U.S. patent application number 16/795154 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-07 for methods and compositions for generating an immune response by inducing cd40 and pattern recognition receptors and adaptors thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Baylor College of Medicine. Invention is credited to Natalia Lapteva, David M. Spencer.
Application Number | 20210002347 16/795154 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2021-01-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210002347 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spencer; David M. ; et
al. |
January 7, 2021 |
METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR GENERATING AN IMMUNE RESPONSE BY
INDUCING CD40 AND PATTERN RECOGNITION RECEPTORS AND ADAPTORS
THEREOF
Abstract
Provided are methods for activating an antigen-presenting cell
and eliciting an immune response by inducing pattern recognition
receptor activity, and CD40 activity. Also provided are methods for
activating an antigen-presenting cell and eliciting an immune
response by inducing CD40 activity without prostaglandin E2. Also
provided are methods for activating an antigen-presenting cell and
eliciting an immune response by inducing an inducible chimeric
molecule comprising a region of a pattern recognition receptor or
an adaptor thereof.
Inventors: |
Spencer; David M.; (Frisco,
TX) ; Lapteva; Natalia; (Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Baylor College of Medicine |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
16/795154 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15857265 |
Dec 28, 2017 |
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16795154 |
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14191167 |
Feb 26, 2014 |
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15857265 |
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12445939 |
Oct 26, 2010 |
8691210 |
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PCT/US07/81963 |
Oct 19, 2007 |
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14191167 |
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60895088 |
Mar 15, 2007 |
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60862211 |
Oct 19, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
International
Class: |
C07K 14/705 20060101
C07K014/705; C12N 9/14 20060101 C12N009/14 |
Claims
1.-23. (canceled)
24. A nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a
chimeric protein, wherein the chimeric protein comprises: (a) a
ligand binding region comprising two FKBP12(v36) polypeptides; (b)
a MyD88 polypeptide region; and (c) a CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide
region lacking the CD40 extracellular domain, wherein the ligand
binding region is amino terminal to the CD40 cytoplasmic
polypeptide region of the chimeric protein.
25. The nucleic acid of claim 24, wherein the ligand binding region
comprises Fv'Fvls.
26. The nucleic acid of claim 24, wherein the CD40 cytoplasmic
polypeptide region is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence in SEQ
ID NO: 1.
27. The nucleic acid of claim 24, wherein the nucleic acid is a
viral vector.
28. The nucleic acid of claim 24, wherein the nucleic acid is a
plasmid vector.
29. The nucleic acid of claim 24, wherein the nucleic acid
comprises a promoter sequence operably linked to the
polynucleotide.
30. The nucleic acid of claim 24, wherein the chimeric protein
comprises a membrane targeting region.
31. The nucleic acid of claim 30, wherein the membrane targeting
region is a myristoylation targeting region.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/857,265, filed on Dec. 28, 2017, entitled
METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR GENERATING AN IMMUNE RESPONSE BY
INDUCING CD40 AND PATTERN RECOGNITION RECEPTORS AND ADAPTORS
THEREOF, naming David Spencer and Natalia Lapteva as inventors,
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/191,167, filed on Feb. 26, 2014, entitled METHODS AND
COMPOSITIONS FOR GENERATING AN IMMUNE RESPONSE BY INDUCING CD40 AND
PATTERN RECOGNITION RECEPTORS AND ADAPTORS THEREOF, naming David
Spencer and Natalia Lapteva as inventors, which is a continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/445,939, filed on Oct. 26,
2010, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,691,210 on Apr. 8, 2014, entitled
METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR GENERATING AN IMMUNE RESPONSE BY
INDUCING CD40 AND PATTERN RECOGNITION RECEPTORS AND ADAPTORS
THEREOF, naming David Spencer and Natalia Lapteva as inventors,
which claims priority to international patent application number
PCT/US2007/081963, filed on Oct. 19, 2007, entitled METHODS AND
COMPOSITIONS FOR GENERATING AN IMMUNE RESPONSE BY INDUCING CD40 AND
PATTERN RECOGNITION RECEPTORS AND ADAPTORS THEREOF, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/862,211,
filed Oct. 19, 2006, and entitled METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR
GENERATING AN IMMUNE RESPONSE BY INDUCING CD40 AND A TOLL-LIKE
RECEPTOR; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/895,088,
filed Mar. 15, 2007, and entitled METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR
GENERATING AN IMMUNE RESPONSE VIA INDUCIBLE PATTERN RECOGNITION
RECEPTOR AND ADAPTORS THEREOF, which are each referred to and
incorporated herein by reference, including all text, tables and
drawings in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to the field of immunology,
and in particular, methods and compositions for activating
antigen-presenting cells and for inducing immune responses.
SEQUENCE LISTING DISCLOSURE
[0003] This application incorporates by reference a Sequence
Listing submitted with this application as text file entitled
"14562-081-999_SEQ_LISTING" created on Feb. 10, 2020, and having a
size of 21,708 bytes.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Due to their unique method of processing and presenting
antigens and the potential for high-level expression of
costimulatory and cytokine molecules, dendritic cells (DC) are
effective antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for priming and
activating naive T cells.sup.1. This property has led to their
widespread use as a cellular platform for vaccination in a number
of clinical trials with encouraging results.sup.2,3. However, the
clinical efficacy of DC vaccines in cancer patients has been
unsatisfactory, probably due to a number of key deficiencies,
including suboptimal activation, limited migration to draining
lymph nodes, and an insufficient life span for optimal T cell
activation in the lymph node environment.
[0005] A parameter in the optimization of DC-based cancer vaccines
is the interaction of DCs with immune effector cells, such as CD4+,
CD8+ T cells and T regulatory (Treg) cells. In these interactions,
the maturation state of the DCs is a key factor in determining the
resulting effector functions.sup.4. To maximize CD4+ and CD8+ T
cell priming while minimizing Treg expansion, DCs need to be fully
mature, expressing high levels of co-stimulatory molecules, (like
CD40, CD80, and CD86), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, like
IL-12p70 and IL-6. Equally important, the DCs must be able to
migrate efficiently from the site of vaccination to draining lymph
nodes to initiate T cell interactions.sup.5.
[0006] For the ex vivo maturation of monocyte-derived immature DCs,
the majority of DC-based trials have used a standard maturation
cytokine cocktail (MC), comprised of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and
PGE.sub.2. The principal function of prostaglandin E2 (PGE.sub.2)
in the standard maturation cocktail is to sensitize the CC
chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) to its ligands, CC chemokine ligand 19
(CCL19) and CCL21 and thereby enhance the migratory capacity of DCs
to the draining lymph nodes.sup.6,7. However, PGE.sub.2 has also
been reported to have numerous properties that are potentially
deleterious to the stimulation of an immune response, including
suppression of T-cell proliferation,.sup.8,9 inhibition of
pro-inflammatory cytokine production (e.g., IL-12p70 and
TNF-alpha.sup.10,11) and down-regulation of major
histocompatibility complex (MHC) II surface expression.sup.12.
Therefore, maturation protocols that can avoid PGE.sub.2 while
promoting migration are likely to improve the therapeutic efficacy
of DC-based vaccines.
[0007] A DC activation system based on targeted temporal control of
the CD40 signaling pathway has been developed to extend the
pro-stimulatory state of DCs within lymphoid tissues. DC
functionality was improved by increasing both the amplitude and the
duration of CD40 signaling.sup.13. To accomplish this, the CD40
receptor was re-engineered so that the cytoplasmic domain of CD40
was fused to synthetic ligand-binding domains along with a
membrane-targeting sequence. Administration of a lipid-permeable,
dimerizing drug, AP20187 (AP), called a chemical inducer of
dimerization (CID).sup.14, led to the in vivo induction of
CD40-dependent signaling cascades in murine DCs. This induction
strategy significantly enhanced the immunogenicity against both
defined antigens and tumors in vivo beyond that achieved with other
activation modalities.sup.13. The robust potency of this chimeric
ligand-inducible CD40 (named iCD40) in mice suggested that this
method might enhance the potency of human DC vaccines, as well.
[0008] Pattern recognition receptor (PRR) signaling, an example of
which is Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling also plays a critical
role in the induction of DC maturation and activation, and human
DCs express, multiple distinct TLRs.sup.15. The eleven mammalian
TLRs respond to various pathogen-derived macromolecules,
contributing to the activation of innate immune responses along
with initiation of adaptive immunity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and
a clinically relevant derivative, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL),
bind to cell surface TLR-4 complexes.sup.16, leading to various
signaling pathways that culminate in the induction of transcription
factors, such as NF-kappaB and IRF3, along with mitogen-activated
protein kinases (MAPK) p38 and c-Jun kinase (JNK).sup.17,18. During
this process DCs mature, and partially upregulate pro-inflammatory
cytokines, like IL-6, IL-12, and Type I interferons.sup.19.
LPS-induced maturation has been shown to enhance the ability of DCs
to stimulate antigen-specific T cell responses in vitro and in
vivo.sup.20.
SUMMARY
[0009] An inducible CD40 (iCD40) system has been applied to human
dendritic cells (DCs) and it has been demonstrated that combining
iCD40 signaling with Pattern recognition receptor (PRR) ligation
causes persistent and robust activation of human DCs. These
activated DCs not only possess high migratory capacity in vitro and
in vivo, but also produce high levels of IL-12 and potently
activate antigen-specific helper (TH1) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
These studies demonstrate potent DC activation and migratory
capacity can be achieved in the absence of maturation cocktails
that contain PGE.sub.2. These features form the basis of cancer
immunotherapies for treating such cancers as advanced,
hormone-refractory prostate cancer, for example. Accordingly, it
has been discovered that the combination of inducing CD40 and a PRR
synergistically activates antigen-presenting cells and induces an
immune response against an antigen. It also has been discovered
that antigen-presenting cells can be activated and immune responses
can be generated against an antigen by inducing CD40.
[0010] Thus, provided herein is a method for activating an
antigen-presenting cell, which comprises: (a) transducing an
antigen-presenting cell with a nucleic acid having a nucleotide
sequence that encodes a chimeric protein, wherein the chimeric
protein comprises a membrane targeting region, a ligand-binding
region and a CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide region lacking the CD40
extracellular domain; (b) contacting the antigen-presenting cell
with a non-protein multimeric ligand that binds to the
ligand-binding region; and (c) contacting the antigen-presenting
cell with a PRR ligand, for example, a TLR ligand whereby the
antigen-presenting cell is activated. In certain embodiments,
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with prostaglandin E.sub.2
(PGE.sub.2) when contacted with the multimeric ligand, and in
particular embodiments, the antigen-presenting cell is not
contacted with a composition comprising prostaglandin E.sub.2
(PGE.sub.2) and one or more components selected from the group
consisting of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF alpha.
[0011] Also provided is a method for activating an
antigen-presenting cell, which comprises: (a) transducing an
antigen-presenting cell with a nucleic acid having a nucleotide
sequence that encodes a chimeric protein, wherein the chimeric
protein comprises a membrane targeting region, a ligand-binding
region and a CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide region lacking the CD40
extracellular domain; and (b) contacting the antigen-presenting
cell with a non-protein multimeric ligand that binds to the
ligand-binding region, wherein the antigen-presenting cell is not
contacted with prostaglandin E2 (PGE.sub.2) when contacted with the
multimeric ligand, whereby the antigen-presenting cell is
activated. In some embodiments, the method further comprises
contacting the antigen-presenting cell with a PRR ligand, for
example, a Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligand.
[0012] Further, provided is a method for inducing a cytotoxic T
lymphocyte (CTL) immune response against an antigen, which
comprises: contacting an antigen-presenting cell sensitized with an
antigen with: (a) a multimeric ligand that binds to a chimeric
protein in the cell, wherein the chimeric protein comprises a
membrane targeting region, a ligand-binding region and a CD40
cytoplasmic polypeptide region lacking the CD40 extracellular
domain, and (b) a PRR ligand, for example, a Toll-like receptor
(TLR) ligand; whereby a CTL immune response is induced against the
antigen. In certain embodiments, antigen-presenting cell is not
contacted with prostaglandin E.sub.2 (PGE.sub.2) when contacted
with the multimeric ligand, and in particular embodiments, the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with a composition
comprising prostaglandin E2 (PGE.sub.2) and one or more components
selected from the group consisting of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF
alpha.
[0013] Also provided is a method for inducing an immune response
against an antigen, which comprises: contacting an
antigen-presenting cell sensitized with an antigen with a
multimeric ligand that binds to a chimeric protein in the cell,
wherein: (a) the chimeric protein comprises a membrane targeting
region, a ligand-binding region and a CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide
region lacking the CD40 extracellular domain, and (b) the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with prostaglandin E2
(PGE.sub.2) when contacted with the multimeric ligand; whereby an
immune response against the antigen is induced. The method can
further comprise contacting the antigen-presenting cell with a PRR
ligand, for example, a TLR ligand.
[0014] Provided also is a method for inducing a cytotoxic T
lymphocyte (CTL) immune response against an antigen, which
comprises: contacting a human antigen-presenting cell sensitized
with an antigen with: (a) a multimeric molecule having two or more
regions that bind to and multimerize native CD40, and (b) a PRR
ligand, for example, a TLR ligand ligand; whereby a CTL immune
response is induced against the antigen. In such methods, the
multimeric molecule can be an antibody that binds to an epitope in
the CD40 extracellular domain (e.g., humanized anti-CD40 antibody;
Tai et al., Cancer Research 64, 2846-2852 (2004)), can be a CD40
ligand (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,876 (Maraskovsky et al.)) or may
be another co-stimulatory molecule (e.g., B7/CD28).
[0015] In the methods for inducing an immune response presented
herein, the antigen-presenting cell can be transduced ex vivo or in
vivo with a nucleic acid that encodes the chimeric protein. The
antigen-presenting cell may be sensitized to the antigen at the
same time the antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the
multimeric ligand, or the antigen-presenting cell can be
pre-sensitized to the antigen before the antigen-presenting cell is
contacted with the multimerization ligand. In some embodiments, the
antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the antigen ex vivo. In
certain embodiments the antigen-presenting cell is transduced with
the nucleic acid ex vivo and administered to the subject by
intradermal administration, and sometimes the antigen-presenting
cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex vivo and administered
to the subject by subcutaneous administration. The antigen may be a
tumor antigen, and the CTL immune response can induced by migration
of the antigen-presenting cell to a draining lymph node.
[0016] Also provided herein is a composition comprising an
antigen-presenting cell and a PRR ligand, for example, a TLR
ligand, wherein: the antigen-presenting cell is transduced with a
nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence that encodes a chimeric
protein, and the chimeric protein comprises a membrane targeting
region, a ligand-binding region and a CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide
region lacking the CD40 extracellular domain. The composition may
further comprise a non-protein multimeric ligand that binds to the
ligand-binding region.
[0017] In the methods and compositions presented herein, the
membrane targeting region can be a myristoylation targeting region.
In some embodiments, the CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide region is
encoded by a polynucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1. The
multimeric ligand often is a small molecule and it sometimes is
dimeric, such as a dimeric FK506 or a dimeric FK506 analog (e.g.,
AP1903). Any suitable PRR ligand, for example, any suitable TLR
ligand can be utilized, and can be selected by the person of
ordinary skill in the art (e.g., Napolitani et al., Nature
Immunology, Advanced Online Publication doi:10.1038/ni1223 (2005)).
The TLR ligand in certain embodiments is selected from the group
consisting of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), monophosphoryl lipid A
(MPL), FSL-1, Pam3, CSK4, poly(I:C), synthetic imidazoquinoline
resiquimod (R848; U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,951 to Tomai et al.) and CpG,
and the TLR ligand sometimes is a TLR4 ligand such as LPS or MPL.
The nucleic acid can be contained within a viral vector, such as an
adenoviral vector, for example. In certain embodiments, the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex vivo
or in vivo, and sometimes the antigen-presenting cell is a
dendritic cell, such as a human dendritic cell, for example.
[0018] Also provided herein is a method for assessing migration of
an antigen-presenting cell to a lymph node, which comprises: (a)
injecting into a subject an antigen-presenting cell that produces a
detectable protein, and (b) determining the amount of the
detectable protein in the lymph node of the animal, whereby
migration of the antigen-presenting cell to the lymph node is
assessed from the amount of the detectable protein in the lymph
node. In such methods the animal can be a rodent, such as a rat or
a mouse (e.g., irradiated mouse). In some embodiments, the
detectable protein is a luciferase protein, such as a chick beetle
(e.g., Pyrophorus plagiophalamus) red-shifted luciferase protein.
In certain embodiments, the antigen-presenting cell has been
transduced with a nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence
that encodes the detectable protein. In certain embodiments, the
lymph node is the popliteal lymph node or inguinal lymph node. The
antigen-presenting cell can be a dendritic cell, such as a human
dendritic cell. In certain embodiments, the lymph node is removed
from the animal before the amount of detectable protein is
determined, and sometimes the D-Luciferin is administered to the
removed lymph node. The amount of the detectable protein may be
qualitative (e.g., relative amounts compared across different
samples) and can be quantitative (e.g., a concentration). The
amount of the detectable protein may be determined by directly
detecting the protein. For example, the protein may be fluorescent
(e.g., green fluorescent protein or a red-shifted or blue-shifted
version) or can be bound to a fluorescent label (e.g., an antibody
linked to a fluorophore). Alternatively, the amount of the
detectable protein can determined indirectly by administering a
substrate to the animal that is converted into a detectable product
by the protein and detecting the detectable product. For example,
the amount of a luciferase protein can be determined by
administering D-Luciferin to the animal and detecting the
D-Luciferin product generated by the luciferase produced in the
antigen-presenting cell.
[0019] Provided also in the present invention are methods for
activating an antigen-presenting cell, which comprise: transducing
(or transfecting) an antigen-presenting cell with a nucleic acid
having a nucleotide sequence that encodes a chimeric protein,
wherein the chimeric protein comprises (i) a membrane targeting
region, (ii) a ligand-binding region and (iii-a) a signaling region
and/or cytoplasmic region of a pattern recognition receptor (PRR)
or (iii-b) an adapter of a PRR; and contacting the
antigen-presenting cell with a non-protein multimeric ligand that
binds to the ligand-binding region; whereby the antigen-presenting
cell is activated. In certain embodiments the chimeric protein
comprises a CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide region lacking the CD40
extracellular domain. The CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide region in
certain embodiments is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence in SEQ
ID NO: 1
[0020] In some embodiments the chimeric protein comprises a
signaling region and/or cytoplasmic region of a PRR. Sometimes the
PRR is a NOD-like PRR, such as a NOD1 PRR or a NOD2 PRR, for
example. In certain embodiments the PRR is not a NOD-like PRR, and
is not a NOD1 PRR or a NOD2 PRR, for example. The PRR in some
embodiments is a RIG-like helicase (RLH), such as a RIG-I PRR or an
Mda-5 PRR, for example. The PRR sometimes is a Toll-like receptor
(TLR) PRR, such as a TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9, and in
certain embodiments the chimeric protein comprises a cytoplasmic
region, or a TIR (Toll/IL-1R) region, from a TLR PRR. In certain
embodiments the chimeric protein comprises an adapter that binds to
a PRR of any one of embodiments described herein. The adaptor may
be selected from the group consisting of MyD88, TRIF/TICAM-1,
TIRAM/ICAM-2, MAL/TIRAP, or protein-protein interaction domains
from said adaptors, such as TIR, CARD or pyrin domains (PYD) in
certain non-limiting embodiments. Nucleic acid sequences and
protein sequences of such molecules, and signaling regions and
cytoplasmic regions therein, are known to the person of ordinary
skill in the art (e.g., World Wide Web address
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=gene).
[0021] In certain embodiments, the membrane targeting region is a
myristoylation-targeting region, although the membrane-targeting
region can be selected from other types of transmembrane-targeting
regions, such as regions described hereafter. In some embodiments
the ligand is a small molecule, and sometimes the molecule is
dimeric. Examples of dimeric molecules are dimeric FK506 and
dimeric FK506 analogs. In certain embodiments the ligand is AP1903
or AP20187. In some embodiments, the chimeric protein includes one
or more ligand-binding regions, such as two or three ligand-binding
regions, for example. The ligand-binding regions often are
tandem.
[0022] The nucleic acid in certain embodiments is contained within
a viral vector, such as an adenoviral vector for example. The
antigen-presenting cell in some embodiments is contacted with an
antigen, sometimes ex vivo. In certain embodiments the
antigen-presenting cell is in a subject and an immune response is
generated against the antigen, such as a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte
(CTL) immune response. In certain embodiments, an immune response
is generated against a tumor antigen (e.g., PSMA). In some
embodiments, the nucleic acid is prepared ex vivo and administered
to the subject by intradermal administration or by subcutaneous
administration, for example. Sometimes the antigen-presenting cell
is transduced or transfected with the nucleic acid ex vivo or in
vivo. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises a promoter
sequence operably linked to the polynucleotide sequence.
Alternatively, the nucleic acid comprises an ex vivo-transcribed
RNA, containing the protein-coding region of the chimeric
protein.
[0023] Also provided herein is a composition which comprises a
nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence that encodes a
chimeric protein, wherein the chimeric protein comprises (i) a
membrane targeting region, (ii) a ligand-binding region that binds
to a multimeric non-protein ligand, and (iii-a) a signaling region
and/or cytoplasmic region of a pattern recognition receptor (PRR)
or (iii-b) an adapter of a PRR. Embodiments pertaining to methods
described above also are applicable to compositions herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIGS. 1A and 1B. Schematic diagram of iCD40 and expression
in human DCs. FIG. 1A. The human CD40 cytoplasmic domain can be
subcloned downstream of a myristoylation-targeting domain (M) and
two tandem domains (Fv)22. The expression of M-Fv-Fv-CD40 chimeric
protein, referred to here as inducible CD40 (iCD40) can be under
cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter control. FIG. 1B. The expression of
endogenous (eCD40) and recombinant inducible (iCD40) forms of CD40
assessed by Western blot. Lane 1, wild type DCs (endogenous CD40
control); lane 2, DCs stimulated with 1 microgram/ml of LPS; lanes
3 and 4, DCs transduced with 10,000 VP/cell (MOI.about.160) of
Ad5/f35-iCD40 (iCD40-DCs) with and without AP20187 dimerizer drug
respectively; lane 5, iCD40-DCs stimulated with LPS and AP20187;
lane 6, DCs stimulated with CD40L and LPS; lane 7, DCs transduced
with Ad5/f35-GFP (GFP-DCs) at MOI 160 and stimulated with AP20187
and LPS; lane 8, GFP-DCs stimulated with AP20187; lane 9, 293 T
cells transduced with Ad5/f35-iCD40 (positive control for inducible
form of CD40). The expression levels of alpha-tubulin served as
internal control.
[0025] FIG. 2. Enhanced maturation status of iCD40 DCs stimulated
with LPS. Immature DCs were transduced with Ad5/f35-iCD40 or
Ad5/f35-Luciferase (Luc) and stimulated with LPS (1 microgram/ml)
for 48 hours in presence of 100 nM AP20187 (AP). Alternatively, DCs
were matured in the presence of LPS alone. Percentage of DCs
expressing CD40, CD80, CD83 and CD86 was determined using
PE-conjugated anti-human mAbs (BD Biosciences) by flow cytometric
analysis. FACS histograms from one donor (out of at least five)
experiment are shown.
[0026] FIGS. 3A-3E. Synergism of iCD40 and TLR-4 for IL-12p70 and
IL-6 production. FIG. 3A. Immature human DCs (5.times.105) were
transduced with Ad5/f35-iCD40 or Ad5/f35-Luciferase (Luc) and
stimulated with 1 microgram/ml of LPS or MPL for 48 hours in the
presence of 100 nM AP20187 (AP) dimerizer drug. Alternatively, DCs
were stimulated with standard maturation cocktail (MC), or with MC
lacking PGE2 (MC w/o PGE2). The supernatants were assayed by ELISA
(in duplicate) for IL-12p70 level 48 hours following various
treatments. FIG. 3B. DCs were transduced with Ad5/f35-iCD40 and
stimulated with FSL-1, Pam3CSK4 or MPL for 48 hours. The
supernatants were assayed by ELISA 48 hours post-stimulation. FIG.
3C. DCs were transduced with Ad5/f35-iCD40 and stimulated with 1
microgram/ml LPS or CD40L (Alexis Biochemicals). IL-12p70
production was monitored at 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and
96 h post-stimulation (left panel). In parallel, cells of the same
donor were washed 3 times 24 h post-stimulation and cultured in
medium without stimulatory factors. The expression of IL-12p70 was
monitored for 3 more days, every 24 hours (right panel). FIG. 3D.
Expression of human SOCS1 gene was measured in DCs transduced and
stimulated (as described above) for 24 hours. The expression levels
were measured in duplicates and normalized by 18S ribosomal RNA
housekeeping gene expression. The fold increase above mock
expression is shown. FIG. 3E. DCs were transduced with
Ad5/f35-iCD40 or Ad5/f35-Luc and stimulated with LPS, MPL and CD40L
for 48 hours with or without 100 nM of AP20187 dimerizer drug. The
supernatants were assayed by ELISA (in duplicates) for IL-6 48 h
following various treatments. All the experiments were performed
with DCs from at least three different donors. The IL-12p70 and
IL-6 expression levels were measured from at least 5 different
donors.
[0027] FIGS. 4A and 4B. iCD40-DCs significantly induce
antigen-specific TH1 polarized CD4+ T cells. FIG. 4A. DCs from HLA
DR11.5 donor were pulsed with tetanus toxoid and transduced with
the described agents. Autologous CD4+CD45RA+ T cells were
co-cultured with DCs (at DC: T cell ratio 1:10) for 7 days and
restimulated at day 8 with DCs pulsed with TTp30 peptide
(FNNFTVSFWLRVPKVSASHLE) (SEQ ID NO: 5). T cells were double stained
with anti-interferon-gamma-FITC and anti-CD4-PE antibodies. The
percentage of CD4+/IFN-gamma+ T cells is indicated. FIG. 4B.
Supernatants were harvested and analyzed by BD Cytometric Bead
Array Flex Set for expression of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, and
IL-5. Results of one experiment out of three are shown.
[0028] FIGS. 5A-5C. Enhanced induction of MAGE-3 antigen-specific
CTL by iCD40-DCs. DCs derived from HLA-A2 positive donors were
transduced with indicated reagents and pulsed with 25 micrograms/ml
of MAGE3 protein. DCs were cultured with autologous T-cells (1:3
DC:T cell ratio) for 7 days in complete RPMI supplemented with 20
IU/ml of hIL-2. T cells were restimulated with DCs at day 7. FIG.
5A. Frequency of MAGE3 2.1 peptide-specific T cells were determined
by IFN-gamma ELISPOT analysis. 100,000 T cells/well were stimulated
with MAGE3 2.1 or GAG 2.1 (negative control)/irrelevant peptide) or
cultured without stimulation (mock). FIG. 5B. DCs from HLA-A2
positive donor were co-cultured with autologous T cells. After
three serial stimulations with DCs, T cells were evaluated for
antigen-specific lytic activity using a 51Cr release assay. The
assays were performed in triplicate. IM, influenza matrix peptide.
FIG. 5C. The effector T cell populations generated after serial
stimulation with DCs were stained with MAGE3 A2.1 peptide-loaded
HLA-A2 tetramer. MAGE3 peptide-specific CD8+ T cells were
identified using flow cytometry. The percentages indicate the
fraction of tetramer-positive cells within the entire populations
of CD8+ T cells. Representative results of one experiment out of
three (independent donors) performed are shown.
[0029] FIGS. 6A and 6B. Enhanced cytolytic function of
PSMA-specific CTL induced by iCD40-DCs. FIG. 6A. DCs generated from
HLA-A2+ male volunteers were pulsed with 50 micrograms/ml PSMA
protein, transduced with Ad-iCD40 or Ad-Luc and cultured with LPS
(1 micrograms/ml) or MC. Antigen-specific CTL activity was assessed
by chromium-release assay. FIG. 6B. DCs of the same HLA-A2+ male
donor were pulsed with MAGE-3 2.1 peptide. MAGE-3-specific CTL
cytolytic activity was measured in chromium-release assay.
[0030] FIGS. 7A-7D. Up-regulation of CCR7 expression and enhanced
migratory capacities of iCD40-DCs. FIG. 7A. Human DCs were
transduced with Ad-iCD40 (iCD40) or Ad-Luc (Luc) and cultured for
48 h with 100 nM AP20187 (AP), MC and 1 micrograms/ml LPS or MPL.
CCR7 expression was measured using PE-conjugated anti-human CCR7
mAb. The percentage of CCR7-positive cells is indicated. Similar
results were obtained for at least five different donors. FIG. 7B.
Human DCs were transduced with 10,000 VP/cell of Ad5f35-iCD40
(iCD40) or Ad-Luciferase (Luc) and incubated for 48 hours with 1
micrograms/ml MPL or MC and 100 nM AP20187. DCs were labeled with
Green-CMFDA cell tracker and added to the upper chamber.
Fluorescence of cells migrated through the microporous membrane was
measured. Each experiment (including the control spontaneous
migration to the medium) was performed in triplicate for at least
four different donors. FIG. 7C. Human DCs were transduced with
Ad-CBR-Luc or iCD40 and stimulated as indicated. Mouse DCs (mDCs)
were transduced with Ad-CBR-Luc and stimulated with LPS.
2.times.106 DCs were injected into both hind footpads of three
mice/group (n=6). Mice were imaged at day 2 after inoculation
(upper panel), and popliteal lymph nodes (lower panel) were removed
at day 2 post-DC inoculation. FIG. 7D. Mean luminescent signal from
the removed popliteal and inguinal LNs was measured and normalized
by background subtraction (*p<0.05, ***p<0.001 compared to
mock DCs).
[0031] FIG. 8 is a supplementary figure to FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a supplementary figure to FIG. 2.
[0033] FIG. 10. Schematic of iCD40. Administration of the
lipid-permeable dimerizing drug, AP20187/AP19031, leads to
oligomerization of the cytoplasmic domain of CD40, modified to
contain AP20187-binding domains and a myristoylation-targeting
sequence.
[0034] FIGS. 11A-11F. iCD40 activates primary DCs and prolongs
their longevity. FIG. 11A. Western blot (.quadrature.-HA) of
primary DCs infected with AD-iCD40-GFP. FIG. 11B. Flow cytometry
analysis of transduced DCs. FIG. 11C. Flow cytometry of Kb, B7.2
and endogenous CD40 on iCD40-stimulated DCs. FIG. 11D. Kinetics of
IL-12 induction (ELISA) by iCD40 and LPS. FIG. 11E. Survival
kinetics of DCs following CD40L or iCD40 stimulation. FIG. 11F.
Survival kinetic of DCs in vivo. Draining popliteal lymph nodes
were collected 42 h after DC injection, and propidium
iodide-negative populations were analyzed by flow cytometry.
[0035] FIGS. 12A-12C. iCD40 enhances the efficacy of DC-based tumor
vaccines and the potency of DC-mediated tumor immunosurveillance.
FIG. 12A. Activation of SIINFEKL-pulsed (SEQ ID NO: 6) iCD40 BMDCs
with LPS or CD40L or both in vitro, or with CD40-specific mAb in
vivo, show no efficacy towards large (greater than 0.5 cm3)
EG.7-OVA tumors. Open square, PBS.exp.1; filled triangle,
PBS.exp.2; open inverted triangle, DC; open diamond, DC+LPS; open
circle, DC+LPS/CD40L; filled square, DC+rat IgG; open triangle,
CD40-specific mAb in vivo. FIG. 12B. In vivo drug-mediated
activation of iCD40-expressing DCs eliminates established EG.7-OVA
tumors after a single vaccination. Filled square, PBS; open
triangle, iCD40 DC; open inverted triangle, iCD40 DC+AP20187 in
vitro; open diamond, iCD40. FIG. 12C. To confirm the elicitation of
tumor antigen-specific T cell responses in tumor-bearing mice,
H-2Kb OVA257-264 tetramer analysis was performed on peripheral
blood CD8+ T cells.
[0036] FIGS. 13A-13E. MF-.quadrature.Akt and M-Akt induce BMDC
longevity in vitro and in vivo. FIGS. 13A and 13B. BMDCs were left
untreated (.quadrature.), or treated with LPS (.quadrature.),
Ad-EGFP (.quadrature.) or Ad-M-Akt (.quadrature.) at 100 m.o.i. and
further incubated for 2 to 5 d without GM-CSF. In vitro DC
apoptosis examined by Annexin V-PE staining. Histograms of d5
(thinner line) were compared to that of d2 (thicker) FIG. 13A,
Error bars=mean+std. of results pooled from three independent
experiments. *, P<0.05 between Ad-EGFP and Ad-M-Akt FIG. 13B.
FIGS. 13C-13E. Effect of Ad-MF-.quadrature.Akt on BMDC longevity,
in vivo. CFSE-stained BMDCs were untreated (.quadrature.), or
treated with LPS(.quadrature.), Ad-EGFP (.quadrature.) or
Ad-MF-.DELTA.Akt (.quadrature.) for 2 hr before injection into hind
legs of syngeneic mice (n=2-4 per time point). FIG. 13C. After
indicated times, draining popliteal LN cells were stained with PI.
PI-/CFSE+ cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Background CFSE+
from PBS control (-) was subtracted for each value. FIG. 13D. Boxed
numbers indicate d 5 CFSE+ percent. FIG. 13E. Representative LNs
isolated from indicated mice on days 7 and 10.
[0037] FIGS. 14A-14C. MF-.quadrature.Akt expression enhances the
efficacy of DC-based tumor vaccines.
[0038] FIG. 14A. Syngeneic BL/6 mice (n=5) challenged with EG.7-ova
cells (2.times.106) at d0 were treated with PBS (.quadrature.) or
2.times.106 BMDCs (.quadrature.) pulsed with SIINFEKL (SEQ ID NO:
6) peptide (10 .quadrature.g/ml) and LPS (1 .quadrature.g/ml)
(.quadrature.), 100 m.o.i. of Ad-EGFP (.quadrature.) or
Ad-MF-.quadrature.Akt (.quadrature.) at d7, and tumor sizes were
recorded biweekly. Numbers indicate fraction of mice bearing tumors
(>0.1 cm3). *, P<0.05. FIG. 14B. Representative examples of
EG7-OVA tumor-bearing mice vaccinated with Ad-EGFP or
Ad-MF-.quadrature.Akt BMDCs. Tumors were compared on d7 and d14
after vaccination. FIG. 14C. PBMCs from indicated group at d21 were
isolated and stained with PE-KbSIINFEKL (SEQ ID NO: 6) tetramer and
FITC-conjugated CD8. FIG. 14D. Mean percentage of CD8+ and
KbSIINFEKL (SEQ ID NO: 6) tetramer positive population in PBMCs
from two to three mice per group. Error bars represent
mean.+-.S.E.M. *, p<0.05, **, P<0.005.
[0039] FIG. 15 is a schematic of CID-inducible TLRs.
[0040] FIG. 16 Inducible TLR7 and 8 signal in Jurkat T cells.
Jurkat TAg cells were co-transiently transfected with
NF-kappaB-SEAP reporter plasmid along with various iTLRs, positive
control ihCD40, or negative control vector. After 24 h cells were
treated with dilutions of CID for an additional 20 hrs. Average of
2 wells shown. Representative of 3 experiments. All constructs
verified by sequence and protein analysis.
[0041] FIG. 17. Detection of chemiluminescent B16 tumors in
syngeneic C57BL/6 mice. B16 melanoma cells were stably transfected
with expression plasmid, pEF1.quadrature.-CBR-IRES-Neo. 10E5 cells
were injected subQ and imaged using an IVIS.TM. imaging system 5
days later following i.p. D-Luciferin (.about.1 mg) injection.
Note: even non-palpable tumors detected.
[0042] FIG. 18 is a schematic from Malissen & Ewbank (05) Nat.
Imm. 6, 749.
[0043] FIG. 19 is a schematic of CID-inducible composite Toll-like
receptors (icTLRs).
[0044] FIG. 20 is a schematic of CID-inducible composite TLR
(icTLRs)/CD40.
[0045] FIG. 21. Synergism of TLR4 and iCD40 signaling. MoDCs were
stained for CD83 expression 48 h following MPL (1 mg/ml), MC (IL1b
(150 ng/ml), IL6 (150 ng/ml), TNFa (10 ng/ml), PGE2 (1 mg/ml)),
iCD40 (10 k vp/cell)/AP20187 (100 nM)+MPL, or mock stimulation.
Percentage CD83+ cells shown.
[0046] FIG. 22. Synergism of TLR4 and iCD40 signaling for IL12p70
production. Supernatants were assayed by ELISA for IL12p70 levels
following various treatments (48 hrs) of MoDCs. In this experiment
only iCD40+ TLR4 ligation (with MPL or LPS) led to high-level IL12
production.
