The Antioxidant n-Acetylcysteine Blocks Direct Regulatory T Cell Mediated Suppression of CD4+ Effector T Cells In Vitro

Abstract Abstract 2765 Background: CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) employ a range of suppressive strategies including factors that are cytotoxic to target CD4+CD25−FOXP3− effector T cells (Teff) such as perforin and granzyme B and those that suppress proliferation, differentiation and/or cytokine production including TGF-beta1, IL-10 and CTLA-4. The relative contribution of each of these mechanisms to Treg function is unclear but from the available data their importance appears context specific. Because T cells are very sensitive to the redox state of the microenvironment, and display a pattern of impaired activation under conditions of oxidative stress, we investigated the potential contribution of an oxidant dependent suppressive pathway on direct Treg mediated suppression of Teff in vitro using the antioxidant n-acetylcysteine (NAC) to block reactive oxidants. Methods: Tregs and Teff were derived from the spleens of 2–4 month old C57BL/6 mice maintained in pathogen free conditions. T cell subsets were isolated using magnetic bead based techniques. Purity was assessed by flow cytometry. For suppression assays, Tregs were co-cultured with CFSE-labeled Teff at the indicated ratios and stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 coated beads for 3 days. Proliferation was measured by flow cytometric evaluation of CFSE dilutional staining. Suppression was calculated by comparing proliferation of Teff cultured alone to those co-cultured with Tregs (% suppression= 1 − Tregs:Teff/Teff alone). In other experiments, CFSE-labeled Teff were cultured alone in the indicated conditions with TGF-beta +/− NAC and proliferation was assessed by CFSE staining. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by flow cytometry using the redox sensitive cell permeable indicator dye 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, acetyl ester (DCFDA). Results: The presence of NAC prevented Treg suppression of Teff in a dose dependent fashion at Treg:Teff ratios of 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1 (see figure). Suppression was significantly decreased at 0.1mM NAC (p<0.05 at 1:1; p<0.01 at 2:1) and essentially absent at 1mM NAC. Proliferation of Teff was markedly higher in the setting of 1mM NAC compared to conditions without NAC, even during co-culture with Tregs at a 2:1 ratio of Tregs:Teff. Treg suppression of Teff proliferation was dependent on TGF-beta as neutralizing antibodies reversed the effect (p<0.001). The presence of NAC was sufficient to overcome the suppressive effects of exogenous TGF-beta on CD3/CD28 stimulated Teff proliferation. Treatment of CD3/CD28 stimulated Teff with TGFbeta resulted in a significant dose dependent increase in the levels of intracellular ROS (p<0.0001 at 10ng/mL TGF-beta) that inversely correlated with the degree of proliferation. Conclusion: NAC blocks Treg mediated TGF-beta dependent suppression in vitro. This suggests that TGF-beta may function to suppress proliferation of Teff via a ROS dependent mechanism and raises the possibility that targeted delivery of antioxidants may have clinical utility for modulating the effects of Tregs in vivo. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Sunitinib Exerts In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity on Sarcomas via Dendritic Cells and Synergizes With PD-1 Blockade

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2021.577766 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Darina Ocadlikova ◽

Mariangela Lecciso ◽

Javier Martin Broto ◽

Katia Scotlandi ◽

Michele Cavo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Flow Cytometry ◽

