Altered Expression of IFN-λ2 in Allergic Airway Disorders and Identification of Its Cell Origins

This study investigated the expression levels of interferon- (IFN-)λ2 in peripheral blood and tissues. The results showed that the levels of IFN-λ2 were elevated by 17.9% and 14.2% in the plasma of allergic rhinitis (AR) and combined rhinitis with asthma (AR + AS), which was positively correlated with the level of tryptase but negatively correlated with the level of IL-10. IFN-λ2 was predominately expressed in the CD16+ cells and CD14+ cells in healthy control subjects (HC) but upregulated only in CD8+ cells of AR and in eosinophils of asthma. It was observed that approximately 6.6% and 7.0% dispersed tonsil cells and 5.8% and 0.44% dispersed lung cells are IFN-λ2+ mast cells and macrophages. Moreover, tryptase and agonist peptides of PAR-2 induced enhanced IFN-λ2 mRNA expression in A549 cells. In conclusion, the elevated levels of IFN-λ2 in the plasma of AR and AR + AS indicate that IFN-λ2 is likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic airway disorders. The potential origins of the elevated plasma IFN-λ2 include mast cells, macrophages, and epithelial cells in tissues, neutrophils, monocytes, CD8+ T cells, and eosinophils in peripheral blood. Development of IFN-λ2 related therapy may help to treat or prevent allergic airway disorders.

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EXTH-14. A NOVEL LONG-ACTING INTERLEUKIN-7 AGONIST, NT-I7, INCREASES CYTOTOXIC CD8 CELLS AND ENHANCES SURVIVAL IN MOUSE GLIOMA MODELS

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.368 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii89-ii89

Author(s):

Subhajit Ghosh ◽

Ran Yan ◽

Sukrutha Thotala ◽

Arijita Jash ◽

Anita Mahadevan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Lymph Nodes ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Cervical Lymph Nodes ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Interleukin 7 ◽

Long Acting ◽

Spleen And Lymph Nodes ◽

Mouse Glioma

Abstract BACKGROUND Patients with glioblastoma (GBM) are treated with radiation (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ). These treatments can cause prolonged severe lymphopenia, which is associated with shorter survival. NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa) is a long-acting recombinant human IL-7 that supports the proliferation and survival CD4+ and CD8+ cells in both human and mice. We tested whether NT-I7 would protect T cells from treatment-induced lymphopenia and improve survival. METHODS C57BL/6 mice bearing intracranial tumors (GL261 or CT2A) were treated with RT (1.8 Gy/day x 5 days), TMZ (33 mg/kg/day x 5 days) and/or NT-17 (10 mg/kg on the final day of RT completion). We followed for survival and profiled CD3, CD8, CD4, FOXP3 in peripheral blood over time. In parallel, we assessed cervical lymph nodes, bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and the tumor 6 days after NT-I7 treatment. RESULTS Median survival in mice treated with NT-I7 combined with RT was significantly better than RT alone (GL261: 40d vs 34d, p< 0.0021; CT2A: 90d vs 40d, p< 0.0499) or NT-I7 alone (GL261: 40d vs 24d, p< 0.008; CT2A: 90d vs 32d, p< 0.0154). NT-17 with RT was just as effective as NT-I7 combined with RT and TMZ in both GL261 (40d vs 47d) and CT2A (90d vs 90d). NT-I7 treatment significantly increased the amount of CD8+ cells in the peripheral blood and tumor. NT- I7 rescued CD8+ T cells from RT induced lymphopenia in peripheral blood, spleen, and lymph nodes. NT-I7 alone or NT-I7 in combination with RT increased the CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood and tumor while reducing the FOXP3+ T-reg cells in the tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS NT-I7 protects T-cells from RT induced lymphopenia, improves cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes systemically and in the tumor, and improves survival. Presently, a phase I/II trial to evaluate NT-I7 in patients with high-grade gliomas is ongoing (NCT03687957).

