CD4+ Regulatory T Cells Specific for the WT1 Antigen Are Present in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients: Implication for Immunotherapy.

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1933-1933
Author(s):  
Said Dermime ◽  
Cynthia Lehe ◽  
Hazem Ghebeh ◽  
Abdullah Al-Sulaiman ◽  
Ghofran Al Qudaihi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
Cytotoxic Activity ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Granzyme B ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Cell Contact

Abstract Compelling evidences indicate a key role for regulatory T cells (Tregs) on the host response to cancer and recent studies indicated that the generation of effective WT1-specific cytotoxic T cells can be largely affected by the presence of Tregs. This is the first study to describe human Tregs generated specifically against the WT1 antigen which is overexpressed in several human leukemias and provide the mechanism by which these anti-WT1 Tregs inhibit the immune response in leukemia patients. We have generated T cell lines and clones that specifically recognized a WT1-84 peptide in an HLA DRB1*0402/TCR-Vb8-restricted manner. Importantly, they recognized HLADRB1* 04-matched fresh leukemic cells expressing the WT1 antigen. These clones exerted a Th2 cytokine profile, had a CD4+CD25+Foxp3+GITR+CD127− Tregs phenotype, and significantly inhibited the proliferative activity of allogeneic T cells independently of cell-contact. Priming of allo-reactive T cells in the presence of Tregs strongly inhibited the expansion of NK; NK-T and CD8+ T cells, had an inhibitory effect on NK/NK-T cytotoxic activity but not on CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, priming of T cells with the WT1- 126 HLA-A0201-restricted peptide in the presence of Tregs strongly inhibited the induction of anti-WT1-126 CD8+ CTL responses as evidenced by both very low cytotoxic activity and IFN-g production. Moreover, these Tregs clones specifically produced Granzyme-B and selectively induced apoptosis in WT1-84 pulsed-autologous APCs but not in apoptoticresistant DR4-matched leukemic cells. Importantly, we have also detected anti-WT1-84 IL-5+/Granzyme-B+/Foxp3+ CD4+ Tregs in 5 out of 8 HLA-DR4+ AML patients. These findings suggest a critical role for anti-WT1 Tregs in the inhibition of T cell responses against leukemia. This study may have important implications for the clinical manipulation of Tregs such as immuno-targeting of TCR-Vb-8 with mAbs to eliminate anti-WT1 Tregs in leukemia patients in order to enhance GVL before vaccination with the WT1 antigen. On the other hand, leukemia patients with GVHD should be clinically-tried for vaccination with the current WT1-84 peptide or adoptively-treated with ex-vivo anti-WT1 Treg cells to specifically enhance their frequency, which is known to be very low in these patients.

scholarly journals 4-1BB regulates NKG2D costimulation in human cord blood CD8+ T cells

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 1378-1386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-June Kim ◽  
Myung-Kwan Han ◽  
Hal E. Broxmeyer
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cytotoxic Activity ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cytotoxic T Cell ◽  
Human Cord Blood ◽  
Costimulatory Receptor ◽  
Nkg2d Expression ◽  
Tgf Β1

Abstract Ligation of NKG2D, a potent costimulatory receptor, can be either beneficial or detrimental to CD8+ cytotoxic T cell (CTL) responses. Factors for these diverse NKG2D effects remain elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that 4-1BB, another costimulatory receptor, is an essential regulator of NKG2D in CD8+ T cells. Costimulation of NKG2D caused down-modulation of NKG2D, but induced 4-1BB expression on the cell surface, even in the presence of TGF-β1, which inhibits 4-1BB expression. Resulting NKG2D−4-1BB+ cells were activated but still in an immature state with low cytotoxic activity. However, subsequent 4-1BB costimulation induced cytotoxic activity and restored down-modulated NKG2D. The cytotoxic activity and NKG2D expression induced by 4-1BB on NKG2D+4-1BB+ cells were refractory to TGF-β1 down-modulation. Such 4-1BB effects were enhanced by IL-12. In contrast, in the presence of IL-4, 4-1BB effects were abolished because IL-4 down-modulated NKG2D and 4-1BB expression in cooperation with TGF-β1, generating another CD8+ T-cell type lacking both NKG2D and 4-1BB. These NKG2D−4-1BB− cells were inert and unable to gain cytotoxic activity. Our results suggest that 4-1BB plays a critical role in protecting NKG2D from TGF-β1–mediated down-modulation. Co-expression of NKG2D and 4-1BB may represent an important biomarker for defining competency of tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells.

