to concentrations obtained by healthy individuals after the 2-dose mRNA-1273 schedule. The rise in S1-IgG concentration after the third vaccination was most pronounced in patients with a recovering immune system, but potent responses were also observed in patients with persistent immunodeficiencies. Specifically, patients with myeloid cancers or multiple myeloma and recipients of autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) reached median S1-IgG concentrations similar to those obtained by healthy individuals after a 2-dose schedule. Patients receiving or shortly after completing anti-CD20 therapy, CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy recipients, and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia receiving ibrutinib were less responsive or unresponsive to the third vaccination. In the 27 patients who received cell therapy between the second and third vaccination, S1 antibodies were preserved, but a third mRNA-1273 vaccination was not associated with significantly enhanced S1-IgG concentrations except for patients with multiple myeloma receiving autologous HCT. A third vaccination was associated with significantly improved neutralization capacity per antibody. Conclusions and Relevance Results of this cohort study support that the primary schedule for immunocompromised patients with hematologic cancers should be supplemented with a delayed third vaccination. Patients with B-cell lymphoma and allogeneic HCT recipients need to be revaccinated after treatment or transplantation. Trial Registration EudraCT Identifier: 2021-001072-41.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Haggenburg
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Quincy Hofsink
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Annoek E C Broers
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap A van Doesum
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Rob S van Binnendijk
- Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Gerco den Hartog
- Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Michel S Bhoekhan
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nienke J E Haverkate
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Judith A Burger
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joey H Bouhuijs
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gaby P Smits
- Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Dorine Wouters
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ester M M van Leeuwen
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hetty J Bontkes
- Laboratory Medical Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Neeltje A Kootstra
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sonja Zweegman
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Kaz Groen
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tom van Meerten
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Pim G N J Mutsaers
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tim Beaumont
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marit J van Gils
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Abraham Goorhuis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Caroline E Rutten
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mette D Hazenberg
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Inger S Nijhof
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine-Hematology, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
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21
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Gille I, Claas FHJ, Haasnoot GW, Heemskerk MHM, Heidt S. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Regulatory T-Cells in Solid Organ Transplantation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:874157. [PMID: 35720402 PMCID: PMC9204347 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.874157] [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: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid organ transplantation is the treatment of choice for various end-stage diseases, but requires the continuous need for immunosuppression to prevent allograft rejection. This comes with serious side effects including increased infection rates and development of malignancies. Thus, there is a clinical need to promote transplantation tolerance to prevent organ rejection with minimal or no immunosuppressive treatment. Polyclonal regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are a potential tool to induce transplantation tolerance, but lack specificity and therefore require administration of high doses. Redirecting Tregs towards mismatched donor HLA molecules by modifying these cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) would render Tregs far more effective at preventing allograft rejection. Several studies on HLA-A2 specific CAR Tregs have demonstrated that these cells are highly antigen-specific and show a superior homing capacity to HLA-A2+ allografts compared to polyclonal Tregs. HLA-A2 CAR Tregs have been shown to prolong survival of HLA-A2+ allografts in several pre-clinical humanized mouse models. Although promising, concerns about safety and stability need to be addressed. In this review the current research, obstacles of CAR Treg therapy, and its potential future in solid organ transplantation will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse Gille
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Frans H J Claas
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Eurotransplant Reference Laboratory, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Geert W Haasnoot
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Eurotransplant Reference Laboratory, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Sebastiaan Heidt
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Eurotransplant Reference Laboratory, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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22
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van Amerongen RA, Hagedoorn RS, Remst DFG, Assendelft DC, van der Steen DM, Wouters AK, van de Meent M, Kester MGD, de Ru AH, Griffioen M, van Veelen PA, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. WT1-specific TCRs directed against newly identified peptides install antitumor reactivity against acute myeloid leukemia and ovarian carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004409. [PMID: 35728869 PMCID: PMC9214430 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004409] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcription factor Wilms’ tumor gene 1 (WT1) is an ideal tumor target based on its expression in a wide range of tumors, low-level expression in normal tissues and promoting role in cancer progression. In clinical trials, WT1 is targeted using peptide-based or dendritic cell-based vaccines and T-cell receptor (TCR)-based therapies. Antitumor reactivities were reported, but T-cell reactivity is hampered by self-tolerance to WT1 and limited number of WT1 peptides, which were thus far selected based on HLA peptide binding algorithms. Methods In this study, we have overcome both limitations by searching in the allogeneic T-cell repertoire of healthy donors for high-avidity WT1-specific T cells, specific for WT1 peptides derived from the HLA class I associated ligandome of primary leukemia and ovarian carcinoma samples. Results Using broad panels of malignant cells and healthy cell subsets, T-cell clones were selected that demonstrated potent and specific anti-WT1 T-cell reactivity against five of the eight newly identified WT1 peptides. Notably, T-cell clones for WT1 peptides previously used in clinical trials lacked reactivity against tumor cells, suggesting limited processing and presentation of these peptides. The TCR sequences of four T-cell clones were analyzed and TCR gene transfer into CD8+ T cells installed antitumor reactivity against WT1-expressing solid tumor cell lines, primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts, and ovarian carcinoma patient samples. Conclusions Our approach resulted in a set of naturally expressed WT1 peptides and four TCRs that are promising candidates for TCR gene transfer strategies in patients with WT1-expressing tumors, including AML and ovarian carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa A van Amerongen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Renate S Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis F G Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Danique C Assendelft
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk M van der Steen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anne K Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marian van de Meent
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michel G D Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arnoud H de Ru
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A van Veelen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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23
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Anadon CM, Yu X, Hänggi K, Biswas S, Chaurio RA, Martin A, Payne KK, Mandal G, Innamarato P, Harro CM, Mine JA, Sprenger KB, Cortina C, Powers JJ, Costich TL, Perez BA, Gatenbee CD, Prabhakaran S, Marchion D, Heemskerk MHM, Curiel TJ, Anderson AR, Wenham RM, Rodriguez PC, Conejo-Garcia JR. Ovarian cancer immunogenicity is governed by a narrow subset of progenitor tissue-resident memory T cells. Cancer Cell 2022; 40:545-557.e13. [PMID: 35427494 PMCID: PMC9096229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite repeated associations between T cell infiltration and outcome, human ovarian cancer remains poorly responsive to immunotherapy. We report that the hallmarks of tumor recognition in ovarian cancer-infiltrating T cells are primarily restricted to tissue-resident memory (TRM) cells. Single-cell RNA/TCR/ATAC sequencing of 83,454 CD3+CD8+CD103+CD69+ TRM cells and immunohistochemistry of 122 high-grade serous ovarian cancers shows that only progenitor (TCF1low) tissue-resident T cells (TRMstem cells), but not recirculating TCF1+ T cells, predict ovarian cancer outcome. TRMstem cells arise from transitional recirculating T cells, which depends on antigen affinity/persistence, resulting in oligoclonal, trogocytic, effector lymphocytes that eventually become exhausted. Therefore, ovarian cancer is indeed an immunogenic disease, but that depends on ∼13% of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T cells (∼3% of CD8+ clonotypes), which are primed against high-affinity antigens and maintain waves of effector TRM-like cells. Our results define the signature of relevant tumor-reactive T cells in human ovarian cancer, which could be applicable to other tumors with unideal mutational burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen M Anadon
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Yu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Kay Hänggi
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Subir Biswas
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Ricardo A Chaurio
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Alexandra Martin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Kyle K Payne