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565 A novel long-acting interleukin-7 agonist, NT-I7, increases cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and enhances survival in mouse glioma models

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer ◽

10.1136/jitc-2020-sitc2020.0565 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽

pp. A599-A599

Author(s):

Subhajit Ghosh ◽

Ran Yan ◽

Sukrutha Thotala ◽

Arijita Jash ◽

Anita Mahadevan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Lymph Nodes ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Control Group ◽

Cervical Lymph Nodes ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Interleukin 7 ◽

Long Acting

BackgroundRadiation (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ), which are standard of care for patients with glioblastoma (GBM), can cause prolonged severe lymphopenia. Lymphopenia, in turn, is an independent risk factor for shorter survival. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a cytokine that is required for T cell homeostasis and proliferation. IL-7 levels are inappropriately low in GBM patients with lymphopenia. NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa) is a long-acting recombinant human IL-7 that supports the proliferation and survival CD4+ and CD8+ cells in both human and mice. We tested whether NT-I7 rescues treatment-induced lymphopenia and improves survival.MethodsImmunocompetent C57BL/6 mice bearing two intracranial glioma models (GL261 and CT2A) were treated with RT (1.8 Gy/day x 5 days), TMZ (33 mg/kg/day x 5 days) and/or NT-I7 (10 mg/kg on the final day of RT completion). We profiled the CD3, CD8, CD4, FOXP3 cells in peripheral blood over time. We also immunoprofiled cervical lymph nodes, bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and the tumor 6 days after NT-I7 treatment. Survival was monitored daily.ResultsMedian survival in mice treated with NT-I7 combined with RT was significantly longer than RT alone (GL261: 40d vs 34d, p<0.0021; CT2A: 90d vs 40d, p<0.0499) or NT-I7 alone (GL261: 40d vs 24d, p<0.008; CT2A: 90d vs 32d, p<0.0154). NT-I7 with RT was just as effective as NT-I7 combined with RT and TMZ in both GL261(40d vs 47d) and CT2A (90d vs 90d). Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells were increased in both peripheral blood (0.66 x 105 to 3.34 x 105; P≤0.0001) and tumor (0.53 x 103 to 1.83 x 103; P≤0.0001) in mice treated with NT-I7 when compared to control. Similarly, NT-I7 in combination with RT increased the CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood (0.658 x 105 to 1.839 x 105 P≤0.0001) when compared to RT alone. There were decreases in tumor infiltrating FOXP3+ T-reg cells in mice treated with NT-I7 (1.9 x 104 to 0.75 x 104 P≤0.0001) and NT-I7 + RT (1.9 x 104 to 0.59 x 104 P≤0.0001) when compared to the control group without NT-I7. In addition, NT- I7 treatment increased CD8+ T cells in thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes.ConclusionsNT-I7 enhances cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes systemically and in the tumor microenvironment, and improves survival. A phase I/II trial to evaluate NT-I7 in patients with high-grade gliomas is ongoing (NCT03687957).

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The Feature of δRec-ψJα sjTRECs Level and Frequency of 23 TCR Vβ-Dβ1 sjTRECs in Mononuclear Cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells from Cord Blood and Peripheral Blood of Normal Individuals.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.3873.3873 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 3873-3873

Author(s):

Yangqiu Li ◽

Qingsong Yin ◽

Shaohua Chen ◽

Lijian Yang ◽

Grzegorz Przybylski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Quantitative Analysis ◽

Cord Blood ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Mononuclear Cells ◽

Output Function ◽

Cd4 Cells ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Normal Individuals

