U.S. patent application number 16/371501 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-14 for chimeric antigen receptors (cars) targeting hematologic malignancies, compositions and methods of use thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is iCell Gene Therapeuticics LLC. Invention is credited to Kevin Chen, Xun Jiang, Yupo Ma, Kevin Pinz, Masayuki Wada.
Application Number | 20190345217 16/371501 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56789926 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190345217 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ma; Yupo ; et al. |
November 14, 2019 |
CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTORS (CARs) TARGETING HEMATOLOGIC
MALIGNANCIES, COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
Abstract
The present disclosure provides chimeric antigen receptor
polypeptides having antigen recognition domains for CD2, CD3, CD4,
CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52 antigens, and polynucleotides encoding for
the same. The present disclosure also provides for engineered cells
expressing the polynucleotide or polypeptides. In some embodiments,
the disclosure provides methods for treating diseases associated
with CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52 antigens.
Inventors: |
Ma; Yupo; (Stony Brook,
NY) ; Pinz; Kevin; (Stony Brook, NY) ; Jiang;
Xun; (Stony Brook, NY) ; Wada; Masayuki;
(Stony Brook, NY) ; Chen; Kevin; (Stony Brook,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
iCell Gene Therapeuticics LLC |
Stony Brook |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56789926 |
Appl. No.: |
16/371501 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15551862 |
Aug 17, 2017 |
10273280 |
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PCT/US2016/019953 |
Feb 26, 2016 |
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16371501 |
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62121842 |
Feb 27, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 14/70578 20130101;
A61P 35/02 20180101; C07K 2319/00 20130101; A61P 17/06 20180101;
A61P 17/14 20180101; A61K 2039/5158 20130101; A61P 1/16 20180101;
A61P 43/00 20180101; C07K 16/2812 20130101; A61P 3/10 20180101;
A61K 35/15 20130101; A61P 19/08 20180101; A61P 29/02 20180101; A61K
38/00 20130101; A61P 7/00 20180101; A61P 25/00 20180101; C07K
2317/622 20130101; C07K 2319/03 20130101; A61K 2039/5156 20130101;
A61P 1/04 20180101; C07K 16/2806 20130101; A61K 39/39 20130101;
A61P 9/00 20180101; C07K 2319/33 20130101; A61P 27/02 20180101;
A61P 31/12 20180101; A61K 39/001129 20180801; C07K 14/70521
20130101; A61P 15/08 20180101; A61P 35/00 20180101; C12N 2740/16043
20130101; A61K 39/0011 20130101; A61P 21/04 20180101; C07K 14/7051
20130101; A61P 29/00 20180101; A61K 48/00 20130101; A61K 2039/505
20130101; A61P 37/06 20180101; C07K 16/2809 20130101; A61P 13/12
20180101; A61P 27/16 20180101; A61P 17/00 20180101; A61P 37/02
20180101; C12N 2310/20 20170501; C12N 15/1138 20130101; A61K 48/005
20130101; A61P 7/06 20180101; A61P 19/02 20180101; C07K 16/2896
20130101 |
International
Class: |
C07K 14/725 20060101
C07K014/725; A61K 35/15 20060101 A61K035/15; A61K 39/00 20060101
A61K039/00; C07K 14/705 20060101 C07K014/705; C07K 16/28 20060101
C07K016/28; A61K 48/00 20060101 A61K048/00; A61K 39/39 20060101
A61K039/39; C12N 15/113 20060101 C12N015/113 |
Claims
1.-105. (canceled)
106. An engineered cell, said engineered cell comprises: engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide, the polynucleotide
encodes for a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide comprising: a
signal peptide, an antigen recognition domain, a hinge region, a
transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a
signaling domain; and wherein the antigen recognition domain is
selected from the group consisting of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8,
and CD52.
107. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the
antigen recognition domain is selected from the group consisting of
CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, and CD7.
108. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the
engineered cell is deficient in at least one cell surface antigen
selected from the group consisting of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, and
CD7.
109. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the
engineered cell is deficient in a CD5 cell surface antigen.
110. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the
engineered cell is a T cell, NK T cell, or NK cell.
111. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the
antigen recognition domain is CD4; and the engineered cell is NK
cell.
112. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the hinge
region comprises a CD8 hinge region.
113. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the
transmembrane region comprises a CD8 transmembrane region.
114. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the
transmembrane region comprises a CD28 transmembrane region.
115. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide comprises at least two
co-stimulatory domains.
116. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide comprises a 4-1BB or CD28
co-stimulatory domain and a CD3zeta signaling domain.
117. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the
antigen recognition domain is selected from the group consisting of
CD2, CD3, CD5, and CD7; and the engineered cell comprises a T cell
that is deficient in a cell surface antigen selected from the group
consisting of CD2, CD3, CD5, and CD7.
118. The engineered cell according to claim 106, wherein the
antigen recognition domain is selected from the group consisting of
CD2 and CD7; and the engineered cell comprises an NK cell that is
deficient in a cell surface antigen selected from the group
consisting of CD2 and CD7.
119. The method according to claim 106, wherein the CD2, CD3, CD5,
or CD7 associated cell proliferative disease comprises precursor T
lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, mature T cell lymphomas/leukemias,
EBV-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, adult T-cell
leukemia/lymphoma, mycosis fungoides/sezary syndrome, primary
cutaneous CD30-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders,
peripheral T-cell lymphoma (not otherwise specified), adult T cell
lymphoma, T cell prolymphocytic leukemia, angioimmunoblastic T-cell
lymphoma, or anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
120. A method of generating a CD4CAR engineered cells, said method
comprising the steps of: obtaining a population of cells comprising
CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells; transforming the population of cells
comprising CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells with a polynucleotide that
encodes for a chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide comprising: a
signal peptide, a CD4 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region, a
transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a
signaling domain; and expanding the population of cells comprising
CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells to provide CD4CAR engineered cells.
121. The method according to claim 120, wherein the population of
CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells are obtained from human cord blood.
122. The method according to claim 120, wherein the CD4CAR
engineered cells are CD8 T cells.
123. The method according to claim 120, wherein CD4 T cells are
depleted.
124. The method according to claim 120, wherein the CD4CAR
engineered cells are enriched for CD8 T cells and bear a central
memory T cell like immunophenotype.
125. The method according to claim 120, wherein expanding comprises
contacting the population of cells comprising CD4 T cells and CD8 T
cells to at least one of IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15.
126. The method according to claim 125, wherein expanding occurs in
vivo.
127. The method according to claim 120, further comprising
isolating the CD4CAR engineered cells.
128. A method of treating a CD4 associated cell proliferative
disease in a human patient, said method comprising: obtaining a
population of cells comprising CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells;
transforming the population of cells comprising CD4 T cells and CD8
T cells with a polynucleotide that encodes for a chimeric antigen
receptor polypeptide comprising: a signal peptide, a CD4 antigen
recognition domain, a hinge region, a transmembrane domain, at
least one co-stimulatory domain, and a signaling domain; expanding
the population of cells comprising CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells to
provide CD4CAR engineered cells; administering the CD4CAR
engineered cells to the human patient; and reducing the tumor
burden of cell proliferative disease cells in the human
patient.
129. The method according to claim 128, wherein the CD4 associated
cell proliferative disease comprises acute myeloid leukemia, acute
myelomonocytic leukemia, acute monoblastic leukemia, monocytic
leukemia, or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.
130. The method according to claim 128, wherein the CD4 associated
cell proliferative disease comprises precursor T lymphoblastic
leukemia/lymphoma, mature T cell lymphomas/leukemias, EBV-positive
T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, adult T-cell
leukemia/lymphoma, mycosis fungoides/sezary syndrome, primary
cutaneous CD30-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders,
peripheral T-cell lymphoma (not otherwise specified), adult T cell
lymphoma, T cell prolymphocytic leukemia, angioimmunoblastic T-cell
lymphoma, or anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
131. The method according to claim 128, wherein the method further
comprises administration in conjunction with one or more of
chemotherapy, radiation, immunosuppressive agents, and antiviral
therapy.
132. The method according to claim 128, wherein expanding comprises
contacting the population of cells comprising CD4 T cells and CD8 T
cells to at least one of IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15.
133. The method according to claim 132, wherein expanding occurs in
vivo.
134. The method according to claim 128, wherein administering
further comprises co-administering with at least one of cytokines,
inhibitors of colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R),
cyclosporin, azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolate, CAMPATH,
antibody, anti-CD3 antibody, cytoxin, fludarabine, cyclosporin,
FK506, rapamycin, mycophenolic acid, steroids, and FR901228.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/551,862, filed on Aug. 17, 2017, which is a
national stage filing under 35 USC .sctn. 371 of international
application number PCT/US2016/019953, filed on Feb. 26, 2016,
claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/121,842,
filed Feb. 27, 2015, all of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] T cells, a type of lymphocyte, play a central role in
cell-mediated immunity. They are distinguished from other
lymphocytes, such as B cells and natural killer cells (NK cells),
by the presence of a T-cell receptor (TCR) on the cell surface. T
helper cells, also called CD4+ T or CD4 T cells, express CD4
glycoprotein on their surface. Helper T cells are activated when
exposed to peptide antigens presented by MHC (major
histocompatibility complex) class II molecules. Once activated,
these cells proliferate rapidly and secrete cytokines that regulate
immune response. Cytotoxic T cells, also known as CD8+ T cells or
CD8 T cells, express CD8 glycoprotein on the cell surface. The CD8+
T cells are activated when exposed to peptide antigens presented by
MHC class I molecules. Memory T cells, a subset of T cells, persist
long term and respond to their cognate antigen, thus providing the
immune system with "memory" against past infections and/or tumor
cells.
[0003] T cells can be genetically engineered to produce special
receptors on their surface called chimeric antigen receptors
(CARs). CARs are proteins that allow the T cells to recognize a
specific protein (antigen) on tumor cells. These engineered CAR T
cells are then grown in the laboratory until they number in the
billions. The expanded population of CAR T cells is then infused
into the patient.
[0004] Clinical trials to date have shown chimeric antigen receptor
(CAR) T cells to have great promise in hematologic malignancies
resistant to standard chemotherapies. Most notably, CD19-specific
CAR (CD19CAR) T-cell therapies have had remarkable results
including long-term remissions in B-cell malignancies
(Kochenderfer, Wilson et al. 2010, Kalos, Levine et al. 2011,
Porter, Levine et al. 2011, Davila, Riviere et al. 2013, Grupp,
Frey et al. 2013, Grupp, Kalos et al. 2013, Kalos, Nazimuddin et
al. 2013, Kochenderfer, Dudley et al. 2013, Kochenderfer, Dudley et
al. 2013, Lee, Shah et al. 2013, Park, Riviere et al. 2013, Maude,
Frey et al. 2014).
[0005] Despite the success of CAR therapy in B-cell leukemia and
lymphoma, the application of CAR therapy to T-cell malignancies has
not yet been well established. Given that T-cell malignancies are
associated with dramatically poorer outcomes compared to those of
B-cell malignancies (Abramson, Feldman et al. 2014), CAR therapy in
this respect has the potential to further address a great clinical
need.
[0006] CD5 is expressed in more than 80% of T-cell acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). One treatment option is to treat
patients with anti-CD5 antibodies as T-cell leukemias or T-cell
lymphomas expressing the CD5 surface molecule. However attempts
have met limited success.
[0007] Therefore, there remains a need for improved chimeric
antigen receptor-based therapies that allow for more effective,
safe, and efficient targeting of T-cell associated
malignancies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present disclosure provides chimeric antigen receptors
(CARS) targeting hematologic malignancies, compositions and methods
of use thereof.
[0009] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising:
a signal peptide, a CD2 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region,
a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a
signaling domain.
[0010] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising:
a signal peptide, a CD3 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region,
a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a
signaling domain.
[0011] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising:
a signal peptide, a CD4 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region,
a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a
signaling domain.
[0012] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising:
a signal peptide, a CD5 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region,
a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a
signaling domain.
[0013] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising:
a signal peptide, a CD7 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region,
a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a
signaling domain.
[0014] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising:
a signal peptide, a CD8 antigen recognition domain, a hinge region,
a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain, and a
signaling domain.
[0015] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, the polypeptide comprising:
a signal peptide, a CD52 antigen recognition domain, a hinge
region, a transmembrane domain, at least one co-stimulatory domain,
and a signaling domain.
[0016] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition
domain selective for CD2.
[0017] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition
domain selective for CD3.
[0018] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition
domain selective for CD4.
[0019] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition
domain selective for CD5.
[0020] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition
domain selective for CD7.
[0021] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition
domain selective for CD8.
[0022] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide that encodes for a
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition
domain selective for CD52.
[0023] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
cell expressing any of the chimeric antigen receptor polypeptides
described above.
[0024] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
cell expressing any of the chimeric antigen receptor
polynucleotides described above.
[0025] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
producing an engineered cell expressing a chimeric antigen receptor
polypeptide or polynucleotide having an antigen recognition domain
selective for CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52. The method
includes (i) providing peripheral blood cells or cord blood cells;
(ii) introducing the aforementioned polynucleotide into the
aforementioned cells; (iii) expanding the cells of step (ii); and
isolating the cells of step (iii) to provide said engineered
cell.
[0026] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
producing an engineered cell expressing a chimeric antigen
polypeptide or polynucleotide having an antigen recognition domain
selective for CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52. The method
includes (i) providing placental cells, embryonic stem cells,
induced pluripotent stem cells, or hematopoietic stem cells; (ii)
introducing the aforementioned polynucleotide into the cells of
step (i); (iii) expanding the cells of step (ii); and (iv)
isolating the cells of step (iii) to provide said engineered
cell.
[0027] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
conferring anti-leukemia or anti lymphoma immunity to CD4 positive
T-cell leukemia or CD4 positive T-cell lymphoma in a patient in
need thereof. The method includes (i) administering to a patient in
need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an engineered
cell expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD4 antigen recognition
domain; and (ii) optionally, assaying for immunity to T-cell
leukemia or T-cell lymphoma in the patient.
[0028] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
reducing the number of CD4 positive T-cell leukemia cells or CD4
positive T-cell lymphoma cells. The method includes (i) contacting
CD4 positive T-cell leukemia cells or CD4 positive T-cell lymphoma
cells with an effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a
CAR polypeptide having a CD4 antigen recognition domain; and (ii)
optionally, assaying for CD4 positive T-cell leukemia cells or CD4
positive T-cell lymphoma cells.
[0029] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having a CD2 antigen.
The method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with
an effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR
polypeptide having a CD2 antigen recognition domain; and (ii)
optionally, assaying for the reduction in the number of
immunoregulatory cells.
[0030] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD3. The
method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with an
effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide
having a CD3 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally,
assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory
cells.
[0031] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD4. The
method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with an
effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide
having a CD4 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally,
assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory
cells.
[0032] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD5. The
method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with an
effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide
having a CD5 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally,
assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory
cells.
[0033] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD7. The
method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with an
effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide
having a CD7 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally,
assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory
cells.
[0034] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having a CD8 antigen.
The method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with
an effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR
polypeptide having a CD8 antigen recognition domain; and (ii)
optionally, assaying for the reduction in the number of
immunoregulatory cells.
[0035] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD52. The
method includes (i) contacting said immunoregulatory cells with an
effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide
having a CD52 antigen recognition domain; and (ii) optionally,
assaying for the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory
cells.
[0036] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
treating a cell proliferative disease. The method includes (i)
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide
having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition
domain.
[0037] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
treating an autoimmune disease. The method includes (i)
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of an engineered cell expressing a CAR polypeptide
having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition
domain.
[0038] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides engineered cells
expressing a CAR polypeptide having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8,
or CD52 antigen recognition domain for use in the treatment of a
cell proliferative disease. The use includes administering said
engineered cells to a patient in need thereof.
[0039] In some embodiments, CARs typically include at least one of
intracellular signaling, hinge and/or transmembrane domains.
First-generation CARs include CD3z as an intracellular signaling
domain, whereas second-generation CARs include a single
co-stimulatory domain derived from, for example, without
limitation, CD28 or 4-1BB. Third generation CARs include two
co-stimulatory domains, such as, without limitation, CD28, 4-1BB
(also known CD137) and OX-40, and any other co-stimulatory
molecules.
[0040] In some embodiments, CAR having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7,
CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition domain is part of an expression
cassette. In a preferred embodiment, the expressing gene or the
cassette may include an accessory gene or a tag or a part thereof.
The accessory gene may be an inducible suicide gene or a part
thereof, including, but not limited to, caspase 9 gene. The
"suicide gene" ablation approach improves safety of the gene
therapy and kills cells only when activated by a specific compound
or a molecule. In some embodiments, the epitope tag is a c-myc tag,
streptavidin-binding peptide (SBP), truncated EGFR gene (EGFRt) or
a part or a combination thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0041] FIGS. 1A-1C. CD4CAR expression. (FIG. 1A), Schematic
representation of recombinant lentiviral vectors encoding CD4CAR.
CD4CAR expression is driven by a SFFV (spleen focus-forming virus)
promoter. The third generation of CD4 CAR contains a leader
sequence, the anti-CD4scFv, a hinge domain (H), a transmembrane
domain (TM) and intracellular signaling domains as follows: CD28,
4-1BB (both co-stimulators), and CD3 zeta. (FIG. 1B), 293FT cells
were transfected with lentiviral plasmids for GFP (lane 1) and
CD4CAR (lane 2) for Western blot analysis at 48 h post transfection
and probed with mouse anti-human CD3z antibody. (FIG. 1C),
Illustration of the components of third-generation chimeric antigen
receptor T cells targeting CD4 expressing cells.
[0042] FIGS. 2A-2D. Production of CD4CAR T cells. (FIG. 2A),
experimental design. (FIG. 2B), CB buffy coat cells were activated
2 days with anti-CD3 antibody and IL-2. Cells were transduced with
either GFP (middle) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant. After
7 days of incubation, cells were analyzed by flow cytometry with
goat anti-mouse Fab2 or goat IgG antibodies conjugated with biotin
and followed by streptavidin-PE. Non-transduced, labeled CB cells
are shown on the left. (FIG. 2C), CD4CAR T cells deplete the CD4+
population during T cell expansion. CB buffy coat cells were
activated for 2 days with anti-CD3 antibody and IL-2. CB buffy coat
contains two subsets of T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and CD4+
helper T cells (left). Cells were transduced with either GFP
(middle) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant. After 3 day
culture, cells were analyzed by flow cytometry with
mouse-anti-human CD4 (FITC) and CD8 (APC) antibodies.
Non-transduced PMBCs were also labeled (left). (FIG. 2D), Most
CD4CAR T cells have a central memory-like phenotype. CB buffy coat
cells were activated 2 days with anti-CD3 antibody. Cells were
transduced with CD4CAR lentiviral supernatant. After 6 day
expansion, CD8+ cells were analyzed for CD62L, CD45RO and CD45RA
phenotypes by flow cytometry (N=3).
[0043] FIGS. 3A-3D. CD4CAR T cells eliminate T-cell leukemic cells
in co-culture assays. (FIG. 3A), CD4CAR T cells eliminate KARPAS
299 T-cell leukemic cells in co-culture. Activated human CB buffy
coat cells transduced with either GFP (middle) or CD4CAR (right)
lentiviral supernatant were incubated with KARPAS 299 cells at a
ratio of 2:1. After 24 hours co-culture, cells were stained with
mouse-anti-human CD4 (APC) and CD8 (PerCp) antibodies and analyzed
by flow cytometry for T cell subsets (N=3). (FIG. 3B) and (FIG.
3C), CD4CAR T cells eliminate primary T-cell leukemic cells in
co-culture. Activated human CB buffy coat cells transduced with
either GFP (middle) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant were
incubated with primary T-cell leukemia cells from Sezary syndrome
(FIG. 3B) and PTCLs (FIG. 3C) at a ratio of 2:1. After 24 hours of
co-culture, cells were analyzed by flow cytometry with
mouse-anti-human CD4 (FITC) and CD8 (APC) antibodies (N=3). Human
primary cells alone are also labeled (left). (FIG. 3D) CD4CAR T
cells were unable to lyse CD4-negative lymphoma cells (SP53, a
B-cell lymphoma cell line). Activated human CB buffy coat cells
transduced with either GFP (middle) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral
supernatant were incubated with SP53 mantle cell lymphoma cells
which were pre-stained with the membrane dye CMTMR, at a ratio of
2:1. After 24 hours co-culture, cells were stained with
mouse-anti-human CD3 (PerCp) and then analyzed by flow cytometry
(N=2). SP53 cells alone, pre-stained with CMTMR were also labeled
(left).
[0044] FIGS. 4A-4B. CD4CAR T cells derived from PBMCs are highly
enriched for CD8+ T and specifically kill CD4-expressing leukemic
cell lines. (FIG. 4A) CD4CAR T cells derived from PBMCs are highly
enriched for CD8+ T cells. PMBC buffy coat cells constituting T
cells, CD8+ and CD4+ (left) were activated for 2 days with anti-CD3
antibody and IL-2, then transduced with either GFP (middle) or
CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant. After 3 days of culture,
cells were labeled and analyzed by flow cytometry for T cell
subsets. Non-transduced PMBCs were also labeled (left). (FIG. 4B)
CD4CAR T cells specifically kill KARPAS 299 cells. PMBC T cells
transduced with either GFP control or CD4CAR lentiviral supernatant
were incubated with CFSE-stained KARPAS 299 at the ratios of 2:1,
5:1 and 10:1, respectively. After overnight incubation at
37.degree. C., dye 7AAD was added, and the cells were analyzed by
flow cytometry. Percent killing of target cells is measured by
comparing survival of target cells relative to the survival of
negative control cells (SP53 cells, a B-cell lymphoma cell line
stained with CMTMR).
[0045] FIGS. 5A-5D. CD4CAR T cells efficiently mediate
anti-leukemic effects in vivo with different modes. NSG mice
received 2.5 Gy for sub-lethal irradiation. Twenty-four hours after
irradiation, mice were injected subcutaneously with either
1.times.10.sup.6 (in A) or 0.5.times.10.sup.6 (in FIGS. 5B and 5C)
KARPAS 299 cells. Injected mice were treated with different courses
and schedules of CD4CAR T cells or control T cells. N=5 for each
group of injected mice. (FIG. 5A), a low dose of 2.times.10.sup.6
of CD4CAR T cells was injected on day 3 followed by a large dose,
8.times.10.sup.6, of CD4CAR T cells on day 22 after upon observed
acceleration of tumor growth. (FIG. 5B), two large doses of CD4CAR
T cells, 8.times.10.sup.6 and 5.5.times.10.sup.6 were injected on
day 3 and 10 respectively. (FIG. 5C), a repeat low dose
(2.5.times.10.sup.6) of CD4CAR T cells was injected every 5 days
for a total of four administrations. (FIG. 5D), overall survival of
mice treated with the indicated CD4CAR T cells or control GFP T
cells. N=10.
[0046] FIG. 6. CD4CAR is expressed on the surface in HEK-293 cells.
HEK-293 cells were transduced for 6 hours with CD4CAR or GFP
control viral supernatant. Following a 3 day incubation, cells were
analyzed by flow cytometry.
[0047] FIG. 7. Comparison of cell growth between activated PMBC
buffy coat cells transduced with lenti-GFP and CD4CAR viruses. The
activated PMBC buffy coat cells were transduced with either GFP
control or CD4-CAR lentiviral supernatant on Day 0. Cells were
washed on Day 1, and media was added on days 3 and 5.
[0048] FIGS. 8A-8C. CD4CAR construct. (FIG. 8A) Schematic
representation of lentiviral vector encoding third generation
CD4CAR, driven by spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) promoter. The
construct contains a leader sequence, anti-CD4 scFv, hinge domain
(H), transmembrane (TM) and signaling domains CD28, 4-1BB, and CD3
zeta. (FIG. 8B) HEK293FT cells were transfected with GFP vector
control (lane 1) and CD4CAR (lane 2) lentiviral plasmids.
Forty-eight hours after transfection, cells were removed and
subsequently used for Western blot analysis with mouse anti-human
CD3z antibody. (FIG. 8C) Illustration of third-generation CAR NK
cells targeting CD4 expressing cells.
[0049] FIG. 9. CD4CAR NK cell production. (A, upper panel) CD4CAR
expression levels on NK cells prior to being sorted by FACS (N=3);
(A, lower panel) CD4CAR expression on NK cells after sorting and
expansion, prior to co-culture experiments (N=3)
[0050] FIGS. 10A-10C. CD4 CAR NK cells ablate CD4.sup.+ leukemia
and lymphoma cells in co-culture assays. Co-culture experiments
were performed at an effector to target ratio of 2:1 for 24 hours
and were directly analyzed by flow cytometry for CD56 and CD4
(panels FIGS. 10A and 10B). Each assay consists of target cells
alone control (left), and target cells incubated with NK cells
transduced with vector control (center) or CD4CAR (right)
lentiviral supernatant. Top row, panel A: Karpas 299 (N=3). Middle
row, panel A: HL-60 T-cells (N=2). Bottom row, panel A: CCRF-CEM
cells (N=2). CD4CAR NK cells eliminated primary T-cell leukemia
cells from a patient with CD4.sup.+ T-cell lymphoma Sezary syndrome
(N=2) and CD4 expressing pediatric T-cell ALL (N=2). (FIG. 10C) Bar
graph summarizing co-culture assay results for both 2:1 and 5:1 E:T
ratios.
[0051] FIG. 11. Co-culture specificity and dose response killing
curve. CD4CAR NK cells lyse CD4-expressing leukemic cell lines in a
dose dependent and specific manner. CD4CAR NK and vector control
cells were incubated with an equal ratio of CFSE-stained
"on-target" (Karpas 299 or CCRF-CEM) cells and CMTMR-stained "off
target" MOLT4 cells at 1:4, 1:2, and 1:1 effector to target ratios.
After 24 hours, 7-AAD dye was added and remaining live cells were
analyzed by flow cytometry. Percent killing of target cells was
measured by comparing CD4.sup.+ Karpas 299 or CCRF-CEM cell
survival in CD4CAR NK cell co-cultures relative to that in vector
control NK cell co-cultures.
[0052] FIGS. 12A-12B. CD4CAR NK cells eliminate CD4.sup.+ T-cells
isolated from human cord blood at an effector to target ratio of
2:1, but do not affect hematopoietic stem cell/progenitor
compartment output. (FIG. 12A) Co-culture assays were performed at
an effector to target ratio of 2:1 for 24 hours, after which, cells
were stained with mouse anti-human CD56 and CD4 antibodies. Target
cells were incubated alone as a control (left). NK cells were
transduced with either vector control (center) or CD4CAR (right)
lentiviral supernatant and incubated with CD4.sup.+ T-cells
obtained from human cord blood. (N=2) (FIG. 12B) CD4CAR NK cells
were incubated at co-culture effector:target ratios of 2:1 and 5:1
respectively with 500 CD34+ cord blood cells for 24 hours in NK
cell media supplemented with IL-2. Experimental controls used were
CD34+ cells alone, and non-transduced NK cells were co-cultured at
respective 2:1 and 5:1 effector:target ratios with CD34+ CB cells.
Hematopoietic compartment output was assessed via formation of
erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) and number of
granulocyte/monocyte colony-forming units (CFU-GM) at Day 16. CFU
statistical analysis was performed via 2-way ANOVA with alpha set
at 0.05.
[0053] FIGS. 13A-13D. CD4CAR NK cells demonstrate anti-leukemic
effects in vivo. NSG mice were sublethally irradiated and
intradermally injected with luciferase-expressing Karpas 299 cells
(Day 0) to induce measurable tumor formation. On day 1 and every 5
days for a total of 6 courses, mice were intravenously injected
with 5.times.10.sup.6 CD4CAR NK cells or vector control NK control
cells. (FIG. 13A) On days 7, 14, and 21, mice were injected
subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and subjected to IVIS
imaging. (FIG. 13B) Average light intensity measured for the CD4CAR
NK injected mice was compared to that of vector control NK injected
mice. (FIG. 13C) On day 1, and every other day after, tumor size
area was measured and the average tumor size between the two groups
was compared. (FIG. 13D) Percent survival of mice was measured and
compared between the two groups.
[0054] FIG. 14. CD4 CAR NK cells ablate CD4 positive leukemia and
lymphoma cells in co-culture assays. All co-culture assays shown
were performed at an effector to target ratio of 5:1 for 24 hours,
after which, cells were stained with mouse anti-human CD56 and CD4
antibodies. Each assay consists of NK cells transduced with either
vector control (center) or CD4CAR (right) lentiviral supernatant
and incubated with target cells, as well as target cells incubated
alone as a control (left). CD4CAR NK cells eliminated Karpas 299
leukemic T-cells (A), HL-60 T-cells (B), and CCRF-CEM cells (C).
CD4CAR NK cells eliminated primary T-cell leukemia cells from
patients with CD4 expressing T-cell leukemia/Sezary syndrome (D)
and CD4 expressing pediatric T-cell ALL (E).
[0055] FIG. 15. NK cells were transduced with either vector control
or CDCAR lentiviral supernatant, or cultured for non-transduced
control. After 7 days of incubation, cells were harvested and
analyzed by flow cytometry with Biotin-labeled goat anti-mouse
F(Ab')2 followed by streptavidin-PE. NK cells were >85%
CD4CAR.sup.+ after sorting.
[0056] FIGS. 16-16C. CD4CAR NK cells did not lyse CD4.sup.-,
CD5.sup.+ MOLT4 negative control. (FIG. 16A) MOLT4 cell
immunophenotype was confirmed to be almost all CD4.sup.- and
CD5.sup.+. (FIG. 16B) CD4CAR NK cells did not lyse MOLT4 cells at a
5:1 effector to target ratio at 0 h, 4 h, 8 h, and 24 h (lower
panel) as assessed by comparison to vector control NK cell
tumorlysis (upper panel). (FIG. 16C) Anti-CD4 CDCAR NK antitumor
activity was confirmed at 4 h with a CD4.sup.+ Karpas 299 positive
control at an 5:1 E:T ratio.
[0057] FIGS. 17A-17C. Generation of CD5CAR. FIG. 17A. The DNA gene
construct and the translated protein construct for CD5CAR, and
anchored CD5 scFv antibody and a cartoon demonstrating the creation
and function of CD5CAR. The DNA construct of the third generation
CD5CAR construct from 5' to 3' reads: Leader sequence, the anti-CD5
extracellular single chain variable fragment (Anti-CD5 ScFv), the
hinge region, the trans-membrane region, and the three
intracellular signaling domains that define this construct as a 3rd
generation car; CD28, 4-1BB and CD3.zeta.. The DNA construct of the
anchored CD5 scFv antibody is the same as the CD5CAR construct
without the intracellular signaling domains, as is the translated
protein product for anchored CD5 scFv antibody. The translated
protein constructs contain the anti-CD5 ScFv that will bind to the
CD5 target, the hinge region that allows for appropriate
positioning of the anti-CD5 ScFv to allow for optimal binding
position, and the trans-membrane region. The complete CD5CAR
protein also contains the two co-stimulatory domains and an
intracellular domain of CD3 zeta chain. This construct is
considered as a 3rd generation CAR: CD28, 4-1BB, and CD3.zeta..
