scholarly journals Adjuvanting a DNA vaccine with a TLR9 ligand plus Flt3 ligand results in enhanced cellular immunity against the simian immunodeficiency virus

2007 ◽  
Vol 204 (11) ◽  
pp. 2733-2746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Kwissa ◽  
Rama R. Amara ◽  
Harriet L. Robinson ◽  
Bernard Moss ◽  
Sefik Alkan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Dna Vaccine ◽  
Dna Vaccines ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Flt3 Ligand ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Ifn Γ

DNA vaccines offer promising strategies for immunization against infections. However, their clinical use requires improvements in immunogenicity. We explored the efficacy of Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands (TLR-Ls) on augmenting the immunogenicity of a DNA prime–modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) boost vaccine against SIV. Rhesus macaques were injected with Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3)–ligand (FL) to expand dendritic cells (DCs) and were primed with a DNA vaccine encoding immunodeficiency virus antigens mixed with ligands for TLR9 or TLR7/8. Subsequently, the animals were boosted with DNA and twice with recombinant MVA expressing the same antigens. TLR9-L (CpG DNA) mediated activation of DCs in vivo and enhanced the magnitude of antigen-specific CD8+ interferon (IFN) γ+ T cells and polyfunctional CD8+ T cells producing IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 2. Although this trial was designed primarily as an immunogenicity study, we challenged the animals with pathogenic SIVmac251 and observed a reduction in peak viremia and cumulative viral loads in the TLR9-L plus FL-adjuvanted group relative to the unvaccinated group; however, the study design precluded comparisons between the adjuvanted groups and the group vaccinated with DNA/MVA alone. Viral loads were inversely correlated with the magnitude and quality of the immune response. Thus, the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines can be augmented with TLR9-L plus FL.

Impaired function of circulating HIV-specific CD8+ T cells in chronic human immunodeficiency virus infection

Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (9) ◽  
pp. 3094-3101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Premlata Shankar ◽  
Melissa Russo ◽  
Brooke Harnisch ◽  
Mark Patterson ◽  
Paul Skolnik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Reverse Transcriptase ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Mixed Pattern

Abstract The functional status of circulating human immunodeficiency (HIV)-specific CD8 T cells in chronically infected subjects was evaluated. By flow cytometry, only 5 of 7 subjects had detectable CD8 T cells that produced IFN-γ after stimulation with HIV-infected primary CD4 T cells. In 2 subjects, the frequency of IFN-γ–producing cells increased 4-fold when IL-2 was added to the culture medium; in another subject, IFN-γ–producing cells could be detected only after IL-2 was added. IFN-γ–producing cells ranged from 0.4% to 3% of CD8 T cells. Major histocompatibility complex–peptide tetramer staining, which identifies antigen-specific T cells irrespective of function, was used to evaluate the proportion of HIV-specific CD8 T cells that may be nonfunctional in vivo. CD8 T cells binding to tetramers complexed to HIV gag epitope SLYNTVATL and reverse transcriptase epitope YTAFTIPSI were identified in 9 of 15 and 5 of 12 HLA-A2–expressing seropositive subjects at frequencies of 0.1% to 1.1% and 0.1 to 0.7%, respectively. Freshly isolated tetramer-positive cells expressed a mixed pattern of memory and effector markers. On average, IFN-γ was produced by less than 25% of tetramer-positive CD8 T cells after stimulation with the relevant gag or reverse transcriptase peptide. In all subjects tested, freshly isolated CD8 T cells were not cytolytic against peptide-pulsed B lymphoblastoid cell line or primary HIV-infected CD4 T-cell targets. Exposure to IL-2 enhanced the cytotoxicity of CD8 T cells against primary HIV-infected CD4 targets in 2 of 2 subjects tested. These results suggest that a significant proportion of HIV-specific CD8 T cells may be functionally compromised in vivo and that some function can be restored by exposure to IL-2.

scholarly journals Combination of CD8β Depletion and Interleukin-15 Superagonist N-803 Induces Virus Reactivation in Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected, Long-Term ART-Treated Rhesus Macaques

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia B. McBrien ◽  
Andrew K. H. Wong ◽  
Erick White ◽  
Diane G. Carnathan ◽  
John H. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Plasma Viremia ◽  
Virus Reactivation ◽  
Hiv Cure ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Shock And Kill ◽  
Interleukin 15

