scholarly journals FlowCT for the analysis of large immunophenotypic datasets and biomarker discovery in cancer immunology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cirino Botta ◽  
Catarina Da Silva Maia ◽  
Juan-José Garcés ◽  
Rosalinda Termini ◽  
Cristina Perez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Biomarker Discovery ◽  
Immune Monitoring ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Multidimensional Data ◽  
Modeling Tools ◽  
Immune Biomarkers

Large-scale immune monitoring is becoming routinely used in clinical trials to identify determinants of treatment responsiveness, particularly to immunotherapies. Flow cytometry remains one of the most versatile and high throughput approaches for single-cell analysis; however, manual interpretation of multidimensional data poses a challenge to capture full cellular diversity and provide reproducible results. We present FlowCT, a semi-automated workspace empowered to analyze large datasets that includes pre-processing, normalization, multiple dimensionality reduction techniques, automated clustering and predictive modeling tools. As a proof of concept, we used FlowCT to compare the T cell compartment in bone marrow (BM) vs peripheral blood (PB) of patients with smoldering multiple myeloma (MM); identify minimally-invasive immune biomarkers of progression from smoldering to active MM; define prognostic T cell subsets in the BM of patients with active MM after treatment intensification; and assess the longitudinal effect of maintenance therapy in BM T cells. A total of 354 samples were analyzed and immune signatures predictive of malignant transformation in 150 smoldering MM patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.7; P <.001), and of progression-free (HR: 4.09; P <.0001) and overall survival (HR: 3.12; P =.047) in 100 active MM patients, were identified. New data also emerged about stem cell memory T cells, the concordance between immune profiles in BM vs PB and the immunomodulatory effect of maintenance therapy. FlowCT is a new open-source computational approach that can be readily implemented by research laboratories to perform quality-control, analyze high-dimensional data, unveil cellular diversity and objectively identify biomarkers in large immune monitoring studies.

scholarly journals One naive T cell, multiple fates in CD8+ T cell differentiation

2010 ◽  
Vol 207 (6) ◽  
pp. 1235-1246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Gerlach ◽  
Jeroen W.J. van Heijst ◽  
Erwin Swart ◽  
Daoud Sie ◽  
Nicola Armstrong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Naive T Cells ◽  
Memory T Cell ◽  
Naïve T Cells ◽  
Large Scale Assessment

The mechanism by which the immune system produces effector and memory T cells is largely unclear. To allow a large-scale assessment of the development of single naive T cells into different subsets, we have developed a technology that introduces unique genetic tags (barcodes) into naive T cells. By comparing the barcodes present in antigen-specific effector and memory T cell populations in systemic and local infection models, at different anatomical sites, and for TCR–pMHC interactions of different avidities, we demonstrate that under all conditions tested, individual naive T cells yield both effector and memory CD8+ T cell progeny. This indicates that effector and memory fate decisions are not determined by the nature of the priming antigen-presenting cell or the time of T cell priming. Instead, for both low and high avidity T cells, individual naive T cells have multiple fates and can differentiate into effector and memory T cell subsets.

Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) and T/NK Cell Dynamics during Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide Plus Rituximab (FCR) Followed by Fludarabine Plus Rituximab (FR) and Remission Maintenance Therapy with Rituximab in Previously Untreated B-Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (B-CLL): Riskfactor Stratification in the Chairos Study

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3175-3175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Egle ◽  
Lukas Weiss ◽  
Franz Gassner ◽  
Gudrun Russ ◽  
Lisa Pleyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Induction Treatment ◽  
Cell Dynamics ◽  
Mutation Status ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Rituximab Maintenance