[0047] FIG. 23. Inducible CD40 triggers migration as well as
standard maturation cocktail (MC). MoDCs were transduced with 10 k
vp/cell Ad5/f35-ihCD40 (iCD40) or Ad5/f35-GFP (GFP), treated (48 h)
with AP20187 (CID), MC (.+-.PGE.sub.2), MPL or nothing and were
labeled with membrane-impermeant fluorescent dye, Green-CMFDA. 5000
cells were placed in the top chamber of a 96-well HTS Fluoroblok
plates (BD Falcon) and specific migration (in 30') across an 8
.quadrature.m filter to the lower chamber containing CCL19 (100
ng/ml) was measured by a FLUOstar OPTIMA reader (BMG Labtech, Inc.)
at 485/520 nm and subtracted from background migration.
Representative of at least 5 exps performed in triplicate.
[0048] FIG. 24: The principal relationships between the Toll-like
receptors (TLRs), their adaptors, protein kinases that are linked
to them, and downstream signaling effects. Nature 430, 257-263 (8
Jul. 2004).
[0049] FIG. 25A. Chimeric iTLR4s in RAW 264.7 cells
RAW 264.7 cells were cotransfected transiently with 3 microgram
expression plasmids for chimeric iTLR4s and 1 microgram
NFkappaB-dependent SEAP reporter plasmid (indicated as R in
Figure).
[0050] FIG. 25B. Chimeric iTLRs in RAW 264.7 cells
RAW 264.7 cells were cotransfected transiently with 3 microgram
expression plasmids for chimeric iTLRs and 1 microgram SEAP
reporter plasmid. iTLR4, iTLR7 and iCD40 activity were tested using
a NF-kappaB-dependent reporter while iTLR3 activity was tested
using an IFNgamma-dependent reporter plasmid. iCD40 was used as the
positive control. 1 microgram/ml LPS was used as a positive control
for reporter activity.
[0051] FIG. 26. iNod2 and iCD40 in 293 cells
293 cells were cotransfected transiently at the rate of 1 million
cells/well (of a 6-well plate) with 3 microgram expression plasmids
for chimeric iNod-2 and 1 microgram NFkappaB-dependent SEAP
reporter plasmid (indicated as R in Figure). iCD40 was used as the
positive control.
[0052] FIG. 27. iRIG-1 and iMyD88 in RAW264.7 cells
RAW 264.7 cells were cotransfected transiently with 3 micrograms
expression plasmids for iRIG-1 and 1 micrograms IFNgamma-dependent
SEAP reporter plasmid; and 3 micrograms iMyD88 with 1 micrograms
NF-kappaB-dependent SEAP reporter plasmid.
[0053] FIG. 28. Schematic of Pattern recognition receptors
[0054] FIG. 29 presents an embodiment of an inducible PRR, where
2-3 FKBP12 (V36) domains are attached to the amino or carboxy
termini of the conserved cytoplasmic signaling domains (TlR) of the
representative TLR. The chimeric protein is attached to the plasma
membrane with a myristoylation signaling domain or the
transmembrane domain of the representative TLR.
[0055] FIG. 30A. iPRR plasmid embodiments.
[0056] FIG. 30B. iPRR plasmid embodiments.
[0057] FIG. 30C. iPRR plasmid embodiment.
[0058] FIG. 31 is a graph of induction of NF-kappa B SEAP reporter
in iRIG, iNOD2, and iCD40-transfected 293 cells.
[0059] FIG. 32 is a graph of induction of NF-kappa B SEAP reporter
in iRIG-I and iCD40 transfected 293 cells.
[0060] FIG. 33 is a graph of induction of NF-kappa B SEAP reporter
in iRIG, iCD40), and iRIG+CD40 transfected 293 cells.
[0061] FIG. 34 is a graph of induction of NF-kappa B SEAP reporter
in iRIG-I and iCD40 transfected Jurkat Tag cells.
[0062] FIGS. 35A and 35B provide plasmid maps for
pSH1-Sn-RIGI-Fv'-Fvls-E and pSH1-Sn-Fv'-Fvls-RIGI-E, respectively.
The term "Sn" represents "S" with a Ncol site, added for cloning
purposes. The term "S" represents the term non-targeted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
I. Definitions
[0063] As used herein, the use of the word "a" or "an" when used in
conjunction with the term "comprising" in the claims and/or the
specification may mean "one," but it is also consistent with the
meaning of "one or more," "at least one," and "one or more than
one." Still further, the terms "having", "including", "containing"
and "comprising" are interchangeable and one of skill in the art is
cognizant that these terms are open ended terms.
[0064] The term "allogeneic" as used herein, refers to cell types
or tissues that are antigenically distinct. Thus, cells or tissue
transferred from the same species can be antigenically
distinct.
[0065] The term "antigen" as used herein is defined as a molecule
that provokes an immune response. This immune response may involve
either antibody production, or the activation of specific
immunologically competent cells, or both. An antigen can be derived
from organisms, subunits of proteins/antigens, killed or
inactivated whole cells or lysates. Exemplary organisms include but
are not limited to, Helicobacters, Campylobacters, Clostridia,
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Bordetella pertussis, influenza virus,
parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, Borrelia
burgdorferi, Plasmodium, herpes simplex viruses, human
immunodeficiency virus, papillomavirus, Vibrio cholera, E. coli,
measles virus, rotavirus, Shigella, Salmonella typhi, Neisseria
gonorrhea. Therefore, a skilled artisan realizes that any
macromolecule, including virtually all proteins or peptides, can
serve as antigens. Furthermore, antigens can be derived from
recombinant or genomic DNA. A skilled artisan realizes that any
DNA, which contains nucleotide sequences or partial nucleotide
sequences of a pathogenic genome or a gene or a fragment of a gene
for a protein that elicits an immune response results in synthesis
of an antigen. Furthermore, one skilled in the art realizes that
the present invention is not limited to the use of the entire
nucleic acid sequence of a gene or genome. It is readily inherent
that the present invention includes, but is not limited to, the use
of partial nucleic acid sequences of more than one gene or genome
and that these nucleic acid sequences are arranged in various
combinations to elicit the desired immune response.
[0066] The term "antigen-presenting cell" is any of a variety of
cells capable of displaying, acquiring, or presenting at least one
antigen or antigenic fragment on (or at) its cell surface. In
general, the term "antigen-presenting cell" can be any cell that
accomplishes the goal of the invention by aiding the enhancement of
an immune response (i.e., from the T-cell or -B-cell arms of the
immune system) against an antigen or antigenic composition. Such
cells can be defined by those of skill in the art, using methods
disclosed herein and in the art. As is understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art (see, for example Kuby, 2000,
incorporated herein by reference), and used herein certain
embodiments, a cell that displays or presents an antigen normally
or preferentially with a class II major histocompatibility molecule
or complex to an immune cell is an "antigen-presenting cell." In
certain aspects, a cell (e.g., an APC cell) may be fused with
another cell, such as a recombinant cell or a tumor cell that
expresses the desired antigen. Methods for preparing a fusion of
two or more cells is well known in the art, such as for example,
the methods disclosed in Goding, pp. 65-66, 71-74 1986; Campbell,
pp. 75-83, 1984; Kohler and Milstein, 1975; Kohler and Milstein,
1976, Gefter et al., 1977, each incorporated herein by reference.
In some cases, the immune cell to which an antigen-presenting cell
displays or presents an antigen to is a CD4+TH cell.
[0067] Additional molecules expressed on the APC or other immune
cells may aid or improve the enhancement of an immune response.
Secreted or soluble molecules, such as for example, cytokines and
adjuvants, may also aid or enhance the immune response against an
antigen. Such molecules are well known to one of skill in the art,
and various examples are described herein.
[0068] The term "cancer" as used herein is defined as a
hyperproliferation of cells whose unique trait--loss of normal
controls--results in unregulated growth, lack of differentiation,
local tissue invasion, and metastasis. Examples include but are not
limited to, melanoma, non-small cell lung, small-cell lung, lung,
hepatocarcinoma, leukemia, retinoblastoma, astrocytoma,
glioblastoma, gum, tongue, neuroblastoma, head, neck, breast,
pancreatic, prostate, renal, bone, testicular, ovarian,
mesothelioma, cervical, gastrointestinal, lymphoma, brain, colon,
sarcoma or bladder.
[0069] The terms "cell," "cell line," and "cell culture" as used
herein may be used interchangeably. All of these terms also include
their progeny, which are any and all subsequent generations. It is
understood that all progeny may not be identical due to deliberate
or inadvertent mutations.
[0070] As used herein, the term "iCD40 molecule" is defined as an
inducible CD40. This iCD40 can bypass mechanisms that extinguish
endogenous CD40 signaling. The term "iCD40" embraces "iCD40 nucleic
acids", "iCD40 polypeptides" and/or iCD40 expression vectors. Yet
further, it is understood the activity of iCD40 as used herein is
driven by CID.
[0071] As used herein, the term "cDNA" is intended to refer to DNA
prepared using messenger RNA (mRNA) as template. The advantage of
using a cDNA, as opposed to genomic DNA or DNA polymerized from a
genomic, non- or partially-processed RNA template, is that the cDNA
primarily contains coding sequences of the corresponding protein.
There are times when the full or partial genomic sequence is
preferred, such as where the non-coding regions are required for
optimal expression or where non-coding regions such as introns are
to be targeted in an antisense strategy.
[0072] The term "dendritic cell" (DC) is an antigen-presenting cell
existing in vivo, in vitro, ex vivo, or in a host or subject, or
which can be derived from a hematopoietic stem cell or a monocyte.
Dendritic cells and their precursors can be isolated from a variety
of lymphoid organs, e.g., spleen, lymph nodes, as well as from bone
marrow and peripheral blood. The DC has a characteristic morphology
with thin sheets (lamellipodia) extending in multiple directions
away from the dendritic cell body. Typically, dendritic cells
express high levels of MHC and costimulatory (e.g., B7-1 and B7-2)
molecules. Dendritic cells can induce antigen specific
differentiation of T cells in vitro, and are able to initiate
primary T cell responses in vitro and in vivo.
[0073] As used herein, the term "expression construct" or
"transgene" is defined as any type of genetic construct containing
a nucleic acid coding for gene products in which part or all of the
nucleic acid encoding sequence is capable of being transcribed can
be inserted into the vector. The transcript is translated into a
protein, but it need not be. In certain embodiments, expression
includes both transcription of a gene and translation of mRNA into
a gene product. In other embodiments, expression only includes
transcription of the nucleic acid encoding genes of interest. In
the present invention, the term "therapeutic construct" may also be
used to refer to the expression construct or transgene. One skilled
in the art realizes that the present invention utilizes the
expression construct or transgene as a therapy to treat
hyperproliferative diseases or disorders, such as cancer, thus the
expression construct or transgene is a therapeutic construct or a
prophylactic construct.
[0074] As used herein, the term "expression vector" refers to a
vector containing a nucleic acid sequence coding for at least part
of a gene product capable of being transcribed. In some cases, RNA
molecules are then translated into a protein, polypeptide, or
peptide. In other cases, these sequences are not translated, for
example, in the production of antisense molecules or ribozymes.
Expression vectors can contain a variety of control sequences,
which refer to nucleic acid sequences necessary for the
transcription and possibly translation of an operatively linked
coding sequence in a particular host organism. In addition to
control sequences that govern transcription and translation,
vectors and expression vectors may contain nucleic acid sequences
that serve other functions as well and are described infra.
[0075] As used herein, the term "ex vivo" refers to "outside" the
body. One of skill in the art is aware that ex vivo and in vitro
can be used interchangeably.
[0076] As used herein, the term "functionally equivalent", as used
herein, refers to a CD40 nucleic acid fragment, variant, or analog,
refers to a nucleic acid that codes for a CD40 polypeptide, or a
CD40 polypeptide, that stimulates an immune response to destroy
tumors or hyperproliferative disease. Preferably "functionally
equivalent" refers to a CD40 polypeptide that is lacking the
extracellular domain, but is capable of amplifying the T
cell-mediated tumor killing response by upregulating dendritic cell
expression of antigen presentation molecules.
[0077] The term "hyperproliferative disease" is defined as a
disease that results from a hyperproliferation of cells. Exemplary
hyperproliferative diseases include, but are not limited to cancer
or autoimmune diseases. Other hyperproliferative diseases may
include vascular occlusion, restenosis, atherosclerosis, or
inflammatory bowel disease.
[0078] As used herein, the term "gene" is defined as a functional
protein, polypeptide, or peptide-encoding unit. As will be
understood by those in the art, this functional term includes
genomic sequences, cDNA sequences, and smaller engineered gene
segments that express, or is adapted to express, proteins,
polypeptides, domains, peptides, fusion proteins, and mutants.
[0079] The term "immunogenic composition" or "immunogen" refers to
a substance that is capable of provoking an immune response.
Examples of immunogens include, e.g., antigens, autoantigens that
play a role in induction of autoimmune diseases, and
tumor-associated antigens expressed on cancer cells.
[0080] The term "immunocompromised" as used herein is defined as a
subject that has reduced or weakened immune system. The
immunocompromised condition may be due to a defect or dysfunction
of the immune system or to other factors that heighten
susceptibility to infection and/or disease. Although such a
categorization allows a conceptual basis for evaluation,
immunocompromised individuals often do not fit completely into one
group or the other. More than one defect in the body's defense
mechanisms may be affected. For example, individuals with a
specific T-lymphocyte defect caused by HIV may also have
neutropenia caused by drugs used for antiviral therapy or be
immunocompromised because of a breach of the integrity of the skin
and mucous membranes. An immunocompromised state can result from
indwelling central lines or other types of impairment due to
intravenous drug abuse; or be caused by secondary malignancy,
malnutrition, or having been infected with other infectious agents
such as tuberculosis or sexually transmitted diseases, e.g.,
syphilis or hepatitis.
[0081] As used herein, the term "pharmaceutically or
pharmacologically acceptable" refers to molecular entities and
compositions that do not produce adverse, allergic, or other
untoward reactions when administered to an animal or a human.
[0082] As used herein, "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier"
includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings,
antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption
delaying agents and the like. The use of such media and agents for
pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except
insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the
vectors or cells of the present invention, its use in therapeutic
compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active ingredients also
can be incorporated into the compositions.
[0083] As used herein, the term "polynucleotide" is defined as a
chain of nucleotides. 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 PCR.TM., and the
like, and by synthetic means. Furthermore, one skilled in the art
is cognizant that polynucleotides include mutations of the
polynucleotides, include but are not limited to, mutation of the
nucleotides, or nucleosides by methods well known in the art.
[0084] As used herein, the term "polypeptide" is defined as a chain
of amino acid residues, usually having a defined sequence. As used
herein the term polypeptide is interchangeable with the terms
"peptides" and "proteins".
[0085] As used herein, the term "promoter" is defined as a DNA
sequence recognized by the synthetic machinery of the cell, or
introduced synthetic machinery, required to initiate the specific
transcription of a gene.
[0086] As used herein, the term "regulate an immune response" or
"modulate an immune response" refers to the ability to modify the
immune response. For example, the composition of the present
invention is capable of enhancing and/or activating the immune
response. Still further, the composition of the present invention
is also capable of inhibiting the immune response. The form of
regulation is determined by the ligand that is used with the
composition of the present invention. For example, a dimeric analog
of the chemical results in dimerization of the co-stimulatory
polypeptide leading to activation of the DCs, however, a monomeric
analog of the chemical does not result in dimerization of the
co-stimulatory polypeptide, which would not activate the DCs.
[0087] The term "transfection" and "transduction" are
interchangeable and refer to the process by which an exogenous DNA
sequence is introduced into a eukaryotic host cell. Transfection
(or transduction) can be achieved by any one of a number of means
including electroporation, microinjection, gene gun delivery,
retroviral infection, lipofection, superfection and the like.
[0088] As used herein, the term "syngeneic" refers to cells,
tissues or animals that have genotypes. For example, identical
twins or animals of the same inbred strain. Syngeneic and isogeneic
can be used interchangeable.
[0089] The term "subject" as used herein includes, but is not
limited to, an organism or animal; a mammal, including, e.g., a
human, non-human primate (e.g., monkey), mouse, pig, cow, goat,
rabbit, rat, guinea pig, hamster, horse, monkey, sheep, or other
non-human mammal; a non-mammal, including, e.g., a non-mammalian
vertebrate, such as a bird (e.g., a chicken or duck) or a fish, and
a non-mammalian invertebrate.
[0090] As used herein, the term "under transcriptional control" or
"operatively linked" is defined as the promoter is in the correct
location and orientation in relation to the nucleic acid to control
RNA polymerase initiation and expression of the gene.
[0091] As used herein, the terms "treatment", "treat", "treated",
or "treating" refer to prophylaxis and/or therapy. When used with
respect to an infectious disease, for example, the term refers to a
prophylactic treatment which increases the resistance of a subject
to infection with a pathogen or, in other words, decreases the
likelihood that the subject will become infected with the pathogen
or will show signs of illness attributable to the infection, as
well as a treatment after the subject has become infected in order
to fight the infection, e. g., reduce or eliminate the infection or
prevent it from becoming worse.
[0092] As used herein, the term "vaccine" refers to a formulation
which contains the composition of the present invention and which
is in a form that is capable of being administered to an animal.
Typically, the vaccine comprises a conventional saline or buffered
aqueous solution medium in which the composition of the present
invention is suspended or dissolved. In this form, the composition
of the present invention can be used conveniently to prevent,
ameliorate, or otherwise treat a condition. Upon introduction into
a subject, the vaccine is able to provoke an immune response
including, but not limited to, the production of antibodies,
cytokines and/or other cellular responses.
II. Dendritic Cells
[0093] The innate immune system uses a set of germline-encoded
receptors for the recognition of conserved molecular patterns
present in microorganisms. These molecular patterns occur in
certain constituents of microorganisms including:
lipopolysaccharides, peptidoglycans, lipoteichoic acids,
phosphatidyl cholines, bacteria-specific proteins, including
lipoproteins, bacterial DNAs, viral single and double-stranded
RNAs, unmethylated CpG-DNAs, mannans and a variety of other
bacterial and fungal cell wall components. Such molecular patterns
can also occur in other molecules such as plant alkaloids. These
targets of innate immune recognition are called Pathogen Associated
Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) since they are produced by
microorganisms and not by the infected host organism (Janeway et
al., 1989; Medzhitov et al., 1997).
[0094] The receptors of the innate immune system that recognize
PAMPs are called Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) (Janeway et
al., 1989; Medzhitov et al., 1997). These receptors vary in
structure and belong to several different protein families. Some of
these receptors recognize PAMPs directly (e.g., CD14, DEC205,
collectins), while others (e.g., complement receptors) recognize
the products generated by PAMP recognition. Members of these
receptor families can, generally, be divided into three types: 1)
humoral receptors circulating in the plasma; 2) endocytic receptors
expressed on immune-cell surfaces, and 3) signaling receptors that
can be expressed either on the cell surface or intracellularly
(Medzhitov et al., 1997; Fearon et al., 1996).
[0095] Cellular PRRs are expressed on effector cells of the innate
immune system, including cells that function as professional
antigen-presenting cells (APC) in adaptive immunity. Such effector
cells include, but are not limited to, macrophages, dendritic
cells, B lymphocytes and surface epithelia. This expression profile
allows PRRs to directly induce innate effector mechanisms, and also
to alert the host organism to the presence of infectious agents by
inducing the expression of a set of endogenous signals, such as
inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as discussed below. This
latter function allows efficient mobilization of effector forces to
combat the invaders.
[0096] The primary function of dendritic cells (DCs) is to acquire
antigen in the peripheral tissues, travel to secondary lymphoid
tissue, and present antigen to effector T cells of the immune
system (Banchereau, et al., 2000; Banchereau, et al., 1998). As DCs
carry out their crucial role in the immune response, they undergo
maturational changes allowing them to perform the appropriate
function for each environment (Termeer, C. C. et al., 2000). During
DC maturation, antigen uptake potential is lost, the surface
density of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class
II molecules increases by 10-100 fold, and CD40, costimulatory and
adhesion molecule expression also greatly increases (Lanzavecchia,
A. et al., 2000). In addition, other genetic alterations permit the
DCs to home to the T cell-rich paracortex of draining lymph nodes
and to express T-cell chemokines that attract naive and memory T
cells and prime antigen-specific naive TH0 cells (Adema, G. J. et
al., 1997). During this stage, mature DCs present antigen via their
MHC II molecules to CD4+ T helper cells, inducing the upregulation
of T cell CD40 ligand (CD40L) that, in turn, engages the DC CD40
receptor. This DC:T cell interaction induces rapid expression of
additional DC molecules that are crucial for the initiation of a
potent CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, including
further upregulation of MHC I and II molecules, adhesion molecules,
costimulatory molecules (e.g., B7.1,B7.2), cytokines (e.g., IL-12)
and anti-apoptotic proteins (e.g., Bcl-2) (Anderson, D. M., et al.,
1997; Caux, C., et al., 1997; Ohshima, Y., et al., 1997; Sallusto,
F., et al., 1998). CD8+ T cells exit lymph nodes, reenter
circulation and home to the original site of inflammation to
destroy pathogens or malignant cells.
[0097] One key parameter influencing the function of DCs is the
CD40 receptor, serving as the "on switch" for DCs (Bennett, S. R.
et al., 1998; Clark, S. R. et al., 2000; Fernandez, N. C., et al.,
1999; Ridge, J. P. et al., 1998; Schoenberger, S. P., et al.,
1998). CD40 is a 48-kDa transmembrane member of the TNF receptor
superfamily (McWhirter, S. M., et al., 1999). CD40-CD40L
interaction induces CD40 trimerization, necessary for initiating
signaling cascades involving TNF receptor associated factors
(TRAFs) (Ni, C. Z., et al., 2000; Pullen, S. S. et al., 1999). CD40
uses these signaling molecules to activate several transcription
factors in DCs, including NF-kappa B, AP-1, STAT3, and p38MAPK
(McWhirter, S. M., et al., 1999).
[0098] The present invention contemplates a novel DC activation
system based on recruiting signaling molecules or co-stimulatory
polypeptides to the plasmid membrane of the DCs resulting in
prolonged/increased activation and/or survival in the DCs.
Co-stimulatory polypeptides include any molecule or polypeptide
that activates the NFkappaB pathway, Akt pathway, and/or p38
pathway. The DC activation system is based upon utilizing a
recombinant signaling molecule fused to a ligand-binding domains
(i.e., a small molecule binding domain) in which the co-stimulatory
polypeptide is activated and/or regulated with a ligand resulting
in oligomerization (i.e., a lipid-permeable, organic, dimerizing
drug). Other systems that may be used to crosslink or
oligomerization of co-stimulatory polypeptides include antibodies,
natural ligands, and/or artificial cross-reacting or synthetic
ligands. Yet further, other dimerization systems contemplated
include the coumermycin/DNA gyrase B system.
[0099] Co-stimulatory polypeptides that can be used in the present
invention include those that activate NFkappaB and other variable
signaling cascades for example the p38 pathway and/or Akt pathway.
Such co-stimulatory polypeptides include, but are not limited to
Pattern Recognition Receptors, C-reactive protein receptors (i.e.,
Nod1, Nod2, PtX3-R), TNF receptors (i.e., CD40, RANK/TRANCE-R,
OX40, 4-1BB), and HSP receptors (Lox-1 and CD-91). Pattern
Recognition Receptors include, but are not limited to endocytic
pattern-recognition receptors (i.e., mannose receptors, scavenger
receptors (i.e., Mac-1, LRP, peptidoglycan, techoic acids, toxins,
CD11c/CR4)); external signal pattern-recognition receptors
(Toll-like receptors (TLR1, TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR6, TLR7,
TLR8, TLR9, TLR10), peptidoglycan recognition protein, (PGRPs bind
bacterial peptidoglycan, and CD14); internal signal
pattern-recognition receptors (i.e., NOD-receptors 1 & 2),
RIG1, and PRRs shown in FIG. 28. Those of ordinary skill in the art
are also aware of other Pattern Recognition Receptors suitable for
the present invention, including those discussed in, for example,
Werts C., et al., Cell Death and Differentiation (2006) 13:798-815;
Meylan, E., et al., Nature (2006) 442:39-44; and Strober, W., et
al., Nature Reviews (2006) 6:9-20.
III. Engineering Expression Constructs
[0100] The present invention involves an expression construct
encoding a co-stimulatory polypeptide and a ligand-binding domain,
all operatively linked. More particularly, more than one
ligand-binding domain is used in the expression construct. Yet
further, the expression construct contains a membrane-targeting
sequence. One with skill in the art realizes that appropriate
expression constructs may include a co-stimulatory polypeptide
element on either side of the above FKBP ligand-binding elements.
The expression construct of the present invention may be inserted
into a vector, for example a viral vector or plasmid.
[0101] A. Co-stimulatory Polypeptides
[0102] In the present invention, co-stimulatory polypeptide
molecules are capable of amplifying the T-cell-mediated response by
upregulating dendritic cell expression of antigen presentation
molecules. Co-stimulatory proteins that are contemplated in the
present invention include, for example, but are not limited to the
members of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family (i.e., CD40,
RANK/TRANCE-R, OX40, 4-1B), Toll-like receptors, C-reactive protein
receptors, Pattern Recognition Receptors, and HSP receptors.
Typically, the cytoplasmic domains from these co-stimulatory
polypeptides are used in the expression vector. The cytoplasmic
domain from one of the various co-stimulatory polypeptides,
including mutants thereof, where the recognition sequence involved
in initiating transcription associated with the cytoplasmic domain
is known or a gene responsive to such sequence is known.
[0103] In specific embodiments of the present invention, the
co-stimulatory polypeptide molecule is CD40. The CD40 molecule
comprises a nucleic acid molecule which: (1) hybridizes under
stringent conditions to a nucleic acid having the sequence of a
known CD40 gene and (2) codes for a CD40 polypeptide. Preferably
the CD40 polypeptide is lacking the extracellular domain. Exemplary
polynucleotide sequences that encode CD40 polypeptides include, but
are not limited to SEQ.ID.NO: 1 and CD40 isoforms from other
species. It is contemplated that other normal or mutant variants of
CD40 can be used in the present invention. Thus, a CD40 region can
have an amino acid sequence that differs from the native sequence
by one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions and/or
insertions. For example, one or more TNF receptor associated factor
(TRAF) binding regions may be eliminated or effectively eliminated
(e.g., a CD40 amino acid sequence is deleted or altered such that a
TRAF protein does not bind or binds with lower affinity than it
binds to the native CD40 sequence). In particular embodiments, a
TRAF 3 binding region is deleted or altered such that it is
eliminated or effectively eliminated (e.g., amino acids 250-254 may
be altered or deleted; Hauer et al., PNAS 102(8): 2874-2879
(2005)).
[0104] In certain embodiments, the present invention involves the
manipulation of genetic material to produce expression constructs
that encode an inducible form of CD40 (iCD40). Such methods involve
the generation of expression constructs containing, for example, a
heterologous nucleic acid sequence encoding CD40 cytoplasmic domain
and a means for its expression, replicating the vector in an
appropriate helper cell, obtaining viral particles produced
therefrom, and infecting cells with the recombinant virus
particles.
[0105] Thus, the preferable CD40 molecule of the present invention
lacks the extracellular domain. In specific embodiments, the
extracellular domain is truncated or removed. It is also
contemplated that the extracellular domain can be mutated using
standard mutagenesis, insertions, deletions, or substitutions to
produce an CD40 molecule that does not have a functional
extracellular domain. A CD40 nucleic acid may have the nucleic acid
sequence of SEQ.ID.NO: 1. The CD40 nucleic acids of the invention
also include homologs and alleles of a nucleic acid having the
sequence of SEQ.ID.NO: 1, as well as, functionally equivalent
fragments, variants, and analogs of the foregoing nucleic
acids.
[0106] In the context of gene therapy, the gene will be a
heterologous polynucleotide sequence derived from a source other
than the viral genome, which provides the backbone of the vector.
The gene is derived from a prokaryotic or eukaryotic source such as
a bacterium, a virus, yeast, a parasite, a plant, or even an
animal. The heterologous DNA also is derived from more than one
source, i.e., a multigene construct or a fusion protein. The
heterologous DNA also may include a regulatory sequence, which is
derived from one source and the gene from a different source.
[0107] B. Ligand-Binding Regions
[0108] The ligand-binding ("dimerization") domain of the expression
construct of this invention can be any convenient domain that will
allow for induction using a natural or unnatural ligand, preferably
an unnatural synthetic ligand. The ligand-binding domain can be
internal or external to the cellular membrane, depending upon the
nature of the construct and the choice of ligand. A wide variety of
ligand-binding proteins, including receptors, are known, including
ligand-binding proteins associated with the cytoplasmic regions
indicated above. As used herein the term "ligand-binding domain can
be interchangeable with the term "receptor". Of particular interest
are ligand-binding proteins for which ligands (preferably small
organic ligands) are known or may be readily produced. These
ligand-binding domains or receptors include the FKBPs and
cyclophilin receptors, the steroid receptors, the tetracycline
receptor, the other receptors indicated above, and the like, as
well as "unnatural" receptors, which can be obtained from
antibodies, particularly the heavy or light chain subunit, mutated
sequences thereof, random amino acid sequences obtained by
stochastic procedures, combinatorial syntheses, and the like.
[0109] For the most part, the ligand-binding domains or receptor
domains will be at least about 50 amino acids, and fewer than about
350 amino acids, usually fewer than 200 amino acids, either as the
natural domain or truncated active portion thereof. Preferably the
binding domain will be small (<25 kDa, to allow efficient
transfection in viral vectors), monomeric (this rules out the
avidin-biotin system), nonimmunogenic, and should have
synthetically accessible, cell permeable, nontoxic ligands that can
be configured for dimerization.
[0110] The receptor domain can be intracellular or extracellular
depending upon the design of the expression construct and the
availability of an appropriate ligand. For hydrophobic ligands, the
binding domain can be on either side of the membrane, but for
hydrophilic ligands, particularly protein ligands, the binding
domain will usually be external to the cell membrane, unless there
is a transport system for internalizing the ligand in a form in
which it is available for binding. For an intracellular receptor,
the construct can encode a signal peptide and transmembrane domain
5' or 3' of the receptor domain sequence or by having a lipid
attachment signal sequence 5' of the receptor domain sequence.
Where the receptor domain is between the signal peptide and the
transmembrane domain, the receptor domain will be
extracellular.
[0111] The portion of the expression construct encoding the
receptor can be subjected to mutagenesis for a variety of reasons.
The mutagenized protein can provide for higher binding affinity,
allow for discrimination by the ligand of the naturally occurring
receptor and the mutagenized receptor, provide opportunities to
design a receptor-ligand pair, or the like. The change in the
receptor can involve changes in amino acids known to be at the
binding site, random mutagenesis using combinatorial techniques,
where the codons for the amino acids associated with the binding
site or other amino acids associated with conformational changes
can be subject to mutagenesis by changing the codon(s) for the
particular amino acid, either with known changes or randomly,
expressing the resulting proteins in an appropriate prokaryotic
host and then screening the resulting proteins for binding.
[0112] Antibodies and antibody subunits, e.g., heavy or light
chain, particularly fragments, more particularly all or part of the
variable region, or fusions of heavy and light chain to create
high-affinity binding, can be used as the binding domain.
Antibodies that are contemplated in the present invention include
ones that are an ectopically expressed human product, such as an
extracellular domain that would not trigger an immune response and
generally not expressed in the periphery (i.e., outside the
CNS/brain area). Such examples, include, but are not limited to low
affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR), and embryonic
surface proteins (i.e., carcinoembryonic antigen).
[0113] Yet further, antibodies can be prepared against haptenic
molecules, which are physiologically acceptable, and the individual
antibody subunits screened for binding affinity. The cDNA encoding
the subunits can be isolated and modified by deletion of the
constant region, portions of the variable region, mutagenesis of
the variable region, or the like, to obtain a binding protein
domain that has the appropriate affinity for the ligand. In this
way, almost any physiologically acceptable haptenic compound can be
employed as the ligand or to provide an epitope for the ligand.
Instead of antibody units, natural receptors can be employed, where
the binding domain is known and there is a useful ligand for
binding.
[0114] C. Oligomerization
[0115] The transduced signal will normally result from
ligand-mediated oligomerization of the chimeric protein molecules,
i.e., as a result of oligomerization following ligand-binding,
although other binding events, for example allosteric activation,
can be employed to initiate a signal. The construct of the chimeric
protein will vary as to the order of the various domains and the
number of repeats of an individual domain.
[0116] For multimerizing the receptor, the ligand for the
ligand-binding domains/receptor domains of the chimeric surface
membrane proteins will usually be multimeric in the sense that it
will have at least two binding sites, with each of the binding
sites capable of binding to the receptor domain. Desirably, the
subject ligands will be a dimer or higher order oligomer, usually
not greater than about tetrameric, of small synthetic organic
molecules, the individual molecules typically being at least about
150 D and fewer than about 5 kDa, usually fewer than about 3 kDa. A
variety of pairs of synthetic ligands and receptors can be
employed. For example, in embodiments involving natural receptors,
dimeric FK506 can be used with an FKBP receptor, dimerized
cyclosporin A can be used with the cyclophilin receptor, dimerized
estrogen with an estrogen receptor, dimerized glucocorticoids with
a glucocorticoid receptor, dimerized tetracycline with the
tetracycline receptor, dimerized vitamin D with the vitamin D
receptor, and the like. Alternatively higher orders of the ligands,
e.g., trimeric can be used. For embodiments involving unnatural
receptors, e.g., antibody subunits, modified antibody subunits or
modified receptors and the like, any of a large variety of
compounds can be used. A significant characteristic of these ligand
units is that they bind the receptor with high affinity and are
able to be dimerized chemically.
[0117] In certain embodiments, the present invention utilizes the
technique of chemically induced dimerization (CID) to produce a
conditionally controlled protein or polypeptide. In addition to
this technique being inducible, it also is reversible, due to the
degradation of the labile dimerizing agent or administration of a
monomeric competitive inhibitor.
[0118] CID system uses synthetic bivalent ligands to rapidly
crosslink signaling molecules that are fused to ligand-binding
domains CID. This system has been used to trigger the
oligomerization and activation of cell surface (Spencer et al.,
1993; Spencer et al., 1996; Blau et al., 1997), or cytosolic
proteins (Luo et al., 1996; MacCorkle et al., 1998), the
recruitment of transcription factors to DNA elements to modulate
transcription (Ho et al., 1996; Rivera et al., 1996) or the
recruitment of signaling molecules to the plasma membrane to
stimulate signaling (Spencer et al., 1995; Holsinger et al.,
1995).
[0119] The CID system is based upon the notion that surface
receptor aggregation effectively activates downstream signaling
cascades. In the simplest embodiment, the CID system uses a dimeric
analog of the lipid permeable immunosuppressant drug, FK506, which
loses its normal bioactivity while gaining the ability to crosslink
molecules genetically fused to the FK506-binding protein, FKBP12.
By fusing one or more FKBPs and a myristoylation sequence to the
cytoplasmic signaling domain of a target receptor, one can
stimulate signaling in a dimerizer drug-dependent, but ligand and
ectodomain-independent manner. This provides the system with
temporal control, reversibility using monomeric drug analogs, and
enhanced specificity. The high affinity of third-generation
AP20187/AP1903 CIDs for their binding domain, FKBP12 permits
specific activation of the recombinant receptor in vivo without the
induction of non-specific side effects through endogenous FKBP12.
In addition, the synthetic ligands are resistant to protease
degradation, making them more efficient at activating receptors in
vivo than most delivered protein agents.
[0120] The ligands used in the present invention are capable of
binding to two or more of the ligand-binding domains. One skilled
in the art realizes that the chimeric proteins may be able to bind
to more than one ligand when they contain more than one
ligand-binding domain. The ligand is typically a non-protein or a
chemical. Exemplary ligands include, but are not limited to dimeric
FK506 (e.g., FK1012).
[0121] Since the mechanism of CD40 activation is fundamentally
based on trimerization, this receptor is particularly amenable to
the CID system. CID regulation provides the system with 1) temporal
control, 2) reversibility by addition of a non-active monomer upon
signs of an autoimmune reaction, and 3) limited potential for
non-specific side effects. In addition, inducible in vivo DC CD40
activation would circumvent the requirement of a second "danger"
signal normally required for complete induction of CD40 signaling
and would potentially promote DC survival in situ allowing for
enhanced T cell priming. Thus, engineering DC vaccines to express
iCD40 amplifies the T cell-mediated killing response by
upregulating DC expression of antigen presentation molecules,
adhesion molecules, TH1 promoting cytokines, and pro-survival
factors.
