Investigation of Cell-Contact Dependent Alterations in Immune Synapse Formation between T Cells and BCP-ALL Cells

Cancer-development is often associated with a state of immune attenuation and impaired antigen-recognition, contributing to the failure of immune surveillance. Defective immunological synapse formation between T cells, B cells and leukemic cells has been demonstrated in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (Ramsay, A.G., et al., The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2008. 118(7): p. 2427-37). Furthermore, CLL cells induce T cell dysfunction in a cell-contact dependent manner. Both actin cytoskeleton changes and alterations in RhoGTPase regulation and activation have been reported in T cells of CLL patients (Ramsay, A.G., et al., Blood, 2013. 121(14): p. 2704-14). Precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) is the most prevalent immunophenotype of childhood leukemia. We therefore hypothesized that gene expression patterns and actin cytoskeleton reorganization, which is involved in immune synapse formation, may also be altered in T cells of children with BCP-ALL and result in modified T cell function. Comparison of global gene expression profiles of purified peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of untreated BCP-ALL patients and healthy donors using 3´-mRNA-seq technique revealed changes in pathways involved in cell communication, migration, adhesion, DNA damage, mitosis, cell cycle, cell death and signaling, suggesting an alteration of T cell function in the presence of leukemic cells. These results were stressed by in vitro experiments assessing the dynamics of immune synapse formation between allogeneic T cells from healthy donors and sAg activated precursor B-ALL cell lines (Nalm6 and REH) or activated, normal B cells using immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy. Cell-interactions were selected at random from imaging, counted and scored for accumulation of F-actin at the immune synapse. We found that CD8+ T cells from healthy donors show a significantly impaired ability to form an immunological synapse after direct short term contact with the cell line Nalm6 compared to normal B cells. Of note, this effect was less pronounced in the cell line REH, known to carry a t(12;21) and express the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion transcript. A decreased number of cell interactions was also seen between CD4+ T cells from healthy donors and the mentioned B-ALL cancer cell lines. However, this effect seemed to be time-dependent, as after slightly prolonged co-incubation of CD4+ T cells with the B-ALL cancer cell lines, synapse formation was improved. Interestingly, the F-actin polymerization pattern at the immunological synapse appeared also qualitatively different between allogeneic CD4+ T cells and normal B cells compared to allogeneic CD4+ T cells and B-ALL cancer cell lines. In normal T cell/B cell interactions improved antigen-recognition and T cell activation is mediated by costimulatory molecules. A lack of costimulatory signals on BCP-ALL cells may contribute to impaired immune recognition. Given the quantitative and qualitative differences in immune synapse formation, we analyzed surface expression of the costimulatory molecules CD70, CD80 and CD86 as well as CD40, one of their key regulators, on the BCP-ALL cell lines by flow cytometry and recognized differences similarly to those previously described in primary BCP-ALL cells, with higher TNFR expression in ETV6-RUNX1 positive leukemia cells compared to negative and more immature BCP-ALL cells (Troeger, A et al., Klin Padiatr., 2014 Nov 226(6-7): p. 332-7; Troeger, A et al., Blood 2008 Aug 15;112(4): p. 1028-34); Troeger A et al., Klin Padiatr., 2008 Nov-Dec 220(6): p. 353-7). These preliminary data suggest that immune synapse formation may be quantitatively altered in a time-dependent manner in T cell/BCP-ALL interactions and result in modified actin cytoskeleton rearrangement. More detailed analysis, also using primary BCP-ALL cells, is warranted to further investigate the underlying mechanism in order to identify novel immunomodulatory approaches that can be used to restore impaired T cell function in the presence of BCP-ALL with the aim to overcome immunosuppressive mechanisms and improve the outcome in high risk patients. Disclosures Williams: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Orchard Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Co-founder, potential for future royalty/milestone income, Research Funding; bluebird bio: Other: License of certain IP relevant to hemoglobinopathies. Potential for future royalty/milestone income. Received payment in past through BCH institutional licensing agreement., Research Funding; Alerion Biosciences: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Co-founder.

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Impact of Lenalidomide on Gene Expression Profiles of Malignant and Immune Cells in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.976.976 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 976-976 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John C. Riches ◽

Ajanthah Sangaralingam ◽

Shahryar Kiaii ◽

Tracy Chaplin ◽

Demet Cekdemir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

B Cells ◽

Family Member ◽

Cell Function ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Gene Expression Profiles ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Healthy Donors