WT1-Specific T Cells Exhibiting a Non-Exhausted, Functional Phenotype Can Be Generated From The Natural Repertoire Of Healthy Donors For Clinical Use

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 4504-4504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Schmied ◽  
Anne Richter ◽  
Mario Assenmacher ◽  
Juergen Schmitz
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Healthy Donors ◽  
Effector Cytokines

Background The Wilms tumor antigen 1 (WT1) is a self-antigen expressed at high levels in leukemic cells, but not in healthy tissue. As WT1 expression in leukemic cells drives leukemogenesis, it is a favorable target antigen for immunotherapy, e.g. adoptive transfer of allogeneic T cells, to prevent or treat leukemic relapse after stem cell transplantation (Cheever et al., Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(17)). WT1-specific CD8+ T cells have been detected in healthy individuals at low frequencies (Rezvani et al., Blood 2003;102). However, a comprehensive characterization of CD4+ and CD8+WT1-specific T cells is missing and the efficient expansion of a polyclonal WT1-reactive T cell population for clinical use has remained a major challenge. In this study we aim to directly ex vivo characterize WT1-specific T cells present in the blood of healthy donors at high-resolution and to develop a rapid method for the generation of functionally potent, polyclonal CD4+ and CD8+WT1-specific T cells for clinical use. Methods For direct ex vivo analysis of CD4+ WT1-specific T cells peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy blood donors were in vitro stimulated with a pool of overlapping peptides spanning the WT1 protein for 7 hours. Subsequently CD154 (CD40L)-expressing cells were magnetically enriched and flow cytometrically examined for expression of effector cytokines and their differentiation status. Presence and phenotype of CD8+ WT1-specific T cells have been studied after stimulation of presorted naïve and memory T cell populations with WT-1 peptide pool for 30 hours, magnetic enrichment of CD137+ (4-1BB) cells and subsequent staining using pMHCI-Tetramers. For the generation of polyclonal WT1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells PBMC were in vitro activated with WT-1 peptide pool for 30 hours. CD137+cells were magnetically selected and expanded for 9 days in the presence of the cytokines IL-7, IL-15 and IL-21 at low doses. Expanded T cells were analyzed for their phenotype, the expression of co-stimulatory and exhaustion markers and were tested for their functionality and cytotoxicity by restimulation experiments with antigen-loaded target cells. Results Ex vivo frequencies of WT1-specific T cells are low, 1 to 10 WT1-specific CD154+ CD4+ T cells can be detected within 1x106 CD4+ T cells. In about 80% of healthy donors (n=15) a CD4+ memory response, accompanied by production of effector cytokines like IFNγ, TNFα and IL-2, against WT1 peptides is present. Additionally, in all donors naïve WT1-specific CD4+ T cells can be detected. In contrast, detected CD137+CD8+ WT1-reactive T cells exhibit a naïve phenotype (CD45RA+CCR7+) in all donors (n=5), no WT1-reactive CD8+T cells could be enriched from presorted memory T cells. To evaluate the usefulness of our improved short-term expansion protocol to generate potent WT1-specific T cell cultures for clinical use, we characterized CD137 enriched and expanded T cells. Notably, a high frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells show specific reactivity against WT1-presenting autologous cells as detected by production of effector cytokines like IFNγ, TNFα and IL-2 after antigen-specific restimulation. Cytotoxic activity against antigen-loaded target cells could be shown by direct flow-cytometry-based cytotoxicity assays and antigen-specific upregulation of the degranulation marker CD107a. Stainings using multiple WT1-MHCI-tetramers furthermore confirmed antigen-specificity and suggested polyclonality within the CD8+T cell population. In contrast to previous expansion protocols our polyclonally expanded T cells exhibit a favourable, unexhausted memory phenotype, express co-stimulatory markers CD27 and CD28 and the IL7R-a chain (CD127) which has been shown to mark cells with stem T cell like properties. Furthermore exhaustion markers like CD279 (PD-1), CD178 (FasL) and CD57 are scarcely expressed. Conclusions Functional, polyclonal, CD4+ and CD8+ WT1-specific, reactive T cells can be efficiently enriched directly ex vivo from the natural repertoire by magnetic separation of T cells after antigen-specific stimulation. Phenotypic and functional characterization revealed a non-exhausted phenotype of expanded WT1-specific T cells, thereby suggesting good persistence and functionality of the obtained T cell product in vivo. Thus, our approach holds great potential for the GMP-compliant generation of WT1-specific T cells for future clinical use. Disclosures: Schmied: Miltenyi Biotec GmbH: Employment. Richter:Miltenyi Biotec GmbH: Employment. Assenmacher:Miltenyi Biotec GmbH: Employment. Schmitz:Miltenyi Biotec: Employment.