ABSTRACT The “shock and kill” strategy predicates that virus reactivation in latently infected cells is required to eliminate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reservoir. In a recent study, we showed robust and persistent induction of plasma viremia in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated simian immunodeficiency virus-infected rhesus macaques (RMs) undergoing CD8α depletion and treated with the interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist N-803 (J. B. McBrien et al., Nature 578:154–159, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-1946-0). Of note, in that study we used an antibody targeting CD8α, thereby depleting NK cells, NKT cells, and γδ T cells, in addition to CD8+ T cells. In the current proof-of-concept study, we tested whether virus reactivation can be induced by administration of N-803 to simian-human chimeric immunodeficiency virus-infected, ART-treated RMs that are selectively depleted of CD8+ T cells via the CD8β-targeting antibody CD8b255R1. CD8β depletion was performed in five SHIVSF162P3-infected RMs treated with ART for 12 months and with plasma viremia consistently below 3 copies/ml. All animals received four weekly doses of N-803 starting at the time of CD8b255R1 administration. The induction of detectable plasma viremia was observed in three out of five RMs, with the level of virus reactivation seemingly correlated with the frequency of CD8+ T cells following CD8β depletion as well as the level of virus reactivation observed when the same animals underwent CD8α depletion and N-803 administration after 24 weeks of ART. These data indicate that CD8β depletion and N-803 administration can induce virus reactivation in SHIVSF162P3-infected RMs despite suboptimal depletion of CD8+ T cells and profound ART-induced suppression of virus replication, confirming a critical role for these cells in suppressing virus production and/or reactivation in vivo under ART. IMPORTANCE The “shock and kill” HIV cure strategy attempts to reverse and eliminate the latent viral infection that prevents eradication of the virus. Latency-reversing agents tested in clinical trials to date have failed to affect the HIV viral reservoir. IL-15 superagonist N-803, currently involved in a clinical trial for HIV cure, was recently shown by our laboratory to induce robust and persistent induction of plasma viremia during ART in three in vivo animal models of HIV infection. These results suggest a substantial role for CD8+ lymphocytes in suppressing the latency reversal effect of N-803 by promoting the maintenance of viral latency. In this study, we tested whether the use of a CD8β-targeting antibody, which would specifically deplete CD8+ T cells, would yield similar levels of virus reactivation. We observed the induction of plasma viremia, which correlated with the efficacy of the CD8 depletion strategy.

scholarly journals Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVrcm, a Unique CCR2-Tropic Virus, Selectively Depletes Memory CD4+ T Cells in Pigtailed Macaques through Expanded Coreceptor Usage In Vivo

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (16) ◽  
pp. 7894-7908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeev Gautam ◽  
Thaidra Gaufin ◽  
Isolde Butler ◽  
Aarti Gautam ◽  
Mary Barnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Effector Memory ◽  
Coreceptor Usage ◽  
New Host ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Memory Cd4 T Cells

ABSTRACT Simian immunodeficiency virus SIVrcm, which naturally infects red-capped mangabeys (RCMs), is the only SIV that uses CCR2 as its main coreceptor due to the high frequency of a CCR5 deletion in RCMs. We investigated the dynamics of SIVrcm infection to identify specific pathogenic mechanisms associated with this major difference in SIV biology. Four pigtailed macaques (PTMs) were infected with SIVrcm, and infection was monitored for over 2 years. The dynamics of in vivo SIVrcm replication in PTMs was similar to that of other pathogenic and nonpathogenic lymphotropic SIVs. Plasma viral loads (VLs) peaked at 107 to 109 SIVrcm RNA copies/ml by day 10 postinoculation (p.i.). A viral set point was established by day 42 p.i. at 103 to 105 SIVrcm RNA copies/ml and lasted up to day 180 p.i., when plasma VLs decreased below the threshold of detection, with blips of viral replication during the follow-up. Intestinal SIVrcm replication paralleled that of plasma VLs. Up to 80% of the CD4+ T cells were depleted by day 28 p.i. in the gut. The most significant depletion (>90%) involved memory CD4+ T cells. Partial CD4+ T-cell restoration was observed in the intestine at later time points. Effector memory CD4+ T cells were the least restored. SIVrcm strains isolated from acutely infected PTMs used CCR2 coreceptor, as reported, but expansion of coreceptor usage to CCR4 was also observed. Selective depletion of effector memory CD4+ T cells is in contrast with predicted in vitro tropism of SIVrcm for macrophages and is probably due to expansion of coreceptor usage. Taken together, these findings emphasize the importance of understanding the selective forces driving viral adaptation to a new host.

scholarly journals Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVagm Efficiently Utilizes Non-CCR5 Entry Pathways in African Green Monkey Lymphocytes: Potential Role for GPR15 and CXCR6 as Viral Coreceptors