Abstract Based on the efficacy of Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide plus Rituximab (FCR) as first-line therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), we conducted a non-randomized multi-center phase II trial with early brief intensive induction with FCR for 3 cycles followed by fludarabine/rituximab for 3 cycles. In addition patients received a 2 year 3-monthly rituximab maintenance regimen. The trial recruited 42 patients. Clinical baseline data, clinical response results and toxicity of a planned first interim analysis were reported previously (Egle et al, ASH 2007). We now present the data from flow cytometric minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring during the study in combination with the performed risk factor analyses and report on the findings of detailed analysis of T-cell and NK cell dynamics during the induction phase of the trial. From the previously reported high number of CRs (94% after complete 6 cycle induction) 64% were MRD negative by flow cytometric definition (less than 10−3 G/L CLL cells). All non CR patients were correctly called as MRD positive. Less than 0.1 G/L CLL cells after 3 cycles of FCR identified all patients achieving MDR negativity after the complete induction regimen. CD30 risk, as well as age, FISH cytogenetic analysis and analysis of IgVH mutation status were analysed for their impact on MRD dynamics. We could not find any difference in MRD responses between CD38 high and low risk groups or between age groups (> and <65a). Neither did abberations found in FISH cytogenetics predict the MRD responses and all CLL patients harboring an 11q deletion achieved MRD negativity. Interestingly, we found the only predictive factor to be the IgVH mutation status with 15 unmutated CLL patients significantly less likely to achieve MRD negativity after induction treatment (p=0,025). Especially, three patients with rearranged IgVH 3–21 did poorly, suggesting that these patients may need a different therapeutic approach. Six months of Rituximab maintenance therapy were able to convert 37% of patients from MRD positive state after remission induction to a MRD negative state. T and NK cell numbers and ratios were followed during therapy. In addition T cell subsets and their CD38 expression status were analysed. While absolute T and NK/NKT cell numbers decreased dramatically during treatment (CD4 and CD8 cell numbers decreased to medians of less than 100/μl after 6 cycles of induction treatment), a count of less than 200 CD4 cells/μl after 3 cycles of FCR was found to be predictive of MRD negativity. In addition, we observed an earlier recovery of NK and NKT cells after the end of induction treatment leading to an inverted NK(T) to T cell ratio early during maintenance treatment. This may have implications for NK-dependent ADCC during rituximab maintenance therapy. Regarding the CD4 and CD8 compartment we observed in addition to the reduction in absolute numbers a marked shift of T cell subsets. Naïve T cells were more completely depleted by FCR/FR treatment than T cells from the memory compartment, with central memory (CM) CD4 cells increasing from a median of 49% to 79%. This was less pronounced in the CD8 compartment. CD38 expression on T cells was monitored, because our group found that this was predictive of CLL course (Tinhofer Blood 2006). Interestingly we found a marked increase of the proportional representation of CD38+ CD8 and CD4 T cells in the T cell compartment with a more pronounced effect observed in the CD8 compartment. CD8 T cell counts were also quicker to recover during rituximab maintenance therapy. While these data point to essential caveats regarding the immunosuppressive toxicity of the treatment, they may also point to a window of opportunity regarding the modification of T cell responses during the phase of immune reconstitution after FCR/FR therapy. In conclusion we find that only IgVH mutation status was predictive of achievement of MRD negativity and we could show significant skewing of T cell and NK(T) cell subsets during chemoimmunotherapy. A better understanding of these T/NK cell dynamics may lead to the development of improved targeting of the immune recovery phase after chemotherapy using immunomodulating maintenance strategies.

scholarly journals Successful immunotherapy induces previously unidentified allergen-specific CD4+ T-cell subsets

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (9) ◽  
pp. E1286-E1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. Ryan ◽  
Rachel Hovde ◽  
Jacob Glanville ◽  
Shu-Chen Lyu ◽  
Xuhuai Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Immune Monitoring ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
Cell Gene Expression ◽  
Sustained Success ◽  
T Cell Phenotypes ◽  
Successful Immunotherapy

Allergen immunotherapy can desensitize even subjects with potentially lethal allergies, but the changes induced in T cells that underpin successful immunotherapy remain poorly understood. In a cohort of peanut-allergic participants, we used allergen-specific T-cell sorting and single-cell gene expression to trace the transcriptional “roadmap” of individual CD4+ T cells throughout immunotherapy. We found that successful immunotherapy induces allergen-specific CD4+ T cells to expand and shift toward an “anergic” Th2 T-cell phenotype largely absent in both pretreatment participants and healthy controls. These findings show that sustained success, even after immunotherapy is withdrawn, is associated with the induction, expansion, and maintenance of immunotherapy-specific memory and naive T-cell phenotypes as early as 3 mo into immunotherapy. These results suggest an approach for immune monitoring participants undergoing immunotherapy to predict the success of future treatment and could have implications for immunotherapy targets in other diseases like cancer, autoimmune disease, and transplantation.

scholarly journals Are We Ready for the Use of Foxp3+Regulatory T Cells for Immunodiagnosis and Immunotherapy in Kidney Transplantation?