Abstract Thymic recent output function is characterized its importance of thymus to T-cell diversity in the periphery of both children and adults. The generation of TCR diversity occurs in the thymus through recombination of gene segments encoding the variable parts of the TCR α and β chains. During these processes, by-products of the rearrangements are generated in the form of signal joint T-cell receptor excision circles (sjTRECs), which is considered as a very valuable tool to estimate thymic function. Quantitative of δRec-ψJα sjTRECs can direct evaluate the recent thymic output function, but it is unable to analyze the particular thymic output function of different TCR Vβ subfamily naive T cells. The complexity of TCR Vβ repertoire is an important factor for immune reconstitution, quantitative analysis of series TCR Vβ-Dβ sjTRECs could be used to evaluate the levels of different Vβ subfamily naive T cells. In the present study, quantitative analysis of δRec-ψJα sjTRECs was performed in mononuclear cells, CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+T cells from peripheral blood of normal individuals and cord blood by real-time PCR(TaqMan). And the analysis of 23 TCR Vβ-Dβ1 sjTRECs was performed by semi-nested PCR. Different amounts of DNA (corresponding to 2*105, 5*104, 1*104 and 1*103 cells respectively) from all samples were amplified to estimate the frequency of TCR Vβ-Dβ sjTRECs. The mean value of δRec-ψJα sjTRECs was detected in 4.10±3.65/1000 PBMCs, 6.37±5.28/1000 CD3+cells, 3.28±1.24/1000 CD4+cells, 4.67±3.63/1000 CD8+cells from normal individuals (n=14) and 35.59±47.56/1000 CBMC, 71.48±86.42/1000 CD3+cells, 41.02±32.9/1000 CD4+ cells, 52.05±52.32/1000 CD8+cells from cord blood (n=9) (p=0.0208, p=0.0096, p=0.0003, p=0.0026, respectively). A part of Vβ subfamily sjTRECs could be detected in all samples from cord blood (Vβ2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 13, 14, 15, 19 and 22) and peripheral blood (Vβ10, 13 and 14) at 5*104 cells level, some of Vβ subfamily sjTRECs could be detected in 1*103 cells level. The frequencies of 23 Vβ-Dβ1 sjTRECs were different at the same cellular concentration. The number of detectable Vβ subfamily sjTRECs was 22.00±0.94/2×105, 18.8±1.87/5×104, 10.40±2.99/1×104 and 0.78±1.39/1×103 CBMCs, as compared with 18.70±2.45/2×105 (p=0.002), 13.7±2.67/5×104 (p<0.001), 5.5±2.07/1×104 (p=0.001) and 0.50±0.71/1×103 (p=0.739) in PBMCs from normal individuals. Similar results were found in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells which were sorted from both CBMCs and PBMCs, the number of detectable Vβ subfamily sjTRECs was 13.90±2.38/1×104 CD4+cells, 11.5±1.96/1×104CD8+cells from cord blood and 5.6±2.68/1×104 CD4+cells (p<0.001) and 8.2±2.57/1×104CD8+cells (p>0.005) from normal individuals. The results indicate that the number of detectable sjTRECs of Vβ subfamilies and the frequencies of most Vβ-Dβ1 sjTRECs in normal PBMCs, CD4+ and CD8+T cells were obviously lower than those in cord blood. In conclusions, the results provide the base data of naïve T cells levels and thymic recent output function in cord blood and peripheral blood of normail individuals in chinese.

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Identification and characterization of epitopes of the receptor for hyaluronic acid–mediated motility (RHAMM/CD168) recognized by CD8+ T cells of HLA-A2–positive patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2004-12-4787 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 106 (3) ◽

pp. 938-945 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

Jochen Greiner ◽

Li Li ◽

Mark Ringhoffer ◽

Thomas F. E. Barth ◽

Krzysztof Giannopoulos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Hyaluronic Acid ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

T Cell Epitopes ◽

Computer Algorithms ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Acute Myeloid

AbstractThe receptor for hyaluronic acid–mediated motility (RHAMM/CD168) has been described as a leukemia-associated antigen. To define T-cell epitopes of RHAMM/CD168 toward specific immunotherapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 10 potential HLA-A2–binding RHAMM/CD168 peptides (R1 to R10) were synthesized based on computer algorithms and screened by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) analysis using CD8+ T cells isolated from peripheral blood (PB) of patients with AML and healthy donors. We found that CD8+ cells from 7 of 13 (54%) patients with AML presensitized with peptides R3 (ILSLELMKL) or R5 (SLEENIVIL) specifically recognized T2 cells pulsed with R3 (39%) or R5 (15%) peptide. In contrast, only 4 of 21 (19%) healthy volunteers had CD8+ cells reactive with R3- or R5-pulsed T2 cells after presensitization. The presence of R3 peptide–specific effector T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with AML could be confirmed by staining as HLA-A2/R3 peptide tetramer+ CCR7-CD45RA+ cells. In chromium-51 release assays, peptide-primed CD8+ T cells from patients with AML were able to lyse RHAMM/CD168 peptide–pulsed T2 cells, AML blasts, and dendritic cells generated thereof (AML DCs). Transfection of COS7 cells with RHAMM/CD168 cDNA revealed that peptides R3 and R5 are naturally processed epitopes of RHAMM/CD168 that are presented in an HLA-A2–restricted manner. In summary, RHAMM/CD168 is a promising target for immunotherapies in patients with AML, and we have therefore initiated a clinical vaccination trial with R3 peptide. Because RHAMM/CD168 is also expressed in various other hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, vaccines targeting this antigen may have even wider application.