2015 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 2316-2331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadeene E. Riddick ◽  
Fan Wu ◽  
Kenta Matsuda ◽  
Sonya Whitted ◽  
Ilnour Ourmanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Sooty Mangabeys ◽  
Natural Hosts

ABSTRACTAfrican green monkeys (AGM) are natural hosts of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), and infection in these animals is generally nonpathogenic, whereas infection of nonnatural hosts, such as rhesus macaques (RM), is commonly pathogenic. CCR5 has been described as the primary entry coreceptor for SIVin vivo, while human-derived CXCR6 and GPR15 also appear to be usedin vitro. However, sooty mangabeys that are genetically deficient in CCR5 due to an out-of-frame deletion are infectible with SIVsmm, indicating that SIVsmm can use alternative coreceptorsin vivo. In this study, we examined the CCR5 dependence of SIV strains derived from vervet AGM (SIVagmVer) and the ability of AGM-derived GPR15 and CXCR6 to serve as potential entry coreceptors. We found that SIVagmVer replicated efficiently in AGM and RM peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the presence of the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc, despite the fact that maraviroc was capable of blocking the CCR5-tropic strains SIVmac239, SIVsmE543-3, and simian-human immunodeficiency virus SHIV-AD8 in RM PBMC. We also found that AGM CXCR6 and AGM GPR15, to a lesser extent, supported entry of pseudotype viruses bearing SIVagm envelopes, including SIVagm transmitted/founder envelopes. Lastly, we found that CCR5, GPR15, and CXCR6 mRNAs were detected in AGM and RM memory CD4+T cells. These results suggest that GPR15 and CXCR6 are expressed on AGM CD4+T cells and are potential alternative coreceptors for SIVagm usein vivo. These data suggest that the use of non-CCR5 entry pathways may be a common feature of SIV replication in natural host species, with the potential to contribute to nonpathogenicity in these animals.IMPORTANCEAfrican green monkeys (AGM) are natural hosts of SIV, and infection in these animals generally does not cause AIDS, whereas SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RM) typically develop AIDS. Although it has been reported that SIV generally uses CD4 and CCR5 to enter target cellsin vivo, other molecules, such as GPR15 and CXCR6, also function as SIV coreceptorsin vitro. In this study, we investigated whether SIV from vervet AGM can use non-CCR5 entry pathways, as has been observed in sooty mangabeys. We found that SIVagmVer efficiently replicated in AGM and RM peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence of the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc, suggesting that non-CCR5 entry pathways can support SIVagm entry. We found that AGM-derived GPR15 and CXCR6 support SIVagmVer entryin vitroand may serve as entry coreceptors for SIVagmin vivo, since their mRNAs were detected in AGM memory CD4+T cells, the preferred target cells of SIV.

scholarly journals Disseminated human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection in SCID-hu mice after peripheral inoculation with HIV-1.

1994 ◽  
Vol 179 (2) ◽  
pp. 513-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
T R Kollmann ◽  
M Pettoello-Mantovani ◽  
X Zhuang ◽  
A Kim ◽  
M Hachamovitch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Human T Cells ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1

A small animal model that could be infected with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) after peripheral inoculation would greatly facilitate the study of the pathophysiology of acute HIV-1 infection. The utility of SCID mice implanted with human fetal thymus and liver (SCID-hu mice) for studying peripheral HIV-1 infection in vivo has been hampered by the requirement for direct intraimplant injection of HIV-1 and the continued restriction of the resultant HIV-1 infection to the human thymus and liver (hu-thy/liv) implant. This may have been due to the very low numbers of human T cells present in the SCID-hu mouse peripheral lymphoid compartment. Since the degree of the peripheral reconstitution of SCID-hu mice with human T cells may be a function of the hu-thy/liv implant size, we increased the quantity of hu-thy/liv tissue implanted under the renal capsule and implanted hu-thy/liv tissue under the capsules of both kidneys. This resulted in SCID-hu mice in which significant numbers of human T cells were detected in the peripheral blood, spleens, and lymph nodes. After intraimplant injection of HIV-1 into these modified SCID-hu mice, significant HIV-1 infection was detected by quantitative coculture not only in the hu-thy/liv implant, but also in the spleen and peripheral blood. This indicated that HIV-1 infection can spread from the thymus to the peripheral lymphoid compartment. More importantly, a similar degree of infection of the hu-thy/liv implant and peripheral lymphoid compartment occurred after peripheral intraperitoneal inoculation with HIV-1. Active viral replication was indicated by the detection of HIV-1 gag DNA, HIV-1 gag RNA, and spliced tat/rev RNA in the hu-thy/liv implants, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), spleens, and lymph nodes of these HIV-1-infected SCID-hu mice. As a first step in using our modified SCID-hu mouse model to investigate the pathophysiological consequences of HIV-1 infection, the effect of HIV-1 infection on the expression of human cytokines shown to enhance HIV-1 replication was examined. Significantly more of the HIV-1-infected SCID-hu mice expressed mRNA for human tumor necrosis factors alpha and beta, and interleukin 2 in their spleens, lymph nodes, and PBMC than did uninfected SCID-hu mice. This suggested that HIV-1 infection in vivo can stimulate the expression of cytokine mRNA by human T cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