FIG. 17B. Western blot analysis demonstrates the CD5CAR expression
in HEK293 cells. HEK293 cells which had been transduced with GFP
(as negative control) or CD5CAR lentiviruses for 48 h were used for
Western blot analysis using CD3.zeta. antibody to determine the
expression of CD5CAR. Left lane, the GFP control HEK293 cells, with
no band as expected. The right lane showing a band at about 50 kDa,
the molecular weight that we expected based on the CD5CAR
construct. FIG. 17C. Flow cytometry analysis for CD5CAR expression
on T cells surface for lentiviral transduced CD5CAR T cells. This
analysis was performed on the double transduced CD5CAR T cells at
day 8 after the second lentiviral transduction. Left: isotype
control T cell population (negative control); right, transduced T
cells expressing CD5 CAR showing 20.53% on T cells by flow
cytometry using goat anti-mouse F(AB')2-PE.
[0058] FIGS. 18A-18C. Study Schema of the transduction of CD5CAR
T-cells. FIG. 18A. Steps for generation of CD5 CAR T cells by
single transduction. FIG. 18B. Steps for generation of CD5 CAR T
cells by double transduction. FIG. 18C. Comparisons of single and
double transductions with CD5 CAR lentviruses in the
down-regulation of surface CD5 expression on the T cells. The
down-regulation of extracellular CD5 protein versus GFP T-cell
control over 8 days following lentiviral transduction is analyzed.
The single transduced CD5CAR T-cells do not show complete
downregulation of CD5 from cell surface by day 8, with a maximum
decrease in CD5 protein expression on day 6. In the double
transduced population, we note the decrease in the absolute number
of CD5+, CD3+ double positive CD5CAR T-cells over time, from 24.44%
on day 0 to a near complete reduction of CD5 expression on day 4.
In contrast, the GFP T-cell control maintains a CD5+, CD3+ double
positive population above 95% from day 2 through day 8.
[0059] FIGS. 19A-19B. Downregulation of CD5 expression on T-cells
after lentiviral transduction of anchored CD5 scFv antibody after 7
days. FIG. 19A. Study schema for the transduction of anchored CD5
scFv lentiviruses, single transduction. FIG. 19B. Anchored CD5 scFv
down-regulates or reduces the quantity of surface CD5 expression on
T cells. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrating the significant
decrease in CD5 protein expression (.about.32%) after single
transduction of CD5 scFv and 7 day incubation. Elimination of CD5
expression is observed, but not complete after 7 days, and a follow
up study is currently being completed for a double transduced
anchored CD5 scFv antibody.
[0060] FIGS. 20A-20B. CD5CAR cells effectively lyse T-ALL cell
lines that express CD5, and do not lyse a T leukemic cell line that
does not express CD5. FIG. 20A. Flow cytometry analysis of T-ALL
cell lines alone (left column), in co-culture with GFP vector
transduced T-cells (middle row) and in co-culture with CD5CAR
transduced T-cells (right row). Each cell line is seen in each row,
The CD5+ T-ALL cell lines in the top and middle rows (CCRF-CEM and
Molt-4) with the CD5 negative cell line seen as the bottom row
(KARPAS 299). KAEPAS 299 is a CD5 negative T cell lymphoma. The
incubation time for all co-cultures was 24 hrs, with an
effector:target cell ratio of 5:1. The cell lysis compared to GFP
control was over 78% for both CD5 T ALL leukemic cell lines,
compared to that for the GFP control. FIG. 20B. This bar graph
denotes the T cell lysis achieved by the CD5CAR T-cells when
compared to the GFP T-cells co-culture described in FIG. 20A. There
was no lysis observed in CD5 CAR T cells co-cultures with KARPAS
299, which is CD5 negative (n=3 independent experiments done in
duplicate).
[0061] FIGS. 21A-21D. CD5CAR cells effectively lyse T-cell acute
lymphoblastic leukemic cells from patient samples that express CD5.
FIG. 21A. Flow cytometry analysis of T-ALL cells alone (left
column), in co-culture with GFP T-cells (middle row) and in
co-culture with CD5CAR T-cells (right row). Each patient cells are
given a row, and are numbered to maintain patient confidentiality.
The incubation time for all co-cultures was 24 hrs, with an
effector:target cell ratio of 5:1. The cell lysis compared to GFP
control was over 71.3% for the T-ALL-1 compared to control. The
rest of the cell lines demonstrated positive cell lysis as well,
but to a lesser degree, between 33-47%. This may be related to the
CD5 expression for each leukemic sample, which is discussed below.
FIG. 21B. This bar graph denotes the T cell lysis achieved by the
CD5CAR T-cells when compared to the GFP T-cell co-culture described
in FIG. 21A. All experiments were done in duplicate. FIG. 21C. Flow
cytometry analysis data demonstrating CD3 and CD5 expression levels
for patient T cell ALL samples analyzed in FIG. 21A. We observe a
different CD5 positivity for T-ALL 1 and T-ALL 3. D. Flow cytometry
analysis of the levels of CD5 expression on a panel of four patient
sample T-ALL cell populations. The difference of mean fluorescent
intensity (MFI) was determined by flow cytometry analysis (FIG.
21C).
[0062] FIG. 22. Analysis of CD5CAR T-cell killing ability for
patient T-ALL cells (T-ALL-8) in details. Flow cytometry analysis
demonstrating CD5CAR T-cell killing ability for patient's T-ALL
cells. The control GFP-T cell and T-ALL-8 cell co-culture are seen
on the left, and the CD5CAR co-culture with T-ALL 8 is seen on the
right. We note avid lysis of all CD5 positive cells, both CD34
positive (circled in red) and CD34 negative (circled in green, T
cells), with no lysis noted for CD5 negative cells. When compared
to GFP control, CD5CAR T cells lyse at minimum 93.1% of CD5
positive T-ALL-8 cells when compared to GFP control. Experiment was
done in duplicate. In addition, CD5CAR T cells essentially
eliminate the T cell population (CD5+CD34-, circled in green).
[0063] FIGS. 23A-23B. CD5CAR T cells effectively eliminate normal
GFP labeled T cells.
[0064] FIG. 23A, CD5CAR T cells kill normal T cells in a dose
dependent manner. CD5CAR T cells or CD123CAR T cells (control) were
co-cultured with GFP labeled T cells at 0.25:1, 0.5:1 and 1:1
effector to target ratios. After 24 hours, remaining live GFP T
cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Percent killing of target
cells was measured by comparing GFP T cell survival in CD5
co-cultures relative to that in control CD123CAR T cells as T cells
do not express CD123. FIG. 23B, Co-culture killing curve based on
the data from A.
[0065] FIGS. 24A-24B. T cells maintained CD5 expression when they
were co-cultured with CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv T cells. FIG.
24A, Steps for generation of CD5CAR T cells or anchored CD5 scFv T
cells and CD123 CAR T cells (control). FIG. 24B, CD5 expression
levels on different CAR transduced T-cells (Day 3 after 2.sup.nd
transduction). Activated T cells were transduced with lentiviruses
expressing CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv and CD123CAR. After 3 day
transduction, CD5 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry.
[0066] FIGS. 25A-25C. Co-culture assays were performed to determine
if normal T cells maintained CD5 expression when they were
co-cultured with CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv T cells or CD123CAR
(control) for 2 days (FIG. 25A) or 4 days (FIG. 25B) at a ratio of
1:1. CD5CAR T cells or anchored CD5 scFv T cells or CD123CAR T
(control) cells were incubated with GFP labeled T cells and the
co-cultured GFP labeled T cells were then analyzed for CD5
expression and live cells by flow cytometry. C (FIG. 25C), CD5CAR-
or anchored CD5 scFv transduced CCRF-CEM or Molt-4 T ALL cells
showed downregulation of CD5 expression. CCRF-CEM or Molt-4 T ALL
cells were transduced with lentiviruses expressing CD5CAR or
anchored CD5 scFv. After the second transduction, the transduced
leukemic cells were analyzed for CD5 expression by flow
cytometry.
[0067] FIGS. 26A-26D. CD5CAR T cells demonstrate profound
anti-leukemic effects in vivo. NSG mice were sublethally irradiated
and, after 24 hours, intravenously injected with 1.times.10.sup.6
luciferase-expressing CCRF-CEM cells (Day 0) to induce measurable
tumor formation. On day 3 and 4, mice were intravenously injected
with 5.times.10.sup.6 CD5CAR T cells or vector control T cells.
These injections were repeated on Days 6 and 7, for a total of
2.0.times.10.sup.7 cells per mouse. FIG. 26A, On days 5, 8, 10 and
13, mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and
subjected to IVIS imaging. FIG. 26B, Average light intensity
measured for the CD5CAR T injected mice was compared to that of
vector control T injected mice. FIG. 26C, Percentage of tumor cells
killed in mice treated with CD5CAR T cells relative to control.
FIG. 26D, Peripheral blood was drawn from mice on Day 15 and
percentages of leukemic cells were determined and compared to that
of vector control or normal injected mice.
[0068] FIGS. 27A-27C. The CD5 CAR NK cells (NK-92) effectively
eliminate CCRF-CEM T-ALL cell line in vitro. FIGS. 27A and 27B,
T-lymphoblast cell line CCRF-CEM expressing CD5 was co-cultured
with CD5 CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T (effector:target) cell
ratios for 24 hours. Target populations were quantified with flow
cytometry using CD56 and CD5 to separate the NK-CAR and target cell
population respectively. Cell survival is expressed relative to
transduced vector control NK cells and each bar graph represents
the average statistics for duplicate samples with N=2. FIG. 27C,
CD5CAR NK cells eliminate CCRF-CEM cells in a dose-dependent
manner. T-lymphoblast cell line, CCRF-CEM expressing CD5 was
co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T
(effector:target) cell ratios with the lower bound of the E:T ratio
reduced. Saturation is achieved with an E:T ratio of 2:1 and
co-culturing under reduced ratios results in a dosage-dependent
manner of CD5 elimination. Complete elimination of CCRF-CEM was
achieved at 5:1.
[0069] FIGS. 28A-28B. CD5CAR NK cells effectively lyse two
CD5+T-ALL lines, MOLT-4 and Jurkat. FIG. 28A, CD5CAR NK cells were
co-cultured with MOLT-4 cells in the indicated E:T
(effector:target) cell ratios for 24 hours. Cell survival is
expressed relative to transduced vector control NK cells and each
bar graph represents the average statistics for duplicate samples
with N=2 experiments. FIG. 28B, CD5CAR NK cells are co-cultured
with Jurkat cells in the indicated E:T (effector:target) cell
ratios for 24 hours. Cell survival is expressed relative to
transduced vector control NK cells and each bar graph represents
the average statistics for duplicate samples with N=2
experiments.
[0070] FIGS. 29A-29D. CD5CAR NK cells effectively eliminate
aggressive CD5+ T-ALL cells using human samples. FIG. 29A, T-ALL
cells from patient, T-ALL #1 were co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells
in the indicated E:T (effector:target) cell ratios for 24 hours.
FIG. 29B, T-ALL cells from patient, T-ALL #2 were co-cultured with
CD5CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T (effector:target) cell ratios
for 24 hours. Target populations were gated and quantified with
flow cytometry using cell cytotracker dye (CMTMR) to screen T-ALL
patient samples. Data represents the average statistics for
duplicate samples. Target CD5+CD34+ cell populations were gated
against an isotype control. Cell survival is expressed relative to
transduced vector control NK cells and each bar graph. From left to
right, the bar graph shows the data for CD34+ CD5+ on the left and
CD5+cd34- on the right, for each ratio. CD5CAR NK shows almost
complete lysis of the highly expressing CD5+ target population with
activity against the low CD5+CD34+ potential tumor stem cell
population. Saturation is achieved at a ratio of 2:1, signifying a
need for dilution of E:T ratios. FIGS. 29C and 29D, leukemic cells
from patient #3 (PTCLs) and patient #4 (Sezary Syndrome) were
co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells, respectively in the indicated E:T
(effector:target) cell ratios for 24 hours.
[0071] FIG. 30. CD5NK-CAR specifically eliminates umbilical cord
blood T-cells. T cells are isolated from umbilical cord blood (UCB)
T-cells and co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T
(effector:target) cell ratios for 24 hours. Target populations were
quantified with flow cytometry using CD56 and CD5 to separate the
NK-CAR and T-cell population respectively. Cell survival is
expressed relative to transduced vector control NK cells and each
bar graph represents the average statistics for duplicate
samples.
[0072] FIGS. 31A-31C. CD5CAR NK cells effectively eliminate CD5+
mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. CD5CAR NK
cells were co-cultured with Jeko cells (FIG. 31A) and leukemic
cells from patients with mantle cell lymphoma (FIG. 31B) and
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (FIG. 31C). Mantle cell line lymphoma
derived cell line JeKo expressing a major subset of CD5 was
co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T
(effector:target) cell ratios for 6 hours. For mantle cell lymphoma
or CLL, co-cultures were conducted for 24 hours. Target populations
were gated and quantified with flow cytometry as illustrated in
figures. CD5CAR NK cells specifically targets the CD5+CD19+
leukemia population and the CD5+CD19- T-cell population. Cell
survival is expressed relative to transduced vector control NK
cells and each bar graph represents the average statistics for
duplicate samples.
[0073] FIG. 32. Bars graph summarizing the CD5CAR NK cell
co-cultures studies.
[0074] FIGS. 33A-33B. CD5CAR NK cells demonstrate potent
anti-leukemic effects in vivo. NSG mice were sublethally irradiated
and, after 24 hours, intravenously injected with 1.times.10.sup.6
luciferase-expressing CCRF-CEM cells (Day 0) to induce measurable
tumor formation. On day 3 and 4, mice were intravenously injected
with 5.times.10.sup.6 CD5CAR NK cells or vector control NK cells.
These injections were repeated on Days 6 and 7, for a total of
2.0.times.10.sup.7 cells per mouse. FIG. 33A, on day 5, mice were
injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and subjected to
IVIS imaging. FIG. 33B, Percentage of tumor cells killed in mice
treated with CD5CAR NK cells relative to control.
[0075] FIGS. 34A-34B, Organization of CD3CAR and its expression.
FIG. 34A, Schematic representation of the organization of CD3CAR in
lentiviral vectors. CAR expression is driven by a SFFV (spleen
focus-forming virus) promoter and as a 3.sup.rd generation
construct, contains a leader sequence, the anti-CD3scFv, a hinge
domain (H), a transmembrane domain (TM), two co-stimulatory domains
of CD28 and 4-BB and the intracellular signaling domain of CD3
zeta. FIG. 34B, HEK-293FT cells were transduced with lentiviral
plasmids for GFP (lane 1) and CD3CAR (lane 2) for Western blot
analysis at 48 h post transduction and probed with mouse anti-human
CD3zeta antibody.
[0076] FIGS. 35A-35B. CD3CAR NK cells eliminate CD3-expressing
T-ALL cell lines in vitro. FIG. 35A, T-lymphoblast cell line Jurkat
expressing approximately 80% CD3 was co-cultured with CD3CAR NK
cells in the indicated E:T (effector:target) cell ratios for 6
hours. FIG. 35B, Sorted (CCRF-CD3) or unsorted CCRF-CEM (CCRF-CEM)
cells were co-cultured with CD3CAR NK cells for 24 hours. Target
populations were quantified with flow cytometry using CD56 and CD3
to separate the NK-CAR and target cell population respectively.
Cell survival is expressed relative to transduced vector control NK
cells and each bar graph represents the average statistics for
duplicate samples with N=2 experiments.
[0077] FIGS. 36A-B. The CD3CAR NK cells display robust killing
ability for primary CD3+ leukemic cells from patient samples. FIG.
36A, SPT-1 (Sezary syndrome) patient cells were CD3 positive and
were co-cultured with CD3CAR NK cells in the indicated E:T
(effector:target) cell ratios for 24 hours. Target populations were
quantified with flow cytometry using CD56 and CD3 to separate the
NK-CAR and target cell population respectively. While SPT-1 is a
heterogenous cell population, the broad CD3+ expressing population
is eliminated by the CD3NK-CAR. FIG. 36B, PT4 (unclassified PTCLs)
patient cells were CD3+CD7-, and were co-cultured with CD3CAR NK
cells in the indicated E:T (effector:target) cell ratios for 24
hours. Target populations were gated and quantified as seen in the
figure. PT4 leukemia cells are typed CD3+CD7- and are effectively
eliminated by the CD3CAR NK cells. The broad CD3+ population is
also affected by the CD3CAR NK cells.
[0078] FIG. 37, CD3CAR NK cells are able to lyse normal T cells as
expected. Normal T cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood
and transduced with lentiviruses expressing GFP. The transduced GFP
T cells were used to co-culture with CD3CAR NK cells. Co-culture
conditions were carried out in NK cell media with 2.5% serum.
Co-cultures were incubated for 24 hours and labeled for flow
cytometry analysis. The ability of CD3CAR NK cells to lyse target T
cells was evaluated by comparing the amount of residual CD3+ GFP
T-cells after co-culture. Importantly, with an increased incubation
period, target CD3+ GFP T-cells were shown to be lysed with over
80% efficiency at a dosage of 5:1 effector to target cell
ratio.
[0079] FIGS. 38A-38B. CD3CAR NK cells demonstrate profound
anti-leukemic effects in vivo. A, NSG mice were sublethally
irradiated and, after 24 hours, intravenously injected with
1.times.10.sup.6 luciferase-expressing Jurkat cells (Day 0) to
induce measurable tumor formation. On day 3 and 4 mice were
intravenously injected with 5.times.10.sup.6 CD3CAR NK cells or
vector control NK cells each day. These injections were repeated on
Days 6 and 7, and again on Day 10, for a total of
2.5.times.10.sup.7 cells per mouse. (FIG. 38A) On days 4, 7, 9, and
13, mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin and
subjected to IVIS imaging. FIG. 38B, Average light intensity
measured for the CD3CAR NK injected mice was compared to that of
vector control NK cell injected mice. C, Percentage of tumor cells
killed in mice treated with CD3CAR NK cells relative to
control.
[0080] FIG. 39. Steps for generation of CAR T or NK cell targeting
T-cell lymphomas or T-cell leukemias.
[0081] FIG. 40. Three pairs of sgRNA per gene are designed with
CHOPCHOP to target CD2, CD3, CD5 and CD7. Three pairs of sgRNA were
designed with CHOPCHOP to target the gene of interest.
Gene-specific sgRNAs were then cloned into the lentiviral vector
(Lenti U6-sgRNA-SFFV-Cas9-puro-wpre) expressing a human Cas9 and
puromycin resistance genes linked with an E2A self-cleaving linker.
The U6-sgRNA cassette is in front of the Cas9 element. The
expression of sgRNA and Cas9puro is driven by the U6 promoter and
SFFV promoter, respectively.
[0082] FIGS. 41A-41D. Generation of stable CD5-deficient CCRF-CEM
and MOLT-4 T cells using CRISPR/Cas9 lentivirus system. FIG. 41A.
Flow cytometry analysis demonstrating the loss of CD5 expression in
CCRF-CEM T-cells with CRISPR/Cas9 KD using two different sgRNAs,
Lenti-U6-sgCD5a-SFFV-Cas9puro (sgCD5A) and
Lenti-U6-sgCD5b-SFFV-Cas9puro (sgCD5B) after puromycin selection.
Wild type control is seen in the left most scatter plot. Because
the CRISPR/Cas9 KD technique with sgRNA CD5A was more successful at
CD5 protein downregulation, this population (denoted by the blue
circle and arrow) was selected for sorting, purification and
analysis in FIG. 41B. FIG. 41B. Flow cytometry analysis data
indicating the percentage of purely sorted stable CD5 negative
CCRF-CEM cells transduced using the scCD5A CRISPR/Cas9 technique.
We note the >99% purity of CD45 positive, CD5 negative CCRF
sgCD5A T-cells. FIG. 41C. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrating the
loss of CD5 expression in MOLT-4 T-cells with CRISPR/Cas9 KD using
two different sgRNA sequences (sequence CD5A and CD5B, middle and
right columns) after puromycin treatment. Wild type control is seen
the leftmost scatter plot. Because the CRISPR/Cas9 KD technique
with primer CD5A was more successful at CD5 protein downregulation,
this population (denoted by the blue circle and arrow) was selected
for sorting, purification and analysis in FIG. 41D. FIG. 41D. Flow
cytometry analysis data indicating the percentage of purely sorted
stable CD5 negative MOLT-4 cells transduced using the scCD5A
CRISPR/Cas9 technique. We note the >99% purity of CD45 positive,
CD5 negative MOLT-4 sgCD5A T-cells.
[0083] FIGS. 42A-42D. Generation and cell sorting of stable CD7
loss in CCRF-CEM cells or NK-92 cells using CRISPR/Cas9 lentivirus
system. The percentage of CD7 loss in CCRF-CEM (FIGS. 42A and 42B)
or NK-92(FIGS. 42C and 42D) using sgCD7A
(Lenti-U6-sgCD7a-SFFV-Cas9-puro) and sgCD7B
(Lenti-U6-sgCD7b-SFFV-Cas9-puro) was determined by flow cytometric
analysis with CD45 and CD7 antibodies after puromycin treatment.
The values of insert in figures showed percentage of positive and
negative expressing CD45 or CD7 among analysis. Right panel
indicated the percentage purity of sorted stable CD7 negative cells
in CCRF-CEM (FIG. 42B) or in NK-92 cells (FIG. 42D) prepared from
CD7 negative cells transduced using sgCD7A or sgCD7D CRISPR
lentiviruses.
[0084] FIGS. 43A-43B. CD7CAR NK.sup.7--92 cells effectively lyse T
cell ALL cell line T cells that express CD7.To avoid self-killing,
CD7 deficient NK-92 (NK.sup.7--92) cells were generated and
transduced with CD7CAR. Two transduced preparations of CD7CAR
NK.sup.7--92 cells, #A and #B were used to test their killing
ability. A, Flow cytometry analysis of CCRF-CEM cells alone (left
column), in co-culture with GFP NK.sup.7--92 cells, and in
co-culture with CD7CAR-NK-92-cells, #A and B#. FIG. 43B, bar graphs
based on data obtained from FIG. 43A.
[0085] FIG. 44. CD3 multimeric protein complex. CD3 includes a
protein complex and is composed of four distinct chains as
described the figure above. The complex includes a CD3.zeta. chain,
a CD3.gamma. chain, and two CD3.epsilon. chains. These chains
associate with the T-cell receptor (TCR) composing of .alpha..beta.
chains.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0086] The disclosure provides chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)
compositions, methods and making thereof, and methods of using the
CAR compositions.
Compositions
Chimeric Antigen Receptor Polypeptides
[0087] In one embodiment the disclosure provides a chimeric antigen
receptor (CAR) polypeptide having a signal peptide, an antigen
recognition domain, a hinge region, a transmembrane domain, at
least one co-stimulatory domain, and a signaling domain.
[0088] As used herein, the terms "peptide," "polypeptide," and
"protein" are used interchangeably, and refer to a compound having
amino acid residues covalently linked by peptide bonds. A protein
or peptide must contain at least two amino acids, and no limitation
is placed on the maximum number of amino acids that can include a
protein's or peptide's sequence. Polypeptides include any peptide
or protein having two or more amino acids joined to each other by
peptide bonds. As used herein, the term refers to both short
chains, which also commonly are referred to in the art as peptides,
oligopeptides, and oligomers, for example, and to longer chains,
which generally are referred to in the art as proteins, of which
there are many types. "Polypeptides" include, for example,
biologically active fragments, substantially homologous
polypeptides, oligopeptides, homodimers, heterodimers, variants of
polypeptides, modified polypeptides, derivatives, analogs, fusion
proteins, among others. The polypeptides include natural peptides,
recombinant peptides, synthetic peptides, or a combination
thereof.
[0089] A "signal peptide" includes a peptide sequence that directs
the transport and localization of the peptide and any attached
polypeptide within a cell, e.g. to a certain cell organelle (such
as the endoplasmic reticulum) and/or the cell surface.
[0090] The signal peptide is a peptide of any secreted or
transmembrane protein that directs the transport of the polypeptide
of the disclosure to the cell membrane and cell surface, and
provides correct localization of the polypeptide of the present
disclosure. In particular, the signal peptide of the present
disclosure directs the polypeptide of the present disclosure to the
cellular membrane, wherein the extracellular portion of the
polypeptide is displayed on the cell surface, the transmembrane
portion spans the plasma membrane, and the active domain is in the
cytoplasmic portion, or interior of the cell.
[0091] In one embodiment, the signal peptide is cleaved after
passage through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), i.e. is a cleavable
signal peptide. In an embodiment, the signal peptide is human
protein of type I, II, III, or IV. In an embodiment, the signal
peptide includes an immunoglobulin heavy chain signal peptide.
[0092] The "antigen recognition domain" includes a polypeptide that
is selective for an antigen, receptor, peptide ligand, or protein
ligand of the target; or a polypeptide of the target.
[0093] The target specific antigen recognition domain preferably
includes an antigen binding domain derived from an antibody against
an antigen of the target, or a peptide binding an antigen of the
target, or a peptide or protein binding an antibody that binds an
antigen of the target, or a peptide or protein ligand (including
but not limited to a growth factor, a cytokine, or a hormone)
binding a receptor on the target, or a domain derived from a
receptor (including but not limited to a growth factor receptor, a
cytokine receptor or a hormone receptor) binding a peptide or
protein ligand on the target. The target includes CD2, CD3, CD4,
CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52. In another embodiment, the target includes
any portion of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52. In one
embodiment, the target includes surface exposed portions of the
CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52 polypeptides.
[0094] In another embodiment, the target is the extracellular
domain of CD2 (SEQ ID NO. 19). In another embodiment, the target is
the CD3 epsilon chain extracellular domain (SEQ ID NO. 20). In
another embodiment, the target is the CD4 extracellular domain (SEQ
ID NO. 21). In another embodiment, the target is the CD5
extracellular domain (SEQ ID NO. 22). In another embodiment, the
target is the CD7 extracellular domain (SEQ ID NO. 23). In another
embodiment, the target is the CD8 alpha chain extracellular domain
(SEQ ID NO. 24). In another embodiment, the target is the CD8 beta
chain extracellular domain (SEQ ID NO. 25). In another embodiment,
the target is the CD52 CAMPATH-1 antigen (SEQ ID NO. 26).
[0095] In one embodiment, the antigen recognition domain includes
the binding portion or variable region of a monoclonal or
polyclonal antibody directed against (selective for) the
target.
[0096] In one embodiment, the antigen recognition domain includes
fragment antigen-binding fragment (Fab). In another embodiment, the
antigen recognition domain includes a single-chain variable
fragment (scFV). scFV is a fusion protein of the variable regions
of the heavy (VH) and light chains (VL) of immunoglobulins,
connected with a short linker peptide.
[0097] In another embodiment, the antigen recognition domain
includes Camelid single domain antibody, or portions thereof. In
one embodiment, Camelid single-domain antibodies include
heavy-chain antibodies found in camelids, or VHH antibody. A VHH
antibody of camelid (for example camel, dromedary, llama, and
alpaca) refers to a variable fragment of a camelid single-chain
antibody (See Nguyen et al, 2001; Muyldermans, 2001), and also
includes an isolated VHH antibody of camelid, a recombinant VHH
antibody of camelid, or a synthetic VHH antibody of camelid.
[0098] In another embodiment, the antigen recognition domain
includes ligands that engage their cognate receptor. In another
embodiment, the antigen recognition domain is humanized.
[0099] It is understood that the antigen recognition domain may
include some variability within its sequence and still be selective
for the targets disclosed herein. Therefore, it is contemplated
that the polypeptide of the antigen recognition domain may be at
least 95%, at least 90%, at least 80%, or at least 70% identical to
the antigen recognition domain polypeptide disclosed herein and
still be selective for the targets described herein and be within
the scope of the disclosure.
[0100] In another embodiment, the antigen recognition domain is
selective for SEQ ID NO. 19, SEQ ID NO. 20, SEQ ID NO. 21, SEQ ID
NO. 22, SEQ ID NO. 23, SEQ ID NO. 24, or SEQ ID NO. 25, or SEQ ID
NO. 26.
[0101] The hinge region is a sequence positioned between for
example, including, but not limited to, the chimeric antigen
receptor, and at least one co-stimulatory domain and a signaling
domain. The hinge sequence may be obtained including, for example,
from any suitable sequence from any genus, including human or a
part thereof. Such hinge regions are known in the art. In one
embodiment, the hinge region includes the hinge region of a human
protein including CD-8 alpha, CD28, 4-1BB, OX40, CD3-zeta, T cell
receptor .alpha. or .beta. chain, a CD3 zeta chain, CD28,
CD3.epsilon., CD45, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD9, CD16, CD22, CD33, CD37,
CD64, CD80, CD86, CD134, CD137, ICOS, CD154, functional derivatives
thereof, and combinations thereof.
[0102] In one embodiment the hinge region includes the CD8 a hinge
region.
[0103] In some embodiments, the hinge region includes one selected
from, but is not limited to, immunoglobulin (e.g. IgG1, IgG2, IgG3,
IgG4, and IgD).
[0104] The transmembrane domain includes a hydrophobic polypeptide
that spans the cellular membrane. In particular, the transmembrane
domain spans from one side of a cell membrane (extracellular)
through to the other side of the cell membrane (intracellular or
cytoplasmic).
[0105] The transmembrane domain may be in the form of an alpha
helix or a beta barrel, or combinations thereof. The transmemebrane
domain may include a polytopic protein, which has many
transmembrane segments, each alpha-helical, beta sheets, or
combinations thereof.
[0106] In one embodiment, the transmembrane domain that naturally
is associated with one of the domains in the CAR is used. In
another embodiment, the transmembrane domain can be selected or
modified by amino acid substitution to avoid binding of such
domains to the transmembrane domains of the same or different
surface membrane proteins to minimize interactions with other
members of the receptor complex.
[0107] For example, a transmembrane domain includes a transmembrane
domain of a T-cell receptor .alpha. or .beta. chain, a CD3 zeta
chain, CD28, CD3.epsilon., CD45, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD9, CD16, CD22,
CD33, CD37, CD64, CD80, CD86, CD134, CD137, ICOS, CD154, functional
derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
[0108] The artificially designed transmembrane domain is a
polypeptide mainly comprising hydrophobic residues such as leucine
and valine. In one embodiment, a triplet of phenylalanine,
tryptophan and valine is found at each end of the synthetic
transmembrane domain.
[0109] In one embodiment, the transmembrane domain is the CD8
transmembrane domain. In another embodiment, the transmembrane
domain is the CD28 transmembrane domain. Such transmembrane domains
are known in the art.
[0110] The signaling domain and co-stimulatory domain include
polypeptides that provide activation of an immune cell to stimulate
or activate at least some aspect of the immune cell signaling
pathway.
