UM171A-induced ROS promote antigen cross-presentation of immunogenic peptides by bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

Background Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been extensively used in the clinic due to their exquisite tissue repair capacity. However, they also hold promise in the field of cellular vaccination as they can behave as conditional antigen presenting cells in response to interferon (IFN)-gamma treatment under a specific treatment regimen. This suggests that the immune function of MSCs can be pharmacologically modulated. Given the capacity of the agonist pyrimido-indole derivative UM171a to trigger the expression of various antigen presentation-related genes in human hematopoietic progenitor cells, we explored the potential use of UM171a as a means to pharmacologically instill and/or promote antigen presentation by MSCs. Methods Besides completing a series of flow-cytometry-based phenotypic analyses, several functional antigen presentation assays were conducted using the SIINFEKL-specific T-cell clone B3Z. Anti-oxidants and electron transport chain inhibitors were also used to decipher UM171a’s mode of action in MSCs. Finally, the potency of UM171a-treated MSCs was evaluated in the context of therapeutic vaccination using immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice with pre-established syngeneic EG.7T-cell lymphoma. Results Treatment of MSCs with UM171a triggered potent increase in H2-Kb cell surface levels along with the acquisition of antigen cross-presentation abilities. Mechanistically, such effects occurred in response to UM171a-mediated production of mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species as their neutralization using anti-oxidants or Antimycin-A mitigated MSCs’ ability to cross-present antigens. Processing and presentation of the immunogenic ovalbumin-derived SIINFEKL peptide was caused by de novo expression of the Psmb8 gene in response to UM171a-triggered oxidative stress. When evaluated for their anti-tumoral properties in the context of therapeutic vaccination, UM171a-treated MSC administration to immunocompetent mice with pre-established T-cell lymphoma controlled tumor growth resulting in 40% survival without the need of additional supportive therapy and/or standard-of-care. Conclusions Altogether, our findings reveal a new immune-related function for UM171a and clearly allude to a direct link between UM171a-mediated ROS induction and antigen cross-presentation by MSCs. The fact that UM171a treatment modulates MSCs to become antigen-presenting cells without the use of IFN-gamma opens-up a new line of investigation to search for additional agents capable of converting immune-suppressive MSCs to a cellular tool easily adaptable to vaccination. Graphical abstract

Wnt5A supports antigen cross-presentation and CD8 T cell activation.

Antigen processing, cross-presentation, and antigen-specific CD8 T cell response form part and parcel of T cell-mediated immunity. Yet, lacunae remain in our understanding of antigen processing/presentation and CD8 T cell response. Given the association of Wnt5A signaling with immune homeostasis, we evaluated the utility of Wnt5A in antigen processing, cross-presentation, and CD8 T cell activation. Using mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells as antigen-presenting cells and ovalbumin as a model antigen we found that Wnt5A mediated regulation of actin and proteasome dynamics is inherently associated with antigen processing. A Wnt5A-Actin-Protasome axis also contributes to antigen cross-presentation and antigen responsive CD8 T cell expansion. In concurrence with these observations, we demonstrated impaired activation of ovalbumin-specific CD8 T cells in ovalbumin immunized Wnt5A heterozygous mice as illustrated by their poor CD8 T cell recall response to ovalbumin when compared to similarly immunized wild type cohorts. Our results suggest that Wnt5A signaling-directed antigen processing/presentation could be vital for generating CD8 T cell recall response to antigen, thus shedding light on a critical parameter of immunity.

MHC class I antigen cross-presentation mediated by PapMV nanoparticles in human antigen-presenting cells is dependent on autophagy

Nanoparticles made of the coat protein of papaya mosaic virus (PapMV) and a single-strand RNA were previously shown to be an efficient antigen presentation system for the trigger of cellular immunity. Engineering of PapMV nano with a cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope was previously shown activating specific T lymphocytes through a proteasome-independent major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) cross-presentation. In this study, we provide new insights into the mechanism of the MHC-I cross-presentation mediated by PapMV nanoparticles. We demonstrate that PapMV nanoparticles do not require the transporter associated with antigen presentation (TAP), but rather depend on lysosome acidification and cathepsin S protease activity for presentation of the T cell epitope. We have also linked the induction of autophagy with this vacuolar MHC-I cross-presentation process. Interestingly, autophagy is induced in antigen-presenting cells after PapMV nanoparticles exposure and inhibition of autophagy reduce MHC-I cross-presentation. This study demonstrates that autophagy is associated with TAP- and proteasome-independent MHC-I cross-presentation. A deeper understanding of the autophagy-dependent MHC-I cross-presentation will be useful in designing vaccination platforms that aim to trigger an efficient cytotoxic T lymphocyte response.