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Salcido-Ochoa ◽  
Nurhashikin Yusof ◽  
Susan Swee-Shan Hue ◽  
Doreen Haase ◽  
Terence Kee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Kidney Transplantation ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
Immune Monitoring ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Immunomodulatory Therapy ◽  
Transplant Patients ◽  
Phenotypic Characterisation ◽  
Research Findings

The existence of T-cell subsets naturally committed to perform immunoregulation has led to enthusiastic efforts to investigate their role in the immunopathogenesis of transplantation. Being able to modulate alloresponses, regulatory T cells could be used as an immunodiagnostic tool in clinical kidney transplantation. Thus, the measurement of Foxp3 transcripts, the presence of regulatory T cells in kidney biopsies, and the phenotypic characterisation of the T-cell infiltrate could aid in the diagnosis of rejection and the immune monitoring and prediction of outcomes in kidney transplantation. Interestingly, the adoptive transfer of regulatory T cells in animal models has been proven to downmodulate powerful alloresponses, igniting translational research on their potential use as an immunomodulatory therapy. For busy transplant clinicians, the vast amount of information in the literature on regulatory T cells can be overwhelming. This paper aims to highlight the most applicable research findings on the use of regulatory T cells in the immune diagnosis and potential immunomodulatory therapy of kidney transplant patients. However, can we yet rely on differential regulatory T-cell profiles for the identification of rejection or to tailor patient's immunosuppression? Are we ready to administer regulatory T cells as inductive or adjunctive therapy for kidney transplantation?

scholarly journals Traditional Thai Massage Promoted Immunity in the Elderly via Attenuation of Senescent CD4+ T Cell Subsets: A Randomized Crossover Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3210
Author(s):  
Kanda Sornkayasit ◽  
Amonrat Jumnainsong ◽  
Wisitsak Phoksawat ◽  
Wichai Eungpinichpong ◽  
Chanvit Leelayuwat
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Crossover Study ◽  
Intracellular Cytokine Staining ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
T Subsets ◽  
Randomized Crossover Study

The beneficial physiological effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) have been previously documented. However, its effect on immune status, particularly in the elderly, has not been explored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of multiple rounds of TTM on senescent CD4+ T cell subsets in the elderly. The study recruited 12 volunteers (61–75 years), with senescent CD4+ T cell subsets, who received six weekly 1-h TTM sessions or rest, using a randomized controlled crossover study with a 30-day washout period. Flow cytometry analysis of surface markers and intracellular cytokine staining was performed. TTM could attenuate the senescent CD4+ T cell subsets, especially in CD4+28null NKG2D+ T cells (n = 12; p < 0.001). The participants were allocated into two groups (low < 2.75% or high ≥ 2.75%) depending on the number of CD4+28null NKG2D+ T cells. After receiving TTM over 6 sessions, the cell population of the high group had significantly decreased (p < 0.001), but the low group had no significant changes. In conclusion, multiple rounds of TTM may promote immunity through the attenuation of aberrant CD4+ T subsets. TTM may be provided as a complementary therapy to improve the immune system in elderly populations.

scholarly journals 413 GEN-009, a personalized neoantigen vaccine, elicits robust immune responses in individuals with advanced or metastatic solid tumors

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A438-A438
Author(s):  
Mara Shainheit ◽  
Devin Champagne ◽  
Gabriella Santone ◽  
Syukri Shukor ◽  
Ece Bicak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
T Cell Responses ◽  
Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Cell Responses