[0111] In an embodiment, the signaling domain includes the
polypeptide of a functional signaling domain of CD3 zeta, common
FcR gamma (FCER1G), Fc gamma Rlla, FcR beta (Fc Epsilon Rib), CD3
gamma, CD3 delta, CD3 epsilon, CD79a, CD79b, DNAX-activating
protein 10 (DAP10), DNAX-activating protein 12 (DAP12), active
fragments thereof, functional derivatives thereof, and combinations
thereof. Such signaling domains are known in the art.
[0112] In an embodiment, the CAR polypeptide further includes one
or more co-stimulatory domains. In an embodiment, the
co-stimulatory domain is a functional signaling domain from a
protein including OX40, CD27, CD28, CD30, CD40, PD-1, CD2, CD7,
CD258, Natural killer Group 2 member C (NKG2C), Natural killer
Group 2 member D (NKG2D), B7-H3, a ligand that binds to CD83,
ICAM-1, LFA-1 (CD1 la/CD18), ICOS and 4-1BB (CD137), active
fragments thereof, functional derivatives thereof, and combinations
thereof.
[0113] In one embodiment, the CAR polypeptide is CD2CAR, and
includes SEQ ID NO. 10 or SEQ ID NO. 11. In one embodiment, the CAR
polypeptide is CD3CAR, and includes SEQ ID NO. 12. In one
embodiment, the CAR polypeptide is CD4CAR, and includes SEQ ID NO.
13 or SEQ ID NO. 14. In one embodiment, the CAR polypeptide is
CD5CAR, and includes SEQ ID NO. 15. In one embodiment, the CAR
polypeptide is CD7CAR, and includes SEQ ID NO. 17.In one
embodiment, the CAR polypeptide is CD52CAR, and includes SEQ ID NO.
18.
Polynucleotide Encoding Chimeric Antigen Receptor
[0114] The present disclosure further provides a polynucleotide
encoding the chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide described above.
The polynucleotide encoding the CAR is easily prepared from an
amino acid sequence of the specified CAR by any conventional
method. A base sequence encoding an amino acid sequence can be
obtained from the aforementioned NCBI RefSeq IDs or accession
numbers of GenBenk for an amino acid sequence of each domain, and
the nucleic acid of the present disclosure can be prepared using a
standard molecular biological and/or chemical procedure. For
example, based on the base sequence, a polynucleotide can be
synthesized, and the polynucleotide of the present disclosure can
be prepared by combining DNA fragments which are obtained from a
cDNA library using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
[0115] In one embodiment, the polynucleotide disclosed herein is
part of a gene, or an expression or cloning cassette.
[0116] The term "polynucleotide" as used herein is defined as a
chain of nucleotides. Polynucleotide includes DNA and RNA.
Furthermore, nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides. Thus,
nucleic acids and polynucleotides as used herein are
interchangeable. One skilled in the art has the general knowledge
that nucleic acids are polynucleotides, which can be hydrolyzed
into the monomeric "nucleotides." The monomeric nucleotides can be
hydrolyzed into nucleosides. As used herein polynucleotides
include, but are not limited to, all nucleic acid sequences which
are obtained by any means available in the art, including, without
limitation, recombinant means, i.e., the cloning of nucleic acid
sequences from a recombinant library or a cell genome, using
ordinary cloning technology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR),
and the like, and by synthetic means.
[0117] In one embodiment, the polynucleotide includes the CD2CAR
polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 1 or SEQ ID NO. 2. In one embodiment,
the polynucleotide includes the CD3CAR polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO.
3. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide includes the CD4CAR
polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 4 or SEQ ID NO. 5. In one embodiment,
the polynucleotide includes the CD5CAR polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO.
6. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide includes the CD7CAR
polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 8. In one embodiment, the
polynucleotide includes the CD52CAR polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO.
9.
Polynucleotide Vector
[0118] The polynucleotide described above can be cloned into a
vector. A "vector" is a composition of matter which includes an
isolated polynucleotide and which can be used to deliver the
isolated polynucleotide to the interior of a cell. Numerous vectors
are known in the art including, but not limited to, linear
polynucleotides, polynucleotides associated with ionic or
amphiphilic compounds, plasmids, phagemid, cosmid, and viruses.
Viruses include phages, phage derivatives. Thus, the term "vector"
includes an autonomously replicating plasmid or a virus. The term
should also be construed to include non-plasmid and non-viral
compounds which facilitate transfer of nucleic acid into cells,
such as, for example, polylysine compounds, liposomes, and the
like. Examples of viral vectors include, but are not limited to,
adenoviral vectors, adeno-associated virus vectors, retroviral
vectors, lentiviral vectors, and the like.
[0119] In one embodiment, vectors include cloning vectors,
expression vectors, replication vectors, probe generation vectors,
integration vectors, and sequencing vectors.
[0120] In an embodiment, the vector is a viral vector. In an
embodiment, the viral vector is a retroviral vector or a lentiviral
vector. In an embodiment, the engineered cell is virally transduced
to express the polynucleotide sequence.
[0121] A number of viral based systems have been developed for gene
transfer into mammalian cells. For example, retroviruses provide a
convenient platform for gene delivery systems. A selected gene can
be inserted into a vector and packaged in retroviral particles
using techniques known in the art. The recombinant virus can then
be isolated and delivered to cells of the subject either in vivo or
ex vivo. A number of retroviral systems are known in the art. In
some embodiments, adenovirus vectors are used. A number of
adenovirus vectors are known in the art. In one embodiment,
lentivirus vectors are used.
[0122] Viral vector technology is well known in the art and is
described, for example, in Sambrook et al, (2001, Molecular
Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New
York), and in other virology and molecular biology manuals.
Viruses, which are useful as vectors include, but are not limited
to, retroviruses, adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, herpes
viruses, and lentiviruses. In general, a suitable vector contains
an origin of replication functional in at least one organism, a
promoter sequence, convenient restriction endomiclease sites, and
one or more selectable markers, (e.g., WO 01/96584; WO 01/29058;
and U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,193).
[0123] Expression of chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide may
be achieved using, for example, expression vectors including, but
not limited to, at least one of a SFFV or human elongation factor
11.alpha. (EF) promoter, CAG (chicken beta-actin promoter with CMV
enhancer) promoter human elongation factor 1.alpha. (EF) promoter.
Examples of less-strong/lower-expressing promoters utilized may
include, but is not limited to, the simian virus 40 (SV40) early
promoter, cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early promoter, Ubiquitin
C (UBC) promoter, and the phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK) promoter,
or a part thereof. Inducible expression of chimeric antigen
receptor may be achieved using, for example, a tetracycline
responsive promoter, including, but not limited to, TRE3GV
(Tet-response element, including all generations and preferably,
the 3rd generation), inducible promoter (Clontech Laboratories,
Mountain View, Calif.) or a part or a combination thereof.
[0124] One example of a suitable promoter is the immediate early
cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter sequence. This promoter sequence is
a strong constitutive promoter sequence capable of driving high
levels of expression of any polynucleotide sequence operatively
linked thereto. Another example of a suitable promoter is
Elongation Growth Factor--1 a (EF-1 a). However, other constitutive
promoter sequences may also be used, including, but not limited to
the simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoter, mouse mammary tumor
virus (MMTV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) long terminal
repeat (LTR) promoter, MoMuLV promoter, an avian leukemia virus
promoter, an Epstein-Barr virus immediate early promoter, a Rous
sarcoma virus promoter, as well as human gene promoters such as,
but not limited to, the actin promoter, the myosin promoter, the
hemoglobin promoter, and the creatine kinase promoter. Further, the
disclosure should not be limited to the use of constitutive
promoters, inducible promoters are also contemplated as part of the
disclosure. The use of an inducible promoter provides a molecular
switch capable of turning on expression of the polynucleotide
sequence which it is operatively linked when such expression is
desired, or turning off the expression when expression is not
desired. Examples of inducible promoters include, but are not
limited to a metalothionine promoter, a glucocorticoid promoter, a
progesterone promoter, and a tetracycline promoter.
[0125] "Expression vector" refers to a vector comprising a
recombinant polynucleotide comprising expression control sequences
operatively linked to a nucleotide sequence to be expressed. An
expression vector includes sufficient cis-acting elements for
expression; other elements for expression can be supplied by the
host cell or in an in vitro expression system. Expression vectors
include all those known in the art, such as cosmids, plasmids
(e.g., naked or contained in liposomes) and viruses (e.g.,
lentiviruses, retroviruses, adenoviruses, and adeno-associated
viruses) that incorporate the recombinant polynucleotide,
[0126] Additional promoter elements, e.g., enhancers, regulate the
frequency of transcriptional initiation. Typically, these are
located in the region 30-100 bp upstream of the start site,
although a number of promoters have recently been shown to contain
functional elements downstream of the start site as well. The
spacing between promoter elements frequently is flexible, so that
promoter function is preserved when elements are inverted or moved
relative to one another, in the thymidine kinase (tk) promoter, the
spacing between promoter elements can be increased to 50 bp apart
before activity begins to decline. Depending on the promoter, it
appears that individual elements can function either cooperatively
or independently to activate transcription,
[0127] In order to assess the expression of a CAR polypeptide or
portions thereof, the expression vector to be introduced into a
cell can also contain either a selectable marker gene or a reporter
gene or both to facilitate identification and selection of
expressing cells from the population of cells sought to be
transfected or infected through viral vectors, in other aspects,
the selectable marker may be carried on a separate piece of DNA and
used in a co-transfection procedure. Both selectable markers and
reporter genes may be flanked with appropriate regulatory sequences
to enable expression in the host cells. Useful selectable markers
include, for example, antibiotic-resistance genes, such as neo and
the like.
[0128] Reporter genes are used for identifying potentially
transfected cells and for evaluating the functionality of
regulatory sequences. In general, a reporter gene is a gene that is
not present in or expressed by the recipient organism or tissue and
that encodes a polypeptide whose expression is manifested by some
easily detectable property, e.g., enzymatic activity. Expression of
the reporter gene is assayed at a suitable time after the DNA has
been introduced into the recipient cells. Suitable reporter genes
may include genes encoding luciferase, beta-galactosidase,
chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, secreted alkaline phosphatase,
or the green fluorescent protein gene (e.g., Ui-Tei et al., 2000
FEBS Letters 479: 79-82). Suitable expression systems are well
known and may be prepared using known techniques or obtained
commercially. In general, the construct with the minimal 5'
flanking region showing the highest level of expression of reporter
gene is identified as the promoter. Such promoter regions may be
linked to a reporter gene and used to evaluate agents for the
ability to modulate promoter-driven transcription.
[0129] Methods of introducing and expressing genes into a cell are
known in the art. In the context of an expression vector, the
vector can be readily introduced into a host cell, e.g., mammalian,
bacterial, yeast, or insect cell by any method in the art. For
example, the expression vector can be transferred into a host cell
by physical, chemical, or biological means.
[0130] Physical methods for introducing a polynucleotide into a
host cell include calcium phosphate precipitation, lipofection,
particle bombardment, microinjection, electroporation, and the
like. Methods for producing cells comprising vectors and/or
exogenous nucleic acids are well-known in the art. See, for
example, Sambrook et al. (2001, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory
Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York). A preferred
method for the introduction of a polynucleotide into a host cell is
calcium phosphate transfection.
[0131] Biological methods for introducing a polynucleotide of
interest into a host cell include the use of DNA and RNA vectors.
Viral vectors, and especially retroviral vectors, have become the
most widely used method for inserting genes into mammalian, e.g.,
human cells. Other viral vectors can be derived from lentivirus,
poxviruses, herpes simplex virus I, adenoviruses and
adeno-associated viruses, and the like. See, for example, U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,350,674 and 5,585,362.
[0132] Chemical means for introducing a polynucleotide into a host
cell include colloidal dispersion systems, such as macromolecule
complexes, nanocapsules, microspheres, beads, and lipid-based
systems including oil-in-water emulsions, micelles, mixed micelles,
and liposomes. An exemplary colloidal system for use as a delivery
vehicle in vitro and in vivo is a liposome (e.g., an artificial
membrane vesicle). In the case where a non-viral delivery system is
utilized, an exemplary delivery vehicle is a liposome. The use of
lipid formulations is contemplated for the introduction of the
nucleic acids into a host cell (in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo). In
another aspect, the nucleic acid may be associated with a lipid.
The nucleic acid associated with a lipid may be encapsulated in the
aqueous interior of a liposome, interspersed within the lipid
bilayer of a liposome, attached to a liposome via a linking
molecule that is associated with both the liposome and the
oligonucleotide, entrapped in a liposome, complexed with a
liposome, dispersed in a solution containing a lipid, mixed with a
lipid, combined with a lipid, contained as a suspension in a lipid,
contained or complexed with a micelle, or otherwise associated with
a lipid. Lipid, lipid/DNA or lipid/expression vector associated
compositions are not limited to any particular structure in
solution. For example, they may be present in a bilayer structure,
as micelles, or with a "collapsed" structure. They may also simply
be interspersed in a solution, possibly forming aggregates that are
not uniform in size or shape. Lipids are fatty substances which may
be naturally occurring or synthetic lipids. For example, lipids
include the fatty droplets that naturally occur in the cytoplasm as
well as the class of compounds which contain long-chain aliphatic
hydrocarbons and their derivatives, such as fatty acids, alcohols,
amines, amino alcohols, and aldehydes.
[0133] Lipids suitable for use can be obtained from commercial
sources. For example, dimyristyi phosphatidylcholine ("DMPC") can
be obtained from Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.; dicetyl phosphate ("DCP")
can be obtained from K & K Laboratories (Plainview, N.Y.);
cholesterol ("Choi") can be obtained from Calbiochem-Behring;
dimyristyi phosphatidylglycerol ("DMPG") and other lipids may be
obtained from Avanti Polar Lipids, Inc. (Birmingham, Ala.). Stock
solutions of lipids in chloroform or chloroform/methanol can be
stored at about -20.degree. C. Chloroform is used as the only
solvent since it is more readily evaporated than methanol.
[0134] "Liposome" is a generic term encompassing a variety of
single and multilamellar lipid vehicles formed by the generation of
enclosed lipid bilayers or aggregates. Liposomes can be
characterized as having vesicular structures with a phospholipid
bilayer membrane and an inner aqueous medium. Multilamellar
liposomes have multiple lipid layers separated by aqueous medium.
They form spontaneously when phospholipids are suspended in an
excess of aqueous solution. The lipid components undergo
self-rearrangement before the formation of closed structures and
entrap water and dissolved solutes between the lipid bilayers
(Ghosh et al., 19 1 Glycobiology 5; 505-10). However, compositions
that have different structures in solution than the normal
vesicular structure are also encompassed. For example, the lipids
may assume a micellar structure or merely exist as nonuniform
aggregates of lipid molecules. Also contemplated are
lipofectamine-nucleic acid complexes.
[0135] Regardless of the method used to introduce exogenous
polynucleotides into a host cell or otherwise expose a cell to the
polynucleotide of the present disclosure, in order to confirm the
presence of the recombinant DNA sequence in the host cell, a
variety of assays may be performed. Such assays include, for
example, "molecular biological" assays well known to those of skill
in the art, such as Southern and Northern blotting, RT-PCR and PCR;
"biochemical" assays, such as detecting the presence or absence of
a particular peptide, e.g., by immunological means (ELISAs and
Western blots) or by assays described herein to identify agents
falling within the scope of the disclosure.
Engineered Cell
[0136] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an engineered
cell expressing the chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide described
above or polynucleotide encoding for the same, and described
above.
[0137] An "engineered cell" means any cell of any organism that is
modified, transformed, or manipulated by addition or modification
of a gene, a DNA or RNA sequence, or protein or polypeptide.
Isolated cells, host cells, and genetically engineered cells of the
present disclosure include isolated immune cells, such as NK cells
and T cells that contain the DNA or RNA sequences encoding a
chimeric antigen receptor or chimeric antigen receptor complex and
express the chimeric receptor on the cell surface. Isolated host
cells and engineered cells may be used, for example, for enhancing
an NK cell activity or a T lymphocyte activity, treatment of
cancer, and treatment of infectious diseases.
[0138] Any cell capable of expressing and/or capable of integrating
the chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide, as disclosed herein,
into its membrane may be used.
[0139] In an embodiment, the engineered cell includes
immunoregulatory cells. Immunoregulatory cells include T-cells,
such as CD4 T-cells (Helper T-cells), CD8 T-cells (Cytotoxic
T-cells, CTLs), and memory T cells or memory stem cell T cells. In
another embodiment, T-cells include Natural Killer T-cells (NK
T-cells).
[0140] In an embodiment, the engineered cell includes Natural
Killer cells. Natural killer cells are well known in the art. In
one embodiment, natural killer cells include cell lines, such as
NK-92 cells. Further examples of NK cell lines include NKG, YT,
NK-YS, HANK-1, YTS cells, and NKL cells.
[0141] NK cells mediate anti-tumor effects without the risk of GvHD
and are short-lived relative to T-cells. Accordingly, NK cells
would be exhausted shortly after destroying cancer cells,
decreasing the need for an inducible suicide gene on CAR constructs
that would ablate the modified cells.
[0142] In one embodiment, the engineered cell may include more than
one type chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide described herein.
Embodiments wherein the engineered cell includes at least two of a
CD2CAR, CD3CAR, CD4CAR, CD5CAR, CD7CAR, CD8CAR, and CD52CAR have
been contemplated. For example, the engineered cell may include a
CD4 chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide (CD4CAR) and a CD5
chimeric antigen receptor polypeptide (CD5CAR).
[0143] As used herein, CDXCAR refers to a chimeric antigen receptor
having a CDX antigen recognition domain. As used herein CDX may be
any one of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
TCR Deficient T Cells Used to Carry CAR
[0144] In one embodiment, engineered cells, in particular
allogeneic T cells obtained from donors can be modified to
inactivate components of TCR (T cell receptor) involved in MHC
recognition. As a result, TCR deficient T cells would not cause
graft versus host disease (GVHD).
T-Antigen Deficient T and NK Cells
[0145] T cell lymphomas or T cell leukemias express specific
antigens, which may represent useful targets for these diseases.
For instance, T cell lymphomas or leukemias express CD7, CD2, CD3
and CD5. However, CD7, CD2, CD3, and CD5 are also expressed in CAR
T or NK cells (except for CD3 and CD5), which offset their ability
of targeting these antigens. The self-killing might occur in T
cells or NK cells armed with CARs targeting any one of these
antigens. This makes generation of CARs targeting these antigens
difficult. Therefore, it may be necessary to inactivate an
endogenous antigen in a T or NK cell when it is used as a target to
arm CARs.
[0146] In another embodiment, the engineered cell is further
modified to inactivate cell surface polypeptide to prevent
engineered cells from acting on other engineered cells. For
example, one or more of the endogenous CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, and CD7
genes of the engineered cells may be knocked out or inactivated. In
a preferred embodiment, the engineered cell is a natural killer
cell having at least one of the endogenous CD2 and CD7 genes
knocked out or inactivated.
[0147] In another preferred embodiment, the engineered cell is a
T-cell having at least one of the endogenous CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5,
CD7, and CD8 genes knocked out or inactivated. In another preferred
embodiment, the engineered cell is a NK cell having at least one of
the endogenous CD2 and CD7 genes knocked out or inactivated.
[0148] In one embodiment, the engineered cell expressing a CAR
having a particular antigen recognition domain will have the gene
expressing that antigen inactivated or knocked out. For example, a
T-cell having a CD2 CAR will have an inactivated or knocked out CD2
antigen gene. In another embodiment, an engineered cell (e.g. NK
cell or T-cell) having a CAR with a CD4 antigen recognition domain
will be modified so that the CD4 antigen is not expressed on its
cell surface. In another embodiment, an engineered cell (e.g. NK
cell or T-cell) having one CAR with a CD2 antigen recognition
domain and another CAR with a CD7 antigen recognition domain may
have both the CD2 antigen gene and the CD7 antigen gene knocked out
or inactivated.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 cell surface antigens of Natural Killer
cells and T-cells. Natural Killer cells T-cells CD2 + + CD4 - + CD3
- + CD5 - + CD7 + + CD8 - +
[0149] Methods to knock out or inactivate genes are commonly known
in the art. For example, CRISPR/Cas9 system, zinc finger nuclease
(ZFNs) and TALE nucleases (TALENs) and meganucleases may be used to
knock out or inactivate the CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52
genes of the engineered cells.
Sources of Cells
[0150] The engineered cells may be obtained from peripheral blood,
cord blood, bone marrow, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, lymph node
tissue, or thymus tissue. The host cells may include placental
cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or
hematopoietic stem cells. The cells may be obtained from humans,
monkeys, chimpanzees, dogs, cats, mice, rats, and transgenic
species thereof. The cells may be obtained from established cell
lines.
[0151] The above cells may be obtained by any known means. The
cells may be autologous, syngeneic, allogeneic, or xenogeneic to
the recipient of the engineered cells.
[0152] The term "autologous" refer to any material derived from the
same individual to whom it is later to be re-introduced into the
individual.
[0153] The term "allogeneic" refers to any material derived from a
different animal of the same species as the individual to whom the
material is introduced. Two or more individuals are said to be
allogeneic to one another when the genes at one or more loci are
not identical. In some aspects, allogeneic material from
individuals of the same species may be sufficiently unlike
genetically to interact antigenically.
[0154] The term "xenogeneic" refers to a graft derived from an
animal of a different species.
[0155] The term "syngeneic" refers to an extremely close genetic
similarity or identity especially with respect to antigens or
immunological reactions. Syngeneic systems include for example,
models in which organs and cells (e.g. cancer cells and their
non-cancerous counterparts) come from the same individual, and/or
models in which the organs and cells come from different individual
animals that are of the same inbred strain.
Suicide System
[0156] The engineered cells of the present disclosure may also
include a suicide system. Suicide systems provide a mechanism
whereby the engineered cell, as described above, may be deactivated
or destroyed. Such a feature allows precise therapeutic control of
any treatments wherein the engineered cells are used. As used
herein, a suicide system provides a mechanism by which the cell
having the suicide system can be deactivated or destroyed. Suicide
systems are well known in the art.
[0157] In one embodiment, a suicide system includes a gene that can
be pharmacologically activated to eliminate the containing cells as
required. In specific aspects, the suicide gene is not immunogenic
to the host harboring the polynucleotide or cell. In one example,
the suicide system includes a gene that causes CD20 to be expressed
on the cell surface of the engineered cell. Accordingly,
administration of rituximab may be used to destroy the engineered
cell containing the gene.
[0158] In some embodiments, the suicide system includes an epitope
tag. Examples of epitope tags include a c-myc tag,
streptavidin-binding peptide (SBP), and truncated EGFR gene
(EGFRt). In this embodiment, the epitope tag is expressed in the
engineered cell. Accordingly, administration of an antibody against
the epitope tag may be used to destroy the engineered cell
containing the gene.
[0159] In another embodiment, the suicide system includes a gene
that causes truncated epidermal growth factor receptor to be
expressed on the surface of the engineered cell. Accordingly,
administration of cetuximab may be used to destroy the engineered
cell containing the gene.
[0160] In another embodiment, the suicide gene may include caspace
8 gene, caspase 9 gene, thymidine kinase, cytosine deaminase (CD),
or cytochrome P450.
[0161] Examples of further suicide systems include those described
by Jones et al. (Jones B S, Lamb L S, Goldman F and Di Stasi A
(2014) Improving the safety of cell therapy products by suicide
gene transfer. Front. Pharmacol. 5:254. doi:
10.3389/fphar.2014.00254), which is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
CD2CAR
[0162] The CD2 adhesion molecule is a cell surface antigen
expressed by all peripheral blood T cells and natural killer cells,
but not on B lymphocytes. The extracellular domain of CD2 contains
immunoglobulin-like domains which can mediate homodimerization.
Ligation of CD2 by CD58 (LFA-3) or CD48 helps T cells adhere to
antigen-presenting cells, and triggers signal transduction pathways
that enhance signaling through the T cell receptor for antigen. CD2
knockout mice exhibit normal immune function, and it is thought
that CD2 is similar functionally with other T cell co-stimulatory
receptors such as CD28.
[0163] CD2 is expressed in T-ALL, T cell lymphoma/leukemia, acute
promyelocytic leukemia (microgranular variant), systemic
mastocytosis, mast cell disease, thymoma and acute myeloid lymphoma
(M0) and NK cell leukemia.
[0164] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a chimeric
antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain
specific for a CD2 antigen, and engineered cells expressing the
same.
[0165] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a chimeric
antigen receptor polypeptide having a variant of the sequence of an
antigen recognition domain specific for a CD2 antigen, and
engineered cells expressing the same.
[0166] In one embodiment, the CD2 CAR includes at least one
co-stimulatory domain. In another embodiment, the CD2CAR includes
at least two co-stimulatory domains.
[0167] In one embodiment, the CD2CAR includes SEQ ID NO. 10 and SEQ
ID NO. 11.
CD3CAR
[0168] CD3 consists of a protein complex and is composed of four
distinct chains as described the figure above. The complex
contains, a CD3.zeta. chain, a CD3.gamma. chain, and two
CD3.epsilon. chains. These chains associate with the T-cell
receptor (TCR) composing of .alpha..beta. chains.
[0169] The TCR/CD3 complex is a unique marker for T lineage cells.
There is a variety of monoclonal antibodies against this complex
that have been developed. One such monoclonal antibody is the
murine monoclonal antibody OKT3 against the surface CD3. CD3 is the
common marker for T cells and T cell malignancies. OKT3 against CD3
epsilon is the common antibody used for identifying T cells.
Anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies as treatments include: (1) acute
renal, cardiac or hepatic allograft rejection; (2) depletion of T
cells from donor marrow prior to transplant; (3) new onset of type
I diabetes. CD3 against CD3 epsilon chain is the most specific T
cell antibody used to identify T cells in benign and malignant
disorders. CD3 is found in 86% of peripheral T cell lymphomas.
[0170] In some embodiments, the disclosure includes a method for
generation of CD3CAR. In further embodiments, CD3CAR includes a
scFv antibody which specifically binds to the surface protein of
CD3.
[0171] In some embodiments, CD3CAR includes an scFv molecule, which
specifically binds to the TCR/CD3 complexes.
[0172] In some embodiments, the scFv in the CAR may be a molecule
specifically binding to the extracellular domains of
.alpha..beta.TCR associated with CD3.
CD4CAR
[0173] In one embodiment, chimeric antigen receptor of the present
disclosure includes a CD4 antigen recognition domain, CD4CAR.
[0174] In one embodiment, the CD4 CAR includes at least one
co-stimulatory domain. In another embodiment, the CD4CAR includes
at least two co-stimulatory domains.
[0175] In one embodiment, CD4CAR includes SEQ ID NO. 13 and SEQ ID
NO. 14.
CD5CAR
[0176] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a chimeric
antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain
specific for CD5, and engineered cells expressing the same.
[0177] In one embodiment, the CD5CAR includes at least
one-costimulatory domain. In another embodiment, the CD5CAR
includes at least two co-stimulatory domains.
CD7CAR
[0178] CD7 is a transmembrane protein which is a member of the
immunoglobulin superfamily. This protein is expressed on the
surface of mature T cells. It is the earliest surface antigen
expressed on T cell lineage cells.
[0179] CD7 is a very good marker for T-ALL and more than 90% of
T-ALL express CD7. CD7 is also expressed in NK lymphoma, T cell
lymphoma/leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid
leukemia, and lymphocyte rich thymoma
[0180] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a chimeric
antigen receptor polypeptide having an antigen recognition domain
specific for a CD7 antigen, and engineered cells expressing the
same.
[0181] In one embodiment, the CD7CAR includes at least one
co-stimulatory domain. In another embodiment, the CD7CAR includes
at least two co-stimulatory domains
Methods
Method of Making Engineered Cells
[0182] In one embodiment, the disclosure also provides methods of
making the engineered cells described above.
[0183] In this embodiment, the cells described above are obtained
or isolated. The cells may be isolated by any known means. The
cells include peripheral blood cells or cord blood cells. In
another embodiment, the cells are placental cells, embryonic stem
cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or hematopoietic stem
cells.
[0184] The polynucleotide encoding for the chimeric antigen
receptor polypeptide described above is introduced into the
peripheral blood cells or cord blood cells by any known means. In
one example, the polynucleotide encoding for the chimeric antigen
receptor polypeptide described above is introduced into the cell by
way of viral vector.
[0185] The polynucleotide encoding for the chimeric antigen
receptor polypeptide described above is introduced into the
placental cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem
cells, or hematopoietic stem cells by any known means. In one
example, the polynucleotide encoding for the chimeric antigen
receptor polypeptide described above is introduced into the cell by
way of viral vector.
[0186] In other embodiments, the chimeric antigen receptor
polynucleotide may be constructed as a transient RNA-modified
"biodegradable derivatives". The RNA-modified derivatives may be
electroporated into a T cell or NK cell. In a further embodiment,
chimeric antigen receptor described herein may be constructed in a
transponson system also called a "Sleeping Beauty", which
integrates the chimeric antigen receptor polynucleotide into the
host genome without a viral vector.
[0187] Once the polynucleotide described above is introduced into
the cell to provide an engineered cell, the engineered cells are
expanded. The engineered cells containing the polynucleotide
described above are expanded by any known means.
[0188] The expanded cells are isolated by any known means to
provide isolated engineered cells according to the present
disclosure.
Methods of Using
[0189] The disclosure provides methods to kill, reduce the number
of, or deplete immunoregulatory cells. In another embodiment, the
disclosure provides a method to kill, reduce the number of, or
deplete cells having at least one of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8,
and CD52.
[0190] As used herein, "reduce the number of" includes a reduction
by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 25%, at least 50%, at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 99%, or 100%.
[0191] As used herein, "deplete" includes a reduction by at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 99%, or 100%.
[0192] In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD2 by
contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of
the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen
receptor peptide having a CD2 antigen recognition domain.
Optionally, the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells
having CD2 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the
art.
[0193] As used herein, the immunoregulatory cells may be in a
patient, in cell culture, or isolated.
[0194] As used herein, "patient" includes mammals. The mammal
referred to herein can be any mammal. As used herein, the term
"mammal" refers to any mammal, including, but not limited to,
mammals of the order Rodentia, such as mice and hamsters, and
mammals of the order Logomorpha, such as rabbits. The mammals may
be from the order Carnivora, including Felines (cats) and Canines
(dogs). The mammals may be from the order Artiodactyla, including
Bovines (cows) and Swines (pigs) or of the order Perssodactyla,
including Equines (horses). The mammals may be of the order
Primates, Ceboids, or Simoids (monkeys) or of the order Anthropoids
(humans and apes). Preferably, the mammal is a human.
[0195] In certain embodiments, the patient is a human 0 to 6 months
old, 6 to 12 months old, 1 to 5 years old, 5 to 10 years old, 5 to
12 years old, 10 to 15 years old, 15 to 20 years old, 13 to 19
years old, 20 to 25 years old, 25 to 30 years old, 20 to 65 years
old, 30 to 35 years old, 35 to 40 years old, 40 to 45 years old, 45
to 50 years old, 50 to 55 years old, 55 to 60 years old, 60 to 65
years old, 65 to 70 years old, 70 to 75 years old, 75 to 80 years
old, 80 to 85 years old, 85 to 90 years old, 90 to 95 years old or
95 to 100 years old.