T Cells ◽

Dendritic Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Effector T Cells ◽

Sarcoma Cell ◽

Ifn Γ ◽

Sarcoma Cells

BackgroundHigh-grade sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of aggressive tumors arising in bone and soft tissues. After relapse, treatment options are limited. The multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) sunitinib and inhibitor of PD-1 (anti-PD-1) nivolumab have shown antitumor activity in selected subtypes. In this study, we examine the role of TKIs and PD-1 based therapy in in vitro cocultures of sarcoma.MethodsThe human osteosarcoma (SaOS-2) and synovial sarcoma (SYO-1) cell lines were treated with sunitinib. After cell death and proliferation assessment, expression of PD-L1 was analyzed by flow cytometry. Sunitinib-treated sarcoma cells were cocultured with dendritic cells (DCs), and the phenotype of mature DCs was determined by flow cytometry. Mature DCs were cultured with autologous T cells. PD-1 expression on T cells, their proliferation, T regulatory cell (Tregs) induction and IFN-γ production, before and after nivolumab exposure, were analyzed.ResultsAlong with its anti-proliferative and direct pro-apoptotic effect on sarcoma cell lines, sunitinib prompted PD-L1 upregulation on sarcoma cells. Interestingly, sunitinib-treated sarcoma cells drive DCs to full maturation and increase their capacity to induce sarcoma-reactive T cells to produce IFN-γ. Conversely, no effect on T cell proliferation and T cell subpopulation composition was observed. Moreover, both bone and synovial sarcoma cell lines induced Tregs through DCs but sunitinib treatment completely abrogated Treg induction. Finally, sarcoma cell lines induced PD-1 upregulation on both effector T cells and Tregs when loaded into DCs, providing a rationale for using PD-1 blockade. Indeed, PD-1 blockade by nivolumab synergized with sunitinib in inducing IFN-γ-producing effector T cells.ConclusionsTaken together, our in vitro data indicate that the treatment of sarcoma cells with sunitinib can exert significant changes on immune cell subsets toward immune activation, leading to DC-based cross-priming of IFN-γ-producing effector T cells and reduced Treg induction. PD-1 blockade with nivolumab has a synergistic effect with sunitinib, supporting the use of TKI and anti-PD-1 approach in sarcomas, and perhaps in other cancers. DC-targeted drugs, including toll-like receptor 3 inhibitors and CD47 inhibitors, are under development and our preclinical model might help to better design their clinical application.

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Massive, Clinical Grade Expansion Of Polyclonal T Cells Using Blinatumomab For Adoptive Autologous Cellular Therapy Of CLL Patients

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.3272.3272 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. 3272-3272 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Josée Golay ◽

Anna D’amico ◽

Gianmaria Borleri ◽

Maria Chiara Finazzi ◽

Giulia Quaresmini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Flow Cytometry ◽

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

B Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

T Cell Subsets ◽

Th2 Cells ◽

Adoptive Therapy ◽

Specific Patient

Abstract Background The combined use of chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies has proved highly effective for the treatment of CLL but often results in severe life threatening immunosuppression. The development of adoptive therapy with autologous T cells could be clinically relevant to overcome these problems. Methods We have devised a novel, simple and efficient method for ex vivo expansion of normal autologous T cells from the peripheral blood of CLL patients for adoptive therapy, using blinatumomab (CD3xCD19) and rhIL-2 in serum-free medium. The complete phenotype of in vitro expanded T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry and their cytotoxic activity by calcein release assays. Results We performed 18 expansions of T cells, starting from a very small volume of peripheral blood from untreated CLL patients (mean 10.3 ml, range 2-30 ml) that contained a mean of 9.2x106 T cells (range 0.4 to 51x106)(Fig.1). This method allowed reproducible expansion in about 21 days of a mean 410x106 CD3+ T cells (range 71 to 2184x106). The mean fold expansion of T cells in about 3 weeks of in vitro culture was 224 (range 4.4-1326). The only significant contaminant in final Blinatumomab Expanded T cell cultures (BET) were NK cells (mean 18.5%). Indeed addition of blinatumomab and rhIL-2 to the cultures led to a rapid decrease in CLL B cells, which took place from days 7 to 14 onwards and resulted in their complete depletion within 3 weeks (mean 0.2% CLL B cells at days 18-25). Only in one case, a significant percentage of CLL B cells could be observed at the end of culture, but this was due to the particularly high percentage neoplastic cells in the starting population in this patient (98%), resulting in relatively late depletion of these cells, which took place between days 14 and 21, and therefore remained detectable in this case at day 24 (3.8% CLL B cells at day 24). Despite the very low percentage of starting T cells in this specific patient (1.2%), 152x106 T cells could be obtained, equivalent to a 42 fold expansion. In the 18 expansions performed, the resulting BET cells contained both CD4+ and CD8+ cells in varying proportions (median 46.2% and 44.4% respectively). Only in two cases the final product was composed predominantly of CD4+ cells (95%). Expanded T cells were polyclonal, as shown by TCR Vβ expression which was within the normal range by flow cytometry. Indeed CMV specific clones, detected by CMV peptide (pp65495-503)-loaded HLA-A*0201 tetramer, were expanded using this method and detected in equivalent proportion before and after expansion. Final T cells were composed predominantly of the effector and central memory subsets. Th1 were slightly prevalent over Th2 cells (means 20% and 10%, respectively), whereas Th17 and Treg were less than 1%. Since CLL derived T cells have been shown previously to have enhanced expression of the synapse regulators CD272 and CD279 compared to normal T cells, leading to impaired immunological synapse formation, we have analyzed these markers in both starting and BET cells from 4 patients. We observed that CD272 and CD279 diminished in BET compared to the starting CLL T populations (from 73% to 19% and 61% to 18%, respectively). These data suggest that stimulation and expansion with blinatumomab and rhIL-2 has normalized expression of these regulators on CLL T cells. Indeed BET were highly cytotoxic against CD19+ targets cell lines or primary CLL cells, with 70-90% lysis at a 3:1 effector target ratio in presence of blinatumomab. Finally BET were compared to Xcellerated cells expanded using anti-CD3/CD28 Dynabeads and rhIL-2. The expansion protocols using either blinatumomab or anti-CD3/CD28 Dynabeads showed equivalent efficiency and comparable cell composition at the end of culture. Further comparison of the T cell subsets present in BET or CD3/CD28 cultures is in progress. Conclusions These data altogether suggest that the use of blinatumomab and rhIL-2 provides a reproducible, simple and GMP-compliant protocol, allowing expansion of large numbers of autologous polyclonal T cells depleted of CLL cells, from relatively small volumes of peripheral blood from CLL patients. This approach is an attractive option for adoptive therapy in these patients after immunosuppressive treatments. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Mast cells counteract regulatory T-cell suppression through interleukin-6 and OX40/OX40L axis toward Th17-cell differentiation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2009-05-220004 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (13) ◽

