| 1. |
- Aleynick, Mark, et al.
(författare)
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Pathogen Molecular Pattern Receptor Agonists: Treating Cancer by Mimicking Infection
- 2019
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Ingår i: Clinical Cancer Research. - : American Association For Cancer Research (AACR). - 1078-0432 .- 1557-3265. ; 25:21, s. 6283-6294
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- mmunotherapies such as checkpoint blockade have achieved durable benefits for patients with advanced stage cancer and have changed treatment paradigms. However, these therapies rely on a patient's own a priori primed tumor-specific T cells, limiting their efficacy to a subset of patients. Because checkpoint blockade is most effective in patients with inflamed or "hot" tumors, a priority in the field is learning how to "turn cold tumors hot." Inflammation is generally initiated by innate immune cells, which receive signals through pattern recognition receptors (PRR)–a diverse family of receptors that sense conserved molecular patterns on pathogens, alarming the immune system of an invading microbe. Their immunostimulatory properties can reprogram the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment and activate antigen-presenting cells to present tumors antigens, driving de novo tumor-specific T-cell responses. These features, among others, make PRR-targeting therapies an attractive strategy in immuno-oncology. Here, we discuss mechanisms of PRR activation, highlighting ongoing clinical trials and recent preclinical advances focused on therapeutically targeting PRRs to treat cancer.
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| 2. |
- Aleynick, Mark, et al.
(författare)
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Pattern recognition receptor agonists in pathogen vaccines mediate antitumor T-cell cross-priming
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2051-1426. ; 11:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Cancer immunotherapies are generallyeffective in patients whose tumors contain a prioriprimed T-cells reactive to tumor antigens (TA). Oneapproach to prime TA-reactive T-cells is to administerimmunostimulatory molecules, cells, or pathogens directlyto the tumor site, that is, in situ vaccination (ISV). Werecently described an ISV using Flt3L to expand and recruitdendritic cells (DC), radiotherapy to load DC with TA, andpattern recognition receptor agonists (PRRa) to activateTA-loaded DC. While ISV trials using synthetic PRRa haveyielded systemic tumor regressions, the optimal method toactivate DCs is unknown.Methods To discover optimal DC activators and increaseaccess to clinical grade reagents, we assessed whetherviral or bacterial components found in common pathogenvaccines are an effective source of natural PRRa(naPRRa). Using deep profiling (155-metric) of naPRRaimmunomodulatory effects and gene editing of specificPRR, we defined specific signatures and molecularmechanisms by which naPRRa potentiate T-cell priming.Results We observed that vaccine naPRRa can be evenmore potent in activating Flt3L-expanded murine andhuman DCs than synthetic PRRa, promoting cross-primingof TA-reactive T-cells. We developed a mechanisticallydiverse naPRRa combination (BCG, PedvaxHIB, Rabies)and noted more potent T-cell cross-priming than withany single naPRRa. The naPRRa triplet—as part of Flt3Lprimed ISV—induced greater intratumoral CD8 T-cellinfiltration, T-cells reactive to a newly defined tumorousneoantigen, durable tumor regressions.Conclusions This work provides rationale for thetranslation of pathogen vaccines as FDA-approved clinicalgrade DC activators which could be exploited as immunestimulants for early phase trials.
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| 3. |
- Badam, Tejaswi, et al.
(författare)
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CD4(+) T-cell DNA methylation changes during pregnancy significantly correlate with disease-associated methylation changes in autoimmune diseases
- 2022
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Ingår i: Epigenetics. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1559-2294 .- 1559-2308. ; 17:9, s. 1040-1055
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Epigenetics may play a central, yet unexplored, role in the profound changes that the maternal immune system undergoes during pregnancy and could be involved in the pregnancy-induced modulation of several autoimmune diseases. We investigated changes in the methylome in isolated circulating CD4(+) T-cells in non-pregnant and pregnant women, during the 1(st) and 2(nd) trimester, using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450K array, and explored how these changes were related to autoimmune diseases that are known to be affected during pregnancy. Pregnancy was associated with several hundreds of methylation differences, particularly during the 2(nd) trimester. A network-based modular approach identified several genes, e.g., CD28, FYN, VAV1 and pathways related to T-cell signalling and activation, highlighting T-cell regulation as a central component of the observed methylation alterations. The identified pregnancy module was significantly enriched for disease-associated methylation changes related to multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. A negative correlation between pregnancy-associated methylation changes and disease-associated changes was found for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, diseases that are known to improve during pregnancy whereas a positive correlation was found for systemic lupus erythematosus, a disease that instead worsens during pregnancy. Thus, the directionality of the observed changes is in line with the previously observed effect of pregnancy on disease activity. Our systems medicine approach supports the importance of the methylome in immune regulation of T-cells during pregnancy. Our findings highlight the relevance of using pregnancy as a model for understanding and identifying disease-related mechanisms involved in the modulation of autoimmune diseases.