scholarly journals Regulatory T-cell: Regulator of Host Defense in Infection

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mousa Mohammadnia-Afrouzi ◽  
Mehdi Shahbazi ◽  
Sedigheh Baleghi Damavandi ◽  
Ghasem Faghanzadeh Ganji ◽  
Soheil Ebrahimpour
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Regulatory T Cell ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Activated T Cells

Based on diverse activities and production of several cytokines, T lymphocytes and T helper cells are divided into Th1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T-cell (T regs) subsets based on diverse activities and production of several cytokines. Infectious agents can escape from host by modulation of immune responses as effector T-cells and Tregs. Thus, regulatory T-cells play a critical role in suppression of immune responses to infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi and as well as preserving immune homeostasis. However, regulatory T-cell responses can advantageous for the body by minimizing the tissue-damaging effects. The following subsets of regulatory T-cells have been recognized: natural regulatory Tcells, Th3, Tr1, CD8+ Treg, natural killer like Treg (NKTreg) cells. Among various markers of Treg cells, Forkhead family transcription factor (FOXP3) as an intracellular protein is used for discrimination between activated T reg cells and activated T-cells. FOXP3 has a central role in production, thymocyte differentiation and function of regulatory Tcells. Several mechanisms have been indicated in regulation of T reg cells. As, the suppression of T-cells via regulatory T-cells is either mediated by Cell-cell contact and Immunosuppressive cytokines (TGF-Beta, IL-10) mediated.

scholarly journals Eltrombopag: More Than Just a Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonist (TPO-RA) in Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 2364-2364
Author(s):  
Anwar A. Sayed ◽  
Amna Malik ◽  
Grace Ayoola ◽  
Elisa Lucchini ◽  
Sasfia Candrianita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Granzyme B ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effect ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Dose Dependent