pp. 2639-2648 ◽

Cited By ~ 125

Author(s):

Silvia Piconese ◽

Giorgia Gri ◽

Claudio Tripodo ◽

Silvia Musio ◽

Andrea Gorzanelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Mast Cells ◽

Interleukin 6 ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Effector T Cells ◽

Treg Suppression

Abstract The development of inflammatory diseases implies inactivation of regulatory T (Treg) cells through mechanisms that still are largely unknown. Here we showed that mast cells (MCs), an early source of inflammatory mediators, are able to counteract Treg inhibition over effector T cells. To gain insight into the molecules involved in their interplay, we set up an in vitro system in which all 3 cellular components were put in contact. Reversal of Treg suppression required T cell–derived interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the OX40/OX40L axis. In the presence of activated MCs, concomitant abundance of IL-6 and paucity of Th1/Th2 cytokines skewed Tregs and effector T cells into IL-17–producing T cells (Th17). In vivo analysis of lymph nodes hosting T-cell priming in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis revealed activated MCs, Tregs, and Th17 cells displaying tight spatial interactions, further supporting the occurrence of an MC-mediated inhibition of Treg suppression in the establishment of Th17-mediated inflammatory responses.

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Endothelial Cell Dysfunction Is Involved in the Progression of Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-147663 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 3668-3668

Author(s):

Tong Xing ◽

Zhong-Shi Lyu ◽

Cai-Wen Duan ◽

Qi Wen ◽

Hong-Yan Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Flow Cytometry ◽

T Cells ◽

Endothelial Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Myelodysplastic Syndromes ◽