[0122] Other dimerization systems contemplated include the
coumermycin/DNA gyrase B system. Coumermycin-induced dimerization
activates a modified Raf protein and stimulates the MAP kinase
cascade. See Farrar et al., 1996.
[0123] D. Membrane-Targeting
[0124] A membrane-targeting sequence provides for transport of the
chimeric protein to the cell surface membrane, where the same or
other sequences can encode binding of the chimeric protein to the
cell surface membrane. Molecules in association with cell membranes
contain certain regions that facilitate the membrane association,
and such regions can be incorporated into a chimeric protein
molecule to generate membrane-targeted molecules. For example, some
proteins contain sequences at the N-terminus or C-terminus that are
acylated, and these acyl moieties facilitate membrane association.
Such sequences are recognized by acyltransferases and often conform
to a particular sequence motif. Certain acylation motifs are
capable of being modified with a single acyl moiety and others are
capable of being modified with multiple acyl moieties. For example
the N-terminal sequence of the protein kinase Src can comprise a
single myristoyl moiety. Dual acylation regions are located within
the N-terminal regions of certain protein kinases (e.g., Yes, Fyn,
Lck) and G-protein alpha subunits. Such dual acylation regions
often are located within the first eighteen amino acids of such
proteins, and conform to the sequence motif Met-Gly-Cys-Xaa-Cys
(SEQ ID NO: 7), where the Met is cleaved, the Gly is N-acylated and
one of the Cys residues is S-acylated. The Gly often is
myristoylated and a Cys can be palmitoylated. Acylation regions
conforming to the sequence motif Cys-Ala-Ala-Xaa (so called "CAAX
boxes"), which can be modified with C15 or C10 isoprenyl moieties,
from the C-terminus of G-protein gamma subunits and other proteins
(e.g., World Wide Web address
ebi.ac.uk/dinterpro/DisplayIproEntry?ac=IPR001230) also can be
utilized. These and other acylation motifs are known to the person
of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., Gauthier-Campbell et al.,
Molecular Biology of the Cell 15: 2205-2217 (2004); Glabati et al.,
Biochem. J. 303: 697-700 (1994) and Zlakine et al., J. Cell Science
110: 673-679 (1997)), and can be incorporated in chimeric molecules
to induce membrane localization. In certain embodiments, a native
sequence from a protein containing an acylation motif is
incorporated into a chimeric protein. For example, in some
embodiments, an N-terminal portion of Lck, Fyn or Yes or a
G-protein alpha subunit, such as the first twenty-five N-terminal
amino acids or fewer from such proteins (e.g., about 5 to about 20
amino acids, about 10 to about 19 amino acids, or about 15 to about
19 amino acids of the native sequence with optional mutations), may
be incorporated within the N-terminus of a chimeric protein. In
certain embodiments, a C-terminal sequence of about 25 amino acids
or less from a G-protein gamma subunit containing a CAAX box motif
sequence (e.g., about 5 to about 20 amino acids, about 10 to about
18 amino acids, or about 15 to about 18 amino acids of the native
sequence with optional mutations) can be linked to the C-terminus
of a chimeric protein.
[0125] In some embodiments, an acyl moiety has a log p value of +1
to +6, and sometimes has a log p value of +3 to +4.5. Log p values
are a measure of hydrophobicity and often are derived from
octanol/water partitioning studies, in which molecules with higher
hydrophobicity partition into octanol with higher frequency and are
characterized as having a higher log p value. Log p values are
published for a number of lipophilic molecules and log p values can
be calculated using known partitioning processes (e.g., Chemical
Reviews, Vol. 71, Issue 6, page 599, where entry 4493 shows lauric
acid having a log p value of 4.2). Any acyl moiety can be linked to
a peptide composition described above and tested for antimicrobial
activity using known methods and those described hereafter. The
acyl moiety sometimes is a C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20
alkynyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C4-C12 cyclalkylalkyl,
aryl, substituted aryl, or aryl (C1-C4) alkyl, for example. Any
acyl-containing moiety sometimes is a fatty acid, and examples of
fatty acid moieties are propyl (C3), butyl (C4), pentyl (C5), hexyl
(C6), heptyl (C7), octyl (C8), nonyl (C9), decyl (C10), undecyl
(C11), lauryl (C12), myristyl (C14), palmityl (C16), stearyl (C18),
arachidyl (C20), behenyl (C22) and lignoceryl moieties (C24), and
each moiety can contain 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 unsaturations
(i.e., double bonds). An acyl moiety sometimes is a lipid molecule,
such as a phosphatidyl lipid (e.g., phosphatidyl serine,
phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl
choline), sphingolipid (e.g., shingomyelin, sphigosine, ceramide,
ganglioside, cerebroside), or modified versions thereof. In certain
embodiments, one, two, three, four or five or more acyl moieties
are linked to a membrane association region.
[0126] A chimeric protein herein also may include a single-pass or
multiple pass transmembrane sequence (e.g., at the N-terminus or
C-terminus of the chimeric protein). Single pass transmembrane
regions are found in certain CD molecules, tyrosine kinase
receptors, serine/threonine kinase receptors, TGFbeta, BMP, activin
and phosphatases. Single pass transmembrane regions often include a
signal peptide region and a transmembrane region of about 20 to
about 25 amino acids, many of which are hydrophobic amino acids and
can form an alpha helix. A short track of positively charged amino
acids often follows the transmembrane span. Multiple pass proteins
include ion pumps, ion channels, and transporters, and include two
or more helices that span the membrane multiple times. All or
substantially all of a multiple pass protein sometimes is
incorporated in a chimeric protein. Sequences for single pass and
multiple pass transmembrane regions are known and can be selected
for incorporation into a chimeric protein molecule by the person of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0127] Any membrane-targeting sequence can be employed that is
functional in the host and may, or may not, be associated with one
of the other domains of the chimeric protein. In some embodiments
of the invention, such sequences include, but are not limited to
myristoylation-targeting sequence, palmitoylation targeting
sequence, prenylation sequences (i.e., farnesylation,
geranyl-geranylation, CAAX Box) or transmembrane sequences
(utilizing signal peptides) from receptors.
[0128] E. Selectable Markers
[0129] In certain embodiments of the invention, the expression
constructs of the present invention contain nucleic acid constructs
whose expression is identified in vitro or in vivo by including a
marker in the expression construct. Such markers would confer an
identifiable change to the cell permitting easy identification of
cells containing the expression construct. Usually the inclusion of
a drug selection marker aids in cloning and in the selection of
transformants. For example, genes that confer resistance to
neomycin, puromycin, hygromycin, DHFR, GPT, zeocin and histidinol
are useful selectable markers. Alternatively, enzymes such as
herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (tk) are employed.
Immunologic markers also can be employed. The selectable marker
employed is not believed to be important, so long as it is capable
of being expressed simultaneously with the nucleic acid encoding a
gene product. Further examples of selectable markers are well known
to one of skill in the art and include reporters such as EGFP,
beta-gal or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT).
[0130] F. Control Regions
[0131] 1. Promoters
[0132] The particular promoter employed to control the expression
of a polynucleotide sequence of interest is not believed to be
important, so long as it is capable of directing the expression of
the polynucleotide in the targeted cell. Thus, where a human cell
is targeted, it is preferable to position the polynucleotide
sequence-coding region adjacent to and under the control of a
promoter that is capable of being expressed in a human cell.
Generally speaking, such a promoter might include either a human or
viral promoter.
[0133] In various embodiments, the human cytomegalovirus (CMV)
immediate early gene promoter, the SV40 early promoter, the Rous
sarcoma virus long terminal repeat, B-actin, rat insulin promoter
and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase can be used to obtain
high-level expression of the coding sequence of interest. The use
of other viral or mammalian cellular or bacterial phage promoters
which are well known in the art to achieve expression of a coding
sequence of interest is contemplated as well, provided that the
levels of expression are sufficient for a given purpose. By
employing a promoter with well-known properties, the level and
pattern of expression of the protein of interest following
transfection or transformation can be optimized.
[0134] Selection of a promoter that is regulated in response to
specific physiologic or synthetic signals can permit inducible
expression of the gene product. For example in the case where
expression of a transgene, or transgenes when a multicistronic
vector is utilized, is toxic to the cells in which the vector is
produced in, it is desirable to prohibit or reduce expression of
one or more of the transgenes. Examples of transgenes that are
toxic to the producer cell line are pro-apoptotic and cytokine
genes. Several inducible promoter systems are available for
production of viral vectors where the transgene products are toxic
(add in more inducible promoters).
[0135] The ecdysone system (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) is one
such system. This system is designed to allow regulated expression
of a gene of interest in mammalian cells. It consists of a tightly
regulated expression mechanism that allows virtually no basal level
expression of the transgene, but over 200-fold inducibility. The
system is based on the heterodimeric ecdysone receptor of
Drosophila, and when ecdysone or an analog such as muristerone A
binds to the receptor, the receptor activates a promoter to turn on
expression of the downstream transgene high levels of mRNA
transcripts are attained. In this system, both monomers of the
heterodimeric receptor are constitutively expressed from one
vector, whereas the ecdysone-responsive promoter, which drives
expression of the gene of interest is on another plasmid.
Engineering of this type of system into the gene transfer vector of
interest would therefore be useful. Cotransfection of plasmids
containing the gene of interest and the receptor monomers in the
producer cell line would then allow for the production of the gene
transfer vector without expression of a potentially toxic
transgene. At the appropriate time, expression of the transgene
could be activated with ecdysone or muristeron A.
[0136] Another inducible system that would be useful is the
Tet-Off.TM. or Tet-On.TM. system (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.)
originally developed by Gossen and Bujard (Gossen and Bujard, 1992;
Gossen et al., 1995). This system also allows high levels of gene
expression to be regulated in response to tetracycline or
tetracycline derivatives such as doxycycline. In the Tet-On.TM.
system, gene expression is turned on in the presence of
doxycycline, whereas in the Tet-Off.TM. system, gene expression is
turned on in the absence of doxycycline. These systems are based on
two regulatory elements derived from the tetracycline resistance
operon of E. coli. The tetracycline operator sequence to which the
tetracycline repressor binds, and the tetracycline repressor
protein. The gene of interest is cloned into a plasmid behind a
promoter that has tetracycline-responsive elements present in it. A
second plasmid contains a regulatory element called the
tetracycline-controlled transactivator, which is composed, in the
Tet-Off.TM. system, of the VP16 domain from the herpes simplex
virus and the wild-type tertracycline repressor. Thus in the
absence of doxycycline, transcription is constitutively on. In the
Tet-On.TM. system, the tetracycline repressor is not wild type and
in the presence of doxycycline activates transcription. For gene
therapy vector production, the Tet-Off.TM. system would be
preferable so that the producer cells could be grown in the
presence of tetracycline or doxycycline and prevent expression of a
potentially toxic transgene, but when the vector is introduced to
the patient, the gene expression would be constitutively on.
[0137] In some circumstances, it is desirable to regulate
expression of a transgene in a gene therapy vector. For example,
different viral promoters with varying strengths of activity are
utilized depending on the level of expression desired. In mammalian
cells, the CMV immediate early promoter if often used to provide
strong transcriptional activation. Modified versions of the CMV
promoter that are less potent have also been used when reduced
levels of expression of the transgene are desired. When expression
of a transgene in hematopoietic cells is desired, retroviral
promoters such as the LTRs from MLV or MMTV are often used. Other
viral promoters that are used depending on the desired effect
include SV40, RSV LTR, HIV-1 and HIV-2 LTR, adenovirus promoters
such as from the E1A, E2A, or MLP region, AAV LTR, HSV-TK, and
avian sarcoma virus.
[0138] Similarly tissue specific promoters are used to effect
transcription in specific tissues or cells so as to reduce
potential toxicity or undesirable effects to non-targeted tissues.
For example, promoters such as the PSA associated promoter or
prostate-specific glandular kallikrein.
[0139] In certain indications, it is desirable to activate
transcription at specific times after administration of the gene
therapy vector. This is done with such promoters as those that are
hormone or cytokine regulatable. Cytokine and inflammatory protein
responsive promoters that can be used include K and T kininogen
(Kageyama et al., 1987), c-fos, TNF-alpha, C-reactive protein
(Arcone et al., 1988), haptoglobin (Oliviero et al., 1987), serum
amyloid A2, C/EBP alpha, IL-1, IL-6 (Poli and Cortese, 1989),
Complement C3 (Wilson et al., 1990), IL-8, alpha-1 acid
glycoprotein (Prowse and Baumann, 1988), alpha-1 antitrypsin,
lipoprotein lipase (Zechner et al., 1988), angiotensinogen (Ron et
al., 1991), fibrinogen, c-jun (inducible by phorbol esters,
TNF-alpha, UV radiation, retinoic acid, and hydrogen peroxide),
collagenase (induced by phorbol esters and retinoic acid),
metallothionein (heavy metal and glucocorticoid inducible),
Stromelysin (inducible by phorbol ester, interleukin-1 and EGF),
alpha-2 macroglobulin and alpha-1 anti-chymotrypsin.
[0140] It is envisioned that any of the above promoters alone or in
combination with another can be useful according to the present
invention depending on the action desired. In addition, this list
of promoters should not be construed to be exhaustive or limiting,
those of skill in the art will know of other promoters that are
used in conjunction with the promoters and methods disclosed
herein.
[0141] 2. Enhancers
[0142] Enhancers are genetic elements that increase transcription
from a promoter located at a distant position on the same molecule
of DNA Enhancers are organized much like promoters. That is, they
are composed of many individual elements, each of which binds to
one or more transcriptional proteins. The basic distinction between
enhancers and promoters is operational. An enhancer region as a
whole must be able to stimulate transcription at a distance; this
need not be true of a promoter region or its component elements. On
the other hand, a promoter must have one or more elements that
direct initiation of RNA synthesis at a particular site and in a
particular orientation, whereas enhancers lack these specificities.
Promoters and enhancers are often overlapping and contiguous, often
seeming to have a very similar modular organization.
[0143] Any promoter/enhancer combination (as per the Eukaryotic
Promoter Data Base EPDB) can be used to drive expression of the
gene. Eukaryotic cells can support cytoplasmic transcription from
certain bacterial promoters if the appropriate bacterial polymerase
is provided, either as part of the delivery complex or as an
additional genetic expression construct.
[0144] 3. Polyadenylation Signals
[0145] Where a cDNA insert is employed, one will typically desire
to include a polyadenylation signal to effect proper
polyadenylation of the gene transcript. The nature of the
polyadenylation signal is not believed to be crucial to the
successful practice of the invention, and any such sequence is
employed such as human or bovine growth hormone and SV40
polyadenylation signals. Also contemplated as an element of the
expression cassette is a terminator. These elements can serve to
enhance message levels and to minimize read through from the
cassette into other sequences.
[0146] 4. Initiation Signals and Internal Ribosome Binding
Sites
[0147] A specific initiation signal also may be required for
efficient translation of coding sequences. These signals include
the ATG initiation codon or adjacent sequences. Exogenous
translational control signals, including the ATG initiation codon,
may need to be provided. One of ordinary skill in the art would
readily be capable of determining this and providing the necessary
signals. It is well known that the initiation codon must be
in-frame with the reading frame of the desired coding sequence to
ensure translation of the entire insert. The exogenous
translational control signals and initiation codons can be either
natural or synthetic. The efficiency of expression may be enhanced
by the inclusion of appropriate transcription enhancer
elements.
[0148] In certain embodiments of the invention, the use of internal
ribosome entry sites (IRES) elements is used to create multigene,
or polycistronic messages. IRES elements are able to bypass the
ribosome-scanning model of 5' methylated cap-dependent translation
and begin translation at internal sites (Pelletier and Sonenberg,
1988). IRES elements from two members of the picornavirus family
(polio and encephalomyocarditis) have been described (Pelletier and
Sonenberg, 1988), as well an IRES from a mammalian message (Macejak
and Sarnow, 1991). IRES elements can be linked to heterologous open
reading frames. Multiple open reading frames can be transcribed
together, each separated by an IRES, creating polycistronic
messages. By virtue of the IRES element, each open reading frame is
accessible to ribosomes for efficient translation. Multiple genes
can be efficiently expressed using a single promoter/enhancer to
transcribe a single message (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,925,565 and
5,935,819, each herein incorporated by reference).
IV. Methods of Gene Transfer
[0149] In order to mediate the effect of the transgene expression
in a cell, it will be necessary to transfer the expression
constructs of the present invention into a cell. Such transfer may
employ viral or non-viral methods of gene transfer. This section
provides a discussion of methods and compositions of gene
transfer.
[0150] A transformed cell comprising an expression vector is
generated by introducing into the cell the expression vector.
Suitable methods for polynucleotide delivery for transformation of
an organelle, a cell, a tissue or an organism for use with the
current invention include virtually any method by which a
polynucleotide (e.g., DNA) can be introduced into an organelle, a
cell, a tissue or an organism, as described herein or as would be
known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0151] A host cell can, and has been, used as a recipient for
vectors. Host cells may be derived from prokaryotes or eukaryotes,
depending upon whether the desired result is replication of the
vector or expression of part or all of the vector-encoded
polynucleotide sequences. Numerous cell lines and cultures are
available for use as a host cell, and they can be obtained through
the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), which is an
organization that serves as an archive for living cultures and
genetic materials. In specific embodiments, the host cell is a
dendritic cell, which is an antigen-presenting cell.
[0152] It is well within the knowledge and skill of a skilled
artisan to determine an appropriate host. Generally this is based
on the vector backbone and the desired result. A plasmid or cosmid,
for example, can be introduced into a prokaryote host cell for
replication of many vectors. Bacterial cells used as host cells for
vector replication and/or expression include DH5alpha, JM109, and
KC8, as well as a number of commercially available bacterial hosts
such as SURE.RTM. Competent Cells and SOLOPACK Gold Cells
(STRATAGENE.RTM., La Jolla, Calif.). Alternatively, bacterial cells
such as E. coli LE392 could be used as host cells for phage
viruses. Eukaryotic cells that can be used as host cells include,
but are not limited to yeast, insects and mammals. Examples of
mammalian eukaryotic host cells for replication and/or expression
of a vector include, but are not limited to, HeLa, NIH3T3, Jurkat,
293, COS, CHO, Saos, and PC12. Examples of yeast strains include,
but are not limited to, YPH499, YPH500 and YPH501.
[0153] A. Non-viral Transfer
[0154] 1. Ex Vivo Transformation
[0155] Methods for transfecting vascular cells and tissues removed
from an organism in an ex vivo setting are known to those of skill
in the art. For example, canine endothelial cells have been
genetically altered by retroviral gene transfer in vitro and
transplanted into a canine (Wilson et al., 1989). In another
example, Yucatan minipig endothelial cells were transfected by
retrovirus in vitro and transplanted into an artery using a
double-balloon catheter (Nabel et al., 1989). Thus, it is
contemplated that cells or tissues may be removed and transfected
ex vivo using the polynucleotides of the present invention. In
particular aspects, the transplanted cells or tissues may be placed
into an organism. Thus, it is well within the knowledge of one
skilled in the art to isolate dendritic cells from an animal,
transfect the cells with the expression vector and then administer
the transfected or transformed cells back to the animal.
[0156] 2. Injection
[0157] In certain embodiments, a polynucleotide may be delivered to
an organelle, a cell, a tissue or an organism via one or more
injections (i.e., a needle injection), such as, for example,
subcutaneously, intradermally, intramuscularly, intravenously,
intraperitoneally, etc. Methods of injection of vaccines are well
known to those of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., injection of a
composition comprising a saline solution). Further embodiments of
the present invention include the introduction of a polynucleotide
by direct microinjection. The amount of the expression vector used
may vary upon the nature of the antigen as well as the organelle,
cell, tissue or organism used.
[0158] Intradermal, intranodal, or intralymphatic injections are
some of the more commonly used methods of DC administration.
Intradermal injection is characterized by a low rate of absorption
into the bloodstream but rapid uptake into the lymphatic system.
The presence of large numbers of Langerhans dendritic cells in the
dermis will transport intact as well as processed antigen to
draining lymph nodes. Proper site preparation is necessary to
perform this correctly (i.e., hair must be clipped in order to
observe proper needle placement). Intranodal injection allows for
direct delivery of antigen to lymphoid tissues. Intralymphatic
injection allows direct administration of DCs.
[0159] 3. Electroporation
[0160] In certain embodiments of the present invention, a
polynucleotide is introduced into an organelle, a cell, a tissue or
an organism via electroporation. Electroporation involves the
exposure of a suspension of cells and DNA to a high-voltage
electric discharge. In some variants of this method, certain cell
wall-degrading enzymes, such as pectin-degrading enzymes, are
employed to render the target recipient cells more susceptible to
transformation by electroporation than untreated cells (U.S. Pat.
No. 5,384,253, incorporated herein by reference).
[0161] Transfection of eukaryotic cells using electroporation has
been quite successful. Mouse pre-B lymphocytes have been
transfected with human kappa-immunoglobulin genes (Potter et al.,
1984), and rat hepatocytes have been transfected with the
chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene (Tur-Kaspa et al., 1986) in
this manner.
[0162] 4. Calcium Phosphate
[0163] In other embodiments of the present invention, a
polynucleotide is introduced to the cells using calcium phosphate
precipitation. Human KB cells have been transfected with adenovirus
5 DNA (Graham and Van Der Eb, 1973) using this technique. Also in
this manner, mouse L(A9), mouse C127, CHO, CV-1, BHK, NIH3T3 and
HeLa cells were transfected with a neomycin marker gene (Chen and
Okayama, 1987), and rat hepatocytes were transfected with a variety
of marker genes (Rippe et al., 1990).
[0164] 5. DEAE-Dextran
[0165] In another embodiment, a polynucleotide is delivered into a
cell using DEAE-dextran followed by polyethylene glycol. In this
manner, reporter plasmids were introduced into mouse myeloma and
erythroleukemia cells (Gopal, 1985).
[0166] 6. Sonication Loading
[0167] Additional embodiments of the present invention include the
introduction of a polynucleotide by direct sonic loading.
LTK-fibroblasts have been transfected with the thymidine kinase
gene by sonication loading (Fechheimer et al., 1987).
[0168] 7. Liposome-Mediated Transfection
[0169] In a further embodiment of the invention, a polynucleotide
may be entrapped in a lipid complex such as, for example, a
liposome. Liposomes are vesicular structures characterized by 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 and Bachhawat, 1991). Also contemplated is a
polynucleotide complexed with Lipofectamine (Gibco BRL) or
Superfect (Qiagen).
[0170] 8. Receptor Mediated Transfection
[0171] Still further, a polynucleotide may be delivered to a target
cell via receptor-mediated delivery vehicles. These take advantage
of the selective uptake of macromolecules by receptor-mediated
endocytosis that will be occurring in a target cell. In view of the
cell type-specific distribution of various receptors, this delivery
method adds another degree of specificity to the present
invention.
[0172] Certain receptor-mediated gene targeting vehicles comprise a
cell receptor-specific ligand and a polynucleotide-binding agent.
Others comprise a cell receptor-specific ligand to which the
polynucleotide to be delivered has been operatively attached.
Several ligands have been used for receptor-mediated gene transfer
(Wu and Wu, 1987; Wagner et al., 1990; Perales et al., 1994; Myers,
EPO 0273085), which establishes the operability of the technique.
Specific delivery in the context of another mammalian cell type has
been described (Wu and Wu, 1993; incorporated herein by reference).
In certain aspects of the present invention, a ligand is chosen to
correspond to a receptor specifically expressed on the target cell
population.
[0173] In other embodiments, a polynucleotide delivery vehicle
component of a cell-specific polynucleotide-targeting vehicle may
comprise a specific binding ligand in combination with a liposome.
The polynucleotide(s) to be delivered are housed within the
liposome and the specific binding ligand is functionally
incorporated into the liposome membrane. The liposome will thus
specifically bind to the receptor(s) of a target cell and deliver
the contents to a cell. Such systems have been shown to be
functional using systems in which, for example, epidermal growth
factor (EGF) is used in the receptor-mediated delivery of a
polynucleotide to cells that exhibit upregulation of the EGF
receptor.
[0174] In still further embodiments, the polynucleotide delivery
vehicle component of a targeted delivery vehicle may be a liposome
itself, which will preferably comprise one or more lipids or
glycoproteins that direct cell-specific binding. For example,
lactosyl-ceramide, a galactose-terminal asialoganglioside, have
been incorporated into liposomes and observed an increase in the
uptake of the insulin gene by hepatocytes (Nicolau et al., 1987).
It is contemplated that the tissue-specific transforming constructs
of the present invention can be specifically delivered into a
target cell in a similar manner.
[0175] 9. Microprojectile Bombardment
[0176] Microprojectile bombardment techniques can be used to
introduce a polynucleotide into at least one, organelle, cell,
tissue or organism (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,318; 5,538,880; 5,610,042;
and PCT Application WO 94/09699; each of which is incorporated
herein by reference). This method depends on the ability to
accelerate DNA-coated microprojectiles to a high velocity allowing
them to pierce cell membranes and enter cells without killing them
(Klein et al., 1987). There are a wide variety of microprojectile
bombardment techniques known in the art, many of which are
applicable to the invention.
[0177] In this microprojectile bombardment, one or more particles
may be coated with at least one polynucleotide and delivered into
cells by a propelling force. Several devices for accelerating small
particles have been developed. One such device relies on a high
voltage discharge to generate an electrical current, which in turn
provides the motive force (Yang et al., 1990). The microprojectiles
used have consisted of biologically inert substances such as
tungsten or gold particles or beads. Exemplary particles include
those comprised of tungsten, platinum, and preferably, gold. It is
contemplated that in some instances DNA precipitation onto metal
particles would not be necessary for DNA delivery to a recipient
cell using microprojectile bombardment. However, it is contemplated
that particles may contain DNA rather than be coated with DNA.
DNA-coated particles may increase the level of DNA delivery via
particle bombardment but are not, in and of themselves,
necessary.
[0178] B. Viral Vector-Mediated Transfer
[0179] In certain embodiments, transgene is incorporated into a
viral particle to mediate gene transfer to a cell. Typically, the
virus simply will be exposed to the appropriate host cell under
physiologic conditions, permitting uptake of the virus. The present
methods are advantageously employed using a variety of viral
vectors, as discussed below.
[0180] 1. Adenovirus
[0181] Adenovirus is particularly suitable for use as a gene
transfer vector because of its mid-sized DNA genome, ease of
manipulation, high titer, wide target-cell range, and high
infectivity. The roughly 36 kb viral genome is bounded by 100-200
base pair (bp) inverted terminal repeats (ITR), in which are
contained cis-acting elements necessary for viral DNA replication
and packaging. The early (E) and late (L) regions of the genome
that contain different transcription units are divided by the onset
of viral DNA replication.
[0182] The E1 region (E1A and E1B) encodes proteins responsible for
the regulation of transcription of the viral genome and a few
cellular genes. The expression of the E2 region (E2A and E2B)
results in the synthesis of the proteins for viral DNA replication.
These proteins are involved in DNA replication, late gene
expression, and host cell shut off (Renan, 1990). The products of
the late genes (L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5), including the majority of
the viral capsid proteins, are expressed only after significant
processing of a single primary transcript issued by the major late
promoter (MLP). The MLP (located at 16.8 map units) is particularly
efficient during the late phase of infection, and all the mRNAs
issued from this promoter possess a 5.quadrature. tripartite leader
(TL) sequence, which makes them preferred mRNAs for
translation.
[0183] In order for adenovirus to be optimized for gene therapy, it
is necessary to maximize the carrying capacity so that large
segments of DNA can be included. It also is very desirable to
reduce the toxicity and immunologic reaction associated with
certain adenoviral products. The two goals are, to an extent,
coterminous in that elimination of adenoviral genes serves both
ends. By practice of the present invention, it is possible achieve
both these goals while retaining the ability to manipulate the
therapeutic constructs with relative ease.
[0184] The large displacement of DNA is possible because the cis
elements required for viral DNA replication all are localized in
the inverted terminal repeats (ITR) (100-200 bp) at either end of
the linear viral genome. Plasmids containing ITR's can replicate in
the presence of a non-defective adenovirus (Hay et al., 1984).
Therefore, inclusion of these elements in an adenoviral vector
should permit replication.
[0185] In addition, the packaging signal for viral encapsulation is
localized between 194-385 bp (0.5-1.1 map units) at the left end of
the viral genome (Hearing et al., 1987). This signal mimics the
protein recognition site in bacteriophage lambda DNA where a
specific sequence close to the left end, but outside the cohesive
end sequence, mediates the binding to proteins that are required
for insertion of the DNA into the head structure. E1 substitution
vectors of Ad have demonstrated that a 450 bp (0-1.25 map units)
fragment at the left end of the viral genome could direct packaging
in 293 cells (Levrero et al., 1991).
[0186] Previously, it has been shown that certain regions of the
adenoviral genome can be incorporated into the genome of mammalian
cells and the genes encoded thereby expressed. These cell lines are
capable of supporting the replication of an adenoviral vector that
is deficient in the adenoviral function encoded by the cell line.
There also have been reports of complementation of replication
deficient adenoviral vectors by "helping" vectors, e.g., wild-type
virus or conditionally defective mutants.
[0187] Replication-deficient adenoviral vectors can be
complemented, in trans, by helper virus. This observation alone
does not permit isolation of the replication-deficient vectors,
however, since the presence of helper virus, needed to provide
replicative functions, would contaminate any preparation. Thus, an
additional element was needed that would add specificity to the
replication and/or packaging of the replication-deficient vector.
That element, as provided for in the present invention, derives
from the packaging function of adenovirus.
[0188] It has been shown that a packaging signal for adenovirus
exists in the left end of the conventional adenovirus map
(Tibbetts, 1977). Later studies showed that a mutant with a
deletion in the E1A (194-358 bp) region of the genome grew poorly
even in a cell line that complemented the early (E1A) function
(Hearing and Shenk, 1983). When a compensating adenoviral DNA
(0-353 bp) was recombined into the right end of the mutant, the
virus was packaged normally. Further mutational analysis identified
a short, repeated, position-dependent element in the left end of
the Ad5 genome. One copy of the repeat was found to be sufficient
for efficient packaging if present at either end of the genome, but
not when moved towards the interior of the Ad5 DNA molecule
(Hearing et al., 1987).
[0189] By using mutated versions of the packaging signal, it is
possible to create helper viruses that are packaged with varying
efficiencies. Typically, the mutations are point mutations or
deletions. When helper viruses with low efficiency packaging are
grown in helper cells, the virus is packaged, albeit at reduced
rates compared to wild-type virus, thereby permitting propagation
of the helper. When these helper viruses are grown in cells along
with virus that contains wild-type packaging signals, however, the
wild-type packaging signals are recognized preferentially over the
mutated versions. Given a limiting amount of packaging factor, the
virus containing the wild-type signals is packaged selectively when
compared to the helpers. If the preference is great enough, stocks
approaching homogeneity should be achieved.
[0190] 2. Retrovirus
[0191] The retroviruses are a group of single-stranded RNA viruses
characterized by an ability to convert their RNA to double-stranded
DNA in infected cells by a process of reverse-transcription
(Coffin, 1990). The resulting DNA then stably integrates into
cellular chromosomes as a provirus and directs synthesis of viral
proteins. The integration results in the retention of the viral
gene sequences in the recipient cell and its descendants. The
retroviral genome contains three genes--gag, pol and env--that code
for capsid proteins, polymerase enzyme, and envelope components,
respectively. A sequence found upstream from the gag gene, termed
psi, functions as a signal for packaging of the genome into
virions. Two long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences are present at
the 5' and 3' ends of the viral genome. These contain strong
promoter and enhancer sequences and also are required for
integration in the host cell genome (Coffin, 1990).
[0192] In order to construct a retroviral vector, a nucleic acid
encoding a promoter is inserted into the viral genome in the place
of certain viral sequences to produce a virus that is
replication-defective. In order to produce virions, a packaging
cell line containing the gag, pol and env genes but without the LTR
and psi components is constructed (Mann et al., 1983). When a
recombinant plasmid containing a human cDNA, together with the
retroviral LTR and psi sequences is introduced into this cell line
(by calcium phosphate precipitation for example), the psi sequence
allows the RNA transcript of the recombinant plasmid to be packaged
into viral particles, which are then secreted into the culture
media (Nicolas and Rubenstein, 1988; Temin, 1986; Mann et al.,
1983). The media containing the recombinant retroviruses is
collected, optionally concentrated, and used for gene transfer.
Retroviral vectors are able to infect a broad variety of cell
types. However, integration and stable expression of many types of
retroviruses require the division of host cells (Paskind et al.,
1975).
[0193] An approach designed to allow specific targeting of
retrovirus vectors recently was developed based on the chemical
modification of a retrovirus by the chemical addition of galactose
residues to the viral envelope. This modification could permit the
specific infection of cells such as hepatocytes via
asialoglycoprotein receptors, should this be desired.
[0194] A different approach to targeting of recombinant
retroviruses was designed in which biotinylated antibodies against
a retroviral envelope protein and against a specific cell receptor
were used. The antibodies were coupled via the biotin components by
using streptavidin (Roux et al., 1989). Using antibodies against
major histocompatibility complex class I and class II antigens, the
infection of a variety of human cells that bore those surface
antigens was demonstrated with an ecotropic virus in vitro (Roux et
al., 1989).
[0195] 3. Adeno-Associated Virus
[0196] AAV utilizes a linear, single-stranded DNA of about 4700
base pairs. Inverted terminal repeats flank the genome. Two genes
are present within the genome, giving rise to a number of distinct
gene products. The first, the cap gene, produces three different
virion proteins (VP), designated VP-1, VP-2 and VP-3. The second,
the rep gene, encodes four non-structural proteins (NS). One or
more of these rep gene products is responsible for transactivating
AAV transcription.
[0197] The three promoters in AAV are designated by their location,
in map units, in the genome. These are, from left to right, p5, p19
and p40. Transcription gives rise to six transcripts, two initiated
at each of three promoters, with one of each pair being spliced.
The splice site, derived from map units 42-46, is the same for each
transcript. The four non-structural proteins apparently are derived
from the longer of the transcripts, and three virion proteins all
arise from the smallest transcript.
[0198] AAV is not associated with any pathologic state in humans.
Interestingly, for efficient replication, AAV requires "helping"
functions from viruses such as herpes simplex virus I and II,
cytomegalovirus, pseudorabies virus and, of course, adenovirus. The
best characterized of the helpers is adenovirus, and many "early"
functions for this virus have been shown to assist with AAV
replication. Low-level expression of AAV rep proteins is believed
to hold AAV structural expression in check, and helper virus
infection is thought to remove this block.
[0199] The terminal repeats of the AAV vector can be obtained by
restriction endonuclease digestion of AAV or a plasmid such as
p201, which contains a modified AAV genome (Samulski et al., 1987),
or by other methods known to the skilled artisan, including but not
limited to chemical or enzymatic synthesis of the terminal repeats
based upon the published sequence of AAV. The ordinarily skilled
artisan can determine, by well-known methods such as deletion
analysis, the minimum sequence or part of the AAV ITRs which is
required to allow function, i.e., stable and site-specific
integration. The ordinarily skilled artisan also can determine
which minor modifications of the sequence can be tolerated while
maintaining the ability of the terminal repeats to direct stable,
site-specific integration.
[0200] AAV-based vectors have proven to be safe and effective
vehicles for gene delivery in vitro, and these vectors are being
developed and tested in pre-clinical and clinical stages for a wide
range of applications in potential gene therapy, both ex vivo and
in vivo (Carter and Flotte, 1995; Chatterjee et al., 1995; Ferrari
et al., 1996; Fisher et al., 1996; Flotte et al., 1993; Goodman et
al., 1994; Kaplitt et al., 1994; 1996, Kessler et al., 1996;
Koeberl et al., 1997; Mizukami et al., 1996).
[0201] AAV-mediated efficient gene transfer and expression in the
lung has led to clinical trials for the treatment of cystic
fibrosis (Carter and Flotte, 1995; Flotte et al., 1993). Similarly,
the prospects for treatment of muscular dystrophy by AAV-mediated
gene delivery of the dystrophin gene to skeletal muscle, of
Parkinson's disease by tyrosine hydroxylase gene delivery to the
brain, of hemophilia B by Factor IX gene delivery to the liver, and
potentially of myocardial infarction by vascular endothelial growth
factor gene to the heart, appear promising since AAV-mediated
transgene expression in these organs has recently been shown to be
highly efficient (Fisher et al., 1996; Flotte et al., 1993; Kaplitt
et al., 1994; 1996; Koeberl et al., 1997; McCown et al., 1996; Ping
et al., 1996; Xiao et al., 1996).