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Gunjan Mandal
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Patrick Innamarato
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Carly M Harro
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Jessica A Mine
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Kimberly B Sprenger
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Carla Cortina
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - John J Powers
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Tara Lee Costich
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Bradford A Perez
- Department of Radiation Therapy, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Chandler D Gatenbee
- Department of Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Sandhya Prabhakaran
- Department of Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Douglas Marchion
- Department of Tissue Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tyler J Curiel
- Department of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Alexander R Anderson
- Department of Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Robert M Wenham
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Paulo C Rodriguez
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Jose R Conejo-Garcia
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Department of Malignant Hematology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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Meeuwsen MH, Wouters AK, Hagedoorn RS, Kester MGD, Remst DFG, van der Steen DM, de Ru A, van Veelen PA, Rossjohn J, Gras S, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. Cutting Edge: Unconventional CD8 + T Cell Recognition of a Naturally Occurring HLA-A*02:01-Restricted 20mer Epitope. J Immunol 2022; 208:1851-1856. [PMID: 35379743 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2101208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Unconventional HLA class I-restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes, longer than 10 aa, have been implicated to play a role in human immunity against viruses and cancer. T cell recognition of long peptides, centrally bulging from the HLA cleft, has been described previously. Alternatively, long peptides can contain a linear HLA-bound core peptide, with a N- or C-terminal peptide "tail" extending from the HLA peptide binding groove. The role of such a peptide "tail" in CD8+ T cell recognition remains unclear. In this study, we identified a 20mer peptide (FLPTPEELGLLGPPRPQVLA [FLP]) derived from the IL-27R subunit α gene restricted to HLA-A*02:01, for which we solved the crystal structure and demonstrated a long C-terminal "tail" extension. FLP-specific T cell clones demonstrated various recognition modes, some T cells recognized the FLP core peptide, while for other T cells the peptide tail was essential for recognition. These results demonstrate a crucial role for a C-terminal peptide tail in immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda H Meeuwsen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands;
| | - Anne K Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Renate S Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Michel G D Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis F G Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dirk M van der Steen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Arnoud de Ru
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter A van Veelen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Gras
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and
| | | | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands;
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25
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Morton LT, Wachsmann TLA, Meeuwsen MH, Wouters AK, Remst DFG, van Loenen MM, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. T cell receptor engineering of primary NK cells to therapeutically target tumors and tumor immune evasion. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003715. [PMID: 35288464 PMCID: PMC8921915 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered cells can be powerful tools in the treatment of malignancies. However, tumor resistance by Human Leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I downregulation can negatively impact the success of any TCR-mediated cell therapy. Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells have demonstrated efficacy and safety against malignancies without inducing graft-versus-host-disease, highlighting the feasibility for an 'off the shelf' cellular therapeutic. Furthermore, primary NK cells can target tumors using a broad array of intrinsic activation mechanisms. In this study, we combined the antitumor effector functions of NK cells with TCR engineering (NK-TCR), creating a novel therapeutic strategy to avoid TCR-associated immune resistance. METHODS BOB1, is a transcription factor highly expressed in all healthy and malignant B cell lineages, including multiple myeloma (MM). Expression of an HLA-B*07:02 restricted BOB1-specifc TCR in peripheral blood-derived NK cells was achieved following a two-step retroviral transduction protocol. NK-TCR was then compared with TCR-negative NK cells and CD8-T cells expressing the same TCR for effector function against HLA-B*07:02+ B-cell derived lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL), B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and MM cell lines in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Firstly, TCR could be reproducibly expressed in NK cells isolated from the peripheral blood of multiple healthy donors generating pure NK-TCR cell products. Secondly, NK-TCR demonstrated antigen-specific effector functions against malignancies which were previously resistant to NK-mediated lysis and enhanced NK efficacy in vivo using a preclinical xenograft model of MM. Moreover, antigen-specific cytotoxicity and cytokine production of NK-TCR was comparable to CD8 T cells expressing the same TCR. Finally, in a model of HLA-class I loss, tumor cells with B2M KO were lysed by NK-TCR in an NK-mediated manner but were resistant to T-cell based killing. CONCLUSION NK-TCR cell therapy enhances NK cell efficacy against tumors through additional TCR-mediated lysis. Furthermore, the dual efficacy of NK-TCR permits the specific targeting of tumors and the associated TCR-associated immune resistance, making NK-TCR a unique cellular therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura T Morton
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Miranda H Meeuwsen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anne K Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis F G Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marleen M van Loenen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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26
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Wachsmann TLA, Wouters AK, Remst DFG, Hagedoorn RS, Meeuwsen MH, van Diest E, Leusen J, Kuball J, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. Comparing CAR and TCR engineered T cell performance as a function of tumor cell exposure. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2033528. [PMID: 35127255 PMCID: PMC8812760 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2033528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [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] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have resulted in profound clinical responses in the treatment of CD19-positive hematological malignancies, but a significant proportion of patients do not respond or relapse eventually. As an alternative to CAR T cells, T cells can be engineered to express a tumor-targeting T cell receptor (TCR). Due to HLA restriction of TCRs, CARs have emerged as a preferred treatment moiety when targeting surface antigens, despite the fact that functional differences between engineered TCR (eTCR) T and CAR T cells remain ill-defined. Here, we compared the activity of CAR T cells versus engineered TCR T cells in targeting the B cell malignancy-associated antigen CD20 as a function of antigen exposure. We found CAR T cells to be more potent effector cells, producing higher levels of cytokines and killing more efficiently than eTCR T cells in a short time frame. However, we revealed that the increase of antigen exposure significantly impaired CAR T cell expansion, a phenotype defined by high expression of coinhibitory molecules and effector differentiation. In contrast, eTCR T cells expanded better than CAR T cells under high antigenic pressure, with lower expression of coinhibitory molecules and maintenance of an early differentiation phenotype, and comparable clearance of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne K. Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis F. G. Remst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Renate S. Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Miranda H. Meeuwsen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eline van Diest
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanette Leusen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jürgen Kuball
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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27
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Hanssen JLJ, Stienstra J, Boers SA, Pothast CR, Zaaijer HL, Tjon JM, Heemskerk MHM, Feltkamp MCW, Arend SM. Convalescent Plasma in a Patient with Protracted COVID-19 and Secondary Hypogammaglobulinemia Due to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Buying Time to Develop Immunity? Infect Dis Rep 2021; 13:855-864. [PMID: 34698153 PMCID: PMC8544405 DOI: 10.3390/idr13040077] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
It is not exactly clear yet which type of immune response prevails to accomplish viral clearance in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Studying a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hypogammaglobulinemia who suffered from COVID-19 provided insight in the immunological responses after treatment with COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). Treatment consisted of oxygen, repeated glucocorticosteroids and multiple dosages of CCP guided by antibody levels. Retrospectively performed humoral and cellular immunity analysis made clear that not every serological test for COVID-19 is appropriate for follow-up of sufficient neutralizing antibodies after CCP. In retrospect, we think that CCP merely bought time for this patient to develop an adequate cellular immune response which led to viral clearance and ultimately clinical recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaap L. J. Hanssen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, C5-P, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-5262620
| | - Johan Stienstra
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Stefan A. Boers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, E4-P, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.A.B.); (M.C.W.F.)