Abstract Abstract 976 Lenalidomide has recently been demonstrated to have significant activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Its mechanism of action in this disease is not well understood, but it is thought to act primarily by enhancing anti-tumor immunity and reducing production of pro-tumoral factors in the CLL microenvironment. We have previously demonstrated alterations in the expression of cytoskeletal genes in T-cells from patients with CLL and have subsequently shown that these changes translate into a deficit in T-cell function, due to impaired actin polymerization resulting in defective immunological synapse formation. Treatment of both autologous T-cells and CLL cells with lenalidomide was necessary to repair this defect, suggesting that this may be a key component of this agent's activity in CLL. Therefore we examined the effect of lenalidomide on the global gene expression profiles of isolated B-cells and T-cell subsets from CLL patients and healthy donors. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with untreated CLL or healthy donors were cultured in the presence of 1 μM lenalidomide or vehicle control for 48 hours. The lymphocyte subsets were isolated, followed by RNA extraction and gene expression profiling using the Affymetrix HGU133Plus2.0 platform. Lenalidomide treatment had similar effects on gene expression in T-cells from both patients with CLL and healthy donors. The most prominent changes in expression were of genes involved in cytoskeletal signaling including a 20-fold increase in WASF1 (Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome protein family, member 1), and greater than 2-fold increases in the expression of Rac-family member RHOC, (Ras homolog gene family, member C), actin binding proteins CORO1B (Coronin 1B), PARVA (Parvin alpha), and the Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), ARHGEF5 and ARHGEF7. We also observed changes in genes regulating integrin signaling including PXN (Paxilin) and FAK (Focal adhesion kinase), and a shift towards Th1 differentiation with upregulation of TNF, IL-12R, and IL-18R. In addition, we noted increased expression of the transcription factors IKZF1, IKZF4 and IRF4, genes involved in the Ikaros pathways that are essential for hematopoiesis and control of lymphoid proliferation. These changes in gene expression provide further evidence that an important mechanism of action of lenalidomide is the upregulation of the actin cytoskeletal network including Rho-GTPases and integrin activation signaling, and are consistent with our previous observations concerning the functional repair of T-cells in CLL. Initial analysis of the effect of lenalidomide on the gene expression profiles of the CLL B-cells showed similar changes to those previously described in vivo from CLL patients receiving single agent lenalidomide in a clinical trial (Chen et al. JCO 2010). In our system, lenalidomide treatment resulted in a greater than 2-fold upregulation of 189 genes, and a greater than 2-fold downregulation of 85 genes in CLL B-cells. We observed increased expression of several genes belonging to the TNF superfamily including TNF-α, OX40L, and APRIL, and the receptors DR5, DCR2, and OX40. Many of these are known to mediate apoptosis signaling, and we also observed increased expression of pro-apoptotic genes such as FAS, BID (BH3 interacting domain death agonist), HRK (Harakiri), and CFLAR (CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator), and cell cycle regulators CDKN1A and CDKN1C (Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors 1A and 1C). Lenalidomide also upregulated expression of several genes of known importance in the CLL microenvironment, including the chemokines CCL3 and CCL4, CD40, CD274 (PD-L1), CD279 (PD-1), and adhesion molecules LFA3 and ICAM1. The effect of lenalidomide on the gene expression profiles of normal B-cells was less marked, with greater than 2-fold upregulation of 51 genes and downregulation of 12 genes. However, we did observe that lenalidomide treatment induced upregulation of genes involved in cytoskeletal pathways such as RND1 (Rho family GTPase 1), RHOQ (Ras homolog gene family, member Q), and MYO1B (myosin 1B). In conclusion, investigation of the effect of lenalidomide on gene expression profiling in CLL suggests that the drug acts both to enhance T-cell function, and to render the CLL cells more susceptible to immune cell mediated killing. Disclosures: Gribben: Roche: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Mundipharma: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria.

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Modulation of T-Cell Function in the Microenvironment of Emu-TCL1 CLL Bearing Mice By Btki Appears Independent of ITK

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-116444 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 3139-3139 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mark-Alexander Schwarzbich ◽