T Cell Subsets ◽

Leukemia Cells ◽

Rna Seq

Abstract Background: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of heterogeneous myeloid clonal disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, refractory anemia, and a tendency to transform to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Ineffective hematopoiesis progression and immune deregulation are dominating pathophysiological process of MDS. Emerging evidences showed the role of bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in MDS. In MDS murine model, integral BM microenvironment contributes to inferior hematopoietic function and disease progression. As an important component of BM microenvironment, the relationship between endothelial cells (ECs) and MDS progression remains largely unknown. Although ECs from MDS patients have been identified to have decreased supporting ability to normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the supporting ability of ECs in different clinical stages of MDS remains to be elucidated. In addition, the role of BM ECs from MDS patients in supporting leukemia cells and their immunomodulatory ability remains unclear. Aims: To determine the number and functions of BM ECs in different subtypes of MDS patients. Moreover, to explore the correlation between BM ECs and MDS progression, which may represent a potential therapeutic target for MDS patients. Methods: In the prospective cohort study, patients with multilineage dysplasia (MDS-MLD, N=15), MDS with excess blasts (MDS-EB, N=15), or AML(N=15) and healthy donors (HD, N=15) were enrolled. BM ECs were analyzed in HD and patients by flow cytometry and in situ histological analyses. The functions of BM ECs were analyzed by migration, angiogenesis capacities, levels of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). To evaluate the supporting abilities of BM ECs on HSCs, leukemia cells and T cells, in vitro co-culture strategies were used. The levels of apoptosis, ROS and colony-forming unit-plating (CFU) efficiency of CD34+ and HL-60 cells were investigated. T cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry as previously reported. To further investigate the underlying mechanism of dysfunctional ECs, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analyses and real time-PCR (qRT-PCR) were performed in BM ECs from HD and MDS patients with different subtypes. Results: In the current study, gradually increased BM ECs were observed from MDS-MLD, MDS-EB to AML patients. Furthermore, dysfunctional BM ECs were found with MDS progression, characterized by increased levels of migration, angiogenesis capacities, apoptosis and ROS. More importantly, BM ECs from MDS patients exhibited decreased supporting ability of HSCs whereas increased supporting ability of leukemia cells in vitro with MDS progression. After coculture with ECs, levels of apoptosis and ROS in CD34+ cells were increased whereas their CFU efficiency reduced. On the other hand, levels of apoptosis and ROS of HL-60 cells were decreased. The proliferation capacity and leukemia CFU efficiency of HL-60 cells after co-cultured with ECs were enhanced with MDS progression. Furthermore, following coculture with BM ECs, deregulated differentiation was demonstrated in T cell subsets, characterized by elevating proportion of Th2 and Treg and decreasing proportion of Th1 and Th17 with MDS progression. RNA-Seq showed that the expression profile of BM ECs from MDS-EB was closer to MDS-MLD, whereas that of MDS-EB was closer to AML. Different gene expression profiles indicated the expression of hematopoiesis and immune related genes increased in BM ECs with MDS progression. Mechanistically, the mRNA levels of CX CL12, SCF and NFKB of ECs were increased with MDS progression. Summary/Conclusion: In summary, the number of BM ECs gradually increased, BM EC dysfunction more and more severe, and the supporting abilities of BM ECs on HSCs decreased, whereas on leukemia cells increased with MDS progression. Moreover, ECs regulated the differentiation of T cells into immune tolerant cells with MDS progression. Although further validation is required, these findings indicated that the improvement of BM ECs may represent a potential therapeutic approach for MDS patients. Keywords: Myelodysplastic syndromes, endothelial cells, disease progression, ineffective hematopoiesis, immune deregulation Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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795 APVO603: a dual 4-1BB and OX40 bispecific approach utilizing ADAPTIRTM technology designed to deliver a conditional T cell/NK response against solid tumors

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer ◽

10.1136/jitc-2021-sitc2021.795 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽

pp. A830-A830

Author(s):

Michelle Nelson ◽

Ashly Lucas ◽

Rebecca Gottschalk ◽

Catherine McMahan ◽

Jane Gross ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Solid Tumors ◽

Tumor Cells ◽

Bispecific Antibody ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

T Cell Subsets ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Dose Dependent