| | - Cilia R. Pothast
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, C2-R, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (C.R.P.); (J.M.T.); (M.H.M.H.)
| | - Hans L. Zaaijer
- Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Jennifer M. Tjon
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, C2-R, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (C.R.P.); (J.M.T.); (M.H.M.H.)
| | - Mirjam H. M. Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, C2-R, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (C.R.P.); (J.M.T.); (M.H.M.H.)
| | - Mariet C. W. Feltkamp
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, E4-P, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.A.B.); (M.C.W.F.)
| | - Sandra M. Arend
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, C5-P, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
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28
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van Eck van der Sluijs J, van Ens D, Thordardottir S, Vodegel D, Hermens I, van der Waart AB, Falkenburg JHF, Kester MGD, de Rink I, Heemskerk MHM, Borst J, Schaap NPM, Jansen JH, Xiao Y, Dolstra H, Hobo W. Clinically applicable CD34 +-derived blood dendritic cell subsets exhibit key subset-specific features and potently boost anti-tumor T and NK cell responses. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:3167-3181. [PMID: 33796917 PMCID: PMC8505305 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02899-3] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), following induction chemotherapy, can be curative for hemato-oncology patients due to powerful graft-versus-tumor immunity. However, disease recurrence remains the major cause of treatment failure, emphasizing the need for potent adjuvant immunotherapy. In this regard, dendritic cell (DC) vaccination is highly attractive, as DCs are the key orchestrators of innate and adaptive immunity. Natural DC subsets are postulated to be more powerful compared with monocyte-derived DCs, due to their unique functional properties and cross-talk capacity. Yet, obtaining sufficient numbers of natural DCs, particularly type 1 conventional DCs (cDC1s), is challenging due to low frequencies in human blood. We developed a clinically applicable culture protocol using donor-derived G-CSF mobilized CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) for simultaneous generation of high numbers of cDC1s, cDC2s and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). Transcriptomic analyses demonstrated that these ex vivo-generated DCs highly resemble their in vivo blood counterparts. In more detail, we demonstrated that the CD141+CLEG9A+ cDC1 subset exhibited key features of in vivo cDC1s, reflected by high expression of co-stimulatory molecules and release of IL-12p70 and TNF-α. Furthermore, cDC1s efficiently primed alloreactive T cells, potently cross-presented long-peptides and boosted expansion of minor histocompatibility antigen-experienced T cells. Moreover, they strongly enhanced NK cell activation, degranulation and anti-leukemic reactivity. Together, we developed a robust culture protocol to generate highly functional blood DC subsets for in vivo application as tailored adjuvant immunotherapy to boost innate and adaptive anti-tumor immunity in alloSCT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper van Eck van der Sluijs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Diede van Ens
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Soley Thordardottir
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Denise Vodegel
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Hermens
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anniek B van der Waart
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Michel G D Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Iris de Rink
- Genomics Core Facility, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jannie Borst
- Department of Immunology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas P M Schaap
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joop H Jansen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yanling Xiao
- Department of Immunology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Harry Dolstra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Willemijn Hobo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 8, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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29
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Jongsma MLM, de Waard AA, Raaben M, Zhang T, Cabukusta B, Platzer R, Blomen VA, Xagara A, Verkerk T, Bliss S, Kong X, Gerke C, Janssen L, Stickel E, Holst S, Plomp R, Mulder A, Ferrone S, Claas FHJ, Heemskerk MHM, Griffioen M, Halenius A, Overkleeft H, Huppa JB, Wuhrer M, Brummelkamp TR, Neefjes J, Spaapen RM. The SPPL3-Defined Glycosphingolipid Repertoire Orchestrates HLA Class I-Mediated Immune Responses. Immunity 2021; 54:132-150.e9. [PMID: 33271119 PMCID: PMC8722104 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [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: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
HLA class I (HLA-I) glycoproteins drive immune responses by presenting antigens to cognate CD8+ T cells. This process is often hijacked by tumors and pathogens for immune evasion. Because options for restoring HLA-I antigen presentation are limited, we aimed to identify druggable HLA-I pathway targets. Using iterative genome-wide screens, we uncovered that the cell surface glycosphingolipid (GSL) repertoire determines effective HLA-I antigen presentation. We show that absence of the protease SPPL3 augmented B3GNT5 enzyme activity, resulting in upregulation of surface neolacto-series GSLs. These GSLs sterically impeded antibody and receptor interactions with HLA-I and diminished CD8+ T cell activation. Furthermore, a disturbed SPPL3-B3GNT5 pathway in glioma correlated with decreased patient survival. We show that the immunomodulatory effect could be reversed through GSL synthesis inhibition using clinically approved drugs. Overall, our study identifies a GSL signature that inhibits immune recognition and represents a potential therapeutic target in cancer, infection, and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlieke L M Jongsma
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Antonius A de Waard
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Raaben
- Oncode Institute, Division of Biochemistry, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tao Zhang
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolics, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Birol Cabukusta
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - René Platzer
- Institut für Hygiene und Angewandte Immunologie, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vincent A Blomen
- Oncode Institute, Division of Biochemistry, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anastasia Xagara
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tamara Verkerk
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sophie Bliss
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Xiangrui Kong
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carolin Gerke
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lennert Janssen
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Elmer Stickel
- Oncode Institute, Division of Biochemistry, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stephanie Holst
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolics, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Rosina Plomp
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolics, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Arend Mulder
- Department of Immunology, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anne Halenius
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hermen Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes B Huppa
- Institut für Hygiene und Angewandte Immunologie, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manfred Wuhrer
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolics, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Thijn R Brummelkamp
- Oncode Institute, Division of Biochemistry, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria; Cancer Genomics Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jacques Neefjes
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Robbert M Spaapen
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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30