The ABCs of Antigen Presentation by Stromal Non-Professional Antigen-Presenting Cells

Professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells and macrophages, are known for their ability to present exogenous antigens to T cells. However, many other cell types, including endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and lymph node stromal cells, are also capable of presenting exogenous antigens to either CD8+ or CD4+ T cells via cross-presentation or major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-mediated presentation, respectively. Antigen presentation by these stromal nonprofessional APCs differentially affect T cell function, depending on the type of cells that present the antigen, as well as the local (inflammatory) micro-environment. It has been recently appreciated that nonprofessional APCs can, as such, orchestrate immunity against pathogens, tumor survival, or rejection, and aid in the progression of various auto-immune pathologies. Therefore, the interest for these nonprofessional APCs is growing as they might be an important target for enhancing various immunotherapies. In this review, the different nonprofessional APCs are discussed, as well as their functional consequences on the T cell response, with a focus on immuno-oncology.

Inflammasome activation leads to cDC1-independent cross-priming of CD8 T cells by epithelial cell derived antigen

The innate immune system detects pathogens and initiates adaptive immune responses. Inflammasomes are central components of the innate immune system, but whether inflammasomes provide sufficient signals to activate adaptive immunity is unclear. In intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), inflammasomes activate a lytic form of cell death called pyroptosis, leading to epithelial cell expulsion and the release of cytokines. Here we employed a genetic system to show that simultaneous antigen expression and inflammasome activation specifically in IECs is sufficient to activate CD8+ T cells. By genetic elimination of direct T cell priming by IECs, we found that IEC-derived antigens are cross-presented to CD8+ T cells. However, cross-presentation of IEC-derived antigen to CD8+ T cells only partially depended on IEC pyroptosis. In the absence of inflammasome activation, cross-priming of CD8+ T cells required Batf3+ dendritic cells (cDC1), whereas cross-priming in the presence of pyroptosis required a Zbtb26+ but Batf3-independent cDC population. These data suggest the existence of parallel pyroptosis-dependent and pyroptosis-independent pathways for cross-presentation of IEC-derived antigens.

Targeting Cross-Presentation as a Route to Improve the Efficiency of Peptide-Based Cancer Vaccines

Cross-presenting dendritic cells (DC) offer an attractive target for vaccination due to their unique ability to process exogenous antigens for presentation on MHC class I molecules. Recent reports have established that these DC express unique surface receptors and play a critical role in the initiation of anti-tumor immunity, opening the way for the development of vaccination strategies specifically targeting these cells. This study investigated whether targeting cross-presenting DC by two complementary mechanisms could improve vaccine effectiveness, in both a viral setting and in a murine melanoma model. Our novel vaccine construct contained the XCL1 ligand, to target uptake to XCR1+ cross-presenting DC, and a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) with endosomal escape properties, to enhance antigen delivery into the cross-presentation pathway. Using a prime-boost regimen, we demonstrated robust expansion of antigen-specific T cells following vaccination with our CPP-linked peptide vaccine and protective immunity against HSV-1 skin infection, where vaccine epitopes were natively expressed by the virus. Additionally, our novel vaccination strategy slowed tumor outgrowth in a B16 murine melanoma model, compared to adjuvant only controls, suggesting antigen-specific anti-tumor immunity was generated following vaccination. These findings suggest that novel strategies to target the antigen cross-presentation pathway in DC may be beneficial for the generation of anti-tumor immunity.

