Mathematical Modelling Based on In Vivo Imaging Suggests CD137-Stimulated Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Exert Superior Tumour Control Due to an Enhanced Antimitotic Effect on Tumour Cells

Several immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer are under development. Two prominent strategies are adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of CTLs and modulation of CTL function with immune checkpoint inhibitors or with costimulatory antibodies. Despite some success with these approaches, there remains a lack of detailed and quantitative descriptions of the events following CTL transfer and the impact of immunomodulation. Here, we have applied ordinary differential equation models to two photon imaging data derived from a B16F10 murine melanoma. Models were parameterised with data from two different treatment conditions: either ACT-only, or ACT with intratumoural costimulation using a CD137 targeted antibody. Model dynamics and best fitting parameters were compared, in order to assess the mode of action of the CTLs and examine how the CD137 antibody influenced their activities. We found that the cytolytic activity of the transferred CTLs was minimal without CD137 costimulation, and that the CD137 targeted antibody did not enhance the per-capita killing ability of the transferred CTLs. Instead, the results of our modelling study suggest that an antiproliferative effect of CTLs exerted upon the tumour likely accounted for the majority of the reduction in tumour growth after CTL transfer. Moreover, we found that CD137 most likely improved tumour control via enhancement of this antiproliferative effect, as well as prolonging the period in which CTLs were inside the tumour, leading to a sustained duration of their antitumour effects following CD137 stimulation.

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CD137-stimulated cytotoxic T lymphocytes exert superior tumour control due to an enhanced antimitotic effect on tumour cells

10.1101/2020.12.15.411538 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Joost Beltman ◽

Richard Beck ◽

Bettina Weigelin

Keyword(s):

T Lymphocytes ◽

Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽

Cytolytic Activity ◽

Adoptive Cell Transfer ◽

Antiproliferative Effect ◽

Imaging Data ◽

Tumour Control ◽

Treatment Conditions ◽

The Impact

Several immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer are under development. Two prominent strategies are adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and modulation of CTL function with immune checkpoint inhibitors or with costimulatory antibodies. Despite some success with these approaches, there remains a lack of detailed and quantitative descriptions of the events following CTL transfer and the impact of immunomodulation. Here, we have applied ordinary differential equation models to two photon imaging data derived from a B16F10 murine melanoma. Models were parameterised with data from two different treatment conditions: either ACT-only, or ACT with intratumoural costimulation using a CD137 targeted antibody. Model dynamics and best fitting parameters were compared, in order to assess the mode of action of the CTLs and examine how the CD137 antibody influenced their activities. We found that the cytolytic activity of the transferred CTLs was minimal without CD137 costimulation, and that the CD137 targeted antibody did not enhance the per-capita killing ability of the transferred CTLs. Instead, the results of our modelling study suggest that an antiproliferative effect of CTLs exerted upon the tumour likely accounted for the majority of the reduction in tumour growth after CTL transfer. We found that CD137 most likely improved tumour control via enhancement of this antiproliferative effect, as well as prolonging the period in which CTLs were inside the tumour, leading to a sustained duration of their antitumour effects following CD137 stimulation.

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All-optical interrogation of neural circuits in behaving mice

10.1101/2021.06.29.450430 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lloyd E. Russell ◽

Henry W.P. Dalgleish ◽

Rebecca Nutbrown ◽

Oliver Gauld ◽

Dustin Herrmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neural Circuits ◽

Neural Circuit ◽

Barrel Cortex ◽

Brain Area ◽

Imaging Data ◽

Temporal Precision ◽

Two Photon ◽

All Optical ◽

The Impact

Recent advances combining two-photon calcium imaging and two-photon optogenetics with digital holography now allow us to read and write neural activity in vivo at cellular resolution with millisecond temporal precision. Such 'all-optical' techniques enable experimenters to probe the impact of functionally defined neurons on neural circuit function and behavioural output with new levels of precision. This protocol describes the experimental strategy and workflow for successful completion of typical all-optical interrogation experiments in awake, behaving head-fixed mice. We describe modular procedures for the setup and calibration of an all-optical system, the preparation of an indicator and opsin-expressing and task-performing animal, the characterization of functional and photostimulation responses and the design and implementation of an all-optical experiment. We discuss optimizations for efficiently selecting and targeting neuronal ensembles for photostimulation sequences, as well as generating photostimulation response maps from the imaging data that can be used to examine the impact of photostimulation on the local circuit. We demonstrate the utility of this strategy using all-optical experiments in three different brain areas - barrel cortex, visual cortex and hippocampus - using different experimental setups. This approach can in principle be adapted to any brain area for all-optical interrogation experiments to probe functional connectivity in neural circuits and for investigating the relationship between neural circuit activity and behaviour.

