U.S. patent application number 13/940715 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-22 for generation of antigen specific t cells.
This patent application is currently assigned to Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen Deutsches Forschungszentrum fuR Gesundheit und Umwelt GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen Deutsches Forschungszentrum fuR Gesundheit und Umwelt GmbH. Invention is credited to Thomas Blankenstein, Dolores Jean Schendel, Susanne Wilde.
Application Number | 20140141026 13/940715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37598202 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140141026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schendel; Dolores Jean ; et
al. |
May 22, 2014 |
GENERATION OF ANTIGEN SPECIFIC T CELLS
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method of generating
antigen specific T cells. Furthermore, the invention is directed to
antigen specific T cells, isolated transgenic TCR's, pharmaceutical
compositions containing same and their use in adoptive cell
therapy. This invention in particular pertains to the use of cells
co-expressing allogeneic MHC molecules and antigens to induce
peptide-specific T cells from non-selected allogeneic T cell
repertoires.
Inventors: |
Schendel; Dolores Jean;
(Muenchen, DE) ; Wilde; Susanne; (Muenchen,
DE) ; Blankenstein; Thomas; (Berlin, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen Deutsches Forschungszentrum fuR
Gesundheit und Umwelt GmbH |
Neuherberg |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen
Deutsches Forschungszentrum fuR Gesundheit und Umwelt GmbH
Neuherberg
DE
|
Family ID: |
37598202 |
Appl. No.: |
13/940715 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11990054 |
Mar 22, 2010 |
8486694 |
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PCT/EP2006/007752 |
Aug 4, 2006 |
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13940715 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/184.1 ;
424/93.71; 435/320.1; 435/325; 536/23.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12N 5/0636 20130101;
A61K 2039/5154 20130101; C07K 14/705 20130101; A61K 2039/5156
20130101; C12N 5/0639 20130101; A61P 35/00 20180101; Y02A 50/30
20180101; A61P 37/04 20180101; A61P 31/00 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/184.1 ;
424/93.71; 536/23.5; 435/320.1; 435/325 |
International
Class: |
C07K 14/705 20060101
C07K014/705 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 10, 2006 |
EP |
06007539.7 |
May 5, 2008 |
EP |
05017128.9 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. An isolated nucleic acid coding for a T cell receptor (TCR),
wherein the isolated nucleic acid coding for the transgenic TCR is
obtainable by a method comprising: (a) providing a nucleic acid
encoding a patient-derived major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
molecule and an antigen or a second nucleic acid encoding the
antigen; (b) co-transfecting or introducing both compounds as
defined in (a) into antigen presenting cells (APCs) derived from a
healthy donor; (c) priming peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs)
derived from the healthy donor with the APCs; (d) selecting a T
cell that is specific for the MHC-antigen ligand; and (e) cloning
the TCR of the selected T cell, whereby an isolated nucleic acid
coding for a TCR is obtained.
20. A vector, which comprises the nucleic acid of claim 19.
21. The vector of claim 20, which is a plasmid or a retroviral
vector.
22. A PBMC, which has been transformed with the vector of claim
20.
23. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises the PBMC of claim
22 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
24. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 23, which is an
infusion, injection or a vaccine.
25-26. (canceled)
27. The nucleic acid of claim 19, wherein the APCs are dendritic
cells (DCs).
28. A PBMC, which has been transformed with the vector of claim 21.
Description
[0001] The present invention is directed to a method of generating
antigen specific T cells. Furthermore, the invention is directed to
antigen specific T cells, isolated transgenic T cell receptors
(TCRs), pharmaceutical compositions containing same and their use
in adoptive cell therapy. This invention in particular pertains to
the use of cells co-expressing allogeneic MHC molecules and
antigens to induce peptide-specific T cells from non-selected
allogeneic T cell repertoires.
[0002] The adoptive transfer of lymphocytes in the setting of
allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) has demonstrated the
power of the immune system for eradicating hematological
malignancies (Kolb et al. 1995). It appears that SCT can also
function to eliminate solid tumors, such as renal cell carcinomas
(RCC) in some cases (reviewed in Kolb et al. 2004 and Dudley and
Rosenberg, 2003). In SCT recipients, the elimination of malignant
cells may only occur after several months up to a year, due to the
fact that specific T cells must be activated in vivo and must then
expand to adequate numbers following the development of the new
hematopoietic system in the transplant recipient. Alternatively,
after a period of time (approximately 60 days) during which
tolerance is established in the SCT recipient, a transfer of
unprimed, unseparated lymphocytes can be made to speed up the
generation of immune responses directed against tumor cells. Here
again, the specific lymphocytes capable of attacking tumor cells
must be activated and expanded from the low frequency precursor
lymphocytes that are present among the unselected population of
lymphocytes that are transferred. Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI)
of unselected lymphocyte populations after SCT work well for the
elimination of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), which grows
slowly, but are less effective in the eradication of acute
leukemia, partly due to the fact that the growth of the malignant
cells outpaces the expansion capacity of the immune cells. This
same expansion differential also impacts on the poor immune
elimination of rapidly progressing solid tumors. A second handicap
in the use of unselected lymphocyte populations in DLI is that T
cells may also be transferred that have the capacity to attack
normal cells and tissues of the recipient, leading to
graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), a disease with high morbidity and
mortality.
[0003] Recent studies have demonstrated that the adoptive transfer
of selected T cells with defined peptide specificities can lead to
major reductions in tumor burden in an autologous setting,
particularly if patients have been pretreated with
non-myeloablative regimens (Dudley et al. 2002, 2003). This
eliminates the need to perform SCT in the tumor patient, and
thereby also bypasses the problem of GVHD. Effective immune
responses were seen in pretreated melanoma patients who received
autologous mixtures of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). These
mixtures of cells, containing both CD4 and CD8 positive T cells,
appear to be clinically more efficacious than the adoptive transfer
of large numbers of a single CD8 T cell clone specific for a
particular MHC-tumor-associated antigen (TAA) ligand. One factor
contributing to this difference is the requirement to have CD4 T
cells to maintain long-lived CD8 T cells. Furthermore, immune
responses directed against single ligands can lead to the selection
of tumor cell variants that have lost expression of the
corresponding ligand and thereby can escape immune detection. On
the one hand, transfer of complex mixtures of T cells, as they are
present among tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, can overcome these
problems by providing CD4 and CD8 cells with multiple specificities
but they can also lead to autoimmunity if the mixtures of TIL
contain T cells that recognize ligands expressed by normal tissues.
This is demonstrated for example by the attack of normal
melanocytes leading to vitiligo in melanoma patients following
adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using cells that recognize melanoma
differentiation antigens that are also expressed in melanocytes
(Dudley et al. 2002).
[0004] In order to extend the capacity to use ACT to treat patients
with more rapidly growing tumors, it is a goal to transfer
enriched, peptide-specific effector T cells (both CD4 T helper
cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes) that have been selected for
their ligand specificities to effectively attack tumor cells while
avoiding serious attack of normal tissues. These cells are to be
rapidly expanded to large numbers ex vivo and then used for ACT.
Alternatively, the T cell receptors (TCR) of such ligand-specific T
cells can be cloned and expressed as TCR-transgenes in activated
lymphocytes, using either recipient peripheral blood lymphocytes or
activated T cell clones with defined specificities that grow well
and do not have the capacity to attack normal host tissues.
[0005] As examples, an expanded allospecific T cell clone that is
specific for an MHC molecule not expressed by the recipient or an
expanded T cell clone specific for a virus, such as cytomegalovirus
or Epstein-Barr virus, could be used as recipient cells for the
transgenic TCR. The availability of a panel of transgenic TCR
vectors, recognizing different MHC-peptide ligands could be used to
develop large numbers of pre-activated T cells of both the CD4 and
CD8 subtypes, thereby allowing large numbers of effector
lymphocytes to be rapidly prepared and transferred to patients
whose tumors express the corresponding TCR ligands. This would save
time in achieving the numbers of specific T cells required to
control tumor growth, possibly leading to more effective tumor
eradication of rapidly progressing tumors.
[0006] Because the determinants that specific T cells recognize on
leukemia and lymphomas, as well as solid tumor cells, often
represent self-peptides derived from over-expressed proteins that
are presented by self-MHC molecules, the affinity of their T cell
receptors (TCR) is low, since T cells bearing high affinity
receptors have been eliminated through the process of negative
selection which is applied to lymphocytes during their development
in the thymus. More effective tumor cell recognition occurs if the
T cells are generated from lymphocyte populations that have not
been negatively selected against self-MHC-molecules during their
development in the thymus.
[0007] Therefore, there is an important need to find means to
rapidly generate T cells that bear TCR with high functional avidity
that have the capacity to recognize their ligands on tumor cells.
Such T cells are present in the repertoire of an allogeneic
individual who has MHC-mismatches to the potential ACT
recipient.
[0008] The work of Stauss and coworkers (Gao et al., 1999, 2000)
has shown that cytotoxic effector cells that are selected to
recognize peptides derived from the transcription factor, WT-1, and
presented by allogeneic MHC class I molecules have high affinity
TCR and can effectively eliminate WT-1 positive leukemia without
damaging normal stem cells. In the setting of a partial-mismatched
SCT, tolerance for such T cells can be established, allowing their
specific adoptive transfer. Stauss solved the problem of obtaining
such allo-restricted CD8 T cells by using the T2 cell line, pulsed
with WT-1 peptides, as a source of stimulating cells. T2 cells have
gene deletions that impair their ability to load endogenous
peptides into their MHC class I molecules and due to deletions in
chromosome 6, these cells have the limited capacity to express
HLA-A2 molecules. When peptides are provided exogenously to T2
cells they can bind to the empty HLA-A2 molecules and form stable
complexes at the cell surface. These peptide-pulsed cells can then
be used to stimulate peripheral blood lymphocytes from an
HLA-A2-negative individual. Under such priming conditions a number
of different activated lymphocyte populations emerge in vitro. T
cells recognizing HLA-A2 molecules are activated, a fraction of
which are specific for the WT-1/HLA-A2 ligand. These sought-after T
cells must be separated from T cells that recognize HLA-A2
molecules irrespective of peptide. Unfortunately, the failure of T2
cells to express a normal complement of MHC class I molecules, as
well as its inherent capacity to activate non-MHC-restricted cells,
leads to a parallel activation of NK and NK-like T cells (Falk et
al 2002). These populations often dominant the cultures and it
requires tedious work to eliminate these cells and to enrich the T
cell populations for the desired alloreactive cells. This slows the
process of generation of specific T cells and therefore causes
significant clinical restrictions. Furthermore, the peptides from
the antigens must be known in advance since they must be pulsed
onto T2 cells from the outside since T2 cells lack the
transporter-associated with antigen processing (TAP) genes which
allow antigen presenting cells to generate peptides from proteins
expressed within the cell and present them on their surface in MHC
class I and class II molecules. Furthermore, T2 only express
endogenous HLA-A2 class I molecules.
