搜索结果: 'gmp t cell activator'

The various stages of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) generate phenotypically heterogeneous populations of cells. Here,we detail a dual recombinase lineage tracing system using a transgenic mouse model of metastatic breast cancer to trace and characterize breast cancer cells at different EMT stages. We describe analytical steps to label cancer cells at an early partial or a late full EMT state,followed by tracking their behavior in tumor slice cultures. We then characterize their transcriptome by five-cell RNA sequencing. View Publication

UNLABELLED Immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB) promotes antitumor immune responses and can result in durable patient benefit. However,response rates in breast cancer patients remain modest,stimulating efforts to discover novel treatment options. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) represent a major component of the breast tumor microenvironment and have known immunosuppressive functions in addition to their well-established roles in directly promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Here we utilized paired syngeneic mouse mammary carcinoma models to show that CAF abundance is associated with insensitivity to combination $\alpha$CTLA4 and $\alpha$PD-L1 ICB. CAF-rich tumors exhibited an immunologically cold tumor microenvironment,with transcriptomic,flow cytometric,and quantitative histopathologic analyses demonstrating a relationship between CAF density and a CD8+ T-cell-excluded tumor phenotype. The CAF receptor Endo180 (Mrc2) is predominantly expressed on myofibroblastic CAFs,and its genetic deletion depleted a subset of $\alpha$SMA-expressing CAFs and impaired tumor progression in vivo. The addition of wild-type,but not Endo180-deficient,CAFs in coimplantation studies restricted CD8+ T-cell intratumoral infiltration,and tumors in Endo180 knockout mice exhibited increased CD8+ T-cell infiltration and enhanced sensitivity to ICB compared with tumors in wild-type mice. Clinically,in a trial of melanoma patients,high MRC2 mRNA levels in tumors were associated with a poor response to $\alpha$PD-1 therapy,highlighting the potential benefits of therapeutically targeting a specific CAF subpopulation in breast and other CAF-rich cancers to improve clinical responses to immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE Paired syngeneic models help unravel the interplay between CAF and tumor immune evasion,highlighting the benefits of targeting fibroblast subpopulations to improve clinical responses to immunotherapy. View Publication

Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death in mankind due to infectious agents,and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infects and survives in macrophages (MФs). Although MФs are a major niche,myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are an alternative site for pathogen persistence. Both MФs and MDSCs express varying levels of leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B (LILRB),which regulate the myeloid cell suppressive function. Herein,we demonstrate that antagonism of LILRB2 by a monoclonal antibody (mab) induced a switch of human MDSCs towards an M1-macrophage phenotype,increasing the killing of intracellular Mtb. Mab-mediated antagonism of LILRB2 alone and its combination with a pharmacological blockade of SHP1/2 phosphatase increased proinflammatory cytokine responses and phosphorylation of ERK1/2,p38 MAPK,and NF-kB in Mtb-infected MDSCs. LILRB2 antagonism also upregulated anti-mycobacterial iNOS gene expression and an increase in both nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species synthesis. Because genes associated with the anti-mycobacterial function of M1-MФs were enhanced in MDSCs following mab treatment,we propose that LILRB2 antagonism reprograms MDSCs from an immunosuppressive state towards a pro-inflammatory phenotype that kills Mtb. LILRB2 is therefore a novel therapeutic target for eradicating Mtb in MDSCs. View Publication

NK cells utilize a large array of receptors to screen their surroundings for aberrant or virus-infected cells. Given the vast diversity of receptors expressed on NK cells we seek to identify receptors involved in the recognition of HIV-1-infected cells. By combining an unbiased large-scale screening approach with a functional assay,we identify TRAIL to be associated with NK cell degranulation against HIV-1-infected target cells. Further investigating the underlying mechanisms,we demonstrate that TRAIL is able to elicit multiple effector functions in human NK cells independent of receptor-mediated induction of apoptosis. Direct engagement of TRAIL not only results in degranulation but also IFN$\gamma$ production. Moreover,TRAIL-mediated NK cell activation is not limited to its cognate death receptors but also decoy receptor I,adding a new perspective to the perceived regulatory role of decoy receptors in TRAIL-mediated cytotoxicity. Based on these findings,we propose that TRAIL not only contributes to the anti-HIV-1 activity of NK cells but also possesses a multifunctional role beyond receptor-mediated induction of apoptosis,acting as a regulator for the induction of different effector functions. View Publication

