scholarly journals Tertiary Lymphoid Structures as a Predictive Biomarker of Response to Cancer Immunotherapies

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Trüb ◽  
Alfred Zippelius
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Tumour Response ◽  
Predictive Biomarker ◽  
Exciting Field ◽  
Inflammatory Conditions ◽  
Tertiary Lymphoid Structures ◽  
Lymphoid Structures ◽  
Cancer Immunotherapies

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are ectopic lymphoid formations which are formed under long-lasting inflammatory conditions, including tumours. TLS are composed predominantly of B cells, T cells and dendritic cells, and display various levels of organisation, from locally concentrated aggregates of immune cells, through clearly defined B cell follicles to mature follicles containing germinal centres. Their presence has been strongly associated with improved survival and clinical outcome upon cancer immunotherapies for patients with solid tumours, indicating potential for TLS to be used as a prognostic and predictive factor. Although signals involved in TLS generation and main cellular components of TLS have been extensively characterised, the exact mechanism by which TLS contribute to the anti-tumour response remain unclear. Here, we summarise the most recent development in our understanding of their role in cancer and in particular in the response to cancer immunotherapy. Deciphering the relationship between B cells and T cells found in TLS is a highly exciting field of investigation, with the potential to lead to novel, B-cell focused immunotherapies.

536 Divergent cancer etiologies drive distinct B cell signatures and tertiary lymphoid structures in head and neck cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A572-A572
Author(s):  
Ayana Ruffin ◽  
Anthony Cillo ◽  
Tracy Tabib ◽  
Angen Liu ◽  
Sayali Onkar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Germinal Center ◽  
Spectral Unmixing ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
Primary Tumors ◽  
Tertiary Lymphoid Structures ◽  
Lymphoid Structures

BackgroundCurrent FDA-approved immunotherapies aim to reinvigorate CD8+ T cells, but the contribution of the humoral arm of the immune response in human cancer remains poorly understood. B cells within tissues can mediate anti-tumor immunity and regulate immune responses by presenting antigen and producing tumor-specific antibodies and immunomodulatory cytokines. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) can be induced by human papillomavirus (HPV+) and carcinogens such as tobacco and alcohol (HPV-), and the immune infiltrate is quite distinct in the two etiologies, in particular, increased B cells in HPV+ HNSCC patients. Further, increased B cells in HNSCC patients correlate with improved patient survival. Our study seeks to differentiate B cell phenotype, function and location in HPV+ and HPV- HNSCC to identify putative B cell-centric immunotherapeutic targets.MethodsWe utilized a multi-level approach to clearly categorize B cells in HNSCC patients. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) was performed on CD45+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from HPV+ and HPV- HNSCC patients. HNSCC TIL and PBL were stained via spectral cytometry (Cytek Aurora,25 parameters) for unbiased analysis of B cell subsets via computational spectral unmixing. Paraffin embedded slides from HNSCC primary tumors were utilized for multispectral immunofluorescence (mIF) to identify tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and identify differences in HPV+ and HPV- disease.ResultsWe demonstrated distinct trajectories for B cells in HPV+ and HPV- disease. HPV- HNSCC tumors mainly contained memory B cells and plasma cells, while the B cells in HPV+ HNSCC were naïve and germinal center (GC). Further, we quantified B cells and CD4+ T cells in TLS, and germinal center-like TLS were associated with improved outcome in HPV+ disease. We also observed that transcriptional and protein expression of Semaphorin A (SEMA4a) was restricted to GC B cells and increased on GC B cells in HNSCC patients compared to healthy tonsils. Additionally, we identified distinct waves of gene expression in GC B cells in HNSCC tumors, ultimately revealing a novel transitional state for GC B cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME).ConclusionsUnderstanding B cell function in human cancers and how different TMEs influence B cells and TLS are important for devising novel therapeutic options for cancer patients. Ultimately, development of therapeutics to enhance B cell responses in the TME should be prioritized as a compliment to T-cell mediated therapies.

scholarly journals 47 Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in desmoplastic melanomas (DM) differ from non-DM-associated TLS by their intratumoral location and enhanced immune activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A54-A54
Author(s):  
Ileana Mauldin ◽  
Anne Stowman ◽  
Alexandra Hickman ◽  
Adela Mahmutovic ◽  
Alejandro Gru ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Immune Activity ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Tertiary Lymphoid Structures ◽  
Lymphoid Structures ◽  
Maturation State ◽  
Immunologic Activity

BackgroundTertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are ectopic lymphoid organs that are localized near tumors and other sites of inflammation, and are commonly believed to support antitumor immunity. We previously published studies that show that most desmoplastic melanomas contain TLS, and that TLS in cutaneous metastatic melanomas varied widely in maturation state, in proportions of proliferating T and B cells, and in markers of B cell function, including AID and CD21. Thus, we hypothesized that there may be diversity in TLS function, or immunologic activity, among melanomas. To address this hypothesis, we evaluated TLS in primary desmoplastic melanomas (DM), and non-desmoplastic melanomas (non-DM) for markers of cell proliferation which are indicative of early immune activity.MethodsDM and non-DM tumor specimens, which included primary melanomas (PM), and cutaneous metastatic melanomas (CMM), were evaluated for TLS by multiplex Immunofluorescence histology, by staining for CD20, CD8, PNAd, Ki67, FoxP3, and DAPI. Lymphoid aggregates were identified in 20x spectrally unmixed images by visual inspection and identified as TLS if possessing organized T-cell and B-cell regions in addition to high endothelial venule-like vasculature (PNAd+). TLS were identified in 30 out of 64 screened (48%) CMM, 4/4 non-DM PM, and 8 out of 11 screened (73%) DM. Immune cells localized in TLS were enumerated using Halo software (Indica Labs). Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical assessments.ResultsDM commonly contain a dense network of fibroblasts and associated stroma, which are not typical for other non-DM (PM and CMM). TLS in DM are located throughout the tumors, intratumorally, in sharp distinction from the peritumoral location of TLS in non-DM. Furthermore, when compared to TLS of non-DM (PM and CMM), TLS of DM contain increased densities of CD20+ B cells (PM p=0.007; CMM p<0.0001) and CD8+ T cells (PM p=0.017; CMM p=0.0006), and a higher proportion of proliferating (Ki67+) CD20+ B cells (PM p=0.04; CMM p=0.009).ConclusionsRecently published studies have identified tumor-associated fibroblasts as the likely initiating cells for TLS formation in murine melanomas. The intratumoral location of TLS in DM puts them in close proximity to the dense fibroblasts and desmoplastic stroma in these tumors, which may be responsible for their intratumoral location. The increased density of B and T cells, and higher proportion of proliferating (Ki67+) B cells, in DM than in non-DM, suggests that there may be greater immune activation, increased germinal center maturation, or less regulation in TLS of DM.Ethics ApprovalApproval was obtained for these studies under IRB protocol #’s 10598 and 19694.

scholarly journals Tertiary Lymphoid Structure-B Cells Narrow Regulatory T Cells Impact in Lung Cancer Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Germain ◽  
Priyanka Devi-Marulkar ◽  
Samantha Knockaert ◽  
Jérôme Biton ◽  
Hélène Kaplon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients ◽  
Lymphoid Structures ◽  
Immune Related Genes ◽  
Nsclc Patients

The presence of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in the tumor microenvironment is associated with better clinical outcome in many cancers. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we have previously showed that a high density of B cells within TLS (TLS-B cells) is positively correlated with tumor antigen-specific antibody responses and increased intratumor CD4+ T cell clonality. Here, we investigated the relationship between the presence of TLS-B cells and CD4+ T cell profile in NSCLC patients. The expression of immune-related genes and proteins on B cells and CD4+ T cells was analyzed according to their relationship to TLS-B density in a prospective cohort of 56 NSCLC patients. We observed that tumor-infiltrating T cells showed marked differences according to TLS-B cell presence, with higher percentages of naïve, central-memory, and activated CD4+ T cells and lower percentages of both immune checkpoint (ICP)-expressing CD4+ T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the TLS-Bhigh tumors. A retrospective study of 538 untreated NSCLC patients showed that high TLS-B cell density was even able to counterbalance the deleterious impact of high Treg density on patient survival, and that TLS-Bhigh Treglow patients had the best clinical outcomes. Overall, the correlation between the density of TLS-Bhigh tumors with early differentiated, activated and non-regulatory CD4+ T cell cells suggest that B cells may play a central role in determining protective T cell responses in NSCLC patients.

