Elimination of Latently HIV-infected Cells from Antiretroviral Therapy-suppressed Subjects by Engineered Immune-mobilizing T-cell Receptors.

Persistence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a latent state in long-lived CD4+ T-cells is a major barrier to eradication. Latency-reversing agents that induce direct or immune-mediated cell death upon reactivation of HIV are a possible solution. However, clearance of reactivated cells may require immunotherapeutic agents that are fine-tuned to detect viral antigens when expressed at low levels. We tested the antiviral efficacy of immune-mobilizing monoclonal T-cell receptors against viruses (ImmTAVs), bispecific molecules that redirect CD8+ T-cells to kill HIV-infected CD4+ T-cells. T-cell receptors specific for an immunodominant Gag epitope, SL9, and its escape variants were engineered to achieve supraphysiological affinity and fused to a humanised CD3-specific single chain antibody fragment. Ex vivo polyclonal CD8+ T-cells were efficiently redirected by immune-mobilising monoclonal T-cell receptors against viruses to eliminate CD4+ T-cells from human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201-positive antiretroviral therapy-treated patients after reactivation of inducible HIV in vitro. The efficiency of infected cell elimination correlated with HIV Gag expression. Immune-mobilising monoclonal T-cell receptors against viruses have potential as a therapy to facilitate clearance of reactivated HIV reservoir cells.

ImmTAC-redirected tumour cell killing induces and potentiates antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells.

Antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells (DCs) is thought to play a critical role in driving a polyclonal and durable T cell response against cancer. It follows, therefore, that the capacity of emerging immunotherapeutic agents to orchestrate tumour eradication may depend on their ability to induce antigen cross-presentation. ImmTACs [immune-mobilising monoclonal TCRs (T cell receptors) against cancer] are a new class of soluble bi-specific anti-cancer agents that combine pico-molar affinity TCR-based antigen recognition with T cell activation via a CD3-specific antibody fragment. ImmTACs specifically recognise human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-restricted tumour-associated antigens, presented by cancer cells, leading to T cell redirection and a potent anti-tumour response. Using an ImmTAC specific for a HLA-A*02-restricted peptide derived from the melanoma antigen gp100 (termed IMCgp100), we here observe that ImmTAC-driven melanoma-cell death leads to cross-presentation of melanoma antigens by DCs. These, in turn, can activate both melanoma-specific T cells and polyclonal T cells redirected by IMCgp100. Moreover, activation of melanoma-specific T cells by cross-presenting DCs is enhanced in the presence of IMCgp100; a feature that serves to increase the prospect of breaking tolerance in the tumour microenvironment. The mechanism of DC cross-presentation occurs via 'cross-dressing' which involves the rapid and direct capture by DCs of membrane fragments from dying tumour cells. DC cross-presentation of gp100-peptide-HLA complexes was visualised and quantified using a fluorescently labelled soluble TCR. These data demonstrate how ImmTACs engage with the innate and adaptive components of the immune system enhancing the prospect of mediating an effective and durable anti-tumour response in patients.

Gene expression profiling in male genital lichen sclerosus.

Male genital lichen sclerosus (MGLSc) has a bimodal distribution in boys and men. It is associated with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The pathogenesis of MGLSc is unknown. HPV and autoimmune mechanisms have been mooted. Anti extracellular matrix protein (ECM)1 antibodies have been identified in women with GLSc. The gene expression pattern of LSc is unknown. Using DNA microarrays we studied differences in gene expression in healthy and diseased prepuces obtained at circumcision in adult males with MGLSc (n = 4), paediatric LSc (n = 2) and normal healthy paediatric foreskin (n = 4). In adult samples 51 genes with significantly increased expression and 87 genes with significantly reduced expression were identified; paediatric samples revealed 190 genes with significantly increased expression and 148 genes with significantly reduced expression. Concordance of expression profiles between adult and paediatric samples indicates the same disease process. Functional analysis revealed increased expression in the adult and child MGSLc samples in the immune response/cellular defence gene ontology (GO) category and reduced expression in other categories including genes related to squamous cancer. No specific HPV, autoimmune or squamous carcinogenesis-associated gene expression patterns were found. ECM1 and CABLES1 expression were significantly reduced in paediatric and adult samples respectively.

Monocyte-derived dendritic cells from HIV type 1-infected individuals show reduced ability to stimulate T cells and have altered production of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-10.

Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) have been used in therapeutic vaccination for cancer. A small number of studies have employed a similar approach to vaccinate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. We have thus analyzed the functional properties of MDDCs generated from HIV-infected individuals who either are receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy or are therapy naive. There was no difference in the MDDC phenotype or efficiency of MDDC generation between HIV-infected individuals and healthy control subjects. Despite this, the MDDCs derived from both groups of infected individuals were severely impaired in their ability to stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic T cells. Furthermore, production of interferon-gamma was reduced in T cells stimulated by MDDCs. These functional changes may be at least partly explained by reduced interleukin-12 and increased interleukin-10 secretion on stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and CD40 ligand. Our findings suggest that MDDCs used in therapeutic vaccination of HIV-infected individuals may show reduced potency.