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Ruibal P, Franken KLMC, van Meijgaarden KE, van Loon JJF, van der Steen D, Heemskerk MHM, Ottenhoff THM, Joosten SA. Peptide Binding to HLA-E Molecules in Humans, Nonhuman Primates, and Mice Reveals Unique Binding Peptides but Remarkably Conserved Anchor Residues. J Immunol 2020; 205:2861-2872. [PMID: 33020145 PMCID: PMC7653511 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ag presentation via the nonclassical MHC class Ib molecule HLA-E, with nearly complete identity between the two alleles expressed in humans, HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03, can lead to the activation of unconventional T cells in humans. Despite this virtual genetic monomorphism, differences in peptide repertoires binding to the two allelic variants have been reported. To further dissect and compare peptide binding to HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03, we used an UV-mediated peptide exchange binding assay and an HPLC-based competition binding assay. In addition, we investigated binding of these same peptides to Mamu-E, the nonhuman primate homologue of human HLA-E, and to the HLA-E-like molecule Qa-1b in mice. We next exploited the differences and homologies in the peptide binding pockets of these four molecules to identify allele specific as well as common features of peptide binding motifs across species. Our results reveal differences in peptide binding preferences and intensities for each human HLA-E variant compared with Mamu-E and Qa-1b Using extended peptide libraries, we identified and refined the peptide binding motifs for each of the four molecules and found that they share main anchor positions, evidenced by conserved amino acid preferences across the four HLA-E molecules studied. In addition, we also identified differences in peptide binding motifs, which could explain the observed variations in peptide binding preferences and affinities for each of the four HLA-E-like molecules. Our results could help with guiding the selection of candidate pathogen-derived peptides with the capacity to target HLA-E-restricted T cells that could be mobilized in vaccination and immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Ruibal
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands; and
| | - Kees L M C Franken
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands; and
| | - Krista E van Meijgaarden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands; and
| | - Joeri J F van Loon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands; and
| | - Dirk van der Steen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tom H M Ottenhoff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands; and
| | - Simone A Joosten
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands; and
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31
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van Balen P, Jedema I, van Loenen MM, de Boer R, van Egmond HM, Hagedoorn RS, Hoogstaten C, Veld SAJ, Hageman L, van Liempt PAG, Zwaginga JJ, Meij P, Veelken H, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. HA-1H T-Cell Receptor Gene Transfer to Redirect Virus-Specific T Cells for Treatment of Hematological Malignancies After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Phase 1 Clinical Study. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1804. [PMID: 32973756 PMCID: PMC7468382 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Graft-vs.-leukemia (GVL) reactivity after HLA-matched allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is mainly mediated by donor T cells recognizing minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHA). If MiHA are targeted that are exclusively expressed on hematopoietic cells of recipient origin, selective GVL reactivity without severe graft-vs.-host-disease (GVHD) may occur. In this phase I study we explored HA-1H TCR gene transfer into T cells harvested from the HA-1H negative stem-cell donor to treat HA-1H positive HLA-A*02:01 positive patients with high-risk leukemia after alloSCT. HA-1H is a hematopoiesis-restricted MiHA presented in HLA-A*02:01. Since we previously demonstrated that donor-derived virus-specific T-cell infusions did not result in GVHD, we used donor-derived EBV and/or CMV-specific T-cells to be redirected by HA-1H TCR. EBV and/or CMV-specific T-cells were purified, retrovirally transduced with HA-1H TCR, and expanded. Validation experiments illustrated dual recognition of viral antigens and HA-1H by HA-1H TCR-engineered virus-specific T-cells. Release criteria included products containing more than 60% antigen-specific T-cells. Patients with high risk leukemia following T-cell depleted alloSCT in complete or partial remission were eligible. HA-1H TCR T-cells were infused 8 and 14 weeks after alloSCT without additional pre-conditioning chemotherapy. For 4/9 included patients no appropriate products could be made. Their donors were all CMV-negative, thereby restricting the production process to EBV-specific T-cells. For 5 patients a total of 10 products could be made meeting the release criteria containing 3–280 × 106 virus and/or HA-1H TCR T-cells. No infusion-related toxicity, delayed toxicity or GVHD occurred. One patient with relapsed AML at time of infusions died due to rapidly progressing disease. Four patients were in remission at time of infusion. Two patients died of infections during follow-up, not likely related to the infusion. Two patients are alive and well without GVHD. In 2 patients persistence of HA-1H TCR T-cells could be illustrated correlating with viral reactivation, but no overt in-vivo expansion of infused T-cells was observed. In conclusion, HA-1H TCR-redirected virus-specific T-cells could be made and safely infused in 5 patients with high-risk AML, but overall feasibility and efficacy was too low to warrant further clinical development using this strategy. New strategies will be explored using patient-derived donor T-cells isolated after transplantation transduced with HA-1H-specific TCR to be infused following immune conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter van Balen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Inge Jedema
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Renate de Boer
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - H M van Egmond
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Renate S Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Conny Hoogstaten
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sabrina A J Veld
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lois Hageman
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - P A G van Liempt
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jaap-Jan Zwaginga
- Center for Clinical Transfusion Research, Sanquin Research, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Pauline Meij
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - H Veelken
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - J H F Falkenburg
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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32
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Huisman W, Gille I, van der Maarel LE, Hageman L, Morton LT, de Jong RCM, Heemskerk MHM, Amsen D, Falkenburg JHF, Jedema I. Identification of Functional HLA-A*01 :01-Restricted EBV-LMP2-Specific T-cell Receptors. J Infect Dis 2020; 226:833-842. [PMID: 32808978 PMCID: PMC9470112 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adoptive transfer of genetically engineered T cells expressing antigen-specific T-cell receptors (TCRs), is an appealing therapeutic approach for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies of latency type II/III that express EBV-antigens (LMP1/2). Patients who are HLA-A*01:01pos could benefit from such products, since no T cells recognizing any EBV-derived peptide in this common HLA allele have been found thus far. METHODS HLA-A*01:01-restricted EBV-(LMP2)-specific T-cells were isolated using peptide-MHC-tetramers. Functionality was assessed by production of IFNγ and cytotoxicity when stimulated with EBV-LMP2-expressing cell-lines. Functionality of primary T cells transduced with HLA-A*01:01-restricted EBV-LMP2-specific TCRs was optimized by knocking out the endogenous TCR of primary T cells (ΔTCR) using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. RESULTS EBV-LMP2-specific T cells were successfully isolated and their TCRs were characterized. TCR gene-transfer in primary T cells resulted in specific peptide-MHC-tetramer binding and reactivity against EBV-LMP2-expressing cell-lines. The mean-fluorescence intensity of peptide-MHC-tetramer binding was increased 1.5-2 fold when the endogenous TCR of CD8pos T cells was knocked out. CD8pos/ΔTCR T cells modified to express EBV-LMP2-specific TCRs showed IFNγ secretion and cytotoxicity towards EBV-LMP2-expressing malignant cell-lines. DISCUSSION We isolated the first functional HLA-A*01:01-restricted EBV-LMP2-specific T-cell populations and TCRs, which can potentially be used in future TCR gene-therapy to treat EBV-associated latency type II/III malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Huisman
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.,Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory for Blood Cell Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ilse Gille
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | | | - Lois Hageman
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Laura T Morton
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Rob C M de Jong
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | | | - Derk Amsen
- Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory for Blood Cell Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Inge Jedema
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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33
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van Balen P, Kester MGD, de Klerk W, Crivello P, Arrieta-Bolaños E, de Ru AH, Jedema I, Mohammed Y, Heemskerk MHM, Fleischhauer K, van Veelen PA, Falkenburg JHF. Immunopeptidome Analysis of HLA-DPB1 Allelic Variants Reveals New Functional Hierarchies. J I 2020; 204:3273-3282. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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34
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Thomas S, Mohammed F, Reijmers RM, Woolston A, Stauss T, Kennedy A, Stirling D, Holler A, Green L, Jones D, Matthews KK, Price DA, Chain BM, Heemskerk MHM, Morris EC, Willcox BE, Stauss HJ. Framework engineering to produce dominant T cell receptors with enhanced antigen-specific function. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4451. [PMID: 31575864 PMCID: PMC6773850 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12441-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [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: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