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by a skewed proinflammatory T cell profile. Thrombopoietin-receptor agonists (TPO-RA) have largely replaced immunosuppressants in the management of this disorder, with some patients achieving remission after a period of treatment with TPO-RA. The potential immune modulatory role of TPO-RA has not been fully investigated. The two current TPO-RA licensed for use in ITP; Eltrombopag (Elt) and Romiplostim (Romi) act on different parts of the TPO-R and have similar response rates. However, patients can respond to one agent but not the other. Elt has been described to have a strong iron chelating effect, and hence we propose that it may have an additive immunomodulatory effect on the T cells, absent in Romi. We determined the immunomodulatory effect of Elt by assessing the proliferation and functionality of T-cell lines and primary T-cells. T cell proliferation was assessed using both CFSE proliferation assay and MTT cell viability assay. T cell phenotype and functionality were assessed by multicolor surface and intracellular flow cytometric staining. Cells were co-cultured with Elt and Romi in vitro and ex vivo with both Jurkat and DG75 cells lines as well as primary cells, respectively. Deferoxamine (DFX) was used as a positive control for iron-chelation, and human TPO was used as a positive control for TPO-RA. All treatment doses were based on their calculated therapeutic serum levels. Mann Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H statistical tests were applied where applicable, and a P value of less than 0.05 were considered significant. Elt significantly decreased Jurkat T cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner compared to no treatment and Romi. DFX, an iron chelator, also decreased Jurkat T cell proliferation to comparable levels of Elt. Interestingly, this anti-proliferative effect of Elt was only observed on Jurkat T cells, but not DG75 B cell line. Ex vivo CFSE proliferation assay was performed on primary CD4 and CD8 T cells assessing the antiproliferative effect of Elt. Elt significantly reduced proliferation compared to no treatment. DFX exhibited a similar antiproliferative effect on primary T cells, however, less potent compared to Elt. Neither Romi nor TPO affected the proliferation of Jurkat cells, DG75 cells or primary T cells. The functionality of CD4 and CD8 T cells was assessed based on the capacity of T cells to produce intracellular TNFα, IFNγ and Granzyme B. Elt significantly reduced the percentages of TNFα+/IFNγ+ CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in a dose-dependent manner. This reduction was also observed, albeit to a lesser extent, when T cells were treated with DFX. Furthermore, Granzyme B expression in CD8+ T cells was significantly reduced when cells were treated Elt, compared to no treatment. Romi did not affect the frequency of CD8+ TNFα+/IFNγ+ populations nor the expression of Granzyme B in CD8+ T cells. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells did not express TPO-R on their surface. To confirm the immunomodulatory role of Elt in vivo, the terminally-differentiated effector (CD45RA+CD62L-) CD8+ T cells were assessed in 13 Elt-treated patients and 11 Romi-treated patients. Patients on Elt had significantly reduced frequency of effector CD8 T cells compared to Romi-treated patients (44% vs 76.8%; p<0.01). Taken together, these novel findings suggest an off target immunomodulatory nature of Elt besides its thrombopoietic effect. This dose-dependent immunomodulatory effect is not TPO-R dependent and targets T cells primarily. This study is the first to display such property of Elt and could explain why there is a differential response to Elt and Romi. We hypothesise that Elt may be more effective in patients with T cell mediated disease, whilst patients with predominantly antibody mediated disease are more likely respond to Romi. These findings can also offer an explanation for Elt effectiveness in other T cell-mediated autoimmune conditions such as Aplastic Anemia. Disclosures Cooper: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Rigel: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Principia: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma B-Cells Induce Intratumoral CD4+CD25− T Cells To Express Foxp3 and Gain Regulatory Function.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1724-1724
Author(s):  
Zhi-Zhang Yang ◽  
Anne J. Novak ◽  
Thomas E. Witzig ◽  
Stephen M. Ansell
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Foxp3 Expression ◽  
Regulatory Function ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Cancer Pathogenesis