[0196] The terms "effective amount" and "therapeutically effective
amount" of an engineered cell as used herein mean a sufficient
amount of the engineered cell to provide the desired therapeutic or
physiological or effect or outcome. Such, an effect or outcome
includes reduction or amelioration of the symptoms of cellular
disease. Undesirable effects, e.g. side effects, are sometimes
manifested along with the desired therapeutic effect; hence, a
practitioner balances the potential benefits against the potential
risks in determining what an appropriate "effective amount" is. The
exact amount required will vary from subject to subject, depending
on the species, age and general condition of the subject, mode of
administration and the like. Thus, it may not be possible to
specify an exact "effective amount". However, an appropriate
"effective amount" in any individual case may be determined by one
of ordinary skill in the art using only routine experimentation.
Generally, the engineered cell or engineered cells is/are given in
an amount and under conditions sufficient to reduce proliferation
of target cells.
[0197] In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD2 by
contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of
the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen
receptor peptide having a CD2 antigen recognition domain.
Optionally, the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells
having CD2 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the
art.
[0198] In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD3 by
contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of
the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen
receptor peptide having a CD3 antigen recognition domain.
Optionally, the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells
having CD3 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the
art.
[0199] In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD4 by
contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of
the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen
receptor peptide having a CD4 antigen recognition domain.
Optionally, the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells
having CD4 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the
art.
[0200] In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD5 by
contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of
the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen
receptor peptide having a CD5 antigen recognition domain.
Optionally, the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells
having CD5 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the
art.
[0201] In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD7 by
contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of
the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen
receptor peptide having a CD7 antigen recognition domain.
Optionally, the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells
having CD7 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the
art.
[0202] In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having a CD8 antigen
by contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount
of the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric
antigen receptor peptide having a CD8 antigen recognition domain.
Optionally, the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells
having CD8 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the
art.
[0203] In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a method of
reducing the number of immunoregulatory cells having CD52 by
contacting the immunoregulatory cells with an effective amount of
the engineered cells described above expressing a chimeric antigen
receptor peptide having a CD52 antigen recognition domain.
Optionally, the reduction in the number of immunoregulatory cells
having CD52 may be determined by any cell death assay known in the
art.
Method of Treatment
[0204] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides methods for
the treatment of a cell proliferative disease. The method includes
administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the
engineered cells described above to a patient in need thereof.
[0205] Cell proliferative disease is any one of cancer, neoplastic
disease or any disease involving uncontrolled cell proliferation
(e.g. formation of cell mass) without any differentiation of those
cells into specialized and different cells.
[0206] Cell proliferative diseases as also include a malignancy, or
a precancerous condition such as a myelodysplasia syndrome or a
preleukemia, or prelymphoma.
[0207] With respect to the disclosed methods, the cancer can be any
cancer, including any of acute lymphocytic cancer, acute myeloid
leukemia, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, bladder cancer (e.g., bladder
carcinoma), bone cancer, brain cancer (e.g., meduUoblastoma),
breast cancer, cancer of the anus, anal canal, or anorectum, cancer
of the eye, cancer of the intrahepatic bile duct, cancer of the
joints, cancer of the neck, gallbladder, or pleura, cancer of the
nose, nasal cavity, or middle ear, cancer of the oral cavity,
cancer of the vulva, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid
cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer,
fibrosarcoma, gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor, head and neck
cancer (e.g., head and neck squamous cell carcinoma), Hodgkin
lymphoma, hypopharynx cancer, kidney cancer, larynx cancer,
leukemia, liquid tumors, liver cancer, lung cancer (e.g., non-small
cell lung carcinoma), lymphoma, malignant mesothelioma,
mastocytoma, melanoma, multiple myeloma, nasopharynx cancer,
non-Hodgkin lymphoma, B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell
leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), T-cell acute
lymphocytic leukemia, and Burkitt's lymphoma, extranodal NK/T cell
lymphoma, NK cell leukemia/lymphoma, post-transplant
lymphoproliferative disorders, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer,
peritoneum, omentum, and mesentery cancer, pharynx cancer, prostate
cancer, rectal cancer, renal cancer, skin cancer, small intestine
cancer, soft tissue cancer, solid tumors, stomach cancer,
testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, and ureter cancer. Preferably,
the cancer is a hematological malignancy (e.g., leukemia or
lymphoma, including but not limited to Hodgkin lymphoma,
non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute
lymphocytic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, B-chronic lymphocytic
leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL),
and Burkitt's lymphoma), thymic carcinoma, diffuse large cell
lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL),
and chronic lymphoid leukemia(CLL), T-cell lymphoma, and peripheral
T-cell lymphoma.
[0208] The disclosure provides a method for the treatment of acute
organ rejection by depletion of T and NK cells that are associated
with CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
[0209] In one embodiment, the disclosure incudes a method for the
treatment of acute or chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) by
depletion of T cells and NK cells that are associated with at least
one of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
[0210] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method to
prevent organ rejection by administering to a patient who has
undergone organ transplant or will undergo an organ transplant an
effective amount of an engineered cell having CD3CAR.
[0211] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method to
prevent or treat GVHD by administering to a patient in need thereof
an effective amount of an engineered cell having CD3CAR.
[0212] In one embodiment, the disclosure incudes a method for the
depletion or reduction of donor and host T or NK cells using CAR T
or NK cells in vivo for stem cell transplant. This could be
accomplished by administration of CAR T or NK cells to a patient
immediately before the infusion of the bone marrow stem cell
graft.
[0213] The disclosure provides a method of immunotherapy as a
conditioning or bridge-to-transplant strategy or stand-alone for
the treatment of cell proliferative diseases that are associated
with at least one of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
[0214] The disclosure provides a method for the treatment of cell
proliferative diseases that are associated with at least one of
CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, and CD52.
[0215] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for
the treatment of non-cancer related diseases that are associated
with the expression of at least one of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7,
CD8, and CD52.
[0216] In some embodiments, CAR having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7,
CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition domain for use in the treatment of
a cell proliferative disease is combined with a checkpoint
blockade, such as CTLA-4 and PD1/PD-L1. This may lead to enhanced
tumor eradication.
[0217] The presence of the immunosuppressive microenvironments can
limit the full functions of CAR T/NK cells. In some embodiments,
the combination of CD4CAR with checkpoint blockade such as CTLA-4
and PD1/PD-L1 can lead to enhanced tumor eradication. Currently
checkpoint blockade is being tested in clinical trials in
combination with CAR T cells.
[0218] In some embodiments, CARs having a CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7,
CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition domain are used as a strategy to
deepen, remove, reduce, resist and/or prolong responses to initial
chemotherapy, or when combined with other adjunct therapies. All
available adjunct therapies to treat or prevent the disease
condition are considered to be part of this disclosure and are
within the scope of the present disclosure
[0219] In some embodiments, NK cell CARs having a CD2, CD3, CD4,
CD5, CD7, CD8, or CD52 antigen recognition domain, are
administrated "off-the-shelf" to any mammal with cancer and/or
autoimmune disorders.
CD3CAR
[0220] In some embodiments, the NK cell bearing the CD3 CAR
exhibits an antitumor immunity and exerts the efficacy of killing
leukemias/lymphomas expressing CD3
[0221] The disclosure provides methods for deleting or reducing
abnormal or malignant T cells in bone marrow, blood and organs
using CD3CAR NK cells. In some embodiments, CD3 positive
malignancies may include, but is not limited to precursor T
lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, mature T cell lymphomas/leukemias,
EBV-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, adult T-cell
leukemia/lymphoma, mycosis fungoides/sezary syndrome, primary
cutaneous CD30-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders,
peripheral T-cell lymphoma (not otherwise specified),
angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and anaplastic large cell
lymphoma.
[0222] In some embodiments, CD3CAR NK cells can be used to treat
patients with T-leukemias/lymphomas, who are not eligible for stem
cell therapy or never achieved a remission despite many intensive
chemotherapy regimens. In further embodiments, CD3CAR NK cells may
be used as a component of conditioning regimen for a bone marrow
transplant or a bridge to the bone marrow transplant.
CD4CAR
[0223] In one embodiment, the engineered cell having the CD4CAR
exhibits an antitumor immunity when the antigen recognition domain
of the CAR binds to its corresponding antigen. In a preferred
embodiment, the CD8 T cell comprising the CAR exerts the efficacy
of killing leukemias/lymphomas cells expressing CD4.
[0224] The present disclosure includes methods for deleting,
reducing, treating, preventing or eliminating abnormal or malignant
T cells found in, including, but not limited to, bone marrow,
blood, and/or organs. In some embodiments, malignant CD4 expressing
cells are present in patients with precursor T lymphoblastic
leukemia/lymphoma, mature T-cell lymphomas/leukemias cells such as,
for example, T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, EBV-positive T cell
lymphoproliferative disorders, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma,
mycosis fungoides/sezary syndrome, primary cutaneous CD30-positive
T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, peripheral T-cell lymphoma
(not otherwise specified), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, and
anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
[0225] In some embodiments, CD4CAR cells are used to treat
T-leukemias/lymphomas cells in patients not eligible for stem cell
therapy or patients that have never achieved a remission despite
many chemotherapy regimens.
[0226] In some embodiments, CD4CAR cells are used to treat CD4
expressing acute myelomonocytic leukemia, acute monoblastic
leukemia, monocytic leukemia, and chronic myelomonocytic
leukemia.
[0227] In some embodiments, the CD4CAR T cells can be expanded in
the T cell culture medium and the subpopulations such central
memory T cells or naive T cells can be isolated and used to
improved engraftment. These cells may persist and support memory T
cell functions, which would make them ideal candidates for
long-term control of cancers
[0228] The presence of the immunosuppressive microenvironments can
limit the full functions of CAR T/NK cells. In some embodiments,
the combination of CD4CAR with checkpoint blockade such as CTLA-4
and PD1/PD-L1 can lead to enhanced tumor eradication.
[0229] In some embodiments, CD4CAR cells are used as a strategy to
deepen, remove, reduce, resist and/or prolong responses to initial
chemotherapy, or when combined with other adjunct therapies. All
available adjunct therapies to treat or prevent the disease
condition are considered to be part of this disclosure and are
within the scope of the present disclosure. Chemotherapy includes,
but is not limited to, CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin,
vincristie, prednisone), EPOCH (etoposide, vincristine,
doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, prednisone), or any other multidrug
regimens. In a preferred embodiment, CD4CAR cells are utilized for
treating or preventing a residual disease after stem cell
transplant and/or chemotherapy.
[0230] In one embodiment, the cell including the CD4CAR exhibits
depletion of immunoregulatory cells when the antigen recognition
domain of the CAR binds to its corresponding antigen. For example,
the cells including CD4CAR include, but are not limited to, at
least one of CD8 T cell, NK cell, or NK-92 cell. Any other suitable
cell having CD4CAR that exhibit and/or exerts the high efficacy of
deletion of CD4 helper cells when encountering them, whereby organ
transplant rejections can be prevented or autoimmune diseases can
be controlled or relieved is considered to be part of this
disclosure and within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0231] There is no concern about persisting CAR-associated side
effects observed in CAR T cells. In some embodiments, CD4CAR NK
cells may be administrated to patients with autoimmune disorders in
an acute or critical clinical setting to rapidly deplete
immunoregulatory cells such as CD4 helper T cells, and thereby
enable or allow new or non-memory CD4 helper T cells to
regenerate.
[0232] The disclosure includes a method of generating CD4CAR. In
some embodiments, CD4CAR is generated using T-cells. In other
embodiments, CD4CAR is generated using NK cells or NK-92 cells,
such that they are administered "off-the-shelf" to any mammal with
cancer and/or autoimmune disorders. In some embodiments, CD4CAR
NK-92 or NK cells are able to kill cells, reduce, deplete, and/or
prevent particular CD4+ T cells or cancer cells expressing CD4.
[0233] In some embodiments, CD4CAR NK-92 cells can be generated
having a high level of expression of CD4CAR by flow cytometry using
goat-anti-mouse Fab antibodies or a part thereof. Any other type of
antibody generated using any other genus is considered to be part
of this disclosure and is within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0234] In some embodiments, CD4CAR NK-92 cells can be utilized for
one therapy at a time when there is minimal residual disease after
a stem cell transplant or chemotherapy.
[0235] In some embodiments, the CD4CAR is part of an expressing
gene or a cassette. In a preferred embodiment, the expressing gene
or the cassette may include an accessory gene or a epitope tag or a
part thereof, in addition to the CD4CAR. The accessory gene may be
an inducible suicide gene or a part thereof, including, but not
limited to, caspase 9 gene, thymidine kinase, cytosine deaminase
(CD) or cytochrome P45029. The "suicide gene" ablation approaches
improves safety of the gene therapy and kill cells only when
activated by a specific compound or a molecule. In some
embodiments, the suicide gene is inducible and is activated using a
specific chemical inducer of dimerization (CID).
[0236] In some embodiments, the accessory tag is a c-myc tag,
truncated EGFR gene (EGFRt) or a part or a combination thereof. The
accessory tag may be used as a nonimmunogenic selection tool or for
tracking markers.
[0237] In some embodiments, the host cells expressing CD4CAR can be
administrated with one or more additional therapeutic agents to a
mammal (e.g., a human). In this regard, the composition including
the host cells or the vector comprising CD4CAR can be administered
first, and the one or more additional therapeutic agents can be
administered second, or vice versa.
[0238] The present disclosure includes within its scope
administering a typical amount of host cells expressing CD4CAR to a
mammal, which for example may be in the range from about 0.5
million to about 1 billion cells. All sub-ranges and ranges outside
the above-indicated range are considered to be part of the
disclosure and is within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0239] In a preferred embodiment, a SFFV promoter is used to
redirect CD8 T cells to target cells expressing CD4 and to drive
CD4CAR expression. In some embodiments, the CAR includes functional
characteristics such as, extracellular expression of scFv and
exertion of a strong immune response when encountering with the CD4
expressing cells.
[0240] In one embodiment, the cell comprising the CD4CAR is
selected from a group including a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), and
a Natural Killer (NK) cell. In a preferred embodiment, the cells
having the CAR include, but are not limited to, CD8 T cells, NK
cells, and NK-92 cells.
[0241] In some embodiments, CD4CAR may be used with drug
conjugates, including DNA/nucleic acid conjugates, peptides,
chemical entities and/or small molecules to provide enhanced
efficacy and safety.
[0242] Control of HIV-1 infection can be achieved in HIV patients
using a combination of antiretroviral therapies, however, the viral
load increases after discontinuation. The source or reservoir of
re-emergent HIV-1 is memory CD4 T cells. In one embodiment, the
CD4CAR of the present disclosure is used to deplete memory CD4 T
cells, whereby a sterilizing cure is accomplished for the HIV
infection. In another embodiment, the CD4CAR assists in blocking
HIV viral entrance, whereas CD4CAR binds to the CD4 protein, a
protein essential for HIV entry.
[0243] Accordingly, the disclosure provides a method prevent organ
transplant rejections by depleting CD4 T cells. The method includes
administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically
effective amount of an engineered cell having a chimeric antigen
receptor polypeptide having a CD4 antigen recognition domain.
CD5CAR
[0244] In another embodiment, administration of a CAR polypeptide
having a CD5 antigen recognition domain (CD5CAR) is used to treat
rheumatoid arthritis. In another embodiment, CD5CAR may be used as
a prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease following bone marrow
transplantation therapy (BMT) therapy. In another embodiment,
CD5CAR may be used to modify of CD5 expression in treatment of
autoimmune disorders and malignancies.
[0245] In some embodiments, the disclosure of engineered cell
having a chimeric antigen receptor selective for CD5 may act as a
bridge to bone marrow transplant for those patients who are not
longer responding to chemotherapy or have minimal residual diseases
and are not eligible for bone marrow transplant. In further
embodiments, CD5CAR can eliminate CD5 positive leukemic cells
followed by bone marrow stem rescues to support lymphopenia.
[0246] In particular embodiments, CD5CAR a T or NK cell targets
cells that express CD5. Target cells may be, but is not limited to
cancer cells, such as T-cell lymphoma or T-cell leukemia, precursor
acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, B cell chronic
lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, mantle cell
lymphoma, CD5 positive diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and thymic
carcinoma.
[0247] In one embodiment, CD5CAR may be used for treating
non-hematologic disorders including, but not limited to, rheumatoid
arthritis, graft-versus-host-disease and autoimmune diseases.
[0248] The engineered or modified T cells may be expanded in the
presence of IL-2 or/and both IL-7 and IL-15, or using other
molecules.
[0249] The introduction of CARs can be fulfilled before or after
the inactivation of CD5 by expanding in vitro engineered T cells
prior to administration to a patient.
[0250] In particular embodiments, the inactivation of CD5 can be
achieved by one of the following means:
[0251] (1) Expressing anti-CD5 scFv on T cell surface linked to a
transmembrane domain via a hinge region. This may result in the
conversion of CD5-postive T cells to CD5 negative T cells.
[0252] (2). Expressing anti-CD5 scFv that specifically binds to CD5
protein or negative modulators of CD5 thereof, or fragments or
domains thereof.
[0253] In some embodiments, a scFv (single-chain antibody) against
CD5 is derived from a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody binding to
intracellular CD5 and blocks the transport of CD5 protein to the
cell surface. In a preferred embodiment, anti-CD5 scFv includes an
ER (endoplasmic reticulum) retention sequence, KDEL. When it is
expressed intracellularly and retained to the ER or Golgi, the
anti-CD5 scFv entraps CD5 within the secretion pathway, which
results in the prevention of CD5 proper cell surface location in a
T cell.
[0254] In some embodiments, CD5CAR T cells are co-administrated
with immunomodulatory drugs, such as, but not limited to CTLA-4 and
PD-1/PD-L1 blockades, or cytokines, such as IL-2 and IL12 or
inhibitors of colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R), such as
FPA008, which lead to better therapeutic outcomes.
[0255] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of
imparting, aiding, increasing, or boosting anti-leukemia or
anti-lymphoma immunity.
[0256] The therapeutic agent including the engineered cell
expressing the CAR as an active ingredient can be administered
intradermally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally,
intranasally, intraarterially, intravenously, intratumorally, or
into an afferent lymph vessel, by parenteral administration, for
example, by injection or infusion, although the administration
route is not limited.
[0257] Any method of the disclosure may further includes the step
of delivering to the individual an additional cancer therapy, such
as surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy,
immunotherapy, or a combination thereof.
[0258] Chemotherapy includes, but is not limited to, CHOP
(cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristie, prednisone), EPOCH
(etoposide, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide,
prednisone), or any other multidrug regimens. In a preferred
embodiment, CD54CAR cells are utilized for treating or preventing a
residual disease after stem cell transplant and/or
chemotherapy.
[0259] In another embodiment, any method of the disclosure may
further include antiviral therapy, cidofovir and interleukin-2,
Cytarabine (also known as ARA-C) or natalizumab treatment for MS
patients or efalizumab treatment for psoriasis patients or other
treatments for PML patients. In further aspects, the T cells of the
disclosure may be used in a treatment regimen in combination with
chemotherapy, radiation, immunosuppressive agents, such as
cyclosporin, azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolate, and FK506,
antibodies, or other immunoablative agents such as CAMPATH,
anti-CD3 antibodies or other antibody therapies, cytoxin,
fludarabine, cyclosporin, FK506, rapamycin, mycophenolic acid,
steroids, FR901228, cytokines, and irradiation. Drugs that inhibit
either the calcium dependent phosphatase calcineurin (cyclosporine
and FK506) or inhibit the p70S6 kinase that is important for growth
factor induced signaling (rapamycin). (Liu et al., Cell 66:807-815,
1991; Henderson et al., Immun. 73:316-321, 1991; Bierer et al.,
Curr. Opin. Immun. 5:763-773, 1993) can also be used. In a further
aspect, the cell compositions of the present disclosure are
administered to a patient in conjunction with (e.g., before,
simultaneously or following) bone marrow transplantation, T cell
ablative therapy using either chemotherapy agents such as,
fludarabine, external-beam radiation therapy (XRT),
cyclophosphamide, or antibodies such as OKT3 or CAMPATH. In one
aspect, the cell compositions of the present disclosure are
administered following B-cell ablative therapy such as agents that
react with CD20, e.g., Rituxan. For example, in one embodiment,
subjects may undergo standard treatment with high dose chemotherapy
followed by peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. In certain
embodiments, following the transplant, subjects receive an infusion
of the expanded immune cells of the present disclosure. In an
additional embodiment, expanded cells are administered before or
following surgery.
[0260] The term "autoimmune disease" as used herein is defined as a
disorder that results from an autoimmune response. An autoimmune
disease is the result of an inappropriate and excessive response to
a self-antigen. Examples of autoimmune diseases include but are not
limited to, Addision's disease, alopecia greata, ankylosing
spondylitis, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune parotitis, Crohn's
disease, diabetes (Type 1), dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa,
epididymitis, glomerulonephritis, Graves' disease, Guillain-Barr
syndrome, Hashimoto's disease, hemolytic anemia, systemic lupus
erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, pemphigus
vulgaris, psoriasis, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis,
sarcoidosis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome,
spondyloarthropathies, thyroiditis, vasculitis, vitiligo, myxedema,
pernicious anemia, and ulcerative colitis.
[0261] The present disclosure may be better understood with
reference to the examples, set forth below. The following examples
are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art
with a complete disclosure and description of how the compounds,
compositions, articles, devices and/or methods claimed herein are
made and evaluated, and are intended to be purely exemplary and are
not intended to limit the disclosure.
[0262] Following administration of the delivery system for
treating, inhibiting, or preventing a cancer, the efficacy of the
therapeutic engineered cell can be assessed in various ways well
known to the skilled practitioner. For instance, one of ordinary
skill in the art will understand that a therapeutic engineered cell
delivered in conjunction with the chemo-adjuvant is efficacious in
treating or inhibiting a cancer in a subject by observing that the
therapeutic engineered cell reduces the cancer cell load or
prevents a further increase in cancer cell load. Cancer cell loads
can be measured by methods that are known in the art, for example,
using polymerase chain reaction assays to detect the presence of
certain cancer cell nucleic acids or identification of certain
cancer cell markers in the blood using, for example, an antibody
assay to detect the presence of the markers in a sample (e.g., but
not limited to, blood) from a subject or patient, or by measuring
the level of circulating cancer cell antibody levels in the
patient.
[0263] Throughout this specification, quantities are defined by
ranges, and by lower and upper boundaries of ranges. Each lower
boundary can be combined with each upper boundary to define a
range. The lower and upper boundaries should each be taken as a
separate element.
[0264] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
"an embodiment," "one example," or "an example" means that a
particular feature, structure or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least
one embodiment of the present embodiments. Thus, appearances of the
phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," "one example," or
"an example" in various places throughout this specification are
not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example.
Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics
may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or
sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In
addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are
for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art
and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0265] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"includes," "including," "has," "having," or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For
example, a process, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of
elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may
include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such
process, article, or apparatus.
[0266] Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or"
refers to an inclusive "or" and not to an exclusive "or". For
example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the
following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present),
A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A
and B are true (or present).
[0267] Additionally, any examples or illustrations given herein are
not to be regarded in any way as restrictions on, limits to, or
express definitions of any term or terms with which they are
utilized. Instead, these examples or illustrations are to be
regarded as being described with respect to one particular
embodiment and as being illustrative only. Those of ordinary skill
in the art will appreciate that any term or terms with which these
examples or illustrations are utilized will encompass other
embodiments which may or may not be given therewith or elsewhere in
the specification and all such embodiments are intended to be
included within the scope of that term or terms. Language
designating such nonlimiting examples and illustrations includes,
but is not limited to: "for example," "for instance," "e.g.," and
"in one embodiment."
[0268] In this specification, groups of various parameters
containing multiple members are described. Within a group of
parameters, each member may be combined with any one or more of the
other members to make additional sub-groups. For example, if the
members of a group are a, b, c, d, and e, additional sub-groups
specifically contemplated include any one, two, three, or four of
the members, e.g., a and c; a, d, and e; b, c, d, and e; etc.
Examples
Targeting of Human T Cell Malignancies Using CD4-Specific Chimeric
Antigen Receptor (CAR)-Engineered T Cells
Materials and Methods
Blood Donors, Primary Tumor Cells and Cell Lines
[0269] Human lymphoma cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells
were obtained from residual samples. Umbilical cord blood cells
were obtained from donors at Stony Brook University Hospital. SP53
and KARPAS 299 lymphoma cell lines were obtained from ATCC
(Manassas, Va.).
Lentivirus Production and Transduction of T Cells
[0270] To produce viral supernatant, 293FT cells were
co-transfected with pMD2G and pSPAX viral packaging plasmids, and
with either pRSC.CD4.3G or GFP Lentiviral vector, using
Lipofectamine 2000 (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.) per
manufacturer's protocol. Prior to lentiviral transduction,
umbilical cord or peripheral blood mononuclear buffy coat cells
were activated for two days in the presence of 300 IU/mL IL-2 and
1.mu.g/mL anti-human CD3 (Miltenyi Biotec, Germany).
T Cell Expansion
[0271] CAR-transduced T cells were expanded for 7 days in T cell
media (50% AIM-V, 40% RPMI 1640, 10% FBS and 1.times.
penicillin/streptomycin; all Gibco) supplemented with IL-2. Cells
were counted every day and media was added every 2-3 days in order
to maintain T cell counts below 2.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL.
CAR Immunophenotype
[0272] For the analysis of CAR cell immunophenotype, following 7
days of expansion, CD4CAR T cells and GFP control cells were
stained with CD45RO, CD45RA, CD62L and CD8 (all from BD
Biosciences) for flow cytometry analysis.
Co-Culture Target Cell Ablation Assays
[0273] CD4CAR T cells or GFP T cells (control) were incubated with
target cells at ratios of 2:1, 5:1 and 10:1 (200,000, 500,000 or 1
million effector cells to 100,000 target cells, respectively) in 1
mL T cell culture media, without IL-2 for 24 h. Target cells were
KARPAS 299 cells (anaplastic large T cell lymphoma expressing CD4),
leukemia cells from a patient with CD4+ T cell leukemia--Sezary
syndrome--and from a patient with CD4+ PTCL lymphoma. As a negative
control, CD4CAR T cells and GFP T cells were also incubated with
SP53 (mantle cell lymphoma) cells, which do not express CD4, in the
same ratios in 1 mL separate reactions. After 24 hours of
co-culture, cells were stained with mouse anti-human CD8 and CD4
antibodies. In the experiments with SP53 cells, SP53 cells were
labeled with CMTMR (Life Technologies) prior to co-culture with T
cells, and T cells were labeled with mouse anti-human CD3 (PerCp)
after co-culture incubation.
In Vivo Mouse Xenogenic Model
[0274] NSG mice (NOD.Cg-Prkdc.sup.scid Il2rg.sup.tmlWjl/SzJ) from
the Jackson Laboratory were used under a Stony Brook University
IACUC-approved protocol. Mice were all male and between 8 and 12
weeks old. Three sets of in vivo experiments were performed with no
blinding. For each set, 10 mice were irradiated with a sublethal
(2.5 Gy) dose of gamma irradiation and assigned randomly to the
treatment or control group. 24 h later, mice were given one
intradermal injection of 0.5.times.10.sup.6 or 1.0.times.10.sup.6
KARPAS 299 cells in order to form a measurable subcutaneous tumor
within 7 days. Tumor size area was measured every other day. In the
first set, three days after the injection of 1 million KARPAS 299
cells, 2 million CD4CAR T (5 mice) or 2 million GFP T control cells
(5 mice) were administered to the mice intravenously (by tail vein
injection). A second dose of 8 million cells was injected
intravenously on Day 22. In the second set, 10 NSG mice was
irradiated and injected with 0.5.times.10.sup.6 KARPAS 299 cells.
On day 2, mice were injected intravenously with one course of 8
million CD4CAR T cells (5 mice) and 8 million GFP T control cells
(5 mice). A second dose of 5.5 million cells was injected
intravenously on Day 10. In the third set, 10 NSG mice were
irradiated and injected with 0.5.times.10.sup.6 KARPAS 299 cells.
On day 1, mice were intravenously injected with 2.5.times.10.sup.6
CD4CAR T cells or with GFP T control cells (5 mice per group).
Intravenous injections were repeated every 5 days for a total of
four courses.
Results
Generation of the Third Generation of CD4CAR
[0275] The scFv (single-chain variable fragment) nucleotide
sequence of the anti-CD4 molecule was derived from humanized
monoclonal ibalizumab (also known as Hu5A8 or TNX-355). This
monoclonal antibody has been used in a variety of Phase I or II
clinical trials. To improve signal transduction through the CD4CAR,
the intracellular domains of CD28 and 4-1BB co-stimulators were
fused to the CD3 zeta signaling domain. Additionally, the leader
sequence of CD8 was introduced for efficient expression of the
CD4CAR molecule on the cell surface. Indeed, the anti-CD4 scFv is
linked to the intracellular signaling domains by a CD8-derived
hinge (H) and transmembrane (TM) regions (FIG. 1A). The CD4CAR DNA
molecule was sub-cloned into a lentiviral plasmid. Because of the
presence of two co-stimulatory domains (CD28 and 4-1BB), CD4CAR is
considered to be a third generation CAR. CD4CAR expression is
controlled under a strong SFFV (spleen focus-forming virus)
promoter and is well suited for hematological applications.
Characterization of CD4CAR
[0276] In order to verify the CD4CAR construct, transfected 293-FT
cells were subjected to Western blot analysis. Immunoblotting with
an anti-CD3zeta monoclonal antibody showed bands of predicted size
for the CD4CAR CD3zeta fusion protein (FIG. 1B). As expected, no
CD3zeta expression was observed for the GFP control vector (FIG.
1B). The generated CD4CAR lentiviruses were also tested for
transduction efficiency in HEK293 cells via flow cytometry for scFv
(FIG. 6). Therefore, we confirmed that our generated
third-generation CD4CAR contained the CD3zeta intracellular domain
on the intracellular end and the scFv on the extracellular end,
implying that all other elements were present: CD8 hinge and
transmembrane domains, and CD28 and 4-1BB co-stimulatory domains
(FIG. 1C). For preclinical characterization of CD4CAR expression
and function in T cells, human T cells were activated with anti-CD3
antibodies and IL-2, then transduced respectively with CD4CAR and
GFP control lentiviral supernatants. The T cells were then expanded
for 7 days after transduction.
Cord Blood-Derived CD4CAR T Cells are Highly Enriched for CD8+ T
Cells and Most of Them Bear a Central Memory T Cell Like
Immunophenotype.
[0277] Human umbilical cord blood (CB) is an alternate source for
allogeneic T cell therapy. Human CB buffy coat cells were activated
and transduced with either CD4CAR or control (GFP) lentiviruses.