TCR-gene-transfer is an efficient strategy to produce therapeutic T cells of defined antigen specificity. However, there are substantial variations in the cell surface expression levels of human TCRs, which can impair the function of engineered T cells. Here we demonstrate that substitutions of 3 amino acid residues in the framework of the TCR variable domains consistently increase the expression of human TCRs on the surface of engineered T cells.The modified TCRs mediate enhanced T cell proliferation, cytokine production and cytotoxicity, while reducing the peptide concentration required for triggering effector function up to 3000-fold. Adoptive transfer experiments in mice show that modified TCRs control tumor growth more efficiently than wild-type TCRs. Our data indicate that simple variable domain modifications at a distance from the antigen-binding loops lead to increased TCR expression and improved effector function. This finding provides a generic platform to optimize the efficacy of TCR gene therapy in humans.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens/immunology
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/metabolism
- Cell Engineering
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor/genetics
- Genes, T-Cell Receptor/immunology
- Genetic Therapy
- Humans
- Lectins, C-Type/metabolism
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Models, Molecular
- Protein Domains
- Protein Engineering
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharyn Thomas
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Fiyaz Mohammed
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Centre, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rogier M Reijmers
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie Woolston
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Theresa Stauss
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Alan Kennedy
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - David Stirling
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Angelika Holler
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Louisa Green
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - David Jones
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Katherine K Matthews
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - David A Price
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Benjamin M Chain
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Emma C Morris
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Benjamin E Willcox
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Centre, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Hans J Stauss
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
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35
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Mari L, Hoefnagel SJM, Zito D, van de Meent M, van Endert P, Calpe S, Sancho Serra MDC, Heemskerk MHM, van Laarhoven HWM, Hulshof MCCM, Gisbertz SS, Medema JP, van Berge Henegouwen MI, Meijer SL, Bergman JJGHM, Milano F, Krishnadath KK. microRNA 125a Regulates MHC-I Expression on Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Cells, Associated With Suppression of Antitumor Immune Response and Poor Outcomes of Patients. Gastroenterology 2018; 155:784-798. [PMID: 29885883 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [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: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Immune checkpoint inhibition may affect growth or progression of highly aggressive cancers, such as esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). We investigated the regulation of expression of major histocompatibility complex, class 1 (MHC-I) proteins (encoded by HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C) and the immune response to EACs in patient samples. METHODS We performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction array analyses of OE33 cells and OE19 cells, which express different levels of the ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (TAP1) and TAP2, required for antigen presentation by MHC-I, to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate their expression. We performed luciferase assays to validate interactions between miRNAs and potential targets. We overexpressed candidate miRNAs in OE33, FLO-1, and OACP4 C cell lines and performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunoblot, and flow cytometry analyses to identify changes in messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression; we studied the effects of cytotoxic T cells. We performed miRNA in situ hybridization, RNA-sequencing, and immunohistochemical analyses of tumor tissues from 51 untreated patients with EAC in the Netherlands. Clinical and survival data were collected for patients, and EAC subtypes were determined. RESULTS We found OE19 cells to have increased levels of 7 miRNAs. Of these, we found binding sites for miRNA 125a (MIR125a)-5p in the 3' untranslated region of the TAP2 mRNA and binding sites for MIR148a-3p in 3' untranslated regions of HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C mRNAs. Overexpression of these miRNAs reduced expression of TAP2 in OE33, FLO-1, and OACP4 C cells, and reduced cell-surface levels of MHC-I. OE33 cells that expressed the viral peptide BZLF1 were killed by cytotoxic T cells, whereas OE33 that overexpressed MIR125a-5p or MIR 148a along with BZLF1 were not. In EAC and nontumor tissues, levels of MIR125a-5p correlated inversely with levels of TAP2 protein. High expression of TAP1 by EAC correlated with significantly shorter overall survival times of patients. EACs that expressed high levels of TAP1 and genes involved in antigen presentation also expressed high levels of genes that regulate the adaptive immune response, PD-L1, PD-L2, and IDO1; these EACs had a poor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and associated with shorter overall survival times of patients. CONCLUSIONS In studies of EAC cell lines and tumor tissues, we found increased levels of MIR125a-5p and MIR148a-3p to reduce levels of TAP2 and MHC-I, required for antigen presentation. High expression of MHC-I molecules by EAC correlated with markers of an adaptive immune response and significantly shorter overall survival times of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Mari
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sanne J M Hoefnagel
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Domenico Zito
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Marian van de Meent
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter van Endert
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 1151, Université Paris Descartes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8253, Paris, France
| | - Silvia Calpe
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Del Carmen Sancho Serra
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hanneke W M van Laarhoven
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Laboratory for Experimental Oncology & Radiobiology (LEXOR), AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten C C M Hulshof
- Department of Radiation Oncology, AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Susanne S Gisbertz
- Department of Surgery, AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Paul Medema
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Center for Experimental & Molecular Medicine, Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Sybren L Meijer
- Department of Pathology, AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jacques J G H M Bergman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Francesca Milano
- Section of Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Center for Hemato-Oncology Research (CREO), University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Kausilia K Krishnadath
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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36
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Marijt KA, Blijleven L, Verdegaal EME, Kester MG, Kowalewski DJ, Rammensee HG, Stevanović S, Heemskerk MHM, van der Burg SH, van Hall T. Identification of non-mutated neoantigens presented by TAP-deficient tumors. J Exp Med 2018; 215:2325-2337. [PMID: 30115740 PMCID: PMC6122969 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20180577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A hybrid forward-reversed immunological screen is performed to identify 16 novel HLA-A2 presented cancer antigens. These peptides are selectively presented by immune-escaped cancer cells with defects in the peptide transporter TAP. In contrast to mutated neoantigens, these “self” neoantigens are universally presented across different cancer types. Most T cell–based immunotherapies of cancer depend on intact antigen presentation by HLA class I molecules (HLA-I). However, defects in the antigen-processing machinery can cause downregulation of HLA-I, rendering tumor cells resistant to CD8+ T cells. Previously, we demonstrated that a unique category of cancer antigens is selectively presented by tumor cells deficient for the peptide transporter TAP, enabling a specific attack of such tumors without causing immunopathology in mouse models. With a novel combinatorial screening approach, we now identify 16 antigens of this category in humans. These HLA-A*02:01 presented peptides do not derive from the mutanome of cancers, but are of “self” origin and therefore constitute universal neoantigens. Indeed, CD8+ T cells specific for the leader peptide of the ubiquitously expressed LRPAP1 protein recognized TAP-deficient, HLA-Ilow lymphomas, melanomas, and renal and colon carcinomas, but not healthy counterparts. In contrast to personalized mutanome-targeted therapies, these conserved neoantigens and their cognate receptors can be exploited for immune-escaped cancers across diverse histological origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen A Marijt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Laura Blijleven