[0202] 4. Other Viral Vectors
[0203] Other viral vectors are employed as expression constructs in
the present invention. Vectors derived from viruses such as
vaccinia virus (Ridgeway, 1988; Baichwal and Sugden, 1986; Coupar
et al., 1988) canary pox virus, and herpes viruses are employed.
These viruses offer several features for use in gene transfer into
various mammalian cells.
[0204] Once the construct has been delivered into the cell, the
nucleic acid encoding the transgene are positioned and expressed at
different sites. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding
the transgene is stably integrated into the genome of the cell.
This integration is in the cognate location and orientation via
homologous recombination (gene replacement) or it is integrated in
a random, non-specific location (gene augmentation). In yet further
embodiments, the nucleic acid is stably maintained in the cell as a
separate, episomal segment of DNA. Such nucleic acid segments or
"episomes" encode sequences sufficient to permit maintenance and
replication independent of or in synchronization with the host cell
cycle. How the expression construct is delivered to a cell and
where in the cell the nucleic acid remains is dependent on the type
of expression construct employed.
V. Enhancement of an Immune Response
[0205] In certain embodiments, the present invention contemplates a
novel DC activation strategy that incorporates the manipulation of
signaling co-stimulatory polypeptides that activate NF.quadrature.B
pathways, Akt pathways, and/or p38 pathways. This DC activation
system can be used in conjunction with or without standard vaccines
to enhance the immune response since it replaces the requirement
for CD4+ T cell help during APC activation (Bennett S. R. et al.,
1998; Ridge, J. P. et al., 1998; Schoenberger, S. P., et al.,
1998). Thus, the DC activation system of the present invention
enhances immune responses by circumventing the need for the
generation of MHC class II-specific peptides.
[0206] In specific embodiments, the DC activation is via CD40
activation. Thus, DC activation via endogenous CD40/CD40L
interactions may be subject to downregulation due to negative
feedback, leading rapidly to the "IL-12 burn-out effect". Within 7
to 10 hours after CD40 activation, an alternatively spliced isoform
of CD40 (type II) is produced as a secretable factor (Tone, M., et
al., 2001). Type II CD40 may act as a dominant negative receptor,
downregulating signaling through CD40L and potentially limiting the
potency of the immune response generated. Therefore, the present
invention co-opts the natural regulation of CD40 by creating an
inducible form of CD40 (iCD40), lacking the extracellular domain
and activated instead by synthetic dimerizing ligands (Spencer, D.
M. et al., 1993) through a technology termed chemically induced
dimerization (CID).
[0207] The present invention comprises a method of enhancing the
immune response in an subject comprising the step of administering
either the expression vector, expression construct or transduced
antigen-presenting cells of the present invention to the subject.
The expression vector of the present invention encodes a
co-stimulatory polypeptide, such as iCD40.
[0208] In certain embodiments the antigen-presenting cells are
comprised in an animal, such as human, non-human primate, cow,
horse, pig, sheep, goat, dog, cat, or rodent. The subject is a
human, more preferably, a patient suffering from an infectious
disease, and/or a subject that is immunocompromised, or is
suffering from a hyperproliferative disease.
[0209] In further embodiments of the present invention, the
expression construct and/or expression vector can be utilized as a
composition or substance that activates antigen-presenting cells.
Such a composition that "activates antigen-presenting cells" or
"enhances the activity antigen-presenting cells" refers to the
ability to stimulate one or more activities associated with
antigen-presenting cells. Such activities are well known by those
of skill in the art. For example, a composition, such as the
expression construct or vector of the present invention, can
stimulate upregulation of co-stimulatory molecules on
antigen-presenting cells, induce nuclear translocation of
NF-.kappa.B in antigen-presenting cells, activate toll-like
receptors in antigen-presenting cells, or other activities
involving cytokines or chemokines.
[0210] An amount of a composition that activates antigen-presenting
cells which "enhances" an immune response refers to an amount in
which an immune response is observed that is greater or intensified
or deviated in any way with the addition of the composition when
compared to the same immune response measured without the addition
of the composition. For example, the lytic activity of cytotoxic T
cells can be measured, e.g., using a 51Cr release assay, with and
without the composition. The amount of the substance at which the
CTL lytic activity is enhanced as compared to the CTL lytic
activity without the composition is said to be an amount sufficient
to enhance the immune response of the animal to the antigen. In a
preferred embodiment, the immune response in enhanced by a factor
of at least about 2, more preferably by a factor of about 3 or
more. The amount of cytokines secreted may also be altered.
[0211] The enhanced immune response may be an active or a passive
immune response. Alternatively, the response may be part of an
adaptive immunotherapy approach in which antigen-presenting cells
are obtained with from a subject (e.g., a patient), then transduced
with a composition comprising the expression vector or construct of
the present invention. The antigen-presenting cells may be obtained
from the blood of the subject or bone marrow of the subject. In
certain preferred embodiments, the antigen-presenting cells are
isolated from the bone marrow. In a preferred embodiment, the
antigen-presenting cells are administered to the same or different
animal (e.g., same or different donors). In a preferred embodiment,
the subject (e.g., a patient) has or is suspected of having a
cancer, such as for example, prostate cancer, or has or is
suspected of having an infectious disease. In other embodiments the
method of enhancing the immune response is practiced in conjunction
with a known cancer therapy or any known therapy to treat the
infectious disease.
[0212] The expression construct, expression vector and/or
transduced antigen-presenting cells can enhance or contribute to
the effectiveness of a vaccine by, for example, enhancing the
immunogenicity of weaker antigens such as highly purified or
recombinant antigens, reducing the amount of antigen required for
an immune response, reducing the frequency of immunization required
to provide protective immunity, improve the efficacy of vaccines in
subjects with reduced or weakened immune responses, such as
newborns, the aged, and immunocompromised individuals, and enhance
the immunity at a target tissue, such as mucosal immunity, or
promote cell-mediated or humoral immunity by eliciting a particular
cytokine profile.
[0213] Yet further, an immunocompromised individual or subject is a
subject that has a reduced or weakened immune response. Such
individuals may also include a subject that has undergone
chemotherapy or any other therapy resulting in a weakened immune
system, a transplant recipient, a subject currently taking
immunosuppressants, an aging individual, or any individual that has
a reduced and/or impaired CD4 T helper cells. It is contemplated
that the present invention can be utilize to enhance the amount
and/or activity of CD4 T helper cells in an immunocompromised
subject.
[0214] In specific embodiments, prior to administering the
transduced antigen-presenting cell, the cells are challenged with
antigens (also referred herein as "target antigens"). After
challenge, the transduced, loaded antigen-presenting cells are
administered to the subject parenterally, intradermally,
intranodally, or intralymphatically. Additional parenteral routes
include, but are not limited to subcutaneous, intramuscular,
intraperitoneal, intravenous, intraarterial, intramyocardial,
transendocardial, transepicardial, intrathecal, and infusion
techniques.
[0215] The target antigen, as used herein, is an antigen or
immunological epitope on the antigen, which is crucial in immune
recognition and ultimate elimination or control of the
disease-causing agent or disease state in a mammal. The immune
recognition may be cellular and/or humoral. In the case of
intracellular pathogens and cancer, immune recognition is
preferably a T lymphocyte response.
[0216] The target antigen may be derived or isolated from a
pathogenic microorganism such as viruses including HIV, (Korber et
al, 1977) influenza, Herpes simplex, human papilloma virus (U.S.
Pat. No. 5,719,054), Hepatitis B (U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,036),
Hepatitis C (U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,995), EBV, Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
and the like. Target antigen may be derived or isolated from
pathogenic bacteria such as from Chlamydia (U.S. Pat. No.
5,869,608), Mycobacteria, Legionella, Meningiococcus, Group A
Streptococcus, Salmonella, Listeria, Hemophilus influenzae (U.S.
Pat. No. 5,955,596) and the like.
[0217] Target antigen may be derived or isolated from pathogenic
yeast including Aspergillus, invasive Candida (U.S. Pat. No.
5,645,992), Nocardia, Histoplasmosis, Cryptosporidia and the
like.
[0218] Target antigen may be derived or isolated from a pathogenic
protozoan and pathogenic parasites including but not limited to
Pneumocystis carinii, Trypanosoma, Leishmania (U.S. Pat. No.
5,965,242), Plasmodium (U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,343) and Toxoplasma
gondii.
[0219] Target antigen includes an antigen associated with a
preneoplastic or hyperplastic state. Target antigen may also be
associated with, or causative of cancer. Such target antigen may be
tumor specific antigen, tumor associated antigen (TAA) or tissue
specific antigen, epitope thereof, and epitope agonist thereof.
Such target antigens include but are not limited to
carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and epitopes thereof such as CAP-1,
CAP-1-6D (46) and the like (GenBank Accession No. M29540), MART-1
(Kawakami et al, 1994), MAGE-1 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,395), MAGE-3,
GAGE (U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,226), GP-100 (Kawakami et al., 1992),
MUC-1, MUC-2, point mutated ras oncogene, normal and point mutated
p53 oncogenes (Hollstein et al., 1994), PSMA (Israeli et al.,
1993), tyrosinase (Kwon et al. 1987) TRP-1 (gp75) (Cohen et al.,
1990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,839), NY-ESO-1 (Chen et al., PNAS 1997),
TRP-2 (Jackson et al., 1992), TAG72, KSA, CA-125, PSA,
HER-2/neu/c-erb/B2, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,214), BRC-I, BRC-II,
bcr-abl, pax3-fkhr, ews-fli-1, modifications of TAAs and tissue
specific antigen, splice variants of TAAs, epitope agonists, and
the like. Other TAAs may be identified, isolated and cloned by
methods known in the art such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,514,506. Target antigen may also include one or more growth
factors and splice variants of each.
[0220] An antigen may be expressed more frequently in cancer cells
than in non-cancer cells. The antigen may result from contacting
the modified dendritic cell with prostate specific membrane antigen
(PSMA) or fragment thereof. In certain embodiments, the modified
dendritic cell is contacted with a PSMA fragment having the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 (e.g., encoded by the nucleotide
sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3).
[0221] For organisms that contain a DNA genome, a gene encoding a
target antigen or immunological epitope thereof of interest is
isolated from the genomic DNA. For organisms with RNA genomes, the
desired gene may be isolated from cDNA copies of the genome. If
restriction maps of the genome are available, the DNA fragment that
contains the gene of interest is cleaved by restriction
endonuclease digestion by methods routine in the art. In instances
where the desired gene has been previously cloned, the genes may be
readily obtained from the available clones. Alternatively, if the
DNA sequence of the gene is known, the gene can be synthesized by
any of the conventional techniques for synthesis of
deoxyribonucleic acids.
[0222] Genes encoding an antigen of interest can be amplified by
cloning the gene into a bacterial host. For this purpose, various
prokaryotic cloning vectors can be used. Examples are plasmids
pBR322, pUC and pEMBL.
[0223] The genes encoding at least one target antigen or
immunological epitope thereof can be prepared for insertion into
the plasmid vectors designed for recombination with a virus by
standard techniques. In general, the cloned genes can be excised
from the prokaryotic cloning vector by restriction enzyme
digestion. In most cases, the excised fragment will contain the
entire coding region of the gene. The DNA fragment carrying the
cloned gene can be modified as needed, for example, to make the
ends of the fragment compatible with the insertion sites of the DNA
vectors used for recombination with a virus, then purified prior to
insertion into the vectors at restriction endonuclease cleavage
sites (cloning sites).
[0224] Antigen loading of dendritic cells with antigens may be
achieved by incubating dendritic cells or progenitor cells with the
polypeptide, DNA (naked or within a plasmid vector) or RNA; or with
antigen-expressing recombinant bacterium or viruses (e.g.,
vaccinia, fowlpox, adenovirus or lentivirus vectors). Prior to
loading, the polypeptide may be covalently conjugated to an
immunological partner that provides T cell help (e.g., a carrier
molecule). Alternatively, a dendritic cell may be pulsed with a
non-conjugated immunological partner, separately or in the presence
of the polypeptide. Antigens from cells or MHC molecules may be
obtained by acid-elution or other methods known in the art (see
Zitvogel et al., 1996).
[0225] One skilled in the art is fully aware that activation of the
co-stimulatory molecule of the present invention relies upon
oligomerization of ligand-binding domains, for example CID, to
induce its activity. In specific embodiments, the ligand is a
non-protein. More specifically, the ligand is a dimeric FK506 or
dimeric FK506 analogs, which result in enhancement or positive
regulation of the immune response. The use of monomeric FK506 or
monomeric FK506 analogs results in inhibition or reduction in the
immune response negatively.
[0226] T-lymphocytes are activated by contact with the
antigen-presenting cell that comprises the expression vector of the
present invention and has been challenged, transfected, pulsed, or
electrofused with an antigen.
[0227] Electrofusing in the present invention is a method of
generating hybrid cells. There are several advantages in producing
cell hybrids by electrofusion. For example, fusion parameters can
be easily and accurately electronically controlled to conditions
depending on the cells to be fused. Further, electrofusion of cells
has shown to the ability to increase fusion efficiency over that of
fusion by chemical means or via biological fusogens. Electrofusion
is performed by applying electric pulses to cells in suspension. By
exposing cells to an alternating electric field, cells are brought
close to each other in forming pearl chains in a process termed
dielectrophoresis alignment. Subsequent higher voltage pulses cause
cells to come into closer contact, reversible electropores are
formed in reversibly permeabilizing and mechanically breaking down
cell membranes, resulting in fusion.
[0228] T cells express a unique antigen binding receptor on their
membrane (T-cell receptor), which can only recognize antigen in
association with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules
on the surface of other cells. There are several populations of T
cells, such as T helper cells and T cytotoxic cells. T helper cells
and T cytotoxic cells are primarily distinguished by their display
of the membrane bound glycoproteins CD4 and CD8, respectively. T
helper cells secret various lymphokines, that are crucial for the
activation of B cells, T cytotoxic cells, macrophages and other
cells of the immune system. In contrast, a naive CD8 T cell that
recognizes an antigen-MHC complex proliferates and differentiates
into an effector cell called a cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocyte (CTL).
CTLs eliminate cells of the body displaying antigen, such as
virus-infected cells and tumor cells, by producing substances that
result in cell lysis.
[0229] CTL activity can be assessed by methods described herein or
as would be known to one of skill in the art. For example, CTLs may
be assessed in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells
(PBMC), in a phytohaemaglutinin-stimulated IL-2 expanded cell line
established from PBMC (Bernard et al., 1998) or by T cells isolated
from a previously immunized subject and restimulated for 6 days
with DC infected with an adenovirus vector containing antigen using
standard 4 h 51Cr release microtoxicity assays. One type of assay
uses cloned T-cells. Cloned T-cells have been tested for their
ability to mediate both perforin and Fas ligand-dependent killing
in redirected cytotoxicity assays (Simpson et al., 1998). The
cloned cytotoxic T lymphocytes displayed both Fas- and
perforin-dependent killing. Recently, an in vitro dehydrogenase
release assay has been developed that takes advantage of a new
fluorescent amplification system (Page et al., 1998). This approach
is sensitive, rapid, and reproducible and may be used
advantageously for mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). It may easily
be further automated for large-scale cytotoxicity testing using
cell membrane integrity, and is thus considered in the present
invention. In another fluorometric assay developed for detecting
cell-mediated cytotoxicity, the fluorophore used is the non-toxic
molecule AlamarBlue (Nociari et al., 1998). The AlamarBlue is
fluorescently quenched (i.e., low quantum yield) until
mitochondrial reduction occurs, which then results in a dramatic
increase in the AlamarBlue fluorescence intensity (i.e., increase
in the quantum yield). This assay is reported to be extremely
sensitive, specific and requires a significantly lower number of
effector cells than the standard .sup.51Cr release assay.
[0230] Other immune cells that are induced by the present invention
include natural killer cells (NK). NKs are lymphoid cells that lack
antigen-specific receptors and are part of the innate immune
system. Typically, infected cells are usually destroyed by T cells
alerted by foreign particles bound the cell surface MHC. However,
virus-infected cells signal infection by expressing viral proteins
that are recognized by antibodies. These cells can be killed by
NKs. In tumor cells, if the tumor cells lose expression of MHC I
molecules, then it may be susceptible to NKs.
[0231] In further embodiments, the transduced antigen-presenting
cell is transfected with tumor cell mRNA. The transduced
transfected antigen-presenting cell is administered to an animal to
effect cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cell anti-tumor
antigen immune response and regulated using dimeric FK506 and
dimeric FK506 analogs. The tumor cell mRNA is mRNA from a prostate
tumor cell.
[0232] Yet further, the transduced antigen-presenting cell is
pulsed with tumor cell lysates. The pulsed transduced
antigen-presenting cells are administered to an animal to effect
cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cell anti-tumor antigen
immune response and regulated using dimeric FK506 and dimeric FK506
analogs. The tumor cell lysates is a prostate tumor cell
lysate.
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4. 393: p. 480-3; McWhirter, S. M., et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA,
1999, Jul. 20. 96: p. 8408-13; Ni, C., et al., PNAS, 2000, 97(19):
10395-10399; Pullen, S. S., et al., J Biol Chem, 1999, May 14.274:
p. 14246-54; Janeway et al. (1989) Cold Spring Harb. Symp. Quant.
Biol., 54: 1-13; Kuby, 2000, Immunology, 4.sup.th edition, W.H.
Freeman and company.
VI. Formulations and Routes for Administration to Patients
[0234] Where clinical applications are contemplated, it will be
necessary to prepare pharmaceutical compositions--expression
constructs, expression vectors, fused proteins, transduced cells,
activated DCs, transduced and loaded DCs--in a form appropriate for
the intended application. Generally, this will entail preparing
compositions that are essentially free of pyrogens, as well as
other impurities that could be harmful to humans or animals.
[0235] One will generally desire to employ appropriate salts and
buffers to render delivery vectors stable and allow for uptake by
target cells. Buffers also will be employed when recombinant cells
are introduced into a patient. Aqueous compositions of the present
invention comprise an effective amount of the vector to cells,
dissolved or dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or
aqueous medium. Such compositions also are referred to as inocula.
The phrase "pharmaceutically or pharmacologically acceptable"
refers to molecular entities and compositions that do not produce
adverse, allergic, or other untoward reactions when administered to
an animal or a human. A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings,
antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption
delaying agents and the like. The use of such media and agents for
pharmaceutically active substances is well know in the art. Except
insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the
vectors or cells of the present invention, its use in therapeutic
compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active ingredients also
can be incorporated into the compositions.
[0236] The active compositions of the present invention may include
classic pharmaceutical preparations. Administration of these
compositions according to the present invention will be via any
common route so long as the target tissue is available via that
route. This includes oral, nasal, buccal, rectal, vaginal or
topical. Alternatively, administration may be by orthotopic,
intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal or
intravenous injection. Such compositions would normally be
administered as pharmaceutically acceptable compositions, described
supra.
[0237] The pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include
sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for
the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or
dispersions. In all cases the form must be sterile and must be
fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists. It must be
stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be
preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms, such
as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion
medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for
example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene
glycol, and the like), suitable mixtures thereof, and vegetable
oils. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the
use of a coating, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the
required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of
surfactants. The prevention of the action of microorganisms can be
brought about by various antibacterial an antifungal agents, for
example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal,
and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include
isotonic agents, for example, sugars or sodium chloride. Prolonged
absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by
the use in the compositions of agents delaying absorption, for
example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.
[0238] For oral administration, the compositions of the present
invention may be incorporated with excipients and used in the form
of non-ingestible mouthwashes and dentifrices. A mouthwash may be
prepared incorporating the active ingredient in the required amount
in an appropriate solvent, such as a sodium borate solution
(Dobell's Solution). Alternatively, the active ingredient may be
incorporated into an antiseptic wash containing sodium borate,
glycerin and potassium bicarbonate. The active ingredient also may
be dispersed in dentifrices, including: gels, pastes, powders and
slurries. The active ingredient may be added in a therapeutically
effective amount to a paste dentifrice that may include water,
binders, abrasives, flavoring agents, foaming agents, and
humectants.
[0239] The compositions of the present invention may be formulated
in a neutral or salt form. Pharmaceutically-acceptable salts
include the acid addition salts (formed with the free amino groups
of the protein) and which are formed with inorganic acids such as,
for example, hydrochloric or phosphoric acids, or such organic
acids as acetic, oxalic, tartaric, mandelic, and the like. Salts
formed with the free carboxyl groups can also be derived from
inorganic bases such as, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium,
calcium, or ferric hydroxides, and such organic bases as
isopropylamine, trimethylamine, histidine, procaine and the
like.
[0240] Upon formulation, solutions will be administered in a manner
compatible with the dosage formulation and in such amount as is
therapeutically effective. The formulations are easily administered
in a variety of dosage forms such as injectable solutions, drug
release capsules and the like. For parenteral administration in an
aqueous solution, for example, the solution should be suitably
buffered if necessary and the liquid diluent first rendered
isotonic with sufficient saline or glucose. These particular
aqueous solutions are especially suitable for intravenous,
intramuscular, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal administration. In
this connection, sterile aqueous media, which can be employed, will
be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present
disclosure. For example, one dosage could be dissolved in 1 ml of
isotonic NaCl solution and either added to 1000 ml of
hypodermoclysis fluid or injected at the proposed site of infusion,
(see for example, "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences" 15th
Edition, pages 1035-1038 and 1570-1580). Some variation in dosage
will necessarily occur depending on the condition of the subject
being treated. The person responsible for administration will, in
any event, determine the appropriate dose for the individual
subject. Moreover, for human administration, preparations should
meet sterility, pyrogenicity, and general safety and purity
standards as required by FDA Office of Biologics standards.
VII. Methods for Treating a Disease
[0241] The present invention also encompasses methods of treatment
or prevention of a disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms
and/or a hyperproliferative disease.
[0242] Diseases may be treated or prevented by use of the present
invention include diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, yeast,
parasites, protozoa, cancer cells and the like. The pharmaceutical
composition of the present invention (transduced DCs, expression
vector, expression construct, etc.) of the present invention may be
used as a generalized immune enhancer (DC activating composition or
system) and as such has utility in treating diseases. Exemplary
disease that can be treated and/or prevented utilizing the
pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include, but
are not limited to infections of viral etiology such as HIV,
influenza, Herpes, viral hepatitis, Epstein Bar, polio, viral
encephalitis, measles, chicken pox, Papilloma virus etc.; or
infections of bacterial etiology such as pneumonia, tuberculosis,
syphilis, etc.; or infections of parasitic etiology such as
malaria, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, trichomoniasis,
amoebiasis, etc.
[0243] Preneoplastic or hyperplastic states which may be treated or
prevented using the pharmaceutical composition of the present
invention (transduced DCs, expression vector, expression construct,
etc.) of the present invention include but are not limited to
preneoplastic or hyperplastic states such as colon polyps, Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis, breast lesions and the like.
[0244] Cancers which may be treated using the pharmaceutical
composition of the present invention of the present invention
include, but are not limited to primary or metastatic melanoma,
adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous cell
carcinoma, thymoma, lymphoma, sarcoma, lung cancer, liver cancer,
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemias, uterine
cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic
cancer, colon cancer, multiple myeloma, neuroblastoma, NPC, bladder
cancer, cervical cancer and the like.
[0245] Other hyperproliferative diseases that may be treated using
DC activation system of the present invention include, but are not
limited to rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease,
osteoarthritis, leiomyomas, adenomas, lipomas, hemangiomas,
fibromas, vascular occlusion, restenosis, atherosclerosis,
pre-neoplastic lesions (such as adenomatous hyperplasia and
prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia), carcinoma in situ, oral hairy
leukoplakia, or psoriasis.
[0246] In the method of treatment, the administration of the
pharmaceutical composition (expression construct, expression
vector, fused protein, transduced cells, activated DCs, transduced
and loaded DCs) of the invention may be for either "prophylactic"
or "therapeutic" purpose. When provided prophylactically, the
pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is provided in
advance of any symptom. The prophylactic administration of
pharmaceutical composition serves to prevent or ameliorate any
subsequent infection or disease. When provided therapeutically, the
pharmaceutical composition is provided at or after the onset of a
symptom of infection or disease. Thus the present invention may be
provided either prior to the anticipated exposure to a
disease-causing agent or disease state or after the initiation of
the infection or disease.
[0247] The term "unit dose" as it pertains to the inoculum refers
to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for
mammals, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of
pharmaceutical composition calculated to produce the desired
immunogenic effect in association with the required diluent. The
specifications for the novel unit dose of an inoculum of this
invention are dictated by and are dependent upon the unique
characteristics of the pharmaceutical composition and the
particular immunologic effect to be achieved.
[0248] An effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition would
be the amount that achieves this selected result of enhancing the
immune response, and such an amount could be determined as a matter
of routine by a person skilled in the art. For example, an
effective amount of for treating an immune system deficiency could
be that amount necessary to cause activation of the immune system,
resulting in the development of an antigen specific immune response
upon exposure to antigen. The term is also synonymous with
"sufficient amount."
[0249] The effective amount for any particular application can vary
depending on such factors as the disease or condition being
treated, the particular composition being administered, the size of
the subject, and/or the severity of the disease or condition. One
of ordinary skill in the art can empirically determine the
effective amount of a particular composition of the present
invention without necessitating undue experimentation.
[0250] A. Genetic Based Therapies
[0251] Specifically, the present inventors intend to provide, to a
cell, an expression construct capable of providing a co-stimulatory
polypeptide, such as CD40 to the cell, such as an
antigen-presenting cell and activating CD40. The lengthy discussion
of expression vectors and the genetic elements employed therein is
incorporated into this section by reference. Particularly preferred
expression vectors are viral vectors such as adenovirus,
adeno-associated virus, herpes virus, vaccinia virus and
retrovirus. Also preferred is lysosomal-encapsulated expression
vector.
[0252] Those of skill in the art are well aware of how to apply
gene delivery to in vivo and ex vivo situations. For viral vectors,
one generally will prepare a viral vector stock. Depending on the
kind of virus and the titer attainable, one will deliver
1.times.10e4, 1.times.10e5, 1.times.10e6, 1.times.10e7,
1.times.10e8, 1.times.10e9, 1.times.10e10, 1.times.10e11 or
1.times.10e12 infectious particles to the patient. Similar figures
may be extrapolated for liposomal or other non-viral formulations
by comparing relative uptake efficiencies. Formulation as a
pharmaceutically acceptable composition is discussed below.
[0253] B. Cell based Therapy
[0254] Another therapy that is contemplated is the administration
of transduced antigen-presenting cells. The antigen-presenting
cells may be transduced in vitro. Formulation as a pharmaceutically
acceptable composition is discussed above.
[0255] In cell based therapies, the transduced antigen-presenting
cells may be transfected with target antigen nucleic acids, such as
mRNA or DNA or proteins; pulsed with cell lysates, proteins or
nucleic acids; or electrofused with cells. The cells, proteins,
cell lysates, or nucleic acid may derive from cells, such as tumor
cells or other pathogenic microorganism, for example, viruses,
bacteria, protozoa, etc.
[0256] C. Combination Therapies
[0257] In order to increase the effectiveness of the expression
vector of the present invention, it may be desirable to combine
these compositions and methods of the invention with an agent
effective in the treatment of the disease.
[0258] In certain embodiments, anti-cancer agents may be used in
combination with the present invention. An "anti-cancer" agent is
capable of negatively affecting cancer in a subject, for example,
by killing one or more cancer cells, inducing apoptosis in one or
more cancer cells, reducing the growth rate of one or more cancer
cells, reducing the incidence or number of metastases, reducing a
tumor's size, inhibiting a tumor's growth, reducing the blood
supply to a tumor or one or more cancer cells, promoting an immune
response against one or more cancer cells or a tumor, preventing or
inhibiting the progression of a cancer, or increasing the lifespan
of a subject with a cancer. Anti-cancer agents include, for
example, chemotherapy agents (chemotherapy), radiotherapy agents
(radiotherapy), a surgical procedure (surgery), immune therapy
agents (immunotherapy), genetic therapy agents (gene therapy),
hormonal therapy, other biological agents (biotherapy) and/or
alternative therapies.
[0259] In further embodiments antibiotics can be used in
combination with the pharmaceutical composition of the present
invention to treat and/or prevent an infectious disease. Such
antibiotics include, but are not limited to, amikacin,
aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamycin), amoxicillin, amphotericin B,
ampicillin, antimonials, atovaquone sodium stibogluconate,
azithromycin, capreomycin, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, ceftriaxone,
chloramphenicol, clarithromycin, clindamycin, clofazimine,
cycloserine, dapsone, doxycycline, ethambutol, ethionamide,
fluconazole, fluoroquinolones, isoniazid, itraconazole, kanamycin,
ketoconazole, minocycline, ofloxacin), para-aminosalicylic acid,
pentamidine, polymixin definsins, prothionamide, pyrazinamide,
pyrimethamine sulfadiazine, quinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin),
rifabutin, rifampin, sparfloxacin, streptomycin, sulfonamides,
tetracyclines, thiacetazone, trimethaprim-sulfamethoxazole,
viomycin or combinations thereof.
[0260] More generally, such an agent would be provided in a
combined amount with the expression vector effective to kill or
inhibit proliferation of a cancer cell and/or microorganism. This
process may involve contacting the cell(s) with an agent(s) and the
pharmaceutical composition of the present invention at the same
time or within a period of time wherein separate administration of
the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention and an
agent to a cell, tissue or organism produces a desired therapeutic
benefit. This may be achieved by contacting the cell, tissue or
organism with a single composition or pharmacological formulation
that includes both the pharmaceutical composition of the present
invention and one or more agents, or by contacting the cell with
two or more distinct compositions or formulations, wherein one
composition includes the pharmaceutical composition of the present
invention and the other includes one or more agents.
[0261] The terms "contacted" and "exposed," when applied to a cell,
tissue or organism, are used herein to describe the process by
which the pharmaceutical composition and/or another agent, such as
for example a chemotherapeutic or radiotherapeutic agent, are
delivered to a target cell, tissue or organism or are placed in
direct juxtaposition with the target cell, tissue or organism. To
achieve cell killing or stasis, the pharmaceutical composition
and/or additional agent(s) are delivered to one or more cells in a
combined amount effective to kill the cell(s) or prevent them from
dividing.
[0262] The administration of the pharmaceutical composition may
precede, be co-current with and/or follow the other agent(s) by
intervals ranging from minutes to weeks. In embodiments where the
pharmaceutical composition of the present invention, and other
agent(s) are applied separately to a cell, tissue or organism, one
would generally ensure that a significant period of time did not
expire between the times of each delivery, such that the
pharmaceutical composition of the present invention and agent(s)
would still be able to exert an advantageously combined effect on
the cell, tissue or organism. For example, in such instances, it is
contemplated that one may contact the cell, tissue or organism with
two, three, four or more modalities substantially simultaneously
(i.e., within less than about a minute) as the pharmaceutical
composition of the present invention. In other aspects, one or more
agents may be administered within of from substantially
simultaneously, about 1 minute, to about 24 hours to about 7 days
to about 1 to about 8 weeks or more, and any range derivable
therein, prior to and/or after administering the expression vector.
Yet further, various combination regimens of the pharmaceutical
composition of the present invention and one or more agents may be
employed.
EXAMPLES
[0263] The following examples are provided to illustrate aspects of
the invention and are not limiting.
Example 1: Materials and Methods
[0264] Described hereafter are materials and methods utilized in
studies described in subsequent Examples.
[0265] Tumor Cell Lines and Peptides
[0266] NA-6-Mel, T2, SK-Mel-37 and LNCaP cell lines were purchased
from ATCC (Manassas, Va.). HLA-A2-restricted peptides MAGE-3
p271-279 (FLWGPRALV) (SEQ ID NO: 8), influenza matrix (IM) p58-66
(GILGFVFTL) (SEQ ID NO: 9), and HIV-1 gag p77-85 (SLYNTVATL) (SEQ
ID NO: 10) were used to analyze CD8+ T cell responses. In T helper
cell polarization experiments, tetanus toxoid peptide TTp30
FNNFTVSFWLRVPKVSASHLE (SEQ ID NO: 5) was used. All peptides were
synthesized by Genemed Synthesis Inc (San Francisco, Calif.), with
an HPLC-determined purity of >95%.
[0267] Recombinant Adenovirus Encoding Human Inducible CD40
[0268] The human CD40 cytoplasmic domain was Pfu I polymerase
(Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) amplified from human
monocyte-derived DC cDNA using an Xho I-flanked 5' primer
(5hCD40X), 5'-atatactcgagaaaaaggtggccaagaagccaacc-3' (SEQ ID NO:
11), and a Sal I-flanked 3' primer (3hCD40S),
5'-atatagtcgactcactgtctctcctgcactgagatg-3' (SEQ ID NO: 12). The PCR
fragment was subcloned into Sal I-digested pSH1/M-FvFvls-E15 and
sequenced to create pSH1/M-FvFvls-CD40-E. Inducible CD40 was
subsequently subcloned into a non-replicating E1, E3-deleted
Ad5/f35-based vector expressing the transgene under a
cytomegalovirus early/immediate promoter. The iCD40-encoding
sequence was confirmed by restriction digest and sequencing.
Amplification, purification, and titration of all adenoviruses were
carried out in the Viral Vector Core Facility of Baylor College of
Medicine.
[0269] Western Blot
[0270] Total cellular extracts were prepared with RIPA buffer
containing a protease inhibitor cocktail (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis,
Mo.) and quantitated using a detergent-compatible protein
concentration assay (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif.). 10-15 micrograms
of total protein were routinely separated on 12% SDS-PAGE gels, and
proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes (Bio-Rad).
Blots were hybridized with goat anti-CD40 (T-20, Santa Cruz
Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, Calif.) and mouse anti-alpha-tubulin
(Santa Cruz Biotechnology) Abs followed by donkey anti-goat and
goat anti-mouse IgG-HRP (Santa Cruz Biotechnology), respectively.
Blots were developed using the SuperSignal West Dura Stable
substrate system (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.).
[0271] Generation and Stimulation of Human DCs
[0272] Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy
donors were isolated by density centrifugation of heparinized blood
on Lymphoprep (Nycomed, Oslo, Norway). PBMCs were washed with PBS,
resuspended in CellGenix DC medium (Freiburg, Germany) and allowed
to adhere in culture plates for 2 h at 37.degree. C. and 5%
CO.sub.2. Nonadherent cells were removed by extensive washings, and
adherent monocytes were cultured for 5 days in the presence of 500
U/ml hIL-4 and 800 U/ml hGM-CSF (R&D Systems, Minneapolis,
Minn.). As assessed by morphology and FACS analysis, the resulting
immature DCs (imDCs) were MHC-class I, IIhi, and expressed CD401o,
CD801o, CD831o, CD861o. The imDCs were CD14neg and contained <3%
of contaminating CD3+ T, CD19+B, and CD16+NK cells.
[0273] Approximately 2.times.10.sup.6 cells/ml were cultured in a
24-well dish and transduced with adenoviruses at 10,000 viral
particle (vp)/cell (.about.160 MOI) for 90 min at 37.degree. C. and
5% CO.sub.2. Immediately after transduction DCs were stimulated
with MPL, FSL-1, Pam3CSK4 (InvivoGen, San Diego, Calif.), LPS
(Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.), AP20187 (kind gift from ARIAD
Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Mass.) or maturation cocktail (MC),
containing 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha, 10 ng/ml IL-1beta, 150 ng/ml IL-6
(R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) and 1 micrograms/ml of
PGE.sub.2 (Cayman Chemicals, Ann Arbor, Mich.). In T cell assays
DCs were pulsed with 50 micrograms/ml of PSMA or MAGE 3 peptide 24
hours before and after adenoviral transduction.
[0274] Surface Markers and Cytokine Production
[0275] Cell surface staining was done with fluorochrome-conjugated
monoclonal antibodies (BD Biosciences, San Diego, Calif.). Cells
were analyzed on a FACSCalibur cytometer (BD Biosciences, San Jose,
Calif.). Cytokines were measured in culture supernatants using
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for human IL-6 and IL-12p70
(BD Biosciences).
[0276] Real Time Q-PCR Assay for Human SOCS1
[0277] Total RNA was purified and reverse transcribed with random
hexamers using SuperScript II RTase (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.).
mRNA levels were quantified in DCs by subjecting cDNA to TaqMan PCR
analysis using the GeneAmp 5700 Sequence Detection System (Applied
Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). Pre-developed sequence detection
reagents (Applied Biosystems) specific for human SOCS1 and 18S
rRNA, including forward and reverse primers as well as a
fluorogenic TaqMan FAM-labeled hybridization probe, were supplied
as mixtures and were used at 1 microliter/20 microliter PCR.