scholarly journals Effects of in Vivo Cd8+ T Cell Depletion on Virus Replication in Rhesus Macaques Immunized with a Live, Attenuated Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine

1999 ◽  
Vol 191 (11) ◽  
pp. 1921-1932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin J. Metzner ◽  
Xia Jin ◽  
Fred V. Lee ◽  
Agegnehu Gettie ◽  
Daniel E. Bauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
T Cell Depletion ◽  
Challenge Virus ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

The role of CD8+ T lymphocytes in controlling replication of live, attenuated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) was investigated as part of a vaccine study to examine the correlates of protection in the SIV/rhesus macaque model. Rhesus macaques immunized for >2 yr with nef-deleted SIV (SIVmac239Δnef) and protected from challenge with pathogenic SIVmac251 were treated with anti-CD8 antibody (OKT8F) to deplete CD8+ T cells in vivo. The effects of CD8 depletion on viral load were measured using a novel quantitative assay based on real-time polymerase chain reaction using molecular beacons. This assay allows simultaneous detection of both the vaccine strain and the challenge virus in the same sample, enabling direct quantification of changes in each viral population. Our results show that CD8+ T cells were depleted within 1 h after administration of OKT8F, and were reduced by as much as 99% in the peripheral blood. CD8+ T cell depletion was associated with a 1–2 log increase in SIVmac239Δnef plasma viremia. Control of SIVmac239Δnef replication was temporally associated with the recovery of CD8+ T cells between days 8 and 10. The challenge virus, SIVmac251, was not detectable in either the plasma or lymph nodes after depletion of CD8+ T cells. Overall, our results indicate that CD8+ T cells play an important role in controlling replication of live, attenuated SIV in vivo.

scholarly journals Reduced Protection from Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVmac251 Infection Afforded by Memory CD8+ T Cells Induced by Vaccination during CD4+ T-Cell Deficiency

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (19) ◽  
pp. 9629-9638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Vaccari ◽  
Joseph Mattapallil ◽  
Kaimei Song ◽  
Wen-Po Tsai ◽  
Anna Hryniewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
T Cell Responses ◽  
Memory Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

ABSTRACT Adaptive CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses have been associated with control of human immunodeficiency virus/simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV/SIV) replication. Here, we have designed a study with Indian rhesus macaques to more directly assess the role of CD8 SIV-specific responses in control of viral replication. Macaques were immunized with a DNA prime-modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-SIV boost regimen under normal conditions or under conditions of antibody-induced CD4+ T-cell deficiency. Depletion of CD4+ cells was performed in the immunized macaques at the peak of SIV-specific CD4+ T-cell responses following the DNA prime dose. A group of naïve macaques was also treated with the anti-CD4 depleting antibody as a control, and an additional group of macaques immunized under normal conditions was depleted of CD8+ T cells prior to challenge exposure to SIVmac251. Analysis of the quality and quantity of vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells demonstrated that SIV-specific CD8+ T cells generated under conditions of CD4+ T-cell deficiency expressed low levels of Bcl-2 and interleukin-2 (IL-2), and plasma virus levels increased over time. Depletion of CD8+ T cells prior to challenge exposure abrogated vaccine-induced protection as previously shown. These data support the notion that adaptive CD4+ T cells are critical for the generation of effective CD8+ T-cell responses to SIV that, in turn, contribute to protection from AIDS. Importantly, they also suggest that long-term protection from disease will be afforded only by T-cell vaccines for HIV that provide a balanced induction of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses and protect against early depletion of CD4+ T cells postinfection.

scholarly journals Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Controllers but Not Noncontrollers Maintain CD4 T Cells Coexpressing Three Cytokines

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (21) ◽  
pp. 12071-12076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil Kannanganat ◽  
Bill G. Kapogiannis ◽  
Chris Ibegbu ◽  
Lakshmi Chennareddi ◽  
Paul Goepfert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT Here, we evaluate the cytokine coexpression profiles of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific CD4 T cells for the expression of the cytokines gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. In controllers, CD4 T cells producing three or two cytokines (triple producers and double producers, respectively) represented >50% of the total response. In contrast, in noncontrollers ∼75% of responding cells produced only one cytokine (single producers), mostly IFN-γ. Cells producing three cytokines were functionally superior to those producing single cytokines and showed an inverse correlation (P < 0.001) with viral load. These results demonstrate a strong association between the maintenance of highly functional CD4 T cells producing three cytokines and control of HIV-1.