BackgroundAPVO603 is a dual targeting bispecific antibody for 4-1BB (CD137) and OX40 (CD134), engineered with Aptevo's ADAPTIRTM technology. We have previously shown that the distinct characteristics of APVO603 may enable conditional agonism of 4-1BB and OX40 only when cross-linked through engagement of the other receptor via cis and/or trans cellular interactions. Thus, APVO603 is designed with the potential to overcome both the on-target toxicity and limited efficacy observed with 4-1BB and OX40 monoclonal antibody treatment in the clinic.MethodsGenevestigator Software was used to analyze curated transcriptomic data for the expression profiles of OX40 and 4-1BB across select human heme and solid cancer patient sample data sets, as well as, non diseased tissue. Primary inducible Treg (iTreg) cells were sub-optimally stimulated with an anti-CD3/CD28 antibody and cell proliferation was assessed using CFSE-labelled. Cytokines were measured using intracellular flow-based methods. For in vitro tumor lysis studies, activated T cells were co-cultured with Nuclight-labelled tumor cells expressing a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) and activated with TAA x CD3 bispecific protein. Live tumor cells were continually assessed using the Incucyte Live-Cell Analysis System and Cell-By-Cell Software Module.ResultsOX40 and 4-1BB displayed distinct tumor expression profiles, however, several tumor indications were identified with high co-expression and may aid in identifying indications for the clinical development of APVO603. In vitro, APVO603 favored activation of effector T cell subsets and had minimal impact in augmenting iTreg cells proliferation, cytokine production or expression of effector-related molecules, despite the fact that a portion of the iTreg cells expressed OX40 and 4-1BB. The mechanistic activity of APVO603 resulted in dose-dependent control of in vitro tumor growth when paired with a T-cell activating TAA x CD3 bispecific under standard conditions or those leading to T cell exhaustion. In preclinical assays using PBMCs sub-optimally stimulated with TAA x CD3, APVO603 enhanced TAA-expressing tumor cell lysis when compared to TAA x CD3 alone.ConclusionsAPVO603 is a dual-agonistic bispecific antibody that augments the effector function of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and NK cells, but not iTreg cells, in a dose-dependent manner and reduces growth of tumors in vitro and in vivo. Further, mechanistic evaluation supports the ability of APVO603 to pair with T-cell modulating IO approaches to support a more fit T cell response and favorable TME. This preclinical data supports further development of APVO603, a promising immuno-oncology therapeutic with potential for benefit in hematologic and solid tumors.

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696 Brentuximab vedotin, a CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate, selectively depletes activated Tregs in vitro and in vivo

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer ◽

10.1136/jitc-2020-sitc2020.0696 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽

pp. A738-A738

Author(s):

Bryan Grogan ◽

Reice James ◽

Michelle Ulrich ◽

Shyra Gardai ◽

Ryan Heiser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Efflux Pump ◽

Apoptotic Cell ◽

T Cell Subsets ◽

Memory Cells ◽

Antibody Drug Conjugate ◽

Selective Depletion

BackgroundRegulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in maintaining immune homeostasis, preventing excessive inflammation in normal tissues. In cancer, Tregs hamper anti-tumor immunosurveillance and facilitate immune evasion. Selective targeting of intratumoral Tregs is a potentially promising treatment approach. Orthogonal evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in solid tumors in mice and humans have identified CCR8, and several tumor necrosis family receptors (TNFRs), including TNFSFR8 (CD30), as receptors differentially upregulated on intratumoral Tregs compared to normal tissue Tregs and other intratumoral T cells, making these intriguing therapeutic targets.Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is approved for classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) across multiple lines of therapy including frontline use in stage III/IV cHL in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine. BV is also approved for certain CD30-expressing T-cell lymphomas. BV is comprised of a CD30-directed monoclonal antibody conjugated to the highly potent microtubule-disrupting agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE).The activity of BV in lymphomas is thought to primarily result from tumor directed intracellular MMAE release, leading to mitotic arrest and apoptotic cell death.The role CD30 plays in normal immune function is unclear, with both costimulatory and proapoptotic roles described. CD30 is transiently upregulated following activation of memory T cells and expression has been linked to highly activated/suppressive IRF4+ effector Tregs.MethodsHere we evaluated the activity of BV on CD30-expressing T cell subsets in vitro and in vivo.ResultsTreatment of enriched T cell subsets with clinically relevant concentrations of BV drove selective depletion of CD30-expressing Tregs > CD30-expressingCD4+ T memory cells, with minimal effects on CD30-expressing CD8+ T memory cells. In a humanized xeno-GVHD model, treatment with BV selectively depleted Tregs resulting in accelerated wasting and robust T cell expansion. The observed differential activity on Tregs is likely attributable to significant increases in CD30 expression and reduced efflux pump activity relative to other T cell subsets. Interestingly, blockade of CD25 signaling prevents CD30 expression on T cell subsets without impacting proliferation, suggesting a link between CD25, the high affinity IL-2 receptor, and CD30 expression.ConclusionsTogether, these data suggest that BV may have an immunomodulatory effect through selective depletion of highly suppressive CD30-expressing Tregs.AcknowledgementsThe authors would like to thank Michael Harrison, PharmD for their assistance in abstract preparation.Ethics ApprovalAnimals studies were approved by and conducted in accordance with Seattle Genetics Institutional Care and Use Committee protocol #SGE-024.