[0009] US Patent Application 20020090362 discloses a method of
treating a patient, the method comprising administering to the
patient a therapeutically effective amount of cytotoxic T
lymphocytes (CTL) which recognise at least part of an antigenic
molecule when presented by an HLA class I (or equivalent) molecule
on the surface of a cell wherein the cytotoxic T lymphocytes are
not derived from the patient. This application describes the use of
stimulating cells which are allogenic or even xenogenic in view of
the donor of the CTL. US Patent Application 20020090362 further
discloses stimulating cells which are preferably incapable of
loading a selected molecule (peptide) and in particular the use of
TAP deficient stimulating cells.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,861 describes a method of making a
clonal population of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) reactive against
a selected molecule the method comprising the step of (a)
co-culturing a sample containing CTL derived from a healthy
individual (i.e. which are not derived from the patient) with a
stimulator cell which expresses HLA class I (or equivalent)
molecules on its surface and that presents at least a part of a
selected (antigenic) molecule on the surface of said stimulator
cell and (b) selecting a CTL clone reactive against said selected
molecule when at least a part of said molecule is presented by an
HLA class I (or equivalent) molecule on the surface of a cell. The
considerations mentioned for US Patent Application 20020090362 also
apply here.
[0011] Therefore, it is a problem underlying the present invention
to generate T cells that bear TCR with high functional avidity that
have the capacity to recognize their MHC-peptide ligands on
pathogenic agents, as for example tumor cells. It is a further
problem underlying the present invention to provide a method for
the rapid and effective generation of antigen specific T cells
which can be used in adoptive cell transfer. Furthermore, it is a
problem underlying the invention to provide a T cell based
pharmaceutical composition that can be used for treating a patient
suffering from a disease without a risk of
graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD).
[0012] The inventors have developed an alternative strategy to
obtain allorestricted, peptide-specific T cells. Well known
technologies to express proteins in dendritic cells (DCs), or other
cells that can function as antigen-presenting cells (APCs), through
the transfer of in vitro transcribed RNA (Nair et al. 1998) were
used. However, instead of expressing only RNA encoding sources of
antigens, as is common in the prior art, the inventors
co-transfected RNA encoding a specific target molecule, such as
tyrosinase as a model TAA, and an RNA encoding an allogeneic MHC
molecule, for example HLA-A2, into DCs, or other cells, derived
from an HLA-A2 negative donor.
[0013] These transfected DC can then be used to prime PBL, for
example autologous PBL. The HLA-A2-antigen ligands represent
allo-determinants for the PBL of the HLA-A2 negative DC donor and
therefore T cells bearing high affinity TCR can be obtained.
Because the DCs express a full complement of self-MHC molecules,
the emergence of non-MHC-restricted populations of lymphocytes is
suppressed through negative MHC regulation. A number of different
strategies can be used to enrich the peptide-specific/HLA-A2
allorestricted T cells from T cells that recognize HLA-A2
independently of the specific peptide derived from the antigen,
including cytokine capture, tetramer selection or by cloning of
individual T cells that are subsequently expanded.
[0014] The present approach offers a number of advantages over the
T2 system or Drosophila cells for obtaining allorestricted
peptide-specific T cells (as described by Stauss and
coworkers).
[0015] Firstly, T cells with allorestriction for a variety of MHC
molecules can be developed since in vitro transcribed RNA for any
cloned MHC class I or class II allele can be utilized. Thus, such
APC can be used to generate both allorestricted peptide-specific
CD4 and CD8 T cells via presentation of desired antigens through
transferred allogeneic MHC class II or allogeneic MHC class I
alleles, respectively. It is noted that the approach described in
US Patent Application 20020090362 is only suitable for generating
CD8 T cells.
[0016] Second, one is not restricted to priming against only known
peptides of selected TAA since the whole antigen is available for
processing and presentation within the DC. The antigen can be
provided either in the form of protein or in the form of nucleic
acid which will be subsequently used as the template to express the
corresponding protein in the APC. Also here, the differences to the
prior art approaches are striking: in US Patent Application
20020090362, the peptides are loaded onto stimulating cells (which
are not professional APC's), since the stimulating cells are unable
to process and present antigens. Thus, only known peptides can be
used in this approach and not antigens of unknown structure as it
is the case in the present invention.
[0017] Third, the TCR sequences of these selected T cells with high
functional avidity can be used for expression in autologous PBMC to
generate TCR transgenic T cells with high functional avidity for
tumors that bear the respective TCR ligands. ACT can be performed
using such TCR-transgenic T cells as an alternative to the adoptive
transfer of specific lymphocytes that must be isolated and expanded
over considerable periods of time in vitro. This would allow
treatment of patients not undergoing SCT as well as application in
patients with other non-hematological malignancies expressing the
corresponding MHC-peptide ligands seen by the transgenic TCRs.
[0018] In particular, the present invention provides a method for
the generation of antigen specific T cells wherein APC's are used
which are derived from a healthy donor and which are autologous to
PBL which are also derived from the same healthy donor. The MHC
molecule transfected into said APC's however is patient derived.
Patient derived in this context means that the sequences encoding
same are directly obtained from the patient or alternatively are
derived from another source, for example cDNA or genomic clones,
which are identical to the MHC alleles of the patient to be
treated. Furthermore, for the first time, the present invention
uses the approach to co-transfect MHC molecule and antigen into
those APC's in general in order to achieve the desired antigen
specific T cells.
[0019] The transfected APC's of the invention can be used to prime
PBL which are autologous in view of the APC's. The transferred
MHC-antigen ligands represent allo-determinants for the PBL of the
APC donor who does not carry the MHC gene corresponding to said MHC
molecule that is transferred into the APC. Therefore T cells
bearing high affinity TCR can be obtained. Because the APCs express
a full complement of self-MHC molecules, the emergence of
non-MHC-restricted populations of lymphocytes is suppressed through
negative MHC regulation. The use of APCs, and the use of DCs in
particular, in this invention is of particular importance because
these cells can efficiently process and present peptides in their
MHC class I and class II molecules. In addition, APCs are
characterized by the expression of additional costimulatory
molecules that allow them to signal additional receptors on T
lymphocytes that lead to optimal activation, expansion and survival
of T cells. Furthermore, APCs and DCs in particular have the
capacity to secrete a variety of cytokines and chemokines that
impinge on the function of the primed lymphocytes. Dependent upon
the factors made by the APCs the responding lymphocytes can be
modified with respect to their subtype, homing capacity and
functional capacities. As examples, mature DCs can be used to
activate T cells that have the desired antigen-specificity due to
the interactions of their TCR with the MHC-peptide ligands
displayed by the DC but also have desired functions based on the
cytokines/chemokines secreted by the particular DCs used as APCs.
DCs secreting different types of cytokines/chemokines can be
generated in vitro and used to stimulate desired types of T cells.
Thus, mature DCs that are generated in culture with maturation
cocktails that lead them to secrete high amounts of the cytokine
IL-12 have a good capacity to activate CD4 T cells of the T helper
type 1 which are particularly important in anti-tumor immunity
(Napolitani et al. 2005). In contrast, immature DCs, that secrete
IL-10, seem to be particularly potent in activating regulatory T
cells that can suppress the activities of other lymphocytes
(Levings and Roncarola, 2005). Such regulatory T cells may thereby
be of clinical benefit in controlling autoagressive T cells in
patients suffering from autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes
mellitus or in controlling immune responses to pathogens that
become too overriding and cause immune pathology, as for example in
some forms of leprosy.
[0020] Because DCs have the capacity to process and present
antigens that are expressed in various compartments within the cell
it is not necessary to know the exact antigen peptides in order to
generate T cells with the desired antigen specificity. For example,
when DCs are provided with full protein antigens, or RNA encoding
such proteins, they can process several different peptides from one
and the same protein and present them in their MHC class I and II
molecules; these various MHC-peptide ligand can in turn prime
different populations of CD4 and CD8 T cells. There is no reason
why DCs can not be modified to express an allogeneic MHC class I
and an allogeneic MHC class II molecule at the same time as they
are modified to express antigen, thereby allowing priming of both
CD4 and CD8 allorestricted T cells in the same cultures.
Interactions of the activated CD4 T cells with the DCs can in turn
provide them with signals that allow them to optimally activate CD8
T cells (Toes et al. 1998). DCs further can be modified to express
several different antigens simultaneously; in fact DCs can be
transfected to express the entire RNA contents of a tumor cell,
encompassing many hundreds of RNA species. The DCs are capable of
processing and presenting multiple MHC class I and class II ligands
simultaneously on their surface, leading to activation of many
different T cell types (Gilboa and Viewig, 2004; Geiger et al.
2005; Schaft et al. 2005). There is no reason why this same
property can not be captured to create allorestricted MHC-peptide
ligands by co-expressing allogeneic MHC class I and/or class II
molecules simultaneously with the mixtures of RNA or proteins for
antigens.
[0021] The present invention is supported by the following
experimental results: [0022] 1) First, the inventors showed that
when RNA encoding an allogeneic MHC molecule, such as HLA-A2, is
transferred into cells of an HLA-A2-negative donor, it can be
demonstrated that HLA-A2 molecules are expressed at the cell
surface, as detected using flow cytometry following staining with
HLA-A2-specific monoclonal antibodies. Furthermore, these cells can
activate an HLA-A2 allospecific T cell clone (JB4 cells) to secrete
cytokine (IFN-gamma), demonstrating their functional capacity.
Transfer and expression can be achieved in DCs as well as in other
cells, such as K562 cells. [0023] 2) Likewise, when RNA encoding a
tumor-associated antigen (TAA) such as tyrosinase as an example of
a TAA for melanoma is transferred, one can detect protein
expression inside the cells, since this is a non-membrane protein.
