RESUMO
The memory CD8+ T cell pool contains phenotypically and transcriptionally heterogeneous subsets with specialized functions and recirculation patterns. Here, we examined the epigenetic landscape of CD8+ T cells isolated from seven non-lymphoid organs across four distinct infection models, alongside their circulating T cell counterparts. Using single-cell transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (scATAC-seq), we found that tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells and circulating memory T (TCIRC) cells develop along distinct epigenetic trajectories. We identified organ-specific transcriptional regulators of TRM cell development, including FOSB, FOS, FOSL1, and BACH2, and defined an epigenetic signature common to TRM cells across organs. Finally, we found that although terminal TEX cells share accessible regulatory elements with TRM cells, they are defined by TEX-specific epigenetic features absent from TRM cells. Together, this comprehensive data resource shows that TRM cell development is accompanied by dynamic transcriptome alterations and chromatin accessibility changes that direct tissue-adapted and functionally distinct T cell states.
RESUMO
Naïve CD8+ T cells can differentiate into effector (Teff), memory (Tmem) or exhausted (Tex) T cells. These developmental pathways are associated with distinct transcriptional and epigenetic changes that endow cells with different functional capacities and therefore therapeutic potential. The molecular circuitry underlying these developmental trajectories and the extent of heterogeneity within Teff, Tmem and Tex populations remain poorly understood. Here, we used the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus model of acute-resolving and chronic infection to address these gaps by applying longitudinal single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (scATAC-seq) analyses. These analyses uncovered new subsets, including a subpopulation of Tex cells expressing natural killer cell-associated genes that is dependent on the transcription factor Zeb2, as well as multiple distinct TCF-1+ stem/progenitor-like subsets in acute and chronic infection. These data also revealed insights into the reshaping of Tex subsets following programmed death 1 (PD-1) pathway blockade and identified a key role for the cell stress regulator, Btg1, in establishing the Tex population. Finally, these results highlighted how the same biological circuits such as cytotoxicity or stem/progenitor pathways can be used by CD8+ T cell subsets with highly divergent underlying chromatin landscapes generated during different infections.
Assuntos
Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos , Coriomeningite Linfocítica , Humanos , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/metabolismo , Transcriptoma , Vírus da Coriomeningite Linfocítica , Epigênese Genética , Cromatina/genética , Cromatina/metabolismo , Coriomeningite Linfocítica/metabolismoRESUMO
CD8+ T cell exhaustion is a major barrier to current anti-cancer immunotherapies. Despite this, the developmental biology of exhausted CD8+ T cells (Tex) remains poorly defined, restraining improvement of strategies aimed at "re-invigorating" Tex cells. Here, we defined a four-cell-stage developmental framework for Tex cells. Two TCF1+ progenitor subsets were identified, one tissue restricted and quiescent and one more blood accessible, that gradually lost TCF1 as it divided and converted to a third intermediate Tex subset. This intermediate subset re-engaged some effector biology and increased upon PD-L1 blockade but ultimately converted into a fourth, terminally exhausted subset. By using transcriptional and epigenetic analyses, we identified the control mechanisms underlying subset transitions and defined a key interplay between TCF1, T-bet, and Tox in the process. These data reveal a four-stage developmental hierarchy for Tex cells and define the molecular, transcriptional, and epigenetic mechanisms that could provide opportunities to improve cancer immunotherapy.
Assuntos
Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Epigênese Genética/imunologia , Neoplasias/imunologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/imunologia , Transcrição Gênica/imunologia , Animais , Antígeno B7-H1/genética , Antígeno B7-H1/imunologia , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/citologia , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Epigênese Genética/genética , Fator 1-alfa Nuclear de Hepatócito/genética , Fator 1-alfa Nuclear de Hepatócito/imunologia , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/genética , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/imunologia , Humanos , Imunoterapia/métodos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Neoplasias/genética , Neoplasias/terapia , Proteínas com Domínio T/genética , Proteínas com Domínio T/imunologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/metabolismo , Transcrição Gênica/genéticaRESUMO
Exhausted CD8+ T (Tex) cells in chronic infections and cancer have limited effector function, high co-expression of inhibitory receptors and extensive transcriptional changes compared with effector (Teff) or memory (Tmem) CD8+ T cells. Tex cells are important clinical targets of checkpoint blockade and other immunotherapies. Epigenetically, Tex cells are a distinct immune subset, with a unique chromatin landscape compared with Teff and Tmem cells. However, the mechanisms that govern the transcriptional and epigenetic development of Tex cells remain unknown. Here we identify the HMG-box transcription factor TOX as a central regulator of Tex cells in mice. TOX is largely dispensable for the formation of Teff and Tmem cells, but it is critical for exhaustion: in the absence of TOX, Tex cells do not form. TOX is induced by calcineurin and NFAT2, and operates in a feed-forward loop in which it becomes calcineurin-independent and sustained in Tex cells. Robust expression of TOX therefore results in commitment to Tex cells by translating persistent stimulation into a distinct Tex cell transcriptional and epigenetic developmental program.
Assuntos
Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/patologia , Epistasia Genética , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/metabolismo , Transcrição Gênica , Animais , Calcineurina/metabolismo , Sinalização do Cálcio , Retroalimentação Fisiológica , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/imunologia , Genótipo , Memória Imunológica , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Fatores de Transcrição NFATC/metabolismo , Evasão TumoralRESUMO
Immunologic responses to anti-PD-1 therapy in melanoma patients occur rapidly with pharmacodynamic T cell responses detectable in blood by 3 weeks. It is unclear, however, whether these early blood-based observations translate to the tumor microenvironment. We conducted a study of neoadjuvant/adjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy in stage III/IV melanoma. We hypothesized that immune reinvigoration in the tumor would be detectable at 3 weeks and that this response would correlate with disease-free survival. We identified a rapid and potent anti-tumor response, with 8 of 27 patients experiencing a complete or major pathological response after a single dose of anti-PD-1, all of whom remain disease free. These rapid pathologic and clinical responses were associated with accumulation of exhausted CD8 T cells in the tumor at 3 weeks, with reinvigoration in the blood observed as early as 1 week. Transcriptional analysis demonstrated a pretreatment immune signature (neoadjuvant response signature) that was associated with clinical benefit. In contrast, patients with disease recurrence displayed mechanisms of resistance including immune suppression, mutational escape, and/or tumor evolution. Neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 treatment is effective in high-risk resectable stage III/IV melanoma. Pathological response and immunological analyses after a single neoadjuvant dose can be used to predict clinical outcome and to dissect underlying mechanisms in checkpoint blockade.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/uso terapêutico , Antineoplásicos Imunológicos/uso terapêutico , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Dermatológicos , Melanoma/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos , Quimioterapia Adjuvante , Feminino , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Estimativa de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Melanoma/patologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Terapia Neoadjuvante , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Modelos de Riscos Proporcionais , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , Transcriptoma , Evasão TumoralRESUMO
A small-ring phosphacycle is found to catalyze the deoxygenative condensation of α-keto esters and carboxylic acids. The reaction provides a chemoselective catalytic synthesis of α-acyloxy ester products with good functional group compatibility. Based on both stoichiometric and catalytic mechanistic experiments, the reaction is proposed to proceed via catalytic P(III)/P(V)âO cycling. The importance of ring strain in the phosphacyclic catalyst is substantiated by an observed temperature-dependent product selectivity effect. The results point to an inherent distinction in design criteria for organophosphorus-based catalysts operating via P(III)/P(V)âO redox cycling as opposed to Lewis base (nucleophilic) catalysis.