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| 4. |
- Boij, Roland, et al.
(författare)
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Regulatory T-cell Subpopulations in Severe or Early-onset Preeclampsia
- 2015
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Ingår i: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - : WILEY-BLACKWELL. - 1046-7408 .- 1600-0897. ; 74:4, s. 368-378
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Problem A deficiency in regulatory T (Treg) cells causing reduced immune regulatory capacity has been proposed in preeclampsia. Objective Utilizing recent advances in flow cytometry phenotyping, we aimed to assess whether a deficiency of Treg subpopulations occurs in preeclampsia. Method of study Six-color flow cytometry was used for Treg phenotyping in 18 preeclamptic women (one early-onset, one severe and 16 both), 20 women with normal pregnancy, and 20 non-pregnant controls. Results No differences were found in major Treg populations including CD127(low)CD25(+)/CD127(ow)FOXP3(+), resting (FOXP3(dim)CD45RA(+)), and activated (FOXP3(bright)CD45RA(-)) Treg cells, whereas preeclamptic women showed increased CTLA-4(+) and CCR4(+) proportions within resting/activated Treg populations. Corticosteroid treatment prior to blood sampling (n = 10) affected the distribution of Treg populations. Conclusions Although we found no major alterations in circulating Treg frequencies, differences in CTLA-4(+) and CCR4(+) frequencies suggest a migratory defect of Treg cells in preeclampsia. Corticosteroid treatment should be taken into account when evaluating Treg cells.
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| 5. |
- Bruno, Valentina, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of low molecular weight heparin on the polarization and cytokine profile of macrophages and T helper cells in vitro
- 2018
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2045-2322. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is widely used in recurrent miscarriage treatment. The anticoagulant effects are established, while immunological effects are not fully known. Our aim was to assess LMWH effects on activation and polarization of central regulatory immune cells from healthy women, and on placenta tissues from women undergoing elective abortions. Isolated blood monocytes and T helper (Th) cells under different activation and polarizing conditions were cultured with or without LMWH. Flow cytometry showed that LMWH exposure induced increased expression of HLA-DR and CD206 in macrophages. This phenotype was associated with increased secretion of Th17-associated CCL20, and decreased secretion of CCL2 (M2-associated) and CCL22 (Th2), as measured by multiplex bead array. In accordance, LMWH exposure to Th cells reduced the proportion of CD25highFoxp3+ regulatory T-cells, intensified IFN-gamma secretion and showed a tendency to increase the lymphoblast proportions. Collectively, a mainly pro-inflammatory effect was noted on two essential tolerance-promoting cells. Although the biological significancies of these in vitro findings are uncertain and need to be confirmed in vivo, they suggest the possibility that immunological effects of LMWH may be beneficial mainly at an earlier gestational age to provide an appropriate implantation process in women with recurrent miscarriage.
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| 6. |
- Buse, Eberhard, et al.
(författare)
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The placenta in toxicology. Part I : Animal models in toxicology
- 2014
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Ingår i: Toxicologic pathology (Print). - : Sage Publications. - 0192-6233 .- 1533-1601. ; 42:2, s. 314-326
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The immune system represents a key defense mechanism against potential pathogens and adverse non-self materials. During pregnancy, the placenta is the point of contact between the maternal organism and non-self proteins of the fetal allograft and hence undoubtedly fulfils immune functions. In the placenta bacteria, foreign (non-self) proteins and proteins that might be introduced in toxicological studies or by medication are barred from reaching the progeny, and the maternal immune system is primed for acceptance of non-maternal fetal protein. Both immunologic protection of the fetus and acceptance of the fetus by the mother require effective mechanisms to prevent an immunologic fetomaternal conflict and to keep both organisms in balance. This is why the placenta requires toxicological consideration in view of its immune organ function. The following articles deal with placenta immune-, control-, and tolerance mechanisms in view of both fetal and maternal aspects. Furthermore, models for experimental access to placental immune function are addressed and the pathological evaluation is elucidated. "The Placenta as an Immune Organ and Its Relevance in Toxicological Studies" was subject of a continuing education course at the 2012 Society of Toxicologic Pathology meeting held in Boston, MA.