Mechanisms of induction of CD8⁺ T cell responses by dendritic cells

<p>Splenic CD8α⁺ dendritic cells (DCs) have been described as key antigen presenting cells for the induction of CD8⁺ T cell responses to circulating antigen. This is through a heightened capacity to acquire and present the antigens via the process of cross-presentation, expression of high levels of the co-stimulatory and adhesion molecules required to stimulate CD8⁺ T cells, and the capacity to release high levels of the cytokines required to drive differentiation of CD8⁺ T cells into cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). However, recent research has indicated that the splenic CD8α⁺ DC population is more heterogeneous than originally thought. A previous study from my own laboratory suggested that a population of CD8α⁺ DCs that express the c-type lectin langerin primarily possess the heightened functions previously attributed to the total CD8α⁺ population. Therefore, the aim of this thesis research was to explore this subset of DCs in more detail, with specific emphasis on gaining mechanistic insight into their ability to elicit CD8⁺ T cell responses to circulating proteins. In the first section of this thesis, the hypothesis that the splenic langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs were the critical subset involved in the induction of strong systemic CD8⁺ T cell responses to circulating antigen was tested in detail. This was examined using a genetically modified mouse model in which langerin-expressing cells could be easily identified and/or specifically depleted. It was first shown that the induction of CD8⁺ T cell responses to the model antigen ovalbumin was dependent on entry into the spleen in the presence of appropriate stimulation, which in these studies was provided by agonists for the toll-like receptors (TLRs) and/or signals from innate-like lymphocytes called natural killer T (NKT) cells. The primary targets for these signals were shown to be splenic langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs, as CD8⁺ T cell responses were significantly reduced in hosts depleted of these cells within the spleen. Furthermore, agonists for TLRs that were not expressed by langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs failed to enhance T cell responses. The langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs were shown to be located in the marginal zone of the spleen, where they could readily screen the blood for antigens, and their function was critical to the induction of CD8⁺ T cell responses within six hours of antigen delivery. Interestingly, other local langerin-negative antigen presenting cells (APCs) were shown to be capable of cross-presentation, but with significantly reduced capacity to prime CD8⁺ T cell responses. Therefore, in the second section of this thesis the hypothesis that the langerin-negative APCs were capable of contributing to CD8⁺ T cell responses with appropriately timed stimuli was investigated. One of the downstream effects of inducing NKT cell activation at the time of priming was shown to be the “pre-conditioning” of langerin-negative DCs, allowing them to respond strongly to subsequent TLR ligation. Using SiglecH-DTR mice, it was shown that plasmacytoid DCs (which are langerin-negative) were pre-conditioned by NKT cell activation, allowing them to respond more actively to the delayed TLR stimulation by producing significantly enhanced levels of IFN-α. This factor was also potentially responsible for “feeding back” to the CD8α⁺ DCs (including langerin-expressing CD8α⁺ DCs), to enhance their function, as indicated by increases in cytokine production. Significantly, the major langerin-negative DC populations, defined as CD8α⁻ DCs, were pre-conditioned to have an enhanced cytokine release response to subsequent stimulation through TLR7, a receptor not expressed by langerin-positive DCs. This enhanced ability to respond to TLR7 ligation permitted these langerin-negative APCs to contribute to increased CD8⁺ T cell accumulation, with enhanced functional activity. Importantly, the CD8⁺ T cell response induced remained significantly dependent on initial cross-priming by langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs, and it was only through pre-conditioning that langerinnegative APCs could contribute to enhancing the T cell response. In the third section of this thesis, the hypothesis that the CD8⁺ T cell responses generated in the presence of langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs were phenotypically and functionally distinct from those responses generated in their absence was tested. No obvious differences were seen in CD8⁺ T cell homing, memory phenotype, restimulatory capacity, and expression of key molecules involved in metabolic function, survival and cytolytic function. However, in vivo cytotoxic function several weeks after priming was comparable, suggesting that this function was not related to initial burst size, providing some evidence of difference in function between CD8⁺ T cells primed in the presence or absence of langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs. In summary, the splenic langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs are the major subset responsible for cross-priming CD8⁺ T cell responses to circulating antigen, and for interpreting multiple stimulatory signals for enhancing the response. However, effective CD8⁺ T cell responses can be generated in their absence, particularly when antigens are provided in the context of appropriately temporally phased stimuli.</p>