BackgroundATLASTM is a cell-based bioassay that utilizes a cancer patient‘s own monocyte-derived dendritic cells and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to screen their mutanome and identify neoantigens that elicit robust anti-tumor T cell responses, as well as, deleterious InhibigensTM.1 GEN-009, a personalized vaccine comprised of 4–20 ATLAS-identified neoantigens combined with Hiltonol®, harnesses the power of neoantigen-specific T cells to treat individuals with solid tumors. The safety and efficacy of GEN-009 is being assessed in a phase 1/2a clinical trial (NCT03633110).MethodsA cohort of 15 adults with solid tumors were enrolled in the study. During the screening period, patients received standard of care PD-1-based immunotherapies appropriate for their tumor type. Subsequently, patients were immunized with GEN-009 with additional doses administered at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected at baseline, pre-vaccination (D1), as well as 29, 50, 92, and 176 days post first dose. Vaccine-induced immunogenicity and persistence were assessed by quantifying neoantigen-specific T cell responses in ex vivo and in vitro stimulation dual-analyte fluorospot assays. Polyfunctionality of neoantigen-specific T cells was evaluated by intracellular cytokine staining. Additionally, potential correlations between the ATLAS-identified profile and vaccine-induced immunogenicity were assessed.ResultsGEN-009 augmented T cell responses in 100% of evaluated patients, attributable to vaccine and not checkpoint blockade. Furthermore, neoantigen-induced secretion of IFNγ and/or TNFα by PBMCs, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells was observed in all patients. Responses were primarily from polyfunctional TEM cells and detectable in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Some patients had evidence of epitope spreading. Unique response patterns were observed for each patient with no apparent relationship between tumor types and time to emergence, magnitude or persistence of response. Ex vivo vaccine-induced immune responses were observed as early as 1 month, and in some cases, persisted for 176 days. Clinical efficacy possibly attributable to GEN-009 was observed in several patients, but no correlation has yet been identified with neoantigen number or magnitude of immune response.ConclusionsATLAS empirically identifies stimulatory neoantigens using the patient‘s own immune cells. GEN-009, which is comprised of personalized, ATLAS-identified neoantigens, elicits early, long-lasting and polyfunctional neoantigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in individuals with advanced cancer. Several patients achieved clinical responses that were possibly attributable to vaccine; efforts are underway to explore T cell correlates of protection. These data support that GEN-009, in combination with checkpoint blockade, represents a unique approach to treat solid tumors.AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to the patients and their families who consented to participate in the GEN-009-101 clinical trial.Trial RegistrationNCT03633110Ethics ApprovalThis study was approved by Western Institutional Review Board, approval number 1-1078861-1. All subjects contributing samples provided signed individual informed consent.ReferenceDeVault V, Starobinets H, Adhikari S, Singh S, Rinaldi S, Classon B, Flechtner J, Lam H. Inhibigens, personal neoantigens that drive suppressive T cell responses, abrogate protection of therapeutic anti-tumor vaccines. J. Immunol 2020; 204(1 Supplement):91.15.

scholarly journals The role of unconventional T cells in COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Orumaa ◽  
Margaret R. Dunne
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Γδ T Cells ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Viral Immunity ◽  
Mait Cells

AbstractCOVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It was first documented in late 2019, but within months, a worldwide pandemic was declared due to the easily transmissible nature of the virus. Research to date on the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 has focused largely on conventional B and T lymphocytes. This review examines the emerging role of unconventional T cell subsets, including γδ T cells, invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in human SARS-CoV-2 infection.Some of these T cell subsets have been shown to play protective roles in anti-viral immunity by suppressing viral replication and opsonising virions of SARS-CoV. Here, we explore whether unconventional T cells play a protective role in SARS-CoV-2 infection as well. Unconventional T cells are already under investigation as cell-based immunotherapies for cancer. We discuss the potential use of these cells as therapeutic agents in the COVID-19 setting. Due to the rapidly evolving situation presented by COVID-19, there is an urgent need to understand the pathogenesis of this disease and the mechanisms underlying its immune response. Through this, we may be able to better help those with severe cases and lower the mortality rate by devising more effective vaccines and novel treatment strategies.

scholarly journals Single-cell analysis reveals cell communication triggered by macrophages associated with the reduction and exhaustion of CD8+ T cells in COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei He ◽  
Quan Zhang ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Yixian Fan ◽  
Fahu Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Disease Group ◽  
Communication Analysis ◽  
Receptor Interactions