Abstract We have previously shown that CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells from NHL tumors suppress the function of infiltrating CD4+ T cells and cytolytic CD8+ T cells. Expression of Foxp3 has been demonstrated to be crucial to the development and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. However, the mechanistic details that drive development of Foxp3 expression in T cells, in both the normal and malignant scenario, remains to be fully elucidated. Previous studies suggest that Foxp3 expression in CD4+CD25− T cells can be upregulated by tolerizing stimuli such as activation through TCR, corticosteroids, estrogen, and TGF-beta. Because lymphoma B cells have been shown to induce T-cell tolerance, we postulated that lymphoma B cells may play a role in the generation of regulatory T cells by inducing Foxp3 expression in CD4+CD25− T cells. FoxP3 expression was initially thought to be restricted to CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell population. However, recent literature suggests that Foxp3 may also be expressed in CD4+CD25− T cells. Using biopsy specimens from patients with B-cell NHL, we found that a subset, 15%, of infiltrating CD4+CD25− T cells express Foxp3 and are capable of suppressing the proliferation and granule production of infiltrating cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. These initial studies suggest that CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells have regulatory function. To explore the underlying mechanism by which Foxp3 expression is regulated, we determined the effect of costimulatory signals on Foxp3 expression in CD4+CD25−Foxp3− T cells. Activation with OKT3/anti-CD28 Ab as well as DC-mediated activation induced Foxp3 expression in a subset of CD4+CD25− T cells. We also found that the presence of lymphoma B cells during activation augmented the induction of Foxp3 expression in CD4+CD25− T cells and that NHL B cell-mediated Foxp3 expression was cell contact-dependent. To better understand the contribution of NHL B cells in Foxp3 expression, we explored the possibility that CD27-CD70 interaction may be involved in Foxp3 expression. Lymphoma B cells express CD70, but not B7-1 and B7-2, which have been shown to be important in protecting tumor cells from lysis and contributing to cancer pathogenesis. Ligation of CD27 by receptor cross-linking enhanced Foxp3 expression in infiltrating CD4+CD25− T cells in B-cell NHL. Taken together these studies reveal a novel role for NHL B cells in development of regulatory T cells. Our data show that lymphoma B cells induce expression of Foxp3 in infiltrating CD4+CD25− T cells and may result in development of T cells with regulatory function within the tumor microenvironment. Our results also suggest a potential role for CD27-CD70 interactions in this process. The ability of malignant B cells to drive development of regulatory T cells may be one mechanism by which lymphoma B cells protect themselves from anti-tumor immunity. (Supported in part by the Iowa/Mayo Lymphoma SPORE CA97274).

scholarly journals Enumeration of Cytotoxic CD8 T Cells Ex Vivo during the Response to Listeria monocytogenes Infection

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (10) ◽  
pp. 4609-4614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dietmar M. W. Zaiss ◽  
Alice J. A. M. Sijts ◽  
Tim R. Mosmann
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cytotoxic Activity ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Cell Response ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT Cytotoxicity is a key effector function of CD8 T cells. However, what proportion of antigen-specific CD8 T cells in vivo exert cytotoxic activity during a functional CD8 T-cell response to infection still remains unknown. We used the Lysispot assay to directly enumerate cytotoxic CD8 T cells from the spleen ex vivo during the immune response to infection with the intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. We demonstrate that not all antigen-responsive gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-secreting T cells display cytotoxic activity. Most CD8 T cells detected at early time points of the response were cytotoxic. This percentage continuously declined during both the expansion and contraction phases to about 50% at the peak and to <10% of IFN-γ-producing cells in the memory phase. As described for clonal expansion, this elaboration of a program of differentiation after an initial stimulus was not affected by antigen or CD4 help but, like proliferation, could be influenced by later reinfection. These data indicate that cytotoxic effector function during the response to infection is regulated independently from IFN-γ secretion or expansion or contraction of the overall CD8 T-cell response.

DR3 Signaling Modulates the Function of Foxp3+ regulatory T Cells and the Severity of Acute Graft and Host Disease

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 2148-2148
Author(s):  
Hidekazu Nishikii ◽  
Kim Byung-Su ◽  
Yan Chen ◽  
Jeanette Baker ◽  
Antonio Pierini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Transplantation Experiments ◽  
Acute Graft