This protein expression can be demonstrated using flow cytometry
and intracellular staining using tyrosinase-specific antibodies and
secondary fluorescent-labeled antibodies for detection. Transfer
and expression can be achieved in DCs and in other cells such as
K562. [0024] 3) When one transfers both species of RNA (HLA-A2 plus
tyrosinase) into the same cells, then one can detect simultaneous
expression of both types of protein in the recipient cells. This
can be achieved in DCs and other cells like K562. [0025] 4) The
APCs co-expressing an MHC molecule, such as HLA-A2, and a TAA, such
as tyrosinase, generate MHC-peptide complexes and display them on
their surface in a manner with which they can interact with T cells
bearing TCR for the corresponding ligand. This is demonstrated by
the fact that such co-expressing APC can activate a T cell clone
with the specificity as measured by cytokine release. This was
demonstrated using either DCs or other cells such as K562 as APC
for an HLA-A2-tyrosinase-peptide specific CD8 T cell clone (Tyr-F8
cells).
[0026] In particular, the present invention is directed to the
following aspects and embodiments:
[0027] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides
a method of generating antigen specific T cells comprising the
steps of
a) providing a nucleic acid encoding a patient-derived MHC molecule
and an antigen or a nucleic acid encoding said antigen; b)
co-transfecting or introducing both compounds as defined in a) in
antigen presenting cells (APC's) derived from a healthy donor,
preferably from dendritic cells; c) priming peripheral blood
lymphocytes (PBL's) derived from the healthy donor with said APC's;
d) selecting those T cells which are specific for the MHC-antigen
ligand.
[0028] The APC's are preferably selected from dendritic cells,
activated B cells, monocytes, macrophages, activated T cells,
hematological malignancies with antigen presenting capacities
and/or EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines.
[0029] Dendritic cells (DC) are in particular preferred. Mature
dendritic cells (DCs) express both MHC class I and class II
molecules at high levels, along with a wide variety of
costimulatory molecules, which provide them with the full capacity
to prime naive T cells that have not encountered antigen
previously. They also have all the necessary genes/proteins that
allow them to process and present antigens form intracellular
proteins in their MHC class I and class II molecules. Thus, they
are optimal antigen presenting cells (APCs) to use as stimulating
cells for induction of both CD4 and CD8 T cells responses.
Expression of RNA encoding a TAA in autologous DCs allowed tumor
antigen specific T cells with high affinity to be primed in vitro
using peripheral blood lymphocytes of the same healthy donor (Liao
et al. 2004). Because DCs express a normal complement of
self-encoded MHC class I molecules they can negatively regulate the
activity of NK and NK-like T cells, in contrast to T2 cells or
cells of other species, such as Drosophila cells.
[0030] According to an embodiment, the MHC molecule and the antigen
are used as a mixture of antigen and nucleic acid encoding the MHC
molecule. As an alternative, the nucleic acid encoding an
allogeneic MHC molecule and the antigen are provided as bicistronic
RNA.
[0031] The antigens against which specific T cells should be
generated are preferably selected from pathogenic agents derived
from viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasites as well as tumor
cells or tumor cell associated antigens, autoantigens or functional
parts thereof.
[0032] The viruses are preferably selected from the group
consisting of influenza viruses, measles and respiratory syncytial
viruses, dengue viruses, human immunodeficiency viruses, human
hepatitis viruses, herpes viruses, or papilloma viruses. The
protozoa may be Plasmodium falciparum, the bacteria
tuberculosis-causing Mycobacteria.
[0033] The tumor associated antigen is preferably selected from
hematological malignancies or solid tumors, more preferably colon
carcinoma, breast carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, renal cell
carcinoma (RCC), lung carcinoma, sarcomas or melanoma cells.
[0034] The selection step d) is preferably performed by means of
measuring the cytokine release of the T cells or other measures of
T cell activation. For example, the activated T cells can be cloned
as individual cells and following expansion, the T cell clones can
be analyzed for their MHC-peptide specificity and those with the
desired specificity can be selected for further use (Schendel et
al. 1979, 1997). Alternatively, soluble MHC-peptide ligands in
various forms, such as tetramers, can be marked with a fluorescent
label and incubated with the activated T cells. Those T cells
bearing TCR that interact with the tetramers can then be detected
by flow cytometry and sorted on the basis of their fluorescence
(Yee et al. 1999). Furthermore, T cells can be stimulated for short
periods of time with tumor cells to which they should react and
their interferon gamma secretion detected by capture reagents, for
example as published (Becker et al. 2001).
[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the method of the
invention further comprises the step of expanding the T cells
selected in d) ex vivo. This can be done by co-culturing the
selected T cells with APC generated in the same manner as used for
their initial priming, adding new APC to the T cell cultures every
7-10 days and providing the cells with fresh culture medium on a
regular basis that contains supplementary cytokines, dependent upon
the type of T cell that one is expanding, this can include IL-2,
IL-4, IL-7 and/or IL-15 among others, as described in (Schendel et
al., 1997; Regn et al. 2001; Su et al. 2001, 2002).
[0036] Further, the method of the invention further comprises the
step of cloning the T cell receptor (TCR) of the isolated T cells
and/or expressing the TCR transgenes in PBMC. This can be done
according to established methods such as those described in Engels
et al., 2005.
[0037] It is one major advantage of the present approach that it is
not restricted to a specific MHC class. Thus, the MHC molecule may
be selected from MHC class I, preferably HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C or
HLA-E, or MHC class II, preferably HLA-DP, HLA-DQ, HLA-DR as long
as they correspond to the MHC type of the patient.
[0038] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides
an antigen specific T cell, which is obtainable by the method as
defined above.
[0039] Said T cell preferably is a T cell with effector cell
characteristics, more preferably a cytokine producing T cell, a
cytotoxic T cell or regulatory T cell, preferably CD4+ or CD8+ T
cells.
[0040] In a third aspect, the invention is directed to a nucleic
acid coding for a transgenic TCR, which is obtainable by the method
as explained above.
[0041] An additional aspect is directed to a vector, which
comprises the nucleic acid coding for a transgenic TCR. This vector
is preferably an expression vector which contains a nucleic acid
according to the invention and one or more regulatory nucleic acid
sequences. Preferably, this vector is a plasmid or a retroviral
vector.
[0042] The invention further comprises a PBMC, which has been
transformed with the vector as defined above.
[0043] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a
pharmaceutical composition, which comprises the T cells or PBMCs as
explained above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
[0044] Those active components of the present invention are
preferably used in such a pharmaceutical composition, in doses
mixed with an acceptable carrier or carrier material, that the
disease can be treated or at least alleviated. Such a composition
can (in addition to the active component and the carrier) include
filling material, salts, buffer, stabilizers, solubilizers and
other materials, which are known state of the art.
[0045] The term "pharmaceutically acceptable" defines a non-toxic
material, which does not interfere with effectiveness of the
biological activity of the active component. The choice of the
carrier is dependent on the application.
[0046] The pharmaceutical composition can contain additional
components which enhance the activity of the active component or
which supplement the treatment. Such additional components and/or
factors can be part of the pharmaceutical composition to achieve
synergistic effects or to minimize adverse or unwanted effects.
[0047] Techniques for the formulation or preparation and
application/medication of active components of the present
invention are published in "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences",
Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., latest edition. An appropriate
application is a parenteral application, for example intramuscular,
subcutaneous, intramedular injections as well as intrathecal,
direct intraventricular, intravenous, intranodal, intraperitoneal
or intratumoral injections. The intravenous injection is the
preferred treatment of a patient.
[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical
composition is an infusion or an injection or a vaccine.
[0049] According to a further aspect, the present invention is
directed to the use of the antigen specific T cells or PBMCs as
explained above for the manufacture of a medicament for adoptive
cell therapy and in particular for treating hematological
malignancies or solid tumors and acute or chronic infections (see
also above).
[0050] The present invention is illustrated by examples and figures
in the following.
[0051] The figures are showing the following:
[0052] FIG. 1 is showing the maturation of dendritic cells and
activation of specific cytotoxic T cells in the conventional immune
response against malignant cells.
[0053] FIG. 2 is illustrating the de novo priming of naive
tumor-specific T-cells with RNA-pulsed dendritic cells.
[0054] FIG. 3-9 are showing the introduction of in vitro
transcribed RNA.
[0055] FIG. 10 is showing the influence of RNA concentration of
restimulation of TyrF8 cells by RNA-expressing DCs.
[0056] FIG. 11 illustrates the de novo priming protocol of naive T
cells with RNA-pulsed dendritic cells.
[0057] FIG. 12 shows the expression of MHC-peptide ligands on
RNA-transfected dendritic cells.
[0058] FIG. 13 depicts the tetramer staining of primed T cells from
HLA-A2-positive and HLA-A2-negative donors.
[0059] FIG. 14 shows the assessment of tetramer-sorted bulk T cell
cultures for specificity and T cell receptor avidity.
[0060] FIG. 15 depicts the assessment of T cell clones for
specificity, T cell receptor avidity and function.
EXAMPLES
Description of Experiments and Figures
FIG. 1. Immature and Mature Stages of Dendritic Cells
[0061] Dendritic cells (DCs) are considered to be the most
"professional" of antigen-presenting cells (APC) because of their
capacity to activate T cells that have never encountered antigen
(naive T cells). This is dependent upon several factors that have
already been discovered for DCs and may also be dependent upon
characteristics that are still to be identified. There are various
forms of DCs and their unique characteristics are continually in
the process of investigation. The type of DC that is used most
commonly for clinical studies is a myeloid DC that can be
differentiated from CD14-positive blood monocytes. Through in vitro
culture of such monocytes in the presence of the cytokines,
granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and
interleukin-4 (IL-4), one generates an immature myeloid DC that is
characterized by its high capacity to take up materials (including
foreign antigens) from its surroundings. When the immature DC
receives an appropriate signal during this stage it is activated to
migrate through the lymphatic vessels to the secondary lymph nodes.
During this migration and upon reaching the lymph node it undergoes
further changes that lead to a stage of full maturation. In the
mature stage, the DC expresses high levels of MHC class I and class
II molecules, which allow it to present antigens in the form of
peptides derived from intracellular proteins to CD8-positive and
CD4-positive T cells, respectively. The antigens that are presented
by both types of MHC molecule and displayed on the surface of DCs
are generated within the DC in a complicated cellular process that
includes various steps of antigen processing and presentation. In
the case of peptides (i.e. antigen-fragments) that are presented at
the DC cell surface in MHC class I molecules it is necessary that
the APC expresses molecules encoded by the transporter-associated
with antigen processing (TAP) genes, TAP1 and TAP2.