Arantxa Romero-Toledo ◽

Melanie Frigault ◽

John G. Gribben

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Cd4 T Cells ◽

Research Funding ◽

Synapse Formation ◽

Cell Function ◽

Cytotoxic T Cells ◽

Tumour Microenvironment ◽

T Cell Function ◽

Cell Synapse

Abstract Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) development is associated with global immunodeficiency including T-cell exhaustion. We hypothesise that repairing T cell functions would improve outcome and decrease infectious complications which cause significant morbidity in CLL patients. Chronic B-cell receptor (BCR) activation as well as close interactions with the tumour microenvironment promote survival of malignant CLL B-cells, supporting their ability to induce immune suppression. To date, the most clinically successful approach to BCR-signalling inhibition is by the use of BTK inhibitors (BTKi). It has been suggested that the BTKi Ibrutinib has the ability to modulate T-helper cell polarity from Th2 to Th1 and thus would be a step towards repairing CLL associated T-cell defects (1). We were therefore interested to determine whether the second generation BTKi Acalabrutinib which has no reported inhibitory capacity towards ITK would have similar effects than Ibrutinib in modulating T cell responses. Materials and Methods: To address this question in vivo C57/Bl6 animals 2.5 months of age were injected with 40x10e6 purified CLL B-cells pooled from Eµ-TCL1 mice with CLL. When peripheral blood CLL load reached >10% animals were randomized (mean day 14) to either vehicle treatment (2% HPBD) or Acalabrutinib treatment (0.15 mg/l in 2% HPBC) for 21 days. 17 animals were group were analysed. Splenic cells were isolated, the cellular component characterized by CyTOF and T cell function assessed by multi-parameter flow cytometry and T-cell synapse formation assay. Results: Treatment with Acalabrutinib resulted in increased expression of IL2 (p<0.0001) in CD4+ T cells and decreased expression of IL4 among both CD4+ T cells (p=0.0016) but not CD8+ T-cells. There was a reduction in Interferon gamma production in both CD4 T-cells (p=0.0463) and CD8+ T-cells (p=0.0064) with Acalabrutinib treatment. In addition, treatment resulted in an increase in CD107a+/CD107a- ratio among both CD44+ and CD44- CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells. This effect was pronounced in the antigen experienced CD44+ cytotoxic T-cells (p<0.0001) but only moderate (p=0.0056) in the CD44- cytotoxic T-cells. Lastly, we find a statistically significant increase in T-cell synapse area (p<0.0001) with Acalabrutinib treatment (Figure 1). Conclusion: We find that treatment with both Ibrutinib and Acalabrutinib result in a similar shift of T cell function with cytokine secretion with increased IL2 and decreased IL4. T-cells in CLL have increased Interferon gamma production (2) and the observed decrease seen with Acalabrutinib is in keeping with a normalization of T cell function. Moreover, overall CD8+ T-cell function is increased with Acalabrutinib treatment as evidenced by an increase in cytotoxic T-cell function and immune synapse formation. We speculate that inhibition of ITK is not the leading cause for this phenomenon as Acalabrutinib does not have inhibitory capacity toward this kinase. These changes suggest that BTKi modulate T cell mediated immune responses indirectly via either their effects in the CLL B-cell or myeloid cells in the tumour microenvironment. References Dubovsky JA, Beckwith KA, Natarajan G, Woyach JA, Jaglowski S, Zhong Y, et al. Ibrutinib is an irreversible molecular inhibitor of ITK driving a Th1-selective pressure in T lymphocytes. Blood. 2013;122(15):2539-49. Riches JC, Davies JK, McClanahan F, Fatah R, Iqbal S, Agrawal S, et al. T cells from CLL patients exhibit features of T-cell exhaustion but retain capacity for cytokine production. Blood. 2013;121(9):1612-21. Disclosures Frigault: Acerta Pharma: Employment. Gribben:Abbvie: Honoraria; Acerta Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Wellcome Trust: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Unum: Equity Ownership; Roche: Honoraria; TG Therapeutics: Honoraria; NIH: Research Funding; Medical Research Council: Research Funding; Cancer Research UK: Research Funding; Kite: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria.

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Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) Regulate Tumor Growth, Immune Response and Regulatory T Cell (Treg) Development in the Multiple Myeloma Bone Marrow Microenvironment

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.565.565 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 565-565

Author(s):

Gullu Topal Gorgun ◽

Gregory Whitehill ◽

Jennifer Lindsey Anderson ◽

Teru Hideshima ◽

Jacob P. Laubach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Research Funding ◽

Tumor Development ◽

Suppressor Cells ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Healthy Donors