Abstract Background : CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are a subpopulation of T cells, which regulate the immune system and enhance immune tolerance after transplantation. Donor-derived Treg prevent the development of lethal acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) in murine models of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We recently demonstrated that a single treatment of the agonistic antibody to DR3 (Death receptor 3, aDR3) to donor mice resulted in the expansion/activation of donor derived Treg and prevented acute GVHD (Blood 126:546, 2015), although the precise role of DR3 signaling in GVHD has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of αDR3 treatment to recipient mice in model of murine GVHD. Methods To analyze the DR3 expression in immune cells with or without TCR stimulation, we comprehensively analyzed the cells with multicolor cytometry using viSNE (visualization of stochastic neighbor embedding algorithm). In transplantation experiments, 5x10e6 T cell depleted bone marrow (from WT C57BL/6 mice, H2kb) and 1x10e6 T cells (C57BL/6-Luciferase mice, H2kb) were injected intravenously into lethally irradiated (8Gy in total) BALB/c recipient mice (H2kd). aDR3 was intraperitonealy injected at different time point after transplantation. The transplanted mice were monitored by clinical GVHD score, weight, bioluminescence imaging (BLI) for donor T cell trafficking, and survival time. To investigate the role of donor or recipient derived Treg in this model, in vivo Treg depletion using B6-Foxp3DTR mice was also performed. Results viSNE analysis demonstrated that DR3 was preferentially expressed on resting-Treg (79%), although a subpopulation of CD4+Foxp3-T cells (59%), CD8+T cells (24%), and NK1.1+TCRb+NKT celsl (42%) also expressed DR3. However, DR3 expressions in CD4+Foxp3-T cells and CD8+T cells were elevated after TCR stimulation in vitro (p<0.01). These data suggested that activation of DR3 signaling would also affect the function of conventional T cell upon activation. In the mixed lymphocyte reaction using allogeneic T cells (from WT C57BL/6 mice) and irradiated splenocytes (from BALB/c mice), the activation of DR3 promoted allogeneic T cell proliferation (p<0.01). In transplantation experiments, aDR3 treatment (day 3 after transplant) to animals with ongoing GVHD failed to expand Treg and further promoted donor T cell activation/proliferation with worse outcomes (p<0.05 in BLI study, p<0.01 in survival). However, the prophylactic treatment of animals with aDR3 (day 0 αDR3 and day 2 allogeneic T cells) resulted in the expansion of recipient derived Treg (H2kd+CD4+Foxp3+ cells, p<0.01) and reduced the severity of GVHD with markedly prolonged survival (p<0.001). These data suggest that the function of DR3 signaling was highly dependent on the activation status of the T cells. This survival benefit could be observed even if Treg were depleted from the donor allogeneic T cells (from diphtheria toxin treated B6-Foxp3DTR mice), suggesting that host derived Treg, rather than donor cells, play a critical role in abrogating GVHD in this model. Conclusion In conclusion, we demonstrated that activation through DR3 signaling not only expands and activates Treg, but also further activates conventional alloreactive T cells and has very different clinical impact depending upon the timing of administration. These data provide important information for future clinical translation using modification of DR3 signaling. Disclosures Negrin: Stanford University: Patents & Royalties.

scholarly journals Targeting CD38 is lethal to Breg-like chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells and Tregs, but restores CD8+ T-cell responses

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. 2143-2157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alak Manna ◽  
Timothy Kellett ◽  
Sonikpreet Aulakh ◽  
Laura J. Lewis-Tuffin ◽  
Navnita Dutta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Dependent Manner

Abstract Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are characterized by monoclonal expansion of CD5+CD23+CD27+CD19+κ/λ+ B lymphocytes and are clinically noted to have profound immune suppression. In these patients, it has been recently shown that a subset of B cells possesses regulatory functions and secretes high levels of interleukin 10 (IL-10). Our investigation identified that CLL cells with a CD19+CD24+CD38hi immunophenotype (B regulatory cell [Breg]–like CLL cells) produce high amounts of IL-10 and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and are capable of transforming naive T helper cells into CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) in an IL-10/TGF-β-dependent manner. A strong correlation between the percentage of CD38+ CLL cells and Tregs was observed. CD38hi Tregs comprised more than 50% of Tregs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with CLL. Anti-CD38 targeting agents resulted in lethality of both Breg-like CLL and Treg cells via apoptosis. Ex vivo, use of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy was associated with a reduction in IL-10 and CLL patient-derived Tregs, but an increase in interferon-γ and proliferation of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells with an activated phenotype, which showed an improved ability to lyse patient-autologous CLL cells. Finally, effects of anti-CD38 mAb therapy were validated in a CLL–patient-derived xenograft model in vivo, which showed decreased percentage of Bregs, Tregs, and PD1+CD38hiCD8+ T cells, but increased Th17 and CD8+ T cells (vs vehicle). Altogether, our results demonstrate that targeting CD38 in CLL can modulate the tumor microenvironment; skewing T-cell populations from an immunosuppressive to immune-reactive milieu, thus promoting immune reconstitution for enhanced anti-CLL response.