[0062] The MHC-peptide ligands that are displayed at the DC surface
interact with antigen-specific receptors present on T lymphocytes
(i.e. T cell receptors). This interaction delivers the first signal
(i.e. signal 1) to the T cell; because this signal is delivered
through the TCR, which is unique for each T cell, it determines the
antigen-specificity of the resultant response by selecting the T
cells with fitting TCRs. Mature DCs also express a wide variety of
costimulatory molecules, including CD40, CD80, CD86 to name a few,
that interact with additional receptors expressed by T lymphocytes
and cause their further activation (i.e. signal 2). Furthermore,
DCs have the capacity to secrete a variety of soluble molecules,
including cytokines and chemokines, which can attract different
subtypes of lymphocytes to their vicinity and can impinge on the
differentiation of the T cells receiving signal 1 and signal 2.
Following binding to a further set of receptors expressed by
lymphocytes these factors can deliver yet another signal to the
lymphocytes which can influence their differentiation and ultimate
function. This is sometimes referred to as signal 3.
[0063] It is possible to generate immature and mature DC in vitro.
For example monocytes can be obtained by various procedures
(positive selection of CD14-positive cells using commercial kits
for cell selection, by their property of adherence to plasticware,
or by their size and density using the process of cell
elutriation). These monocytes are then cultured with GM-CSF and
IL-4 to yield populations of immature DCs. Different combinations
of reagents can be used to induce maturation of DCs and in parallel
to alter their secretion of soluble mediators. These different
forms of immature/mature DCs in turn can be used to activate T
cells that not only have the desired antigen-specificity due to the
interactions of their TCR with the MHC-peptide ligands displayed by
the DC but also having desired functions based on the cytokines
secreted by the DCs. Thus, mature DCs that are generated to secrete
high amounts of the cytokine IL-12 have a good capacity to activate
CD4 T cells of the T helper type 1 which are particularly important
in anti-tumor immunity.
[0064] If properly activated and selected, T cells have the
capacity to recognize and destroy tumor cells or cells infected
with various pathogens. In the case of tumor cells, the
tumor-associated antigens (TAA) that are processed and presented by
APCs often represent molecules that are self-proteins that are
overexpressed in tumor cells. Because most T cells that bear TCR
that interact with MHC-peptide ligands derived from self molecules
are eliminated in the thymus in a process known as "negative
selection" there are few T cells in the repertoire that have TCR
with sufficient avidity to recognize tumor cells expressing such
TAA-ligands.
FIG. 2. De Novo Priming of NaiVe Tumor-Specific T Cells with
RNA-Pulsed Dendritic Cells
[0065] In order to obtain T cells that have better capacity to
recognize MHC-peptide ligands on tumor cells or other cells, such
as those infected with pathogens, one can tap a non-selected
repertoire of T cells from a healthy individual by presenting
peptides derived from the selected antigen/antigens via allogeneic
MHC molecules. For example, T cells from a healthy donor A, who is
not HLA-A2, have not been exposed to HLA-A2-peptide complexes in
the thymus, therefore there are T cells available among the
peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of such an individual
that express TCR capable of interacting with HLA-A2-peptide
complexes with high avidity. In order to stimulate naive T cells
bearing such desired TCR, DC of said donor A are generated from
monocytes and are then modified to express an allogeneic MHC class
I or class II molecule. Here an example is provided for HLA-A2.
This molecule is an allogeneic MHC molecule for T cells of donor A,
who is not HLA-A2. By introducing HLA-A2 encoding RNA into DCs of
donor A, it is possible to create a population of DCs that express
HLA-A2 molecules at their cell surface. Hereby, the DC still
expresses its normal set of self-MHC molecules that are encoded by
the chromosomal MHC genes of donor A, but in addition it expresses
the allogeneic MHC molecule which is translated from the introduced
RNA. At the same time the DC can be provided with RNA encoding a
protein antigen from which peptides can be processed by the DC and
presented at the cell surface by the allogeneic HLA-A2 molecule.
When DCs expressing such allogeneic MHC-peptide ligands at their
cell surface are used as APC to stimulate naive T cells they can
activate T cells with TCR that interact with the desired allogeneic
MHC-peptide ligands. Not all T cells recognizing the allogeneic MHC
molecules will have the desired peptide specificity, therefore the
cells with the desired TCR must be selected from the full
population of activated T cells. There are several procedures which
are well known to immunologists to achieve this selection. For
example, the activated T cells can be cloned as individual cells
and following expansion, the T cell clones can be analyzed for
their MHC-peptide specificity and those with the desired
specificity can be selected for further use. Alternatively, soluble
MHC-peptide ligands in various forms, such as tetramers, can be
marked with a fluorescent label and incubated with the activated T
cells. Those T cells bearing TCR that interact with the tetramers
can then be detected by flow cytometry and sorted on the basis of
their fluorescence.
[0066] The T cells that are selected with the desired TCR
specificity may then be expanded in vitro for use in adoptive cell
therapies (ACT) of patients whose tumors or infected cells express
the corresponding HLA-A2-peptide ligands. Alternatively, the TCR
sequences can be isolated and determined for such T cells and used
to generate TCR constructs that can be introduced into lymphocytes
or other cells to generate transgenic TCR cells that can be used
for ACT.
FIG. 3. Introduction of In Vitro Transcribed RNA into K562
Cells
[0067] As a first experimental approach to demonstrate the
feasibility of this strategy we used the K562 cell line as a
recipient cell line for expression of an allogeneic HLA-A2 MHC
molecule following RNA transfer. This cell line is derived from an
erythromyeloid leukaemia and is well known to cellular
immunologists. Because it is a tumor line it can be grown to large
numbers and is easy to handle experimentally. Furthermore, it does
not express any MHC class I molecules on its cell surface therefore
expression of allogeneic MHC molecules can be easily detected at
the cell surface of K562, following introduction of nucleic acids
encoding MHC class I molecules.
[0068] In the experiments summarized in this figure, HLA-A2 mRNA,
which was generated by in vitro transcription from an
HLA-A2-encoding cDNA, was introduced into K562 cells via
electroporation. The transiently RNA-transfected cells were
compared with a line of K562 cells that were stabily transfected
with the gene encoding HLA-A2, designated as K562-A2 cells.
[0069] The surface expression of HLA-A2 molecules was determined by
flow cytometry following incubation of the cells with a monoclonal
antibody specific for HLA-A2 molecules and the data are presented
as percentages of positive cells (left hand figure). As a mock
control the K562 cells were electroporated in a cuvette containing
water instead of HLA-A2 mRNA. At all time points subsequent to
electroporation, no positive cells were detected in the mock
control. Three different amounts of HLA-A2 RNA were used for
electroporation of the same number of K562 cells. The highest
percentage of HLA-A2 positive cells was detected using the amount
of 24 micrograms of RNA and the highest percentage of cells was
seen at 11 h after electroporation. The percentages of positive
cells expressing HLA-A2 molecules following electroporation of RNA
were comparable at 11 h and 24 h to those of the positive control
K562-A2 cells that stabily express the HLA-A2 gene. The transient
expression of HLA-A2 following introduction of HLA-A2 mRNA is
demonstrated by the decrease in percentages of positive cells at 48
h and no detection at 120 h.
[0070] To determine whether T cells bearing TCR that recognize
HLA-A2 molecules as an alloantigen could be activated by HLA-A2
RNA-expressing cells, a T cell clone designated as JB4 was studied.
This T cell clone secretes the cytokine interferon-gamma when its
TCR interacts with HLA-A2-peptide ligands. The exact peptide/s
required for this recognition is not known but is expressed in K562
cells and in DCs and in most other cells that we have tested, thus
it appears to be derived from a ubiquitous protein. When JB4 cells
are cocultured with K562 mock transfected cells, no IFN-gamma
release is detected (right hand figure). Strong release is seen
with the positive control of K562-A2 cells. All K562 cells
transfected with various amounts of HLA-A2 RNA could induce
secretion of cytokine by JB4 cells, albeit at lower levels than the
positive control. Nevertheless, these are substantial levels of
cytokine release. In cultures of K562 or DCs that did not have
addition of JB4 cells, no cytokine release was measured,
demonstrating that the stimulating cells do not secrete
interferon-gamma themselves. A final control of JB4 cells without
stimulating cells showed no cytokine release and demonstrated that
the T cells must be activated by the appropriate MHC-peptide ligand
to secrete interferon-gamma.
[0071] These studies showed that introduction of an allogeneic MHC
molecule into K.sub.652 cells via transient RNA expression led to
cell surface expression of HLA-A2 molecules and the cells could
activate an HLA-A2 alloantigen-specific T cell clone.
FIG. 4. Introduction of In Vitro Transcribed RNA into DCs.
[0072] A similar experimental approach was used as described in
FIG. 3 to assess surface expression of HLA-A2 molecules on DCs
following electroporation of HLA-A2 mRNA and to assess their
capacity to stimulate cytokine secretion from JB4 cells. Here an
amount of 24 micorgrams of HLA-A2 mRNA was used throughout but
three different sources of mRNA were compared. These included a
commercial source of in vitro transcribed RNA in which the 3' UTR
of the human alpha-globulin gene was added to the HLA-A2 gene
construct, with the intention to stabilize the RNA expression
inside the DCs. This RNA was compared to polyadenylated HLA-A2 RNA
generated using a commercial procedure and kit from Ambion versus a
similar RNA generated using a commercial procedure and kit from
CureVac. The polyadenylated mRNA generated using the Ambion
procedure and introduced by electroporation into DCs cultured from
an HLA-A2 negative donor showed the best results. The highest
percentages of HLA-A2 positive cells were found with this mRNA, the
appearance of HLA-A2 molecules at the surface of the DCs was
detected earlier (at 6 h) and expression in the DCs was still found
at 120 h using this source of mRNA. All further experiments
therefore utilized this source of mRNA.
[0073] The DCs were studied for their capacity to stimulate
cytokine secretion from JB4 cells as described in FIG. 3. Mock
control DCs (most left column) induced only background levels of
cytokine release. Higher levels were seen using DCs expressing the
three different sources of mRNA but those DCs electroporated with
Ambion mRNA were superior. The DC cultures containing no JB4 cells
did not have interferon-gamma, demonstrating that it is only
released by the JB4 cells following stimulation with HLA-A2-RNA
expressing DCs.
FIG. 5. Introduction of In Vitro Transcribed RNA Encoding the
Tumor-Associated Antigen Tyrosinase into K562-A2 Cells.