Abstract Abstract 565 Background: The interaction of myeloma (MM) cells with bone marrow accessory cells induces genomic, epigenomic and functional changes which promote tumor development, progression, cell adhesion mediated-drug resistance (CAM-DR), and immune suppression. As in other cancers, bidirectional interaction between MM cells and surrounding cells regulates tumor development on the one hand, while transforming the BM microenvironment into a tumor promoting and immune suppressive milieu on the other. Recent developments in targeted therapies have indicated that generation of the most effective therapeutic strategies requires not only targeting tumor or stroma cells, but also methods to overcome blockade of anti-tumor immune responses. In addition to lymphoid immune suppressor cells such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), distinct populations of myeloid cells such as myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) can effectively block anti-tumor immune responses, thereby representing an important obstacle for immunotherapy. While MDSCs are rare or absent in healthy individuals, increased numbers of MDSCs have been identified in tumor sites and peripheral circulation. Recent studies have in particular focused on MDSCs in the context of tumor promoting, immune suppressing, stroma in solid tumors. However, their presence and role in the tumor promoting, immune suppressive microenvironment in MM remains unclear. Methods: Here we assessed the presence, frequency, and functional characteristics of MDSCs in patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed MM compared to MM patients with response and healthy donors. We first identified a distinct MDSC population (CD11b+CD14−HLA-DR-/lowCD33+CD15+) with tumor promoting and immune suppressive activity in both PB and BM of MM patients. Moreover, we determined the immunomodulatory effects of lenalidomide and bortezomib on induction of MDSCs by MM cells, as well as on MDSC function. Results: MDSCs were significantly increased in both PB and BM of patients with active MM compared to healthy donors and MM in response (p<0.01). To determine whether the CD11b+CD14−HLA-DR-/lowCD33+CD15+ myeloid cell population represents functional MDSCs, we first assessed tumor promoting role of MDSCs in the MM microenvironment by culturing MM cell lines with MM patient bone marrow stroma cells (BMSC), with or without depletion of MDSCs. Importantly, BMSC-mediated MM growth decreased to baseline levels of MM cells alone when MDSCs were removed from the BMSC microenvironment. Moreover, MDSCs isolated from MM-BM using magnetic-Ab and/or FACS sorting cell separation, directly induced MM cell growth and survival, evidenced by 3H-thymidine incorporation and MTT assays. Since the interaction between tumor and stromal accessory cells is bidirectional, we next analysed the impact of MM cells on MDSC development. Importantly, MM cell lines cultured with PBMCs from healthy donors induced a 7 fold increase in MDSCs. We also examined the immune suppressive functions of MDSCs in cultures of autologous T cells with T cell stimulators, in the presence and absence of MDSCs from MM-PB or MM-BM. Freshly isolated MDSCs from both MM-PB and MM-BM induced significant inhibition of autologous T cell proliferation. Moreover, MDSC-associated immune inhibitory molecules arginase-1 (ARG-1) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as inhibitory cytokines IL-6 and IL-10, were significantly increased in BM MDSCs, evidenced by intracellular flow cytometry analysis. In addition, MM BM MDSCs induced development of Treg from autologous naïve CD4+T cells. Finally, we analysed whether MDSCs impacted response to bortezomib and lenalidomide. Culture of MDSCs with MM cell lines, with or without bortezomib (5nM) and lenalidomide (1uM), demonstrated that less MM cell cytotoxicity in the presence of MDSCs. Conclusions: Our data show that MDSCs are increased in the MM microenvironment and mediate tumor growth and drug resistance, as well as immune suppression. Therefore targeting MDSCs represents a promising novel immune-based therapeutic strategy to both inhibit tumor cell growth and restore host immune function in MM. Disclosures: Raje: Onyx: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Millennium: Consultancy; Acetylon: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Eli-Lilly: Research Funding. Munshi:Celgene: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy. Richardson:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Johnson & Johnson: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Anderson:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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Mir-181c Modulates T Cell Function By Regulating the Expression of BRK1

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.132.132 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 132-132

Author(s):