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Generation and characterization of ex vivo propagated autologous CD8+ cells used for adoptive immunotherapy of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v81.8.2085.2085 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 81 (8) ◽

pp. 2085-2092 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

TL Whiteside ◽

EM Elder ◽

D Moody ◽

J Armstrong ◽

M Ho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

T Cells ◽

T Lymphocytes ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Specific Activity ◽

Interleukin 2 ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Anti Hiv

Abstract Cytolytic T lymphocytes play an important role in host defense against viral infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In a phase I clinical trial (protocol 080 of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group), generation of CD8+ effector cells from peripheral blood of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex (ARC) or AIDS and safety of autologous adoptive transfer of these cells were evaluated. For therapeutic infusions, CD8+ T cells were purified by positive selection on anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody-coated flasks from leukapheresed peripheral blood of seven patients. These CD8+ T cells were cultured in the presence of interleukin-2 and phytohemagglutinin for up to 3 weeks to obtain cells sufficient for therapeutic infusions (10(8) to 10(10)). All 31 cell cultures established from the seven patients and used for therapy were highly enriched in CD8+ (mean, 97%), CD8+HLA-DR+ (50%), cytotoxic CD8+CD11b- (82%), and memory CD29+ (78%) T lymphocytes. In vitro expanded CD8+ cells had excellent cytotoxic function at the time they were used for therapy, including HIV-specific activity against autologous targets infected with vaccinia vectors expressing HIV-IIIb antigens, gag, pol, and env. Anti-HIV activity of cultured CD8+ cells was significantly higher than that of autologous fresh peripheral blood lymphocytes. Our results show that CD8+ T lymphocytes obtained from peripheral blood of symptomatic HIV-infected patients can be purified, cultured to obtain large numbers of cells with enhanced anti-HIV activity, and safely infused into patients with AIDS as a form of immunotherapy.

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HLA-A*0201 Restricted Killing Activity of WT1-Specific CTL Generated From the Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes of Normal Healthy Donors.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.3026.3026 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 3026-3026

Author(s):

Deepa Kolaseri Krishnadas ◽

Mindy Stamer ◽

Kim Dunham ◽

Lei Bao ◽

Kenneth Lucas

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Cell Line ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes ◽

Target Cells ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Blood Lymphocytes ◽

Healthy Donors ◽

Ifn Γ

Abstract Abstract 3026 Poster Board II-1002 The Wilms' tumor antigen (WT1) is over-expressed on several human leukemia and solid tumors, and thus is considered as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. Combating leukemia by targeting WT1 expressing leukemic cells using in vitro generated WT1-specific CTL is one potential approach, but it is difficult to generate an immune response against WT1 due to low T cell precursor frequency in normal healthy individuals. Earlier studies have shown the generation of WT1-A*0201 peptide specific CTL from CD8+ T cells by cloning. Another study reported the production of IFN- γ by WT-1 specific CD8+ T cells. However, the cytolytic killing ability of these IFN- γ producing cells was not further characterized. Here, we demonstrate the generation of WT1-A*0201 specific CTL from the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of normal healthy donors using CD137 selection. The PBL were stimulated once with RMFPNAPYL (WT1-A*0201 peptide) pulsed autologous dendritic cells and twice with WT1-A*0201 peptide pulsed irradiated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Following three stimulations, the PBL were selected for CD137+ expression and rapidly expanded with OKT3 and IL-2. The WT1-A*0201 specific CTL showed killing of target cells and production of IFN-γ in an antigen-specific manner. The percent killing of WT1-A*0201 peptide pulsed T2 cells (TAP−, HLA- A2+) and autologous B blast (BB) were significantly higher when compared with their control targets. T2 cells and BB either pulsed with an irrelevant A*0201 peptide or un-pulsed served as the control. We have observed similar results with WT1-A*0201 specific CTL generated from normal donor CD8+ cells. However, the efficiency of WT1-A*0201 CTL generated from PBL to kill target cells and produce IFN- γ was higher than CTL from CD8+ cells. The CTL generated from PBL killed BA25, a WT1 expressing A2+ leukemia cell line but failed to kill Molt-4, a WT1 expressing A2− cell line, clearly indicating HLA-A2 restricted CTL activity. The specificity of the generated CTL were further confirmed by staining with WT1-HLA-A*0201 tetramer. The percentage of WT1-specific CD3+CD8+Tetramer+ cells either remained same or higher in CTL generated from PBL when compared with those generated from CD8+ cells. CD137 selection leads to the generation of significant number of CTL in a shorter time when compared to conventional cloning methods. In addition, generation of WT1-A*0201 specific CTL from PBL avoids CD8+ selection. Currently, we are aiming to generate WT1-specific CTL using an overlapping WT1 peptide-mix in order to widen our ability to treat patients with different HLA types. This study has implications for cellular immunotherapy in leukemia patients who relapse following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Effects of rhIL-7 administration in humans on in vivo expansion of naïve, memory and effector subsets of CD4+ & CD8+ T-cells