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) has become an ongoing pandemic. Understanding the respiratory immune microenvironment which is composed of multiple cell types, together with cell communication based on ligand–receptor interactions is important for developing vaccines, probing COVID-19 pathogenesis, and improving pandemic control measures. Methods A total of 102 consecutive hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled in this study. Clinical information, routine laboratory tests, and flow cytometry analysis data with different conditions were collected and assessed for predictive value in COVID-19 patients. Next, we analyzed public single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which offers the closest available view of immune cell heterogeneity as encountered in patients with varying severity of COVID-19. A weighting algorithm was used to calculate ligand–receptor interactions, revealing the communication potentially associated with outcomes across cell types. Finally, serum cytokines including IL6, IL1β, IL10, CXCL10, TNFα, GALECTIN-1, and IGF1 derived from patients were measured. Results Of the 102 COVID-19 patients, 42 cases (41.2%) were categorized as severe. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that AST, D-dimer, BUN, and WBC were considered as independent risk factors for the severity of COVID-19. T cell numbers including total T cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the severe disease group were significantly lower than those in the moderate disease group. The risk model containing the above mentioned inflammatory damage parameters, and the counts of T cells, with AUROCs ranged from 0.78 to 0.87. To investigate the molecular mechanism at the cellular level, we analyzed the published scRNA-seq data and found that macrophages displayed specific functional diversity after SARS-Cov-2 infection, and the metabolic pathway activities in the identified macrophage subtypes were influenced by hypoxia status. Importantly, we described ligand–receptor interactions that are related to COVID-19 serverity involving macrophages and T cell subsets by communication analysis. Conclusions Our study showed that macrophages driving ligand–receptor crosstalk contributed to the reduction and exhaustion of CD8+ T cells. The identified crucial cytokine panel, including IL6, IL1β, IL10, CXCL10, IGF1, and GALECTIN-1, may offer the selective targets to improve the efficacy of COVID-19 therapy. Trial registration: This is a retrospective observational study without a trial registration number.

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

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.

scholarly journals CD122-directed interleukin-2 treatment mechanisms in bladder cancer differ from αPD-L1 and include tissue-selective γδ T cell activation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e002051
Author(s):  
Ryan Michael Reyes ◽  
Yilun Deng ◽  
Deyi Zhang ◽  
Niannian Ji ◽  
Neelam Mukherjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Combination Treatment ◽  
Treatment Efficacy ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Γδ T Cells ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Γδ T Cell

BackgroundAnti-programmed death-ligand 1 (αPD-L1) immunotherapy is approved to treat bladder cancer (BC) but is effective in <30% of patients. Interleukin (IL)-2/αIL-2 complexes (IL-2c) that preferentially target IL-2 receptor β (CD122) augment CD8+ antitumor T cells known to improve αPD-L1 efficacy. We hypothesized that the tumor microenvironment, including local immune cells in primary versus metastatic BC, differentially affects immunotherapy responses and that IL-2c effects could differ from, and thus complement αPD-L1.MethodsWe studied mechanisms of IL-2c and αPD-L1 efficacy using PD-L1+ mouse BC cell lines MB49 and MBT-2 in orthotopic (bladder) and metastatic (lung) sites.ResultsIL-2c reduced orthotopic tumor burden and extended survival in MB49 and MBT-2 BC models, similar to αPD-L1. Using antibody-mediated cell depletions and genetically T cell-deficient mice, we unexpectedly found that CD8+ T cells were not necessary for IL-2c efficacy against tumors in bladder, whereas γδ T cells, not reported to contribute to αPD-L1 efficacy, were indispensable for IL-2c efficacy there. αPD-L1 responsiveness in bladder required conventional T cells as expected, but not γδ T cells, altogether defining distinct mechanisms for IL-2c and αPD-L1 efficacy. γδ T cells did not improve IL-2c treatment of subcutaneously challenged BC or orthotopic (peritoneal) ovarian cancer, consistent with tissue-specific and/or tumor-specific γδ T cell contributions to IL-2c efficacy. IL-2c significantly altered bladder intratumoral γδ T cell content, activation status, and specific γδ T cell subsets with antitumor or protumor effector functions. Neither IL-2c nor αPD-L1 alone treated lung metastatic MB49 or MBT-2 BC, but their combination improved survival in both models. Combination treatment efficacy in lungs required CD8+ T cells but not γδ T cells.ConclusionsMechanistic insights into differential IL-2c and αPD-L1 treatment and tissue-dependent effects could help develop rational combination treatment strategies to improve treatment efficacy in distinct cancers. These studies also provide insights into γδ T cell contributions to immunotherapy in bladder and engagement of adaptive immunity by IL-2c plus αPD-L1 to treat refractory lung metastases.

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