After transduction, CD4CAR T cells and GFP T cells were expanded
for 7 days, with a 20-fold increase in cell count observed for both
CD4CAR and GFP T cells (FIG. 7). At day 7, cells were analyzed by
flow cytometry for T-cell subsets (FIG. 2A). Flow cytometry
analysis showed that .about.54% of T-cells expressed the CD4CAR
(FIG. 2B). Furthermore, we analyzed the CD4 and CD8 subsets during
the course of T expansion following CD4CAR transduction. Consistent
with previous findings, a small subset of CD8 cells was induced to
express CD4 during T-cell activation with anti-CD3 and
costimulatory molecules (FIG. 2C). As expected, the CD4+ T subset
was almost completely depleted within 3 or 4 days following CD4CAR
transduction as compared to GFP control, in which .about.33% of
cells remained CD4+ (FIG. 2C). These data indicate that CD4CAR T
cells exhibit potent anti-CD4 activity in vitro during T cell
expansion.
[0278] We also evaluated the immunophenotype of CD4CAR T cells at
the end of each culture. Following stimulation, naive T-cells lose
CD45RA and gain CD45RO in order to become central memory T-cells.
Flow cytometry analysis from 3 representative experiments showed
that 96% of the expanded T cells were CD45RO+, .about.83% were
CD62L+ and .about.80% were CD8+CD45RO+CD62L+ whereas fewer than 4%
were CD45RA+ (FIG. 2D). The CD8+CD45RO+CD62L+ immunophenotype is
consistent with the acquisition of a central memory-like phenotype,
and low CD45RA+ expression confirms loss of naive T cell
status.
CD4CAR T Cells Derived from Cord Blood Specifically Kill
CD4-Expressing Leukemia/Lymphoma Including Anaplastic Large Cell
Lymphoma, Sezary Syndrome and Unclassfified PTCL Lymphoma.
[0279] CD4CAR T cells highly enriched for CD8+ T cells were
generated (FIG. 2C). The cells were then tested in vitro for
anti-leukemic functions using the KARPAS 299 cell line. The KARPAS
299 cell line was initially established from the peripheral blood
of a patient with anaplastic large T cell lymphoma expressing CD4.
Cytogenetic analysis has previously shown that KARPAS 299 cells
have many cytogenetic abnormalities. During co-culture experiments,
CD4CAR cells exhibited profound leukemic cell killing abilities
(FIG. 3A). First, CB-derived CD4CAR T cells were tested for their
ability to ablate KARPAS 299 cells. Indeed, at 24 h incubation and
at a low E:T (effector: target) ratio of 2:1, CD4CAR cells
successfully eliminated KARPAS 299 cells. As a control, the CD4CAR
T cells were also tested for their ability to ablate CD4 negative
lymphoma cells. SP53 mantle cell lymphoma cell line is a human
B-cell lymphoma cell line that does not express CD4. Flow cytometry
analysis showed that CD4CAR T cells were unable to lyse or
eliminate SP53 mantle cell lymphoma (FIG. 3D).
[0280] Studies were also conducted using patient samples. Patient 1
presented with an aggressive form of CD4+ T cell leukemia, Sezary
syndrome, which did not respond to standard chemotherapy.
[0281] Patient 2 presented with an unspecified CD4+ PTCL lymphoma.
Flow cytometry analysis of both patient samples revealed strong and
uniform CD4 expression, with almost all leukemic cells expressing
CD4 (FIGS. 3B and 3C). As visualized by flow cytometry analysis,
co-culture of patient samples with CD4CAR for 24 hours resulted in
rapid and definitive ablation of CD4+ malignancies, with, once
again, approximately 98% ablation observed for both Sezary syndrome
and PTCL co-cultures, consistent with the ablation of KARPAS
previously shown (FIGS. 3B and 3C). Therefore, we show that, in a
co-culture assay, CD4CAR T cells efficiently eliminate two
different types of aggressive CD4+ lymphoma/leukemia cells directly
from patient samples even at the low E:T ratio of 2:1 (FIGS. 3B and
3C). These data support that CD4 is a promising therapeutic target
for CD4 positive T-cell leukemias and lymphomas, analogous to the
role of CD19 in the targeting of B-cell malignancies via anti-CD19
CAR. Therefore, our patient sample and CD4CAR co-culture assay
extends the notion of using CAR to target CD4 positive
malignancies.
CD4CAR T Cells Derived from PBMCs Specifically Kill CD4-Expressing
the Tumor Cell Line.
[0282] Since autologous adoptive CAR T therapy is commonly used in
the clinic, we then tested CD4CAR T cells derived from PBMCs
(peripheral blood mononuclear cells). PBMCs were activated and
transduced with CD4CAR lentiviruses. The CD4 and CD8 sets were
monitored by flow cytometry during cell expansion, and compared to
that of cells transduced with control GFP. The PBMCs derived CD4CAR
T cells were highly enriched for CD8+ T cells as observed with
CD4CAR T cells derived from CB (FIG. 4A), indicative of the role of
CD4CAR in the depletion of CD4+. PBMC derived CD4CAR cells were
subsequently tested in their ability to ablate CD4 positive
leukemia/lymphoma cells, using the KARPAS 299 cell line. The
ablation assay involved the co-culture of CD4CAR T cells or GFP T
cells, with KARPAS 299 cells, and with the SP53 mantle cell
lymphoma cell line negative control. Reactions were stopped after
24 hours: dead cells were stained with 7-AAD (7-aminoactinomycin D)
and live cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. KARPAS 299 cells
incubated with CD4CAR T cells overnight were eliminated at a rate
of 38%, 62%, and 85%, at E:T ratios of 2:1, 5:1, and 10:1,
respectively (FIG. 4B). Combined, these data demonstrate a strong
dose-response relationship. When target cells were incubated with
GFP control T cells, no killing of KARPAS 299 cells was observed.
These results demonstrate that CD4CAR T cell ablation is specific
to CD4+ targeting.
CD4CAR T Cells Exhibit Significant Anti-Tumor Activity In Vivo.
[0283] In order to evaluate in vivo anti-tumor activities, we
developed a xenogeneic mouse model using the KARPAS 299 cell line.
Multiple different settings were used to test CD4CAR T cell
efficacy in vivo. We first tested ability of the CD4CAR T cells to
delay the appearance of leukemia in the NSG mice with a single low
dose. Prior to the injection, modified T cells displayed .about.40
to 50% of cells expressing CD4CAR as demonstrated by flow cytometry
analysis. Mice received intradermal injections of KARPAS 299 cells
and then a low dose (2 million) of single systemic injection
(intravenous administration) of CD4CAR T cells was given. A single
low dose of systemic CD4CART cells administration to
leukemia-bearing mice caused only transient regression or delayed
the appearance of leukemic mass (FIG. 5A). When leukemia growth
started to accelerate, an additional course of administration of
8.times.10.sup.6 CD4CAR T cells remarkably arrested the leukemic
growth (FIG. 5A).
[0284] To further test the efficacy of CD4CAR anti-leukemia
activity, we administered two courses of relatively large doses of
CD4CAR T cells. Similarly, two injections totaling
13.5.times.10.sup.6 CD4CAR T cells caused more pronounced leukemia
growth arrest as compared to a lower CD4CAR dose but eventually the
leukemic cell population recovered (FIG. 5B). Finally, we
investigated the efficacy of multiple course injections of a low
dose of CD4CAR T cells (each 2.5.times.10.sup.6 cells). We treated
the mice bearing subcutaneous leukemia with repeat intravenous
injections of CD4CAR T cells, once every 4 or 5 days for total of 4
injections. After four courses of CD4CAR T cell administration, one
of four treated mice was tumor free and exhibited no toxic
appearance. Multiple dose CD4CAR T cell-treated mice displayed more
significant anti-leukemic effect compared to single dose (FIGS. 5C
and 5A). Moreover, treatment with CD4CAR T cells significantly
prolonged the survival of mice bearing KARPAS 299 lymphoma as
compared to treatment with the GFP-transduced control T cells (FIG.
5D).
Anti-CD4 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CD4CAR) NK Cells Efficiently
Target T-Cell
Malignancies in Preclinical Models
Methods Materials
Primary Tumor Cells and Cell Lines
[0285] Human leukemia cells were obtained from residual samples on
a protocol approved by the Institutional Review Board of Stony
Brook University. Cord blood cells were also obtained under
protocol from donors at Stony Brook University Hospital. Written,
informed consent was obtained from all donors. Karpas 299, HL-60,
CCRF-CEM, MOLT4 and NK-92 cell lines were obtained from ATCC
(Manassas, Va.). NK-92 cells were cultured in filtered NK cell
media, defined as alpha-MEM without ribonucleosides and
deoxyribonucleosides with 2 mM L-glutamine, 1.5 g/L sodium
bicarbonate, 12.5% heat-inactivated horse serum, 12.5%
heat-inactivated FBS, 1X Pen/Strep, 0.2% inositol, 0.02% folic
acid, and 50 .mu.M beta-mercaptoethanol, supplemented with IL-2
(300 IU/mL), unless otherwise specified. Karpas 299, CCRF-CEM, and
MOLT4 cell lines were cultured in RPMI, 10% FBS, 1.times. Pen/Strep
(Gibco, Waltham, Mass., USA). HL-60 cells were cultured in IMDM,
10% FBS, 1.times. Pen/Strep (Gibco, Waltham, Mass., USA).
CAR Construct Generation
[0286] The CD4-specific CAR (pRSC.SFFV.CD4.3G) was designed to
contain an intracellular CD28 domain upstream of 4-1BB and CD3zeta
domains, thereby making the construct a third-generation CAR.
Lentivirus Production and Transduction
[0287] To produce viral supernatant, 293FT-cells were
co-transfected with pMD2G and pSPAX viral packaging plasmids
containing either pRSC.SFFV.CD4.3G or GFP lentiviral vector
control, using Lipofectamine 2000 (Life Technologies, Carlsbad,
Calif.) per manufacturer's protocol. NK cells were cultured for a
minimum of 2 days in the presence of 300 IU/mL IL-2 prior to
transduction with viral supernatant. Transfection and transduction
procedures are further described in Supplemental Data.
CAR Detection on Transduced NK Cells
[0288] In order to determine CAR expression, NK cells were washed
and suspended in FACs buffer (0.2% BSA in DPBS) 3 days after
transduction. Normal goat IgG (Jackson Immunoresearch, West Grove,
Pa.) was used to block nonspecific binding. Each NK cell sample was
probed with Biotin-labeled polyclonal goat anti-mouse F(Ab').sup.2
(1:250, Jackson Immunoresearch, West Grove, Pa.) for 30 minutes at
4.degree. C. Cells were washed once, and resuspended in FACs
buffer. Cells were then stained with PE-labeled streptavidin
(1:250, Jackson Immuno Research, West Grove, Pa.) for 30 minutes at
4.degree. C. Cells were washed with FACs buffer, and resuspended in
2% formalin. Flow cytometry was performed using a FACS Calibur
instrument (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J.), and results
were analyzed using Kaluza software (Beckman Coulter, Brea,
Calif.).
Co-Culture Assays
[0289] CD4CAR or vector control NK cells were incubated with CD4
expressing Karpas 299 cells (anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma),
HL-60 cells (acute promyelocytic leukemia), CCRF-CEM cells (T-cell
acute lymphoblastic leukemia: T-ALL), CD4.sup.+ T-cells isolated
from human cord blood, or CD4 expressing primary human leukemic
cells (adult Sezary syndrome and pediatric T-ALL) at ratios of 2:1
and 5:1 (200,000 and 500,000 effector cells to 100,000 target
cells, respectively) in 1 mL of NK-cell culture media, without
IL-2. After 24 hours of co-culture, remaining live cells were
harvested and stained with mouse anti-human CD56 and CD4
antibodies, and were incubated at 4.degree. C. for 30 minutes.
CD56.sup.+ single positive denoted NK cells, and CD4.sup.+ single
positive denoted target cells. All cells were washed with FACs
buffer, suspended in 2% formalin, and analyzed by flow
cytometry.
Cytotoxicity Assay
[0290] CD4CAR or vector control NK cells were incubated with a
50:50 mix of on-target cells (CFSE-stained Karpas 299 cells and
CMTMR-stained CCRF-CEM cells) and off-target CMTR-labelled MOLT4
cells at effector: target ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 ratios in 1
mL of NK-cell culture media, without IL-2. After 24 hours, cells
were stained with 7-AAD (BioLegend, San Diego, Calif.), washed with
FACS buffer, and live 7-AAD negative cells were analyzed by flow
cytometry.
Colony Forming Unit (CFU) Assay
[0291] CD4CAR NK cells were incubated at co-culture effector:
target ratios of 2:1 and 5:1 respectively with 500 CD34+ CB cells
for 24 hours in NK cell media supplemented with IL-2. Controls used
were CD34+ cells alone, and non-transduced NK cells co-cultured at
2:1 and 5:1 effector:target ratios with CD34+ CB cells.
Hematopoietic compartment output was assessed via formation of
erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) and number of
granulocyte/monocyte colony-forming units (CFU-GM) at Day 16. CFU
statistical analysis was performed via 2-way ANOVA with alpha set
at 0.05.
Xenogeneic Mouse Model
[0292] Male 12-week-old NSG mice (NOD.Cg-Prkdcsid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ)
were purchased from the Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Me.) and
used under a Stony Brook University IACUC-approved protocol. NSG
mice were irradiated with a sublethal (2.5 Gy) dose of gamma
irradiation. Twenty-four hours later, mice were intradermally
injected with 0.5.times.10.sup.6 Karpas 299 cells that had been
stably transduced to express luciferase, in order to cause a
measurable subcutaneous tumor to form. On day 1, twenty-four hours
following Karpas 299 cell injection, mice were intravenously
injected via tail vein with 5.times.10.sup.6 CD4CAR NK cells or
vector control NK cells (N=4 per group). Intravenous injections
were repeated every 5 days for 6 courses total. Tumor size area was
measured every other day. On days 7, 14, and 21 following Karpas
299 cell injection, mice were injected subcutaneously with 100
.mu.L RediJect D-Luciferin (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, Mass.) and
subjected to IVIS imaging (PerkinElmer, Waltham, Mass.). Images
were analyzed using Caliper Life Sciences software (PerkinElmer,
Waltham, Mass).
Statistics
[0293] Xenogeneic model sample sizes were estimated using 2-sample,
2-sided equality power analysis (90% power and <5%
significance). Unpaired Student T tests were used to determine
significance of tumor size area and light intensity. Survival
curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and
statistical analyses of survival was performed using a log-rank
(Mantel-Cox) test with P<0.05 considered significant.
Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 6
software. Variance was determined to be similar between the
treatment and control group prior to unpaired student-test.
Results
Generation of the Third Generation CD4CAR
[0294] The single-chain variable fragment (scFv) nucleotide
sequence of the anti-CD4 molecule was derived from the humanized
monoclonal antibody ibalizumab (Hu5A8 or TNX-355)--the safety and
efficacy of which have been well studied in clinical trials for
HIV. To improve signal transduction, the CD4CAR was designed with
CD28 and 4-1BB domains fused to the CD3zeta signaling domain,
making it a third generation CAR. CD19-targeting third generation
CAR T-cells have previously been used in clinical trials, with
great efficacy. For efficient expression of the CD4CAR molecule on
the NK cell surface, a strong spleen focus-forming virus promoter
(SFFV) was used and the leader sequence of CD8 was incorporated in
the construct. The anti-CD4 scFv was separated from the
intracellular signaling domains by CD8-derived hinge (H) and
transmembrane (TM) regions (FIGS. 8A and 8C). The CD4CAR DNA
molecule was subsequently sub-cloned into a lentiviral plasmid.
Characterization of CD4CAR
[0295] In order to validate the CD4CAR construct, HEK293-FT cells
were transfected with the CD4CAR lentiviral plasmid or vector
control plasmid, and 48 hours later were harvested for Western blot
analysis. Immunoblotting with an anti-CD3zeta monoclonal antibody
showed bands of predicted size for the CD4CAR-CD3zeta fusion
protein (FIG. 8B). As expected, no CD3zeta expression was observed
for the GFP vector control protein (FIG. 8B).
Generation of CD4CAR NK Cells
[0296] CD4CAR NK transduction efficiency was determined to be
15.9%, as determined by flow cytometry (FIG. 9A upper panel). Next,
fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was used in order to
further enrich for CD4CAR.sup.+ NK cells. Following sorting,
collected CD4CAR.sup.high NK cells were confirmed to be more than
85% CD4CAR positive (FIG. 15). After FACS collection of
CD4CAR.sup.high cells, CD4CAR expression levels remained
consistently stable at 75-90% on NK cells during expansion of up to
10 passages, and following cryopreservation. Indeed, at the onset
of co-culture experiments, expanded CD4CAR.sup.high NK cells
expressed CAR at 85% (FIG. 9A lower panel).
CD4CAR NK Cells Specifically Lyse CD4.sup.+ Blood Cancer Cells
Including Anaplastic Large T-Cell Lymphoma (Karpas 299), Acute
Myeloid Leukemia (HL-60) and T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
(CCRF-CEM)
[0297] CD4CAR NK cells were tested for anti-lymphoma activity in
vitro using the following CD4.sup.+ cell lines: Karpas 299, HL-60,
and CCRF-CEM. The Karpas 299 cell line was established from the
peripheral blood of a 25-year-old patient with anaplastic large
T-cell lymphoma. The HL-60 cell line was established from the
peripheral blood of a 36-year-old patient with acute promyelocytic
leukemia. The CCRF-CEM cell line was established from the
peripheral blood of a 4-year-old patient with T-cell acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL).
[0298] During 24-hour co-culture experiments, CD4CAR NK cells
showed profound killing of CD4 positive leukemia/lymphoma cells at
the low effector cell to target cell ratio (E:T) of 2:1 (FIG. 10A)
and the standard 5:1 ratio (FIG. 10C). In co-culture cytotoxicity
assays, target tumor cells were identified by the CD4.sup.+,
CD56.sup.- immunophenotype (labeled in blue on flow cytometry
charts). As expected, vector control NK cells showed some
non-specific tumor cell killing ability that is innate to NK cells,
but as expected, were far less effective against CD4.sup.+ tumor
cells compared to CD4CAR NK cells. Analysis of Karpas 299 cells
alone confirmed 99.1% CD4.sup.+ expression (FIG. 1A upper panel).
Strikingly, at an E:T ratio of 2:1, CD4CAR NK cells completely
ablated 100% of Karpas 299 cells compared to vector control (N=2)
(FIGS. 10A upper panel and 10C). Similarly, analysis of HL-60 and
CCRF-CEM cells alone confirmed high expression of CD4, 99.9% and
92.1%, respectively (FIG. 10A middle and lower panels). Likewise,
at an E:T ratio of 2:1, CD4CAR NK cells robustly lysed 75% of HL-60
cells and 97% of CCRF-CEM cells, as compared to vector control
(FIGS. 10A and 10C). Combined, these data show that CD4CAR NK cells
specifically and potently target CD4.sup.+ cells in addition to
retaining non-specific anti-tumor cell activity intrinsic to NK
cells.
[0299] Co-culture studies were also conducted using patient samples
(FIGS. 10B and 10C). Patient 1 presented with Sezary syndrome, an
aggressive form of CD4.sup.+ cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that did not
respond to standard chemotherapy. Sezary syndrome is a subset of
PTCL. Patient 1's leukemic cells were assessed to be 78.1%
CD4.sup.+ via flow cytometry (FIG. 10B). Patient 2 presented with a
CD4.sup.+ pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL).
Analogously, Patient 2's cells were assessed to be 43.7% CD4.sup.+
via flow cytometry (FIG. 10B). After 24 hours of co-culture at a
low E:T ratio of 2:1, CD4CAR NK cells lysed 58% of CD4.sup.+ Sezary
syndrome cells from patient 1, and 78% of CD4.sup.+ T-ALL cells
from patient 2 (N=2). Furthermore, at an increased E:T ratio of
5:1, standard for CAR co-culture assays, CD4CAR NK cells lysed 82%
of Sezary syndrome cells from patient 1, and 82% of T-ALL cells
from patient 2 (N=2) (FIG. 10C and FIG. 14). These data strongly
suggest a dose-dependent response and potent CD4CAR NK cell
anti-tumor activity in a cell line and patient sample setting for
both adult and pediatric CD4.sup.+ T cell leukemias and
lymphomas.
CD4CAR NK Cells Specifically Lyse CD4-Expressing Tumor Cell Lines
in Dose Dependent Manner.
[0300] CD4CAR NK cells specifically lyse CD4.sup.+ Karpas 299 and
CCRF-CEM leukemic cell lines in vitro in a dose-dependent manner at
effector: target ratios of 1:4, 1:2, and 1:1 (FIG. 11). For each
co-culture E:T ratio, CD4CAR NK effector cells or vector control NK
effector cells were incubated with tumor cells that were comprised
of equal numbers of on-target CD4.sup.+ cells, CFSE-stained Karpas
299 or CFSE-stained CCRF-CEM, and "off-target" CMTMR-stained
CD4.sup.-, CD5.sup.+ MOLT4 acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. The
MOLT4 cells were included to account for variation in the starting
cell numbers and for spontaneous target cell death. After 24 hours,
live cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Percent lysis of target
cells was measured by comparing CD4.sup.+ target cell survival in
CD4CAR NK co-culture to vector control NK co-culture. Karpas 299
cells were eliminated at rates of 67%, 95%, and 100%, at effector
to target ratios of 1:4, 1:2, and 1:1, respectively (FIG. 11). And
CCRF-CEM cells were eliminated at rates of 39%, 58%, and 69%
respectively at the same E:T ratios (FIG. 11). As expected, CD4CAR
NK cells did not lyse CMTMR-labeled MOLT4 cells, confirmed to be
<5% CD4.sup.+ by flow cytometry analysis (FIG. 16A). Additional
co-culture experiments confirmed that CD4CAR NK cells did not lyse
MOLT4 cells at 0 h, 4 h, 8 h, and 24 h (FIG. 16B), whereas CD4CAR
NK cells lysed Karpas 299 cells as detected by flow cytometry as
early as 4 h (FIG. 16C). Combined, these data indicate that CD4CAR
NK cell anti-tumor cytotoxicity is dose-dependent, rapid onset and
highly specific to CD4.sup.+ cells.
[0301] Additional co-culture studies were conducted using CD4.sup.+
T-cells isolated from cord blood. In these experiments, CD4CAR NK
cells completely depleted CD4.sup.+ T-cells at an effector:target
ratio of 2:1 after 24 hours of co-culture, with remaining cells
0.0% CD4.sup.+. As expected, after CD4.sup.+ cord blood cell
co-culture with corresponding vector control NK cells (CD56.sup.+,
CD4.sup.-), the CD4.sup.+ population remained largely intact (FIG.
12A), further confirming specific and robust CD4CAR NK-mediated
depletion of CD4.sup.+ populations on healthy tissue. CD4CAR NK
cells do not affect stem cell output in hematopoietic
compartment.
[0302] CFU (Colony-Forming-Unit) assay analysis revealed that
CD4CAR NK cells did not significantly affect the CD34+ cord blood
stem cell output of the hematopoietic compartment. Hematopoietic
compartment output was assessed by the presence of erythroid
progenitors and granulocyte/macrophage progenitors at Day 0,
determined by number of erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) and
number of granulocyte/monocyte colony-forming units (CFU-GM) at Day
16 (FIG. 12B). This finding is consistent with specific targeting
of CD4, a mature T-cell marker, with limited impact on
hematopoietic stem cells and early progenitors, and no evidence of
lineage skewing, a measure of therapeutic safety.
CD4CAR NK Cells Exhibit Significant Anti-Tumor Activity In Vivo
[0303] In order to evaluate the in vivo anti-tumor activity of
CD4CAR NK cells, we developed a xenogeneic mouse model using NSG
mice sublethally irradiated and intradermally injected with
luciferase-expressing Karpas 299 cells to induce measurable tumor
formation. On day 1, 24 hours following Karpas 299 cell injection,
and every 5 days afterwards for a total of 6 courses, mice were
intravenously injected with 5.times.10.sup.6 CD4CAR NK cells or
vector control NK control cells per administration. On days 7, 14,
and 21, mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect D-Luciferin
and underwent IVIS imaging to measure tumor burden (FIG. 13A).
Average light intensity measured for the CD4CAR NK injected mice
was compared to that of vector control NK injected mice (FIG. 13B).
By Day 21, the CD4CAR NK injected mice had significantly less light
intensity and therefore thus less tumor burden compared to vector
control (p<0.01). On day 1, and every other day afterwards,
tumor size area was measured and the average tumor size between the
two groups was compared (FIG. 13C). Unpaired student T test
analysis revealed that the average tumor size of CD4CAR NK injected
mice was significantly smaller than that of vector control NK
injected mice starting on day 17 (p<0.05) and continuing on days
19-25 (p<0.01). Next, we compared mouse survival across the two
groups (FIG. 13D). All of the CD4CAR NK injected mice survived past
day 30. However, percent survival of vector control NK injected
mice started to decrease on day 17 with no survival by day 23. In
summary, these in vivo data indicate that CD4CAR NK cells
significantly reduce tumor burden and prolong survival in Karpas
299-injected NSG mice.
Anti-CD5 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CD5CAR) T Cells Efficiently
Target CD5 Positive Hematologic Malignancies
Examples
Results
Generation of the Third Generation of CD5CAR
[0304] The construct for CD5CAR, as well as anchored CD5 scFv
antibody were designed to test the function and mechanism of CD5CAR
T cells in terms of both the targeting and lysis of CD5 expressing
cells and the ability of CD5CAR T cells to down-regulate CD5
expression within their own CD5CAR T-cell population (FIG. 17A). To
confirm the CD5CAR construct, the generated CD5CAR lentiviruses
were transduced into HEK293 cells. After 48 h treatment with CD5CAR
or GFP-lentiviruses, the expression of CD5CAR in HEK293 cells was
verified by Western blot analysis using CD3zeta antibody, which
recognize C-terminal region of CD5CAR protein (FIG. 17B). The
resulting band was the predicted size of CD5CAR protein in CD5CAR
transduced HEK293 cells, but GFP transduced HEK293 cells did not
exhibit any specific band by Western blot analysis. In order to
evaluate the function of CD5CAR protein for future experiments,
CD5CAR lentiviruses were transduced into activated human T cells.
The expression of CD5CAR on surface of T cells was evaluated by
flow cytometry analysis using goat anti-mouse F(ab') antibody,
which recognizes scFv region of CD5CAR protein. Flow cytometric
analysis showed that about 20% of CD5CAR expression was observed on
CD5CAR transduced T-cells compared to isotype control (FIG. 17C).
These results indicated that we successfully generated CD5CAR
expression T cell for following experiments.
Down-Regulation of CD5 Expression for CAR Therapy
[0305] Prior to CD5CAR T cell co-culture and animal assays, the
expression of CD5 on the surface of CD5CAR T cells is down
regulated to avoid self-killing within the CD5CAR T population. The
down-regulation of CD5 will prevent the self-killing of CAR T cells
within the CAR T cell population, and the down-regulation of CD5 is
associated with an increased killing ability of T-cells. A CAR that
is produced within T-cells that has no CD5 expression could be a
super-functional CAR, no matter the construct of the CAR itself.
The steps for generation of CD5 CAR T cells and the comparison of
CD5 down-regulation using single or double transduction of CD5 CAR
lentiviuses are shown in FIGS. 18A and B. The single transduced
CD5CAR T cells with un-concentrated lent-CD5 CAR viruses did not
show complete downregulation of CD5 protein from cell surface by
day 8, with a maximum CD5 negative population up to 46% on day 6
(FIG. 18C). In the double transduced population, about 90% of
transduced T cells became CD5 negative on day 4-day incubation. In
contrast, the GFP T-cell control maintains a CD5+, CD3+ double
positive population above 95% from day 2 through day 8 (FIG.
18C).
Downregulation of CD5 Expression on T-Cells can be Accomplished by
Transduction of Anchored CD5CAR scFv Lentiviruses.
[0306] In order to further elucidate the mechanism by which CD5CAR
down-regulates CD5 expression on T cells, a new construct was
created entitled anchored CD5 scFv (SEQ ID NO. 7 (FIG. 17A). This
construct includes an anti-CD5 scFv lined to a transmembrane domain
via a hinge region, which allows CD5 scFv to anchor on the T cell
surface. The anchored CD5 scFv polypeptide (SEQ ID NO. 16) binds to
CD5 target without target cell lysis as observed with a functional
CD5CAR. A single transduction and flow data analysis is shown in
FIGS. 19A and 19B, with partial down-regulation of CD5 expression
for T cells on day 7 of incubation. This is consistent with the
partial down-regulation of CD5 expression seen for CD5CAR T-cells
after a single transduction.
CD5CAR T Cells Effectively Lyse T-Cell ALL Cell Lines.
[0307] The killing ability of CD5CAR T cells was first tested
against T-cell ALL established cell lines CCRF-CEM and MOLT-4, and
an anaplastic large cell leukemic cell line KARPAS 299 as shown in
FIGS. 20A and 20B. An avid killing ability was seen for the two
CD5+ cell lines when compared to GFP control, with target cell
lysis above 75% for both lines. 0% lysis was observed in an
analplastic large cell line KARPAS 299, which is negative for
CD5.
CD5CAR T Cells Effectively Lyse T-Cell ALL Cells from Human
Samples.
[0308] The CD5CAR ability to lyse patient sample T-ALL cells was
also assessed using multiple patient samples and CD5CAR cell
co-cultures were shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22. While there was an
avid cell killing noted for the T-ALL 1 patient leukemic cells that
was similar to the CD5 target cell lysis seen when CD5CAR cells
targeted T cell ALL cell lines, three other patient leukemic cells
showed comparatively weaker lysis of target cells (FIG. 21A. and
FIG. 21B.).
[0309] The ability of killing by CD5CAR on the patient leukemic
cells correlated with the intensity of CD5 expression as shown in
FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 21D. As shown in FIGS. 21C, and 21D, the CD5
expression for T-ALL-1, T-ALL 3, T-ALL 6 and T-ALL 7 through flow
cytometry analysis was observed. The CD5 expression was
significantly lower for the T-ALL patient samples, except for
T-ALL-1 sample.
CD5CAR T Cells Exhibit the Specificity and Potent Target Cell
Killing.
[0310] As a control, the CD5CAR T cells were also tested for their
ability to ablate CD5 negative leukemic T cells. Anaplastic large T
cell lymphoma line is the cell line that does not express CD5. Flow
cytometry analysis showed that CD5CAR T cells were unable to lyse
or eliminate KARPAS 299 cells, as shown in FIG. 21A, lower
panel.
[0311] A patient sample (T-ALL-8) with a high level of CD5
expression was obtained from a patient with a minimal disease of
T-ALL. Co-culture was performed with CD5CAR and analyzed in detail
as shown in FIG. 22. Three population cells including CD5+ normal T
cells, CD5+CD34+ T-ALL cells and CD5-CD34+ T-ALL cells were
assessed by flow cytometry after co-culture. CD5CAR exhibited the
specificity and potent target cell lysis ability with >93% of
CD5 positive cell lysis for all CD5+ cell populations when compared
to GFP control. The CD5CAR killed leukemic cells as efficiently as
CD5 normal T cells. Killing was not observed in the CD5 negative
population. CD5CAR T cells essentially eliminated the T cell
population (CD5+CD34-).
CD5CAR T Cells Effectively Eliminate Normal T Cells.