Samples were run in duplicates. The level of SOCS1 expression in
each sample was normalized to the level of 18S rRNA from the same
sample using the comparative 2-.DELTA..DELTA.CT method.sup.21.
[0278] DC Migration Assay
[0279] Chemotaxis of DCs was measured by migration through a
polycarbonate filter with 8 micrometer pore size in 96-Multiwell
HTS Fluoroblok plates (BD Biosciences). Assay medium (250 .mu.L)
containing 100 ng/ml CCL19 (R&D Systems) or assay medium alone
(as a control for spontaneous migration) were loaded into the lower
chamber. DCs (50,000) were labeled with Green-CMFDA cell tracker
(Invitrogen), unstimulated or stimulated for 48 h with the
indicated reagents, and were added to the upper chamber in a total
volume of 50 .mu.L for 1 hour at 37.degree. C. and 5% CO.sub.2.
Fluorescence of cells, which had migrated through the microporous
membrane, was measured using the FLUOstar OPTIMA reader (BMG
Labtech Inc., Durham, N.C.). The mean fluorescence of spontaneously
migrated cells was subtracted from the total number of migrated
cells for each condition.
[0280] IFN-Gamma ELISPOT Assay
[0281] DCs from HLA-A2-positive healthy volunteers were pulsed with
MAGE-3 A2.1 peptide (residues 271-279; FLWGPRALV) (SEQ ID NO: 8) on
day 4 of culture, followed by transduction with Ad-iCD40 and
stimulation with various stimuli on day 5. Autologous T cells were
purified from PBMCs by negative selection (Miltenyi Biotec, Auburn,
Calif.) and mixed with DCs at DC:T cell ratio 1:3. Cells were
incubated in complete RPMI with 20 U/ml hIL-2 (R&D Systems) and
25 micrograms/ml of MAGE 3 A2.1 peptide. T cells were restimulated
at day 7 and assayed at day 14 of culture.
[0282] ELISPOT Quantitation
[0283] Flat-bottom, 96-well nitrocellulose plates (MultiScreen-HA;
Millipore, Bedford, Mass.) were coated with IFN-gamma mAb (2
.mu.g/ml, 1-D1K; Mabtech, Stockholm, Sweden) and incubated
overnight at 4.degree. C. After washings with PBS containing 0.05%
TWEEN 20, plates were blocked with complete RPMI for 2 h at
37.degree. C. A total of 1.times.10.sup.5 presensitized CD8+ T
effector cells were added to each well and incubated for 20 h with
25 micrograms/ml peptides. Plates were then washed thoroughly with
PBS containing 0.05% Tween 20, and anti-IFN-mAb (0.2 .mu.g/ml,
7-B6-1-biotin; Mabtech) was added to each well. After incubation
for 2 h at 37.degree. C., plates were washed and developed with
streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase (1 .mu.g/ml; Mabtech) for 1 h at
room temperature. After washing, substrate
(3-amino-9-ethyl-carbazole; Sigma-Aldrich) was added and incubated
for 5 min. Plate membranes displayed dark-pink spots that were
scanned and analyzed by ZellNet Consulting Inc. (Fort Lee,
N.J.).
[0284] Chromium Release Assay
[0285] Antigen recognition was assessed using target cells labeled
with .sup.51Chromium (Amersham) for 1 h at 37.degree. C. and washed
three times. Labeled target cells (5000 cells in 50 .mu.l) were
then added to effector cells (100 .mu.l) at the indicated
effector:target cell ratios in V-bottom microwell plates at the
indicated concentrations. Supernatants were harvested after 6-h
incubation at 37.degree. C., and chromium release was measured
using MicroBeta Trilux counter (Perkin-Elmer Inc, Torrance Calif.).
Assays involving LNCaP cells were run for 18 hours. The percentage
of specific lysis was calculated as: 100*[(experimental-spontaneous
release)/(maximum-spontaneous release)].
[0286] Tetramer Staining
[0287] HLA-A2 tetramers assembled with MAGE-3.A2 peptide
(FLWGPRALV) (SEQ ID NO: 8) were obtained from Baylor College of
Medicine Tetramer Core Facility (Houston, Tex.). Presensitized CD8+
T cells in 50 .mu.l of PBS containing 0.5% FCS were stained with
PE-labeled tetramer for 15 min on ice before addition of FITC-CD8
mAb (BD Biosciences). After washing, results were analyzed by flow
cytometry.
[0288] Polarization of Naive T Helper Cells
[0289] Naive CD4+CD45RA+ T-cells from HLA-DR11.5-positive donors
(genotyped using FASTYPE HLA-DNA SSP typing kit; BioSynthesis,
Lewisville, Tex.) were isolated by negative selection using naive
CD4+ T cell isolation kit (Miltenyi Biotec, Auburn, Calif.). T
cells were stimulated with autologous DCs pulsed with tetanus
toxoid (5 FU/ml) and stimulated with various stimuli at a
stimulator to responder ratio of 1:10. After 7 days, T cells were
restimulated with autologous DCs pulsed with the
HLA-DR11.5-restricted helper peptide TTp30 and transduced with
adenovector Ad-iCD40. Cells were stained with PE-anti-CD4 Ab (BD
Biosciences), fixed and permeabilized using BD Cytofix/Cytoperm kit
(BD Biosciences), then stained with hIFN-gamma mAb (eBioscience,
San Diego, Calif.) and analyzed by flow cytometry. Supernatants
were analyzed using human TH1/TH2 BD Cytometric Bead Array Flex Set
on BD FACSArray Bioanalyzer (BD Biosciences).
[0290] PSMA Protein Purification
[0291] The baculovirus transfer vector, pAcGP67A (BD Biosciences)
containing the cDNA of extracellular portion of PSMA (residues
44-750) was kindly provided by Dr Pamela J. Bjorkman (Howard Hughes
Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena,
Calif.). PSMA was fused with a hydrophobic secretion signal, Factor
Xa cleavage site, and N-terminal 6.times.-His (SEQ ID NO: 37)
affinity tag. High titer baculovirus was produced by the
Baculovirus/Monoclonal antibody core facility of Baylor College of
Medicine. PSMA protein was produced in High 5 cells infected with
recombinant virus, and protein was purified from cell supernatants
using Ni-NTA affinity columns (Qiagen, Chatsworth, Calif.) as
previously described 24. After purification the .about.100 kDa
solitary band of PSMA protein was detected by silver staining of
acrylamide gels.
[0292] Migration of Human DCs in Mouse Host
[0293] In order to assess the migration of human DCs in vivo,
adenovector, Ad5-CBR, which expresses red-shifted (emission
peak=613 nM) luciferase from Pyrophorus plagiophalamus click
beetles (Promega, Madison, Wis.) was developed. Human DCs were
transduced with .about.50 MOI of Ad5-CBR, and 160 MOI of
Ad5f35-iCD40. DCs were then matured with MC or 1 micrograms/ml LPS
(Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.). Mouse bone-marrow derived DCs were
obtained as described before.sup.13 and were matured with 1
micrograms/ml LPS. Approximately 2.times.10.sup.6 DCs were injected
into the left and right hind footpads of irradiated (250 rads)
Balb/c mice (both hind legs of three mice per group, n=6). Mice
were i.p. injected with D-Luciferin (.about.1 mg/25 g animal) and
imaged over several days using an IVIS.TM. 100 imaging system
(Xenogen Corp., Alameda, Calif.). Luminescent signal was measured
in 3 mice per group, and popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes (LN)
were removed at day 2 post-DC inoculation. The LNs' signal was
measured and the background was subtracted for each group
(n=6).
[0294] Data Analysis
[0295] Results are expressed as the mean.+-.standard error. Sample
size was determined with a power of 0.8, with a one-sided
alpha-level of 0.05. Differences between experimental groups were
determined by the Student t test.
Example 2: Expression of iCD40 and Induction of DC Maturation
[0296] To investigate whether iCD40 signaling can enhance the
immunogenic functions of human DCs, adenovirus, Ad5/f35-ihCD40
(simplified to Ad-iCD40) was generated, expressing inducible human
CD40 receptor, based on the previously described mouse iCD40
vector13 (FIG. 1A). The human CD40 cytoplasmic signaling domain was
cloned downstream of a myristoylation-targeting domain and two
tandem domains (from human FKBP12(V36), designated as "Fv"), which
bind dimerizing drug AP2018722. As shown in FIG. 1B, immature DCs
expressed endogenous CD40, which was induced by LPS and CD40L.
Transduction of Ad-iCD40 led to expression of the distinctly sized
iCD40, which did not interfere with endogenous CD40 expression.
Interestingly, the expression of iCD40 was also significantly
enhanced by LPS stimulation, likely due to inducibility of
ubiquitous transcription factors binding the "constitutive" CMV
promoter.
[0297] One of the issues for the design of DC-based vaccines is to
obtain fully matured and activated DCs, as maturation status is
linked to the transition from a tolerogenic to an activating,
immunogenic state.sup.4,13,23. It has been shown that expression of
mouse variant Ad-iCD40 can induce murine bone marrow-derived DC
maturation.sup.13. To determine whether humanized iCD40 affects the
expression of maturation markers in DCs, DCs were transduced with
Ad-iCD40 and the expression of maturation markers CD40, CD80, CD83,
and CD86 were evaluated. TLR-4 signaling mediated by LPS or its
derivative MPL is a potent inducer of DC maturation.sup.18,24-26.
It was also previously reported that endogenous CD40 signaling
specifically up-regulates CD83 expression in human DCs27.
Consistent with previous reports.sup.27, the expression levels of
CD83 were upregulated upon Ad-iCD40 transduction, and CD83
expression was further upregulated following LPS or MPL addition
(FIG. 2 and data not shown). As shown in FIG. 2 the expression of
CD40, CD80, and CD86 maturation markers were also highly induced by
iCD40 with the addition of the dimerizer, AP20187, and further
induced by the addition of LPS or MPL. In contrast, control
adenovirus expressing renilla luciferase, Ad-Luc, only provided
incidental activation. These results show that the combination of
inducible CD40 and TLR-4 ligands provides sufficient stimulation
for full DC maturation. This up-regulation of CD40, CD80, CD83 and
CD86 expression was similar to that achieved by standard maturation
cocktail (MC) and CD40L (data not shown).
Example 3: Inducible CD40 Signaling and TLR4 Ligation Synergize for
IL-12p70 and L-6 Production in Human DCs
[0298] Interleukin-12 (IL-12) activates T and NK cell responses,
and induces IFN-gamma production. It also favors the
differentiation of TH1 cells and is a vital link between innate and
adaptive immunity.sup.1,28. Therefore, induction of biologically
active IL-12p70 heterodimer is likely critical for optimum DC-based
vaccines. Nonetheless, current DC vaccination protocols that
include PGE.sub.2 produce only limited IL-1229. IL-12 is a
heterodimeric cytokine consisting of p40 and p35 chains.
Previously, it was reported that inducible CD40 signaling promotes
the expression of the p35 subunit of IL-12p70 in mouse bone
marrow-derived DCs.sup.13. It was also reported that TLR-4 ligation
can promote p40 expression.sup.30. Therefore, iCD40-DCs was
cultured in the presence of LPS or MPL and assayed supernatants by
ELISA for production of IL-12p70.
[0299] Predictably, similar to DCs treated with standard MC,
iCD40-DCs did not produce detectable IL-12p70 heterodimer (FIG.
3A). If PGE.sub.2 was withheld from the MC, DCs produced detectable
but low levels of IL-12p70 (FIG. 3B), consistent with a potentially
deleterious role for PGE.sub.2. Furthermore, DCs cultured for 12 h
in the presence of LPS or MPL alone also failed to produce IL-12
(<30 pg/ml). However, when Ad-iCD40-transduced DCs were cultured
in the presence of either MPL or LPS they produced very high levels
of IL-12p70 (16.4.+-.7.8 ng/ml for MPL). This level of IL-12 was
about 25-fold higher than levels induced by standard MC lacking
PGE.sub.2. Interestingly, this synergism of iCD40 and TLR4 was
partially independent of AP20187 addition, implying that basal
iCD40 signaling can also synergize with TLR4 ligation. IL-12p70
production in iCD40-DCs was also dose-dependent as IL-12 levels
correlated with viral particles dose (Supplementary FIG. 1).
[0300] To determine whether other TLRs could also synergize with
iCD40, ligands for TLR 1,2,4, and 6 were tested for IL12
production. As shown in FIG. 3B, FSL-1 (ligand for TLR2/TLR6) and
Pam3 CSK4 (ligand for TLR1/TLR2) induced only low levels of
IL12-p70 in iCD40-DCs. As before, TLR4 ligation with MPL or LPS
synergized with CD40 signaling.
[0301] Since CD40 signaling is normally tightly restricted to a
relatively short time period.sup.31,32, potentially limiting
adaptive immunity, it was determined whether iCD40 could induce not
only enhanced, but also prolonged, expression of IL-12p70 in
TLR-4-stimulated DCs. To evaluate the kinetics of IL-12 expression,
LPS-treated iCD40-DCs with LPS and CD40L-stimulated DCs were
compared. It was observed that iCD40-DCs were able to produce
IL-12p70 for over 72 hours post stimulation compared to CD40L or
control vector-transduced DCs (FIG. 3C) in which IL-12p70
expression ceased when LPS stimulation was removed. These results
indicate that inducible CD40 signaling allows DCs to produce
increased levels of IL-12p70 continuously in response to TLR-4
stimulation.
[0302] Finally, the induction of the suppressor of cytokine
signaling (SOCS1) was evaluated. SOCS1 is negative feedback
inhibitor of DC activation, that can attenuate.sup.33
responsiveness to LPS and cytokine stimulation.sup.34. FIG. 3D
shows that LPS stimulation up-regulated SOCS1 expression in DCs, as
previously reported.sup.33. Strikingly, however, in the presence of
LPS, iCD40-DCs expressed 3-fold lower levels of SOCS1 than
CD40L-stimulated DCs. Moreover, iCD40 did not induce SOCS1 by
itself, unlike CD40L. These data indicate that iCD40 can partially
bypass SOCS1 induction in human DCs and may partly explain the
observed sustained elevation of IL-12 levels and DC maturation
markers.
[0303] In addition to IL-12, IL-6 plays an important role in cell
survival and resistance to T regulatory cells.sup.19,35. It was
observed that upon transfection with Ad-iCD40, IL-6 expression was
significantly enhanced and further upregulated when iCD40-DCs were
stimulated with dimerizer drug and TLR-4 ligands (FIG. 3E). Thus,
iCD40 signaling is sufficient for production of some
pro-inflammatory cytokines, but requires additional TLR signaling
for production of the key TH1 cytokine, IL-12.
Example 4: iCD40 and TLR-4-Stimulated DCs Enhance Antigen-Specific
TH1 Polarization
[0304] To further investigate whether iCD40-DCs matured with TLR-4
ligands can effectively prime CD4+ T helper (TH) cells, it was
determined whether they can augment CD4+epitope-specific T-cell
responses in vitro. Naive CD4+CD45RA+ T cells were stimulated for 7
days in the presence of autologous Ad-iCD40 DCs pulsed with the
model antigen, tetanus toxoid. At day 7, T cells were stimulated
with the MHC class II-restricted tetanus toxoid epitope, TTp30.
FIG. 4A shows that the production of IFN-gamma was significantly
increased in the CD4+ T cells co-cultured with iCD40-DCs and
iCD40-DCs stimulated with either MPL or MC. IFN-gamma production
was iCD40-specific, as it was not induced by control virus
Ad-GFP-transduced DCs or by MPL or MC stimulation alone (FIG. 4A
and data not shown). In addition, T cell polarization was analyzed
by assessing TH1/TH2 cytokine levels in the supernatants of T cells
using a cytometric bead array (FIG. 4B). The levels of IFN-gamma,
TNF-alpha, IL-4, and IL-5 secreted cytokines were increased in
helper T cells stimulated by iCD40-DCs, indicating the expansion of
both TH1 and TH2-polarized T cells. However, the levels of TH1
cytokines were significantly higher than TH2-associated cytokines,
indicating a predominant expansion of TH1 cells. In contrast,
induction of TT-specific CD4+ T-helper cells from naive CD4+CD45RA+
cells, using MC-matured DCs, led to only a modest bias in TT
epitope-specific TH1 differentiation. These results suggest that
iCD40 signaling in DCs enables them to effectively induce
antigen-specific TH1 differentiation, possibly due to higher IL-12
production.
Example 5: MPL-Stimulated iCD40-DCs Induce Strong Tumor
Antigen-Specific CTL Responses
[0305] It was determined whether iCD40 and MPL could enhance
cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to poorly immunogenic
melanoma self-antigen MAGE-3. iCD40-DCs from HLA-A2-positive donors
were pulsed with class-I HLA-A2.1-restricted MAGE3-derived
immunodominant peptide, FLWGPRALV (SEQ ID NO: 8), and co-cultured
with autologous T cells. After a series of stimulations, the
frequency of antigen-specific T cells was assessed by
IFN-gamma-specific ELISPOT assay (FIG. 5A). iCD40-DCs stimulated
with MPL led to a 50% increase in MAGE-3-specific T cells relative
to iCD40-DCs stimulated with MC and about a five-fold increase in
antigen-specific T cells compared to control non-transduced (WT)
DCs.
[0306] It also was determined whether iCD40-DCs were capable of
enhancing CTL-mediated killing of tumor cells in an
antigen-specific fashion. Immature DCs from HLA-A2-positive
volunteers were transfected with Ad-iCD40, pulsed with MAGE-3
protein, and used as stimulators to generate CTLs in vitro.
SK-MEL-37 cells (HLA-A2+, MAGE-3+) and T2 cells pulsed with MAGE-3
A2.1 peptide (HLA-A2+, MAGE-3+) were utilized as targets. NA-6-MEL
cells (HLA A2-, MAGE-3+) and T2 cells (HLA-A2+) pulsed with an
irrelevant A2.1-restricted influenza matrix peptide served as
negative controls. As shown in FIG. 5B, the CTLs induced by
iCD40-DCs were capable of efficiently recognizing and lysing their
cognate targets (SK-MEL-37, left top panel), and also T2 cells
pulsed with MAGE-3 A2.1 peptide (lower left panel), indicating the
presence of MAGE-3-specific CTLs. In contrast, control targets were
lysed at significantly lower levels (right panels). Improved lytic
activity was consistently observed when iCD40-DCs treated with MPL
or MC were used as stimulators compared with non-transduced DCs
treated with MPL or MC alone. In addition, a significant expansion
of MAGE-3/HLA-A2-specific tetramer positive CD8+CTLs by iCD40-DCs
that were treated with MPL (FIG. 5C) was observed.
[0307] Similarly, to test whether LPS and iCD40-stimulated DCs
could enhance CTL lytic activity, their ability to break tolerance
to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) was examined. DCs
generated from healthy HLA-A2+ volunteers were pulsed with PSMA
protein.sup.36 or MAGE-3, transduced with AD-iCD40 or Ad-Luc, and
were co-cultured with autologous T cells. After three rounds of
stimulation, antigen-specific CTL activity was measured by
chromium-release assay using LNCaP cells (HLA-A2+PSMA+) as targets
and SK-Mel-37 (HLA-A2+PSMA-) as control cells for PSMA-pulsed DCs
(FIG. 6A). SK-Mel-37 cells (MAGE-3+) were used as targets when DCs
of the same donor were pulsed with MAGE-3, and LNCaP cells
(MAGE-3-) were used here as negative controls (FIG. 6B).
Collectively, these data indicate that iCD40-transduced DCs are
capable of inducing significantly more potent antigen-specific CTL
responses in vitro than MC-treated DCs.
Example 6: Inducible CD40 Enhances CCR7 Expression and Migratory
Abilities of DCs without PGE.sub.2
[0308] In addition to other maturation markers, CCR7 is
up-regulated on DCs upon maturation and is responsible for
directing their migration to draining lymph nodes.sup.37. Recently,
several reports have indicated that, apart from chemotaxis, CCR7
also affects DC "cytoarchitecture", the rate of endocytosis,
survival, migratory speed, and maturation.sup.38. Along with
costimulatory molecules and TH1 cytokines, iCD40 specifically
up-regulates CCR7 expression in human DCs (FIG. 7A). Moreover, CCR7
expression correlated with Ad-iCD40 viral dose-escalation
(Supplementary FIG. 2).
[0309] Because CCR7 expression levels correlate with enhanced
migration towards MIP-3 beta CCL19), it was determined whether
human iCD40-DCs could migrate in vitro towards MIP-3 beta in
transwell assays. FIG. 7B shows that iCD40-DCs treated with AP20187
dimerizer has migration levels comparable to those induced by MC.
Moreover, iCD40-DC migration was further increased by MPL or MC
stimulation, even when PGE.sub.2 was not present. These data were
highly reproducible and indicate that iCD40 is sufficient to induce
CCR7 expression and DC migration in vitro in contrast to the widely
held belief that PGE.sub.2 is essential for lymph node homing of
human DC.
[0310] Chemokines and chemokine receptors share a high degree of
sequence identity within a species and between species.sup.39. On
the basis of this knowledge, a novel xenograft model was developed
for monitoring the migration of human DCs in vivo. Human DCs were
transduced with iCD40 and matured with LPS or MC, and mouse DCs
were matured with LPS. Since DCs were co-transduced with Ad5-CBR,
bioluminescence was immediately visible (FIG. 7C and not shown). As
expected, immature DCs did not migrate to the draining popliteal
lymph nodes. However, iCD40-DCs matured with LPS or MC were
detectable in the xenogeneic popliteal lymph nodes within 2 days
post-inoculation (FIG. 7C). The migration of iCD40-DCs stimulated
with LPS was significantly (p=0.036) higher than non-stimulated DCs
and was comparable to mouse DC migration (FIG. 7D). Moreover, at
day 2 the iCD40-DCs were detected in inguinal LNs while
MC-stimulated DCs were undetectable, suggesting higher migratory
abilities of iCD40-DCs than stimulated with MC. Collectively, these
results indicate that iCD40 signaling in DCs plays a critical role
in controlling CCR7 expression and is sufficient for DC migration
to lymph nodes. The migration of iCD40-DCs is further enhanced when
the cells are stimulated with LPS, correlating with enhanced CCR7
expression.
Example 7: Analysis of Results Presented in Example 2 to Example 6
and Documents Cited in Specification Through Example 7
[0311] Dendritic cell efficacy depends on many variables,
especially maturation status and efficient migration to lymph
nodes. Several clinical trials in cancer patients showed the
potency of DCs to induce adaptive immunity to tumor-specific
antigens.sup.40,41,42. However, clinical responses were transient,
and warrant further improvement in DC vaccine design.sup.43,44.
Limitation of current DC-based vaccines are the transient
activation state within lymphoid tissues, low induction of CD4+ T
cell immunity, and impaired ability to migrate to the draining
lymph nodes.sup.45. Less than 24 hours following exposure to LPS,
DCs terminate synthesis of the TH1-polarizing cytokine, IL-12, and
become refractory to further stimuli.sup.46, limiting their ability
to activate T helper cells and CTLs. Other studies indicate that
less than 5% of intradermally administered mature DCs reach the
lymph nodes, showing inefficient homing.sup.39. These findings
underscore the need for either prolonging the activation state and
migratory capacities of the DCs and/or temporally coordinating the
DC activation "window" with engagement of cognate T cells within
lymph nodes.
[0312] A method for promoting mouse DC function in vivo was
developed by manipulation of a chimeric inducible CD40
receptor.sup.13. It has been observed that the inducible CD40
approach is also effective in enhancing the immunostimulatory
function of human DCs. Consistent with previous reports of the
synergistic activity of combining TLR and CD40 signaling for
IL-12p70 secretion, iCD40 plus TLR4 signaling induced high level
IL-12 secretion, DC maturation, T cell stimulatory functions, and
extensive migratory capacities.sup.20,47.
[0313] It was also demonstrated that increased and prolonged
secretion of IL-12p70 in DCs could break self tolerance, which
likely is attributable in part to over-riding the production of
SOCS1, which inhibits IL-12 signaling.sup.34. It has been
determined that although endogenous CD40 signaling stimulated by
soluble CD40L leads to SOCS1 upregulation, iCD40 activates DCs
without significant SOCS1 induction. Additionally, iCD40 signaling
unleashes high and prolonged expression of IL-12p70 in DCs, which
exhibit enhanced potency in stimulating CD4+ T cells and CTLs.
[0314] IL-6 is implicated in the survival of many different cell
types by activation of anti-apoptotic pathways, such as p38 MAPK,
ERK1, 2 47 and PI3-kinase.sup.48. The induction of IL-6 expression
by iCD40 and TLR-4 signalings in DCs also was identified. This
finding could partly explain the prolonged survival of DCs
described previously.sup.13. Furthermore, IL-6 expression is
critical in the ability of DCs to inhibit the generation of
CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells.sup.35. In this context, an
iCD40-DCs-based vaccine could potentially suppress negative
regulators in vivo, inhibiting peripheral tolerance to targeting
antigens.
[0315] One major focus of cancer immunotherapy has been the design
of vaccines to promote strong tumor antigen-specific CTL responses
in cancer patients3. However, accumulating evidence suggests that
CD4+ T cells also play a critical role in antitumor immunity, as
they contribute to the induction, persistence and expansion of CD8+
T cells.sup.49. Our study showed that iCD40-DCs could effectively
prime naive T cells and effectively expand antigen-specific cells
representing both arms of the immune response (i.e. MAGE-3 and PSMA
specific CTLs and TT-specific CD4+ T cells). It was demonstrated
that TH1 (IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha) cytokines were produced
predominantly in the milieu of iCD40-DC-stimulated CD4+ T cells,
indicating expansion of TH1 cells. As expected, these cytokines
were not detected when T cells were stimulated with MC treated DCs,
because PGE.sub.2 (a key MC component) is a powerful suppressor of
TH1 responses.sup.50,51,52.
[0316] Recent mouse studies have shown that DC migration directly
correlates with T cell proliferation.sup.53. Therefore, the
increase in migration should enhance efficacy of DC-based
vaccines.sup.45. Current DC vaccine protocols include
pre-conditioning the vaccine injection site with inflammatory
cytokines or ex vivo stimulation of DCs with TLR ligands and
pro-inflammatory cytokines, consisting primarily of MC
constituents53,54. Despite its numerous immunosuppressive
functions.sup.8-12, PGE.sub.2 has been used for the past few years
as an indispensible component of the DC maturation cocktail because
it stimulates the migratory capacity of DCs by up-regulating CCR7
and sensitization to its ligands. Alternative approaches enhancing
DCs migration without PGE.sub.2, should be beneficial for DC-based
vaccine improvement.
[0317] The results of our study show that iCD40 signaling not only
up-regulates CCR7 expression on DCs but also stimulates their
chemotaxis to CCL19 in vitro. Additionally, immature DCs transduced
with iCD40 were able to migrate as efficiently as MC-stimulated DCs
both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, migration of iCD40-DCs was
further induced when cells were stimulated with TLR-4 ligands. It
was recently shown that stimulation of CCR7 increases the migratory
rate of DCs, indicating that this receptor can regulate DC
locomotion and motility.sup.55-57. It has been shown that
stimulation of CCR7 enhances the mature phenotype of DCs58. Thus,
by transduction of DCs with iCD40, CCR7 expression, DC migration
and maturation status have been enhanced, obviating the need for
PGE.sub.2. Further studies are underway to identify the specific
mechanisms of iCD40 on DC migration.
[0318] Finally, iCD40 stimulation of DCs was capable of inducing a
potent cytotoxic T cell response to the prostate-specific antigen,
PSMA, which was capable of significantly increased killing of
target LNCaP cells. Based on these observations, a clinical vaccine
trial is planned using iCD40-transduced, PSMA protein-loaded DCs,
in combination with AP20187, in patients with advanced, hormone
refractory prostate cancer. Ultimately, by expanding
antigen-specific T cells, the DC-based vaccine approach could
compliment recently described techniques that are based on the
expansion of tumor-derived T cells or the genetic modification of
polyclonal endogenous T cells to antigen-specificity.sup.59,60.
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[0379] Other documents cited herein are referenced in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/781,384, filed Feb. 18, 2004, entitled
"Induced Activation In Dendritic Cells," and naming Spencer et al.
as inventors.
Example 8: Inducible Pattern Recognition Receptors
[0380] The innate immune system uses several families of pattern
recognition receptors PRRs to sense pathological infection or
injury. One family of PRRs is the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that
now include about 11 members in mammals. These typically bind to
multi-valent ligands through a leucine-rich motif (LRM). The
ligands can come from bacteria, viruses, fungi, or host cells and
can bind to TLRs either on the cell surface or within endocytic
vesicles (especially TLR 3, 7, 8 and 9). Within their cytoplasmic
signaling domains, they share a conserved TIR (Toll/IL-1R) domain
that binds to downstream TIR-containing adapter molecules, such as
MyD88 and TRIF/TICAM-1, and adapters TIRAM/TICAM-2 and MAL/TIRAP.
Additional PRRs include the NOD-like receptors (e.g. NOD1 and NOD2)
and the RIG-like helicases, RIG-I and Mda-5. Many PRRs bind to
ligands through flexible LRMs and couple to downstream signaling
molecules through protein-protein binding motifs, such as TIR or
CARD (caspase recruitment domain) domains.
[0381] Stimulation through TLR-4 in conjunction with signaling
through the costimulatory molecule CD40 can promote high-level
maturation and migratory properties in human monocyte-derived
dendritic cells (MoDCs). Based on both published and unpublished
data.sup.2-7, this prolonged and enhanced activation state of human
MoDCs in vitro and/or in vivo may both promote the activation and
expansion of autologous tumor-specific T cells for adoptive
immunotherapy and overcome the problems of self-limiting ex
vivo-matured DCs for vaccination.
[0382] Currently, there is a limited array of TLR agonists
available in clinical studies. So far, the only clinically approved
TLR-4 ligand is monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL). To develop a
simplified, unified vector for optimal MoDC activation in vitro and
in vivo in the absence of added TLR or costimulatory ligands, a
chemical inducer of dimerization (CID)-inducible TLRs (iTLRs) fused
to costimulatory receptors, such as CD40, may be developed. Thus,
rather than modifying MoDCs with several activation reagents, a
unified chimeric receptor may be developed containing all
components necessary for potent, inducible activation of MoDCs in
vitro and in vivo within the context of an immunological synapse.
Toward this goal, several iTLRs representing multiple TLR
subfamilies are developed and their efficacy alone and when fused
to iCD40 compared. Second, the most potent iCD40-TLR is compared
with previously identified most potent methods for enhancing DC
activation. Lastly synergistic effects are appraised in a spectrum
of in vitro assays on human DCs.
[0383] Development of synthetic drug-inducible Toll-like receptors
and composite costimulatory receptors within a single vector for
unified broadly applicable immunotherapy. To replace complex,
poorly understood MoDC maturation cocktails or combinations of
adjuvants and CD40 signaling, CID-inducible versions of toll-like
receptor 4 (called iTLR4) and other iTLRs (i.e. TLR3, 7, 8, and 9)
are developed and iTLRs are assayed for synergy with iCD40 either
in trans or in cis within the same polypeptide chain. Efficacy is
based on induction of transcription factors NF-kB and IRF3/7s, and
phosphorylation of p38 and JNK in the DC line, 2DSC/1. The most
potent inducible receptor is subcloned into an adenovector for
efficient transduction of MoDCs.
[0384] Comparison of optimum iTLR-CD40 with previously developed
approaches (i.e. iCD40, Myr.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt, SOCS-1 shRNA) to
enhance MoDC activation, survival, and function in vitro and in
vivo. The murine DC-vaccine models are extended to a preclinical
human model for optimizing DC maturation and activation. Following
MoDC modification with the recently developed "humanized" vectors,
DC maturation (e.g. upregulated CD83, CCR7), and survival is
compared in the absence of growth factors (i.e. GM-CSF),
chemotactic response to CCL19/21 in a 2-chamber assay and in vivo
in non-myoablatively irradiated scid mice using optical imaging. In
addition to determining the capacity of enhanced DCs (eDCs) to
trigger Th1 polarization (determined via multiplex cytokine assays
(e.g. IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-23), and delta-4 mRNA), the
activation of autologous T cells in healthy donors by various eDCs
presenting two distinct cocktails of HLA-A2-restricted antigens,
one strong and one weak is compared. Finally, SOCS-1 depletion is
assayed for synergy with iTLR-CD40, iCD40 or Myr.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt
signaling to produce a further optimized eDC. If synergy is found,
a bicistronic adenovector containing both genetic elements will be
developed and characterized. These 2 aims should lead to
development of an extremely potent DC vaccine platform.
[0385] Significance
[0386] Dendritic cells Dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role
in initiating and regulating adaptive immunity.sup.7,8. Upon
detection of "danger signals", DCs physiologically adapt to their
microenvironment by undergoing a genetic maturation program.sup.6.
Using a broad repertoire of antigen presentation and costimulatory
molecules, DCs are capable of potently activating naive
antigen-specific T lymphocytes and regulating their subsequent
phenotype and function.sup.9. In most cases, the development of
robust cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immunity by DCs requires a
"helper" signal from CD4+ T cells.sup.10. This signal is comprised
of both soluble cytokines, such as IL-2, as well as CD40L-mediated
stimulation of the surface CD40 receptor on the DC.sup.11-13. A
member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily,
CD40 triggers various pathways within the DC resulting in the
upregulation of several antigen presentation, costimulatory,
cytokine, and pro-survival genes, which collectively enable the DC
to induce CTL activation.sup.14,15.
[0387] Use of DCs in immunotherapy Given the pre-eminent role of
DCs as antigen-presenting cells (APCs), their exploitation as
natural adjuvants in vaccination protocols for the treatment of
various malignancies is not surprising.sup.16,17. Typical
applications include harvesting peripheral blood monocytes via
leukapheresis, differentiation in culture in GM-CSF and IL-4, and
loading immature monocyte (or CD34.sup.+ precursor cell)-derived
DCs (MoDC) with tumor antigens by one of several methods, such as
pulsing immature DCs with unfractionated tumor lysates, MHC-eluted
peptides, tumor-derived heat shock proteins (HSPs), tumor
associated antigens (TAAs (peptides or proteins)), or transfecting
DCs with bulk tumor mRNA, or mRNA coding for TAAs (reviewed in
18,19). Antigen-loaded DCs are then typically matured ex vivo with
inflammatory cytokines (e.g. TNFalpha, IL1beta, IL6, and PGE.sub.2)
or other adjuvants (e.g. LPS, CpG oligonucleotides) and injected
into patients. In each case, the immuno-stimulatory properties of
the DCs depend on many variables, especially the ability to migrate
to lymph nodes and full maturation status. However, the limited
success in recent clinical trials with DC immunotherapy has
suggested that current protocols need to be refined if DC-based
immunotherapy is to be included in the treatment arsenal alongside
more conventional modalities of anti-cancer therapy.sup.20,21.
[0388] Two key limitations of DC-based vaccines are the short
lifespan of matured DCs and their transient activation state within
lymphoid tissues. Less than 24 hours following exposure to
lipopolysaccharide (LPS), DCs terminate synthesis of the
T.sub.H1-polarizing cytokine, IL-12, and become refractory to
further stimuli.sup.22, limiting their ability to activate
cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Other studies indicate that the
survival of antigen-pulsed DCs within the draining lymph node (LN)
is limited to only 48 hours following their delivery, due primarily
to elimination by antigen-specific CTLs.sup.23. These findings
underscore the need for improved methods of either prolonging the
activation state and life span of the DCs and/or temporally
coordinating the DC activation "window" with engagement of cognate
T cells within LNs. Thus, enhancing the activation and survival of
DCs may be critical to promoting immunity against tumors.
[0389] DC survival DC survival is regulated, at least partly, by
pathogen-derived molecules acting through one or more conserved
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and T cell-expressed costimulatory
molecules (e.g. CD40L and TRANCE), which are partly dependent on
Bcl-2 and Bcl-x.sub.L for anti-apoptotic activity.sup.3,24-27.
Although the importance of TLR-, CD40-, or Bcl-2-mediated DC
longevity has been well documented, homeostatic feedback mechanisms
are also likely to limit the utility of TLR-ligands or Bcl-2 family
members to extend DC longevity in tumor vaccine protocols. These
include receptor desensitization or downregulation.sup.4,28,29,
expression of negative regulators for TLR/IL-1Rs, like
IRAK-M.sup.30 and SOCS-1.sup.5, and induction of pro-apoptotic
molecules, like Bim.sup.31, resulting in the neutralization of
anti-apoptotic molecules by TLR signals.