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Quantitative assessment of the pool size and subset distribution of cytolytic T lymphocytes within human resting or alloactivated peripheral blood T cell populations.

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.158.2.571 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 158 (2) ◽

pp. 571-585 ◽

Cited By ~ 84

Author(s):

A Moretta ◽

G Pantaleo ◽

L Moretta ◽

M C Mingari ◽

J C Cerottini

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

T Lymphocytes ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Great Majority ◽

T Cell Subsets ◽

Cytolytic T Lymphocytes ◽

Subset Distribution

In order to directly assess the distribution of cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) and their precursors (CTL-P) in the two major subsets of human T cells, we have used limiting dilution microculture systems to determine their frequencies. The two subsets were defined according to their reactivity (or lack thereof) with B9.4 monoclonal antibody (the specificity of which is similar, if not identical, to that of Leu 2b monoclonal antibody). Both B9+ and B9- cells obtained by sorting peripheral blood resting T cells using the fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) were assayed for total CTL-P frequencies in a microculture system that allows clonal growth of every T cell. As assessed by a lectin-dependent assay, approximately 30% of peripheral blood T cells were CTP-P. In the B9+ subset (which represents 20-30% of all T cells), the CTL-P frequency was close to 100%, whereas the B9- subset had a 25-fold lower CTL-P frequency. It is thus evident that 90% and 10% of the total CTL-P in peripheral blood are confined to the B9+ or B9- T cell subsets, respectively. Analysis of the subset distribution of CTL-P directed against a given set of alloantigens confirmed these findings. CTL-P frequencies were also determined in B9+ and B9- subsets derived from T cells that had been activated in allogenic mixed leucocyte cultures (MLC). Approximately 10% of MLC T cells were CTL-P. This frequency was increased 3.5-fold in the B9+ subset, whereas the B9- subset contained only a small, although detectable number of CTL-P. Moreover, the great majority of the (operationally defined) CTL-P in MLC T cell population were found to be directed against the stimulating alloantigens, thus indicating a dramatic increase in specific CTL-P frequencies following in vitro stimulation in bulk cultures.

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109 Dominant-negative TGFβ receptor 2 enhances GPC3-targeting CAR-T cell efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer ◽

10.1136/jitc-2020-sitc2020.0109 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽

pp. A121-A121

Author(s):

Nina Chu ◽

Michael Overstreet ◽

Ryan Gilbreth ◽

Lori Clarke ◽

Christina Gesse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Flow Cytometry ◽