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Els M E Verdegaal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Michel G Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Daniel J Kowalewski
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Stevanović
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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37
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Rosskopf S, Leitner J, Paster W, Morton LT, Hagedoorn RS, Steinberger P, Heemskerk MHM. A Jurkat 76 based triple parameter reporter system to evaluate TCR functions and adoptive T cell strategies. Oncotarget 2018; 9:17608-17619. [PMID: 29707134 PMCID: PMC5915142 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [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: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapy using TCR transgenic autologous T cells has shown great potential for the treatment of tumor patients. Thorough characterization of genetically reprogrammed T cells is necessary to optimize treatment success. Here, we describe the generation of triple parameter reporter T cells based on the Jurkat 76 T cell line for the evaluation of TCR and chimeric antigen receptor functions as well as adoptive T cell strategies. This Jurkat subline is devoid of endogenous TCR alpha and TCR beta chains, thereby circumventing the problem of TCR miss-pairing and unexpected specificities. The resultant reporter cells allow simultaneous determination of the activity of the transcription factors NF-κB, NFAT and AP-1 that play key roles in T cell activation. Human TCRs directed against tumor and virus antigens were introduced and reporter responses were determined using tumor cell lines endogenously expressing the antigens of interest or via addition of antigenic peptides. Finally, we demonstrate that coexpression of adhesion molecules like CD2 and CD226 as well as CD28 chimeric receptors represents an effective strategy to augment the response of TCR-transgenic reporters to cells presenting cognate antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Rosskopf
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Paster
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura T Morton
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Renate S Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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38
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Bijen HM, Hassan C, Kester MGD, Janssen GMC, Hombrink P, de Ru AH, Drijfhout JW, Meiring HD, de Jong AP, Falkenburg JHF, Jimenez CR, Heemskerk MHM, van Veelen PA. Specific T Cell Responses against Minor Histocompatibility Antigens Cannot Generally Be Explained by Absence of Their Allelic Counterparts on the Cell Surface. Proteomics 2018; 18:e1700250. [PMID: 29251415 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201700250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation has emerged as immunotherapy in the treatment of a variety of hematological malignancies. Its efficacy depends on induction of graft versus leukemia by donor lymphocytes. Both graft versus leukemia and graft versus host disease are induced by T cells reactive against polymorphic peptides, called minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHA), which differ between patient and donor and are presented in the context of self-HLA (where HLA is human leukocyte antigen). The allelic counterpart (AC) of the MiHA is generally considered to be absent at the cell surface, based on the absence of immune responses directed against the AC. To study this in detail, we evaluate the recognition, HLA-binding affinity, and cell surface expression of three selected MiHA. By quantitative MS, we demonstrate the similarly abundant expression of both MiHA and AC at the cell surface. We conclude that the absent recognition of the AC cannot generally be explained by insufficient processing and presentation at the cell surface of the AC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena M Bijen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Chopie Hassan
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michel G D Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - George M C Janssen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pleun Hombrink
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arnoud H de Ru
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wouter Drijfhout
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo D Meiring
- Laboratory for Vaccine Research, Unit Research and Development, Netherlands Vaccine Institute, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ad P de Jong
- Laboratory for Vaccine Research, Unit Research and Development, Netherlands Vaccine Institute, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Connie R Jimenez
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Medical Oncology, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A van Veelen
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Cao J, Brouwer NJ, Jordanova ES, Marinkovic M, van Duinen SG, de Waard NE, Ksander BR, Mulder A, Claas FHJ, Heemskerk MHM, Jager MJ. HLA Class I Antigen Expression in Conjunctival Melanoma Is Not Associated With PD-L1/PD-1 Status. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 59:1005-1015. [DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-23209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Niels J. Brouwer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ekaterina S. Jordanova
- Center for Gynecological Oncology Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marina Marinkovic
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd G. van Duinen
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nadine E. de Waard
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bruce R. Ksander
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Department, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Arend Mulder
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frans H. J. Claas
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Martine J. Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Jahn L, van der Steen DM, Hagedoorn RS, Hombrink P, Kester MGD, Schoonakker MP, de Ridder D, van Veelen PA, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. Generation of CD20-specific TCRs for TCR gene therapy of CD20low B-cell malignancies insusceptible to CD20-targeting antibodies. Oncotarget 2018; 7:77021-77037. [PMID: 27776339 PMCID: PMC5363567 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy of B-cell leukemia and lymphoma with CD20-targeting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has demonstrated clinical efficacy. However, the emergence of unresponsive disease due to low or absent cell surface CD20 urges the need to develop additional strategies. In contrast to mAbs, T-cells via their T-cell receptor (TCR) can recognize not only extracellular but also intracellular antigens in the context of HLA molecules. We hypothesized that T-cells equipped with high affinity CD20-targeting TCRs would be able to recognize B-cell malignancies even in the absence of extracellular CD20. We isolated CD8+ T-cell clones binding to peptide-MHC-tetramers composed of HLA-A*02:01 and CD20-derived peptide SLFLGILSV (CD20SLF) from HLA-A*02:01neg healthy individuals to overcome tolerance towards self-antigens such as CD20. High avidity T-cell clones were identified that readily recognized and lysed primary HLA-A2pos B-cell leukemia and lymphoma in the absence of reactivity against CD20-negative but HLA-A2pos healthy hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells. The T-cell clone with highest avidity efficiently lysed malignant cell-lines that had insufficient extracellular CD20 to be targeted by CD20 mAbs. Transfer of this TCR installed potent CD20-specificity onto recipient T-cells and led to lysis of CD20low malignant cell-lines. Moreover, our approach facilitates the generation of an off-the-shelf TCR library with broad applicability by targeting various HLA alleles. Using the same methodology, we isolated a T-cell clone that efficiently lysed primary HLA-B*07:02pos B-cell malignancies by targeting another CD20-derived peptide. TCR gene transfer of high affinity CD20-specific TCRs can be a valuable addition to current treatment options for patients suffering from CD20low B-cell malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Jahn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk M van der Steen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Renate S Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pleun Hombrink
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research, 1006 AD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michel G D Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Daniëlle de Ridder
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A van Veelen
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.,Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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41