[0074] RNA was generated using the Ambion procedure and specific
for the antigen tyrosinase. It was electroporated into K562-A2
cells and surface expression of HLA-A2 was measured using a
monoclonal antibody specific for HLA-A2 molecules. The green curves
represent staining with an isotype control antibody and the blue
curves staining with the HLA-A2-specific antibody. Here HLA-A2
surface expression was found at all time points since K562-A2 cells
constitutively express the HLA-A2 gene. A decrease in expression of
HLA-A2 was noted at 12 h which may be related to a stress-induced
impact as a result of electroporation. The cells recovered high
expression of HLA-A2 molecules thereafter. Protein expression of
tyrosinase was measured following intracellular detection of
protein using a monoclonal antibody specific for tyrosinase. The
orange curves represent the staining of the mock control and the
blue curves represent the tyrosinase protein inside the cells. A
slight shift in staining could be seen at several time points
indicating that protein was being made following introduction of
the tyrosinase RNA.
FIG. 6. Expression and Function of Tyrosinase in K562-A2 Cells
[0075] Tyrosinase RNA was electroporated into K562-A2 cells and the
percentages of positive cells as well as the intensity of staining,
designated as mean fluorescent intensity (MFI), was determined at
various time points (upper left field). The red columns show the
constitutive HLA-A2 expression on K562-A2 cells, again with a drop
in level between 11 and 24 h and recovery thereafter. The blue
columns show the intracellular staining of tyrosinase protein with
the peak at 6 h. The shift in staining at 6 h is illustrated in the
lower right field in which the mock control staining is shown by
the orange curve and the tyrosinase staining shown by the blue
curve. The fold increase in expression compared to the mock
control, over time, is shown in the lower left field, giving a
maximum at 11 h. The interferon-gamma secretion of a T cell clone,
Tyr-F8, which sees a tyrosinase-derived peptide presented by HLA-A2
molecules is shown in the upper right field. K562-A2 cells do not
induce interferon-gamma secretion by Tyr-F8 T cells, but they do so
following electroporation with tryosinase RNA. The T cells alone do
not secrete cytokine but they can also be stimulated by K562-A2
cells loaded with synthetic peptide from tyrosinase or by melanoma
cells that co-express tyrosinase and HLA-A2 (MEL-IL2 cells).
[0076] This demonstrates that introduction of RNA for tyrosinase
into K562-A2 cells allows them to process and present the
appropriate MHC-peptide ligand that is seen by the TCR of Tyr-F8
cells and activates the T cells to secrete interferon-gamma. RNA
transfected cells used 12 and 24 h after electroporation had
comparable stimulatory capacities.
FIG. 7. Introduction of In Vitro Transcribed Tyrosinase RNA in DCs
Generated from HLA-A2 Positive Donors.
[0077] A similar set of experiments was done as those described in
FIG. 6 except DCs from an HLA-A2-positive donor were used instead
of K562-A2 cells. Expression of intracellular tyrosinase protein
was detected in the DCs at various time points following
electroporation of RNA (upper panels). The highest mean fold
expression over the mock control was seen at 3 h in the DCs. DCs
alone could not stimulate cytokine secretion by TyrF8 cells but
they could do so following electroporation with tyrosinase RNA. DCs
used either 12 h or 24 h after electroporation had the capacity to
activate Tyr-F8 T cells to secrete interferon-gamma.
FIG. 8. Co-Expression of HLA-A2 and Tyrosinase in K562 Cells.
[0078] K562 cells which do not express any HLA molecules were
electroporated with RNA for HLA-A2 and tyrosinase. Either each
species of RNA was introduced individually or both in combination.
The upper right panel summarizes the protein expression of HLA-A2
alone at different time points (most left set of columns)
tyrosinase alone, followed by HLA-A2 staining in cells
electroporated with both HLA-A2 and tyosinase RNA and the
tyrosinase staining in cells receiving both species of RNA. Optimal
expression of both proteins in cells electroporated with both
species of RNA was seen at 24 h. The K562 cells co-expressing both
RNAs could stimulate interferon-gamma secretion from TyrF8 cells 12
h and 24 h after electroporation.
FIG. 9. Co-Expression of HLA-A2 and Tyrosinase in DCs Made from
HLA-A2 Negative Donors.
[0079] Co-expression of HLA-A2 protein and tyrosinase protein in
DCs prepared from an HLA-A2 negative donor was analyzed as
described in FIG. 8. Co-expression of both proteins was found in
DCs at various time points. The levels of HLA-A2 expression seemed
to be reduced in the presence of tyrosinase RNA. Nevertheless the
DCs co-expressing both RNAs could stimulate significant levels of
interferon-gamma by TyrF8 cells above those of the T cells alone or
following incubation with DCs electroporated with the single
species of RNA.
FIG. 10. Influence of RNA Concentration of Restimulation of TyrF8
Cells by RNA-Expressing DCs.
[0080] The capacity of DCs to stimulate cytokine secretion from
TyrF8 cells was analyzed using DCs prepared from an HLA-A2 negative
donor transfected with different amounts of HLA-A2 and tyrosinase
RNA. Mock control DCs (most left column) induced only background
levels of cytokine release. The T cells alone do not secrete
cytokine but they can also be stimulated by melanoma cells that
co-express tyrosinase and HLA-A2 (MEL-IL2 cells).
[0081] All DCs transfected with various amounts of both RNAs could
induce secretion of interferon-gamma by TyrF8 cells, whereas those
DCs electroporated with 24 .mu.g HLA-A2 and 24 .mu.g tyrosinase RNA
or 48 .mu.g RNA HLA-A2 and 24 .mu.g tyrosinase RNA were superior
indicating that less RNA for the restimulation of T cells may be
better.
FIG. 11. De Novo Priming Protocol of NaiVe T Cells with RNA-Pulsed
Dendritic Cells
[0082] In order to analyze the capacity of RNA-loaded DCs to prime
naive T cells to become tumor-specific lymphocytes, a three phase
priming protocol was developed. Eight days in advance of the
initiation of priming (day -8), monocytes were prepared by plastic
adherence from an HLA-A2-positive donor and an HLA-A2-negative
donor, as described. These purified monocyte populations were used
to prepare immature DCs that were then matured as described. On the
first day (day 0) of the T cell priming protocol the DCs were
loaded with RNA via electroporation, as described. The DCs derived
from the HLA-A2-positive donor were loaded with 24 .mu.g of
tyrosinase RNA as a model tumor antigen. Tyrosinase protein
translated from the RNA in the DCs should be processed and
presented as peptides in association with the self-encoded HLA-A2
molecules at the DC surface. The DCs derived from the
HLA-A2-negative donor were loaded with RNA encoding HLA-A2 (48
.mu.g) and tyrosinase (24 .mu.g). Here the HLA-A2 molecules encoded
by the transferred RNA represent allogeneic MHC molecules. Peptides
derived from the tyrosinase protein should be processed and
presented by HLA-A2 molecules that are translated from the HLA-A2
encoding RNA transferred to the DCs; these peptide-MHC complexes
represent allorestricted-peptide ligands. On day 0 of the priming
protocol, autologous CD8.sup.+ T lymphocytes from each donor were
isolated via negative selection using a commercial kit and the
manufacturer's instructions (CD8.sup.+ T cell Isolation Kit II
(human), Miltenyi, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany) to >80% purity.
These untouched autologous CD8.sup.+ T cells were added to the
mature RNA-pulsed DCs 9 h after electroporation at a ratio of 10:1
in AimV medium (Gibco BRL, Karlsruhe, Germany) containing IL-7 (10
ng/mL). IL-2 (20 IU/mL) was added after 2 days and then on every
3.sup.rd subsequent day. Seven days (day 7) after the 1.sup.st
stimulation, the 2.sup.nd stimulation of the priming cultures was
performed using RNA-pulsed DCs prepared in the same manner as for
the 1.sup.st stimulation and using the same culture conditions as
used on day 0 of priming. After an additional 7 days (day 14),
HLA-A2-restricted tyrosinase-specific T cells were sorted with the
aid of a phycoerythrin (PE)-labeled
HLA-A*0201/htyr369-377peptide/human .beta..sub.2m tetramer (Wolfl
et al., 2004; provided by Prof. D. Busch, Institute of Medical
Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University, Munich,
Germany). Some of the positively-selected T cells were plated at 1
cell/well in 96-well V-bottomed plates (TPP, Trasadingen,
Switzerland). The wells were fed with Aim V medium containing 50
IU/mL IL-2 (Chiron Behring, Marburg, Germany) every three days and
5 ng/mL IL-7 (Promokine, Heidelberg, Germany) and 10 ng/mL IL-15
(PeproTech Inc., New Jersey, United States) every seven days.
Selected clones and the remaining tetramer-selected uncloned T
cells were maintained in culture in Aim V medium, with IL-2, IL-7,
IL-15, as above, and were provided with feeder cells, comprised of
peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from a pool of five
donors which was irradiated with 50 Gy. The T cells were stimulated
non-specifically with anti-CD3 antibody (0.1 .mu.g/mL; provided by
Dr. Elisabeth Kremmer, Institute of Molecular Immunology, GSF,
Munich, Germany) every two weeks.
FIG. 12. Expression of MHC-Peptide Ligands on RNA-Transfected
Dendritic Cells
[0083] To demonstrate that the DCs used for T cell priming
expressed the expected MHC-peptide ligands, the expression of
HLA-A2 molecules at the cell surface and intracellular tyrosinase
protein was determined using flow cytometry as described
previously. Co-expression of HLA-A2 molecules and tyrosinase
protein was detected at high levels in DCs derived from both
donors. The levels of intracellular tyrosinase protein were
comparable in the DCs prepared from both the HLA-A2-positive and
the HLA-A2-negative donor. The levels of HLA-A2 surface expression
on a majority of cells were higher in the DCs prepared from the
HLA-A2-positive donor where they are encoded by an endogenous gene.
Whereas the levels of transgenic HLA-A2 molecules are more variable
on the DCs prepared from the HLA-A2-negative donor.
[0084] The capacity of such DCs, using cells prepared according to
the same protocol in independent experiments, to stimulate T cells
was determined using an HLA-A2-alloresponsive T cell clone that
recognizes HLA-A2 molecules irrespective of the peptides they carry
(i.e. HLA-A2+xyz peptides). Both populations of DCs were able to
stimulate this T cell clone (JB4) to secrete interferon-gamma, as
measured in a standard ELISA as described previously. No cytokine
release was seen from T cells incubated without DCs. The presence
of ligands comprised of HLA-A2 molecules presenting a
tyrosinase-derived peptide, was assessed by measuring
interferon-gamma release by a T cell clone (Tyr-F8) specific for
HLA-A2-tyrosinase peptide. T cells incubated without DCs released
only background levels of cytokine. In this experiment the
HLA-A2-positive DCs were provided with 48 .mu.g of tyrosinase
whereas the HLA-A2-negative DCs were provided with 24 .mu.g of
tyrosinase.