[0312] CD5CAR T cells demonstrated effective elimination of normal
T cells in a dose dependent manner in a co-culture assay at low
ratios (effector:target) of 0.25:1, 0.5:1 and 1:1 (FIG. 23). CD5CAR
T cells or CD123CAR T (control) effector cells were incubated with
GFP labeled T cells. Percent killing of target cells was measured
by comparing GFP T cell survival in CD5CAR T co-culture relative to
that in CD123CAR T control co-culture. Normal GFP T cells were
eliminated in a dose-response fashion for CD5CAR T cells. CD5CAR T
cells effectively eliminated all GFP T cells at effector to target
ratio of 1:1 (FIG. 23). Since the CD5CAR T cells effectively
eliminated all normal T cells, the feasibility of CD5CAR T therapy
should depend on the ability to provide transient rather than
permanent. CD5CAR T cells could be used as a novel conditioning
regimen or a "bridge" for hematopoietic cell transplantation.
T Cells Maintained CD5 Expression When They Were Co-Cultured with
CD5CAR or Anchored CD5 scFv T Cells.
[0313] One of CD5 properties is its internalization after binding
by an antibody. As a result, targeting cells lose a targeted
antigen, which may cause an antigen escape. This phenomenon has
been reported as a cause of failure in clinical studies using CAR
T-cell based therapies. We next investigate the issue if CD5 CAR or
anchored CD5 scFv T cells affect the CD5 expression on CD5 positive
T or leukemic cells using a co-culture assay. Steps for generation
of CD5CAR T cells or anchored CD5 scFv T cells and CD123 CAR T
cells (control) were shown in FIG. 24A. After the second T cell
transduction with lenti-CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv and CD123CAR
viruses on day 3, transduced T cells were analyzed with the
expression of CD5 by flow cytometry. T cells transduced either
CD5CAR or anchored CD5 scFv lentiviruses displayed essentially
complete downregulation of the surface CD5 protein (FIG. 24B). In
contrast, the CD123 CAR transduced-T cell control maintained the
CD5 expression.
[0314] We then co-cultured transduced CD5CAR or CD5 anchored scFv
and CD123CAR T cells with GFP-labeled T cells at the ratio of 1:1
(E:T) for 2 or 4 days. As shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, CD5CAR T
cells effectively eliminated all GFP-T cells. As expected,
transduced CD5 anchored scFv or CD123CAR T cells were unable to
lyse GFP T cells. In addition, GFP T cells still expressed CD5 when
co-cultured with transduced CD5 anchored scFv or CD123CAR T cells.
These studies indicate that CD5 antigen escape is unlikely to occur
when employing CD5CAR for immunotherapy.
Down-Regulation of CD5 Expression in the T ALL Cells When They Were
Transduced With Lenti-CD5CAR or CD5 Anchored scFv Viruses.
[0315] We next tested if transduction of CD5CAR- or anchored CD5CAR
lentiviruses on T ALL cells results in the downregulation of CD5
expression. CCRF-CEM and MOLT-4 T-ALL cells were transduced with
CD5CAR- or anchored CD5 scFv lentiviruses. CD5CAR or anchored CD5
scFv significantly down-regulated or reduced the quantity of
surface CD5 expression on these leukemic cells (FIG. 25C). In
contrast, the T cells maintained CD5 expression when these cells
were used to co-culture with transduced anchored CD5 scFv T cells
(FIGS. 24A and 24B).
CD5CAR T Cells Exhibit Profound Anti-Tumor Activity In Vivo.
[0316] In order to evaluate the in vivo anti-tumor activity of
CD5CAR T cells as a predictor of their therapeutic efficacy in
patients, we developed a xenograft mouse model using NSG mice
sublethally (2.0 Gy) irradiated and intravenously injected with
1.0.times.10.sup.6 firefly luciferase-expressing CCRF-CEM cells
(CD5+) to induce measurable tumor formation. On day 3 days
following CCRF-CEM-Luc+ cell injection, mice were intravenously
injected with 5.times.10.sup.6 CD5CAR T cells or vector control T
cells. These injections were repeated on Day 4, Day 6, and Day 7,
for a total of 20.times.10.sup.6 T cells per mouse. On days 5, 8,
10 and 13, mice were injected subcutaneously with RediJect
D-Luciferin (Perkin-Elmer) and subjected to IVIS imaging (Caliper
LifeSciences) to measure tumor burden (FIG. 26A). Average light
intensity measured for the CD5CAR T cell injected mice was compared
to that of vector control T injected mice (FIG. 26B). Paired T test
analysis revealed a very highly significant difference between the
two groups by day 13 with less light intensity and thus less tumor
burden in the CD5CAR T injected group compared to control
(p<0.0012). Further analysis showed that by Day 5, mice treated
with CD5CAR T cells only 3 days previously had 53% lower tumor
burden compared to control mice, and that percentage improved to
95% by Day 8 (FIG. 26C.) Tumor burden remained at near background
levels for treated mice through Day 13. On Day 15, a small amount
of peripheral blood was drawn from each mouse including 2 mice
which were not injected with wither CCRF-CEM or T cells (to serve
as background controls), and analyzed by flow cytometry for the
presence of transplanted CCRF-CEM cells (CD5+). Results mirrored
the imaging perfectly as percentage of tumor cells in CD5CAR T
cell-treated mice dropped to near background levels (<1%), while
mice given control T cells had between 28-43% CCRF-CEM tumor cells
(FIG. 26D). In summary, these in vivo data indicate that CD5CAR T
cells robustly reduce tumor burden and prolong survival in
CCRF-CEM-injected NSG mice when compared to vector control T
cells.
Anti-CD5 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CD5CAR) NK Cells Efficiently
Eliminate CD5 Positive Hematologic Malignancies.
Examples
Results
Generation of the CD5NK-CAR
[0317] The anti-CD5 molecule is a modular design, comprising of a
single-chain variable fragment (scFv) in conjunction with CD28 and
4-1BB domains fused to the CD3zeta signaling domain to improve
signal transduction making it a third generation CAR. A strong
spleen focus forming virus promoter (SFFV) was used for efficient
expression of the CD5CAR molecule on the NK cell surface and the
CD8 leader sequence was incorporated into the construct. The
anti-CD5 scFv is attached to the intracellular signaling domains
via a CD8-derived hinge (H) and transmembrane (TM) regions. This
CD5CAR construct was then cloned into a lentiviral plasmid.
Generation of CD5CAR NK Cells
[0318] The transduction efficiency of the CD5CAR was determined by
flow cytometry analysis. To enrich for CD5CAR+ NK cells, the
highest expressing NK cells were harvested using flow cytometry.
Following sorting, the expression of the CD5CAR.sup.high NK was
expanded for efficacy studies in vitro and vivo.
CD5CAR NK Cells Effectively Eliminate Human T-Cell Acute
Lymphomblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) Cell Lines
[0319] CD5CAR NK cells were tested for anti-T-ALL activity in vitro
using CCRF-CEM, MOLT-4 and Jurkat cell lines. All these T-ALL cell
lines highly expressed CD5.
[0320] During co-culture experiments, CD5CAR NK cells demonstrated
profound killing of CCRF-CEM at the low effector cell to target
cell ratio (E:T) of 2:1 and 5:1. At these ratios, CD5CAR NK cells
virtually eliminated CCRF-CEM cells (FIG. 27A). CD5CAR NK cells
lysed CCRF-CEM leukemic cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner
at effector: target ratios of 0.25:1, 0.5:1, 1:1, 2:1 and 5:1
(FIGS. 27B and 27C). Additional two T-ALL cells, MOLT-4 and Jurkat
were used to test the anti-leukemic activity for CD5NK cells.
Co-culture studies of these two cell lines were conducted with
CD5CAR NK cells. CD5CAR NK cells essentially eliminated MOLT-4 and
Jurkat cells at a low effector: target ratio of 2:1 (FIGS. 28A and
28B).
CD5CAR NK Cells Effectively Eliminate Aggressive CD5+ T-ALL Cells
Using Human Samples
[0321] Co-culture experiments were also conducted using patient
samples (FIGS. 29A, 29B). Both patient 1 and 2 were T-ALL that did
not respond to standard chemotherapy. Patient 1 (T-ALL #1) had a
small subset of T-ALL cells positive for CD5. Leukemic cells from
this patient were co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells. Target
populations were gated and quantified with flow cytometry using
cell cytotracker dye (CMTMR) to label patient's cells. Target
CD5+CD34+ cell populations were gated against an isotype control.
CD5CAR NK cells lysed about 60% of CD34+CD5+ leukemic cells at an
E:T ratio of 5:1. Importantly, CD5CAR NK cells showed no any
activity against CD5- cell populations, implying specific and
directed activity against (selective for) target antigen epitopes.
Patient 2 had a T-ALL population, which was virtually positive for
CD5, and co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells. CD5CAR NK cells showed
almost complete lysis of the highly expressing CD5+ target
population with potent activity against the dim CD5+CD34+
population (FIG. 29B).
CD5CAR NK Cells Effectively Eliminate Aggressive CD5+ Peripheral T
Cell Lymphoma (PTCL) Cells Using Human Samples.
[0322] Patient 3 presented a CD4+ PTCL (unclassified type) and
patient 4 presented with Sezary syndrome, an aggressive form of
PTCLs that did not respond to a standard chemotherapy. Lymphoma
cells from patient 3 were co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells for 24
hours. Leukemic cells were CD5+CD7- positive and the CD5+CD7-
population was gated and quantified by flow cytometry. Target
CD5+CD7- population was analyzed and cell survival was expressed
relative to transduced vector control NK cells. CD5CAR NK displayed
almost complete lysis of the leukemic CD5+CD7- target population,
with complete lysis across the entire CD5+ population including
normal T cells expressing CD5 (FIG. 29C).
[0323] Leukemic cells from patient #4 with Sezary syndrome were
co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells at E:T ratios of 2:1 and 5:1 after
24 hours. CD5CAR NK cells demonstrated a potent anti-leukemic
acidity with over 90% lysis of Sezary syndrome cells (FIG. 29D).
Saturation was achieved at 2:1 E:T ratio where leukemic cells were
virtually eliminated.
CD5CAR NK Cells Effectively Deplete Normal T Cells.
[0324] T cells were isolated from cord blood and used to co-culture
with CD5CAR NK cells. As shown in FIG. 30, CD5CAR NK cells
completely depleted T cells at a low effector:target ratio of 2:1
after 24 hours of co-culture (FIG. 30). As compared to that of the
GFP control, the T cell population remained largely intact.
CD5CAR NK Cells Effectively Lyse CD5+ B-Cell Malignancies Including
Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Lymphoma
(CLL).
[0325] Additional co-culture studies were conducted with CD5+ Jeko
lymphoma cell line and lymphoma cells from patients with (MCL) and
CLL. The JeKo-1 MCL cell line was established from peripheral blood
mononuclear cells of a patient with a large cell variant of MCL. In
co-culture studies at a low E:T of 2:1, CD5CAR NK cells effectively
lysed approximately 80% of Jeko cells (FIG. 31A). Cells isolated
from a patient samples with MCL was also co-cultured with CD5CAR NK
cells. Target populations were gated and live cells were quantified
by flow cytometry. CD5CAR NK cells virtually eliminated both
populations, which were CD5+CD19+ leukemia population and CD5+CD19-
T-cell population (FIG. 31B). Cells from a patient with B-cell CLL
were also co-cultured with CD5CAR NK cells. CD19 was used to gate
the leukemic population with flow cytometry. CD5+CD19+ CLL cells
were virtually eliminated by CD5CAR NK cells (FIG. 31C). These
studies strongly suggest that CD5CAR NK cells include a biologcal
property of profound anti-tumor activity in leukemic cell lines and
patient leukemic samples (FIG. 32) including for T-ALL, PTCLs and
B-cell lymphomas expressing CD5.
CD5CAR NK Cells Demonstrate a Potent Anti-Leukemic Activity In
Vivo.
[0326] A similar strategy for CD5CAR T cells, animal studies were
employed to determine the in vivo anti-tumor activity of CD5CAR NK
cells. Sublethally irradiated NSG mice were intravenously injected
with 1.0.times.10.sup.6 firefly luciferase-expressing CCRF-CEM
cells to induce measurable tumor formation. 3 days following
CCRF-CEM-Luc+ cell injection, mice were intravenously injected with
5.times.10.sup.6 CD5CAR NK cells or vector control T cells. These
injections were repeated on Day 4 for a total of 10.times.10.sup.6
T cells per mouse. On day 5, mice were injected subcutaneously with
RediJect D-Luciferin and subjected to IVIS imaging to measure tumor
burden (FIG. 33A). Average light intensity measured for the CD5CAR
NK cell injected mice was compared to that of vector control NK
cell injected mice (FIG. 33B). Tumor burden was two thirds lower
for treated mice on day 5 after tumor injection. Paired T test
analysis revealed a very highly significant difference (P=0.0302)
between the two groups. These in vivo data indicate that CD5CAR NK
cells significantly reduce tumor burden in CCRF-CEM-injected NSG
mice in a rapid manner when compared to vector control NK
cells.
Anti-CD3 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CD3CAR) NK Cells Efficiently
Lyse CD3 Positive Hematologic Malignancies
Examples
Results
Generation of the CD3CAR
[0327] The anti-CD3 molecule is a modular design, comprising of a
single-chain variable fragment (scFv) in conjunction with CD28 and
4-1BB domains fused to the CD3zeta signaling domain to improve
signal transduction making it a third generation CAR. A strong
spleen focus forming virus promoter (SFFV) was used for efficient
expression of the CD3CAR molecule on the NK cell (NK-92) surface
and the CD8 leader sequence was incorporated into the construct.
The anti-CD3 scFv is attached to the intracellular signaling
domains via a CD8-derived hinge (H) and transmembrane (TM) regions
(FIG. 34A). This CD3CAR construct was then cloned into a lentiviral
plasmid.
Characterization of CD3CAR
[0328] Western blot analysis was performed on HEK293-FT cells
transfected with CD3CAR lentiviral plasmid and vector control
plasmid. Immunoblots with anti-CD3zeta monoclonal antibody show
bands of predicted size for the CD3CAR-CD3zeta fusion protein (FIG.
34B) versus no bands for the vector control protein.
Generation of CD3CAR NK Cells Using NK-92 Cells
[0329] The transduction efficiency of the CD3CAR was determined by
flow cytometry analysis. To enrich for CD3CAR NK cells, the highest
expressing NK cells were harvested using fluorescence-activated
cell sorting (FACS). Following sorting, NK cells with relatively
high expression of CD3CAR was obtained. Expression of CD3CAR
following flow cytometry sorting was stable around 30% of CAR
expression for subsequent NK cell expansion and
cryopreservation.
CD3CAR NK Cells Effectively Lyse Human T-ALL Cell Lines
[0330] To determine the efficacy for CD3CAR NK cells, we conducted
co-culture assays using CD3+ T-ALL cell lines, Jurkat, and
CCRF-CEM. CD3 positive cells in Jurkat and CCRF-CEM cells are
approximately 80% and 10% positive for CD3, respectively. CD3+
cells from the CCRF-CEM cell line were then sorted for highly
expressed CD3 cells, and CD3 expression in sorted CCRF-CEM cells
were about 50%. During co-culture with Jurkat and CCRF-CEM cells,
CD3CAR NK cells demonstrated profound leukemic cell killing
abilities (FIGS. 35A-35B). At 6 hour incubation and at a low E:T
ratio of 2:1, CD3CAR NK cells effectively lysed over 60% of Jurkat
cells (FIG. 35A). We next compared the killing ability of relative
highly expressed CD3 CCRF-CEM cells (sorted) with that of unsorted
CCRF-CEM cells. The CD3 CAR NK cells appeared to be more
efficacious against a higher CD3 expressing population in sorted
CCRF-CEM than a lower CD3 expressing unsorted CCRF-CEM (FIG. 35B)
population.
CD3CAR NK Cells Effectively Eliminate CD3+ Leukemic Cells From
Human Samples
[0331] The killing ability of CD3CAR NK cells was also tested using
patient samples. Flow cytometry analysis of both patient samples
revealed strong and uniform CD3 expression. As analyzed by flow
cytometry, co-culture of Sezary syndrome patient sample with CD3CAR
T cells effectively resulted in lysis of approximately 80% of
leukemic cells at a low E:T ratio of 2:1 (FIG. 36A). Co-culture of
patient sample, unclassified PTCLs with CD3CAR NK cells for 24
hours resulted in virtual ablation of CD3+ malignant cells (FIG.
36B). The CD3CAR NK cells also affected the broad CD3+
population.
CD3CAR NK Cells are Able to Deplete Normal T Cells.
[0332] GFP transduced normal T cells were used to co-culture CD3CAR
NK cells. As shown in FIG. 37, CD3CAR NK cells depleted a
substantial portion of normal T cells after 4 or 24-hour
incubation.
CD3CAR NK Cells Exhibit Profound Anti-Leukemic Activity In Vivo
[0333] To determine the in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of CD3CAR NK
cells, sublethally irradiated NSG mice were intravenously injected
with 1.0.times.10.sup.6 firefly luciferase-expressing Jurkat cells,
which are CD3 positive (.about.80%), and measurable tumor formation
was detected by Day 3 or 4. Three days following Jurkat-Luc+ cell
injection, mice were intravenously injected with 5.times.10.sup.6
CD3CAR NK cells or vector control NK cells per mouse, 6 per group.
These injections were repeated on Day 3, 6, 7 and 10 for a total of
25.times.10.sup.6 T cells per mouse. On days 4, 7, 9 and 13 mice
were subjected to IVIS imaging to measure tumor burden (FIG. 38A).
Two treated mice died due to injection procedure on day 13. Average
light intensity measured for the CD3CAR NK cell injected mice was
compared to that of vector control NK injected mice (FIG. 38B).
After an initial lag period, tumor burden then dropped to
approximately two-thirds lower for treated mice by Day 9 and just
13% on Day 13 (FIG. 38C). Paired T test analysis revealed a highly
significant difference (P=0.0137) between the two groups. We
conclude that these in vivo data demonstrate that CD3CAR NK cells
significantly reduce tumor burden and prolong survival in
Jurkat-injected NSG mice when compared to vector control NK
cells.
CRISPR/Cas Nucleases Target to CD2, CD3, CD5 and CD7 Expressed on T
or NK Cells.
[0334] T or NK cells appear to share some of surface antigens, such
as CD2, CD3, CD5 and CD7 with leukemia or lymphoma. CD2, CD3, CD5,
and CD7 could be good targets for T and NK cells as they are
expressed in most of T cell leukemia/lymphoma.
[0335] Therefore, when one of surface antigens, CD2, CD3, CD5, and
CD7 is selected as a target, this antigen is needed to delete or
down-regulate in T or NK cells used to generate CAR if they share
this antigen, to avoid self-killing within the CAR T or NK cell
population.
[0336] Steps for generation of CAR T or NK cell targeting T-cell
lymphomas or T-cell leukemia are described in FIG. 39. Three pairs
of sgRNA were designed with CHOPCHOP to target CD2, CD3, CD5, and
CD7. Gene-specific sgRNAs (FIG. 40) were then cloned into the
lentiviral vector (Lenti U6-sgRNA-SFFV-Cas9-puro-wpre) expressing a
human Cas9 and puromycin resistance genes linked with an E2A
self-cleaving linker. The U6-sgRNA cassette is in front of the Cas9
element. The expression of sgRNA and Cas9puro is driven by the U6
promoter and SFFV promoter, respectively.
Examples
Results
CRISPR/Cas Nucleases Target to CD5 on T Cell Lines.
[0337] Lentiviruses carried gene-specific sgRNAs were used to
transduce CCRF-CEM and MOLT cells. Initially, the loss of CD5
expression was observed in both of these T cell lines using two
different two CDISPR/Cas9 sgRNA sequences (FIGS. 41A and 41C). The
most successful population in terms of the loss of CD5 expression
was chosen for each cell line, and these cells were sorted,
expanded normally and found to be of >99% purity CD45+ and CD5-
(FIGS. 41B and 41D).
CRISPR/Cas Nucleases Target to CD7 on T Cell Lines and NK
Cells.
[0338] Lentiviruses carried gene-specific sgRNAs were used to
transduce CCRF-CEM, MOLT cells and NK cells (FIG. 42). Flow
cytometry analysis demonstrated the loss of CD7 expression in
CCRF-CEM and NK-92 cells with CRISPR/Cas9 approach using two
different sgRNAs (FIGS. 42A and 42B). The population (denoted by
the blue circle and arrow) was selected for sorting, expansion and
analysis in FIG. 42B. The loss of CD5 expression by flow cytometry
analysis was also seen in NK-92 cells using a similar approach
described above with CRISPR/Cas nucleases targeting to CD7 (FIGS.
42C and 42D) The sorted CD7 negative NK-92 cells (FIG. 42D) were
expanded and used to generate CD7CAR NK cells to eliminate CD7
pos-itive leukemic cells.
CD7CAR NK.sup.7--92 Cells Have a Robust Anti-Leukemic Activity
[0339] CD7 is expressed in both NK and T-ALL leukemic cells. To
avoid self-killing within the CD7CAR NK-92 population, CD7
expression first needs to be inactivated. CD7 deficient NK-92 cells
(NK.sup.7--92 cells) were generated as described in (FIG. 42D) and
expanded. The expanded NK.sup.7--92 cells were transduced with
lentivirus expressing a CD7CAR. CD7CAR includes an anti-CD7 scFV in
conjunction with CD28 and 4-BB domains fused to CD3zeta signaling
domain making it a third generation CAR. CD7CAR NK.sup.7--92 cells
were used to test their lysis ability of leukemic cells expressing
CD7. As shown in FIG. 43, CD7CAR NK.sup.7--92 cells displayed a
potent anti-leukemic activity against a T-ALL cell line, CCRF-CEM.
As analyzed by flow cytometry, co-culture of CCRF-CEM cells
effectively resulted in the lysis of approximately 50% of leukemic
cells at E:T ratio of 5:1 (FIGS. 43A and 43B).
[0340] CD3 multimeric protein complex is elucidated in FIG. 44. The
complex includes a CD3.zeta. chain, a CD3.gamma. chain, and two
CD3.epsilon. chains. These chains associate with the T-cell
receptor (TCR) composing of .alpha..beta. chains.
CD3CAR is Used for Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GvHD).
[0341] CD3CAR is administered to a patient prior to or after a stem
cell transplant. The patient is tested for elevated levels of white
blood cells.
[0342] CD3CAR is administered to a patient prior to or after a bone
marrow transplant. The patient is tested for elevated levels of
white blood cells.
[0343] CD3CAR is administered to a patient prior to or after a
tissue graft. The patient is tested for elevated levels of white
blood cells.
Organ Transplant
[0344] CD3CAR is administered to an organ transplant patient before
organ transplant surgery. The patient is tested for organ
rejection. The following histological signs are determined: (1)
infiltrating T cells, in some cases accompanied by infiltrating
eosinophils, plasma cells, and neutrophils, particularly in
telltale ratios, (2) structural compromise of tissue anatomy,
varying by tissue type transplanted, and (3) injury to blood
vessels.
[0345] CD3CAR is administered to an organ transplant patient after
organ transplant surgery. The patient is tested for organ
rejection. The following histological signs are determined: (1)
infiltrating T cells, in some cases accompanied by infiltrating
eosinophils, plasma cells, and neutrophils, particularly in
telltale ratios, (2) structural compromise of tissue anatomy,
varying by tissue type transplanted, and (3) injury to blood
vessels.