[0390] Role of Akt in DC survival Akt/PKB family proteins, major
downstream effectors of PI3 Kinases (PI3K), have been reported as
critical components in the regulation of various biological
processes, including growth, survival, transformation, and others
(reviewed in 32). In DCs, it has been shown that inhibition of PI3K
antagonizes LPS, TRANCE, CD40 or PGE.sub.2-mediated dendritic cell
survival.sup.33,34. In addition, recent studies reveal that some
tumors escape from immune surveillance by the induction of
inhibitory molecules, such as ceramide and TGF-beta, resulting in
DC apoptosis through the suppression of Akt, NF-kappaB, and
Bcl-x.sub.L.sup.35,36. Taken together, these studies suggest that
the PI3K/Akt pathway plays an important role in maintaining DC
survival; however, the detailed molecular mechanisms have not been
fully addressed.
[0391] Role of CD40 in DC survival and activation Another
particularly attractive target for manipulation is the TNF family
receptor, CD40. Unlike pro-inflammatory cytokines or
pathogen-associated molecules that DCs encounter throughout the
periphery, the DC-expressed CD40 receptor is engaged by CD4+ T
helper cells within the LN paracortex via its cognate ligand,
CD40L.sup.12,13,37. Recent studies have further shown that CD40
stimulation enables DCs to "cross-present" antigen.sup.38 and
overcome peripheral T cell tolerance.sup.39, prompting therapeutic
studies based on CD40 stimulation. Strategies included systemic
delivery of CD40-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or of
trimerized CD40L.sup.40, the utilization of CD40-stimulated,
antigen-loaded DC-based vaccines.sup.41, and administration of
genetically modified CD40 ligand (CD40L)-expressing DCs.sup.42.
Despite great potential, several properties of CD40 limit its
therapeutic development, including ubiquitous expression of CD40 by
a variety of other cell types, including B cells, macrophages, and
endothelial cells.sup.14, increasing the likelihood for side
effects due to systemic administration of CD40 stimuli. Moreover,
several mechanisms regulate the surface expression of CD40 by
targeting its extracellular domain, including CD40L-induced
cleavage by matrix metalloproteinase enzymes.sup.29, negative
feedback degradation by an alternatively spliced CD40
isoform.sup.28, and CD40L-mediated endocytosis of CD40.
[0392] Therefore, novel DC activation system was developed based on
the CD40 signaling pathway to extend the pro-stimulatory state of
DCs within lymphoid tissues by providing DC-targeted functionality,
temporal control, and resistance to CD40 regulatory mechanisms.
This engineered recombinant receptor was comprised of the
cytoplasmic domain of CD40 fused to ligand binding domains and a
membrane-targeting sequence (FIG. 10). Administration of a
lipid-permeable, dimerizing drug intraperitoneally led to the
potent induction of CD40-dependent signaling cascades and greatly
improved immunogenicity against both defined antigens and tumors in
vivo relative to other activation modalities.sup.4. Hence the
chimeric CD40 was named inducible CD40 (iCD40). The high utility of
iCD40-activated DCs in mice, suggested that methods to stabilize
endogenous CD40 signaling might also enhance the potency of DC
vaccines.
[0393] Role of TLRs in DC survival and activation TLRs binds to a
variety of viral and bacterial-derived molecules, which trigger
activation of target cells, such as T cells, macrophages and
dendritic cells. Although the majority of the 10 or so mammalian
TLRs utilize a signaling pathway initiated by the adapter protein,
MyD88, leading to NF-kappaB activation, TLR3 relies instead on the
adapter TRIF, leading to IRF3 and Type I interferon induction.
Together, these signaling pathways can synergize to produce high
levels of the Th 1 cytokine, IL-12.sup.43. Interestingly, TLR-4 can
utilize both pathways following binding of the potent mitogen, LPS,
or derivatives. Stimulation through TLR-4 in conjunction with
signaling through the costimulatory molecule CD40 can promote
high-level maturation and migratory properties in human MoDCs
(preliminary data). Currently, there is a limited array of TLR
agonists available in clinical studies. So far, the only clinically
approved TLR-4 ligand is monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL).
[0394] Like many cell-surface receptors that make a single pass
through the plasma membrane, TLRs are likely to all be activated by
homo or heterodimerization or oligomerization. Over the past few
years there have been several citations showing
homodimerization-mediated activation of TLR-4 and
heterodimerization-mediated activation of TLR2 with TLR1 and
TLR6.sup.44-48. Moreover, in a recent article, Ian Wilson and
colleagues crystallized TLR-3 and identified dimerization regions
within the extracellular domain, suggesting that it signals as a
homodimer followed dsRNA binding.sup.49. Therefore, it is extremely
likely that chemically induced dimerization of TLRs, especially
TLR-4, will lead to their induction.
[0395] Considerations for the development of ex vivo-matured,
monocyte-derived "enhanced" human DCs. Our recent published.sup.4
and unpublished (see Preliminary Data) studies have suggested two
potent methods to enhance DC function in vivo, ectopic expression
of an optimized, constitutive Akt (Myr.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt) and
manipulation of a chimeric inducible CD40 in vivo. Complementing
this work, Si-Yi Chen (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex.)
has shown that lowering SOCS-1 levels in DCs can also enhance
efficacy.sup.5. With the addition of inducible TLRs, there would be
at least 4 potent methods to activate DCs in vivo. Significant
supporting data in mice for iCD40, Myr.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt, and SOCS-1
approaches, and human MoDCs are not identical to murine bone
marrow-derived DCs. In particular, the most commonly used human DC
vaccine protocol involves differentiation of MoDCs from monocytes,
prior to treatment with the "gold standard" pro-inflammatory
maturation cocktail, containing TNF-alpha, IL-1-beta, IL-6, and
PGE.sub.2. Although PGE.sub.2 is considered necessary to upregulate
CCR7 and gain chemotactic responsiveness to lymph node-derived
chemokines, CCL19 and CCL21.sup.50,51, PGE.sub.2 can also impair DC
signaling by suppressing bioactive IL12p70 production.sup.52. While
it is unlikely that IL12 suppression is permanent in vivo, given
the slowly building success rate of DC vaccines.sup.7, it will be
important to determine prior to clinical applications which of the
methods outlined above can best overcome PGE.sub.2-mediated IL12
suppression in human MoDCs without interfering with migratory
capacity.
[0396] Although clinical success in DC-based vaccines has been
modest.sup.7,20, extremely low side effects and potentially
exquisite specificity and sensitivity make this modality
attractive. Multiple, potentially complementary approaches to
enhance maturation, activity and survival of antigen-expressing DCs
in vivo have been developed. Because interaction with
antigen-specific T cells is likely to be prolonged, these enhanced
DCs are likely to improve the clinical outcome of DC vaccines. The
development of enhanced antigen-expressing DCs not only has
potential applicability to treating malignancy, but also should be
applicable to the treatment of numerous pathogens, as well.
Moreover, this high impact approach should complement prior efforts
by numerous labs, which have identified tumor antigens.
[0397] Preliminary Studies
[0398] The validation for the approach described herein for
enhancing DC function has been recently described.sup.4,5.
Preliminary data for the effects of iCD40, MyrF-.DELTA.Akt, and
siRNA SOCS-1 follow along with data on the development of
iTLRs.
[0399] Characterization of iCD40 functionality in primary DCs and
development of an iCD40-expressing DC-based prostate cancer
vaccine. After demonstrating functionality of iCD40 in murine
D2SC/1 cells (.sup.4 and not shown), which possess many
characteristics of freshly isolated DCs, iCD40 functionality in
primary bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) by utilizing an
iCD40-expressing adenovirus was examined. A helper-dependent,
.DELTA.E1, .DELTA.E3-type 5 adenoviral vector, named Ad-iCD40-GFP,
was engineered to express both iCD40 and EGFP under the control of
the CMV early/immediate promoter/enhancer. Ad-iCD40-GFP
successfully transduced and expressed the iCD40 transgene, as well
as the EGFP marker, in purified BMDCs (FIG. 11A,B). Titrating
Ad-iCD40-GFP while measuring iCD40-induced upregulation of B7.2
(CD86) showed that maximum drug-mediated iCD40 activation occurred
at around 100 moi and proceeded asymptotically to plateau at higher
viral titers (data not shown). Although the effects were modest,
AP20187 induced the surface expression of MHC class I K.sup.b,
B7.2, as well as endogenous CD40 on iCD40-expressing BMDCs at 100
moi but not on non-transduced DCs (FIG. 11C and not shown). The
effects of Ad-iCD40-GFP on BMDCs using intracellular cytokine
staining to evaluate DC expression of the T.sub.H1-polarizing
cytokine, IL-12 was then investigated. These findings confirmed
numerous previous reports that an empty adenoviral vector can
contribute to background fluorescence readings by stimulating the
production of low levels of this cytokine. (FIG. 11D).sup.53. These
experiments also revealed that the iCD40 transgene could generate a
significant level of basal signaling at these titers even in the
absence of CID. However, AP20187 exposure of these iCD40-expressing
DCs managed to reproducibly overcome these cumulative effects to
further increase the percentage of IL-12' DCs. Interestingly, the
stimulation of IL-12p70/p40 synthesis with LPS and CD40L peaked at
8 hrs and decreased thereafter, while the percentage of IL-12.sup.+
DCs continued to increase until at least 24 hrs following
Ad-iCD40-GFP transduction. Previous work by Langenkamp et al. has
demonstrated that prolonged treatment of DCs with LPS exhausts
their capacity for cytokine production.sup.54. These results imply
that the Ad-iCD40-GFP vector, as opposed to the LPS danger signal,
is capable of promoting and maintaining a more durable IL-12
response by BMDCs.
[0400] In addition to DC activation state, DC longevity is another
critical variable that influences the generation of T
cell-dependent immunity. In fact, CTL-mediated killing of DCs is
considered to be a significant mechanism for modulating immune
responses while protecting the host from autoimmune
pathologies.sup.55,56. Other work has established that CD40
stimulation of DCs prolongs their survival by a variety of
mechanisms, including upregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein
bcl-X.sub.L and the granzyme B inhibitor, Spi-6.sup.57,58. The
effects of iCD40 relative to CD40L on DC survival were compared in
an in vitro serum-starvation culture assay (FIG. 11E). By analyzing
the vital dye (propidium iodide (PI))-positive cell population by
flow cytometry, iCD40 expressing-BMDCs were found to exhibit
greater longevity under these conditions relative to non-transduced
DCs treated with CD40L. This effect was iCD40-dependent since
Ad-GFP-transduced DCs failed to reflect improved survival under
these conditions. This work also showed that exposure of iCD40
BMDCs to the AP20187 dimerizer drug even further enhanced this
survival effect relative to untreated BMDCs. Moreover, when
Ad-iCD40 transduced DCs were CFSE-stained and injected into
footpads, significantly increased numbers of DCs were found in
popliteal lymph nodes following i.p. injections of AP20187 versus
in vitro stimulated iCD40 DCs or LPS/CD40L-treated DCs (FIG.
11F).
[0401] Despite well-known Ad-dependent maturation signals and basal
signaling effects of iCD40 in primary BMDCs, enhanced DC activation
was detected in the presence of AP20187. Overall, this data
suggests that an inducible CD40 receptor designed to respond to a
pharmacological agent is capable of maintaining primary DCs in a
sustained state of activation compared to the more transient
effects of CD40L stimulation and the potentially more complex
effects of anti-CD40 antibodies. This data is consistent with
earlier findings describing only short-term DC modulation for
stimuli that target endogenous CD40.
[0402] The iCD40 Activation Switch Functions as a Potent Adjuvant
for Anti-Tumor DNA Vaccines.
[0403] Previous studies have demonstrated that DCs play a critical
role in the processing and presentation of DNA vaccines to
responding T cells.sup.59. The in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of iCD40
DC-based vaccines as well as the in situ role of iCD40-expressing
DCs in tumor immuno-surveillance was then studied. To establish a
therapeutic tumor model, C57BL/6 mice were inoculated s.c. with the
EG.7-OVA thymoma tumor line and allowed to progress until tumor
volumes reached approximately 0.5 cm.sup.3. These tumor-bearing
mice were vaccinated with either SIINFEKL-pulsed (SEQ ID NO: 6) wt
or iCD40 BMDCs. Vaccination with wt BMDCs, either untreated or
stimulated in culture with LPS and CD40L or in vivo with anti-CD40
mAb, failed to slow the overall tumor growth rate (FIG. 12a).
However, in vivo drug-mediated iCD40 activation of BMDC vaccines
resulted in sustained decreases in tumor size (FIG. 12b). In
addition, the response rate to in vivo activated iCD40-expressing
BMDC vaccines was significantly higher than the response rates to
wild type BMDCs under all other vaccination conditions (70% vs
30%). To confirm the elicitation of tumor antigen-specific T cell
responses in tumor-bearing mice, H-2Kb OVA.sub.257-264 tetramer
analysis was performed on peripheral blood CD8.sup.+ T cells. This
analysis verified the presence of a expanded population of
K.sup.bOVA.sub.257-264-specific CD8+ T cells exclusively in mice
vaccinated with in vivo activated iCD40 BMDCs (FIG. 12c, data not
shown).
[0404] Enforced Expression of Akt-1 in DCs Extended their Survival
and Potency.
[0405] Akt-1 is found to be essential for DC survival, especially
following growth factor withdrawal. Moreover, overexpression of
Akt-1 leads to enhanced DCs (eDCs) with greater apoptosis
resistance, increased maturation, and improved immunogenicity
against highly immunogenic tumors. Following is a summary of these
results:
[0406] Rapid down-regulation of Akt following cytokine withdrawal
is prevented by innate and acquired immune signals. To investigate
pathways involved in DC survival following inflammatory stimuli,
the initial focus was on those signaling proteins that were known
to be induced by the well-characterized TLR ligand, LPS, which was
previously implicated in cell survival. Treatment with PI3 kinase
(PI3K) and Src kinase inhibitors significantly antagonized
LPS-mediated survival, whereas JAK and MAPK inhibitors had almost
no effect even after 48 hr incubation (data not shown).
[0407] To further study the role of PI3K in DC survival, the
kinetics of Akt expression, a key down-stream molecule of PI3K,
during GM-CSF deprivation-mediated DC death.sup.60 was determined.
Interestingly, within 24 hours of GM-CSF deprivation, total Akt
protein levels were rapidly down-regulated prior to DC death,
mirroring decreases in the protein level of Bcl-2, which has been
suggested to be down-regulated upon induction of DC
maturation.sup.61 (not shown). Anti-CD40 mAb and LPS were then
found to protect against GM-CSF deprivation-mediated DC death.
Although GM-CSF deprivation consistently down-regulated Akt protein
levels, LPS or anti-CD40 treatment prevented the down-regulation of
Akt. Even though mild manipulation of DCs, such as replating, can
contribute to Akt phosphorylation at day 2 following GM-CSF
withdrawal, unlike untreated control cells, only LPS and CD40
signals maintained relatively high Akt phosphorylation and protein
levels on day 4, suggesting that LPS and CD40 stimulation regulate
not only the phosphorylation state but also the protein level of
Akt, thereby promoting DC survival (not shown).
[0408] To further test the hypothesis that PI3K and Akt are common
regulators for innate and acquired immune signal-mediated DC
survival, various concentrations (0.05-5 .mu.M) of PI3K inhibitor,
wortmannin, in BMDCs treated with LPS or anti-CD40 were tested.
Even low wortmannin concentration (0.05 .mu.M), which has very
little effect on other types of cells (data not shown), rapidly
induced DC death in both LPS and anti-CD40 treatment, suggesting
that PI3K is a common mediator of DC survival by inflammatory
stimuli.
[0409] Functional role of Akt in LPS mediated-DC survival. To more
directly investigate the role of Akt in PI3K-mediated DC survival,
a previously described constitutively active Akt (M-Akt) allele,
consisting of full length Akt, targeted to intracellular membranes
with a myristoylation-targeting sequence from c-Src.sup.62 was
used. However, it has been suggested that c-Src, which is only
myristoylated, is excluded from lipid rafts in fibroblasts because
dual acylation, such as palmitoylation and myristoylation, is
important for lipid raft localization of Src family kinases.sup.63.
Therefore, to test the possibility that the efficient lipid raft
localization of Akt improve its functions, this construct was
compared with several distinct deregulated Akt alleles, containing
myristoylation-targeting sequences from Src family kinases Src, Fyn
and Lck fused to .DELTA.Akt. The pleckstrin homology (PH) domain
(residues 1-102) was removed to further improve Akt activity when
PI3K is limiting.sup.64. Among the 3 membrane-targeting sequences,
the Fyn myristoylation-targeting sequence (M.sub.F) showed the most
efficient lipid raft localization, 2-3-fold NF-.kappa.B induction,
.about.6-fold induced Akt-S473 and GSK3 phosphorylation, and
enhanced viability of Jurkat cells following treatment with PI3K
inhibitors (data not shown). Therefore, M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt was used
in subsequent experiments. Moreover, for improved expression in
BMDCs, replication-defective adenovirus, Ad-M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt,
expressing functionally optimized Akt was generated. Consistently,
Ad-M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt led to higher GSK3.alpha./.beta.
phosphorylation in BMDCs, compared with Ad-M-Akt.sup.62. In vitro
DC survival assays indicated that both vectors could significantly
inhibit wortmannin-mediated lethality in BMDCs relative to Ad-GFP
(p<0.005). In addition, Ad-M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt more efficiently
protected DCs than Ad-M-Akt. Thus, functionally optimized Akt
almost completely suppresses induction of DC death by PI3K (but not
Src) inhibition.
[0410] Akt transduced DCs show prolonged longevity in vitro and in
vivo. Previous reports demonstrated a correlation between
prolonging DC lifespan by overcoming various death signals in
lymphoid tissues and the adjuvant potency of DC-based vaccines and
T cell dependent immunity.sup.4,25,26. Therefore, induction of Akt
activity promotes the survival of DCs under various conditions was
assayed. First, the effects of Ad-M-Akt and LPS on DC survival
following growth factor depravation was tested. As shown in FIGS.
13a and 13b, DCs pre-incubated with LPS (1 .mu.g/ml) or infected
with Ad-M-Akt maintained viability at least 5 days after GM-CSF
withdrawal, whereas DCs untreated or transduced with Ad-GFP
underwent significant cell death by day 4, suggesting that the
induction of Akt inhibits cell death signals mediated by GM-CSF
withdrawal in vitro.
[0411] To further investigate Akt-mediated survival of DCs in vivo,
the viability of Ad-M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt-transduced DCs with LPS- or
Ad-GFP-transduced DCs in draining lymph nodes was compared. DCs
were stained with the fluorescent dye CFSE followed by subcutaneous
delivery into the hind legs of syngeneic mice (FIG. 13c). On day 5
after delivery, the quantity of CFSE.sup.+ M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt-DCs
residing in the draining popliteal lymph node was .about.1% of
total lymph node cells, which was a 2-3-fold higher percentage than
control Ad-GFP-DC-treated mice. Consistent with previous
findings.sup.3, the percentage of CFSE DCs from control mice
injected with untreated or LPS-treated DCs rapidly decreased at
later timepoints, whereas Akt-transduced DCs sustained their
disproportionate representation for at least 10 days post-delivery
(FIG. 13d). In addition, the average volume of draining lymph nodes
exposed to M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt-DCs was approximately 4-8-fold bigger
than that from control mice, indicating that Ad-M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt
transduction strongly enhances the number of lymph node resident
DCs compared to all negative control groups as well as LPS-treated
DCs (FIG. 13e). Since the arrival of CFSE DCs does not seem to
differ significantly among the groups in the first 24 hr after
injection, these data strongly suggest that ex vivo transduction of
DCs with Ad-M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt promotes prolonged lifespan, which
would result in sustained immunity by overcoming various DC death
signals in lymphoid tissues.
[0412] Akt improves DC ability to induce T cell functions. In
addition to promoting DC survival, optimal maturation and DC
activation, accompanied by IL-12 production, is important for naive
T cell priming, leading to cell proliferation and IFN-.gamma.
production.sup.65. To directly test whether enhanced survival and
activation of M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt-DCs can promote T cell function,
the proliferative response of allogeneic (BALB/c) and syngeneic
OT-1 T cells (expressing transgenic TCRs specific for
K.sup.b-restricted OVA.sub.257-264 peptide (SIINFEKL)) (SEQ ID NO:
6) to peptide-pulsed, Akt-transduced DCs was examined. After 24-hr
incubation of DCs with syngeneic splenocytes from OT-1 mice,
Ad-M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt transduced DCs induced T cell proliferation
comparable to LPS-treated DCs, but higher than Ad-GFP-transduced
DCs. However, after .about.72 hr incubation, M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt-DCs
induced about two-fold higher T cell proliferation than DCs
activated with LPS. Moreover, Ad-M-Akt-transduced DCs also
consistently revealed 5-7-fold higher allogeneic T cell
proliferation responses than DCs pulsed with LPS or Ad-GFP at low
DC:effector ratios after 72-hr incubations. Furthermore,
M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt-DCs produced at least 7-fold higher
IFN-gamma.sup.+ OVA peptide (SIINFEKL)-specific (SEQ ID NO: 6)
splenocytes than DCs treated with LPS or Ad-GFP in our ELISpot
assay. Taken together, these data strongly support the ability of
Akt to induce DC maturation and survival, resulting in robust T
cell proliferation and activation.
[0413] M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt enhances the DC vaccine ability to
eradicate a pre-established tumor. To more faithfully reflect
clinical applications, antitumor efficacy of M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt-DCs
was measured. The induction of immunity by
Ad-M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt-transduced DC vaccines was monitored after
immunization of C57BL/6 mice bearing large (.about.0.4 cm.sup.3)
s.c. EG.7-OVA tumors. While control SIINFEKL-pulsed (SEQ ID NO: 6)
DC vaccines showed no significant inhibition of tumor growth or
increased survival, a single i.p. dose of peptide-pulsed
M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt-DCs led to significant tumor growth inhibition
(P<0.05) (FIG. 14a, b, and data not shown). At early timepoints,
M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt-DCs successfully suppressed all pre-established
EG.7-ova tumors, although 2 of 5 tumors eventually relapsed at
later timepoints (data not shown). To measure sustained
antigen-specific T cell responses in tumor bearing mice, H-2K.sup.b
OVA.sub.257-264 tetramer analysis was performed on peripheral blood
CD8+ T cell harvested 14 days after vaccination. This analysis
clearly showed that the vaccination with Ad-M.sub.F-Akt-transduced
peptide-pulsed DCs led to an expanded population of OVA.sub.257-264
antigen-specific CD8.sup.+ T cells in mice (FIG. 14c, d). These
findings indicate a crucial role for increased longevity of DCs in
tumor immunosurveillance and clearly support the hypothesis that
upregulation of Akt activity in DCs improves DC function, producing
enhanced anti-tumor effects.
[0414] Development of CID-inducible TLRs (iTLRs): There are several
subgroups of TLRs based on sublocalization and signaling pathways
utilized. Development of both iTLR4, normally localized on the cell
surface, and also iTLR3, 7, 8, and 9, normally localized
intracellularly is assayed. Regardless of the normal subcellular
localization of the ligand-binding extracellular domains, the
signaling domains are cytoplasmic and should signal properly in all
cases if homodimerization is the normal signaling mechanism.
Analogous to iCD40, the TLR cytoplasmic signaling domains were
PCR-amplified with flanking XhoI and SalI restriction sites for
subcloning on the 5' or 3' side of two chemical inducers of
dimerization (CID) binding domains (CBD), FKBP12.sub.V36.sup.1. The
chimeric CBD-TLRs were localized to the plasma membrane using
myristoylation-targeting motifs (FIG. 15).
[0415] Initial testing of TLRs involved co-transfection of
expression vectors into Jurkat-TAg or 293 cells along with an
NF-kB-responsive SEAP (secreted alkaline phosphatase) reporter
plasmid.sup.66. Interestingly, our preliminary data suggested that
only iTLR7 and iTLR8 functioned in Jurkat-TAg cells, but not iTLR3,
4, and 9, regardless of the relative position of the CBDs and TLRs
(FIG. 16 and not shown). Additional transfections in a panel of
cells will be required to determine whether this reflects
physiological tissue-specific signaling differences or other
idiosyncrasies of these chimeric constructs.
[0416] Development of aggressive preclinical tumor model for in
vivo imaging of vaccine efficacy. Although subcutaneous tumor
models provide a convenient tool for approximating tumor size,
their utility is typically limited to non-orthotopic tumors that
are reasonably symmetrical. Also quantitation of metastasis
necessitates euthanasia and is limited to a single measurement. As
an improvement on this mainstay approach, tumor cells were
developed that stably express a red-shifted luciferase from
Caribbean click beetles (Pyrophorus plagiophthalamus). Imaging in
mice following administration of substrate D-Luciferin (FIG. 17),
confirms easy detection by either a cooled CCD camera (IVIS.TM.
Imaging System, Xenogen Corp.) or standard calipers. Furthermore,
the red-shifted (.about.613 nM emission) luciferase reporter should
permit more linear quantitation of surface distant metastasis.
[0417] Research Design and Methods:
[0418] Specific Aim 1: Develop Synthetic Drug-Inducible Toll-Like
Receptors and Composite Costimulatory Receptors within a Single
Vector for Unified Broadly Applicable Immunotherapy.
[0419] A. Develop most potent icTLR. This aim attempts to
circumvent the requirement for pathogen-derived (or synthetic)
adjuvant in DC activation by combining previous genetic
manipulation of DCs with newly developed inducible TLRs. Initially,
chimeric iTLR 3,4,7,8,and 9, were developed by cloning the
cytoplasmic signaling domains of TLRs 5' (upstream) or 3'
(downstream) of CID-binding domains (FIG. 15). Initial screening in
Jurkat-TAG cells revealed that iTLR8 (and to a lesser extent iTLR7)
triggered the largest induction of NF-kB (FIG. 16). However, the
relative strength of various TLRs may be a tissue-specific
parameter. To address this, these constructs will first be tested
in the DC cell line, D2SC/1 initially with regards to NF-kB
activation using an NF-kB SEAP reporter system based on transient
transfection of multiple expression plasmids into target cells.
2DSC/1 cells represent a rare subset of immortalized DC lines that
retain both the immature DC phenotype and the ability to mature
following activation signals.sup.67. Since, NF-kB induction is not
the only function of TLRs (FIG. 18), IRF3/7 induction may also be
screened using an interferon (IFN)-stimulated response element
(ISRE)-SEAP reporter plasmid that binds IRFs and induces reporter
activity. To develop ISRE-SEAP, the ISRE-containing promoter from
ISRE-luc (Stratagene) will replace the SRalpha promoter in our
constitutive reporter plasmid pSH1/kSEAP. As a secondary induction
of TLR signaling, JNK and p38 phosphorylation are monitored by
western blotting using phosphorylation-specific antibodies.
[0420] Since various distinct TLRs can differentially induce IRF
and NF-kB and may synergize in DC activation and IL-12
production.sup.43, initial testing of inducible TLRs, will be
followed by combinatorial testing by cotransfection of iTLRs,
two-at-a-time. Although both normal homodimerization and more
unpredictable heterodimerization may occur, this approach should
reveal synergism between different classes of TLRs. Activation of
synergistic TLR pairs should confer enhanced immunostimulatory
capacities to DCs. If synergism can be detected, a new series of
constructs that are comprised of two tandem distinct (or identical)
TLRs, called inducible composite TLRs (icTLRs) are tested (FIG.
19). In this case cytoplasmic XhoI-SalI-flanked TLR signaling
domains from above are combined in various arrangements upstream
and downstream of CBDs. Finally, the two most potent constructs are
modified to contain the cytoplasmic domain of CD40, previously
demonstrated to be activated by CID (FIG. 20).
[0421] Transfection of DCs. Although transfection of DCs can be
problematic, an improved method of electroporation was recently
described by Vieweg and colleagues.sup.68. In their approach,
survival following electroporation (300 V, 150 mF (Gene Pulser II:
Bio-Rad)) is enhanced by resuspending DCs (4.times.10.sup.7/ml) in
high potassium ion ViaSpan buffer (Barr Laboratories).
Additionally, if transfection efficiency is still too low,
expression vector pRSV-TAg, containing SV40 large T antigen for
amplifying our pSH1 series expression vectors, which all contain
the SV40 origin of replication will be cotransfected.
[0422] B. Develop adenovector expressing unified activation gene
icTLR/CD40. Although D2SC/1 is a useful cell model for preclinical
studies, the immunoregulatory genes will next be assayed in primary
mouse and human DCs prior to clinical applications. To facilitate
efficient gene transfer to primary cells, the most potent
construct(s) is subcloned into adenovirus shuttle vector,
pShuttle-X or pDNR-CMV and further transferred into Ad5 vector,
pAdeno-X (BD) or AdXLP (BD), respectively. Preparation of high
titer virus is carried out. As has been achieved with previously
developed Ad5/f35-iCD40, this vector is tested in both human and
mouse DCs. Although Ad5/f35 pseudotyped adenovectors improve
transduction efficiency a bit in human DCs, "pure" Ad5 enveloped
adenovectors will be used to permit additional transduction of
murine DCs.
[0423] For human studies, MoDCs are prepared by standard incubation
of adherent peripheral blood DC precursors in GM-CSF and IL-4.
Immature DCs are transduced with the developed icTLR/CD40 vector
and control vectors (e.g. Ad5/f35-iCD40 and Ad5/f35-EGFP). Standard
MoDC assays for maturation and activity are described herein and
also include, for example, flow cytometry analysis of maturation
markers (e.g. CD40, CD80, CD86, HLA class I and II, CCR7), IL-12
production, migration, and activation of antigen-specific T
cells.
[0424] Expected outcomes, possible pitfalls and alternative
experiments: Since MPL synergizes with iCD40, iTLR4 will likely
synergize with iCD40; however, due to the vagaries of protein
engineering, placing CD40 and TLR signaling domains in tandem may
interfere with the signaling pathways activated by isolated
domains. Therefore, if tandem domains have unanticipated signaling,
the constructs will be coexpressed in viral vectors using
alternative strategies, such as use of bicistronic expression
cassettes or cloning into the E3 region of .DELTA.E1.DELTA.E3
adenovectors. Also, chimeric receptors may not signal identical to
the endogenous proteins. Therefore, although TLR4 is thought to be
the most potent TLR for activation of myeloid DCs, an alternative
TLR(s) may function better when converted to a CID-activated
receptor. Moreover, synergism between iTLRs and constitutive Akt,
M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt, or siRNA SOCS-1 may be found to be more potent
than iCD40 and iTLR. In these cases, other combinations of immune
regulatory genes may be combined in multicistronic
adenovectors.
[0425] Specific Aim 2: Comparison of Optimum iTLR-CD40 with
Previously Developed Approaches (i.e. iCD40, MyrF-.DELTA.Akt,
SOCS-1 shRNA) to Enhance MoDC Activation, Survival, and Function In
Vitro and In Vivo.
[0426] Due to the pivotal role that DCs play in regulating adaptive
immunity, there are many homeostatic mechanisms that downregulate
DC activity. Nevertheless, heightened activation may be required
for overcoming tumor- or viral-derived tolerogenic mechanisms.
Several methods to circumvent these homeostatic mechanisms are
discussed herein. Inducible CD40 can be activated in vivo within
the context of an immunological synapse and lacks its extracellular
domain, bypassing several negative feedback mechanisms that target
this domain. "Optimized", constitutively active Akt,
M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt, is based on lipid-raft targeting of a truncated
Aktl allele. Reducing the inhibitor SOCS-1 with siRNA technology
increases toll-receptor signaling and Type I interferon production.
Thus, all three methods have the capacity to enhance MoDCs.
[0427] Preparation of MoDCs: For most experiments based on
optimization of enhanced DCs (eDCs), monocyte-derived DCs are
differentiated and enriched from peripheral blood mononuclear cells
obtained from the Blood Bank or healthy volunteers. Briefly, DC
precursors are isolated by buoyant density techniques (Histopaque:
Sigma-Aldrich) and then adherent (and semi-adherent) cells are
cultured for 5 days in serum free X-VIVO 15 DC medium (Cambrex Bio
Science) in the presence of cytokines GM-CSF (800 U/ml) and IL-4
(500 U/ml) (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.). Following 5 days
in culture, immature DCs are incubated for an additional 24 hours
in the presence of adenovectors expressing iCD40 (i.e.
Ad5/f35-iCD40), constitutive Akt (Ad5/f35-M.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt),
shRNA SOCS1 (Ad5-shSOCS1), or Ad5-iTLR/CD40 at 10,000 viral
particles (vp) per cell. (Note: Ad5 vectors may be added at 20,000
vp to compensate partly for somewhat reduced transduction
efficiency). In a subset of samples, additional TLR4 ligand
monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL; 1 mg/ml) or dimerizer AP20817 (100 nM;
iCD40-DCs only) will be added for complete maturation.
[0428] Determination of maturation state of MoDCs: A number of
surface proteins ("markers") are induced during MoDC activation,
including CD25, CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86, HLA class I and class II,
CCR7 and others. Preliminary studies demonstrated that iCD40
signaling alone is sufficient to upregulate CD83 and CCR7 on MoDCs
(not shown). Additional TLR4 signaling (via MPL) leads to additive
(or synergistic) activation of all maturation markers (FIG. 21 and
not shown). Therefore, at a fixed vp number, induction of
maturation markers (determined by flow cytometry) by all four viral
vectors either alone or in combination with MPL is evaluated.
Maturation by the previous "gold standard" maturation cocktail
(MC), comprised of IL-la, IL-6, TNFa, and PGE.sub.2, acts as
positive control and non-treated (mock) immature DCs serve as
negative controls in these and the following experiments. In
addition to phenotypic analysis of cell surface markers, production
of IL-12 and other T.sub.H1-polarizing cytokines (e.g. IL-23,
TNFa), are also important for optimal anti-tumor immunity. While
iCD40 is not sufficient for IL-12 production, combinations of MPL
and iCD40 lead to potent synergistic production of IL-12 (FIG. 22).
Therefore, DC culture supernatants, stimulated as above, are
harvested 24 and 48 hours after transduction and maturation. IL-12
p70 levels, IL-12/IL-23 p40 dimers and TNFa concentrations are
determined by colorimetric sandwich ELISA assays (BD Biosciences).
Alternatively, multiplex beads developed by BD to simultaneously
assay multiple additional cytokines (e.g. IL-1, IL-6, IFNa, etc.)
may be used.
[0429] Determination of migration capacity: Unlike murine bone
marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) that are competent for LN migration,
immature MoDCs are deficient in this crucial function. While
PGE.sub.2 is typically used to upregulate CCR7 and migratory
capacity, the utility of PGE.sub.2 is tempered by potential
deleterious effects, which include down regulation of CD40
signaling and IL-12 production and upregulation of
IL-10.sup.50,52,69. Moreover, even in the presence of PGE.sub.2,
migration to LNs is modest and around 1-2% of injected
cells.sup.70. Although CCR7 expression is likely a prerequisite for
migration to lymph nodes, chemotactic responsiveness to the
LN-derived CCR7 chemokines, CCL19 and CCL21, is a more direct
measure of likely migration to lymph nodes. Therefore, migration to
CCL19/MIP3b may be compared in a modified 2-chamber assay.
[0430] Preliminary experiments demonstrate the surprising result
that iCD40 signaling is sufficient for migratory capacity even in
the absence of PGE.sub.2 (FIG. 23). In this assay MoDCs were
transduced with Ad5/f35-ihCD40 and labeled with fluorescent dye,
Green-CMFDA (Molecular Probes). Cells were placed in the top
chamber of a 2-chamber 8-mm assay plate and total fluorescence in
the bottom chamber was quantitated and compared with
PGE.sub.2-mediated stimulation. Similarly, the migratory capacity
in vitro of iCD40-TLR-, iCD40-, and Akt-MoDCs, and SOCS1-deficient
MoDCs individually and in combination with and without TLR4 ligands
may be compared.
[0431] As a second more direct assay for migration capacity,
migration in vivo may be compared by injecting eDCs into the lower
leg of non-myeloablatively irradiated immunodeficient SCID mice.
Minimal radiation (.about.250 rad) is needed to suppress natural
killer (NK) cell activity against xenogeneic cells. Despite species
differences, human MoDCs can respond to murine chemokines and
migrate to draining LNs.sup.71. To visualize successfully migrated
MoDCs, cells are labeled with the fluorescent dye, Green-CMFDA cell
tracker, which is quantitated by flow cytometry. Second, in
addition to adenovector-mediated "enhancement", MoDCs are
transduced with adenovector, Ad5/f35-CBR, expressing red-shifted
(510 nm excitation peak) click beetle (Pyrophorus plagiophthalamus)
luciferase (Promega). Use of the CBR luciferase allele should more
easily allow detection of bioluminescent DCs (using our IVIS.RTM.