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Jahn L, Heemskerk MHM. Detection of clinically relevant T-cell receptors requires tailored approaches, and TCR gene therapy carries inherent risks. Transl Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2017.07.12] [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: 11/06/2022]
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42
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Gezgin G, Luk SJ, Cao J, Dogrusöz M, van der Steen DM, Hagedoorn RS, Krijgsman D, van der Velden PA, Field MG, Luyten GPM, Szuhai K, Harbour JW, Jordanova ES, Heemskerk MHM, Jager MJ. PRAME as a Potential Target for Immunotherapy in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. JAMA Ophthalmol 2017; 135:541-549. [PMID: 28448663 DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2017.0729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Importance Uveal melanoma (UM) is an intraocular primary malignant neoplasm that often gives rise to metastatic disease for which there are no effective therapies. A substantial proportion of UMs express the cancer-testis antigen PRAME (preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma), which can potentially be targeted by adoptive T-cell therapy. Objective To determine whether there may be a rationale for PRAME-directed T-cell therapy for metastatic UM. Design, Setting, and Participants An experimental study using a retrospective cohort of 64 patients with UM (median follow-up, 62 months) was conducted from January 8, 2015, to November 20, 2016, at the Leiden University Medical Center. Clinical, histopathologic, and genetic parameters were compared between 64 PRAME-positive and PRAME-negative UMs. HLA class I restricted, PRAME-specific T cells were stimulated with UM cell lines to measure their antigen-specific reactivity against these cell lines, which were analyzed for PRAME expression by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Uveal melanoma metastases from 16 unrelated patients were assessed for PRAME expression by messenger RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization and for HLA class I expression by immunofluorescence staining. Main Outcomes and Measures Interferon γ production for antigen-specific reactivity and detection of PRAME and HLA class I expression in primary and metastatic UM. Results Of the 64 patients in the study (31 women and 33 men; mean [SD] age at the time of enucleation, 60.6 [15.6] years), PRAME expression was negative in 35 primary UMs and positive in 29 primary UMs. Positive PRAME expression was associated with a high largest basal diameter (15.0 vs 12.0 mm; P = .005), ciliary body involvement (59% vs 26%; P = .008), and amplification of chromosome 8q (66% vs 23%; P = .002). PRAME-specific T cells reacted against 4 of 7 UM cell lines, demonstrating that T-cell reactivity correlated with PRAME expression. Metastatic UM samples were positive for PRAME messenger RNA in 11 of 16 patients and for HLA class I in 10 of 16 patients, with 8 of 16 patients demonstrating coexpression of both PRAME and HLA class I. Conclusions and Relevance PRAME is expressed in many primary and metastatic UMs, and about half of the metastatic UMs coexpress PRAME and HLA class I. The finding that PRAME-specific T cells in this study reacted against PRAME-positive UM cell lines suggests a potential role for PRAME-directed immunotherapy for selected patients with metastatic UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülçin Gezgin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sietse J Luk
- Department of Haematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jinfeng Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands3Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mehmet Dogrusöz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dirk M van der Steen
- Department of Haematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Renate S Hagedoorn
- Department of Haematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle Krijgsman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Matthew G Field
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Gregorius P M Luyten
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - J William Harbour
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Ekaterina S Jordanova
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands7Center for Gynecological Oncology Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Haematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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van Bergen CAM, van Luxemburg-Heijs SAP, de Wreede LC, Eefting M, von dem Borne PA, van Balen P, Heemskerk MHM, Mulder A, Claas FHJ, Navarrete MA, Honders WM, Rutten CE, Veelken H, Jedema I, Halkes CJM, Griffioen M, Falkenburg JHF. Selective graft-versus-leukemia depends on magnitude and diversity of the alloreactive T cell response. J Clin Invest 2017; 127:517-529. [PMID: 28067665 DOI: 10.1172/jci86175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with leukemia who receive a T cell-depleted allogeneic stem cell graft followed by postponed donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) can experience graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) reactivity, with a lower risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Here, we have investigated the magnitude, diversity, and specificity of alloreactive CD8 T cells in patients who developed GVL reactivity after DLI in the absence or presence of GVHD. We observed a lower magnitude and diversity of CD8 T cells for minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHAs) in patients with selective GVL reactivity without GVHD. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MiHA-specific T cell clones from patients with selective GVL reactivity showed lower reactivity against nonhematopoietic cells, even when pretreated with inflammatory cytokines. Expression analysis of MiHA-encoding genes showed that similar types of antigens were recognized in both patient groups, but in patients who developed GVHD, T cell reactivity was skewed to target broadly expressed MiHAs. As an inflammatory environment can render nonhematopoietic cells susceptible to T cell recognition, prevention of such circumstances favors induction of selective GVL reactivity without development of GVHD.
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Jolink H, de Boer R, Hombrink P, Jonkers RE, van Dissel JT, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. Pulmonary immune responses against Aspergillus fumigatus are characterized by high frequencies of IL-17 producing T-cells. J Infect 2016; 74:81-88. [PMID: 27838522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In healthy individuals and in patients with invasive aspergillosis, Aspergillus-specific T-cells in peripheral blood display mainly a Thelper1 phenotype. Although in other fungal infections Thelper17 immunity is important, it was suggested that in aspergillus infection Thelper17 cells do not play a role or may even be detrimental. OBJECTIVES To compare the cytokine profiles of Aspergillus-specific CD4+ T-cells in peripheral blood and in the lung. To investigate the Thelper phenotype at the primary location of A. fumigatus exposure. METHODS Lung-derived T-cells and peripheral blood T-cells from COPD-patients were stimulated with overlapping peptides of 6 A. fumigatus proteins. Aspergillus-specific T-cells were identified on the basis of the activation marker CD154 and production of TNFα. In addition, production of the cytokines IFNγ, IL-17, IL-4 and IL-5 by the Aspergillus-specific T-cells was measured. RESULTS The majority of lung-derived Aspergillus-specific T-cells displayed a Thelper17 phenotype, and only low percentages of cells produced IFNγ. In contrast, in the peripheral blood of COPD patients Aspergillus-specific T-cells displayed a Thelper1 phenotype, similar as peripheral blood-derived Aspergillus-specific T-cells from healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that in A. fumigatus infection, similar as in other fungal infections, Thelper17 cells may play a more important role in the immune response than was appreciated until now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hetty Jolink
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Renate de Boer
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pleun Hombrink
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René E Jonkers
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap T van Dissel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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45
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Spel L, Boelens JJ, van der Steen DM, Blokland NJG, van Noesel MM, Molenaar JJ, Heemskerk MHM, Boes M, Nierkens S. Natural killer cells facilitate PRAME-specific T-cell reactivity against neuroblastoma. Oncotarget 2016; 6:35770-81. [PMID: 26452036 PMCID: PMC4742140 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [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: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor in children with an estimated 5-year progression free survival of 20–40% in stage 4 disease. Neuroblastoma actively avoids recognition by natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Although immunotherapy has gained traction for neuroblastoma treatment, these immune escape mechanisms restrain clinical results. Therefore, we aimed to improve neuroblastoma immunogenicity to further the development of antigen-specific immunotherapy against neuroblastoma. We found that neuroblastoma cells significantly increase surface expression of MHC I upon exposure to active NK cells which thereby readily sensitize neuroblastoma cells for recognition by CTLs. We show that oncoprotein PRAME serves as an immunodominant antigen for neuroblastoma as NK-modulated neuroblastoma cells are recognized by PRAMESLLQHLIGL/A2-specific CTL clones. Furthermore, NK cells induce MHC I upregulation in neuroblastoma through contact-dependent secretion of IFNγ. Our results demonstrate remarkable plasticity in the peptide/MHC I surface expression of neuroblastoma cells, which is reversed when neuroblastoma cells experience innate immune attack by sensitized NK cells. These findings support the exploration of NK cells as adjuvant therapy to enforce neuroblastoma-specific CTL responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte Spel