The decreased proportion of antigen-inexperienced,na{\{i}}ve T cells is a hallmark of aging in both humans and mice and contributes to reduced immune responses particularly against novel and re-emerging pathogens. Na{\"{i}}ve T cells depend on survival signals received during their circulation among the lymph nodes by direct contacts with stroma in particular fibroblastic reticular cells. Macroscopic changes to the architecture of the lymph nodes have been described but it is unclear how lymph node stroma are altered with age and whether these changes contribute to reduced na{\"{i}}ve T cell maintenance. Here using 2-photon microscopy we determined that the aged lymph node displayed increased fibrosis and correspondingly that na{\"{i}}ve T-cell motility was impaired in the aged lymph node especially in proximity to fibrotic deposition. Functionally adoptively transferred young na{\"{i}}ve T-cells exhibited reduced homeostatic turnover in aged hosts supporting the role of T cell-extrinsic mechanisms that regulate their survival. Further we determined that early development of resident fibroblastic reticular cells was impaired which may correlate to the declining levels of na{\"{i}}ve T-cell homeostatic factors observed in aged lymph nodes. Thus our study addresses the controversy as to whether aging impacts the composition lymph node stroma and supports a model in which impaired differentiation of lymph node fibroblasts and increased fibrosis inhibits the interactions necessary for na{\"{i}}ve T cell homeostasis." View Publication

Monoclonal antibodies are at the vanguard of the most promising cancer treatments. Whereas traditional therapeutic antibodies have been limited to extracellular antigens,T cell receptor mimic (TCRm) antibodies can target intracellular antigens presented by cell surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins. TCRm antibodies can therefore target a repertoire of otherwise undruggable cancer antigens. However,the consequences of off-target peptide/MHC recognition with engineered T cell therapies are severe,and thus there are significant safety concerns with TCRm antibodies. Here we explored the specificity and safety profile of a new TCRm-based T cell therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),a solid tumor for which no effective treatment exists. We targeted an alpha-fetoprotein peptide presented by HLA-A*02 with a highly specific TCRm,which crystallographic structural analysis showed binds directly over the HLA protein and interfaces with the full length of the peptide. We fused the TCRm to the ? and ? subunits of a TCR,producing a signaling AbTCR construct. This was combined with an scFv/CD28 co-stimulatory molecule targeting glypican-3 for increased efficacy towards tumor cells. This AbTC + co-stimulatory T cell therapy showed potent activity against AFP-positive cancer cell lines in vitro and an in an in vivo model and undetectable activity against AFP-negative cells. In an in-human safety assessment,no significant adverse events or cytokine release syndrome were observed and evidence of efficacy was seen. Remarkably,one patient with metastatic HCC achieved a complete remission after nine months and ultimately qualified for a liver transplant. View Publication

OBJECTIVES Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease,that involves both pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The purpose of the present study is to investigate T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) in RA. METHODS Plasma levels of soluble (s) Tim-3 in early RA (n=98),were followed,to evaluate association with treatment and disease activity,acquired from a prospective collected biobank (clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00660647)). We also investigate the influence of Tim-3 on spontaneous cytokine production in synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC) from RA patients after addition of neutralizing anti-Tim-3's antibodies,either alone or in combination with neutralizing anti-Programmed Cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibodies. RESULTS Long-time stimulated CD4 T-cells expressed high levels of Tim-3,but tended to decrease their PD-1 expression. Tim-3 expression was exclusively seen co-expressed with PD-1 by CD3,CD4,CD45RO positive cells in the inflamed RA joint. Addition of neutralizing Tim-3 antibodies increased the secretion of IFN$\gamma$ and MCP-1,in SFMC cultures from RA. Whereas neutralizing anti-PD-1 antibodies showed a broader impact on cytokine production. Finally,we observed that soluble Tim-3 is increased in plasma and is associated with disease activity in early RA. CONCLUSION Taken together,our findings indicate disease-suppressive functions of Tim-3 in RA. View Publication

Substantial numbers of B cell leukemia and lymphoma patients relapse due to antigen loss or heterogeneity after anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. To overcome antigen escape and address antigen heterogeneity,we engineered induced pluripotent stem cell-derived NK cells to express both an NK cell-optimized anti-CD19 CAR for direct targeting and a high affinity,non-cleavable CD16 to augment antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In addition,we introduced a membrane-bound IL-15/IL-15R fusion protein to promote in vivo persistence. These engineered cells,termed iDuo NK cells,displayed robust CAR-mediated cytotoxic activity that could be further enhanced with therapeutic antibodies targeting B cell malignancies. In multiple in vitro and xenogeneic adoptive transfer models,iDuo NK cells exhibited robust anti-lymphoma activity. Furthermore,iDuo NK cells effectively eliminated both CD19+ and CD19- lymphoma cells and displayed a unique propensity for targeting malignant cells over healthy cells that expressed CD19,features not achievable with anti-CAR19 T cells. iDuo NK cells combined with therapeutic antibodies represent a promising approach to prevent relapse due to antigen loss and tumor heterogeneity in patients with B cell malignancies. View Publication

