c-MPL provides tumor-targeted T-cell receptor-transgenic T cells with costimulation and cytokine signals

Key Points Pre–B-cell ALL induces T-cell dysfunction in vivo, mediated in part by a non–T-cell receptor–linked mechanism. Prior exposure of T cells to pre–B-cell ALL in vivo impairs subsequent functionality of CAR-expressing T cells.

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In Vivo Selection of T-Cell Receptor Junctional Region Sequences by HLA-A2 Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Tax11-19 Peptide Complexes

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.75.2.1065-1071.2001 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 75 (2) ◽

pp. 1065-1071 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Mineki Saito ◽

Graham P. Taylor ◽

Akiko Saito ◽

Yoshitaka Furukawa ◽

Koichiro Usuku ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Virus Type ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Antigen Specificity ◽

Human T Cell ◽

Cdr3 Region

ABSTRACT Using HLA-peptide tetrameric complexes, we isolated human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 Tax peptide-specific CD8+ T cells ex vivo. Antigen-specific amino acid motifs were identified in the T-cell receptor Vβ CDR3 region of clonally expanded CD8+ T cells. This result directly confirms the importance of the CDR3 region in determining the antigen specificity in vivo.

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173 Expression of a membrane-tethered IL-15/IL-15 receptor fusion protein enhances the persistence of MSLN-targeted TRuC-T cells

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer ◽

10.1136/jitc-2021-sitc2021.173 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽

pp. A185-A185

Author(s):

Michelle Fleury ◽

Derrick McCarthy ◽

Holly Horton ◽

Courtney Anderson ◽

Amy Watt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Fusion Protein ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Cytokine Production ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Great Promise ◽

And Function

BackgroundAdoptive cell therapies have shown great promise in hematological malignancies but have yielded little progress in the context of solid tumors. We have developed T cell receptor fusion construct (TRuC®) T cells, which are equipped with an engineered T cell receptor that utilizes the full complement of TCR signaling subunits and recognizes tumor-associated antigens independent of HLA. In clinical trials, mesothelin (MSLN)-targeting TRuC-T cells (TC-210 or gavo-cel) have shown unprecedented results in patients suffering from advanced mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. To potentially increase the depth of response, we evaluated strategies that can promote intra-tumoral T cell persistence and function. Among the common ??-chain cytokines, IL-15 uniquely supports the differentiation and maintenance of memory T cell subsets by limiting terminal differentiation and conferring resistance to IL-2 mediated activation-induced cell death (AICD). In the studies described here, we evaluated the potential of IL-15 as an enhancement to TRuC-T cell phenotype, persistence and function against MSLN+ targets.MethodsPrimary human T cells were activated and transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding an anti-MSLN binder fused to CD3ε alone or co-expressed with a membrane-tethered IL-15rα/IL-15 fusion protein (IL-15fu). Transduced T cells were expanded for 9 days and characterized for expression of the TRuC, IL-15rα and memory phenotype before subjecting them to in vitro functional assays to evaluate cytotoxicity, cytokine production, and persistence. In vivo efficacy was evaluated in MHC class I/II deficient NSG mice bearing human mesothelioma xenografts.ResultsIn vitro, co-expression of the IL-15fu led to similar cytotoxicity and cytokine production as TC-210, but notably enhanced T-cell expansion and persistence upon repeated stimulation with MSLN+ cell lines. Furthermore, the IL-15fu-enhanced TRuC-T cells sustained a significantly higher TCF-1+ population and retained a stem-like phenotype following activation. Moreover, the IL-15fu-enhanced TRuCs demonstrated robust in vivo expansion and intra-tumoral accumulation as measured by ex vivo analysis of TRuC+ cells in the tumor and blood, with a preferential expansion of CD8+ T cells. Finally, IL-15fu-enhanced TRuC-T cells could be observed in the blood long after the tumors were cleared.ConclusionsThese pre-clinical studies suggest that the IL-15fu can synergize with TC-210 to increase the potency and durability of response in patients with MSLN+ tumors.Ethics ApprovalAll animal studies were approved by the respective Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees.

