CD20 CAR T cells safely and reversibly ablate B cell follicles in a non-human primate model of HIV persistence.
Mol Ther
; 32(5): 1238-1251, 2024 May 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38414244
ABSTRACT
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have demonstrated immense clinical success for B cell and plasma cell malignancies. We tested their impact on the viral reservoir in a macaque model of HIV persistence, comparing the functions of CD20 CAR T cells between animals infected with simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) and uninfected controls. We focused on the potential of this approach to disrupt B cell follicles (BCFs), exposing infected cells for immune clearance. In SHIV-infected animals, CAR T cells were highly functional, with rapid expansion and trafficking to tissue-associated viral sanctuaries, including BCFs and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). CD20 CAR T cells potently ablated BCFs and depleted lymph-node-associated follicular helper T (TFH) cells, with complete restoration of BCF architecture and TFH cells following CAR T cell contraction. BCF ablation decreased the splenic SHIV reservoir but was insufficient for effective reductions in systemic viral reservoirs. Although associated with moderate hematologic toxicity, CD20 CAR T cells were well tolerated in SHIV-infected and control animals, supporting the feasibility of this therapy in people living with HIV with underlying B cell malignancies. Our findings highlight the unique ability of CD20 CAR T cells to safely and reversibly unmask TFH cells within BCF sanctuaries, informing future combinatorial HIV cure strategies designed to augment antiviral efficacy.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
B-Lymphocytes
/
HIV Infections
/
Immunotherapy, Adoptive
/
Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
/
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus
/
Antigens, CD20
/
Disease Models, Animal
/
Receptors, Chimeric Antigen
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Mol Ther
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
TERAPEUTICA
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States