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Cross-Reactivity of HLA-B*1801-Restricted T-Lymphocyte Clones with Target Cells Expressing Variants of the Human Cytomegalovirus 72kDa-IE1 Protein

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.77.12.7139-7142.2003 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 77 (12) ◽

pp. 7139-7142 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Virginie Prod'homme ◽

Christelle Retière ◽

Ralitza Valtcheva ◽

Marc Bonneville ◽

Marie-Martine Hallet

Keyword(s):

T Lymphocyte ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Cytolytic Activity ◽

Target Cells ◽

Cell Clones ◽

Natural Polymorphism ◽

The Impact ◽

Restricted Epitope ◽

Selection Of

ABSTRACT The impact of natural polymorphism in a cytomegalovirus-dominant HLA-B*1801-restricted epitope, IE1199-206, on the specific responses of T-cell clones was assessed by measuring their cytolytic activity against target cells expressing mutated recombinant IE1 proteins. Our results suggest an in vivo selection of T lymphocytes that cross-react with multiple IE1 variants.

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Role of RAGE and Its Ligands on Inflammatory Responses to Brain Tumors

Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fncel.2021.770472 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Griffith Kyle Otazu ◽

Mojtaba Dayyani ◽

Behnam Badie

Keyword(s):

Cancer Progression ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽

Malignant Gliomas ◽

Low Grade ◽

Molecular Pattern ◽

The Impact

Gliomas, the most common form of brain cancer, can range from relatively slow-growing low-grade to highly aggressive glioblastoma that has a median overall survival of only 15 months despite multimodal standard therapy. Although immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has significantly improved patient survival for some cancers, to date, these agents have not shown consistent efficacy against malignant gliomas. Therefore, there is a pressing need to better understand the impact of host inflammatory responses on the efficacy of emerging immunotherapy approaches for these resistant tumors. RAGE is a multi-ligand pattern recognition receptor that is activated in various inflammatory states such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. Low levels of RAGE can be found under normal physiological conditions in neurons, immune cells, activated endothelial, and vascular smooth muscle cells, but it is over-expressed under chronic inflammation due to the accumulation of its ligands. RAGE binds to a range of damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs) including AGEs, HMGB1, S100s, and DNA which mediate downstream cellular responses that promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, and invasion. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that inhibition of RAGE signaling can disrupt inflammation and cancer progression and metastasis. Here, we will review our current understanding of the role of RAGE pathway on glioma progression and how it could be exploited to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy approaches.

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Harnessing tumor immunity with chemotherapy: Mathematical modeling for decision-making in combinatorial regimen with immune-oncology drugs.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.e14095 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e14095-e14095

Author(s):

Vesna Cuplov ◽

Guillaume Sicard ◽

Dominique Barbolosi ◽

Joseph Ciccolini ◽

Fabrice Barlesi

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Modeling ◽

T Cells ◽

In Silico ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽

Cytotoxic T Cells ◽

Model Parameters ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

The Impact

e14095 Background: Combining chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is challenging due to the near-infinite choice of dosing, scheduling and sequencing between drugs. The aim of this work is to develop a phenomenological model that describes the synergistic effect between cytotoxics and immune check point inhibitors in patients with cancer. Methods: Inspired from literature, we have developed an integrative mathematical model that includes tumor cells, cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) and regulatory T cells (TREGs) plus pharmacokinetics (PK) inputs. Loss in tumor mass is due to combined effect of direct chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity and CTLs immune response, which is in turn inhibited by the tumor and mitigated by TREGs in the tumor micro-environment. The model describes as well the impact of chemotherapy-induced lymphodepletion on immune tolerance, whereas ICIs protect CTLs against tumor inhibition. Identification of model’s parameters and simulations of various scheduling were performed using Mlxplore software and a Python standalone code. In vitro and in vivo experiments using lung cancer models generate experimental data to adjust model parameters. Results: Complex interplays between cytotoxics and immune cells were best described by a 10-parameters model so as to ensure better identifiability. PK/PD relationships were integrated using compartmental modeling. In silico simulations show how changes in dosing and scheduling impact efficacy endpoints, an observation in line with data from the literature. Ongoing in vitro and in vivo experiments with pemetrexed-cisplatin doublet and anti-PD1 pembrolizumab help optimizing the model’s parameters in a self-learning loop. Conclusions: This work is at the frontier between mathematical modeling and experimental therapeutics with ICIs. In silico modeling and simulations could help narrow down the treatment choices and define optimal combinations prior to running clinical trials. Such model will help identify optimal dosing and scheduling, so as to achieve better synergism and efficacy.