[0085] These results demonstrated that the transgenic HLA-A2
molecules, provided by RNA transfer into the DCs derived from the
HLA-A2-negative donor, could be stained at the cell surface with
specific HLA-A2 antibody and recognized by an HLA-allospecific T
cell clone (JB4). The transfer of tyrosinase RNA led to
intracellular protein expression in both DC populations. The
co-transfer of HLA-A2 and tyrosinase RNA allowed an
HLA-A2-tyrosinase specific T cell clone (Tyr F8) to be activated,
as did the transfer of tyrosinase RNA into DCs expressing
endogenously encoded HLA-A2 molecules.
FIG. 13. Tetramer Staining of Primed T Cells from HLA-A2-Positive
and HLA-A2-Negative Donors
[0086] To select T cells bearing T cell receptors specific for
HLA-A2-tyrosinase peptide ligands that are present among the primed
T cell cultures, the T cells were stained with an
HLA-A*0201/htyr369-377/H.beta..sub.2m tetramer and analyzed by flow
cytometry. Cells from each of the two different priming cultures
that showed tetramer binding were gated (black rectangle, n) and
isolated in a MoFlo.TM. High-Performance Cell Sorter (Dako, Fort
Collins, Colo., USA). The CD8+tetramer.sup.+ T cell population of
the HLA-A2-positive donor showed tetramer binding at only a low
intensity whereas the CD8.sup.+tetramer.sup.+ cells from the
HLA-A2-negative donor were stained at a higher intensity. The
sorted tetramer.sup.+ T cells were plated as single cell and the
remaining cells retained in culture as uncloned bulk cultures.
[0087] These results demonstrated that the priming protocol yielded
T cells that carried TCR capable of binding
HLA-A2-tyrosinase-specific tetramers. More T cells bound the
tetramer at higher intensity in the cultures primed using the DCs
derived from the HLA-A2-negative donor, indicating better
stimulation by HLA-A2 allogeneic, peptide ligands.
FIG. 14. Assessment of Tetramer-Sorted Bulk T Cell Cultures for
Specificity and T Cell Receptor Avidity
[0088] The sorted cells that were retained as bulk cultures were
reanalyzed for tetramer staining after 8 days. As expected, the
majority of sorted cells were CD8.sup.+ in the sorted bulk cultures
derived from both of the priming cultures. Tetramer.sup.+ T cells
were present at a frequency of about 8% in the cultures primed
using HLA-A2-positive DCs. These cells had an intermediate
intensity of tetramer binding (MFI=127.49), whereas 80% of the bulk
culture T cells from the HLA-A2-negative donor bound the tetramer
with a much higher intensity (MFI=3248.77). The intensity of
tetramer binding is one parameter used to assess T cell receptor
(TCR) avidity for a particular MHC-peptide ligand (Yee et al.,
1999). A higher intensity of tetramer binding indicates a better
interaction of the ligand with the TCR. A second parameter of TCR
avidity is the tetramer off-rate (Palermo et al., 2005). T cells
are incubated with tetramer and are then washed and incubated in
the absence of tetramer and the presence of antibody specific for
HLA-A2 molecules. The presence of this antibody prevents tetramers
which have fallen off the surface of the T cells from rebinding to
the cell surface. The intensity of tetramer staining on the T cells
is determined at various time points after washing: 0 h, 1 h, 2 h.
If the tetramer staining is rapidly lost, this indicates that the
TCR has only low avidity for the MHC-peptide ligand of the
tetramer. If tetramer binding is more stable over time, this
indicates a higher TCR avidity for the MHC-peptide ligand. In the
comparison of the two bulk cultures, it was found that only 20% of
the original tetramer-binding cells (1.7% vs 8.3%) were still
tetramer.sup.+ after 2 h in the cells derived from the
HLA-A2-positive donor. In contrast, 75% of the cells were still
tetramer.sup.+ after 2 h in the T cells derived from the
HLA-A2-negative donor (60.5% vs 80.6%).
[0089] The specificity of tetramer binding was determined using a
tetramer comprised of HLA-B7 molecules presenting a peptide derived
from cytomegalovirus (B7-CMV tetramer, provided by Prof. D. Busch).
Both bulk T cell cultures showed only low levels of staining
(0.3-0.4%). In addition, an HLA-A2-CMV peptide tetramer was also
used. Only 0.4% of T cells from the HLA-A2-positive donor bound
this tetramer, whereas 12.7% of the bulk T cells from the second
donor were positive. These T cells likely represent T cells with
TCR that recognize HLA-A2 molecules as alloantigens, irrespective
of the peptides they present. The intensity of tetramer binding was
lower (MFI=166.98) compared to the intensity of the
HLA-A2-tyrosinase-tetramer binding (MFI=3248.77).
[0090] These results demonstrate that T cells bearing TCR with
higher avidity as defined by intensity of tetramer staining and
slower tetramer off-rate were derived from the cultures using
HLA-A2-negative DCs, demonstrating the superiority of inducing
responses in non-negatively selected T cell repertoires, using
allogeneic-peptide ligands.
FIG. 15. Assessment of T Cell Clones for Specificity, T Cell
Receptor Avidity and Function
[0091] From the single cell plating experiments, two clones were
selected for further characterization. One clone (PS P4D11) was
derived from the HLA-A2-positive donor and one clone (SW P12B10)
was derived from the HLA-A2-negative donor.
[0092] The PS P4D11 clone, from the HLA-A2-positive donor, showed
an intermediate intensity of tetramer staining (MFI=166.98) with a
rapid release of tetramer as measured at 1 h and 2 h. This T cell
clone could not be stimulated to secrete interferon-gamma following
incubation with T2 cells loaded with specific peptide (T2 cells
provided by Peter Cresswell, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.) nor
following stimulation with tumor cells, expressing HLA-A2 and
tyrosinase (MeI 624.38 and MeI IL-2). It could, however kill
HLA-A2.sup.+tyrosinase.sup.+ melanoma tumor cells but not
HLA-A2.sup.+tyrosinase.sup.- tumor cells, demonstrating its
specificity for HLA-A2-tyrosinase ligands.
[0093] The SW P12B10 clone, derived from the HLA-A2-negative donor,
showed a higher intensity of tetramer binding (MFI=1009.04) and the
stability of tetramer binding was higher with all of the cells
still positive for tetramer after 2 h. This clone showed specific
interferon-gamma release following stimulation with T2 cells loaded
with tyrosinase-derived peptide, but not against T2 cells without
peptide, demonstrating peptide specificity. It also could be
stimulated to release interferon-gamma following stimulation with
HLA-A2.sup.+tyrosinase.sup.+ melanoma tumor cells, but not against
HLA-A2-negative, tyrosinase positive melanoma cells (SK MeI 28) or
against HLA-A2-positive, tyrosinase negative melanoma tumor cells
(MeI A375). This pattern demonstrated that the clone was specific
for an HLA-A2-tyrosinase peptide. This clone could also kill
HLA-A2-positive, tyrosinase positive melanoma tumor cells, but not
HLA-A2-positive, tyrosinase negative tumor cells.
[0094] These results show that the T cell clones derived from the
two different priming cultures showed differences with respect to
TCR avidity, as detected by intensity of tetramer binding and
tetramer off-rate, with the allorestricted peptide-specific T cell
clone having TCR of higher avidity by this definition. Furthermore,
this T cell clone showed functional superiority since it could not
only kill melanoma cells specifically, but could also be activated
to secrete interferon-gamma following peptide stimulation and
following stimulation with tumor cells, in an HLA-A2,
tyrosinase-specific manner.
Materials and Methods
[0095] Adherent tumour cell lines, MeI A375, MeI IL-2, MeI 624.38
and SK MeI 28
[0096] These human melanoma cell lines were cultured in RPMI 1640
medium supplemented with 12% fetal bovine serum, 1.times.
Non-essential amino acids, 2 mM L-glutamine and 1 mM
sodium-pyruvate. Volume of the medium in a middle-sized culture
flask was 10 mL. Approximately every 3-4 days cells grew to
confluence. Depending on the growth rate of individual cell lines
they were split 1:2 to 1:10. The medium was removed, cells were
washed once with PBS and then incubated with 2 mL trypsin/EDTA
2.times. for 3 min at room temperature. Detached cells were
resuspended in fresh RPMI 1640 medium plus supplements.
T cell clones, JB4 and Tyr-F8
[0097] T cell clones were first expanded in standard restimulation
cultures. Large stocks were aliquoted and frozen. Each time they
were needed for an experiment, T cells were taken from the stock,
thawed, placed into wells of a 24-well plate and restimulated
according to standardised protocols.
Suspension tumour cell lines, T2, K562 and K562-A2 Cells
[0098] T2, K562 and K562-A2 were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium
supplemented with 12% FBS, 1.times.MEM, 2 mM L-glutamine and 1 mM
sodium-pyruvate. Volume of the medium was 10 mL in a middle-sized
culture flask. Approximately every 4 days, 3/4 of the cell
suspension was removed and the same volume of fresh medium was
added. For the K562-A2 cells, the medium was supplemented with 1
mg/mL of the selection antibiotic G418.
DC Generation and Culture
[0099] PBMCs from a donor were isolated by Ficoll density gradient
centrifugation. PBMCs were resuspended in RPMI 1640 medium
supplemented with 1% autologous plasma at 7.5.times.10.sup.6 cells
per T75 culture flask. The flasks were incubated at 37.degree. C.
and 5% CO.sub.2 for 1 hr. Non-adherent cells were carefully washed
away. Adhering monocytes were cultured in 10 mL per flask of
dendritic cell medium supplemented with 1% autologous plasma, 800
U/mL GM-CSF and 800 U/mL IL-4. After 3 days of culture, 800 U/mL
GM-CSF and 800 U/mL IL-4 were added again. On day 6 of culture, 800
U/mL GM-CSF, 500 U/mL IL-4, 5 ng/mL IL-1.beta., 9 ng/mL IL-6, 9
ng/mL TNF-.alpha. and 2 .mu.M PGE.sub.2 per 1 mL were added to the
immature DCs to induce maturation. Mature DCs were harvested on day
8 of culture.