Shok Ping Lim ◽

Donal McLornan ◽

Nikolaos Ioannou ◽

David Darling ◽

Alan G. Ramsay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

T Cell Activation ◽

Cell Activation ◽

Synapse Formation ◽

Cell Function ◽

Immune Synapse ◽

T Cell Function ◽

Lamellipodia Formation

Abstract Introduction MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short endogenous non-coding RNAs consisting of 18-25 nucleotides in length which influence gene expression and play pivotal roles in a diverse range of cellular processes. Aberrant miRNA expression has been implicated in a variety of cancers, including haematological malignancies. The miR-181 family plays a crucial role in haematopoiesis, including megakaryocytic, erythroid and myeloid differentiation and both B and T cell development and differentiation. We therefore focused our study on validating novel downstream targets of miR-181. Methods A novel functional assay utilising an optimised 3'UTR enriched library and a dual selection strategy (Gäken et al., 2012) was performed to identify biologically relevant targets of miR-181c. BRK1 (BRICK1, SCAR/WAVE Actin Nucleating Complex Subunit) was identified as a potential target and validation was performed by quantitative real time PCR and western blot analysis. Given the potential role of BRK1 in the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family Verprolin-Homologous Protein-2 (WAVE2) complex and actin polymerisation in T cells, we investigated the influence of the miR-181c-BRK1 axis on T cell function. Knockdown of BRK1, using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviral vectors, and overexpression of miR-181c, via transfection with miR-181c expression vectors, were performed in Jurkat and primary T cells. T cell activation was examined by measurement of CD69 and CD154 expression and actin polymerisation was quantified by total cellular F-actin content. Immune synapse formation was studied by conjugate formation between T cells and antigen-pulsed B cells. Lastly, lamellipodia formation was investigated by assessing the ability of T cells to spread on anti-CD3 coated slides. Results Target genes downregulated by miR-181c were identified. One such target was BRK1, a component of the WAVE2 complex that has been shown to play a pivotal role in actin polymerisation. Validation experiments showed that overexpression and inhibition of miR-181c had no impact on BRK1 mRNA expression but did in fact modulate protein expression, suggesting that miR-181c regulates BRK1 at the translational level. We demonstrated that primary T cell activation resulted in downregulation of miR-181c and upregulation of BRK1 protein expression, further strengthening our hypothesis that the miR-181c-BRK1 axis may play an important role in T cell activation. Next, we found that loss of BRK1 resulted in reduced T cell activation as shown by decreased expression of CD69 and CD154. Furthermore, we showed that downregulation of BRK1 expression by shRNA resulted in reduced actin polymerisation after T cell stimulation. Reduced expression of BRK1 led to a marked reduction in the total area (in square micrometers) of F-actin accumulation at T cell contact sites and synapses with B cells indicating defective immune synapse formation. Moreover, reduced BRK1 expression resulted in defect in lamellipodia formation in response to T cell receptor stimulation. Similarly, ectopic expression of miR-181c in Jurkat T cells also led to a reduction in T cell activation and actin polymerisation coupled with defects in immune synapse and lamellipodia formation, hence confirming the important role of the miR-181c-BRK1 axis in T cell activation. Lastly, we demonstrated that suppression of BRK1 induced reduced expression of other pivotal proteins in the WAVE2 complex including WAVE2, Abi1 and Sra1. This suggests that impairment of actin polymerisation-dependent T cell functions were a result of instability of the WAVE2 complex following BRK1 suppression. Conclusion For the first time, we hereby demonstrate that BRK1 is a target of miR-181c. Moreover, we have highlighted the potential role of the miR-181c-BRK1 axis in impaired actin polymerisation-dependent T cell function and immune synapse formation. Deregulation of the miR-181c-BRK1 axis requires further evaluation in haematological malignancies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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HIV-1 Nef Suppresses T Cell-Dependent Immunoglobulin Class Switching by Inducing Inhibitors of CD40 and IL-4 Receptor Signaling in Bystander B Cells.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v106.11.325.325 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 106 (11) ◽

pp. 325-325

Author(s):

Andrea Cerutti ◽

Bing He ◽

April Chiu ◽

Daniel M. Knowles ◽

Amy Chadburn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

B Cells ◽

B Cell ◽

Cd4 T Cells ◽

Cytokine Receptor ◽

Tissue Sections ◽

Healthy Donors ◽

Iga Production ◽

Hiv 1

Abstract Background. Class switch DNA recombination (CSR) from IgM to IgG and IgA is central to immunity against pathogens and requires the activation of B cells by CD4+ T cells through CD40 ligand (CD40L) and cytokines, including IL-4 and IL-10. Viruses evade protective IgG and IgA responses through a number of strategies, including production of soluble proteins that suppress T cell-dependent (TD) class switching in bystander B cells. HIV-1 is thought to impair antigen-specific IgG and IgA production by inducing progressive depletion of CD4+ T cells. Although important, this mechanism is not sufficient to explain the intrinsically poor response of B cells from viremic patients to CD4+ T cell help. This prompted us to explore the B cell-modulating activity of negative factor (Nef), an early HIV-1 protein implicated in immunosuppression. Nef is released in the extracellular environment by infected cells and might perturb the function of bystander B cells by targeting them through its N-terminal myristoylated domain. Methods. Tonsillar tissue sections from healthy donors and lymph nodal tissue sections from 10 HIV-1-infected patients were analyzed for IgD, p24, and Nef expression by immunohistochemistry. Nef expression was also analyzed in IgD+ B cells purified from healthy donors and exposed to a recombinant myristoylated or non-myristoylated Nef protein. These IgD+ B cells as well as an IgD+ B cell line expressing a wild-type Nef transgene or a mutant Nef transgene lacking the myristoylated domain were utilized in CSR assays after further exposure to CD40L, IL-4 and IL-10. CSR and signaling were studied as described1,2,3. Results. We found that HIV-1-infected lymphoid follicles express large amounts of Nef. This viral protein penetrates in bystander B cells both in vivo and in vitro and interferes with the initiation of CSR by CD40L and cytokines without down-regulating CD40 and cytokine receptor expression on B cells. Rather, Nef up-regulates inhibitor of NF-κ B (Iκ B) and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins, including SOCS1 and SOCS3, in B cells. These powerful inhibitory proteins attenuate the transcriptional activation of germline Ig gene promoters by blocking CD40 and cytokine receptor signaling through NF-κ B and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), respectively. In addition, Nef hampers the up-regulation of key components of the CSR machinery, such as activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), and blocks the induction of IgG, IgA and IgE secretion by CD40L and cytokines. Under similar conditions, Nef spares B cell survival, B cell proliferation as well as B cell signaling through mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 and B cell-specific activation protein (BSAP or Pax5). Conclusions. Our findings suggest that HIV-1 inhibits IgG and IgA production not only by impairing CD4+ T cells, but also by turning on powerful CSR inhibitory pathways in bystander B cells through Nef. We propose that Nef-blocking agents might improve protective antibody responses to pathogens and vaccines in HIV-1-infected patients.