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Role of Hypoxia and the Adenosine System in Immune Evasion and Prognosis of Patients with Brain Metastases of Melanoma: A Multiplex Whole Slide Immunofluorescence Study

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers12123753 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 3753

Author(s):

Arnulf Mayer ◽

Maximilian Haist ◽

Carmen Loquai ◽

Stephan Grabbe ◽

Matthias Rapp ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Metastases ◽

Interaction Analysis ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽

Temporal Stability ◽

Whole Brain Radiotherapy ◽

Glut 1 ◽

Hypoxia Marker ◽

The Impact

Following the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors, a substantial prolongation of the overall survival has been achieved for many patients with multiple brain metastases from melanoma. However, heterogeneity between individual tumor responses is incompletely understood. In order to determine the impact of the individual tumor phenotype on the prognosis of melanoma patients, we examined surgical sections from 33 patients who were treated with radiotherapy (whole-brain radiotherapy, WBRT, stereotactic radiotherapy, STX, or both) and Ipilimumab. We analyzed multiplex staining of the hypoxia marker GLUT-1, the adenosine (ADO)-associated enzymes CD73 and CD39, and CD8, a marker of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) on a single-cell basis using QuPath. Additionally, the MOSAIC interaction analysis algorithm was used to explore the hypothesis that CTL systematically avoid GLUT-1high tumor areas. Our results revealed, that a strong GLUT-1 expression, low numbers of CTL, or exclusion of CTL from the tumor were correlated with significant prognostic detriment. Hypoxic tumors overall have smaller amounts of CTL, and spatial analysis revealed a repellent effect of hypoxia on CTL. In contrast to in vitro studies, specific upregulation of ADO-related enzymes CD73 and CD39 in GLUT-1high tumor regions was never observed. In this study, we could show direct in vivo evidence for hypoxia-mediated immunosuppression in melanoma. Moreover, this study suggests a significant prognostic relevance of the tumor immune phenotype, the strength of CD8 infiltration in the tumor, and the expression of hypoxia marker GLUT-1 on melanoma cells. Last, our results suggest a temporal stability of the microenvironment-mediated immunosuppressive phenotype in melanoma.

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Experimental Study of the Impact of Alisma plantago-aquatica Secretions on Pathogenic Bacteria

Agricultural science and practice ◽

10.15407/agrisp1.03.003 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 3-7

Author(s):

O. Zhukorskyy ◽

O. Hulay

Keyword(s):

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Initial Density ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Erysipelothrix Rhusiopathiae ◽

Natural Focus ◽

Test Species ◽

Popula Tions ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact

Aim. To estimate the impact of in vivo secretions of water plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) on the popula- tions of pathogenic bacteria Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Methods. The plants were isolated from their natural conditions, the roots were washed from the substrate residues and cultivated in laboratory conditions for 10 days to heal the damage. Then the water was changed; seven days later the selected samples were sterilized using fi lters with 0.2 μm pore diameter. The dilution of water plantain root diffusates in the experimental samples was 1:10–1:10,000. The initial density of E. rhusiopathiae bacteria populations was the same for both experimental and control samples. The estimation of the results was conducted 48 hours later. Results. When the dilution of root diffusates was 1:10, the density of erysipelothrixes in the experimental samples was 11.26 times higher than that of the control, on average, the dilution of 1:100 − 6.16 times higher, 1:1000 – 3.22 times higher, 1:10,000 – 1.81 times higher, respectively. Conclusions. The plants of A. plantago-aquatica species are capable of affecting the populations of E. rhusiopathiae pathogenic bacteria via the secretion of biologically active substances into the environment. The consequences of this interaction are positive for the abovementioned bacteria, which is demon- strated by the increase in the density of their populations in the experiment compared to the control. The intensity of the stimulating effect on the populations of E. rhusiopathiae in the root diffusates of A. plantago-aquatica is re- ciprocally dependent on the degree of their dilution. The investigated impact of water plantain on erysipelothrixes should be related to the topical type of biocenotic connections, the formation of which between the test species in the ecosystems might promote maintaining the potential of natural focus of rabies. Keywords: Alisma plantago-aquatica, in vivo secretions, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, population density, topical type of connections.