Flow Cytometry
[0100] Flow cytometry was used to measure the cellular expression
of chosen molecules. These molecules are specifically stained with
monoclonal antibodies attached to fluorescent dyes. Flow cytometric
analysis was performed in the fluorescence-activated cell sorter
(FACS.TM.). In the FACSCalibur.TM., the suspension of stained cells
was forced through a nozzle, creating a fine stream of liquid
containing cells spaced singly at intervals. As each cell passed
through a laser beam, it scattered the laser light and fluorescent
molecules associated with the cell were excited. Sensitive
photomultiplier tubes detected both the scattered light, which gave
information about the size and granularity of the cell, and the
fluorescence emissions, which gave information about the binding of
the labelled monoclonal antibodies and, hence, the expression of
targeted molecules by each cell. For sorting of the cells of
interest, a MoFlo.TM. High-Performance Cell Sorter (Dako, Fort
Collins, Colo., USA) was used with 25,000 events/s and max. 1
psi.
Direct Staining of Cell-Surface Molecules
[0101] In order to measure the expression of HLA-A2 molecules on
the surface, the hybridoma supernatant HB82 (ATCC, Bethesda Md.)
and a secondary goat anti-mouse antibody conjugated with PE
(phycoerythrin) were used for the direct staining on the cell
surface. Approximately 1.times.10.sup.5 DCs, K562 or K562-A2 cells
were washed once. Each washing step included resuspension of cells
in 600 .mu.L of FACS.TM. buffer, centrifugation at 300.times.g for
4 min and discarding of the supernatant. After washing, 50 .mu.L of
HB82 was added separately to the pellets. After a 30 min incubation
period on ice, cells were washed once. Then 0.5 .mu.L of the
secondary antibody ( 1/100 dilution; 0.5 .mu.L antibody in 50 .mu.L
FACS.TM. buffer) were added separately to the pellets. After a 30
min incubation period on ice and in the dark, cells were washed
once. Finally, cells were resuspended in 200 .mu.L of FACS.TM.
buffer and flow cytometric analysis was performed.
Indirect Staining of Intracellular Molecules
[0102] In order to measure the expression of tyrosinase inside
RNA-transfected DCs, cells were first fixed using 1%
paraformaldehyde in FACS.TM. buffer. After the fixation the cells
were permeabilised using 0.1% and 0.25% Saponin in FACS.TM. buffer.
Briefly, approximately 3.times.10.sup.5 cells were washed once.
Each washing step included resuspension of cells in 500 .mu.L of
FACS.TM. buffer or 0.1% Saponin in FACS.TM. buffer, centrifugation
at 300.times.g for 4 min and discarding of supernatant. After
washing, 500 .mu.L of 1% paraformaldehyde in FACS.TM. buffer
(fixation medium) were added to the pellet and mixed gently. After
a 30 min incubation period on ice, cells were washed twice with
FACS.TM. buffer. It was possible to store the cells in 500 .mu.L
FACS.TM. buffer at 4.degree. C. up to 7 days. The pellets were
washed with 500 .mu.L 0.1 Saponin in FACS.TM. buffer once.
Subsequently, 50 .mu.L of 0.25% Saponin in FACS.TM. buffer
(permeabilisation medium) and 5 .mu.L of the tyrosinase-specific
primary antibody were added to the pellet and mixed gently. After a
1 h incubation at room temperature, cells were washed once with
0.1% Saponin in FACS.TM. buffer and then 0.5 .mu.L of the
Cy5-conjugated secondary antibody specific for the primary antibody
( 1/100 dilution) in 50 .mu.l 0.25% Saponin in FACS.TM. buffer were
added to the pellet and mixed gently. After a 30 min incubation at
room temperature in the dark, the cells were washed with 500 .mu.L
0.1% Saponin in FACS.TM. buffer. Finally, pelleted cells were
resuspended in 200 .mu.L of 0.1% Saponin in FACS.TM. buffer and
flow cytometric analysis was performed.
Tetramer Staining and Tetramer Off-Rate
[0103] In order to assess the avidity of HLA-A2-restricted
tyrosinase-specific CD8.sup.+ T cells and to perform a sorting with
the MOFlo.TM. High-Performance Cell Sorter (Dako, Fort Collins,
Colo., USA) these T cells were stained with a PE-labeled
A*0201/htyr369-377/H.beta..sub.2m tetramer (provided by Prof. D.
Busch). The cells were washed twice. Each washing step included
resuspension of cells in cold PBS+0.5% human serum, centrifugation
at 300.times.g for 5 min and discarding of the supernatant. The
incubation volume depends on the cell number. Up to 10.sup.6 of
cells were incubated in 50 .mu.L 25 min with PE-labeled tetramer on
ice in the dark ( 1/25 dilution, 2 .mu.L tetramer in 50 .mu.L
PBS+0.5% human serum). For the sorting of HLA-A2-restricted
tyrosinase-specific CD8.sup.+ T cells up to 5.times.10.sup.6 cells
were incubated with 6 .mu.L A2/peptide tetramer in 100 .mu.L
PBS+0.5% human serum. Then for an additional 25 min in a ratio of
1/50 CD8-APC antibody (BD Pharmingen, Franklin Lakes, USA) was
added. After the staining the cells were washed twice and finally
either fixed with 1% paraform aldehyde in FACS.TM. buffer and
analysed by flow cytometry FACSCalibur (Becton Dickinson, Mountain
View, Calif.) or diluted in PBS+0.5% human serum for sorting of the
tetramer.sup.+CD8.sup.+ T cells in the MoFlo.TM. High-Performance
Cell Sorter (Dako, Fort Collins, Colo., USA).
[0104] For tetramer off-rate assays, after washing the rebinding of
detached tetramer was prevented by the incubation with saturating
amounts of hybridoma supernatant HB82 (ATCC, Bethesda Md.), which
binds HLA-A2 independently of the complexed peptide. After
increasing time intervals samples were taken, fixed and analysed by
flow cytometry for the intensity of tetramer staining.
Production of Single-Species cRNA
[0105] Production of single-species in vitro transcribed RNA,
designated here as cRNA, included four steps: linearisation of the
plasmid containing a cDNA insert, in vitro transcription based on
the promoter sequence and the cDNA template in the linearised
plasmid, polyadenylation of synthesised cRNA and cRNA purification.
Since substantial amounts of the cDNA template, i.e. plasmid DNA
(pDNA), were needed for in vitro transcription reactions, the
plasmid had to be amplified in competent bacteria.
Transformation of Competent Bacteria with Plasmid DNA
[0106] In order to obtain larger amounts of pDNA that was received
from other groups as a kind gift, competent bacteria had to be
transformed with the pDNA in question and expanded. A 50 .mu.L vial
of One Shot TOP10F' competent cells was slowly defrosted on melting
ice, a small volume of pDNA was added and mixed with the bacteria
by tapping gently. The cells were incubated on ice for 30 min, then
heated at 42.degree. C. for exactly 30 sec and finally placed on
ice to cool for 2 min. Rich SOC medium, provided together with the
competent cells, was added and transformed bacteria were plated
onto LB medium agar plates with the appropriate selection
antibiotic. Plates were placed into the bacterial incubator
overnight at 37.degree. C. Since the antibiotic zeocin is light
sensitive and its activity is inhibited by high salt
concentrations, plates for bacteria transformed with pZeoSV2+/huTyr
contained low-salt LB agar medium and were stored in the dark.
Selection and Expansion of Transformed Bacteria
[0107] Only bacteria transformed with pDNA, encoding resistance to
an antibiotic, were able to grow and form colonies on selection
plates despite the presence of the corresponding antibiotic in the
agar medium. After overnight growth, colonies were plucked from the
plates using sterile tooth-picks. Each individual colony was
inoculated into 5 mL of LB medium containing the appropriate
antibiotic in a 15 mL Falcon tube. If previously selected and
frozen transformed bacteria were to be expanded, frozen vials were
transferred from the -80.degree. C. freezer onto melting ice.
Approximately 5 .mu.L of the partially thawed bacterial suspension
were then transferred into a 15 mL Falcon tube containing 5 mL of
LB medium with the appropriate antibiotic. The tubes were incubated
overnight (approximately 12 hr) at 37.degree. C. with vigorous
shaking at 150 rpm for efficient growth of transformed
bacteria.
Freezing of Transformed Bacteria
[0108] Bacteria are the least harmed by the freezing process if the
freezing medium contains 15% of glycerin. Therefore, 400 .mu.L of
the overnight bacterial suspension were added to 84 .mu.L of
autoclaved 87% glycerin, vortexed, quickly frozen in liquid
nitrogen and transferred to -80.degree. C.
Plasmid DNA Extraction from Transformed Bacteria
[0109] After overnight culture, bacterial suspensions were
centrifuged at 5300.times.g and 4.degree. C. for 10 min. Plasmid
DNA extraction from bacterial cells was performed using the
QIAwell.RTM. 8 Ultra Plasmid Kit, according to manufacturer's
instructions. Briefly, pelleted cells were lysed. The salt and pH
conditions in the lysates ensured exclusive binding of DNA to the
membrane, while degraded RNA and cellular proteins were not
retained. The membrane was then washed with a buffer which disrupts
any DNA-protein interactions allowing the removal of any nucleic
acid-binding proteins and other residual contaminants from the
pDNA. Additional washing steps removed salts and other non-DNA
constituents. Purified pDNA was finally eluted in Tris buffer. The
yield of extracted pDNA was 4-8 .mu.g per 5 mL of overnight
bacterial culture, depending on the plasmid.
In Vitro Transcription of Single-Species cDNA into cRNA
[0110] Each plasmid was linearised with the appropriate restriction
enzyme in order to produce a template suitable for in vitro
transcription. Since all plasmids contained the T7 promoter at the
5' end of cDNA encoding the desired protein, transcription was
performed using the T7 RNA polymerase from the mMESSAGE
mMACHINE.TM. T7 kit according to manufacturer's instructions.