scholarly journals Tertiary lymphoid structures induced by CXCL13-producing CD4+ T cells increase tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells and B cells in ovarian cancer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masayo Ukita ◽  
Junzo Hamanishi ◽  
Hiroyuki Yoshitomi ◽  
Koji Yamanoi ◽  
Shiro Takamatsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
T Cells ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes ◽  
Tertiary Lymphoid Structures ◽  
Lymphoid Structures

Background: Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are transient ectopic lymphoid aggregates whose formation might be caused by chronic inflammation states, such as cancer. The presence of TLS is associated with a favorable prognosis in most solid malignancies. The recognition of the relevance of TLS to cancer has led to a growing interest in TLS as an immunomodulatory target to enhance tumor immunity, although how TLSs are induced in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and how they affect patient survival are not well understood. Methods: TLS distribution in relation to tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and related gene expression were investigated in high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) specimens. CXCL13 expression, which is strongly associated with TLS, and its localization in immune cells, were examined. We explored the tumor microenvironment for CXCL13 secretion by adding various inflammatory cytokines in vitro. The induction of TLS by CXCL13 was examined in a mouse model of ovarian cancer. Results: CXCL13 gene expression correlated with TLS formation and the infiltration of T cells and B cells, and was a favorable prognostic factor for HGSC patients. The coexistence of CD8+ T cells and B-cell lineages in the TME was associated with a better prognosis of HGSC and was closely related to the presence of TLSs. CXCL13 expression was predominantly coincident with CD4+ T cells in TLSs and CD8+ T cells in TILs, and shifted from CD4+ T cells to CD21+ follicular dendritic cells as the TLS matured. Although TGF-β was reported to stimulate CXCL13 production, our in vitro results revealed that CXCL13 secretion was promoted in CD4+ T cells under TGF-β + IL-2-restricted conditions and in CD8+ T cells under TGF-β + IL-12-rich conditions. In a mouse model of ovarian cancer, recombinant CXCL13 induced TLSs and enhanced survival by the infiltration of CD8+ T cells. Conclusions: TLS formation was promoted by CXCL13-producing CD4+ T cells and TLSs facilitated the coordinated antitumor responses of cellular and humoral immunity in ovarian cancer.

scholarly journals B Cells and Tertiary Lymphoid Structures Influence Survival in Lung Cancer Patients with Resectable Tumors

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2644
Author(s):  
Jun Tang ◽  
Daniel Ramis-Cabrer ◽  
Víctor Curull ◽  
Xuejie Wang ◽  
Mercé Mateu-Jiménez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
T Cells ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Immune Profile ◽  
Immune Biomarkers ◽  
Copd Patients ◽  
Tertiary Lymphoid Structures ◽  
Lymphoid Structures

Immune profile of B and T cells and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) may differ in tumors of lung cancer (LC) patients with/without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and may also influence patient survival. We sought to analyze: (1) TLSs, germinal centers (GCs), B and T cells, and (2) associations of the immune biomarkers with the patients’ 10-year overall survival (OS). TLSs (numbers and area), B [cluster of differentiation (CD) 20], and T (CD3), and GCs cells were identified in both tumor and non-tumor specimens (thoracotomy) from 90 LC-COPD patients and 43 LC-only patients. Ten-year OS was analyzed in the patients. Immune profile in tumors of LC-COPD versus LC: TLS numbers and areas significantly decreased in tumors of LC-COPD compared to LC patients. No significant differences were observed in tumors between LC-COPD and LC patients for B or T cells. Immune profile in tumors versus non-tumor specimens: TLS areas and B cells significantly increased, T cells significantly decreased in tumors of both LC and LC-COPD patients. Survival: in LC-COPD patients: greater area of TLSs and proportion of B cells were associated with longer survival rates. The immune tumor microenvironment differs in patients with underlying COPD and these different phenotypes may eventually impact the response to immunotherapy in patients with LC.

scholarly journals B cells and cancer: To B or not to B?