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A Kinetic Threshold between Negative and Positive Selection Based on the Longevity of the T Cell Receptor–Ligand Complex

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.189.10.1531 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 189 (10) ◽

pp. 1531-1544 ◽

Cited By ~ 92

Author(s):

Calvin B. Williams ◽

Deborah L. Engle ◽

Gilbert J. Kersh ◽

J. Michael White ◽

Paul M. Allen

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Positive Selection ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Ligand Complex ◽

Altered Peptide Ligands ◽

Self Peptides ◽

Selection Of

We have developed a unique in vivo system to determine the relationship between endogenous altered peptide ligands and the development of major histocompatibility complex class II– restricted T cells. Our studies use the 3.L2 T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mouse, in which T cells are specific for Hb(64–76)/I-Ek and positively selected on I-Ek plus self-peptides. To this endogenous peptide repertoire, we have individually added one of six well-characterized 3.L2 ligands. This transgenic approach expands rather than constrains the repertoire of self-peptides. We find that a broad range of ligands produce negative selection of thymocytes in vivo. When compared with the in vitro TCR–ligand binding kinetics, we find that these negatively selecting ligands all have a half-life of 2 s or greater. Additionally, one of two ligands examined with no detectable binding to the 3.L2 TCR and no activity on mature 3.L2 T cells (Q72) enhances the positive selection of transgenic thymocytes in vivo. Together, these data establish a kinetic threshold between negative and positive selection based on the longevity of TCR–ligand complexes.

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Loss of tonic T-cell receptor signals alters the generation but not the persistence of CD8+ memory T cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2010-06-292458 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (25) ◽

pp. 5560-5570 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Karla R. Wiehagen ◽

Evann Corbo ◽

Michelle Schmidt ◽

Haina Shin ◽

E. John Wherry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis ◽

Sh2 Domain ◽

Normal Numbers ◽

Tcr Signaling ◽

Tcr Signals

Abstract The requirements for tonic T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling in CD8+ memory T-cell generation and homeostasis are poorly defined. The SRC homology 2 (SH2)-domain–containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa (SLP-76) is critical for proximal TCR-generated signaling. We used temporally mediated deletion of SLP-76 to interrupt tonic and activating TCR signals after clearance of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). SLP-76–dependent signals are required during the contraction phase of the immune response for the normal generation of CD8 memory precursor cells. Conversely, LCMV-specific memory CD8 T cells generated in the presence of SLP-76 and then acutely deprived of TCR-mediated signals persist in vivo in normal numbers for more than 40 weeks. Tonic TCR signals are not required for the transition of the memory pool toward a central memory phenotype, but the absence of SLP-76 during memory homeostasis substantially alters the kinetics. Our data are consistent with a model in which tonic TCR signals are required at multiple stages of differentiation, but are dispensable for memory CD8 T-cell persistence.

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A Novel Approach for the Treatment of T Cell Malignancies: Targeting T Cell Receptor Vβ Families

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines8040631 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 631

Author(s):

Jie Wang ◽

Katarzyna Urbanska ◽

Prannda Sharma ◽

Reza Nejati ◽

Lauren Shaw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

T Cell Lymphomas ◽

Novel Approach ◽

T Cell Malignancies

Peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are generally chemotherapy resistant and have a poor prognosis. The lack of targeted immunotherapeutic approaches for T cell malignancies results in part from potential risks associated with targeting broadly expressed T cell markers, namely T cell depletion and clinically significant immune compromise. The knowledge that the T cell receptor (TCR) β chain in human α/β TCRs are grouped into Vβ families that can each be targeted by a monoclonal antibody can therefore be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Here, we develop a flexible approach for targeting TCR Vβ families by engineering T cells to express a chimeric CD64 protein that acts as a high affinity immune receptor (IR). We found that CD64 IR-modified T cells can be redirected with precision to T cell targets expressing selected Vβ families by combining CD64 IR-modified T cells with a monoclonal antibody directed toward a specific TCR Vβ family in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide proof of concept that TCR Vβ-family-specific T cell lysis can be achieved using this novel combination cell–antibody platform and illuminates a path toward high precision targeting of T cell malignancies without substantial immune compromise.