scholarly journals Alterations in regulatory T cells and immune checkpoint molecules in pancreatic cancer patients receiving FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Sams ◽  
S. Kruger ◽  
V. Heinemann ◽  
D. Bararia ◽  
S. Haebe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoints ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear

Abstract Purpose This pilot study aimed on generating insight on alterations in circulating immune cells during the use of FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Patients and methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated before and 30 days after initiation of chemotherapy from 20 patients with advanced PDAC. Regulatory T cells (FoxP3+) and immune checkpoints (PD-1 and TIM-3) were analyzed by flow cytometry and immunological changes were correlated with clinical outcome. Results Heterogeneous changes during chemotherapy were observed in circulating T-cell subpopulations with a pronounced effect on PD-1+ CD4+/CD8+ T cells. An increase in FoxP3+ or PD-1+ T cells had no significant effect on survival. An increase in TIM3+/CD8+ (but not TIM3+/CD4+) T cells was associated with a significant inferior outcome: median progression-free survival in the subgroup with an increase of TIM-3+/CD8+ T cells was 6.0 compared to 14.0 months in patients with a decrease/no change (p = 0.026); corresponding median overall survival was 13.0 and 20.0 months (p = 0.011), respectively. Conclusions Chemotherapy with FOLFIRNOX or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel induces variable changes in circulating T-cell populations that may provide prognostic information in PDAC.

scholarly journals 602 STING agonist-based treatment promotes vascular normalization and tertiary lymphoid structure formation in the therapeutic melanoma microenvironment

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A637-A637
Author(s):  
Manoj Chelvanambi ◽  
Ronald Fecek ◽  
Jennifer Taylor ◽  
Walter Storkus
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Type I ◽  
Vascular Normalization ◽  
S 100 ◽  
Transcriptional Changes

BackgroundThe degree of immune infiltration in tumors, especially CD8+ T cells, greatly impacts patient disease course and response to interventional immunotherapy. Hence, enhancement of TIL prevalence is a preferred clinical endpoint, one that may be achieved via administration of agents that normalize the tumor vasculature (VN) leading to improved immune cell recruitment and/or that induce the development of local tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) within the tumor microenvironment (TME).MethodsLow-dose STING agonist ADU S-100 (5 μg/mouse) was delivered intratumorally to established s.c. B16.F10 melanomas on days 10, 14 and 17 post-tumor inoculation under an IACUC-approved protocol. Treated and control, untreated tumors were isolated at various time points to assess transcriptional changes associated with VN and TLS formation via qPCR, with corollary immune cell composition changes determined using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. In vitro assays were performed on CD11c+ BMDCs treated with 2.5 μg/mL ADU S-100 (vs PBS control) and associated transcriptional changes analyzed via qPCR or profiled using DNA microarrays. For TCRβ-CDR3 analyses, CDR3 was sequenced from gDNA isolated from enzymatically digested tumors and splenocytes.ResultsWe report that activation of STING within the TME leads to slowed melanoma growth in association with increased production of angiostatic factors including Tnfsf15 (Vegi), Cxcl10 and Angpt1, and TLS inducing factors including Ccl19, Ccl21, Lta, Ltb and Tnfsf14 (Light). Therapeutic responses from intratumoral STING activation were characterized by increased vascular normalization (VN), enhanced tumor infiltration by CD8+ T cells and CD11c+ DCs and local TLS neo-genesis, all of which were dependent on host expression of STING. Consistent with a central role for DC in TLS formation, ex vivo ADU S-100-activated mCD11c+ DCs also exhibited upregulated expression of TLS promoting factors including lymphotoxin-α (LTA), IL-36, inflammatory chemokines and type I interferons. TLS formation was associated with the development of a therapeutic TIL TCR repertoire enriched in T cell clonotypes uniquely detected within the tumor but not the peripheral circulation in support or local T cell cross-priming within the TME.ConclusionsOur data support the premise that i.t. delivery of STING agonist promotes a pro-inflammatory TME in support of VN and TLS formation, leading to the local expansion of unique TIL repertoire in association with superior anti-melanoma efficacy.

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