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap-Jan Boelens
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk M van der Steen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nina J G Blokland
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Max M van Noesel
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan J Molenaar
- Department of Oncogenomics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne Boes
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Nierkens
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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46
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Hutten TJA, Thordardottir S, Fredrix H, Janssen L, Woestenenk R, Tel J, Joosten B, Cambi A, Heemskerk MHM, Franssen GM, Boerman OC, Bakker LBH, Jansen JH, Schaap N, Dolstra H, Hobo W. CLEC12A-Mediated Antigen Uptake and Cross-Presentation by Human Dendritic Cell Subsets Efficiently Boost Tumor-Reactive T Cell Responses. J I 2016; 197:2715-25. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Gram AM, Oosenbrug T, Lindenbergh MFS, Büll C, Comvalius A, Dickson KJI, Wiegant J, Vrolijk H, Lebbink RJ, Wolterbeek R, Adema GJ, Griffioen M, Heemskerk MHM, Tscharke DC, Hutt-Fletcher LM, Wiertz EJHJ, Hoeben RC, Ressing ME. The Epstein-Barr Virus Glycoprotein gp150 Forms an Immune-Evasive Glycan Shield at the Surface of Infected Cells. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005550. [PMID: 27077376 PMCID: PMC4831753 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-mediated immunity plays a key role in host control of viral infection. This is exemplified by life-threatening reactivations of e.g. herpesviruses in individuals with impaired T-cell and/or iNKT cell responses. To allow lifelong persistence and virus production in the face of primed immunity, herpesviruses exploit immune evasion strategies. These include a reduction in viral antigen expression during latency and a number of escape mechanisms that target antigen presentation pathways. Given the plethora of foreign antigens expressed in virus-producing cells, herpesviruses are conceivably most vulnerable to elimination by cell-mediated immunity during the replicative phase of infection. Here, we show that a prototypic herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), encodes a novel, broadly acting immunoevasin, gp150, that is expressed during the late phase of viral replication. In particular, EBV gp150 inhibits antigen presentation by HLA class I, HLA class II, and the non-classical, lipid-presenting CD1d molecules. The mechanism of gp150-mediated T-cell escape does not depend on degradation of the antigen-presenting molecules nor does it require gp150’s cytoplasmic tail. Through its abundant glycosylation, gp150 creates a shield that impedes surface presentation of antigen. This is an unprecedented immune evasion mechanism for herpesviruses. In view of its likely broader target range, gp150 could additionally have an impact beyond escape of T cell activation. Importantly, B cells infected with a gp150-null mutant EBV displayed rescued levels of surface antigen presentation by HLA class I, HLA class II, and CD1d, supporting an important role for iNKT cells next to classical T cells in fighting EBV infection. At the same time, our results indicate that EBV gp150 prolongs the timespan for producing viral offspring at the most vulnerable stage of the viral life cycle. The human herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an important human pathogen involved in infectious mononucleosis and several malignant tumors, including lymphomas in the immunosuppressed. Upon primary infection, a balance between virus and host is established, to which EBV’s capacity to dodge T cell-mediated attack contributes. Here we identify the late protein EBV gp150 as a novel immunoevasin, frustrating antigen presentation by HLA class I, class II, and CD1d molecules. EBV gp150’s many sialoglycans create a shield impeding surface detection of presented antigen. Interestingly, exploiting glycan shielding as a mechanism to mask surface exposed proteins on infected cells could permit EBV to additionally modulate other aspects of host antiviral defense. B cells producing wild-type EBV escaped immune recognition more efficiently than those infected with a gp150-null virus, pointing towards a role for gp150 in natural infection. Our results reveal a novel, broadly active strategy by which a herpesvirus glycoprotein, EBV gp150, blocks antigen presentation to T cells through glycan shielding, a new paradigm in herpesvirus immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Gram
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Timo Oosenbrug
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Christian Büll
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anouskha Comvalius
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kathryn J. I. Dickson
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Joop Wiegant
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Vrolijk
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Jan Lebbink
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ron Wolterbeek
- Department of Medical Statistics & Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gosse J. Adema
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - David C. Tscharke
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Lindsey M. Hutt-Fletcher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, United States of America
| | | | - Rob C. Hoeben
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike E. Ressing
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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48
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Gras S, Chabrol E, Eckle SBG, de Boer R, McCluskey J, Rossjohn J, Heemskerk MHM. The molecular bases of δβ T-cell mediated antigen recognition. Acta Crystallogr A Found Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1107/s2053273315096394] [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: 11/10/2022] Open
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49
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de Mare-Bredemeijer ELD, Shi XL, Mancham S, van Gent R, van der Heide-Mulder M, de Boer R, Heemskerk MHM, de Jonge J, van der Laan LJW, Metselaar HJ, Kwekkeboom J. Cytomegalovirus-Induced Expression of CD244 after Liver Transplantation Is Associated with CD8+ T Cell Hyporesponsiveness to Alloantigen. J I 2015; 195:1838-48. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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50
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Frøsig TM, Yap J, Seremet T, Lyngaa R, Svane IM, Thor Straten P, Heemskerk MHM, Grotenbreg GM, Hadrup SR. Design and validation of conditional ligands for HLA-B*08:01, HLA-B*15:01, HLA-B*35:01, and HLA-B*44:05. Cytometry A 2015; 87:967-75. [PMID: 26033882 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.22689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
We designed conditional ligands restricted to HLA-B*08:01, -B*35:01, and -B*44:05 and proved the use of a conditional ligand previously designed for HLA-B*15:02 together with HLA-B*15:01. Furthermore, we compared the detection capabilities of specific HLA-B*15:01-restricted T cells using the HLA-B*15:01 and HLA-B*15:02 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) multimers and found remarkable differences in the staining patterns detected by flow cytometry. These new conditional ligands greatly add to the application of MHC-based technologies in the analyses of T-cell recognition as they represent frequently expressed HLA-B molecules. This expansion of conditional ligands is important to allow T-cell detection over a wide range of HLA restrictions, and provide comprehensive understanding of the T-cell recognition in a given context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Mørch Frøsig
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Section for Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jiawei Yap
- Department of Microbiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biological Sciences and the Immunology Program, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tina Seremet
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke Lyngaa
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Section for Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Per Thor Straten
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mirjam H M Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsbert M Grotenbreg
- Section for Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Microbiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sine Reker Hadrup
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Section for Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
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