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Evidence for in vivo clonal proliferation of unique population of blood CD4-/CD8- T cells bearing T-cell receptor alpha and beta chains in two normal men

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v79.11.2965.2965 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 79 (11) ◽

pp. 2965-2972 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Y Kusunoki ◽

Y Hirai ◽

S Kyoizumi ◽

M Akiyama

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Cell Markers ◽

Clonal Proliferation ◽

Alpha Beta

Abstract Rare T lymphocytes bearing CD3 surface antigen and T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chains, but lacking both CD4 and CD8 antigens, viz, TCR alpha beta+CD4–8- cells, appear at a frequency of 0.1% to 2% in peripheral blood TCR alpha beta+ cells of normal donors. Here we report two unusual cases, found among 100 healthy individuals studied, who showed an abnormally elevated frequency of these T cells, ie, 5% to 10% and 14% to 19%. Southern blot analyses of the TCR alpha beta+CD4–8- clones all showed the identical rearrangement patterns for each individual, demonstrating that these are derivatives of a single T cell. The same rearrangement patterns were also observed for the freshly isolated lymphocytes of TCR alpha beta+CD4-CD8- fraction, which excludes the possible bias in the processes of in vitro cloning. These TCR alpha beta+CD4–8- T cells were found to express other mature T-cell markers such as CD2, CD3, and CD5 antigens, as well as natural killer (NK) cell markers (CD11b, CD16, CD56, and CD57 antigens) for both individuals. Further, although lectin-dependent or redirected antibody- dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicities were observed for both freshly sorted lymphocytes of TCR alpha beta+CD4–8- fraction and in vitro established clones, NK-like activity was not detected.

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A highly conserved sequence associated with the HIV gp41 loop region is an immunomodulator of antigen-specific T cells in mice

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2012-11-468900 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 121 (12) ◽

pp. 2244-2252 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Avraham Ashkenazi ◽

Omri Faingold ◽

Nathali Kaushansky ◽

Avraham Ben-Nun ◽

Yechiel Shai

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Receptor Complex ◽

Conserved Sequence ◽

Loop Region ◽

Key Points ◽

Hiv Gp41

Key PointsA motif associated with the gp41 loop region of HIV interacts with the T-cell receptor complex and inactivates antigen-specific T cells.

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The Caspase 8 Inhibitor c-FLIPL Modulates T-Cell Receptor-Induced Proliferation but Not Activation-Induced Cell Death of Lymphocytes

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.22.15.5419-5433.2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 22 (15) ◽

pp. 5419-5433 ◽

Cited By ~ 109

Author(s):

Susanne M. A. Lens ◽

Takao Kataoka ◽

Karen A. Fortner ◽

Antoine Tinel ◽

Isabel Ferrero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Cell Death ◽

T Cell ◽

T Cell Receptor ◽

Death Receptor ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Caspase 8 ◽

Activation Induced Cell Death

ABSTRACT The caspase 8 inhibitor c-FLIPL can act in vitro as a molecular switch between cell death and growth signals transmitted by the death receptor Fas (CD95). To elucidate its function in vivo, transgenic mice were generated that overexpress c-FLIPL in the T-cell compartment (c-FLIPL Tg mice). As anticipated, FasL-induced apoptosis was inhibited in T cells from the c-FLIPL Tg mice. In contrast, activation-induced cell death of T cells in c-FLIPL Tg mice was unaffected, suggesting that this deletion process can proceed in the absence of active caspase 8. Accordingly, c-FLIPL Tg mice differed from Fas-deficient mice by showing no accumulation of B220+ CD4− CD8− T cells. However, stimulation of T lymphocytes with suboptimal doses of anti-CD3 or antigen revealed increased proliferative responses in T cells from c-FLIPL Tg mice. Thus, a major role of c-FLIPL in vivo is the modulation of T-cell proliferation by decreasing the T-cell receptor signaling threshold.

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