scholarly journals Activated Memory CD4+ T Helper Cells Repopulate the Intestine Early following Antiretroviral Therapy of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques but Exhibit a Decreased Potential To Produce Interleukin-2

1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (8) ◽  
pp. 6661-6669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph J. Mattapallil ◽  
Zeljka Smit-McBride ◽  
Peter Dailey ◽  
Satya Dandekar
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Intestinal Mucosa ◽  
T Helper Cells ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Siv Infection

ABSTRACT Using the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected rhesus macaque model, we performed a longitudinal study to determine the effect of antiretroviral therapy on the phenotype and functional potential of CD4+ T cells repopulating intestinal mucosa in human immunodeficiency virus infection. Severe depletion of CD4+ and CD4+ CD8+ T cells occurred in the intestinal mucosa during primary SIV infection. The majority of these cells were of activated memory phenotype. Phosphonate 9-[2-(phosphomethoxypropyl]adenine (PMPA) treatment led to a moderate suppression of intestinal viral loads and repopulation of intestinal mucosa by predominantly activated memory CD4+ T-helper cells. This repopulation was independent of the level of viral suppression. Compared to preinfection values, the frequency of naive CD4+ T cells increased following PMPA therapy, suggesting that new CD4+ T cells were repopulating the intestinal mucosa. Repopulation by CD4+ CD8+ T cells was not observed in either jejunum or colon lamina propria. The majority of CD4+ T cells repopulating the intestinal mucosa following PMPA therapy were CD29hi and CD11ahi. A subset of repopulating intestinal CD4+ T cells expressed Ki-67 antigen, indicating that local proliferation may play a role in the repopulation process. Although the majority of repopulating CD4+ T cells in the intestinal mucosa were functionally capable of providing B- and T-cell help, as evidenced by their expression of CD28, these CD4+ T cells were found to have a reduced capacity to produce interleukin-2 (IL-2) compared to the potential of CD4+ T cells prior to SIV infection. Persistent viral infection may play a role in suppressing the potential of repopulating CD4+ T cells to produce IL-2. Hence, successful antiretroviral therapy should aim at complete suppression of viral loads in mucosal lymphoid tissues, such as intestinal mucosa.

Receptor-gated IL-2 delivery by an anti-human IL-2 antibody activates regulatory T cells in three different species

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (574) ◽  
pp. eabb9283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ufuk Karakus ◽  
Dilara Sahin ◽  
Peer R. E. Mittl ◽  
Petra Mooij ◽  
Gerrit Koopman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
A Cell

Stimulation of regulatory T (Treg) cells holds great promise for the treatment of autoimmune, chronic inflammatory, and certain metabolic diseases. Recent clinical trials with low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) to expand Treg cells led to beneficial results in autoimmunity, but IL-2 immunotherapy can activate both Treg cells and pathogenic T cells. Use of IL-2 receptor α (IL-2Rα, CD25)–biased IL-2/anti–IL-2 antibody complexes improves IL-2 selectivity for Treg cells; however, the mechanism of action of such IL-2 complexes is incompletely understood, thus hampering their translation into clinical trials. Using a cell-based and dynamic IL-2R platform, we identified a particular anti-human IL-2 antibody, termed UFKA-20. When bound to UFKA-20, IL-2 failed to stimulate cells expressing IL-2Rβ (CD122) and IL-2Rγ (CD132), unless these cells also expressed high amounts of CD25. CD25 allowed IL-2/UFKA-20 complexes to bind, and binding to CD25 in the presence of CD122 and CD132 was followed by rapid dissociation of UFKA-20 from IL-2, delivery of IL-2 to CD122 and CD132, and intracellular signaling. IL-2/UFKA-20 complexes efficiently and preferentially stimulated CD4+ Treg cells in freshly isolated human T cells ex vivo and in mice and rhesus macaques in vivo. The crystal structure of the IL-2/UFKA-20 complex demonstrated that UFKA-20 interfered with IL-2 binding to CD122 and, to a lesser extent, also CD25. Together, we translated CD25-biased IL-2 complexes from mice to nonhuman primates and extended our mechanistic understanding of how CD25-biasing anti-human IL-2 antibodies work, which paves the way to clinical trials of CD25-biased IL-2 complexes.

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