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Curcumin-containing Silver Nanoparticles prevent carbon tetrachlorideinduced hepatotoxicity in mice

Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening ◽

10.2174/1386207323666201211100830 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 ◽

Author(s):

Hossam Ebaid ◽

Mohamed Habila ◽

Iftekhar Hassan ◽

Jameel Al-Tamimi ◽

Mohamed S. Omar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Damage ◽

Silver Nanoparticles ◽

Nuclear Dna ◽

Liquid Paraffin ◽

Tail Length ◽

Hepatic Tissue ◽

Tissue Destruction ◽

Group 2 ◽

The Impact

Background: Hepatotoxicity remains an important clinical challenge. Hepatotoxicity observed in response to toxins and hazardous chemicals may be alleviated by delivery of the curcumin in silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-curcumin). In this study, we examined the impact of AgNPs-curcumin in a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic injury. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups (n=8 per group). Mice in group 1 were treated with vehicle control alone, while mice in Group 2 received a single intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml/kg CCl4 in liquid paraffin (1:1 v/v). Mice in group 3 were treated with 2.5 mg/kg AgNPs-curcumin twice per week for three weeks after the CCl4 challenge. Results: Administration of CCL4 resulted in oxidative dysregulation, including significant reductions in reduced glutathione and concomitant elevations in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). CCL4 challenge also resulted in elevated levels of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT); these findings were associated with the destruction of hepatic tissues. Treatment with AgNPs-curcumin prevented oxidative imbalance, hepatic dysfunction, and tissue destruction. A comet assay revealed that CCl4 challenge resulted in significant DNA damage as documented by a 70% increase in nuclear DNA tail-length; treatment with AgNPs-curcumin inhibited the CCL4-mediated increase in nuclear DNA tail-length by 34%. Conclusion: Administration of AgNPs-curcumin resulted in significant antioxidant activity in vivo. This agent has the potential to prevent the hepatic tissue destruction and DNA damage that results from direct exposure to CCL4.

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[18F]-florbetaben PET/CT Imaging in the Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model APPswe/PS1dE9

Current Alzheimer Research ◽

10.2174/1567205015666181022095904 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 49-55 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. Stenzel ◽

C. Rühlmann ◽

T. Lindner ◽

S. Polei ◽

S. Teipel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Mouse Model ◽

New Drugs ◽

Imaging Data ◽

Wild Type ◽

Preclinical Research ◽

Standardized Uptake Values ◽

Pet Ct

Background: Positron-emission-tomography (PET) using 18F labeled florbetaben allows noninvasive in vivo-assessment of amyloid-beta (Aβ), a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In preclinical research, [18F]-florbetaben-PET has already been used to test the amyloid-lowering potential of new drugs, both in humans and in transgenic models of cerebral amyloidosis. The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial pattern of cerebral uptake of [18F]-florbetaben in the APPswe/ PS1dE9 mouse model of AD in comparison to histologically determined number and size of cerebral Aβ plaques. Methods: Both, APPswe/PS1dE9 and wild type mice at an age of 12 months were investigated by smallanimal PET/CT after intravenous injection of [18F]-florbetaben. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging data were used for quantification of the PET data by volume of interest analysis. The standardized uptake values (SUVs) of [18F]-florbetaben in vivo as well as post mortem cerebral Aβ plaque load in cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum were analyzed. Results: Visual inspection and SUVs revealed an increased cerebral uptake of [18F]-florbetaben in APPswe/ PS1dE9 mice compared with wild type mice especially in the cortex, the hippocampus and the cerebellum. However, SUV ratios (SUVRs) relative to cerebellum revealed only significant differences in the hippocampus between the APPswe/PS1dE9 and wild type mice but not in cortex; this differential effect may reflect the lower plaque area in the cortex than in the hippocampus as found in the histological analysis. Conclusion: The findings suggest that histopathological characteristics of Aβ plaque size and spatial distribution can be depicted in vivo using [18F]-florbetaben in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model.

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