2020 ◽  
Vol 218 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolf Herman Fridman ◽  
Florent Petitprez ◽  
Maxime Meylan ◽  
Tom Wei-Wu Chen ◽  
Cheng-Ming Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Tumor Regression ◽  
Germinal Centers ◽  
Clinical Impact ◽  
Induce Tumor Regression ◽  
Tertiary Lymphoid Structures ◽  
Lymphoid Structures ◽  
And Control

Whereas T cells have been considered the major immune cells of the tumor microenvironment able to induce tumor regression and control cancer clinical outcome, a burst of recent publications pointed to the fact that B cells may also play a prominent role. Activated in germinal centers of tertiary lymphoid structures, B cells can directly present tumor-associated antigens to T cells or produce antibodies that increase antigen presentation to T cells or kill tumor cells, resulting in a beneficial clinical impact. Immune complexes can also increase inflammation, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression via macrophage and complement activation, resulting in deleterious impact.

B-cell and T-cell values in peripheral blood in Polish mixed-breed rabbits with addition of blood of meet breeds

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Tokarz-Deptuła ◽  
P. Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej ◽  
B. Hukowska-Szematowicz ◽  
M. Adamiak ◽  
A. Trzeciak-Ryczek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Mixed Breed ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In Poland, rabbit is a highly valued animal, due to dietetic and flavour values of its meat, but above all, rabbits tend to be commonly used laboratory animals. The aim of the study was developing standards for counts of B-cells with CD19+ receptor, T-cells with CD5+ receptor, and their subpopulations, namely T-cells with CD4+, CD8+ and CD25+ receptor in the peripheral blood of mixed-breed Polish rabbits with addition of blood of meet breeds, including the assessment of the impact of four seasons of the year and animal sex on the values of the immunological parameters determined. The results showed that the counts of B- and T-cells and their subpopulations in peripheral blood remain within the following ranges: for CD19+ B-cells: 1.05 - 3.05%, for CD5+ T-cells: 34.00 - 43.07%, CD4+ T-cells: 23.52 - 33.23%, CD8+ T-cells: 12.55 - 17.30%, whereas for CD25+ T-cells: 0.72 - 2.81%. As it comes to the season of the year, it was observed that it principally affects the values of CD25+ T-cells, while in the case of rabbit sex, more changes were found in females.

scholarly journals Hyaluronate-CD44 Interactions Can Induce Murine B-Cell Activation

Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 89 (8) ◽  
pp. 2901-2908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asimah Rafi ◽  
Mitzi Nagarkatti ◽  
Prakash S. Nagarkatti
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
B Cell Differentiation ◽  
B Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Immunodeficient Mice

Abstract CD44 is a widely distributed cell surface glycoprotein whose principal ligand has been identified as hyaluronic acid (HA), a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Recent studies have demonstrated that activation through CD44 leads to induction of effector function in T cells and macrophages. In the current study, we investigated whether HA or monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against CD44 would induce a proliferative response in mouse lymphocytes. Spleen cells from normal and nude, but not severe combined immunodeficient mice, exhibited strong proliferative responsiveness to stimulation with soluble HA or anti-CD44 MoAbs. Furthermore, purified B cells, but not T cells, were found to respond to HA. HA was unable to stimulate T cells even in the presence of antigen presenting cells (APC) and was unable to act as a costimulus in the presence of mitogenic or submitogenic concentrations of anti-CD3 MoAbs. In contrast, stimulation of B cells with HA in vitro, led to B-cell differentiation as measured by production of IgM antibodies in addition to increased expression of CD44 and decreased levels of CD45R. The fact that the B cells were responding directly to HA through its binding to CD44 and not to any contaminants or endotoxins was demonstrated by the fact that F(ab)2 fragments of anti-CD44 MoAbs or soluble CD44 fusion proteins could significantly inhibit the HA-induced proliferation of B cells. Also, HA-induced proliferation of B cells was not affected by the addition of polymixin B, and B cells from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-unresponsive C3H/HeJ strain responded strongly to stimulation with HA. Furthermore, HA, but not chondroitin-sulfate, another major component of the ECM, induced B-cell activation. It was also noted that injection of HA intraperitoneally, triggered splenic B cell proliferation in vivo. Together, the current study demonstrates that interaction between HA and CD44 can regulate murine B-cell effector functions and that such interactions may play a critical role during normal or autoimmune responsiveness of B cells.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document