Imaging System (Xenogen Corp, Alameda, Calif.)) both within the
draining popliteal LN and at more distant and membrane-distal
sites.
[0432] Activation and polarization of autologous T cells: In
addition to maturation and migration, ability to activate a
TH1-biased antigen-specific immune response in vivo is the sine qua
non of DC vaccination against solid tumors. Therefore, the ability
of eDCs to stimulate both T helper and cytotoxic function may be
evaluated. Initially, stimulation of proliferation of allogeneic
CD4.sup.+ T cells may be assayed Enhanced DCs are matured and
activated using the conditions described above, irradiated (3000
rad) and cultured 1:10 with allogeneic magnetic bead-purified
(Miltenyi Biotec, Auburn, Calif.) CD4.sup.+ T cells. Proliferation
is assessed 4 days later after 16-hour incubation with
[.sup.3H]-thymidine. To complement these studies, the T.sub.H1
polarization (determined by ELISpot assays to IL-4 and IFNg)
ability by various standard or eDCs may be determined To more
specifically assay DC maturation state, ability to stimulate naive
CTL function is determined using HLA-A2-restricted tetramer
analysis and CTL assays. (Note: several HLA-A2 carriers have
recently been genotyped). Activation of autologous T cells in
healthy donors by various eDCs presenting 2 distinct cocktails of
HLA-A2-restricted antigens, one strong and one weak is compared.
CTL assays will be based on antigen-specific lytic activity of T
cells stimulated with standard or eDCs as above. These 4 T cell
assays should provide a balanced preclinical analysis of enhanced
DCs along with a functional analysis of the various approaches.
[0433] Finally, SOCS-1 depletion will be assessed for synergy with
iCD40-TLR, iCD40 or Myr.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt signaling to produce a
further optimized eDC, and if synergy is found, a bicistronic
adenovector containing iCD40 (or Myr.sub.F-.DELTA.Akt) and SOCS-1
shRNA may be developed and characterized.
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the lifespan and immunogenicity of dendritic cells. Nat Immunol 5,
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R., Devereux, S. & Khwaja, A. The PI3 kinase, p38 SAP kinase,
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maturation is required for the cross-tolerization of CD8+ T cells.
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activation in vivo overcomes peptide-induced peripheral cytotoxic
T-lymphocyte tolerance and augments anti-tumor vaccine efficacy.
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activation of carcinoma cells increases expression of adhesion and
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CD80/CD86 expression or T cell alloreactivity. Int J Oncol 19,
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increases the efficiency of dendritic cells for antitumoral
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Worgall, S., Singh, R., Moore, M. A. & Crystal, R. G. Dendritic
cells genetically modified to express CD40 ligand and pulsed with
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of CD4+ T cells. Nat Med 6, 1154-9 (2000). [0475] 43. Napolitani,
G., Rinaldi, A., Bertoni, F., Sallusto, F. & Lanzavecchia, A.
Selected Toll-like receptor agonist combinations synergistically
trigger a T helper type 1-polarizing program in dendritic cells.
Nat Immunol 6, 769-76 (2005). [0476] 44. Medzhitov, R.,
Preston-Hurlburt, P. & Janeway, C. A., Jr. A human homologue of
the Drosophila Toll protein signals activation of adaptive
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Cutting edge: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-deficient mice are
hyporesponsive to lipopolysaccharide: evidence for TLR4 as the Lps
gene product. J Immunol 162, 3749-52 (1999). [0478] 46. Ozinsky, A.
et al. The repertoire for pattern recognition of pathogens by the
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Zhang, H., Tay, P. N., Cao, W., Li, W. & Lu, J.
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domain-mediated dimerizations of toll-like receptor 4 observed by
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Functionally distinct dendritic cell (DC) populations induced by
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and migration of dendritic cells requires prostaglandin E2. Blood
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Schuitemaker, J. H., de Jong, E. C. & Kapsenberg, M. L.
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F., Kummer, J., Melief, C., and Offringa, R. Expression of the
serpin serine protease inhibitor 6 protects dendritic cells from
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Exploiting dendritic cells to improve vaccine efficacy. Journal of
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Lipid-dependent recruitment of neuronal Src to lipid rafts in the
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populations lacking helper function. Nat Immunol 6, 163-70 (2005).
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Crabtree, G. R. Controlling signal transduction with synthetic
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69. Scandella, E., Men, Y., Gillessen, S., Forster, R. &
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expression and migration of monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Blood
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human dendritic cells after injection in patients with metastatic
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al. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells induce a house dust
mite-specific Th2 allergic inflammation in the lung of humanized
SCID mice: involvement of CCR7. J Immunol 169, 1524-34 (2002).
Example 9: Expression Constructs and Testing
[0504] TLRs 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 were initially selected to construct
inducible chimeric proteins as they represent TLRs from the
different subfamilies that are know to trigger the Thl cytokine,
IL-12, in monocyte-derived DCs. Further, TLR4 has been shown to
trigger signaling following cross linking of chimeric TLR4 alleles
via heterologous extracellular domains. The cytoplasmic domains of
each (including TIRs) were PCR-amplified and placed adjacent (5'
and 3') to two (2) FKBP12(V36) (F.sub.v and F.sub.v' (wobbled))
genes, which were attached to the plasma membrane using a
myristoylation-targeting sequence from c-Src. Chimeric proteins
having a third FKBP gene have been developed to improve
oligomerization.
[0505] Additionally, chimeric versions of adapters MyD88 and TRIF
have been generated by fusing these cytoplasmic proteins to two (2)
FKBPs. Finally, the tandem CARD domains from cytoplasmic PRRs, NOD2
and RIG-I, have been fused to tandem FKBPs. These constructs and
reporter assays are described below.
[0506] Constructs:
[0507] (i) Inducible iTLRs: TLR3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 were PCR-amplified
from cDNA derived from MoDCs. PCR primers were flanked by XhoI and
SalI restriction sites to permit cloning 5' and 3' of tandem FKBPs
in the XhoI and SalI sites, respectively, of
pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E.sup.1,2. The primers used were (a)
5TLR3cX (5'-cgatcactcgagggctggaggatatctttttattgg-3') (SEQ ID NO:
13) and 3TLR3cS (5'-tgatcggtcgacatgtacagagttatggatccaagtg-3') (SEQ
ID NO: 14) to give pSH1/M-TLR3-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E and
pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-TLR3-E; (b) 5TLR4cX
(5'-cgatcactcgagtataagttctattttcacctgatgcttc-3') (SEQ ID NO: 15)
and 3TLR4cS (5'-tgatcggtcgacgatagatgttgcttcctgccaattg-3') (SEQ ID
NO: 16) to give pSH1/M-TLR4-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E and
pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-TLR4-E; (c) 5TLR7cS
(5'-cgatcagtcgacgatgtgtggtatatttaccatttctg-3') (SEQ ID NO: 17) and
3TLR7cS (5'-tgatcggtcgacgaccgtaccttgaacacctgac-3') (SEQ ID NO: 18)
to give pSH1/M-TLR7-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E and
pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-TLR7-E; (d) 5TLR8cX
(5'-cgatcactcgaggatgtttggtttatatataatgtgtg-3') (SEQ ID NO: 19) and
3TLR8cS (5'-tcggtcgacgtattgcttaatggaatcgacatac-3') (SEQ ID NO: 20)
to give pSH1/M-TLR8-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E and
pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-TLR8-E; (e) 5TLR9cX
(5'-cgatcactcgaggacctctggtactgcttccacc-3') (SEQ ID NO: 21) and
3TLR9cS (5'-tgatctgtcgacttcggccgtgggtccctggc-3') (SEQ ID NO: 22) to
give pSH1/M-TLR9-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E and
pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-TLR9-E. All inserts were confirmed by
sequencing and for appropriate size by western blot to the 3'
hemagluttinin (HA) epitope (E). M, myristoylation-targeting
sequence from c-Src (residues 1-14). pSH1, expression vector.
Additionally, a third XhoI/SalI-linkered F.sub.v' domain was added
to the XhoI sites of pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-TLR4-E and
pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-TLR8-E to get
pSH1/M-F.sub.v'2-F.sub.vls-TLR4-E and
pSH1/M-F.sub.v'2-F.sub.vls-TLR8-E, respectively, to improve
oligomerization.
[0508] To faithfully reflect physiological TLR4 signaling,
full-length 2.5-kb TLR4 was PCR-amplified from TLR4 cDNA (from the
Medzhitov lab) using SacII and XhoI-linkered primers 5hTLR4
(5'-aatctaccgcggccaccatgatgtctgcctcgcgcctg-3') (SEQ ID NO: 23) and
3hTLR4 (5'-tcagttctcgaggatagatgttgcttcctgccaattg-3') (SEQ ID NO:
24), respectively. The 2546-bp PCR product was subcloned into
pCR-Blunt-TOPO and sequenced. The sequence-verified insert was
SacII/XhoI-digested and subcloned into SacII/XhoI digested (and
"CIPped") pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E to give
pSH1/hTLR4-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E. An additional F.sub.v' was added
to XhoI site to give pSH1/hTLR4-F.sub.v'2-F.sub.vls-E.
[0509] (ii) Inducible composite iTLR4-CD40: The 191-bp
XhoI-SalI-linkered human CD40 cytoplasmic domain was PCR-amplified
with primers hCD405X (5'-atatactcgagaaaaaggtggccaagaagccaacc-3')
(SEQ ID NO: 25) and hCD403Sns
(5'-acatagtcgacctgtctctcctgcactgagatg-3') (SEQ ID NO: 26) and
subcloned into the SalI site of pSH1/hTLR4-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E and
pSH1/hTLR4-F.sub.v'2-F.sub.vls-E to get
pSH1/hTLR4-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-CD40-E and
pSH1/hTLR4-F.sub.v'2-F.sub.vls-CD40-E.
[0510] (iii) Inducible iNOD2: The .about.800-bp amino terminus of
the PRR NOD2 (containing tandem CARD domains) was PCR-amplified
with XhoI/SalI-linkered primers 5NOD2X
(5'-atagcactcgagatgggggaagagggtggttcag-3') (SEQ ID NO: 27) and
3NOD2Sb (5'-cttcatgtcgacgacctccaggacattctctgtg-3') (SEQ ID NO: 28)
and subcloned into the XhoI and SalI sites of
pSH1/S-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E to give
pSH1/S-NOD2-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E and
pSH1/S-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-NOD2-E=Fv' NOD2.
[0511] (iv) Inducible iRIG-I: The .about.650 bp amino terminus of
the RNA helicase RIG-I (containing tandem CARD domains) was
PCR-amplified with XhoI/SalI-linkered primers 5RIGX
(5'-atagcactcgagaccaccgagcagcgacgcag-3') (SEQ ID NO: 29) and 3RIGS
(5'-cttcatgtcgacaatctgtatgtcagaagtttccatc-3') (SEQ ID NO: 30) and
subcloned into the XhoI and SalI sites of
pSH1/S-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E to give
pSH1/S-RIGI-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E and
pSH1/S-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-RIGI-E=Fv'RIG-I.
[0512] (v) Inducible iMyD88: Human TIR-containing adapter MyD88
(.about.900-bp) was PCR-amplified from 293 cDNA using
XhoI/SalI-linkered primers 5MyD88S
(5'-acatcaactcgagatggctgcaggaggtcccgg-3') (SEQ ID NO: 31) and
3MyD88S (5'-actcatagtcgaccagggacaaggccttggcaag-3') (SEQ ID NO: 32)
and subcloned into the XhoI and SalI sites of
pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E to give
pSH1/M-MyD88-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E and
pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-MyD88-E, respectively.
[0513] (vi) Inducible iTRIF: Human TIR-containing adapter TRIF2
(.about.2150-bp) was PCR-amplified from 293 cDNA using
XhoI/SalI-linkered primers 5TRIFX
(5'-acatcaactcgagatggcctgcacaggcccatcac-3') (SEQ ID NO: 33) and
3TRIFS (5'-actcatagtcgacttctgcctcctgcgtcttgtcc-3') (SEQ ID NO: 34)
and subcloned into SalI-digested pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-E to
give pSH1/M-F.sub.v'-F.sub.vls-TRIF-E.
[0514] (vii) IFN-beta-SEAP: The minimal IFNb.quadrature. promoter
was PCR-amplified from human genomic DNA using primers 5IFNbM1
(5'-aactagacgcgtactactaaaatgtaaatgacataggaaaac-3') (SEQ ID NO: 35)
and 3IFNbH (5'-gacttgaagcttaacacgaacagtgtcgcctactac-3') (SEQ ID NO:
36). The MluI-HindIII-digested fragment was subcloned into a
promoter-less SEAP reporter plasmid.
[0515] Certain constructs were specifically targeted to plasma
membrane lipid rafts using myristoylation sequences from Fyn as
well as the PIP2 membrane targeting domain of TIRAP. (5)
[0516] Secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) assays: Reporters
assays were conducted in human Jurkat-TAg (T cells) or 293 (kidney
embryonic epithelial) cells or murine RAW264.7 (macrophage) cells.
Jurkat-TAg cells (10.sup.7) in log-phase growth were electroporated
(950 mF, 250 V) with 2 mg expression plasmid and 2 mg of reporter
plasmid NF-kB-SEAP.sup.3 or IFNbeta-TA-SEAP (see above). 293 or
RAW264.7 cells (.about.2.times.10.sup.5 cells per 35-mm dish) in
log phase were transfected with 6 ml of FuGENE-6 in growth media.
After 24 hr, transformed cells were stimulated with CID. After an
additional 20 h, supernatants were assayed for SEAP activity as
described previously.sup.3.
[0517] Tissue culture: Jurkat-TAg and RAW264.7 cells were grown in
RPMI 1640 medium, 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 10 mM HEPES (pH
7.14), penicillin (100 U/ml) and streptomycin (100 mg/ml). 293
cells were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, 10% FBS,
and pen-strep.
[0518] Western blots analysis: Protein expression was determined by
western blot using antibodies to the common hemagluttinin (HA)
epitope (E) tag.
[0519] Results
[0520] Chimeric iTLR4 with the PIP2 membrane targeting motif is
activated 2-fold. The construct encoded two ligand binding domains.
However, the rest of the iTLRs are not induced at robust levels by
CID in 293, RAW or D2SC1 cells, as observed in reporter assays
(FIGS. 25A and 25B). This might be attributed to the varied
membrane targeting requirements of the iTLRs. Therefore, inducible
Nod2 and RIG-1 were developed, which are cytoplasmic PRRs that do
not need targeting to the plasma membrane. While iNod2 was
activated 2 fold by the dimerizer drug in 293 cells, no such effect
is observed in RAW 264.7 cells. With the addition of increasing
concentrations of CID, iNod2 activity decreases in RAW cells. Also
the effect of iNod2 and iCD40 together, on NFkappaB activation, is
additive in 293 cells (FIG. 26). iRIG-1 is activated by 2.5 fold
(FIG. 27). Inducible versions of the full-length adaptor molecules
MyD88 and TRIF that are the primary mediators of signaling
downstream of TLRs are in the screening process.
CITATIONS REFERRED TO IN THIS EXAMPLE
[0521] 1. Xie, X. et al. Adenovirus-mediated tissue-targeted
expression of a caspase-9-based artificial death switch for the
treatment of prostate cancer. Cancer Res 61, 6795-804. (2001).
[0522] 2. Fan, L., Freeman, K. W., Khan, T., Pham, E. &
Spencer, D. M. in Human Gene Therapy 2273-2285 (1999). [0523] 3.
Spencer, D. M., Wandless, T. J., Schreiber, S. L. & Crabtree,
G. R. Controlling signal transduction with synthetic ligands.
Science 262, 1019-1024 (1993). [0524] 4. Thompson, B. S., P. M.
Chilton, J. R. Ward, J. T. Evans, And T. C. Mitchell. 2005. The
Low-Toxicity Versions Of Lps, Mp1 Adjuvant And Rc529, Are Efficient
Adjuvants For Cd4+ T Cells. J Leukoc Biol 78:1273-1280. [0525] 5.
Salkowski, C. A., G. R. Detore, And S. N. Vogel. 1997.
Lipopolysaccharide And Monophosphoryl Lipid A Differentially
Regulate Interleukin-12, Gamma Interferon, And Interleukin-10 Mrna
Production In Murine Macrophages. Infect Immun 65:3239-3247. [0526]
6. Beutler, B. 2004. Inferences, Questions And Possibilities In
Toll-Like Receptor Signalling. Nature 430:257-263. [0527] 7. Werts,
C., S. E. Girardin, And D. J. Philpott. 2006. Tir, Card And Pyrin:
Three Domains For An Antimicrobial Triad. Cell Death Differ
13:798-815. [0528] 8. Kagan, J. C., And R. Medzhitov. 2006.
Phosphoinositide-Mediated Adaptor Recruitment Controls Toll-Like
Receptor Signaling. Cell 125:943-955.
Example 10: Drug-Dependent Induction of NF-Kappa B Activity in
Cells Transfected with iRIG-I, iCD40, and iNOD2
[0529] 293 cells were transfected with 1 microgram NF-KappaB-SEAP
reporter construct+1 microgram inducible PRR construct using Fugene
6 transfection reagent. The transfections were performed in a
6-well plate at 1*10.sup.6cells/well or transfection.
[0530] Jurkat TAg cells were transfected with 2 micrograms NF-kappa
B-SEAP reporter construct and 3 micrograms inducible PRR construct
using electroporation at 950 microF and 0.25 kV. The cells were
transfected at 10*10.sup.6cells/transfection.
[0531] 24 hours later, the cells were plated in a 96-well plate
with 2 different concentrations of AP20187 (100 nM and 1000 nM).
After a further 24 hour incubation at 37.degree. C., 5% CO.sub.2,
supernatants were collected and analyzed for SEAP activity by
incubation with SEAP substrate, 4-methylumbilliferyl phosphate
(MUP). Fluorescence was determined at excitation 355 nm and
emission 460 nm using a FLUOstar Optima plate reader (BMG
Labtech).
[0532] For iNOD2 and combination experiments, transfections were
normalized for total DNA using an "empty" expression vector,
pSH1/S-Fv'-Fvls-E.
[0533] FIGS. 31-34 are graphs that show drug-dependent induction of
NF-kappaB activity and SEAP reporter counts. Each graph is
representative of a separate individual experiment.
[0534] For purposes of clarity in the graphs, some of the vectors
were renamed for the figures.
Fv' RIG-I=pSH1-Fv'Fvls-RIG-I=pSH1/S-Fv'-Fvls-RIG-I
Fv'NOD2=pSH1-Fv'Fvls-NOD2=pSH1/S-Fv'-Fvls-NOD2-E
Fv'2NOD2=pSH1-Fv'2Fvls-NOD2 Fv'NOD2+=pSH1-Fv'Fvls-NOD2 (SFpk3-NOD2
sequence (Ogura, Y., et al. J. Biol. Chem. 276:4812-18 (2001))
Fv'CD40=pSH1-Fv'Fvls-CD40
Example 11: Examples of Particular Embodiments
[0535] Examples of certain non-limiting embodiments of the
invention are listed hereafter.
[0536] A1. A method for activating an antigen-presenting cell,
which comprises: [0537] (a) transducing an antigen-presenting cell
with a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence that encodes a
chimeric protein, wherein the chimeric protein comprises a membrane
targeting region, a ligand-binding region and a CD40 cytoplasmic
polypeptide region lacking the CD40 extracellular domain; [0538]
(b) contacting the antigen-presenting cell with a non-protein
multimeric ligand that binds to the ligand-binding region; and
[0539] (c) contacting the antigen-presenting cell with a Pattern
Recognition Receptor (PRR) ligand, whereby the antigen-presenting
cell is activated.
[0540] A2. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the membrane
targeting region is a myristoylation targeting region.
[0541] A3. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the CD40
cytoplasmic polypeptide region is encoded by a polynucleotide
sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1.
[0542] A4. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a small molecule.
[0543] A5. The method of embodiment A4, wherein the multimeric
ligand is dimeric.
[0544] A6. The method of embodiment A5, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a dimeric FK506 or a dimeric FK506 analog.
[0545] A7. The method of embodiment A6, wherein the multimeric
ligand is AP1903.
[0546] A8. The method of any of embodiments A1-A7, A15-A22, wherein
the PRR ligand is selected from the group consisting of RIG1
ligand, Mac-1 ligand, LRP ligand, peptidoglycan ligand, techoic
acid ligand, CD11c/CR4 ligand, TLR ligand, PGRP ligand, NOD1
ligand, and NOD2 ligand.
[0547] A9. The method of any of embodiments A1-A7, A15-A22, wherein
the PRR ligand is a Toll like receptor (TLR) ligand.
[0548] A10. The method of any of embodiments A1-A7, A15-A22,
wherein the PRR ligand is RIG1 ligand or NOD2 ligand.
[0549] A11. The method of embodiment A9, wherein the TLR ligand is
selected from the group consisting of lipopolysaccharide (LPS),
MPL, FSL-1, Pam3, CSK4, poly(I:C), synthetic imidazoquinoline
resiquimod (R848) and CpG.
[0550] A12. The method of embodiment A9, wherein the TLR ligand is
a TLR4 ligand.
[0551] A13. The method of embodiment A12, wherein the TLR ligand is
lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
[0552] A14. The method of embodiment A12 wherein the TLR ligand is
monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL).
[0553] A15. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the nucleic acid
is contained within a viral vector.
[0554] A16. The method of embodiment A15, wherein the viral vector
is an adenoviral vector.
[0555] A17. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex
vivo.
[0556] A18. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid in
vivo.
[0557] A19. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is a dendritic cell.
[0558] A20. The method of embodiment A19, wherein the dendritic
cell is a human dendritic cell.
[0559] A21. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with prostaglandin E.sub.2
(PGE.sub.2) when contacted with the multimeric ligand.
[0560] A22. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with a composition
comprising prostaglandin E.sub.2 (PGE.sub.2) and one or more
components selected from the group consisting of IL-1beta, IL-6 and
TNF alpha.
[0561] B1. A method for activating an antigen-presenting cell,
which comprises: [0562] (a) transducing an antigen-presenting cell
with a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence that encodes a
chimeric protein, wherein the chimeric protein comprises a membrane
targeting region, a ligand-binding region and a CD40 cytoplasmic
polypeptide region lacking the CD40 extracellular domain; and
[0563] (b) contacting the antigen-presenting cell with a
non-protein multimeric ligand that binds to the ligand-binding
region, wherein the antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with
prostaglandin E.sub.2 (PGE.sub.2) when contacted with the
multimeric ligand, whereby the antigen-presenting cell is
activated.
[0564] B2. The method of embodiment B1, wherein the membrane
targeting region is a myristoylation targeting region.
[0565] B3. The method of embodiment B 1, wherein the CD40
cytoplasmic polypeptide region is encoded by a polynucleotide
sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1.
[0566] B4. The method of embodiment B1, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a small molecule.
[0567] B5. The method of embodiment B4, wherein the multimeric
ligand is dimeric.
[0568] B6. The method of embodiment B5, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a dimeric FK506 or a dimeric FK506 analog.
[0569] B7. The method of embodiment B6, wherein the multimeric
ligand is AP1903.
[0570] B8. The method of any of embodiments B1-B7, B13-B22, which
further comprises contacting the antigen-presenting cell with a
Pattern Recognition Receptor (PRR) ligand.
[0571] B9. The method of embodiment B8, wherein the PRR ligand is
selected from the group consisting of RIG1 ligand, Mac-1 ligand,
LRP ligand, peptidoglycan ligand, techoic acid ligand, CD11c/CR4
ligand, TLR ligand, PGRP ligand, NOD1 ligand, and NOD2 ligand.
[0572] B10. The method of embodiment B8, wherein the PRR ligand is
RIG1 ligand or NOD2 ligand.
[0573] B11. The method of embodiment B8, wherein the PRR ligand is
a TLR ligand.
[0574] B12. The method of embodiment B11, wherein the TLR ligand is
selected from the group consisting of lipopolysaccharide (LPS),
MPL, FSL-1, Pam3, CSK4, poly(I:C), synthetic imidazoquinoline
resiquimod (R848) and CpG.
[0575] B13. The method of embodiment B11, wherein the TLR ligand is
a TLR4 ligand.
[0576] B14. The method of embodiment B12, wherein the TLR ligand is
lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
[0577] B15. The method of embodiment B13, wherein the TLR ligand is
monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL).
[0578] B16. The method of embodiment B1, wherein the nucleic acid
is contained within a viral vector.
[0579] B17. The method of embodiment B16, wherein the viral vector
is an adenoviral vector.
[0580] B18. The method of embodiment B1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced ex vivo with the nucleic
acid.
[0581] B19. The method of embodiment B1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced in vivo with the nucleic
acid.
[0582] B20. The method of embodiment B1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is a dendritic cell.
[0583] B21. The method of embodiment B20, wherein the dendritic
cell is a human dendritic cell.
[0584] B22. The method of embodiment B1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with a composition
comprising prostaglandin E.sub.2 (PGE.sub.2) and one or more
components selected from the group consisting of IL-1beta, IL-6 and
TNF alpha.
[0585] C1. A method for inducing a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)
immune response against an antigen, which comprises: contacting an
antigen-presenting cell sensitized with an antigen with: [0586] (a)
a multimeric ligand that binds to a chimeric protein in the cell,
wherein the chimeric protein comprises a membrane targeting region,
a ligand-binding region and a CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide region
lacking the CD40 extracellular domain, and [0587] (b) a Pattern
Recognition receptor (PRR) ligand; whereby a CTL immune response is
induced against the antigen.
[0588] C2. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the membrane
targeting region is a myristoylation targeting region.
[0589] C3. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the CD40
cytoplasmic polypeptide region is encoded by a polynucleotide
sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1.
[0590] C4. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a small molecule.
[0591] C5. The method of embodiment C4, wherein the multimeric
ligand is dimeric.
[0592] C6. The method of embodiment C5, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a dimeric FK506 or a dimeric FK506 analog.
[0593] C7. The method of embodiment C6, wherein the multimeric
ligand is AP1903.
[0594] C8. The method of any of embodiments C1-C7, C15-C30, wherein
the PRR ligand is selected from the group consisting of RIG1
ligand, Mac-1 ligand, LRP ligand, peptidoglycan ligand, techoic
acid ligand, CD11c/CR4 ligand, TLR ligand, PGRP ligand, NOD1
ligand, and NOD2 ligand.
[0595] C9. The method of any of embodiments C1-C7, C15-C30, wherein
the PRR ligand is a Toll like receptor (TLR) ligand.
[0596] C10. The method of any of embodiments C1-C7, C15-C30,
wherein the PRR ligand is RIG1 ligand or NOD2 ligand.
[0597] C11. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the TLR ligand is
selected from the group consisting of lipopolysaccharide (LPS),
MPL, FSL-1, Pam3, CSK4, poly(I:C), synthetic imidazoquinoline
resiquimod (R848) and CpG.
[0598] C12. The method of embodiment C9, wherein the TLR ligand is
a TLR4 ligand.
[0599] C13. The method of embodiment C12, wherein the TLR ligand is
lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
[0600] C14. The method of embodiment C12, wherein the TLR ligand is
monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL).
[0601] C15. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced ex vivo or in vivo with a
nucleic acid that encodes the chimeric protein.
[0602] C16. The method of embodiment C15, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced ex vivo with the nucleic
acid.
[0603] C17. The method of embodiment C15, wherein the nucleic acid
is contained within a viral vector.
[0604] C18. The method of embodiment C16, wherein the viral vector
is an adenoviral vector.
[0605] C19. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is a dendritic cell.
[0606] C20. The method of embodiment C16, wherein the dendritic
cell is a human dendritic cell.
[0607] C21. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with prostaglandin E.sub.2
(PGE.sub.2) when contacted with the multimeric ligand.
[0608] C22. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with a composition
comprising prostaglandin E2 (PGE.sub.2) and one or more components
selected from the group consisting of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF
alpha.
[0609] C23. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is sensitized to the antigen at the same
time the antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the multimeric
ligand.
[0610] C24. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is pre-sensitized to the antigen before the
antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the multimerization
ligand.
[0611] C25. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the antigen ex vivo.
[0612] C26. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the antigen is a
tumor antigen.
[0613] C27. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex vivo
and administered to the subject by intradermal administration.
[0614] C28. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex vivo
and administered to the subject by subcutaneous administration.
[0615] C29. The method of embodiment C1, wherein the CTL immune
response is induced by migration of the antigen-presenting cell to
a draining lymph node.
[0616] C30. The method of any of embodiments C1-C29, wherein said
antigen is a prostate specific membrane antigen.
[0617] D1. A method for inducing an immune response against an
antigen, which comprises: contacting an antigen-presenting cell
sensitized with an antigen with a multimeric ligand that binds to a
chimeric protein in the cell, wherein: [0618] (a) the chimeric
protein comprises a membrane targeting region, a ligand-binding
region and a CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide region lacking the CD40
extracellular domain, and [0619] (b) the antigen-presenting cell is
not contacted with prostaglandin E.sub.2 (PGE.sub.2) when contacted
with the multimeric ligand; whereby an immune response against the
antigen is induced.
[0620] D2. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the membrane
targeting region is a myristoylation targeting region.
[0621] D3. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the CD40
cytoplasmic polypeptide region is encoded by a polynucleotide
sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1.
[0622] D4. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a small molecule.
[0623] D5. The method of embodiment D4, wherein the multimeric
ligand is dimeric.
[0624] D6. The method of embodiment D5, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a dimeric FK506 or a dimeric FK506 analog.
[0625] D7. The method of embodiment D6, wherein the multimeric
ligand is AP1903.
[0626] D8. The method of any of embodiments D1-D7, D13-D30, which
further comprises contacting the antigen-presenting cell with a
Pattern Recognition receptor (PRR) ligand.
[0627] D9. The method of embodiment D8, wherein the PRR ligand is
selected from the group consisting of RIG1 ligand, Mac-1 ligand,
LRP ligand, peptidoglycan ligand, techoic acid ligand, CD11c/CR4
ligand, TLR ligand, PGRP ligand, NOD1 ligand, and NOD2 ligand.
[0628] D10. The method of embodiment D8, wherein the PRR ligand is
RIG1 ligand or NOD2 ligand.
[0629] D11. The method of embodiment D11, wherein the PRR ligand is
a TLR ligand.
[0630] D12. The method of embodiment D8, wherein the TLR ligand is
selected from the group consisting of lipopolysaccharide (LPS),
MPL, FSL-1, Pam3, DSK4, poly(I:D), synthetic imidazoquinoline
resiquimod (R848) and DpG.
[0631] D13. The method of embodiment D11, wherein the TLR ligand is
a TLR4 ligand.
[0632] D14. The method of embodiment D13, wherein the TLR ligand is
lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
[0633] D15. The method of embodiment D13, wherein the TLR ligand is
monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL).
[0634] D16. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced ex vivo or in vivo with a
nucleic acid that encodes the chimeric protein.
[0635] D17. The method of embodiment D16, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced ex vivo with the nucleic
acid.
[0636] D18. The method of embodiment D16, wherein the nucleic acid
is contained within a viral vector.
[0637] D19. The method of embodiment D18, wherein the viral vector
is an adenoviral vector.
[0638] D20. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is a dendritic cell.
[0639] D21. The method of embodiment D20, wherein the dendritic
cell is a human dendritic cell.
[0640] D22. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with a composition
comprising prostaglandin E.sub.2 (PGE.sub.2) and one or more
components selected from the group consisting of IL-1beta, IL-6 and
TNF alpha.
[0641] D23. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is sensitized to the antigen at the same
time the antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the multimeric
ligand.
[0642] D24. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is pre-sensitized to the antigen before the
antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the multimerization
ligand.
[0643] D25. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the antigen ex vivo.
[0644] D26. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the antigen is a
tumor antigen.
[0645] D27. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex vivo
and administered to the subject by intradermal administration.
[0646] D28. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex vivo
and administered to the subject by subcutaneous administration.
[0647] D29. The method of embodiment D1, wherein the immune
response is a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (DTL) immune response.
[0648] D30. The method of embodiment D29, wherein the DTL immune
response is induced by migration of the antigen-presenting cell to
a draining lymph node.
[0649] E1. A method for inducing a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)
immune response against an antigen, which comprises: contacting a
human antigen-presenting cell sensitized with an antigen with:
[0650] (a) a multimeric molecule having two or more regions that
bind to and multimerize native CD40, and [0651] (b) a Pattern
Recognition Receptor (PRR ligand); whereby a CTL immune response is
induced against the antigen.
[0652] E2. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the multimeric
molecule is an antibody that binds to an epitope in the CD40
extracellular domain.
[0653] E3. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the multimeric
molecule is a CD40 ligand.
[0654] E4. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a small molecule.
[0655] E5. The method of embodiment E4, wherein the multimeric
ligand is dimeric.
[0656] E6. The method of embodiment E5, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a dimeric FK506 or a dimeric FK506 analog.
[0657] E7. The method of embodiment E6, wherein the multimeric
ligand is AP1903.
[0658] E8. The method of any of embodiments E1-E7, E15-E22, wherein
the PRR ligand is selected from the group consisting of RIG1
ligand, Mac-1 ligand, LRP ligand, peptidoglycan ligand, techoic
acid ligand, CD11c/CR4 ligand, TLR ligand, PGRP ligand, NOD1
ligand, and NOD2 ligand.
[0659] E9. The method of any of embodiments E1-E7, E15-E22, wherein
the PRR ligand is a Toll like receptor (TLR) ligand.
[0660] E10. The method of any of embodiments E1-E7, E15-E22,
wherein the PRR ligand is RIG1 ligand or NOD2 ligand.
[0661] E11. The method of embodiment E9, wherein the TLR ligand is
selected from the group consisting of lipopolysaccharide (LPS),
MPL, FSL-1, Pam3, CSK4, poly(I:C), synthetic imidazoquinoline
resiquimod (R848) and CpG.
[0662] E12. The method of embodiment E9, wherein the TLR ligand is
a TLR4 ligand.
[0663] E13. The method of embodiment E12, wherein the TLR ligand is
lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
[0664] E14. The method of embodiment E12 wherein the TLR ligand is
monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL).
[0665] E15. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the nucleic acid
is contained within a viral vector.
[0666] E16. The method of embodiment E15, wherein the viral vector
is an adenoviral vector.
[0667] E17. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex
vivo.
[0668] E18. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid in
vivo.
[0669] E19. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is a dendritic cell.
[0670] E20. The method of embodiment A19, wherein the dendritic
cell is a human dendritic cell.
[0671] E21. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with prostaglandin E2
(PGE.sub.2) when contacted with the multimeric ligand.
[0672] E22. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with a composition
comprising prostaglandin E2 (PGE.sub.2) and one or more components
selected from the group consisting of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF
alpha.
[0673] E23. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is sensitized to the antigen at the same
time the antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the multimeric
ligand.
[0674] E24. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is pre-sensitized to the antigen before the
antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the multimerization
ligand.
[0675] E25. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the antigen ex vivo.
[0676] E26. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the antigen is a
tumor antigen.
[0677] E27. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex vivo
and administered to the subject by intradermal administration.
[0678] E28. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex vivo
and administered to the subject by subcutaneous administration.
[0679] E29. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the CTL immune
response is induced by migration of the antigen-presenting cell to
a draining lymph node.
[0680] E30. The method of any of embodiments E1-E29, wherein said
antigen is a prostate specific membrane antigen.
[0681] F1. A composition comprising an antigen-presenting cell and
a Pattern Recognition Receptor (PRR) ligand, wherein:
[0682] the antigen-presenting cell is transduced with a nucleic
acid having a nucleotide sequence that encodes a chimeric protein,
and
[0683] the chimeric protein comprises a membrane targeting region,
a ligand-binding region and a CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide region
lacking the CD40 extracellular domain.
[0684] F2. The composition of embodiment F1, which further
comprises a non-protein multimeric ligand that binds to the
ligand-binding region.
[0685] F3. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the membrane
targeting region is a myristoylation targeting region.
[0686] F4. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the CD40
cytoplasmic polypeptide region is encoded by a polynucleotide
sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1.
[0687] F5. The method of embodiment F2, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a small molecule.
[0688] F6. The method of embodiment F2, wherein the multimeric
ligand is dimeric.
[0689] F7. The method of embodiment F6, wherein the multimeric
ligand is a dimeric FK506 or a dimeric FK506 analog.
[0690] F8. The method of embodiment F2, wherein the multimeric
ligand is AP1903.
[0691] F9. The method of any of embodiments F1-F8, F15-F27, wherein
the PRR ligand is selected from the group consisting of RIG1
ligand, Mac-1 ligand, LRP ligand, peptidoglycan ligand, techoic
acid ligand, CD11c/CR4 ligand, TLR ligand, PGRP ligand, NOD1
ligand, and NOD2 ligand.
