Tumor-infiltrating macrophages and dendritic cells in human colorectal cancer: relation to local regulatory T cells, systemic T-cell response against tumor-associated antigens and survival

Abstract Transfection of dendritic cells (DC) with in vitro transcribed RNA was shown to be a highly efficient method to generate antigen specific T cells, probably due to the induction of a polyclonal T cell response directed against multiple antigens presented on different HLA allels. However, the experimental evidence of this assumption remains to be demonstrated. To accomplish this, we used monocyte derived DC that were electroporated with RNA coding for the CMV pp65 antigen. The induction and expansion of antigen specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells was assessed using a pannel of peptides derived from this antigen and presented on HLA-A2, -A1, -A11, -A24, -B35 and -B7 in IFN-g ELISPOT, 51Cr-release and proliferation assays. Autologous DC generated from CMV positive healthy donors were pulsed with peptides or transfected with pp65 RNA and utilized as stimulators. Autologous purified CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes were used as effector cells. By applying this approach we found that transfection of DC with pp65 RNA induces an expansion of polyclonal CD8+ mediated T cell responses that recognized peptide antigens presented on different HLA molecules. These in vitro generated cytotoxic T cells were able to efficiently lyse DC pulsed with pp65 derived peptides or transfected with the cognate RNA in an antigen specific manner after several in vitro restimulations. Furthermore, this experimental approach allowed the identification of the immunodominace of T cell epitopes presented upon RNA transfection. The HLA-2 directed responses were more pronounced as compared to the HLA-A1, -A11, -A24 or -B35 allels. In contrast, in 7 out of 7 HLA-A2 and HLA-B7 positive donors B7-peptides elicited a stronger T cell response than the A2-peptide, indicating the immunodominance of HLA-B7 epitopes. Interestingly, transfection of DC with pp65 RNA resulted in the induction of CD4+ antigen specific T cells that produced IFN-g and proliferated upon stimulation with transfected DC. In the next set of experiments we analyzed the possible induction of CMV specific T cells that recognize epitopes deduced from different antigens. Co-transfection of DC with a mixture of RNAs coding for the CMV pp65 and IE1 antigens elicited polyclonal T lymphocytes specific for peptides derived from both antigens. More importantly, polyclonal cytotoxic T cells could be elicited in peripheral blood of 2 out of 3 CMV negative donors demonstrating the efficiency of this approach. Our results demonstrate that DC transfected with RNA can elicit polyclonal T cell responses and have implications for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies to target viral or tumor associated antigens.

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Generation of Leukemia-Derived Dendritic Cells (DCleu) as a Basis for Specific Immunotherapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v104.11.2547.2547 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (11) ◽

pp. 2547-2547

Author(s):

Helga Schmetzer ◽

Christoph Schmid ◽

Susanne Kufner ◽

Renate Pelka-Fleischer ◽

Tanja Kroell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Dendritic Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Cell Response ◽