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Generation of a New Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) to Target CD23 Expressed on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (B-CLL) Cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.3538.3538 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 3538-3538

Author(s):

Greta Maria Paola Giordano Attianese ◽

Valentina Hoyos ◽

Barbara Savoldo ◽

Virna Marin ◽

Malika Brandi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

B Cells ◽

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

B Lymphocytes ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Cell Activation ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Cytokine Release ◽

Healthy Donors

Abstract B-Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is characterized by a progressive accumulation of mature B-lymphocytes expressing CD19, CD20dim and aberrantly expressing the CD5 T-cell marker. Moreover, they over-express the B-cell activation marker CD23. Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR) are engineered molecules able to redirect T-cell killing/effector activity towards a selected target in a non MHC-restricted manner. First trials targeting B-CLL were based on both monoclonal antibodies and anti-CD19/anti-CD20 CAR-transduced T cells. However, this approach causes the elimination of normal B-lymphocytes and B-precursors with consequent impairment of humoral responses. Selective CD23 expression on B-CLL cells renders it an optimal target to design a specific CAR. A new CD23-targeting CAR to redirect T cells against CD23+ B-CLL has been generated. After transduction, modified T cells were tested for cytotoxicity against different CD23+-targets, using a classic chromium release assay and for specific cytokine release by multiplex flow cytomix assay. The anti-CD23 CAR was stably expressed by healthy donor-derived primary T cells after transduction (average expression,20%;range,10%–60%;n=10) and conferred them a strong cytotoxicity against CD23+ tumor cell lines: Epstein Barr Virus transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (EBV-LCL) (average lysis, 50%; range 15%–70%, at 40:1 Effector:Target (E:T) ratio; n=5); Bjab and Jeko cell lines transduced with human CD23 antigen (average lysis, 60%; range, 20%–75%, at 40:1 E:T ratio; n=3). On the contrary, anti-CD23 transduced T-cells displayed no relevant killing versus normal B cells (average lysis, 8%; range, 1%–15% at 40:1 E:T ratio; n=3), differently from anti-CD19 CAR redirected T-cells, which killed tumor and normal B cells in an indistinct manner. T cells from B-CLL patients were also efficiently transduced with the anti-CD23 CAR (average expression, 80%; range, 70%–90%; n=3) and redirected specifically toward autologous blasts (average lysis, 29%; range, 21%–35% at 20:1 E:T ratio; n=3), without being inhibited by soluble CD23-enriched autologous plasma. Moreover, we demonstrated that expression of the anti-CD23 CAR caused a significant increase in cytokine release from transduced in vitro activated T cells after 48h stimulation with irradiated EBV-LCL at 1:1 ratio, both in healthy donors (n=3) and B-CLL patients (n=2). Anti-CD23 CAR expressing T cells from healthy donors secreted 5.5-fold more INF-gamma (3079 pg/ml vs 561pg/mL, p=0.05) and 11-fold more TNF-alpha (187.17 pg/ml vs 16.53 pg/mL, p=0.05), 147-fold more IL-5 (147 pg/ml vs 0 pg/mL, p=0.05) and 13-fold more IL-8 (590 pg/ml vs 43.24pg/mL, p=0.05), compared to non transduced T cells (n=3). In line with these findings, T cells expressing anti-CD23 CAR from B-CLL donors secreted 8.8-fold more INF-gamma (2988 pg/ml vs 337pg/mL, p=0.05) and 17-fold more TNF-gamma (187.17 pg/ml vs 17.34 pg/mL, p=0.05); 25.8-fold more IL-5 (3483.14 pg/ml vs 134.785 pg/mL, p=0.05), 173-fold more IL-8 (2154 pg/ml vs 12.415 pg/mL, p=0.05), compared to non transduced T cells. Altogether these results suggest that for the potentiality to get selective and potent killing of tumor cells, while sparing normal B cells, and for the capability to induce the selective release of immunostimulatory cytokines, CD23-targeting through a specific CAR holds great promises for adoptive immunotherapy of B-CLL.