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2006.24.18_suppl.2504 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽

pp. 2504-2504

Author(s):

C. Sportes ◽

F. Hakim ◽

M. Krumlauf ◽

R. Babb ◽

T. Fleisher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

T Cell Subsets ◽

Down Regulation ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Interleukin 7 ◽

Circulating Cells

2504 Background: IL-7 has a critical and non-redundant role in T-cell lymphopoiesis and peripheral T-cell homeostasis. IL-7 administration may prove clinically valuable in conditions of disease induced (HIV) or iatrogenic T-cell depletion and for modulation of vaccine immune responses. In the first phase I study in humans, recombinant human interleukin-7 (“CYT 99–007”, Cytheris Inc., Rockville, MD) was administered subcutaneously every other day for two weeks in adults with refractory malignancies at 3, 10, 30 and 60 μg/kg/dose. Biologic activity, defined as a 50% increase over baseline of peripheral blood CD3+ T-cells, was seen at and above the 10μg/kg/dose in all patients. The kinetics of proliferation and expansion of peripheral blood T-cell subsets were analyzed. Methods: Multicolor flow cytometry was performed at baseline, 1, 2 and 3 weeks. Among CD4+ cells, the most naïve were defined as CD45RA+ /CD31+. Among CD4+ & CD8+ cells, the main naïve, memory and effector populations were defined respectively as CD45RA+/CD27+, CD45RA-/CD27+ and CD45RA-/CD27-. Within each subset, the number of cells in cycle was defined by Ki67 staining. Results: Following IL-7 therapy, there was marked proliferation of all T-cells subsets, peaking at week 1, most striking for the naive subsets with 30–70% of circulating cells induced to cycle. Proliferation rates were halved by week 2 despite continuation of treatment, coincident with the observed down-regulation of the IL-7 receptor. Cycling returned to baseline by week 3. Significant proliferation was also induced in effector and memory CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells but to a lesser magnitude, resulting in a greater net expansion of the naïve subsets, still ongoing one week after the end of treatment. Conclusions: IL-7 administration induces marked expansion of naïve, memory and effector CD4+ & CD8+ T-cells in humans. Consistent with the known down-regulation of the IL-7 receptor upon IL-7 exposure, proliferation rates decrease during the second week of treatment. rhIL-7 induced T-cell expansion may prove clinically valuable in adoptive immunotherapy as an adjunct to tumor vaccination and / or immunorestorative agent. [Table: see text]

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Generation and characterization of ex vivo propagated autologous CD8+ cells used for adoptive immunotherapy of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v81.8.2085.bloodjournal8182085 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 81 (8) ◽

pp. 2085-2092

Author(s):

TL Whiteside ◽

EM Elder ◽

D Moody ◽

J Armstrong ◽

M Ho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

T Cells ◽

T Lymphocytes ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Specific Activity ◽