Sequence CWU 1
1
3811593DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 1atggccttac
cagtgaccgc cttgctcctg ccgctggcct tgctgctcca cgccgccagg 60ccggacatta
tgatgacaca gtcgccatca tctctggctg tgtctgcagg agaaaaggtc
120actatgacct gtaagtccag tcaaagtgtt ttatacagtt caaatcagaa
gaactacttg 180gcctggtacc agcagaaacc agggcagtct cctaaactac
tgatctactg ggcatccact 240agggaatctg gtgtccctga tcgcttcaca
ggcagtggat ctgggacaga ttttactctt 300accatcagca gtgtgcaacc
tgaagacctg gcagtttatt actgtcatca atacctctcc 360tcgcacacgt
tcggaggggg gaccaagctg gaaataaaac ggggtggcgg tggctcgggc
420ggtggtgggt cgggtggcgg cggatctcaa ctgcagcagc ctggggctga
gctggtgagg 480cctgggtctt cagtgaagct gtcctgcaag gcttctggct
acaccttcac caggtactgg 540atacattggg tgaagcagag gcctatacaa
ggccttgaat ggattggtaa cattgatcct 600tctgatagtg aaactcacta
caatcaaaag ttcaaggaca aggccacatt gactgtagac 660aaatcctccg
gcacagccta catgcagctc agcagcctga catctgagga ctctgcggtc
720tattactgtg caacagagga tctttactat gctatggagt actggggtca
aggaacctca 780gtcaccgtct cctctaccac gacgccagcg ccgcgaccac
caacaccggc gcccaccatc 840gcgtcgcagc ccctgtccct gcgcccagag
gcgtgccggc cagcggcggg gggcgcagtg 900cacacgaggg ggctggactt
cgcctgtgat atctacatct gggcgccctt ggccgggact 960tgtggggtcc
ttctcctgtc actggttatc accctttact gcaggagtaa gaggagcagg
1020ctcctgcaca gtgactacat gaacatgact ccccgccgcc ccgggcccac
ccgcaagcat 1080taccagccct atgccccacc acgcgacttc gcagcctatc
gctccaaacg gggcagaaag 1140aaactcctgt atatattcaa acaaccattt
atgagaccag tacaaactac tcaagaggaa 1200gatggctgta gctgccgatt
tccagaagaa gaagaaggag gatgtgaact gagagtgaag 1260ttcagcagga
gcgcagacgc ccccgcgtac cagcagggcc agaaccagct ctataacgag
1320ctcaatctag gacgaagaga ggagtacgat gttttggaca agagacgtgg
ccgggaccct 1380gagatggggg gaaagccgca gagaaggaag aaccctcagg
aaggcctgta caatgaactg 1440cagaaagata agatggcgga ggcctacagt
gagattggga tgaaaggcga gcgccggagg 1500ggcaaggggc acgatggcct
ttaccagggt ctcagtacag ccaccaagga cacctacgac 1560gcccttcaca
tgcaggccct gccccctcgc taa 159321590DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic
sequence 2atggccttac cagtgaccgc cttgctcctg ccgctggcct tgctgctcca
cgccgccagg 60ccggacattg tgatgactca gtctccagcc accctgtctg tgactccagg
agatagagtc 120tctctttcct gcagggccag ccagagtatt agcgactact
tacactggta tcaacaaaaa 180tcacatgagt ctccaaggct tctcatcaaa
tatgcttccc aatccatctc tgggatcccc 240tccaggttca gtggcagtgg
atcagggtca gatttcactc tcagtatcaa cagtgtggaa 300cctgaagatg
ttggagtgta ttactgtcaa aatggtcaca gctttccgct cacgttcggt
360gctgggacca agctggagct gagacggggt ggcggtggct cgggcggtgg
tgggtcgggt 420ggcggcggat ctcaggtcca actgcagcag ccagggactg
aactggtgag gcctgggtct 480tcagtgaagc tgtcctgcaa ggcttctggc
tacacgttca ccagctactg ggtgaactgg 540gttaaacaga ggcctgacca
aggccttgag tggattggaa ggattgatcc ttacgacagt 600gaaactcact
acaatcagaa gttcacggac aaggccatat cgactattga cacatcctcc
660aacacagcct acatgcaact cagcaccctg acatctgatg cttctgcggt
ctattactgt 720tcaagatcac cccgagacag ctcgaccaac cttgctgact
ggggccaagg gactctggtc 780actgtctctt ctaccacgac gccagcgccg
cgaccaccaa caccggcgcc caccatcgcg 840tcgcagcccc tgtccctgcg
cccagaggcg tgccggccag cggcgggggg cgcagtgcac 900acgagggggc
tggacttcgc ctgtgatatc tacatctggg cgcccttggc cgggacttgt
960ggggtccttc tcctgtcact ggttatcacc ctttactgca ggagtaagag
gagcaggctc 1020ctgcacagtg actacatgaa catgactccc cgccgccccg
ggcccacccg caagcattac 1080cagccctatg ccccaccacg cgacttcgca
gcctatcgct ccaaacgggg cagaaagaaa 1140ctcctgtata tattcaaaca
accatttatg agaccagtac aaactactca agaggaagat 1200ggctgtagct
gccgatttcc agaagaagaa gaaggaggat gtgaactgag agtgaagttc
1260agcaggagcg cagacgcccc cgcgtaccag cagggccaga accagctcta
taacgagctc 1320aatctaggac gaagagagga gtacgatgtt ttggacaaga
gacgtggccg ggaccctgag 1380atggggggaa agccgcagag aaggaagaac
cctcaggaag gcctgtacaa tgaactgcag 1440aaagataaga tggcggaggc
ctacagtgag attgggatga aaggcgagcg ccggaggggc 1500aaggggcacg
atggccttta ccagggtctc agtacagcca ccaaggacac ctacgacgcc
1560cttcacatgc aggccctgcc ccctcgctaa 159031578DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetic sequence 3atggccttac cagtgaccgc cttgctcctg
ccgctggcct tgctgctcca cgccgccagg 60ccggacatcc agatgaccca gagccccagc
agcctgagcg ccagcgtggg cgacagagtg 120accatcacct gcagcgccag
cagcagcgtg agctacatga actggtacca gcagaccccc 180ggcaaggccc
ccaagagatg gatctacgac accagcaagc tggccagcgg cgtgcccagc
240agattcagcg gcagcggcag cggcaccgac tacaccttca ccatcagcag
cctgcagccc 300gaggacatcg ccacctacta ctgccagcag tggagcagca
accccttcac cttcggccag 360ggcaccaagc tgcagatcgg cggcggcggc
agcggcggcg gcggcagcgg cggcggcggc 420agccaggtgc agctggtgca
gagcggcggc ggcgtggtgc agcccggcag aagcctgaga 480ctgagctgca
aggccagcgg ctacaccttc accagataca ccatgcactg ggtgagacag
540gcccccggca agggcctgga gtggatcggc tacatcaacc ccagcagagg
ctacaccaac 600tacaaccaga aggtgaagga cagattcacc atcagcagag
acaacagcaa gaacaccgcc 660ttcctgcaga tggacagcct gagacccgag
gacaccggcg tgtacttctg cgccagatac 720tacgacgacc actactgcct
ggactactgg ggccagggca cccccgtgac cgtgagcagc 780accacgacgc
cagcgccgcg accaccaaca ccggcgccca ccatcgcgtc gcagcccctg
840tccctgcgcc cagaggcgtg ccggccagcg gcggggggcg cagtgcacac
gagggggctg 900gacttcgcct gtgatatcta catctgggcg cccttggccg
ggacttgtgg ggtccttctc 960ctgtcactgg ttatcaccct ttactgcagg
agtaagagga gcaggctcct gcacagtgac 1020tacatgaaca tgactccccg
ccgccccggg cccacccgca agcattacca gccctatgcc 1080ccaccacgcg
acttcgcagc ctatcgctcc aaacggggca gaaagaaact cctgtatata
1140ttcaaacaac catttatgag accagtacaa actactcaag aggaagatgg
ctgtagctgc 1200cgatttccag aagaagaaga aggaggatgt gaactgagag
tgaagttcag caggagcgca 1260gacgcccccg cgtaccagca gggccagaac
cagctctata acgagctcaa tctaggacga 1320agagaggagt acgatgtttt
ggacaagaga cgtggccggg accctgagat ggggggaaag 1380ccgcagagaa
ggaagaaccc tcaggaaggc ctgtacaatg aactgcagaa agataagatg
1440gcggaggcct acagtgagat tgggatgaaa ggcgagcgcc ggaggggcaa
ggggcacgat 1500ggcctttacc agggtctcag tacagccacc aaggacacct
acgacgccct tcacatgcag 1560gccctgcccc ctcgctaa
157841608DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 4atggccttac
cagtgaccgc cttgctcctg ccgctggcct tgctgctcca cgccgccagg 60ccggacatcg
tgatgaccca aagccccgac agcctggccg tgagcctggg cgagagggtg
120accatgaact gcaaaagcag ccagtccctg ctgtactcca ccaaccagaa
gaactacctg 180gcttggtatc aacagaagcc cggacagagc cccaagctgc
tgatctattg ggccagcact 240agggaaagcg gcgtgcccga taggttcagc
ggcagcggga gcggcacaga cttcactctg 300accattagca gcgtgcaggc
tgaggatgtg gccgtctact actgccagca gtactacagc 360tacaggacct
ttgggggcgg aactaagctg gagatcaagg gagggggggg atccggggga
420ggaggctccg gcggaggcgg aagccaagtg caactgcagc agagcggccc
agaggtggtc 480aaacctgggg caagcgtgaa gatgagctgc aaggctagcg
gctatacctt caccagctat 540gtgatccact gggtgaggca gaaaccagga
cagggcctgg actggatcgg ctacatcaac 600ccctacaatg acggcaccga
ttatgacgaa aaattcaagg ggaaggccac cctgaccagc 660gacaccagca
caagcaccgc ctacatggag ctgtccagcc tgaggtccga ggacaccgcc
720gtgtattact gtgccaggga gaaggacaat tacgccaccg gcgcttggtt
cgcctactgg 780ggccagggca cactggtgac agtgagcagc accacgacgc
cagcgccgcg accaccaaca 840ccggcgccca ccatcgcgtc gcagcccctg
tccctgcgcc cagaggcgtg ccggccagcg 900gcggggggcg cagtgcacac
gagggggctg gacttcgcct gtgatatcta catctgggcg 960cccttggccg
ggacttgtgg ggtccttctc ctgtcactgg ttatcaccct ttactgcagg
1020agtaagagga gcaggctcct gcacagtgac tacatgaaca tgactccccg
ccgccccggg 1080cccacccgca agcattacca gccctatgcc ccaccacgcg
acttcgcagc ctatcgctcc 1140aaacggggca gaaagaaact cctgtatata
ttcaaacaac catttatgag accagtacaa 1200actactcaag aggaagatgg
ctgtagctgc cgatttccag aagaagaaga aggaggatgt 1260gaactgagag
tgaagttcag caggagcgca gacgcccccg cgtaccagca gggccagaac
1320cagctctata acgagctcaa tctaggacga agagaggagt acgatgtttt
ggacaagaga 1380cgtggccggg accctgagat ggggggaaag ccgcagagaa
ggaagaaccc tcaggaaggc 1440ctgtacaatg aactgcagaa agataagatg
gcggaggcct acagtgagat tgggatgaaa 1500ggcgagcgcc ggaggggcaa
ggggcacgat ggcctttacc agggtctcag tacagccacc 1560aaggacacct
acgacgccct tcacatgcag gccctgcccc ctcgctaa 160851611DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetic sequence 5atggccttac cagtgaccgc cttgctcctg
ccgctggcct tgctgctcca cgccgccagg 60ccggacatcg tgatgaccca gagccccgac
agcctggccg tgagcctggg cgagagggcc 120accatcaact gcagggccag
caagagcgtg agcaccagcg gctacagcta catctactgg 180taccagcaga
agcccggcca gccccccaag ctgctgatct acctggccag catcctggag
240agcggcgtgc ccgacaggtt cagcggcagc ggcagcggca ccgacttcac
cctgaccatc 300agcagcctgc aggccgagga cgtggccgtg tactactgcc
agcacagcag ggagctgccc 360tggaccttcg gccagggcac caaggtggag
atcaagggcg gcggcggcag cggcggcggc 420ggcagcggcg gcggcggcag
cgaggagcag ctggtggaga gcggcggcgg cctggtgaag 480cccggcggca
gcctgaggct gagctgcgcc gccagcggct tcagcttcag cgactgcagg
540atgtactggc tgaggcaggc ccccggcaag ggcctggagt ggatcggcgt
gatcagcgtg 600aagagcgaga actacggcgc caactacgcc gagagcgtga
ggggcaggtt caccatcagc 660agggacgaca gcaagaacac cgtgtacctg
cagatgaaca gcctgaagac cgaggacacc 720gccgtgtact actgcagcgc
cagctactac aggtacgacg tgggcgcctg gttcgcctac 780tggggccagg
gcaccctggt gaccgtgagc agcaccacga cgccagcgcc gcgaccacca
840acaccggcgc ccaccatcgc gtcgcagccc ctgtccctgc gcccagaggc
gtgccggcca 900gcggcggggg gcgcagtgca cacgaggggg ctggacttcg
cctgtgatat ctacatctgg 960gcgcccttgg ccgggacttg tggggtcctt
ctcctgtcac tggttatcac cctttactgc 1020aggagtaaga ggagcaggct
cctgcacagt gactacatga acatgactcc ccgccgcccc 1080gggcccaccc
gcaagcatta ccagccctat gccccaccac gcgacttcgc agcctatcgc
1140tccaaacggg gcagaaagaa actcctgtat atattcaaac aaccatttat
gagaccagta 1200caaactactc aagaggaaga tggctgtagc tgccgatttc
cagaagaaga agaaggagga 1260tgtgaactga gagtgaagtt cagcaggagc
gcagacgccc ccgcgtacca gcagggccag 1320aaccagctct ataacgagct
caatctagga cgaagagagg agtacgatgt tttggacaag 1380agacgtggcc
gggaccctga gatgggggga aagccgcaga gaaggaagaa ccctcaggaa
1440ggcctgtaca atgaactgca gaaagataag atggcggagg cctacagtga
gattgggatg 1500aaaggcgagc gccggagggg caaggggcac gatggccttt
accagggtct cagtacagcc 1560accaaggaca cctacgacgc ccttcacatg
caggccctgc cccctcgcta a 161161581DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic
sequence 6atggccttac cagtgaccgc cttgctcctg ccgctggcct tgctgctcca
cgccgccagg 60ccggacatcc aggtgaccca gagccccagc agcctgagcg ccagcctggg
cgagagaatc 120agcctgacct gcagaaccag ccaggacatc agcaactacc
tgaactggtt ccagcagaag 180cccgacggca ccttcaagag actgatctac
gccaccagca gcctggacag cggcgtgccc 240aagagattca gcggcagcgg
cagcggcagc gactacagcc tgaccatcag cagcctggag 300agcgaggact
tcgccgacta ctactgcctg cagtacgcca gctacccctt caccttcggc
360agcggcacca agctggagat caagggaggg gggggatccg ggggaggagg
ctccggcgga 420ggcggaagcg aggtgcagct gcaggagagc ggccccggcc
tggtgaagcc cagccagacc 480ctgagcctga cctgcagcgt gaccggctac
agcatcacca gcggctacta ctggcactgg 540atcagacagt tccccggcaa
caagctgcag tggatgggct acatcagcta cagcggcttc 600accaactaca
agaccagcct gatcaacaga atcagcatca cccacgacac cagcgagaac
660cagttcttcc tgaacctgaa cagcgtgacc accgaggaca ccgccaccta
ctactgcgcc 720ggcgacagaa ccggcagctg gttcgcctac tggggccagg
gcaccctggt gaccgtgagc 780gccaccacga cgccagcgcc gcgaccacca
acaccggcgc ccaccatcgc gtcgcagccc 840ctgtccctgc gcccagaggc
gtgccggcca gcggcggggg gcgcagtgca cacgaggggg 900ctggacttcg
cctgtgatat ctacatctgg gcgcccttgg ccgggacttg tggggtcctt
960ctcctgtcac tggttatcac cctttactgc aggagtaaga ggagcaggct
cctgcacagt 1020gactacatga acatgactcc ccgccgcccc gggcccaccc
gcaagcatta ccagccctat 1080gccccaccac gcgacttcgc agcctatcgc
tccaaacggg gcagaaagaa actcctgtat 1140atattcaaac aaccatttat
gagaccagta caaactactc aagaggaaga tggctgtagc 1200tgccgatttc
cagaagaaga agaaggagga tgtgaactga gagtgaagtt cagcaggagc
1260gcagacgccc ccgcgtacca gcagggccag aaccagctct ataacgagct
caatctagga 1320cgaagagagg agtacgatgt tttggacaag agacgtggcc
gggaccctga gatgggggga 1380aagccgcaga gaaggaagaa ccctcaggaa
ggcctgtaca atgaactgca gaaagataag 1440atggcggagg cctacagtga
gattgggatg aaaggcgagc gccggagggg caaggggcac 1500gatggccttt
accagggtct cagtacagcc accaaggaca cctacgacgc ccttcacatg
1560caggccctgc cccctcgctg a 15817993DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic
sequence 7atggccttac cagtgaccgc cttgctcctg ccgctggcct tgctgctcca
cgccgccagg 60ccggacatcc aggtgaccca gagccccagc agcctgagcg ccagcctggg
cgagagaatc 120agcctgacct gcagaaccag ccaggacatc agcaactacc
tgaactggtt ccagcagaag 180cccgacggca ccttcaagag actgatctac
gccaccagca gcctggacag cggcgtgccc 240aagagattca gcggcagcgg
cagcggcagc gactacagcc tgaccatcag cagcctggag 300agcgaggact
tcgccgacta ctactgcctg cagtacgcca gctacccctt caccttcggc
360agcggcacca agctggagat caagggaggg gggggatccg ggggaggagg
ctccggcgga 420ggcggaagcg aggtgcagct gcaggagagc ggccccggcc
tggtgaagcc cagccagacc 480ctgagcctga cctgcagcgt gaccggctac
agcatcacca gcggctacta ctggcactgg 540atcagacagt tccccggcaa
caagctgcag tggatgggct acatcagcta cagcggcttc 600accaactaca
agaccagcct gatcaacaga atcagcatca cccacgacac cagcgagaac
660cagttcttcc tgaacctgaa cagcgtgacc accgaggaca ccgccaccta
ctactgcgcc 720ggcgacagaa ccggcagctg gttcgcctac tggggccagg
gcaccctggt gaccgtgagc 780gccaccacga cgccagcgcc gcgaccacca
acaccggcgc ccaccatcgc gtcgcagccc 840ctgtccctgc gcccagaggc
gtgccggcca gcggcggggg gcgcagtgca cacgaggggg 900ctggacttcg
cctgtgatat ctacatctgg gcgcccttgg ccgggacttg tggggtcctt
960ctcctgtcac tggttatcac cctttactgc tga 99381623DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetic sequence 8atggccttac cagtgaccgc cttgctcctg
ccgctggcct tgctgctcca cgccgccagg 60ccgggcgccc agcccgccat ggccgcctac
aaggacatcc agatgaccca gaccaccagc 120agcctgagcg ccagcctggg
cgacagagtg accatcagct gcagcgccag ccagggcatc 180agcaactacc
tgaactggta ccagcagaag cccgacggca ccaacaagct gctgatctac
240tacaccagca gcctgcacag cggcgtgccc agcagattca gcggcagcgg
cagcggcacc 300gactacagcc tgcacagcaa cctggagccc gaggacatcg
ccacctacta ctgccagcag 360tacagcaagc tgccctacac cttcggcggc
ggcaccaagc tggagatcaa gagaggcggc 420ggcggcagcg gcggcggcgg
cagcggcggc ggcggcagcg gcggcggcgg cagcgaggtg 480cagctggtgg
agagcggcgg cggcctggtg aagcccggcg gcagcctgaa gctgagctgc
540gccgccagcg gcctgacctt cagcagctac gccatgagct ggaacagaca
gacccccgag 600aagagactgg agtgggtggc cagcatcagc agcggcggct
tcacctacta ccccgacagc 660aacaagggca gattcaccat cagcagagac
aacgccagaa acatcctgta cctgcagatg 720agcagcctga gaagcgagga
caccgccatg tactactgcg ccagagacga ggtgagaggc 780tacctggacg
tgtggggcgc cggcaccacc gtgaccgtga gcagcaccac gacgccagcg
840ccgcgaccac caacaccggc gcccaccatc gcgtcgcagc ccctgtccct
gcgcccagag 900gcgtgccggc cagcggcggg gggcgcagtg cacacgaggg
ggctggactt cgcctgtgat 960atctacatct gggcgccctt ggccgggact
tgtggggtcc ttctcctgtc actggttatc 1020accctttact gcaggagtaa
gaggagcagg ctcctgcaca gtgactacat gaacatgact 1080ccccgccgcc
ccgggcccac ccgcaagcat taccagccct atgccccacc acgcgacttc
1140gcagcctatc gctccaaacg gggcagaaag aaactcctgt atatattcaa
acaaccattt 1200atgagaccag tacaaactac tcaagaggaa gatggctgta
gctgccgatt tccagaagaa 1260gaagaaggag gatgtgaact gagagtgaag
ttcagcagga gcgcagacgc ccccgcgtac 1320cagcagggcc agaaccagct
ctataacgag ctcaatctag gacgaagaga ggagtacgat 1380gttttggaca
agagacgtgg ccgggaccct gagatggggg gaaagccgca gagaaggaag
1440aaccctcagg aaggcctgta caatgaactg cagaaagata agatggcgga
ggcctacagt 1500gagattggga tgaaaggcga gcgccggagg ggcaaggggc
acgatggcct ttaccagggt 1560ctcagtacag ccaccaagga cacctacgac
gcccttcaca tgcaggccct gccccctcgc 1620taa 162391590DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetic sequence 9atggccttac cagtgaccgc cttgctcctg
ccgctggcct tgctgctcca cgccgccagg 60ccggacatcc agatgaccca gagccccagc
agcctgagcg ccagcgtggg cgacagagtg 120accatcacct gcaaggccag
ccagaacatc gacaagtacc tgaactggta ccagcagaag 180cccggcaagg
cccccaagct gctgatctac aacaccaaca acctgcagac cggcgtgccc
240agcagattca gcggcagcgg cagcggcacc gacttcacct tcaccatcag
cagcctgcag 300cccgaggaca tcgccaccta ctactgcctg cagcacatca
gcagacccag aaccttcggc 360cagggcacca aggtggagat caagggcggc
ggcggcagcg gcggcggcgg cagcggcggc 420ggcggcagcc aggtgcagct
gcaggagagc ggccccggcc tggtgagacc cagccagacc 480ctgagcctga
cctgcaccgt gagcggcttc accttcaccg acttctacat gaactgggtg
540agacagcccc ccggcagagg cctggagtgg atcggcttca tcagagacaa
ggccaagggc 600tacaccaccg agtacaaccc cagcgtgaag ggcagagtga
ccatgctggt ggacaccagc 660aagaaccagt tcagcctgag actgagcagc
gtgaccgccg ccgacaccgc cgtgtactac 720tgcgccagag agggccacac
cgccgccccc ttcgactact ggggccaggg cagcctggtg 780accgtgagca
gcaccacgac gccagcgccg cgaccaccaa caccggcgcc caccatcgcg
840tcgcagcccc tgtccctgcg cccagaggcg tgccggccag cggcgggggg
cgcagtgcac 900acgagggggc tggacttcgc ctgtgatatc tacatctggg
cgcccttggc cgggacttgt 960ggggtccttc tcctgtcact ggttatcacc
ctttactgca ggagtaagag gagcaggctc 1020ctgcacagtg actacatgaa
catgactccc cgccgccccg ggcccacccg caagcattac 1080cagccctatg
ccccaccacg cgacttcgca gcctatcgct ccaaacgggg cagaaagaaa
1140ctcctgtata tattcaaaca accatttatg agaccagtac aaactactca
agaggaagat 1200ggctgtagct gccgatttcc agaagaagaa gaaggaggat
gtgaactgag agtgaagttc 1260agcaggagcg cagacgcccc cgcgtaccag
cagggccaga accagctcta taacgagctc 1320aatctaggac gaagagagga
gtacgatgtt ttggacaaga gacgtggccg ggaccctgag 1380atggggggaa
agccgcagag aaggaagaac cctcaggaag gcctgtacaa tgaactgcag
1440aaagataaga tggcggaggc ctacagtgag attgggatga aaggcgagcg
ccggaggggc 1500aaggggcacg atggccttta ccagggtctc agtacagcca
ccaaggacac ctacgacgcc 1560cttcacatgc aggccctgcc ccctcgctaa
159010530PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 10Met Ala Leu Pro
Val Thr Ala Leu Leu Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu1 5 10 15His Ala Ala
Arg Pro Asp Ile Met Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu 20 25 30Ala Val
Ser Ala Gly Glu Lys Val Thr Met Thr Cys Lys Ser Ser Gln 35 40 45Ser
Val Leu Tyr Ser Ser Asn Gln Lys Asn Tyr Leu Ala Trp Tyr Gln 50 55
60Gln Lys Pro Gly Gln Ser Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr Trp Ala Ser Thr65
70 75 80Arg Glu Ser Gly Val Pro Asp Arg Phe Thr Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly
Thr 85 90 95Asp Phe Thr Leu Thr Ile Ser Ser Val Gln Pro
Glu Asp Leu Ala Val 100 105 110Tyr Tyr Cys His Gln Tyr Leu Ser Ser
His Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr 115 120 125Lys Leu Glu Ile Lys Arg Gly
Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser 130 135 140Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser
Gln Leu Gln Gln Pro Gly Ala Glu Leu Val Arg145 150 155 160Pro Gly
Ser Ser Val Lys Leu Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe 165 170
175Thr Arg Tyr Trp Ile His Trp Val Lys Gln Arg Pro Ile Gln Gly Leu
180 185 190Glu Trp Ile Gly Asn Ile Asp Pro Ser Asp Ser Glu Thr His
Tyr Asn 195 200 205Gln Lys Phe Lys Asp Lys Ala Thr Leu Thr Val Asp
Lys Ser Ser Gly 210 215 220Thr Ala Tyr Met Gln Leu Ser Ser Leu Thr
Ser Glu Asp Ser Ala Val225 230 235 240Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Thr Glu Asp
Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Met Glu Tyr Trp Gly 245 250 255Gln Gly Thr Ser Val
Thr Val Ser Ser Thr Thr Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg 260 265 270Pro Pro Thr
Pro Ala Pro Thr Ile Ala Ser Gln Pro Leu Ser Leu Arg 275 280 285Pro
Glu Ala Cys Arg Pro Ala Ala Gly Gly Ala Val His Thr Arg Gly 290 295
300Leu Asp Phe Ala Cys Asp Ile Tyr Ile Trp Ala Pro Leu Ala Gly
Thr305 310 315 320Cys Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Ser Leu Val Ile Thr Leu
Tyr Cys Arg Ser 325 330 335Lys Arg Ser Arg Leu Leu His Ser Asp Tyr
Met Asn Met Thr Pro Arg 340 345 350Arg Pro Gly Pro Thr Arg Lys His
Tyr Gln Pro Tyr Ala Pro Pro Arg 355 360 365Asp Phe Ala Ala Tyr Arg
Ser Lys Arg Gly Arg Lys Lys Leu Leu Tyr 370 375 380Ile Phe Lys Gln
Pro Phe Met Arg Pro Val Gln Thr Thr Gln Glu Glu385 390 395 400Asp
Gly Cys Ser Cys Arg Phe Pro Glu Glu Glu Glu Gly Gly Cys Glu 405 410
415Leu Arg Val Lys Phe Ser Arg Ser Ala Asp Ala Pro Ala Tyr Gln Gln
420 425 430Gly Gln Asn Gln Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Asn Leu Gly Arg Arg
Glu Glu 435 440 445Tyr Asp Val Leu Asp Lys Arg Arg Gly Arg Asp Pro
Glu Met Gly Gly 450 455 460Lys Pro Gln Arg Arg Lys Asn Pro Gln Glu
Gly Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu465 470 475 480Gln Lys Asp Lys Met Ala Glu
Ala Tyr Ser Glu Ile Gly Met Lys Gly 485 490 495Glu Arg Arg Arg Gly
Lys Gly His Asp Gly Leu Tyr Gln Gly Leu Ser 500 505 510Thr Ala Thr
Lys Asp Thr Tyr Asp Ala Leu His Met Gln Ala Leu Pro 515 520 525Pro
Arg 53011529PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 11Met Ala Leu
Pro Val Thr Ala Leu Leu Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu1 5 10 15His Ala
Ala Arg Pro Asp Ile Val Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ala Thr Leu 20 25 30Ser
Val Thr Pro Gly Asp Arg Val Ser Leu Ser Cys Arg Ala Ser Gln 35 40
45Ser Ile Ser Asp Tyr Leu His Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Ser His Glu Ser
50 55 60Pro Arg Leu Leu Ile Lys Tyr Ala Ser Gln Ser Ile Ser Gly Ile
Pro65 70 75 80Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Asp Phe Thr
Leu Ser Ile 85 90 95Asn Ser Val Glu Pro Glu Asp Val Gly Val Tyr Tyr
Cys Gln Asn Gly 100 105 110His Ser Phe Pro Leu Thr Phe Gly Ala Gly
Thr Lys Leu Glu Leu Arg 115 120 125Arg Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly
Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser 130 135 140Gln Val Gln Leu Gln Gln
Pro Gly Thr Glu Leu Val Arg Pro Gly Ser145 150 155 160Ser Val Lys
Leu Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ser Tyr 165 170 175Trp
Val Asn Trp Val Lys Gln Arg Pro Asp Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Ile 180 185
190Gly Arg Ile Asp Pro Tyr Asp Ser Glu Thr His Tyr Asn Gln Lys Phe
195 200 205Thr Asp Lys Ala Ile Ser Thr Ile Asp Thr Ser Ser Asn Thr
Ala Tyr 210 215 220Met Gln Leu Ser Thr Leu Thr Ser Asp Ala Ser Ala
Val Tyr Tyr Cys225 230 235 240Ser Arg Ser Pro Arg Asp Ser Ser Thr
Asn Leu Ala Asp Trp Gly Gln 245 250 255Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser
Ser Thr Thr Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Pro 260 265 270Pro Thr Pro Ala Pro
Thr Ile Ala Ser Gln Pro Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro 275 280 285Glu Ala Cys
Arg Pro Ala Ala Gly Gly Ala Val His Thr Arg Gly Leu 290 295 300Asp
Phe Ala Cys Asp Ile Tyr Ile Trp Ala Pro Leu Ala Gly Thr Cys305 310
315 320Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Ser Leu Val Ile Thr Leu Tyr Cys Arg Ser
Lys 325 330 335Arg Ser Arg Leu Leu His Ser Asp Tyr Met Asn Met Thr
Pro Arg Arg 340 345 350Pro Gly Pro Thr Arg Lys His Tyr Gln Pro Tyr
Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp 355 360 365Phe Ala Ala Tyr Arg Ser Lys Arg Gly
Arg Lys Lys Leu Leu Tyr Ile 370 375 380Phe Lys Gln Pro Phe Met Arg
Pro Val Gln Thr Thr Gln Glu Glu Asp385 390 395 400Gly Cys Ser Cys
Arg Phe Pro Glu Glu Glu Glu Gly Gly Cys Glu Leu 405 410 415Arg Val
Lys Phe Ser Arg Ser Ala Asp Ala Pro Ala Tyr Gln Gln Gly 420 425
430Gln Asn Gln Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Asn Leu Gly Arg Arg Glu Glu Tyr
435 440 445Asp Val Leu Asp Lys Arg Arg Gly Arg Asp Pro Glu Met Gly
Gly Lys 450 455 460Pro Gln Arg Arg Lys Asn Pro Gln Glu Gly Leu Tyr
Asn Glu Leu Gln465 470 475 480Lys Asp Lys Met Ala Glu Ala Tyr Ser
Glu Ile Gly Met Lys Gly Glu 485 490 495Arg Arg Arg Gly Lys Gly His
Asp Gly Leu Tyr Gln Gly Leu Ser Thr 500 505 510Ala Thr Lys Asp Thr
Tyr Asp Ala Leu His Met Gln Ala Leu Pro Pro 515 520
525Arg12525PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 12Met Ala Leu
Pro Val Thr Ala Leu Leu Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu1 5 10 15His Ala
Ala Arg Pro Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu 20 25 30Ser
Ala Ser Val Gly Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Ser Ala Ser Ser 35 40
45Ser Val Ser Tyr Met Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln Thr Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro
50 55 60Lys Arg Trp Ile Tyr Asp Thr Ser Lys Leu Ala Ser Gly Val Pro
Ser65 70 75 80Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Tyr Thr Phe
Thr Ile Ser 85 90 95Ser Leu Gln Pro Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys
Gln Gln Trp Ser 100 105 110Ser Asn Pro Phe Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr
Lys Leu Gln Ile Gly Gly 115 120 125Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser
Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gln Val Gln 130 135 140Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Gly
Gly Val Val Gln Pro Gly Arg Ser Leu Arg145 150 155 160Leu Ser Cys
Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Arg Tyr Thr Met His 165 170 175Trp
Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Ile Gly Tyr Ile 180 185
190Asn Pro Ser Arg Gly Tyr Thr Asn Tyr Asn Gln Lys Val Lys Asp Arg
195 200 205Phe Thr Ile Ser Arg Asp Asn Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala Phe Leu
Gln Met 210 215 220Asp Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Asp Thr Gly Val Tyr Phe
Cys Ala Arg Tyr225 230 235 240Tyr Asp Asp His Tyr Cys Leu Asp Tyr
Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Pro Val 245 250 255Thr Val Ser Ser Thr Thr Thr
Pro Ala Pro Arg Pro Pro Thr Pro Ala 260 265 270Pro Thr Ile Ala Ser
Gln Pro Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Ala Cys Arg 275 280 285Pro Ala Ala
Gly Gly Ala Val His Thr Arg Gly Leu Asp Phe Ala Cys 290 295 300Asp
Ile Tyr Ile Trp Ala Pro Leu Ala Gly Thr Cys Gly Val Leu Leu305 310
315 320Leu Ser Leu Val Ile Thr Leu Tyr Cys Arg Ser Lys Arg Ser Arg
Leu 325 330 335Leu His Ser Asp Tyr Met Asn Met Thr Pro Arg Arg Pro
Gly Pro Thr 340 345 350Arg Lys His Tyr Gln Pro Tyr Ala Pro Pro Arg
Asp Phe Ala Ala Tyr 355 360 365Arg Ser Lys Arg Gly Arg Lys Lys Leu
Leu Tyr Ile Phe Lys Gln Pro 370 375 380Phe Met Arg Pro Val Gln Thr
Thr Gln Glu Glu Asp Gly Cys Ser Cys385 390 395 400Arg Phe Pro Glu
Glu Glu Glu Gly Gly Cys Glu Leu Arg Val Lys Phe 405 410 415Ser Arg
Ser Ala Asp Ala Pro Ala Tyr Gln Gln Gly Gln Asn Gln Leu 420 425
430Tyr Asn Glu Leu Asn Leu Gly Arg Arg Glu Glu Tyr Asp Val Leu Asp
435 440 445Lys Arg Arg Gly Arg Asp Pro Glu Met Gly Gly Lys Pro Gln
Arg Arg 450 455 460Lys Asn Pro Gln Glu Gly Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Gln
Lys Asp Lys Met465 470 475 480Ala Glu Ala Tyr Ser Glu Ile Gly Met
Lys Gly Glu Arg Arg Arg Gly 485 490 495Lys Gly His Asp Gly Leu Tyr
Gln Gly Leu Ser Thr Ala Thr Lys Asp 500 505 510Thr Tyr Asp Ala Leu
His Met Gln Ala Leu Pro Pro Arg 515 520 52513535PRTArtificial
SequenceSynethic sequence 13Met Ala Leu Pro Val Thr Ala Leu Leu Leu