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TGF-β Is Selectively Expressed on Lymphoma B Cells and Regulates the Differentiation of Intratumoral T Cells in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.1586.1586 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 1586-1586

Author(s):

Zhi-Zhang Yang ◽

Deanna Grote ◽

Steven C. Ziesmer ◽

Thomas E. Witzig ◽

Anne J. Novak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

B Cells ◽

Tumor Microenvironment ◽

B Cell ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Cd4 T Cells ◽

Treg Cells ◽

Lymphoma Cell ◽

Lymphoma Cells

Abstract Abstract 1586 Transformation growth factor (TGF-β) is a highly pleiotropic cytokine critical to a variety of cellular events such as cell differentiation and apoptosis. TGF-β is synthesized as a prepro-TGF-β precursor and secreted after being processed in Golgi apparatus as a latent form that non-covalently combines both TGF-β and latency-associated protein (LAP). Our previous work in B-cell NHL has shown that the intratumoral T cell composition results in the establishment of a profoundly inhibitory tumor microenvironment. However, the underlying mechanism is only partially understood. In this study, using patient specimens and lymphoma cell lines, we evaluated the role of TGF-β in the tumor microenvironment and determined the effect of TGF-β on the generation of intratumoral TH1, TH17 and Treg cells in B-cell NHL. First, we determined expression of TGF-β and found that a latent form of TGF-β was specifically expressed on the surface of CD19+ B cells, but not on other types of cells from B-cell lymphoma biopsy specimens. By screening cell lines, we found that latent TGF-β was also expressed on the surface of lymphoma cell lines, confirming the finding. Second, we tested whether surface expression by lymphoma cells led to the secretion of TGF-β in culture medium. Using an ELISA assay, we detected variable levels of latent TGF-β in the culture medium of primary malignant B cells (median 100 pg/ml per million cells, range: undetectable −229 pg/ml, n=7). Similarly, lymphoma cell lines secreted variable amounts of TGF-β from undetectable to 200 pg/ml per million cells. Next, we determined the effect of TGF-b on intratumoral T cell proliferation and differentiation. As expected, exogenous addition of TGF-β inhibited the proliferation of T cells. Notably, the proliferation of intratumoral T cells was significantly reduced when co-cultured with lymphoma cells bearing an active form of TGF-β compared to that with lymphoma cells without TGF-β. Using flow cytometry, we showed that the addition of exogenous TGF-β enhanced Foxp3 expression in activated CD4+, CD4+CD45RA+ or CD4+CD45RO+ intratumoral T cells, suggesting that TGF-β promotes the generation of Treg cells in tumor microenvironment. In contrast, TGF-β suppressed the expression of IFN-γ in activated CD4+ T cells and inhibited the up-regulation of IL-12 and IL-23-induced IFN-γ expression in CD4+ cells, indicating that TGF-β suppresses the generation of TH1 cells. TGF-β alone slightly inhibited IL-17 expression in CD4+ T cells; however, TGF-β, in the presence of IL-6 and IL-23, up-regulated IL-17 expression in CD4+ T cells, suggesting proinflammatory cytokines are able to reverse the suppression induced by TGF-β. These results suggest that TGF-β controls the generation of TH1, TH17 and Treg cells contributing to the imbalance of effector TH cells and inhibitory Treg cells in the tumor microenvironment of B-cell NHL. Since malignant B-cells produce TGF-β, these results further support the important role of malignant B cells in the regulation of intratumoral T cell differentiation and the host immune response. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Reprogramming Aberrant B Cell-Subsets to Improve Immune Function in Multiple Myeloma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.3986.3986 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 3986-3986

Author(s):