LAG-3 (CD223) reduces macrophage and dendritic cell differentiation from monocyte precursors.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules expressed on monocytes may play a role in the control of differentiation of antigen-presenting cells. A soluble LAG-3 (CD223) molecule (sLAG-3) is a natural, high-affinity ligand for MHC class II. It is known to induce maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells in vitro and is used as a vaccine adjuvant to induce CD4 T helper type 1 responses and CD8 T-cell responses in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that sLAG-3 (but not an MHC class II-specific monoclonal antibody) reduces the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as well as their differentiation into dendritic cells in the presence of GM-CSF and interleukin-4, as shown by a decrease in CD14 and CD1a expression, respectively. Dendritic cells derived from monocytes in the presence of sLAG-3 showed impaired antigen-presentation function, as assessed by the reduced capability to induce proliferation of T cells. Our results suggest that activated LAG-3(+) lymphocytes present at sites of inflammation may reduce the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages or fully competent antigen-presenting dendritic cells, thus limiting the magnitude of the ongoing T-cell immune responses.

MHC class II engagement by its ligand LAG-3 (CD223) leads to a distinct pattern of chemokine and chemokine receptor expression by human dendritic cells.

Upon stimulation by infectious agent products, dendritic cells (DC) become activated, express high levels of class I and class II antigens, CD80, CD86 and CD83 and migrate to secondary lymphoid organs where they can prime naive CD4-helper and CD8-cytotoxic T-cells. Cognate CD4(+) T-cell help mediated by CD40L along with DC stimulation with another T-cell effector molecule, termed lymphocyte activated gene-3 (LAG-3 or CD223, a ligand for MHC class II) have been shown to induce this maturation process. Both CD40L and LAG-3 have been used as vaccine adjuvants to induce CTL and CD4 Th1 responses. Here, we studied the effect of a soluble LAG-3Ig molecule on the chemokine and chemokine receptor profile of human immature monocyte-derived DC. LAG-3Ig, unlike CD40L, induced an inflammatory signal in terms of IL-8 and MIP-1alpha/CCL3 production and, in contrast to LPS, induced production of chemokines (MDC/CCL22 and TARC/CCL17) known to direct the migration of maturing DC to lymph nodes. In LAG-3-matured DC, surface expression of CCR5 (a receptor for MIP-1alpha/CCL3) was down-regulated and CCR7 (a receptor for MIP-3beta and SLC) was up-regulated. However, LAG-3-matured, but not LPS- or CD40L-matured DC retained their capacity to migrate in chemotaxis chambers and to respond to MIP-1alpha. Altogether, these data represent the first evidence that MHC class II signaling may affect DC migration to secondary lymphoid tissues.

MHC class II signal transduction in human dendritic cells induced by a natural ligand, the LAG-3 protein (CD223).

On encountering a danger signal, dendritic cells (DCs) undergo a complex maturation process and become specialized in antigen presentation. We previously reported that engagement of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules located on immature DCs in membrane rafts by lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3; CD223) leads to DC maturation. In contrast, exposure of DCs to class II-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) did not lead to maturation. Here, we have investigated the signal transduction pathways involved in the LAG-3-induced maturation of human monocyte-derived DCs. We first show that areas of raft aggregation (both cholesterol rich and CDw78 microdomains) could be visualized using a soluble LAG-3 protein and confocal microscopy. Engagement of class II molecules by both its natural ligand LAG-3 and class II mAb induces rapid protein phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma2 (PLCgamma2) and p72syk as well as activation of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase/Akt, p42/44 extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Studies using inhibitors demonstrate that these 3 pathways are all important in inducing the maturation process of LAG-3-stimulated DCs. When class II molecules were ligated with LAG-3 versus specific antibody, differences in the phosphorylation pattern of c-Akt were observed. Thus, MHC class II signaling in DCs involves several pathways that have to be finely regulated to lead to cell activation and maturation.

Targeting of the dual oxidase 2 N-terminal region to the plasma membrane.

Dual oxidase 2 (Duox2) is a cell surface glycoprotein that probably provides thyroperoxidase with the H2O2 required to catalyze thyroid hormone synthesis. No functional H2O2-generating system has yet been obtained after transfecting Duox2 into non-thyroid cell lines, because it is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We investigated the level of maturation of various Duox2 truncated proteins in an attempt to identify the region of Duox2 responsible for its remaining in the ER. Duox2-Q686X mutant, corresponding to the N-terminal ectodomain including the first putative transmembrane domain, was expressed in different cell lines. Carbohydrate content analysis revealed that complex type-specific Golgi apparatus (GA) oligosaccharides were present on pig Duox2-Q686X, whereas human truncated Duox2 carried only high mannose-type sugar chains characteristic of the ER. Further characterization using surface biotinylation and flow cytometry assays indicated that pig Duox2-Q686X was present at the plasma membrane, whereas human Duox2-Q686X remained inside the cell. The replacement of the last 90 residues of the human Duox2-Q686X with the pig equivalent region allowed the chimerical peptide to reach the Golgi apparatus. Pig mutants containing the complete first intracellular loop with or without the second transmembrane domain accumulated in the ER. These findings show that 1) the human Duox2-Q686X region encompassing residues 596-685 prevents mutant exportation from the ER and 2) there is a pig Duox2 retention domain in the first intracellular loop. In addition, missense mutations of four cysteines (Cys-351, -370, -568, or -582) completely inhibited the emergence of pig Duox2-Q686X from the ER compartment, indicating their importance in Duox2 maturation.