Stability of an RNA molecule and its efficient use as a template
for translation into protein depend on the presence of a cap at its
5' end and a poly(A) tail at the 3 end. A poly(A) tail is always
part of a mRNA molecule synthesised by a cell. Therefore, the total
cellular mRNA amplification procedure, described above, included
only the addition of a cap analogue in the in vitro transcription
reaction. However, single-species cRNA produced using cDNA in a
plasmid may or may not contain a poly(A) tail, depending on whether
the tail is encoded in the construct or not. In addition to
integrating a cap analogue at the 5' end in the in vitro
transcription reaction, tyrosinase, HLA-A2 cRNAs were
polyadenylated at the 3' end using the Poly(A) Tailing Kit. Both
reactions were performed under conditions suggested by the
manufacturer. After in vitro transcription and cRNA purification,
the measured yield of cRNA was 60-70 .mu.g per 100 .mu.L of the
polyadenylation reaction mixture.
Purification of cRNA
[0111] Purification of cRNA, obtained in in vitro transcription
reactions using as a template either amplified total cellular cDNA
or single-species cDNA in a plasmid, was performed using the
RNeasy.RTM. Mini Kit according to manufacturer's instructions. For
purification, the procedure started with the transfer of the in
vitro transcription reaction mixture onto an RNeasy.RTM. column.
RNA was eluted in DEPC water and aliquots were stored at
-80.degree. C.
RNA Transfection into DCs
[0112] The cellular plasma membrane serves the vital function of
separating the molecular contents of the cell from its external
environment. The membranes are largely composed of amphiphilic
lipids which self-assemble into a highly insulating bilayer. On
their quest to capture as much antigen as possible, immature DCs
are well known to take up various structures (ranging in size from
small molecules to apoptotic bodies) from their surroundings,
including RNA. They do so through macropinocytosis and endocytosis.
Even though simple DC co-incubation with RNA has been shown to
achieve T-cell priming, more aggressive methods such as lipofection
and electroporation proved to be better transfection methods.
Electroporation
[0113] Electroporation induces reversible permeability of plasma
membranes when cells are exposed to short pulses of strong external
electric fields. The formation of hydrophilic pores is a result of
reorientation of lipids in the bilayer membrane. The molecular
mechanism of this phenomenon is still not well understood. The
number of pores and their diameter increases with the product of
the pulse amplitude and the pulse duration. Whereas small molecules
simply diffuse through the pores into the cytoplasm, larger
molecules, like nucleic acids, are driven into the cell by
electrophoretic forces. It has also been shown that the presence of
nucleic acids facilitates pore formation. Pores appear within a
microsecond of exposure to the electric field, but it takes minutes
for them to reseal.
[0114] First, 2-3.times.10.sup.6 DCs or K562 cells were resuspended
in at least 170 .mu.L OptiMEM I medium, were put into a 0.4 cm
electroporation cuvette and incubated on ice for approximately 3
min. Cooling the suspension before electroporation was advantageous
because it slowed down the cellular metabolism. Thereby,
overheating due to electricity was prevented. Furthermore, damage
caused by the electric shock and by molecules released from dead
cells was minimised. Subsequently, RNA, resuspended in no more than
100 .mu.L of DEPC water was added, giving a total electroporation
suspension volume of 270 .mu.L. The suspension was shortly mixed by
pipetting and then quickly electroporated. Electroporation was
performed with 250 V and 150 .mu.F. Immediately after
electroporation, cells were transferred into the dendritic cell
medium supplemented with 2% autologous plasma, 10 mM HEPES, 800
U/mL GM-CSF and 800 U/mL IL-4. The cells were counted and the
suspension was quickly aliquoted for either FACS.TM. analyses, RNA
isolation or functional assays and placed into the incubator at
37.degree. C. and 5% CO.sub.2.
Functional Assay
[0115] In the functional assay, RNA-transfected DCs or K562 cells,
peptide-pulsed DCs or tumour cells served as stimulators.
Antigen-specific CTL clones served as effectors. In order to
measure the stimulatory capacities of stimulators, DCs or other
cells were first co-incubated with the T cells, which were
harvested and used in co-incubation cultures 8-14 days after
thawing and restimulation. The amount of IFN-.gamma. secreted by
activated T cells was measured in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA).
Peptide-Pulsed T2 Cells Co-Incubation with T Cells
[0116] For co-incubation of T2 cells with CTLs, lower cell numbers
were taken. For the exogenous peptide pulsing, 1.times.10.sup.6 T2
cells were incubated with 10 .mu.g/mL YMD tyrosinase peptide
(YMDGTMSQV, Gene Center, LMU, Munich) and 10 .mu.g/mL human
.beta..sub.2-Microglobulin (Calbiochem, San Diego, United States).
Every 20 minutes the cell suspensions were shaken. After a 2 h
incubation at 37.degree. C. and 5% CO.sub.2, the cell suspension
was washed once to remove unbound peptide. 100 .mu.L of the
peptide-pulsed T2 suspension (1.times.10.sup.4 cells in RPMI 1640
supplemented with 12% FCS) was co-incubated with 100 .mu.L of the
CTL suspension (2.times.10.sup.3 cells in CTL medium supplemented
with 15% human serum), giving a 5:1 stimulator to effector
ratio.
[0117] After a 24 h co-incubation of effectors and stimulators, 150
.mu.L of each supernatant was harvested and stored at -20.degree.
C. The supernatant was analysed in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA).
DC or K562 Co-Incubation with T Cells
[0118] Either 12 hr or 24 hr after electroporation, 100 .mu.L of
the T cell suspension (2.times.10.sup.4 cells in co-incubation
medium) were added to 100 .mu.L of the transfected-cell suspension
(2.times.10.sup.4 or 4.times.10.sup.4 cells in dendritic cell
medium supplemented with 2% autologous plasma and 800 U/mL GM-CSF
and 800 U/mL IL-4), giving a total of 200 .mu.L per well of a
96-well plate and 1:4, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1 or 4:1 stimulator to effector
ratios.
[0119] Untransfected DCs were exogenously pulsed with peptides by
adding 10 .mu.L of the peptide solution (100 .mu.L/mL) to 100 .mu.L
of the DC suspension (4.times.10.sup.4 cells in dendritic cell
medium supplemented with 2% autologous plasma and 800 U/mL GM-CSF
and 800 U/mL IL-4). After a 2 hr incubation at 37.degree. C. and 5%
CO.sub.2, 100 .mu.L, of the CTL suspension (2.times.10.sup.4 cells
in CTL co-incubation medium) were added, giving a 2:1 stimulator to
effector ratio. After a 24 hr co-incubation of effectors and
stimulators, 150 .mu.L of each supernatant was harvested and stored
at -20.degree. C.
Interferon-Gamma (IFN-.gamma.) ELISA
[0120] The measurement of IFN-.gamma. in the co-culture
supernatants was performed in ELISA using the OptEIA.TM. Human
IFN-.gamma. Set according to manufacturer's instructions. Briefly,
the ELISA plates were coated with a mouse anti-IFN-.gamma. capture
antibody and then blocked with an FBS-containing solution. In some
cases, supernatants were diluted 1:2.5 in the co-incubation medium.
The same medium was used to make serial dilutions of the
IFN-.gamma. standard. After IFN-.gamma. from cell culture
supernatants or standard solutions bound to the capture antibodies
in the plates, the biotinylated mouse anti-IFN-.gamma. detection
antibody was added together with avidin conjugated to
horseradish-peroxidase. To visualise the complexes consisting of
capture antibody, IFN-.gamma., detection antibody, biotin, avidin
and horseradish-peroxidase, H.sub.2O.sub.2 (a substrate for
peroxidase) in combination with tetramethylbenzidine (substrate
reagents A and B mixed) was added, changing the solution colour
into blue. The enzymatic reaction was stopped with 1 M
ortho-phosphoric acid. Thereby, the colour of the solution turned
yellow, its intensity being directly proportional to the amount of
substrate processed, i.e. indirectly proportional to the amount of
IFN-.gamma. captured. Light absorption in the reaction solution was
measured at 450 nm. Unknown IFN-.gamma. concentrations were
calculated with the help of a standard curve which was drawn based
on known concentration of the IFN-.gamma. standard and
corresponding measured absorbances.
Cytotoxicity Assay
[0121] Cytolytic activity of the tetramer.sup.+CD8.sup.+ sorted
bulk cell line and T cell clones respectively was analysed in a
standard 4 h chromium release assay. The two HLA-matched melanoma
cell lines MeI A375 (HLA-A2-positive, tyrosinase-negative) and MeI
IL-2 (HLA-A2-positive, tyrosinase-positive) were used. Briefly,
10.sup.6 target melanoma cells were labeled with 200 .mu.Ci
.sup.51Cr for 1-1.5 h. .sup.51Cr-labeled target cells were cultured
with T cells in 100 .mu.L/well RPMI 1640 with 12% FCS in V-bottom
96-well tissue culture plates (Greiner, Solingen, Germany). To
evaluate the efficacy of CTL-mediated lysis, T cells were serially
diluted and then cocultured with 10.sup.3 target cells/well to
provide graded effector cell to target cell (E:T) ratios. After 4 h
coculture at 37.degree. C., 50 .mu.L of supernatant were collected
and radioactivity was measured in a gamma counter. The percentage
of specific lysis was calculated as: 100.times.(experimental
release-spontaneous release)/(maximum release-spontaneous release).
Spontaneous release was assessed by incubating target cells in the
absence of effector cells and generally less than 14%.
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FURTHER REFERENCES
[0144] [0145] Belinda Palermo, Silvia Garbelli, Stefania Mantovani,
Elisabetta Scoccia, Gian Antonio Da Prada, Paola Bernabei, M.
Antonietta Avanzini, Valeria Brazzelli, Giovanni Borroni and
Claudia Giachino (2005). Qualitative difference between the
cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to melanocyte antigens in melanoma
and vitiligo. Eur. J. Immunol. 35: 3153-3162. [0146] Cassian Yee,
Peter A. Savage, Peter P. Lee, Mark M. Davis, and Philip D.
Greenberg (1999). Isolation of High Avidity Melanoma-Reactive CTL
from Heterogeneous Populations Using Peptide-MHC Tetramers. The
Journal of Immunology: 2227-2234. [0147] Matthias Wolfl, Stefan
Schalk, Martin Hellmich, Katharina M. Huster, Dirk H. Busch, and
Frank Berthold (2004). Quantitation of MHC Tetramer-Positive Cells
From Whole Blood: Evaluation of a Single-Platform, Six-Parameter
Flow Cytometric Method. Wiley-Liss, Inc. Cytometry Part A
57A:120-130.
Sequence CWU 1
1
119PRTArtificial SequenceArtifically synthesized YMD tyrosinase
peptide 1Tyr Met Asp Gly Thr Met Ser Gln Val 1 5
* * * * *