Rao H. Prabhala ◽

Andreea Negroiu ◽

Saem Lee ◽

Mariateresa Fulciniti ◽

Puru Nanjappa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

B Cells ◽

B Cell ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Healthy Donors ◽

Ifn Γ ◽

B Cell Subsets

Abstract Abstract 3986 B cell-malignancies exhibit considerable immune dysfunction particularly in multiple myeloma (MM). We have previously demonstrated that in T cell-compartment, regulatory T helper cells are dysfunctional in multiple myeloma (MM) while Th17 cells are significantly elevated and IL-17 produced by them is associated with MM cell growth and survival as well as suppressed immune responses and bone disease. We have here investigated the B cell-subsets and their ability to re-program anti-tumor immunity in MM. We have first characterised four different B cell-subsets (B1a, B1b, B2 and regulatory B cells) using 10-color flow cytometric analysis in both peripheral blood and bone-marrow (BM) samples from MM patients compared with normal healthy donors. We observe that CD5+ B1a-B cells are significantly elevated in peripheral blood of MM patients (N=7) compared to healthy donor (N=15) (42±8% vs 13±3%, respectively, p<0.05); while normal B cells (B2 cells) are significantly reduced in peripheral blood (29.8±6.5, p<0.05) and in the BM samples (11±4.8, N=4, p<0.05) of MM patients compared to healthy donors (59±3, and 60.2±2, N=10, respectively). We also observed that both B1b (47.9±18 vs. 22.8±4) and regulatory B cells (7.1±4.5 vs. 1.54±0.3) are elevated in BM samples of MM compared to healthy donors, however there were no differences in B1b and regulatory B cells in the peripheral blood of MM compared to healthy donor samples. Interestingly, in myeloma we observe higher levels of activated B cell subsets but lower levels of memory B cell subsets compared to healthy donors. These results, particularly very low levels of normal B cells in MM patients, may explain the decreased levels of uninvolved immunoglobulin in MM. As removal of B cell population has been shown to re-program T helper cell populations, we next investigated impact of B cell population on T cell activation. We activated normal PBMC via the anti-CD3 antibody, in the presence or absence of B or CD25+ cells and measured intra-cellular IFN-γ levels in CD69+ cells. We found that the absence of B cells significantly inhibited interferon-producing T cells compared to PBMC (by 43%; p<0.05). Importantly, following removal of CD25+ cells, which consists of both Tregs and activated memory T cells, with or without B cells, we did not observe any difference in the inhibition of IFN-γ, indicating that B cells are influencing memory T cells rather than naïve T cells for the production of IFN-γ. This prompted us to identify the phenotypic signature of regulatory T cell populations when purified memory T cells are polarized with the regulatory T cell cocktail in presence or absence of B cells. We observed that B cells reduce FOXP3 expression by 18 %(N=5) and establish cognitive interactions with T cells. This occurred by increasing the expression of GITR (154%) and CTLA4 (54%); while reducing PD1 (−24%) and OX40 (−21%) expression on T cells without affecting HLA expression. We have also observed these improvements by B cell modulation on T cells in MM. Our results indicate that targeting these re-programmable capabilities of B cells to modulate T helper cell populations may enable us to improve T cell function in MM; and may improve immune function in MM and also allow us to enhance responses to vaccinations. Disclosures: Ghobrial: Millennium: Advisory Board Other; Novartis: Advisory Board, Advisory Board Other. Richardson:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Johnson & Johnson: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Treon:Onyx: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Cephalon: Consultancy; Avila: Consultancy. Anderson:Celgene, Millennium, BMS, Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Acetylon, Oncopep: Scientific Founder, Scientific Founder Other.

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Interleukins and Interleukin Receptors Evolutionary History and Origin in Relation to CD4+ T Cell Evolution

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12060813 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 813

Author(s):

Norwin Kubick ◽

Pavel Klimovich ◽

Patrick Henckell Flournoy ◽

Irmina Bieńkowska ◽

Marzena Łazarczyk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Immune System ◽

T Cell ◽

Positive Selection ◽

Cd4 T Cells ◽

Cell Function ◽

Single Gene ◽

Ancestral Reconstruction ◽

Critical Function ◽

Interleukin Receptors

Understanding the evolution of interleukins and interleukin receptors is essential to control the function of CD4+ T cells in various pathologies. Numerous aspects of CD4+ T cells’ presence are controlled by interleukins including differentiation, proliferation, and plasticity. CD4+ T cells have emerged during the divergence of jawed vertebrates. However, little is known about the evolution of interleukins and their origin. We traced the evolution of interleukins and their receptors from Placozoa to primates. We performed phylogenetic analysis, ancestral reconstruction, HH search, and positive selection analysis. Our results indicated that various interleukins' emergence predated CD4+ T cells divergence. IL14 was the most ancient interleukin with homologs in fungi. Invertebrates also expressed various interleukins such as IL41 and IL16. Several interleukin receptors also appeared before CD4+ T cells divergence. Interestingly IL17RA and IL17RD, which are known to play a fundamental role in Th17 CD4+ T cells first appeared in mollusks. Furthermore, our investigations showed that there is not any single gene family that could be the parent group of interleukins. We postulate that several groups have diverged from older existing cytokines such as IL4 from TGFβ, IL10 from IFN, and IL28 from BCAM. Interleukin receptors were less divergent than interleukins. We found that IL1R, IL7R might have diverged from a common invertebrate protein that contained TIR domains, conversely, IL2R, IL4R and IL6R might have emerged from a common invertebrate ancestor that possessed a fibronectin domain. IL8R seems to be a GPCR that belongs to the rhodopsin-like family and it has diverged from the Somatostatin group. Interestingly, several interleukins that are known to perform a critical function for CD4+ T cells such as IL6, IL17, and IL1B have gained new functions and evolved under positive selection. Overall evolution of interleukin receptors was not under significant positive selection. Interestingly, eight interleukin families appeared in lampreys, however, only two of them (IL17B, IL17E) evolved under positive selection. This observation indicates that although lampreys have a unique adaptive immune system that lacks CD4+ T cells, they could be utilizing interleukins in homologous mode to that of the vertebrates' immune system. Overall our study highlights the evolutionary heterogeneity within the interleukins and their receptor superfamilies and thus does not support the theory that interleukins evolved solely in jawed vertebrates to support T cell function. Conversely, some of the members are likely to play conserved functions in the innate immune system.

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