T Cell Response ◽

Aberrant Expression ◽

Immune Phenotype ◽

Cytogenetic Aberrations ◽

Stimulation Of

Abstract The presentation of leukemic antigens can be improved in AML and MDS by in vitro generation of dendritic cells of leukemic origin (DCleu), thereby creating a platform for the generation of leukemia-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL). To further investigate this approach, we developed a serum-free culture system using MCM-Mimic medium (X-vivo + GM-GSF + IL-4 + FL + IL1β + IL-6 + TNFα + PGE2) for differentiation of malignant myeloid blasts to DCleu. Periperal blood mononuclear cells (PB-MNC) were obtained from 100 AML and 55 MDS-patients. Samples contained a mean of 59%/and 6% of blasts, respectively. After 14 days, cultures contained on average 34% (AML) and 20%(MDS) DC. DC yields were best in monocytic subtypes (AML M4, M5 and CMML). Cytogenetic aberrations of the leukemia had no influence. The leukemic origin of cultured DC was demonstrated using a acombined FISH/immune phenotyping assay (FISH/IPA): In cells showing a characteristic DC morphology and immune phenotype, FISH was used to detect specific cytogenetic aberrations identified in the leukemic population at time of diagnosis. Alternativly, DCleu were identified by detecting coexpression of DC markers and a leukemia-specific immune phenotype (as defined by aberrant expression of lineage markers or a characteristic CD34+/CD117+ phenotype in MDS). However, in most cases not all leukemic blasts in a given sample could be differentiated, since on average 47% of clonal cells did not acquire a DC-like immunophenotype. Vice versa, not all DC identified at the end of the culture period were DCleu. The capacity of DCleu to elicit a specific T-cell response was demonstrated by upregulation of contact-molecules, responsible for DC/T-cell contact, by DC-activated T-cell proliferation and by the capacity of DC-activated T-cells to specifically lyse naive blasts. In 6%/31% of AML/MDS-cases, <10% DC could be generated. Therefore, other DC-culture-assays were compared with respect to DC harvest, to identify the best method for DC-generation in each individual patient. Compared to `MCM-Mimic`, harvest of DC could be improved by `CA-Ionophore-media`(A23187 + Il4) in 4 of 7 cases, whereas in 3 cases, MCM led to higher DC-yields. In conclusion, DCleu can be generated in the majority of patients with AML and MDS. To optimize DC harvest for in vitro and in vivo use, different culture assays should be compared in each individual case. DCleu are able to elicit a specific T-cell response in vitro. Nevertheless, cultures containing DCleu also contain relevant numbers of undifferentiated blasts and DC of non-leukemic origin. These cells may represent an obstacle for the clinical use of DCleu, since they may cause specific anergy or unspecific stimulation of effector T-cells. Improvement of culture conditions for generation of DCleu, and methods to separate DCleu before stimulation of effector cells will be required, before clinical trials are feasible.

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Impact of Regulatory T Cells on Antigen Specific T Cell Response Using Recombinant Chimeric T Cell Receptors In Vivo.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.5475.5475 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 5475-5475

Author(s):

David M. Kofler ◽

Markus Chmielewski ◽

Heike Koehler ◽

Tobias Riet ◽

Patrick Schmidt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Regulatory T Cells ◽

Tumor Cells ◽

T Cell Receptors ◽

Cell Response ◽

Effector T Cells ◽

T Cell Response ◽

Cell Receptors

Abstract Recombinant T cell receptors with defined specificity against tumor cells are a promising experimental approach in the elimination of residual leukemia and lymphoma cells. It is so far unresolved whether regulatory T cells with suppressor activities impair the efficiency of cytolytic T cells grafted with a recombinant immunoreceptor. The frequency of regulatory T cells is highly increased in tumor patients and their suppressive function seems to play a role in the fail of an autologous T cell response against the malignant cells. In this study we analyzed the antigen-triggered, specific activation of receptor grafted T cells in the presence or absence of regulatory CD4+CD25high T cells. CD3+ T cells were grafted with CEA-specific immunoreceptors containing the CD3-zeta signaling domain for T cell activation. Co-cultivation of receptor grafted effector T cells together with regulatory T cells repressed proliferation of the effector cells and decreased IL-2 secretion. Secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-10 was not impaired. Interestingly, the cytotoxicity of grafted effector T cells towards CEA-expressing tumor cells was not impaired by regulatory T cells in vitro. To evaluate the relevance in vivo, we used a Crl:CD1 Nu/Nu mouse model to assess growth of CEA+ tumor cells in the presence of receptor grafted effector T cells and of regulatory T cells. Mice inoculated with tumor cells together with CD3+ effector T cells without immunoreceptor and regulatory T cells developed earlier tumors with faster growth kinetics compared to mice that were inoculated with tumor cells, CD3+ T cells and CD4+CD25- control T cells. Using effector T cells that were equipped with a recombinant CEA-specific CD3-zeta immunoreceptor, 2 of 5 mice developed a tumor in the presence of regulatory T cells while none of the mice developed a tumor in the absence of regulatory T cells. Taken together, regulatory T cells obviously impair an antigen-specific, anti-tumor T cell attack in vivo. This seems to be due to repression of proliferation of the effector T cells and not to diminished cytotoxicity. These findings have major impact on the design of clinical studies involving adoptively transferred effector T cells.