Interleukin 2 ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Anti Hiv

Cytolytic T lymphocytes play an important role in host defense against viral infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In a phase I clinical trial (protocol 080 of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group), generation of CD8+ effector cells from peripheral blood of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex (ARC) or AIDS and safety of autologous adoptive transfer of these cells were evaluated. For therapeutic infusions, CD8+ T cells were purified by positive selection on anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody-coated flasks from leukapheresed peripheral blood of seven patients. These CD8+ T cells were cultured in the presence of interleukin-2 and phytohemagglutinin for up to 3 weeks to obtain cells sufficient for therapeutic infusions (10(8) to 10(10)). All 31 cell cultures established from the seven patients and used for therapy were highly enriched in CD8+ (mean, 97%), CD8+HLA-DR+ (50%), cytotoxic CD8+CD11b- (82%), and memory CD29+ (78%) T lymphocytes. In vitro expanded CD8+ cells had excellent cytotoxic function at the time they were used for therapy, including HIV-specific activity against autologous targets infected with vaccinia vectors expressing HIV-IIIb antigens, gag, pol, and env. Anti-HIV activity of cultured CD8+ cells was significantly higher than that of autologous fresh peripheral blood lymphocytes. Our results show that CD8+ T lymphocytes obtained from peripheral blood of symptomatic HIV-infected patients can be purified, cultured to obtain large numbers of cells with enhanced anti-HIV activity, and safely infused into patients with AIDS as a form of immunotherapy.

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Surface Expression of PR1 Peptide on Thymic Dendritic Cells Does Not Eliminate PR1-Specific CD8+ Cells In Umbilical Cord Blood

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v116.21.959.959 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (21) ◽

pp. 959-959

Author(s):

Lisa S St. John ◽

Karen Clise-Dwyer ◽

Rebecca Patenia ◽

Anna Sergeeva ◽

Elizabeth J. Shpall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Dendritic Cells ◽

Cord Blood ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Umbilical Cord Blood ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Negative Selection ◽

Fetal Thymus ◽

Central Tolerance ◽

Cd8 Cells

Abstract Abstract 959 Positive and negative selection of developing thymocytes is mediated primarily by cortical and medullary epithelial cells (CEC and MEC), respectively, in the thymus. Tolerance to peripheral tissue antigens (PTA) not normally expressed in the thymus can result when PTA expression is induced by AIRE in MEC or when corticomedullary dendritic cells (DC) present endogenous antigens, both mechanisms contributing to deletion of potentially auto-reactive T cells. However, in some instances, negative selection may be incomplete, leading to the release of autoreactive cells into the periphery. Indeed, T cells specific for PR1, the HLA-A2-restricted self-peptide derived from proteinase 3 (P3) and neutrophil elastase (NE), are present in peripheral blood of healthy adults, albeit at extremely low frequency of fewer than 0.0005% of CD8+ T cells. This suggests there is strong thymic central tolerance to PR1. However, PR1-CTL can increase from 0.1 to 2% of peripheral blood CD8 T cells in CML patients treated with interferon or stem cell transplant, and similar levels can be achieved after PR1 peptide vaccination, which suggests that under some circumstances this central tolerance can be reversed. Because of the increasing use of umbilical cord blood (UCB) as an alternative donor source and because incomplete graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) immunity after UCB transplant contributes to relapse, we sought to determine whether PR1-CTL can be expanded from UCB. We hypothesized that PR1-CTL frequency should be low in UCB due to central tolerance. Surprisingly, we found PR1-CTL at a frequency ranging from 0.007 to 0.345% (mean 0.117%) of CD8+ cells in 57 HLA-A2+ cord blood units, similar to what is observed in immunologically responsive vaccine patients and 100- to 1000-fold higher than in healthy adults. The PR1-CTL were predominantly CCR7+CD45+CD28+ and did not efficiently expand ex vivo following peptide stimulation and low dose IL-2, which was consistent with a naive T cell subset. Therefore, this data suggests that central tolerance to PR1 is incomplete. To study whether PR1 is expressed in human thymus, we used the PR1/HLA-A2-specific antibody 8F4 to study PR1 expression. Thymic CEC and MEC expressed no P3, NE, or PR1 by flow cytometry or immunofluorescence imaging of sectioned fetal thymus, which is consistent with previous reports showing absence of P3 or NE induction by AIRE in MEC. Interestingly, by flow cytometric analysis, we found that PR1 is expressed on the surface of thymic dendritic cells (DC) exclusively. This selective expression of PR1 was further confirmed via immunoflourescent staining of sectioned fetal thymus, and the PR1-expressing DC were localized to the corticomedullary junction and medulla. Thus it appears that PR1 expression by DC in the thymus is insufficient for complete central tolerance to PR1. Furthermore, because we have previously shown that PR1-overexpressing CML cells can induce apoptosis of high affinity PR1-CTL, it is possible that peripheral tolerance mechanisms are most critical for preventing autoreactivity to PR1 in humans. These observations suggest possible strategies to overcome tolerance to PR1 by modifying DC uptake and cross-presentation of soluble P3 and NE, when selective autoimmunity may be desirable for leukemia patients or detrimental for patients with vasculitis such as Wegener's granulomatosis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Defining the Immune Checkpoint Landscape in the Bone Marrow and Peripheral Blood of Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.2012.2012 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 2012-2012