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| 7. |
- Cline, J Mark, et al.
(författare)
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The placenta in toxicology. Part III : Pathologic assessment of the placenta
- 2014
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Ingår i: Toxicologic pathology (Print). - : Sage Publications. - 0192-6233 .- 1533-1601. ; 42:2, s. 339-344
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This short review is derived from the peer-reviewed literature and the experience and case materials of the authors. Brief illustrated summaries are presented on the gross and histologic normal anatomy of rodent and macaque placentas, including typical organ weights, with comments on differences from the human placenta. Common incidental findings, background lesions, and induced toxic lesions are addressed, and a recommended strategy for pathologic evaluation of placentas is provided.
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| 8. |
- Göhner, Claudia, et al.
(författare)
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The placenta in toxicology. Part IV : Battery of toxicological test systems based on human placenta
- 2014
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Ingår i: Toxicologic pathology (Print). - : Sage Publications. - 0192-6233 .- 1533-1601. ; 42:2, s. 345-351
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This review summarizes the potential and also some limitations of using human placentas, or placental cells and structures for toxicology testing. The placenta contains a wide spectrum of cell types and tissues, such as trophoblast cells, immune cells, fibroblasts, stem cells, endothelial cells, vessels, glands, membranes, and many others. It may be expected that in many cases the relevance of results obtained from human placenta will be higher than those from animal models due to species specificity of metabolism and placental structure. For practical and economical reasons, we propose to apply a battery of sequential experiments for analysis of potential toxicants. This should start with using cell lines, followed by testing placenta tissue explants and isolated placenta cells, and finally by application of single and dual side ex vivo placenta perfusion. With each of these steps, the relative workload increases while the number of feasible repeats decreases. Simultaneously, the predictive power enhances by increasing similarity with in vivo human conditions. Toxic effects may be detected by performing proliferation, vitality and cell death assays, analysis of protein and hormone expression, immunohistochemistry or testing functionality of signaling pathways, gene expression, transport mechanisms, and so on. When toxic effects appear at any step, the subsequent assays may be cancelled. Such a system may be useful to reduce costs and increase specificity in testing questionable toxicants. Nonetheless, it requires further standardization and end point definitions for better comparability of results from different toxicants and to estimate the respective in vivo translatability and predictive value.
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| 9. |
- Hammerich, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Systemic clinical tumor regressions and potentiation of PD1 blockade with in situ vaccination
- 2019
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Ingår i: Nature Medicine. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 1078-8956 .- 1546-170X. ; 25:5, s. 814-824
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (iNHLs) are incurable with standard therapy and are poorly responsive to checkpoint blockade. Although lymphoma cells are efficiently killed by primed T cells, in vivo priming of anti-lymphoma T cells has been elusive. Here, we demonstrate that lymphoma cells can directly prime T cells, but in vivo immunity still requires cross-presentation. To address this, we developed an in situ vaccine (ISV), combining Flt3L, radiotherapy, and a TLR3 agonist, which recruited, antigen-loaded and activated intratumoral, cross-presenting dendritic cells (DCs). ISV induced anti-tumor CD8+ T cell responses and systemic (abscopal) cancer remission in patients with advanced stage iNHL in an ongoing trial (NCT01976585). Non-responding patients developed a population of PD1+CD8+ T cells after ISV, and murine tumors became newly responsive to PD1 blockade, prompting a follow-up trial of the combined therapy. Our data substantiate that recruiting and activating intratumoral, cross-priming DCs is achievable and critical to anti-tumor T cell responses and PD1-blockade efficacy.
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| 10. |
- Lin, Matthew J., et al.
(författare)
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Cancer vaccines: the next immunotherapy frontier
- 2022
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Ingår i: NATURE CANCER. - : NATURE PORTFOLIO. - 2662-1347. ; 3:8, s. 911-926
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Brody and colleagues discuss the current status and potential of cancer vaccines, highlighting challenges and opportunities to advance promising candidates to the clinic. After several decades, therapeutic cancer vaccines now show signs of efficacy and potential to help patients resistant to other standard-of-care immunotherapies, but they have yet to realize their full potential and expand the oncologic armamentarium. Here, we classify cancer vaccines by what is known of the included antigens, which tumors express those antigens and where the antigens colocalize with antigen-presenting cells, thus delineating predefined vaccines (shared or personalized) and anonymous vaccines (ex vivo or in situ). To expedite clinical development, we highlight the need for accurate immune monitoring of early trials to acknowledge failures and advance the most promising vaccines.
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