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Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-Specific CD4+ T Cells Are Polyfunctional and Can Respond to HCMV-Infected Dendritic Cells In Vitro

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.02128-16 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 91 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Sarah E. Jackson ◽

George X. Sedikides ◽

Gavin M. Mason ◽

Georgina Okecha ◽

Mark R. Wills

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Dendritic Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Human Cytomegalovirus ◽

Immune Cells ◽

Cell Response ◽

T Cell Response ◽

Cell Responses ◽

Infected Cells

ABSTRACT Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and periodic reactivation are generally well controlled by the HCMV-specific T cell response in healthy people. While the CD8+ T cell response to HCMV has been extensively studied, the HCMV-specific CD4+ T cell effector response is not as well understood, especially in the context of direct interactions with HCMV-infected cells. We screened the gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) responses to 6 HCMV peptide pools (pp65, pp71, IE1, IE2, gB, and US3, selected because they were the peptides most frequently responded to in our previous studies) in 84 donors aged 23 to 74 years. The HCMV-specific CD4+ T cell response to pp65, IE1, IE2, and gB was predominantly Th1 biased, with neither the loss nor the accumulation of these responses occurring with increasing age. A larger proportion of donors produced an IL-10 response to pp71 and US3, but the IFN-γ response was still dominant. CD4+ T cells specific to the HCMV proteins studied were predominantly effector memory cells and produced both cytotoxic (CD107a expression) and cytokine (macrophage inflammatory protein 1β secretion) effector responses. Importantly, when we measured the CD4+ T cell response to cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected dendritic cells in vitro, we observed that the CD4+ T cells produced a range of cytotoxic and secretory effector functions, despite the presence of CMV-encoded immune evasion molecules. CD4+ T cell responses to HCMV-infected dendritic cells were sufficient to control the dissemination of virus in an in vitro assay. Together, the results show that HCMV-specific CD4+ T cell responses, even those from elderly individuals, are highly functional and are directly antiviral. IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is carried for a lifetime and in healthy people is kept under control by the immune system. HCMV has evolved many mechanisms to evade the immune response, possibly explaining why the virus is never eliminated during the host's lifetime. The dysfunction of immune cells associated with the long-term carriage of HCMV has been linked with poor responses to new pathogens and vaccines when people are older. In this study, we investigated the response of a subset of immune cells (CD4+ T cells) to HCMV proteins in healthy donors of all ages, and we demonstrate that the functionality of CD4+ T cells is maintained. We also show that CD4+ T cells produce effector functions in response to HCMV-infected cells and can prevent virus spread. Our work demonstrates that these HCMV-specific immune cells retain many important functions and help to prevent deleterious HCMV disease in healthy older people.

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Mice Lacking Expression of the Chemokines Ccl21-Ser and Ccl19 (plt Mice) Demonstrate Delayed but Enhanced T Cell Immune Responses

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.193.2.207 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 193 (2) ◽

pp. 207-218 ◽

Cited By ~ 128

Author(s):

Shigeyuki Mori ◽

Hideki Nakano ◽

Kentaro Aritomi ◽

Chrong-Reen Wang ◽

Michael D. Gunn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Dendritic Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Cell Response ◽

T Cell Response ◽

Lymphoid Organs ◽

Cell Responses ◽

T Cell Immune Responses ◽

Secondary Lymphoid Organs

The paucity of lymph node T cells (plt) mutation leads to a loss of CCL21 and CCL19 expression in secondary lymphoid organs. plt mice have defects in the migration of naive T cells and activated dendritic cells into the T cell zones of lymphoid organs, suggesting that they would have defects in T cell immune responses. We now demonstrate T cell responses in plt mice are delayed but ultimately enhanced. Responses to contact sensitization are decreased at day 2 after priming but increased at day 6. After subcutaneous immunization, antigen-specific T cell proliferation and cytokine production in plt mice are increased and remain markedly elevated for at least 8 wk. Compared with wild-type mice, a proportion of T cell response in plt mice are shifted to the spleen, and prior splenectomy reduces the T cell response in draining lymph nodes. After immunization of plt mice, T cells and dendritic cells colocalize in the superficial cortex of lymph nodes and in splenic bridging channels, but not in T cell zones. These results demonstrate that plt mice mount robust T cell responses despite the failure of naive T cells and activated dendritic cells to enter the thymus dependent areas of secondary lymphoid organs.

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The effect of regulatory T cells on an age-altered specific CD8 T cell response following influenza infection

10.17918/etd-3346 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yolanda Williams-Bey

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Regulatory T Cells ◽

Cell Response ◽

Influenza Infection ◽

Cd8 T Cell ◽

T Cell Response

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