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attractive alternatives to conventional anti-asthmatic drugs for severe asthma. Mechanisms underlying the anti-asthmatic effects of MSCs have not yet been elucidated. This study evaluated the anti-asthmatic effects of intravenously administered MSCs,focusing on macrophages and monocytes. Seven-week-old transgenic (Tg) mice with lung-specific overexpression of IL-13 were used to simulate chronic asthma. MSCs were intravenously administered four days before sampling. We examined changes in immune cell subpopulations,gene expression,and histological phenotypes. IL-13 Tg mice exhibited diverse features of chronic asthma,including severe type 2 inflammation,airway fibrosis,and mucus metaplasia. Intravenous administration of MSCs attenuated these asthmatic features just four days after a single treatment. MSC treatment significantly reduced SiglecF-CD11c-CD11b+ monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMs) and inhibited the polarization of MoMs into M2 macrophages,especially M2a and M2c. Furthermore,MSCs downregulated the excessive accumulation of Ly6c- monocytes in the lungs. While an intravenous adoptive transfer of Ly6c- monocytes promoted the infiltration of MoM and Th2 inflammation,that of MSC-exposed Ly6c- monocytes did not. Ex vivo Ly6c- MoMs upregulated M2-related genes,which were reduced by MSC treatment. Molecules secreted by Ly6c- MoMs from IL-13 Tg mice lungs upregulated the expression of fibrosis-related genes in fibroblasts,which were also suppressed by MSC treatment. In conclusion,intravenously administered MSCs attenuate asthma phenotypes of chronic asthma by modulating macrophages. Identifying M2 macrophage subtypes revealed that exposure to MSCs transforms the phenotype and function of macrophages. We suggest that Ly6c- monocytes could be a therapeutic target for asthma management. View Publication

Facile and sensitive detection and isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) was achieved using the aptamer-targeted magnetic nanoparticles (Apt-MNPs) in conjugation with a microfluidic device. Apt-MNPs were developed by the covalent attachment of anti-MUC1 aptamer to the silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles via the glutaraldehyde linkers. Apt-MNPs displayed high stability and functionality after 6 months of storage at 4 °C. The specific microfluidic device consisting of mixing,sorting and separation modules was fabricated through conventional photo- and soft-lithography by using polydimethylsiloxane. The capture efficiency of Apt-MNPs was first studied in vitro on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines in the bulk and microfluidic platforms. The cell capture yields of more than 91% were obtained at the optimum condition after 60 minutes of exposure to 50 $\mu$g mL-1 Apt-MNPs with 10 to 106 cancer cells in different media. CTCs were also isolated efficiently from the blood samples of breast cancer patients and successfully propagated in vitro. The isolated CTCs were further characterized using immunofluorescence staining. The overall results indicated the high potential of the present method for the detection and capture of CTCs. View Publication

Normal density granulocytes (NDGs) can suppress T-cell responses in a similar way as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). In this study,we tested the hypothesis that NDGs from healthy donors preferentially inhibit T helper 1 (Th1) cells and investigated the myeloid-derived suppressive effect in different T-cell populations. We found that NDG-induced suppression of T-cell proliferation was contact dependent,mediated by integrin CD11b,and dependent on NDG-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The suppression was rapid and occurred within the first few hours of coculture. The suppression did not influence the CD8+/CD4+ ratio indicating an equal sensitivity in these populations. We further analyzed the CD4+ T helper subsets and found that NDGs induced a loss of Th1 surface marker,CD183,that was unrelated to ligand-binding to CD183. In addition,we analyzed the Th1,Th2,and Th17 cytokine production and found that all cytokine groups were suppressed when T-cells were incubated with NDGs. We therefore concluded that NDGs do not preferentially suppress Th1-cells. Instead,NDGs generally suppress Th cells and cytotoxic T-cells but specifically downregulate the Th1 marker CD183. View Publication

Post-transcriptional mechanisms have the potential to influence complex changes in gene expression,yet their role in cell fate transitions remains largely unexplored. Here,we show that suppression of the RNA helicase DDX6 endows human and mouse primed embryonic stem cells (ESCs) with a differentiation-resistant,hyper-pluripotent" state which readily reprograms to a naive state resembling the preimplantation embryo. We further demonstrate that DDX6 plays a key role in adult progenitors where it controls the balance between self-renewal and differentiation in a context-dependent manner. Mechanistically DDX6 mediates the translational suppression of target mRNAs in P-bodies. Upon loss of DDX6 activity P-bodies dissolve and release mRNAs encoding fate-instructive transcription and chromatin factors that re-enter the ribosome pool. Increased translation of these targets impacts cell fate by rewiring the enhancer heterochromatin and DNA methylation landscapes of undifferentiated cell types. Collectively our data establish a link between P-body homeostasis chromatin organization and stem cell potency." View Publication