Pro Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu1 5 10 15His Ala Ala Arg Pro Asp Ile Val Met
Thr Gln Ser Pro Asp Ser Leu 20 25 30Ala Val Ser Leu Gly Glu Arg Val
Thr Met Asn Cys Lys Ser Ser Gln 35 40 45Ser Leu Leu Tyr Ser Thr Asn
Gln Lys Asn Tyr Leu Ala Trp Tyr Gln 50 55 60Gln Lys Pro Gly Gln Ser
Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr Trp Ala Ser Thr65 70 75 80Arg Glu Ser Gly
Val Pro Asp Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr 85 90 95Asp Phe Thr
Leu Thr Ile Ser Ser Val Gln Ala Glu Asp Val Ala Val 100 105 110Tyr
Tyr Cys Gln Gln Tyr Tyr Ser Tyr Arg Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr 115 120
125Lys Leu Glu Ile Lys Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly
130 135 140Gly Gly Gly Ser Gln Val Gln Leu Gln Gln Ser Gly Pro Glu
Val Val145 150 155 160Lys Pro Gly Ala Ser Val Lys Met Ser Cys Lys
Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr 165 170 175Phe Thr Ser Tyr Val Ile His Trp Val
Arg Gln Lys Pro Gly Gln Gly 180 185 190Leu Asp Trp Ile Gly Tyr Ile
Asn Pro Tyr Asn Asp Gly Thr Asp Tyr 195 200 205Asp Glu Lys Phe Lys
Gly Lys Ala Thr Leu Thr Ser Asp Thr Ser Thr 210 215 220Ser Thr Ala
Tyr Met Glu Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala225 230 235
240Val Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg Glu Lys Asp Asn Tyr Ala Thr Gly Ala Trp
245 250 255Phe Ala Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser
Thr Thr 260 265 270Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Pro Pro Thr Pro Ala Pro Thr
Ile Ala Ser Gln 275 280 285Pro Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Ala Cys Arg
Pro Ala Ala Gly Gly Ala 290 295 300Val His Thr Arg Gly Leu Asp Phe
Ala Cys Asp Ile Tyr Ile Trp Ala305 310 315 320Pro Leu Ala Gly Thr
Cys Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Ser Leu Val Ile Thr 325 330 335Leu Tyr Cys
Arg Ser Lys Arg Ser Arg Leu Leu His Ser Asp Tyr Met 340 345 350Asn
Met Thr Pro Arg Arg Pro Gly Pro Thr Arg Lys His Tyr Gln Pro 355 360
365Tyr Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp Phe Ala Ala Tyr Arg Ser Lys Arg Gly Arg
370 375 380Lys Lys Leu Leu Tyr Ile Phe Lys Gln Pro Phe Met Arg Pro
Val Gln385 390 395 400Thr Thr Gln Glu Glu Asp Gly Cys Ser Cys Arg
Phe Pro Glu Glu Glu 405 410 415Glu Gly Gly Cys Glu Leu Arg Val Lys
Phe Ser Arg Ser Ala Asp Ala 420 425 430Pro Ala Tyr Gln Gln Gly Gln
Asn Gln Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Asn Leu 435 440 445Gly Arg Arg Glu Glu
Tyr Asp Val Leu Asp Lys Arg Arg Gly Arg Asp 450 455 460Pro Glu Met
Gly Gly Lys Pro Gln Arg Arg Lys Asn Pro Gln Glu Gly465 470 475
480Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Gln Lys Asp Lys Met Ala Glu Ala Tyr Ser Glu
485 490 495Ile Gly Met Lys Gly Glu Arg Arg Arg Gly Lys Gly His Asp
Gly Leu 500 505 510Tyr Gln Gly Leu Ser Thr Ala Thr Lys Asp Thr Tyr
Asp Ala Leu His 515 520 525Met Gln Ala Leu Pro Pro Arg 530
53514536PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 14Met Ala Leu Pro
Val Thr Ala Leu Leu Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu1 5 10 15His Ala Ala
Arg Pro Asp Ile Val Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Asp Ser Leu 20 25 30Ala Val
Ser Leu Gly Glu Arg Ala Thr Ile Asn Cys Arg Ala Ser Lys 35 40 45Ser
Val Ser Thr Ser Gly Tyr Ser Tyr Ile Tyr Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys 50 55
60Pro Gly Gln Pro Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr Leu Ala Ser Ile Leu Glu65
70 75 80Ser Gly Val Pro Asp Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp
Phe 85 90 95Thr Leu Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Ala Glu Asp Val Ala Val
Tyr Tyr 100 105 110Cys Gln His Ser Arg Glu Leu Pro Trp Thr Phe Gly
Gln Gly Thr Lys 115 120 125Val Glu Ile Lys Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly
Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly 130 135 140Gly Gly Ser Glu Glu Gln Leu Val
Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Leu Val Lys145 150 155 160Pro Gly Gly Ser Leu
Arg Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Ser Phe 165 170 175Ser Asp Cys
Arg Met Tyr Trp Leu Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu 180 185 190Glu
Trp Ile Gly Val Ile Ser Val Lys Ser Glu Asn Tyr Gly Ala Asn 195 200
205Tyr Ala Glu Ser Val Arg Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Arg Asp Asp Ser
210 215 220Lys Asn Thr Val Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Lys Thr Glu
Asp Thr225 230 235 240Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Ser Ala Ser Tyr Tyr Arg
Tyr Asp Val Gly Ala 245 250 255Trp Phe Ala Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr
Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser Thr 260 265 270Thr Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Pro
Pro Thr Pro Ala Pro Thr Ile Ala Ser 275 280 285Gln Pro Leu Ser Leu
Arg Pro Glu Ala Cys Arg Pro Ala Ala Gly Gly 290 295 300Ala Val His
Thr Arg Gly Leu Asp Phe Ala Cys Asp Ile Tyr Ile Trp305 310 315
320Ala Pro Leu Ala Gly Thr Cys Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Ser Leu Val Ile
325 330 335Thr Leu Tyr Cys Arg Ser Lys Arg Ser Arg Leu Leu His Ser
Asp Tyr 340 345 350Met Asn Met Thr Pro Arg Arg Pro Gly Pro Thr Arg
Lys His Tyr Gln 355 360 365Pro Tyr Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp Phe Ala Ala
Tyr Arg Ser Lys Arg Gly 370 375 380Arg Lys Lys Leu Leu Tyr Ile Phe
Lys Gln Pro Phe Met Arg Pro Val385 390 395 400Gln Thr Thr Gln Glu
Glu Asp Gly Cys Ser Cys Arg Phe Pro Glu Glu 405 410 415Glu Glu Gly
Gly Cys Glu Leu Arg Val Lys Phe Ser Arg Ser Ala Asp 420
425 430Ala Pro Ala Tyr Gln Gln Gly Gln Asn Gln Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu
Asn 435 440 445Leu Gly Arg Arg Glu Glu Tyr Asp Val Leu Asp Lys Arg
Arg Gly Arg 450 455 460Asp Pro Glu Met Gly Gly Lys Pro Gln Arg Arg
Lys Asn Pro Gln Glu465 470 475 480Gly Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Gln Lys
Asp Lys Met Ala Glu Ala Tyr Ser 485 490 495Glu Ile Gly Met Lys Gly
Glu Arg Arg Arg Gly Lys Gly His Asp Gly 500 505 510Leu Tyr Gln Gly
Leu Ser Thr Ala Thr Lys Asp Thr Tyr Asp Ala Leu 515 520 525His Met
Gln Ala Leu Pro Pro Arg 530 53515526PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
sequence 15Met Ala Leu Pro Val Thr Ala Leu Leu Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu
Leu Leu1 5 10 15His Ala Ala Arg Pro Asp Ile Gln Val Thr Gln Ser Pro
Ser Ser Leu 20 25 30Ser Ala Ser Leu Gly Glu Arg Ile Ser Leu Thr Cys
Arg Thr Ser Gln 35 40 45Asp Ile Ser Asn Tyr Leu Asn Trp Phe Gln Gln
Lys Pro Asp Gly Thr 50 55 60Phe Lys Arg Leu Ile Tyr Ala Thr Ser Ser
Leu Asp Ser Gly Val Pro65 70 75 80Lys Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser
Gly Ser Asp Tyr Ser Leu Thr Ile 85 90 95Ser Ser Leu Glu Ser Glu Asp
Phe Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Cys Leu Gln Tyr 100 105 110Ala Ser Tyr Pro Phe
Thr Phe Gly Ser Gly Thr Lys Leu Glu Ile Lys 115 120 125Gly Gly Gly
Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Glu 130 135 140Val
Gln Leu Gln Glu Ser Gly Pro Gly Leu Val Lys Pro Ser Gln Thr145 150
155 160Leu Ser Leu Thr Cys Ser Val Thr Gly Tyr Ser Ile Thr Ser Gly
Tyr 165 170 175Tyr Trp His Trp Ile Arg Gln Phe Pro Gly Asn Lys Leu
Gln Trp Met 180 185 190Gly Tyr Ile Ser Tyr Ser Gly Phe Thr Asn Tyr
Lys Thr Ser Leu Ile 195 200 205Asn Arg Ile Ser Ile Thr His Asp Thr
Ser Glu Asn Gln Phe Phe Leu 210 215 220Asn Leu Asn Ser Val Thr Thr
Glu Asp Thr Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Ala225 230 235 240Gly Asp Arg Thr
Gly Ser Trp Phe Ala Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu 245 250 255Val Thr
Val Ser Ala Thr Thr Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Pro Pro Thr Pro 260 265
270Ala Pro Thr Ile Ala Ser Gln Pro Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Ala Cys
275 280 285Arg Pro Ala Ala Gly Gly Ala Val His Thr Arg Gly Leu Asp
Phe Ala 290 295 300Cys Asp Ile Tyr Ile Trp Ala Pro Leu Ala Gly Thr
Cys Gly Val Leu305 310 315 320Leu Leu Ser Leu Val Ile Thr Leu Tyr
Cys Arg Ser Lys Arg Ser Arg 325 330 335Leu Leu His Ser Asp Tyr Met
Asn Met Thr Pro Arg Arg Pro Gly Pro 340 345 350Thr Arg Lys His Tyr
Gln Pro Tyr Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp Phe Ala Ala 355 360 365Tyr Arg Ser
Lys Arg Gly Arg Lys Lys Leu Leu Tyr Ile Phe Lys Gln 370 375 380Pro
Phe Met Arg Pro Val Gln Thr Thr Gln Glu Glu Asp Gly Cys Ser385 390
395 400Cys Arg Phe Pro Glu Glu Glu Glu Gly Gly Cys Glu Leu Arg Val
Lys 405 410 415Phe Ser Arg Ser Ala Asp Ala Pro Ala Tyr Gln Gln Gly
Gln Asn Gln 420 425 430Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Asn Leu Gly Arg Arg Glu
Glu Tyr Asp Val Leu 435 440 445Asp Lys Arg Arg Gly Arg Asp Pro Glu
Met Gly Gly Lys Pro Gln Arg 450 455 460Arg Lys Asn Pro Gln Glu Gly
Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Gln Lys Asp Lys465 470 475 480Met Ala Glu Ala
Tyr Ser Glu Ile Gly Met Lys Gly Glu Arg Arg Arg 485 490 495Gly Lys
Gly His Asp Gly Leu Tyr Gln Gly Leu Ser Thr Ala Thr Lys 500 505
510Asp Thr Tyr Asp Ala Leu His Met Gln Ala Leu Pro Pro Arg 515 520
52516329PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 16Met Ala Leu Pro
Val Thr Ala Leu Leu Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu1 5 10 15His Ala Ala
Arg Pro Asp Ile Gln Val Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu 20 25 30Ser Ala
Ser Leu Gly Glu Arg Ile Ser Leu Thr Cys Arg Thr Ser Gln 35 40 45Asp
Ile Ser Asn Tyr Leu Asn Trp Phe Gln Gln Lys Pro Asp Gly Thr 50 55
60Phe Lys Arg Leu Ile Tyr Ala Thr Ser Ser Leu Asp Ser Gly Val Pro65
70 75 80Lys Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Asp Tyr Ser Leu Thr
Ile 85 90 95Ser Ser Leu Glu Ser Glu Asp Phe Ala Asp Tyr Tyr Cys Leu
Gln Tyr 100 105 110Ala Ser Tyr Pro Phe Thr Phe Gly Ser Gly Thr Lys
Leu Glu Ile Lys 115 120 125Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser
Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Glu 130 135 140Val Gln Leu Gln Glu Ser Gly Pro
Gly Leu Val Lys Pro Ser Gln Thr145 150 155 160Leu Ser Leu Thr Cys
Ser Val Thr Gly Tyr Ser Ile Thr Ser Gly Tyr 165 170 175Tyr Trp His
Trp Ile Arg Gln Phe Pro Gly Asn Lys Leu Gln Trp Met 180 185 190Gly
Tyr Ile Ser Tyr Ser Gly Phe Thr Asn Tyr Lys Thr Ser Leu Ile 195 200
205Asn Arg Ile Ser Ile Thr His Asp Thr Ser Glu Asn Gln Phe Phe Leu
210 215 220Asn Leu Asn Ser Val Thr Thr Glu Asp Thr Ala Thr Tyr Tyr
Cys Ala225 230 235 240Gly Asp Arg Thr Gly Ser Trp Phe Ala Tyr Trp
Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu 245 250 255Val Thr Val Ser Ala Thr Thr Thr Pro
Ala Pro Arg Pro Pro Thr Pro 260 265 270Ala Pro Thr Ile Ala Ser Gln
Pro Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Ala Cys 275 280 285Arg Pro Ala Ala Gly
Gly Ala Val His Thr Arg Gly Asp Phe Ala Cys 290 295 300Asp Ile Tyr
Ile Trp Ala Pro Leu Ala Gly Thr Cys Gly Val Leu Leu305 310 315
320Leu Ser Leu Val Ile Thr Leu Tyr Cys 32517540PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic sequence 17Met Ala Leu Pro Val Thr Ala Leu Leu
Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu1 5 10 15His Ala Ala Arg Pro Gly Ala Gln
Pro Ala Met Ala Ala Tyr Lys Asp 20 25 30Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Thr Thr
Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Leu Gly Asp 35 40 45Arg Val Thr Ile Ser Cys
Ser Ala Ser Gln Gly Ile Ser Asn Tyr Leu 50 55 60Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln
Lys Pro Asp Gly Thr Asn Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr65 70 75 80Tyr Thr Ser
Ser Leu His Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser 85 90 95Gly Ser
Gly Thr Asp Tyr Ser Leu His Ser Asn Leu Glu Pro Glu Asp 100 105
110Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Tyr Ser Lys Leu Pro Tyr Thr Phe
115 120 125Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Leu Glu Ile Lys Arg Gly Gly Gly Gly
Ser Gly 130 135 140Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly
Gly Ser Glu Val145 150 155 160Gln Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Leu
Val Lys Pro Gly Gly Ser Leu 165 170 175Lys Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser
Gly Leu Thr Phe Ser Ser Tyr Ala Met 180 185 190Ser Trp Asn Arg Gln
Thr Pro Glu Lys Arg Leu Glu Trp Val Ala Ser 195 200 205Ile Ser Ser
Gly Gly Phe Thr Tyr Tyr Pro Asp Ser Asn Lys Gly Arg 210 215 220Phe
Thr Ile Ser Arg Asp Asn Ala Arg Asn Ile Leu Tyr Leu Gln Met225 230
235 240Ser Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Met Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg
Asp 245 250 255Glu Val Arg Gly Tyr Leu Asp Val Trp Gly Ala Gly Thr
Thr Val Thr 260 265 270Val Ser Ser Thr Thr Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Pro
Pro Thr Pro Ala Pro 275 280 285Thr Ile Ala Ser Gln Pro Leu Ser Leu
Arg Pro Glu Ala Cys Arg Pro 290 295 300Ala Ala Gly Gly Ala Val His
Thr Arg Gly Leu Asp Phe Ala Cys Asp305 310 315 320Ile Tyr Ile Trp
Ala Pro Leu Ala Gly Thr Cys Gly Val Leu Leu Leu 325 330 335Ser Leu
Val Ile Thr Leu Tyr Cys Arg Ser Lys Arg Ser Arg Leu Leu 340 345
350His Ser Asp Tyr Met Asn Met Thr Pro Arg Arg Pro Gly Pro Thr Arg
355 360 365Lys His Tyr Gln Pro Tyr Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp Phe Ala Ala
Tyr Arg 370 375 380Ser Lys Arg Gly Arg Lys Lys Leu Leu Tyr Ile Phe
Lys Gln Pro Phe385 390 395 400Met Arg Pro Val Gln Thr Thr Gln Glu
Glu Asp Gly Cys Ser Cys Arg 405 410 415Phe Pro Glu Glu Glu Glu Gly
Gly Cys Glu Leu Arg Val Lys Phe Ser 420 425 430Arg Ser Ala Asp Ala
Pro Ala Tyr Gln Gln Gly Gln Asn Gln Leu Tyr 435 440 445Asn Glu Leu
Asn Leu Gly Arg Arg Glu Glu Tyr Asp Val Leu Asp Lys 450 455 460Arg
Arg Gly Arg Asp Pro Glu Met Gly Gly Lys Pro Gln Arg Arg Lys465 470
475 480Asn Pro Gln Glu Gly Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Gln Lys Asp Lys Met
Ala 485 490 495Glu Ala Tyr Ser Glu Ile Gly Met Lys Gly Glu Arg Arg
Arg Gly Lys 500 505 510Gly His Asp Gly Leu Tyr Gln Gly Leu Ser Thr
Ala Thr Lys Asp Thr 515 520 525Tyr Asp Ala Leu His Met Gln Ala Leu
Pro Pro Arg 530 535 54018529PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
sequence 18Met Ala Leu Pro Val Thr Ala Leu Leu Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu
Leu Leu1 5 10 15His Ala Ala Arg Pro Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro
Ser Ser Leu 20 25 30Ser Ala Ser Val Gly Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys
Lys Ala Ser Gln 35 40 45Asn Ile Asp Lys Tyr Leu Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln
Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala 50 55 60Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr Asn Thr Asn Asn
Leu Gln Thr Gly Val Pro65 70 75 80Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser
Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Phe Thr Ile 85 90 95Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro Glu Asp
Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Leu Gln His 100 105 110Ile Ser Arg Pro Arg
Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile Lys 115 120 125Gly Gly Gly
Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gln 130 135 140Val
Gln Leu Gln Glu Ser Gly Pro Gly Leu Val Arg Pro Ser Gln Thr145 150
155 160Leu Ser Leu Thr Cys Thr Val Ser Gly Phe Thr Phe Thr Asp Phe
Tyr 165 170 175Met Asn Trp Val Arg Gln Pro Pro Gly Arg Gly Leu Glu
Trp Ile Gly 180 185 190Phe Ile Arg Asp Lys Ala Lys Gly Tyr Thr Thr
Glu Tyr Asn Pro Ser 195 200 205Val Lys Gly Arg Val Thr Met Leu Val
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Gln Phe 210 215 220Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Ser Val
Thr Ala Ala Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr225 230 235 240Cys Ala Arg Glu
Gly His Thr Ala Ala Pro Phe Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 245 250 255Gly Ser
Leu Val Thr Val Ser Ser Thr Thr Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Pro 260 265
270Pro Thr Pro Ala Pro Thr Ile Ala Ser Gln Pro Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro
275 280 285Glu Ala Cys Arg Pro Ala Ala Gly Gly Ala Val His Thr Arg
Gly Leu 290 295 300Asp Phe Ala Cys Asp Ile Tyr Ile Trp Ala Pro Leu
Ala Gly Thr Cys305 310 315 320Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Ser Leu Val Ile
Thr Leu Tyr Cys Arg Ser Lys 325 330 335Arg Ser Arg Leu Leu His Ser
Asp Tyr Met Asn Met Thr Pro Arg Arg 340 345 350Pro Gly Pro Thr Arg
Lys His Tyr Gln Pro Tyr Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp 355 360 365Phe Ala Ala
Tyr Arg Ser Lys Arg Gly Arg Lys Lys Leu Leu Tyr Ile 370 375 380Phe
Lys Gln Pro Phe Met Arg Pro Val Gln Thr Thr Gln Glu Glu Asp385 390
395 400Gly Cys Ser Cys Arg Phe Pro Glu Glu Glu Glu Gly Gly Cys Glu
Leu 405 410 415Arg Val Lys Phe Ser Arg Ser Ala Asp Ala Pro Ala Tyr
Gln Gln Gly 420 425 430Gln Asn Gln Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Asn Leu Gly
Arg Arg Glu Glu Tyr 435 440 445Asp Val Leu Asp Lys Arg Arg Gly Arg
Asp Pro Glu Met Gly Gly Lys 450 455 460Pro Gln Arg Arg Lys Asn Pro
Gln Glu Gly Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Gln465 470 475 480Lys Asp Lys Met
Ala Glu Ala Tyr Ser Glu Ile Gly Met Lys Gly Glu 485 490 495Arg Arg
Arg Gly Lys Gly His Asp Gly Leu Tyr Gln Gly Leu Ser Thr 500 505
510Ala Thr Lys Asp Thr Tyr Asp Ala Leu His Met Gln Ala Leu Pro Pro
515 520 525Arg19185PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 19Lys
Glu Ile Thr Asn Ala Leu Glu Thr Trp Gly Ala Leu Gly Gln Asp1 5 10
15Ile Asn Leu Asp Ile Pro Ser Phe Gln Met Ser Asp Asp Ile Asp Asp
20 25 30Ile Lys Trp Glu Lys Thr Ser Asp Lys Lys Lys Ile Ala Gln Phe
Arg 35 40 45Lys Glu Lys Glu Thr Phe Lys Glu Lys Asp Thr Tyr Lys Leu
Phe Lys 50 55 60Asn Gly Thr Leu Lys Ile Lys His Leu Lys Thr Asp Asp
Gln Asp Ile65 70 75 80Tyr Lys Val Ser Ile Tyr Asp Thr Lys Gly Lys
Asn Val Leu Glu Lys 85 90 95Ile Phe Asp Leu Lys Ile Gln Glu Arg Val
Ser Lys Pro Lys Ile Ser 100 105 110Trp Thr Cys Ile Asn Thr Thr Leu
Thr Cys Glu Val Met Asn Gly Thr 115 120 125Asp Pro Glu Leu Asn Leu
Tyr Gln Asp Gly Lys His Leu Lys Leu Ser 130 135 140Gln Arg Val Ile
Thr His Lys Trp Thr Thr Ser Leu Ser Ala Lys Phe145 150 155 160Lys
Cys Thr Ala Gly Asn Lys Val Ser Lys Glu Ser Ser Val Glu Pro 165 170
175Val Ser Cys Pro Glu Lys Gly Leu Asp 180 18520104PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic sequence 20Asp Gly Asn Glu Glu Met Gly Gly Ile
Thr Gln Thr Pro Tyr Lys Val1 5 10 15Ser Ile Ser Gly Thr Thr Val Ile
Leu Thr Cys Pro Gln Tyr Pro Gly 20 25 30Ser Glu Ile Leu Trp Gln His
Asn Asp Lys Asn Ile Gly Gly Asp Glu 35 40 45Asp Asp Lys Asn Ile Gly
Ser Asp Glu Asp His Leu Ser Leu Lys Glu 50 55 60Phe Ser Glu Leu Glu
Gln Ser Gly Tyr Tyr Val Cys Tyr Pro Arg Gly65 70 75 80Ser Lys Pro
Glu Asp Ala Asn Phe Tyr Leu Tyr Leu Arg Ala Arg Val 85 90 95Cys Glu
Asn Cys Met Glu Met Asp 10021371PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
sequence 21Lys Lys Val Val Leu Gly Lys Lys Gly Asp Thr Val Glu Leu
Thr Cys1 5 10 15Thr Ala Ser Gln Lys Lys Ser Ile Gln Phe His Trp Lys
Asn Ser Asn 20 25 30Gln Ile Lys Ile Leu Gly Asn Gln Gly Ser Phe Leu
Thr Lys Gly Pro 35 40 45Ser Lys Leu Asn Asp Arg Ala Asp Ser Arg Arg
Ser Leu Trp Asp Gln 50 55 60Gly Asn Phe Pro Leu Ile Ile Lys Asn Leu
Lys Ile Glu Asp Ser Asp65 70 75 80Thr Tyr Ile Cys Glu Val Glu Asp
Gln Lys Glu Glu Val Gln Leu Leu 85 90 95Val Phe Gly Leu Thr Ala Asn
Ser Asp Thr His Leu Leu Gln Gly Gln
100 105 110Ser Leu Thr Leu Thr Leu Glu Ser Pro Pro Gly Ser Ser Pro
Ser Val 115 120 125Gln Cys Arg Ser Pro Arg Gly Lys Asn Ile Gln Gly
Gly Lys Thr Leu 130 135 140Ser Val Ser Gln Leu Glu Leu Gln Asp Ser
Gly Thr Trp Thr Cys Thr145 150 155 160Val Leu Gln Asn Gln Lys Lys
Val Glu Phe Lys Ile Asp Ile Val Val 165 170 175Leu Ala Phe Gln Lys
Ala Ser Ser Ile Val Tyr Lys Lys Glu Gly Glu 180 185 190Gln Val Glu
Phe Ser Phe Pro Leu Ala Phe Thr Val Glu Lys Leu Thr 195 200 205Gly
Ser Gly Glu Leu Trp Trp Gln Ala Glu Arg Ala Ser Ser Ser Lys 210 215
220Ser Trp Ile Thr Phe Asp Leu Lys Asn Lys Glu Val Ser Val Lys
Arg225 230 235 240Val Thr Gln Asp Pro Lys Leu Gln Met Gly Lys Lys
Leu Pro Leu His 245 250 255Leu Thr Leu Pro Gln Ala Leu Pro Gln Tyr
Ala Gly Ser Gly Asn Leu 260 265 270Thr Leu Ala Leu Glu Ala Lys Thr
Gly Lys Leu His Gln Glu Val Asn 275 280 285Leu Val Val Met Arg Ala
Thr Gln Leu Gln Lys Asn Leu Thr Cys Glu 290 295 300Val Trp Gly Pro
Thr Ser Pro Lys Leu Met Leu Ser Leu Lys Leu Glu305 310 315 320Asn
Lys Glu Ala Lys Val Ser Lys Arg Glu Lys Ala Val Trp Val Leu 325 330
335Asn Pro Glu Ala Gly Met Trp Gln Cys Leu Leu Ser Asp Ser Gly Gln
340 345 350Val Leu Leu Glu Ser Asn Ile Lys Val Leu Pro Thr Trp Ser
Thr Pro 355 360 365Val Gln Pro 37022348PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic sequence 22Arg Leu Ser Trp Tyr Asp Pro Asp Phe
Gln Ala Arg Leu Thr Arg Ser1 5 10 15Asn Ser Lys Cys Gln Gly Gln Leu
Glu Val Tyr Leu Lys Asp Gly Trp 20 25 30His Met Val Cys Ser Gln Ser
Trp Gly Arg Ser Ser Lys Gln Trp Glu 35 40 45Asp Pro Ser Gln Ala Ser
Lys Val Cys Gln Arg Leu Asn Cys Gly Val 50 55 60Pro Leu Ser Leu Gly
Pro Phe Leu Val Thr Tyr Thr Pro Gln Ser Ser65 70 75 80Ile Ile Cys
Tyr Gly Gln Leu Gly Ser Phe Ser Asn Cys Ser His Ser 85 90 95Arg Asn
Asp Met Cys His Ser Leu Gly Leu Thr Cys Leu Glu Pro Gln 100 105
110Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Thr Thr Arg Pro Pro Pro Thr Thr Thr Pro Glu
115 120 125Pro Thr Ala Pro Pro Arg Leu Gln Leu Val Ala Gln Ser Gly
Gly Gln 130 135 140His Cys Ala Gly Val Val Glu Phe Tyr Ser Gly Ser
Leu Gly Gly Thr145 150 155 160Ile Ser Tyr Glu Ala Gln Asp Lys Thr
Gln Asp Leu Glu Asn Phe Leu 165 170 175Cys Asn Asn Leu Gln Cys Gly
Ser Phe Leu Lys His Leu Pro Glu Thr 180 185 190Glu Ala Gly Arg Ala
Gln Asp Pro Gly Glu Pro Arg Glu His Gln Pro 195 200 205Leu Pro Ile
Gln Trp Lys Ile Gln Asn Ser Ser Cys Thr Ser Leu Glu 210 215 220His
Cys Phe Arg Lys Ile Lys Pro Gln Lys Ser Gly Arg Val Leu Ala225 230
235 240Leu Leu Cys Ser Gly Phe Gln Pro Lys Val Gln Ser Arg Leu Val
Gly 245 250 255Gly Ser Ser Ile Cys Glu Gly Thr Val Glu Val Arg Gln
Gly Ala Gln 260 265 270Trp Ala Ala Leu Cys Asp Ser Ser Ser Ala Arg
Ser Ser Leu Arg Trp 275 280 285Glu Glu Val Cys Arg Glu Gln Gln Cys
Gly Ser Val Asn Ser Tyr Arg 290 295 300Val Leu Asp Ala Gly Asp Pro
Thr Ser Arg Gly Leu Phe Cys Pro His305 310 315 320Gln Lys Leu Ser
Gln Cys His Glu Leu Trp Glu Arg Asn Ser Tyr Cys 325 330 335Lys Lys
Val Phe Val Thr Cys Gln Asp Pro Asn Pro 340 34523155PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic sequence 23Ala Gln Glu Val Gln Gln Ser Pro His
Cys Thr Thr Val Pro Val Gly1 5 10 15Ala Ser Val Asn Ile Thr Cys Ser
Thr Ser Gly Gly Leu Arg Gly Ile 20 25 30Tyr Leu Arg Gln Leu Gly Pro
Gln Pro Gln Asp Ile Ile Tyr Tyr Glu 35 40 45Asp Gly Val Val Pro Thr
Thr Asp Arg Arg Phe Arg Gly Arg Ile Asp 50 55 60Phe Ser Gly Ser Gln
Asp Asn Leu Thr Ile Thr Met His Arg Leu Gln65 70 75 80Leu Ser Asp
Thr Gly Thr Tyr Thr Cys Gln Ala Ile Thr Glu Val Asn 85 90 95Val Tyr
Gly Ser Gly Thr Leu Val Leu Val Thr Glu Glu Gln Ser Gln 100 105
110Gly Trp His Arg Cys Ser Asp Ala Pro Pro Arg Ala Ser Ala Leu Pro
115 120 125Ala Pro Pro Thr Gly Ser Ala Leu Pro Asp Pro Gln Thr Ala
Ser Ala 130 135 140Leu Pro Asp Pro Pro Ala Ala Ser Ala Leu Pro145
150 15524161PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 24Ser Gln Phe
Arg Val Ser Pro Leu Asp Arg Thr Trp Asn Leu Gly Glu1 5 10 15Thr Val
Glu Leu Lys Cys Gln Val Leu Leu Ser Asn Pro Thr Ser Gly 20 25 30Cys
Ser Trp Leu Phe Gln Pro Arg Gly Ala Ala Ala Ser Pro Thr Phe 35 40
45Leu Leu Tyr Leu Ser Gln Asn Lys Pro Lys Ala Ala Glu Gly Leu Asp
50 55 60Thr Gln Arg Phe Ser Gly Lys Arg Leu Gly Asp Thr Phe Val Leu
Thr65 70 75 80Leu Ser Asp Phe Arg Arg Glu Asn Glu Gly Tyr Tyr Phe
Cys Ser Ala 85 90 95Leu Ser Asn Ser Ile Met Tyr Phe Ser His Phe Val
Pro Val Phe Leu 100 105 110Pro Ala Lys Pro Thr Thr Thr Pro Ala Pro
Arg Pro Pro Thr Pro Ala 115 120 125Pro Thr Ile Ala Ser Gln Pro Leu
Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Ala Cys Arg 130 135 140Pro Ala Ala Gly Gly Ala
Val His Thr Arg Gly Leu Asp Phe Ala Cys145 150 155
160Asp25149PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 25Leu Gln Gln
Thr Pro Ala Tyr Ile Lys Val Gln Thr Asn Lys Met Val1 5 10 15Met Leu
Ser Cys Glu Ala Lys Ile Ser Leu Ser Asn Met Arg Ile Tyr 20 25 30Trp
Leu Arg Gln Arg Gln Ala Pro Ser Ser Asp Ser His His Glu Phe 35 40
45Leu Ala Leu Trp Asp Ser Ala Lys Gly Thr Ile His Gly Glu Glu Val
50 55 60Glu Gln Glu Lys Ile Ala Val Phe Arg Asp Ala Ser Arg Phe Ile
Leu65 70 75 80Asn Leu Thr Ser Val Lys Pro Glu Asp Ser Gly Ile Tyr
Phe Cys Met 85 90 95Ile Val Gly Ser Pro Glu Leu Thr Phe Gly Lys Gly
Thr Gln Leu Ser 100 105 110Val Val Asp Phe Leu Pro Thr Thr Ala Gln
Pro Thr Lys Lys Ser Thr 115 120 125Leu Lys Lys Arg Val Cys Arg Leu
Pro Arg Pro Glu Thr Gln Lys Gly 130 135 140Pro Leu Cys Ser
Pro1452612PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 26Gly Gln Asn
Asp Thr Ser Gln Thr Ser Ser Pro Ser1 5 102717DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetic sequence 27gggtcatcac acacaag 172817DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetic sequence 28gatgcccgcc acgcacc 172918DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetic sequence 29gccacaaaga ccatcaag
183017DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 30ggagacttta tatgctg
173117DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 31ggcgtttggg ggcaaga
173217DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 32gtccactatg acaattg
173317DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 33gccggagctc caagcag
173417DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 34gggggccttg tcgttgg
173517DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 35gggtaccatc agctatg
173617DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 36gccagcgcca gaagcag
173717DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 37ggagactgct gcacctc
173817DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic sequence 38gccgcatcga cttctca
17
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