Author(s):

Nitin Jain ◽

Sreyashi Basu ◽

Beenu Thakral ◽

Jan Burger ◽

Philip A Thompson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Research Funding ◽

Checkpoint Blockade ◽

T Cell Subsets ◽

Cd8 Cells ◽

Checkpoint Receptors

Abstract Background: Limited data is available on expression levels of checkpoint receptors, respective ligands, and other immune markers in patients with CLL (Ramsay et al. Blood 2012). Checkpoint blockade has been a successful therapy of many cancers including melanoma, and more recently, Hodgkin's lymphoma. Understanding expression patterns of checkpoint receptors and ligands may help in the clinical development of checkpoint blockade as a therapy for patients with CLL. Methods: Between September 2015 and April 2016, we performed 17-color multi-parameter flow-cytometry (MFC) in paired peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples from 30 patients with CLL who presented as new patients for evaluation at MDACC. Patients may have received prior CLL therapy. We evaluated expression of immune receptors (inhibitory receptors: PD1, CTLA4, LAG3, TIM3; activating receptors: GITR, OX40, 41BB, ICOS) on T cell subsets: CD4 T effector cells [Teff]: CD3+CD4+CD127lo/+Foxp3-, CD4 T regulatory cells [Treg]: CD3+CD4+CD127-Foxp3+, and CD8 T cells. CLL cells were assessed for both immune receptors (as above), and ligands (4-1BBL, B7-1, B7-2, ICOSL, PDL-1, PDL-2, OX40L). These analyses were performed on freshly collected PB and BM samples by the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Immunotherapy Platform. Results: A total of 30 patients with CLL were enrolled. The median age was 66 years (range, 35-83). Nine were women. Nineteen were treatment-naive. Prognostic markers included FISH [del(17p) = 6; del(13q) = 9, del(11q) = 4, trisomy 12 = 3, negative = 8]. IGHV mutation status was available for 19 patients (13 unmutated IGHV, 6 mutated IGHV). B2M was ≥3.5 in 11 pts. Baseline expression of costimulatory receptors in CD8 T cells in the marrow, and of the ligands in CLL cells in the marrow is shown in Figure 1. In paired PB and BM sample analysis, there was a high correlation between expression level of PD1 on Treg (Pearson correlation, r = 0.90, p<0.00001), Teff (r = 0.87, p<0.00001), CD8+ cells (r = 0.80, p<0.00001), and CLL cells (r = 0.75, p<0.00001). PD-L1 expression on CLL cells was moderately correlated between PB and BM (r = 0.57, p<0.001). Patients with prior therapy had significantly higher expression of PDL1 on the CLL cells in both PB and BM (p=0.01 and p=0.002, respectively) compared to previously untreated patients. OX40 expression on CD8 cells was significantly higher in both PB and BM in previously treated patients (compared to previously untreated patients). Patients with unmutated IGHV (p = 0.003) and del17p (p = .03) had higher PDL1 expression on CLL cells in the marrow. Conclusions: There is a strong correlation in the expression levels of PD1 on various T cell subsets between PB and BM. Clinically targetable checkpoint receptors including PD1, OX40, CTLA4, and ICOS are consistently expressed across patients with CLL, and present on cells in both PB and BM. Disclosures Jain: BMS: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novimmune: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Infinity: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Burger:Roche: Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Pharmacyclics, LLC, an AbbVie Company: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Portola: Consultancy; Gilead: Research Funding. Thompson:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Honoraria. Daver:Otsuka: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ariad: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kiromic: Research Funding. Wierda:Acerta: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding.

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