Mechanisms of induction of CD8⁺ T cell responses by dendritic cells

<p>Splenic CD8α⁺ dendritic cells (DCs) have been described as key antigen presenting cells for the induction of CD8⁺ T cell responses to circulating antigen. This is through a heightened capacity to acquire and present the antigens via the process of cross-presentation, expression of high levels of the co-stimulatory and adhesion molecules required to stimulate CD8⁺ T cells, and the capacity to release high levels of the cytokines required to drive differentiation of CD8⁺ T cells into cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). However, recent research has indicated that the splenic CD8α⁺ DC population is more heterogeneous than originally thought. A previous study from my own laboratory suggested that a population of CD8α⁺ DCs that express the c-type lectin langerin primarily possess the heightened functions previously attributed to the total CD8α⁺ population. Therefore, the aim of this thesis research was to explore this subset of DCs in more detail, with specific emphasis on gaining mechanistic insight into their ability to elicit CD8⁺ T cell responses to circulating proteins. In the first section of this thesis, the hypothesis that the splenic langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs were the critical subset involved in the induction of strong systemic CD8⁺ T cell responses to circulating antigen was tested in detail. This was examined using a genetically modified mouse model in which langerin-expressing cells could be easily identified and/or specifically depleted. It was first shown that the induction of CD8⁺ T cell responses to the model antigen ovalbumin was dependent on entry into the spleen in the presence of appropriate stimulation, which in these studies was provided by agonists for the toll-like receptors (TLRs) and/or signals from innate-like lymphocytes called natural killer T (NKT) cells. The primary targets for these signals were shown to be splenic langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs, as CD8⁺ T cell responses were significantly reduced in hosts depleted of these cells within the spleen. Furthermore, agonists for TLRs that were not expressed by langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs failed to enhance T cell responses. The langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs were shown to be located in the marginal zone of the spleen, where they could readily screen the blood for antigens, and their function was critical to the induction of CD8⁺ T cell responses within six hours of antigen delivery. Interestingly, other local langerin-negative antigen presenting cells (APCs) were shown to be capable of cross-presentation, but with significantly reduced capacity to prime CD8⁺ T cell responses. Therefore, in the second section of this thesis the hypothesis that the langerin-negative APCs were capable of contributing to CD8⁺ T cell responses with appropriately timed stimuli was investigated. One of the downstream effects of inducing NKT cell activation at the time of priming was shown to be the “pre-conditioning” of langerin-negative DCs, allowing them to respond strongly to subsequent TLR ligation. Using SiglecH-DTR mice, it was shown that plasmacytoid DCs (which are langerin-negative) were pre-conditioned by NKT cell activation, allowing them to respond more actively to the delayed TLR stimulation by producing significantly enhanced levels of IFN-α. This factor was also potentially responsible for “feeding back” to the CD8α⁺ DCs (including langerin-expressing CD8α⁺ DCs), to enhance their function, as indicated by increases in cytokine production. Significantly, the major langerin-negative DC populations, defined as CD8α⁻ DCs, were pre-conditioned to have an enhanced cytokine release response to subsequent stimulation through TLR7, a receptor not expressed by langerin-positive DCs. This enhanced ability to respond to TLR7 ligation permitted these langerin-negative APCs to contribute to increased CD8⁺ T cell accumulation, with enhanced functional activity. Importantly, the CD8⁺ T cell response induced remained significantly dependent on initial cross-priming by langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs, and it was only through pre-conditioning that langerinnegative APCs could contribute to enhancing the T cell response. In the third section of this thesis, the hypothesis that the CD8⁺ T cell responses generated in the presence of langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs were phenotypically and functionally distinct from those responses generated in their absence was tested. No obvious differences were seen in CD8⁺ T cell homing, memory phenotype, restimulatory capacity, and expression of key molecules involved in metabolic function, survival and cytolytic function. However, in vivo cytotoxic function several weeks after priming was comparable, suggesting that this function was not related to initial burst size, providing some evidence of difference in function between CD8⁺ T cells primed in the presence or absence of langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs. In summary, the splenic langerin⁺ CD8α⁺ DCs are the major subset responsible for cross-priming CD8⁺ T cell responses to circulating antigen, and for interpreting multiple stimulatory signals for enhancing the response. However, effective CD8⁺ T cell responses can be generated in their absence, particularly when antigens are provided in the context of appropriately temporally phased stimuli.</p>

Immunogenic ferroptosis and where to find it?

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered form of regulated cell death that is morphologically, genetically, and biochemically distinct from apoptosis and necroptosis, and its potential use in anticancer therapy is emerging. The strong immunogenicity of (early) ferroptotic cancer cells broadens the current concept of immunogenic cell death and opens up new possibilities for cancer treatment. In particular, induction of immunogenic ferroptosis could be beneficial for patients with cancers resistant to apoptosis and necroptosis. However, ferroptotic cancer cells may be a rich source of oxidized lipids, which contribute to decreased phagocytosis and antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells and thus may favor tumor evasion. This could explain the non-immunogenicity of late ferroptotic cells. Besides the presence of lactate in the tumor microenvironment, acidification and hypoxia are essential factors promoting ferroptosis resistance and affecting its immunogenicity. Here, we critically discuss the crucial mediators controlling the immunogenicity of ferroptosis that modulate the induction of antitumor immunity. We emphasize that it will be necessary to also identify the tolerogenic (ie, immunosuppressive) nature of ferroptosis, which can lead to tumor evasion.