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Dominant Negative ◽

Car T Cells ◽

Car T Cell ◽

Car T

BackgroundChimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are engineered synthetic receptors that reprogram T cell specificity and function against a given antigen. Autologous CAR-T cell therapy has demonstrated potent efficacy against various hematological malignancies, but has yielded limited success against solid cancers. MEDI7028 is a CAR that targets oncofetal antigen glypican-3 (GPC3), which is expressed in 70–90% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but not in normal liver tissue. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) secretion is increased in advanced HCC, which creates an immunosuppressive milieu and facilitates cancer progression and poor prognosis. We tested whether the anti-tumor efficacy of a GPC3 CAR-T can be enhanced with the co-expression of dominant-negative TGFβRII (TGFβRIIDN).MethodsPrimary human T cells were lentivirally transduced to express GPC3 CAR both with and without TGFβRIIDN. Western blot and flow cytometry were performed on purified CAR-T cells to assess modulation of pathways and immune phenotypes driven by TGFβ in vitro. A xenograft model of human HCC cell line overexpressing TGFβ in immunodeficient mice was used to investigate the in vivo efficacy of TGFβRIIDN armored and unarmored CAR-T. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte populations were analyzed by flow cytometry while serum cytokine levels were quantified with ELISA.ResultsArmoring GPC3 CAR-T with TGFβRIIDN nearly abolished phospho-SMAD2/3 expression upon exposure to recombinant human TGFβ in vitro, indicating that the TGFβ signaling axis was successfully blocked by expression of the dominant-negative receptor. Additionally, expression of TGFβRIIDN suppressed TGFβ-driven CD103 upregulation, further demonstrating attenuation of the pathway by this armoring strategy. In vivo, the TGFβRIIDN armored CAR-T achieved superior tumor regression and delayed tumor regrowth compared to the unarmored CAR-T. The armored CAR-T cells infiltrated HCC tumors more abundantly than their unarmored counterparts, and were phenotypically less exhausted and less differentiated. In line with these observations, we detected significantly more interferon gamma (IFNγ) at peak response and decreased alpha-fetoprotein in the serum of mice treated with armored cells compared to mice receiving unarmored CAR-T, demonstrating in vivo functional superiority of TGFβRIIDN armored CAR-T therapy.ConclusionsArmoring GPC3 CAR-T with TGFβRIIDN abrogates the signaling of TGFβ in vitro and enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of GPC3 CAR-T against TGFβ-expressing HCC tumors in vivo, proving TGFβRIIDN to be an effective armoring strategy against TGFβ-expressing solid malignancies in preclinical models.Ethics ApprovalThe study was approved by AstraZeneca’s Ethics Board and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

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Abstract 424: Effector T Cells Induce Cardiac Fibroblasts Transition to Myofibroblasts & Contribute to Pressure Overload Induced Cardiac Fibrosis

Circulation Research ◽

10.1161/res.119.suppl_1.424 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 119 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Tania A Nevers ◽

Ane Salvador ◽

Francisco Velazquez ◽

Mark Aronovitz ◽

Robert Blanton

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Cardiac Fibrosis ◽

Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽

Pressure Overload ◽

Effector T Cells ◽

T Cell Subsets ◽

Naive T Cells ◽

Effector T Cell ◽

Naïve T Cells

Background: Cardiac fibrogenesis is a major pathogenic factor that occurs in heart failure (HF) and results in contractile dysfunction and ventricular dilation. Recently, we showed that T cell deficient mice (TCRα -/- ) do not develop cardiac fibrosis (CF) and have preserved cardiac function in the thoracic aortic constriction (TAC) mouse model of pressure overload (PO). Specifically, CD4 + T cells are activated in the cardiac draining lymph nodes and infiltrate the LV, where the Th1 and Th17 effector T cell signature transcription factors are significantly upregulated as compared with control mice. However, the T cell subsets involved and the mechanisms by which they contribute to CF and pathogenesis of non-ischemic HF remains to be determined. Thus, we hypothesize that heart infiltrated effector T cells perpetuate the fibrotic response by regulating the differentiation and activation of extracellular matrix-producing cardiac myofibroblasts. Methods and Results: Naïve or effector T cells differentiated in vitro or isolated from mice undergoing TAC or Sham surgery were co-cultured with adult C57BL/6 cardiac fibroblasts (CFB). In contrast with naïve T cells, effector T cells and PO activated T cells strongly adhered to CFB and mediated fibroblast to myofibroblasts transition as depicted by immunofluorescence expression of SMAα. Effector T cell supernatants only slightly mediated this transition, indicating that effector T cells direct contact with CFB, rather than cytokine release is required to mediate CFB transformation. Adoptive transfer of effector, but not naïve T cells, into TCRα -/- recipient mice in the onset of TAC resulted in T cells infiltration into the left ventricle and increased CF. Conclusions: Our data indicate that CD4+ effector T cells directly interact with CFB to induce CF in response to PO induced CF. Future studies will determine the adhesion mechanisms regulating this crosstalk and evaluate the pro-fibrotic mechanisms induced and whether this is a T effector cell specific subset. These results will provide an attractive tool to counteract the inflammatory/fibrotic process as an alternative option for the treatment of CF in non- ischemic HF.

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