[0692] F10. The method of any of embodiments F1-F8, F15-F27,
wherein the PRR ligand is a Toll like receptor (TLR) ligand.
[0693] F11. The method of any of embodiments F1-F8, F15-F27,
wherein the PRR ligand is RIG1 ligand or NOD2 ligand.
[0694] F12. The method of embodiment F10, wherein the TLR ligand is
selected from the group consisting of lipopolysaccharide (LPS),
MPL, FSL-1, Pam3, CSK4, poly(I:C), synthetic imidazoquinoline
resiquimod (R848) and CpG.
[0695] F13. The method of embodiment F10, wherein the TLR ligand is
a TLR4 ligand.
[0696] F14. The method of embodiment F13, wherein the TLR ligand is
lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
[0697] F15. The method of embodiment F13 wherein the TLR ligand is
monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL).
[0698] F16. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the nucleic acid
is contained within a viral vector.
[0699] F17. The method of embodiment F16, wherein the viral vector
is an adenoviral vector.
[0700] F18. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex
vivo.
[0701] F19. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid in
vivo.
[0702] F20. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is a dendritic cell.
[0703] F21. The method of embodiment F20, wherein the dendritic
cell is a human dendritic cell.
[0704] F22. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with prostaglandin E.sub.2
(PGE.sub.2) when contacted with the multimeric ligand.
[0705] F23. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is not contacted with a composition
comprising prostaglandin E.sub.2 (PGE.sub.2) and one or more
components selected from the group consisting of IL-1beta, IL-6 and
TNF alpha.
[0706] F24. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the antigen is a
tumor antigen.
[0707] F25. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex vivo
and administered to the subject by intradermal administration.
[0708] F26. The method of embodiment F1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex vivo
and administered to the subject by subcutaneous administration.
[0709] F27. The method of any of embodiments F1-F26, wherein said
antigen is a prostate specific membrane antigen.
[0710] G1. A method for assessing migration of an
antigen-presenting cell to a lymph node, which comprises: [0711]
(a) injecting into a subject an antigen-presenting cell that
produces a detectable protein, and [0712] (b) determining the
amount of the detectable protein in the lymph node of the animal,
whereby migration of the antigen-presenting cell to the lymph node
is assessed from the amount of the detectable protein in the lymph
node.
[0713] G2. The method of embodiment G1, wherein the animal is a
rodent.
[0714] G3. The method of embodiment G2, wherein the rodent is a
mouse.
[0715] G4. The method of embodiment G3, wherein the mouse is an
irradiated mouse.
[0716] G5. The method of embodiment G1, wherein the detectable
protein is a luciferase protein.
[0717] G6. The method of embodiment G5, wherein the luciferase
protein is from a chick beetle. G7. The method of embodiment G6,
wherein the chick beetle is Pyrophorus plagiophalamus.
[0718] G8. The method of embodiment G1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell has been transduced with a nucleic acid
having a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the detectable
protein.
[0719] G9. The method of embodiment G6, wherein the amount of the
luciferase protein is determined by administering D-Luciferin to
the animal and detecting the D-Luciferin product generated by the
luciferase.
[0720] G10. The method of embodiment G1, wherein the lymph node is
the popliteal lymph node.
[0721] G11. The method of embodiment G1, wherein the lymph node is
the inguinal lymph node.
[0722] G12. The method of embodiment G1, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is a dendritic cell.
[0723] G13. The method of embodiment G12, wherein the dendritic
cell is a human dendritic cell.
[0724] G14. The method of embodiment G1, wherein the lymph node is
removed from the animal before the amount of detectable protein is
determined.
[0725] G15. The method of embodiment G5, wherein the luciferase is
a red-shifted luciferase protein.
[0726] H1. A method for activating an antigen-presenting cell,
which comprises: [0727] transducing an antigen-presenting cell with
a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence that encodes a chimeric
protein, wherein the chimeric protein comprises (i) a membrane
targeting region, (ii) a ligand-binding region and (iii-a) a
signaling region and/or cytoplasmic region of a pattern recognition
receptor (PRR) or (iii-b) an adapter of a PRR; and [0728]
contacting the antigen-presenting cell with a non-protein
multimeric ligand that binds to the ligand-binding region; [0729]
whereby the antigen-presenting cell is activated.
[0730] H2. The method of embodiment H1, wherein the chimeric
protein comprises a CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide region lacking the
CD40 extracellular domain.
[0731] H2.1. The method of embodiment H1 or H2, wherein the
chimeric protein comprises a signaling region and/or cytoplasmic
region of a PRR.
[0732] H3. The method of embodiment H2.1, wherein the PRR is a
NOD-like PRR.
[0733] H4. The method of embodiment H3, wherein the NOD-like PRR is
a NOD1 PRR.
[0734] H5. The method of embodiment H3, wherein the NOD-like PRR is
a NOD2 PRR.
[0735] H6. The method of embodiment H1 or H2, wherein the PRR is
not a NOD-like PRR.
[0736] H7. The method of embodiment H6, wherein the NOD-like PRR is
not a NOD1 PRR.
[0737] H8. The method of embodiment H6, wherein the NOD-like PRR is
not a NOD2 PRR.
[0738] H9. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H3 and H6-H8,
wherein the PRR is a RIG-like helicase (RLH).
[0739] H10. The method of embodiment H9, wherein the RLH is a RIG-I
PRR.
[0740] H11. The method of embodiment H9, wherein the RLH is a Mda-5
PRR.
[0741] H12. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H3 and H6-H8,
wherein the PRR is a Toll-like receptor (TLR) PRR.
[0742] H13. The method of embodiment H12, wherein the TLR is
selected from the group consisting of TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR8 and
TLR9.
[0743] H14. The method of embodiment H13, wherein the TLR is a
TLR4.
[0744] H15. The method of embodiment H13, wherein the TLR is a
TLR8.
[0745] H16. The method of embodiment H13, wherein the TLR is a
TLR9.
[0746] H17. The method of any one of embodiments H12-H14, wherein
the chimeric protein comprises a cytoplasmic region from a TLR
PRR.
[0747] H18. The method of embodiment H17, wherein the chimeric
protein comprises a TIR domain.
[0748] H19. The method of embodiment H18, wherein the chimeric
protein consists essentially of a TIR domain.
[0749] H20. The method of embodiment H1 or H2, wherein the chimeric
protein comprises an adapter that binds to a PRR of any one of
embodiments H2-H14.
[0750] H21. The method of embodiment H20, wherein the adaptor is
selected from the group consisting of MyD88, TRIF/TICAM-1,
TIRAM/ICAM-2, MAL/TIRAP, TIR and CARD.
[0751] H22. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H21, wherein
the membrane targeting region is a myristoylation targeting
region.
[0752] H23. The method of embodiment H2, wherein the CD40
cytoplasmic polypeptide region is encoded by a polynucleotide
sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1.
[0753] H24. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H23, wherein
the ligand is a small molecule.
[0754] H25. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H24, wherein
the ligand is dimeric.
[0755] H26. The method of embodiment H25, wherein the ligand is a
dimeric FK506 or a dimeric FK506 analog.
[0756] H27. The method of embodiment H26, wherein the ligand is
AP1903.
[0757] H28. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H27, wherein
the nucleic acid is contained within a viral vector.
[0758] H29. The method of embodiment H28, wherein the viral vector
is an adenoviral vector.
[0759] H30. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H29, wherein
the antigen-presenting cell is contacted with an antigen.
[0760] H31. The method of embodiment H30, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is contacted with the antigen ex vivo.
[0761] H32. The method of embodiment H30 or H31, wherein the
antigen-presenting cell is in a subject and an immune response is
generated against the antigen.
[0762] H33. The method of embodiment H32, wherein the immune
response is a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) immune response.
[0763] H34. The method of embodiment H32 or H33, wherein the immune
response is generated against a tumor antigen.
[0764] H35. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H34, wherein
the antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex
vivo and administered to the subject by intradermal
administration.
[0765] H36. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H34, wherein
the antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex
vivo and administered to the subject by subcutaneous
administration.
[0766] H37. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H34, wherein
the antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid ex
vivo.
[0767] H38. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H30, wherein
the antigen-presenting cell is transduced with the nucleic acid in
vivo.
[0768] H39. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H38, wherein
the antigen-presenting cell is a dendritic cell.
[0769] H40. The method of any one of embodiments H1-H39, wherein
the nucleic acid comprises a promoter sequence operably linked to
the polynucleotide sequence.
[0770] I1. A composition which comprises a nucleic acid having a
polynucleotide sequence that encodes a chimeric protein, wherein
the chimeric protein comprises (i) a membrane targeting region,
(ii) a ligand-binding region that binds to a multimeric non-protein
ligand, and (iii-a) a signaling region and/or cytoplasmic region of
a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) or (iii-b) an adapter of a
PRR.
[0771] I2. The composition of embodiment I1, wherein the chimeric
protein comprises a CD40 cytoplasmic polypeptide region lacking the
CD40 extracellular domain.
[0772] I2.1. The method of embodiment I1 or I2, wherein the
chimeric protein comprises a signaling region and/or cytoplasmic
region of a PRR.
[0773] I3. The composition of embodiment I2.1, wherein the PRR is a
NOD-like PRR.
[0774] I4. The composition of embodiment I3, wherein the NOD-like
PRR is a NOD1 PRR.
[0775] I5. The composition of embodiment I3, wherein the NOD-like
PRR is a NOD2 PRR.
[0776] I6. The composition of embodiment I1 or I2, wherein the PRR
is not a NOD-like PRR.
[0777] I7. The composition of embodiment B6, wherein the NOD-like
PRR is not a NOD1 PRR.
[0778] I8. The composition of embodiment B6, wherein the NOD-like
PRR is not a NOD2 PRR.
[0779] I19. The composition of any one of embodiments I1-I3 and
B6-B8, wherein the PRR is a RIG-like helicase (RLH).
[0780] I10. The composition of embodiment B9, wherein the RLH is a
RIG-I PRR.
[0781] I11. The composition of embodiment B9, wherein the RLH is a
Mda-5 PRR.
[0782] I12. The composition of any one of embodiments I1-I3 and
B6-B8, wherein the PRR is a Toll-like receptor (TLR) PRR.
[0783] I13. The composition of embodiment I12, wherein the TLR is
selected from the group consisting of TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR8 and
TLR9.
[0784] I14. The composition of embodiment I13, wherein the TLR is a
TLR4.
[0785] I15. The composition of embodiment I13, wherein the TLR is a
TLR3.
[0786] I16. The composition of embodiment I13, wherein the TLR is a
TLR7.
[0787] I17. The composition of any one of embodiments I12-I14,
wherein the chimeric protein comprises a cytoplasmic region from a
TLR PRR.
[0788] I18. The composition of embodiment I17, wherein the chimeric
protein comprises a TIR domain.
[0789] I19. The composition of embodiment I18, wherein the chimeric
protein consists essentially of a TIR domain.
[0790] I20. The composition of embodiment I1 or I2, wherein the
chimeric protein comprises an adapter binds to a PRR of any one of
embodiments I2-I14.
[0791] I21. The composition of embodiment I20, wherein the adaptor
is selected from the group consisting of MyD88, TRIF/TICAM-1,
TIRAM/ICAM-2, MAL/TIRAP, TIR and CARD.
[0792] I22. The composition of any one of embodiments I1-I21,
wherein the membrane targeting region is a myristoylation targeting
region.
[0793] I23. The composition of embodiment I2, wherein the CD40
cytoplasmic polypeptide region is encoded by a polynucleotide
sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1.
[0794] I24. The composition of embodiment I1, wherein the membrane
targeting region is a myristoylation targeting region.
[0795] I25. The composition of embodiment I2, wherein the CD40
cytoplasmic polypeptide region is encoded by a polynucleotide
sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1.
[0796] I26. The composition of any one of embodiments I1-I25,
wherein the ligand is a small molecule.
[0797] I27. The composition of embodiment I26, wherein the ligand
is dimeric.
[0798] I28. The composition of embodiment I27, wherein the ligand
is a dimeric FK506 or a dimeric FK506 analog.
[0799] I29. The composition of embodiment I28, wherein the ligand
is AP1903.
[0800] I30. The composition of any one of embodiments I1-I29,
wherein the nucleic acid is contained within a viral vector.
[0801] I31. The composition of embodiment I30, wherein the viral
vector is an adenoviral vector.
[0802] I32. The composition of any one of embodiments I1-I31,
wherein the nucleic acid comprises a promoter sequence operably
linked to the polynucleotide sequence.
Example 12: Examples of Particular Nucleic Acid and Amino Acid
Sequences
TABLE-US-00001 [0803] (nucleic acid sequence encoding human CD40;
Genbank accession no. NM_001250) SEQ ID NO: 1 1 gccaaggctg
gggcagggga gtcagcagag gcctcgctcg ggcgcccagt ggtcctgccg 61
cctggtctca cctcgctatg gttcgtctgc ctctgcagtg cgtcctctgg ggctgcttgc
121 tgaccgctgt ccatccagaa ccacccactg catgcagaga aaaacagtac
ctaataaaca 181 gtcagtgctg ttctttgtgc cagccaggac agaaactggt
gagtgactgc acagagttca 241 ctgaaacgga atgccttcct tgcggtgaaa
gcgaattcct agacacctgg aacagagaga 301 cacactgcca ccagcacaaa
tactgcgacc ccaacctagg gcttcgggtc cagcagaagg 361 gcacctcaga
aacagacacc atctgcacct gtgaagaagg ctggcactgt acgagtgagg 421
cctgtgagag ctgtgtcctg caccgctcat gctcgcccgg ctttggggtc aagcagattg
481 ctacaggggt ttctgatacc atctgcgagc cctgcccagt cggcttcttc
tccaatgtgt 541 catctgcttt cgaaaaatgt cacccttgga caagctgtga
gaccaaagac ctggttgtgc 601 aacaggcagg cacaaacaag actgatgttg
tctgtggtcc ccaggatcgg ctgagagccc 661 tggtggtgat ccccatcatc
ttcgggatcc tgtttgccat cctcttggtg ctggtcttta 721 tcaaaaaggt
ggccaagaag ccaaccaata aggcccccca ccccaagcag gaaccccagg 781
agatcaattt tcccgacgat cttcctggct ccaacactgc tgctccagtg caggagactt
841 tacatggatg ccaaccggtc acccaggagg atggcaaaga gagtcgcatc
tcagtgcagg 901 agagacagtg aggctgcacc cacccaggag tgtggccacg
tgggcaaaca ggcagttggc 961 cagagagcct ggtgctgctg ctgctgtggc
gtgagggtga ggggctggca ctgactgggc 1021 atagctcccc gcttctgcct
gcacccctgc agtttgagac aggagacctg gcactggatg 1081 cagaaacagt
tcaccttgaa gaacctctca cttcaccctg gagcccatcc agtctcccaa 1141
cttgtattaa agacagaggc agaagtttgg tggtggtggt gttggggtat ggtttagtaa
1201 tatccaccag accttccgat ccagcagttt ggtgcccaga gaggcatcat
ggtggcttcc 1261 ctgcgcccag gaagccatat acacagatgc ccattgcagc
attgtttgtg atagtgaaca 1321 actggaagct gcttaactgt ccatcagcag
gagactggct aaataaaatt agaatatatt 1381 tatacaacag aatctcaaaa
acactgttga gtaaggaaaa aaaggcatgc tgctgaatga 1441 tgggtatgga
actttttaaa aaagtacatg cttttatgta tgtatattgc ctatggatat 1501
atgtataaat acaatatgca tcatatattg atataacaag ggttctggaa gggtacacag
1561 aaaacccaca gctcgaagag tggtgacgtc tggggtgggg aagaagggtc tggggg
(amino acid sequence encoding human CD40) SEQ ID NO: 2
MVRLPLQCVLWGCLLTAVHPEPPTACREKQYLINSQCCSLCQPGQKLVSDCTEFTETECLPCGESEFLDTWNRE-
TH
CHQHKYCDPNLGLRVQQKGTSETDTICTCEEGWHCTSEACESCVLHRSCSPGFGVKQIATGVSDTICEPCPVGF-
FS
NVSSAFEKCHPWTSCETKDLVVQQAGTNKTDVVCGPQDRLRALVVIPIIFGILFAILLVLVFIKKVAKKPTNKA-
PH PKQEPQEINFPDDLPGSNTAAPVQETLHGCQPVTQEDGKESRISVQERQ (nucleotide
sequence encoding PSMA) SEQ ID NO: 3
gcggatccgcatcatcatcatcatcacagctccggaatcgagggacgtggtaaatcctccaatgaagctactaa-
ca
ttactccaaagcataatatgaaagcatttttggatgaattgaaagctgagaacatcaagaagttcttatataat-
tt
tacacagataccacatttagcaggaacagaacaaaactttcagcttgcaaagcaaattcaatcccagtggaaag-
aa
tttggcctggattctgttgagctagcacattatgatgtcctgttgtcctacccaaataagactcatcccaacta-
ca
tctcaataattaatgaagatggaaatgagattttcaacacatcattatttgaaccacctcctccaggatatgaa-
aa
tgtttcggatattgtaccacctttcagtgctttctctcctcaaggaatgccagagggcgatctagtgtatgtta-
ac
tatgcacgaactgaagacttctttaaattggaacgggacatgaaaatcaattgctctgggaaaattgtaattgc-
ca
gatatgggaaagttttcagaggaaataaggttaaaaatgcccagctggcaggggccaaaggagtcattctctac-
tc
cgaccctgctgactactttgctcctggggtgaagtcctatccagatggttggaatcttcctggaggtggtgtcc-
ag
cgtggaaatatcctaaatctgaatggtgcaggagaccctctcacaccaggttacccagcaaatgaatatgctta-
ta
ggcgtggaattgcagaggctgttggtcttccaagtattcctgttcatccaattggatactatgatgcacagaag-
ct
cctagaaaaaatgggtggctcagcaccaccagatagcagctggagaggaagtctcaaagtgccctacaatgttg-
ga
cctggctttactggaaacttttctacacaaaaagtcaagatgcacatccactctaccaatgaagtgacaagaat-
tt
acaatgtgataggtactctcagaggagcagtggaaccagacagatatgtcattctgggaggtcaccgggactca-
tg
ggtgtttggtggtattgaccctcagagtggagcagctgttgttcatgaaattgtgaggagctttggaacactga-
aa
aaggaagggtggagacctagaagaacaattttgtttgcaagctgggatgcagaagaatttggtcttcttggttc-
ta
ctgagtgggcagaggagaattcaagactccttcaagagcgtggcgtggcttatattaatgctgactcatctata-
ga
aggaaactacactctgagagttgattgtacaccgctgatgtacagcttggtacacaacctaacaaaagagctga-
aa
agccctgatgaaggctttgaaggcaaatctctttatgaaagttggactaaaaaaagtccttccccagagttcag-
tg
gcatgcccaggataagcaaattgggatctggaaatgattttgaggtgttcttccaacgacttggaattgcttca-
gg
cagagcacggtatactaaaaattgggaaacaaacaaattcagcggctatccactgtatcacagtgtctatgaaa-
ca
tatgagttggtggaaaagttttatgatccaatgtttaaatatcacctcactgtggcccaggttcgaggagggat-
gg
tgtttgagctagccaattccatagtgctcccttttgattgtcgagattatgctgtagttttaagaaagtatgct-
ga
caaaatctacagtatttctatgaaacatccacaggaaatgaagacatacagtgtatcatttgattcactttttt-
ct
gcagtaaagaattttacagaaattgcttccaagttcagtgagagactccaggactttgacaaaagcaagcatgt-
ca
tctatgctccaagcagccacaacaagtatgcaggggagtcattcccaggaatttatgatgctctgtttgatatt-
ga
aagcaaagtggacccttccaaggcctggggagaagtgaagagacagatttatgttgcagccttcacagtgcagg-
ca gctgcagagactttgagtgaagtagcctaagcggccgcatagca (PSMA amino acid
sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO: 3) SEQ ID NO: 4
MWNLLHETDSAVATARRPRWLCAGALVLAGGFFLLGFLFGWFIKSSNEATNITPKHNMKAFLDELKAENIKKFL-
YN
FTQIPHLAGTEQNFQLAKQIQSQWKEFGLDSVELAHYDVLLSYPNKTHPNYISIINEDGNEIFNTSLFEPPPPG-
YE
NVSDIVPPFSAFSPQGMPEGDLVYVNYARTEDFFKLERDMKINCSGKIVIARYGKVFRGNKVKNAQLAGAKGVI-
LY
SDPADYFAPGVKSYPDGWNLPGGGVQRGNILNLNGAGDPLTPGYPANEYAYRRGIAEAVGLPSIPVHPIGYYDA-
QK
LLEKMGGSAPPDSSWRGSLKVPYNVGPGFTGNFSTQKVKMHIHSTNEVTRIYNVIGTLRGAVEPDRYVILGGHR-
DS
WVFGGIDPQSGAAVVHEIVRSFGTLKKEGWRPRRTILFASWDAEEFGLLGSTEWAEENSRLLQERGVAYINADS-
SI
EGNYTLRVDCTPLMYSLVHNLTKELKSPDEGFEGKSLYESWTKKSPSPEFSGMPRISKLGSGNDFEVFFQRLGI-
AS
GRARYTKNWETNKFSGYPLYHSVYETYELVEKFYDPMFKYHLTVAQVRGGMVFELANSIVLPFDCRDYAVVLRK-
YA
DKIYSISMKHPQEMKTYSVSFDSLFSAVKNFTEIASKFSERLQDFDKSKHVIYAPSSHNKYAGESFPGIYDALF-
DI ESKVDPSKAWGEVKRQIYVAAFTVQAAAETLSEVA
[0804] The entirety of each patent, patent application, publication
and document referenced herein hereby is incorporated by reference.
Citation of the above patents, patent applications, publications
and documents is not an admission that any of the foregoing is
pertinent prior art, nor does it constitute any admission as to the
contents or date of these publications or documents. Each of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/781,384 filed Feb. 18, 2004 and
published as US2004/0209836 on Oct. 21, 2004, entitled "Induced
Activation in Dendritic Cells," and U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/803,025 filed May 23, 2006, entitled "Modified Dendritic
Cells having Enhanced Survival and Immunogenicity and Related
Compositions and Methods" is incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety.
[0805] Modifications may be made to the foregoing without departing
from the basic aspects of the invention. Although the invention has
been described in substantial detail with reference to one or more
specific embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments specifically
disclosed in this application, and yet these modifications and
improvements are within the scope and spirit of the invention. The
invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced
in the absence of any element(s) not specifically disclosed herein.
Thus, for example, in each instance herein any of the terms
"comprising", "consisting essentially of", and "consisting of" may
be replaced with either of the other two terms. Thus, the terms and
expressions which have been employed are used as terms of
description and not of limitation, equivalents of the features
shown and described, or portions thereof, are not excluded, and it
is recognized that various modifications are possible within the
scope of the invention. Embodiments of the invention are set forth
in the following embodiments.
Sequence CWU 1
1
3711616DNAHomo sapiens 1gccaaggctg gggcagggga gtcagcagag gcctcgctcg
ggcgcccagt ggtcctgccg 60cctggtctca cctcgctatg gttcgtctgc ctctgcagtg
cgtcctctgg ggctgcttgc 120tgaccgctgt ccatccagaa ccacccactg
catgcagaga aaaacagtac ctaataaaca 180gtcagtgctg ttctttgtgc
cagccaggac agaaactggt gagtgactgc acagagttca 240ctgaaacgga
atgccttcct tgcggtgaaa gcgaattcct agacacctgg aacagagaga
300cacactgcca ccagcacaaa tactgcgacc ccaacctagg gcttcgggtc
cagcagaagg 360gcacctcaga aacagacacc atctgcacct gtgaagaagg
ctggcactgt acgagtgagg 420cctgtgagag ctgtgtcctg caccgctcat
gctcgcccgg ctttggggtc aagcagattg 480ctacaggggt ttctgatacc
atctgcgagc cctgcccagt cggcttcttc tccaatgtgt 540catctgcttt
cgaaaaatgt cacccttgga caagctgtga gaccaaagac ctggttgtgc
600aacaggcagg cacaaacaag actgatgttg tctgtggtcc ccaggatcgg
ctgagagccc 660tggtggtgat ccccatcatc ttcgggatcc tgtttgccat
cctcttggtg ctggtcttta 720tcaaaaaggt ggccaagaag ccaaccaata
aggcccccca ccccaagcag gaaccccagg 780agatcaattt tcccgacgat
cttcctggct ccaacactgc tgctccagtg caggagactt 840tacatggatg
ccaaccggtc acccaggagg atggcaaaga gagtcgcatc tcagtgcagg
900agagacagtg aggctgcacc cacccaggag tgtggccacg tgggcaaaca
ggcagttggc 960cagagagcct ggtgctgctg ctgctgtggc gtgagggtga
ggggctggca ctgactgggc 1020atagctcccc gcttctgcct gcacccctgc
agtttgagac aggagacctg gcactggatg 1080cagaaacagt tcaccttgaa
gaacctctca cttcaccctg gagcccatcc agtctcccaa 1140cttgtattaa
agacagaggc agaagtttgg tggtggtggt gttggggtat ggtttagtaa
1200tatccaccag accttccgat ccagcagttt ggtgcccaga gaggcatcat
ggtggcttcc 1260ctgcgcccag gaagccatat acacagatgc ccattgcagc
attgtttgtg atagtgaaca 1320actggaagct gcttaactgt ccatcagcag
gagactggct aaataaaatt agaatatatt 1380tatacaacag aatctcaaaa
acactgttga gtaaggaaaa aaaggcatgc tgctgaatga 1440tgggtatgga
actttttaaa aaagtacatg cttttatgta tgtatattgc ctatggatat
1500atgtataaat acaatatgca tcatatattg atataacaag ggttctggaa
gggtacacag 1560aaaacccaca gctcgaagag tggtgacgtc tggggtgggg
aagaagggtc tggggg 16162277PRTHomo sapiens 2Met Val Arg Leu Pro Leu
Gln Cys Val Leu Trp Gly Cys Leu Leu Thr1 5 10 15Ala Val His Pro Glu
Pro Pro Thr Ala Cys Arg Glu Lys Gln Tyr Leu 20 25 30Ile Asn Ser Gln
Cys Cys Ser Leu Cys Gln Pro Gly Gln Lys Leu Val 35 40 45Ser Asp Cys
Thr Glu Phe Thr Glu Thr Glu Cys Leu Pro Cys Gly Glu 50 55 60Ser Glu
Phe Leu Asp Thr Trp Asn Arg Glu Thr His Cys His Gln His65 70 75
80Lys Tyr Cys Asp Pro Asn Leu Gly Leu Arg Val Gln Gln Lys Gly Thr
85 90 95Ser Glu Thr Asp Thr Ile Cys Thr Cys Glu Glu Gly Trp His Cys
Thr 100 105 110Ser Glu Ala Cys Glu Ser Cys Val Leu His Arg Ser Cys
Ser Pro Gly 115 120 125Phe Gly Val Lys Gln Ile Ala Thr Gly Val Ser
Asp Thr Ile Cys Glu 130 135 140Pro Cys Pro Val Gly Phe Phe Ser Asn
Val Ser Ser Ala Phe Glu Lys145 150 155 160Cys His Pro Trp Thr Ser
Cys Glu Thr Lys Asp Leu Val Val Gln Gln 165 170 175Ala Gly Thr Asn
Lys Thr Asp Val Val Cys Gly Pro Gln Asp Arg Leu 180 185 190Arg Ala
Leu Val Val Ile Pro Ile Ile Phe Gly Ile Leu Phe Ala Ile 195 200
205Leu Leu Val Leu Val Phe Ile Lys Lys Val Ala Lys Lys Pro Thr Asn
210 215 220Lys Ala Pro His Pro Lys Gln Glu Pro Gln Glu Ile Asn Phe
Pro Asp225 230 235 240Asp Leu Pro Gly Ser Asn Thr Ala Ala Pro Val
Gln Glu Thr Leu His 245 250 255Gly Cys Gln Pro Val Thr Gln Glu Asp
Gly Lys Glu Ser Arg Ile Ser 260 265 270Val Gln Glu Arg Gln
27532096DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic polynucleotide 3gcggatccgc atcatcatca tcatcacagc
tccggaatcg agggacgtgg taaatcctcc 60aatgaagcta ctaacattac tccaaagcat
aatatgaaag catttttgga tgaattgaaa 120gctgagaaca tcaagaagtt
cttatataat tttacacaga taccacattt agcaggaaca 180gaacaaaact
ttcagcttgc aaagcaaatt caatcccagt ggaaagaatt tggcctggat
240tctgttgagc tagcacatta tgatgtcctg ttgtcctacc caaataagac
tcatcccaac 300tacatctcaa taattaatga agatggaaat gagattttca
acacatcatt atttgaacca 360cctcctccag gatatgaaaa tgtttcggat
attgtaccac ctttcagtgc tttctctcct 420caaggaatgc cagagggcga
tctagtgtat gttaactatg cacgaactga agacttcttt 480aaattggaac
gggacatgaa aatcaattgc tctgggaaaa ttgtaattgc cagatatggg
540aaagttttca gaggaaataa ggttaaaaat gcccagctgg caggggccaa
aggagtcatt 600ctctactccg accctgctga ctactttgct cctggggtga
agtcctatcc agatggttgg 660aatcttcctg gaggtggtgt ccagcgtgga
aatatcctaa atctgaatgg tgcaggagac 720cctctcacac caggttaccc
agcaaatgaa tatgcttata ggcgtggaat tgcagaggct 780gttggtcttc
caagtattcc tgttcatcca attggatact atgatgcaca gaagctccta
840gaaaaaatgg gtggctcagc accaccagat agcagctgga gaggaagtct
caaagtgccc 900tacaatgttg gacctggctt tactggaaac ttttctacac
aaaaagtcaa gatgcacatc 960cactctacca atgaagtgac aagaatttac
aatgtgatag gtactctcag aggagcagtg 1020gaaccagaca gatatgtcat
tctgggaggt caccgggact catgggtgtt tggtggtatt 1080gaccctcaga
gtggagcagc tgttgttcat gaaattgtga ggagctttgg aacactgaaa
1140aaggaagggt ggagacctag aagaacaatt ttgtttgcaa gctgggatgc
agaagaattt 1200ggtcttcttg gttctactga gtgggcagag gagaattcaa
gactccttca agagcgtggc 1260gtggcttata ttaatgctga ctcatctata
gaaggaaact acactctgag agttgattgt 1320acaccgctga tgtacagctt
ggtacacaac ctaacaaaag agctgaaaag ccctgatgaa 1380ggctttgaag
gcaaatctct ttatgaaagt tggactaaaa aaagtccttc cccagagttc
1440agtggcatgc ccaggataag caaattggga tctggaaatg attttgaggt
gttcttccaa 1500cgacttggaa ttgcttcagg cagagcacgg tatactaaaa
attgggaaac aaacaaattc 1560agcggctatc cactgtatca cagtgtctat
gaaacatatg agttggtgga aaagttttat 1620gatccaatgt ttaaatatca
cctcactgtg gcccaggttc gaggagggat ggtgtttgag 1680ctagccaatt
ccatagtgct cccttttgat tgtcgagatt atgctgtagt tttaagaaag
1740tatgctgaca aaatctacag tatttctatg aaacatccac aggaaatgaa
gacatacagt 1800gtatcatttg attcactttt ttctgcagta aagaatttta
cagaaattgc ttccaagttc 1860agtgagagac tccaggactt tgacaaaagc
aagcatgtca tctatgctcc aagcagccac 1920aacaagtatg caggggagtc
attcccagga atttatgatg ctctgtttga tattgaaagc 1980aaagtggacc
cttccaaggc ctggggagaa gtgaagagac agatttatgt tgcagccttc
2040acagtgcagg cagctgcaga gactttgagt gaagtagcct aagcggccgc atagca
20964719PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic polypeptide 4Met Trp Asn Leu Leu His Glu Thr Asp Ser Ala
Val Ala Thr Ala Arg1 5 10 15Arg Pro Arg Trp Leu Cys Ala Gly Ala Leu
Val Leu Ala Gly Gly Phe 20 25 30Phe Leu Leu Gly Phe Leu Phe Gly Trp
Phe Ile Lys Ser Ser Asn Glu 35 40 45Ala Thr Asn Ile Thr Pro Lys His
Asn Met Lys Ala Phe Leu Asp Glu 50 55 60Leu Lys Ala Glu Asn Ile Lys
Lys Phe Leu Tyr Asn Phe Thr Gln Ile65 70 75 80Pro His Leu Ala Gly
Thr Glu Gln Asn Phe Gln Leu Ala Lys Gln Ile 85 90 95Gln Ser Gln Trp
Lys Glu Phe Gly Leu Asp Ser Val Glu Leu Ala His 100 105 110Tyr Asp
Val Leu Leu Ser Tyr Pro Asn Lys Thr His Pro Asn Tyr Ile 115 120
125Ser Ile Ile Asn Glu Asp Gly Asn Glu Ile Phe Asn Thr Ser Leu Phe
130 135 140Glu Pro Pro Pro Pro Gly Tyr Glu Asn Val Ser Asp Ile Val
Pro Pro145 150 155 160Phe Ser Ala Phe Ser Pro Gln Gly Met Pro Glu
Gly Asp Leu Val Tyr 165 170 175Val Asn Tyr Ala Arg Thr Glu Asp Phe
Phe Lys Leu Glu Arg Asp Met 180 185 190Lys Ile Asn Cys Ser Gly Lys
Ile Val Ile Ala Arg Tyr Gly Lys Val 195 200 205Phe Arg Gly Asn Lys
Val Lys Asn Ala Gln Leu Ala Gly Ala Lys Gly 210 215 220Val Ile Leu
Tyr Ser Asp Pro Ala Asp Tyr Phe Ala Pro Gly Val Lys225 230 235
240Ser Tyr Pro Asp Gly Trp Asn Leu Pro Gly Gly Gly Val Gln Arg Gly
245 250 255Asn Ile Leu Asn Leu Asn Gly Ala Gly Asp Pro Leu Thr Pro
Gly Tyr 260 265 270Pro Ala Asn Glu Tyr Ala Tyr Arg Arg Gly Ile Ala
Glu Ala Val Gly 275 280 285Leu Pro Ser Ile Pro Val His Pro Ile Gly
Tyr Tyr Asp Ala Gln Lys 290 295 300Leu Leu Glu Lys Met Gly Gly Ser
Ala Pro Pro Asp Ser Ser Trp Arg305 310 315 320Gly Ser Leu Lys Val
Pro Tyr Asn Val Gly Pro Gly Phe Thr Gly Asn 325 330 335Phe Ser Thr
Gln Lys Val Lys Met His Ile His Ser Thr Asn Glu Val 340 345 350Thr
Arg Ile Tyr Asn Val Ile Gly Thr Leu Arg Gly Ala Val Glu Pro 355 360
365Asp Arg Tyr Val Ile Leu Gly Gly His Arg Asp Ser Trp Val Phe Gly
370 375 380Gly Ile Asp Pro Gln Ser Gly Ala Ala Val Val His Glu Ile
Val Arg385 390 395 400Ser Phe Gly Thr Leu Lys Lys Glu Gly Trp Arg
Pro Arg Arg Thr Ile 405 410 415Leu Phe Ala Ser Trp Asp Ala Glu Glu
Phe Gly Leu Leu Gly Ser Thr 420 425 430Glu Trp Ala Glu Glu Asn Ser
Arg Leu Leu Gln Glu Arg Gly Val Ala 435 440 445Tyr Ile Asn Ala Asp
Ser Ser Ile Glu Gly Asn Tyr Thr Leu Arg Val 450 455 460Asp Cys Thr
Pro Leu Met Tyr Ser Leu Val His Asn Leu Thr Lys Glu465 470 475
480Leu Lys Ser Pro Asp Glu Gly Phe Glu Gly Lys Ser Leu Tyr Glu Ser
485 490 495Trp Thr Lys Lys Ser Pro Ser Pro Glu Phe Ser Gly Met Pro
Arg Ile 500 505 510Ser Lys Leu Gly Ser Gly Asn Asp Phe Glu Val Phe
Phe Gln Arg Leu 515 520 525Gly Ile Ala Ser Gly Arg Ala Arg Tyr Thr
Lys Asn Trp Glu Thr Asn 530 535 540Lys Phe Ser Gly Tyr Pro Leu Tyr
His Ser Val Tyr Glu Thr Tyr Glu545 550 555 560Leu Val Glu Lys Phe
Tyr Asp Pro Met Phe Lys Tyr His Leu Thr Val 565 570 575Ala Gln Val
Arg Gly Gly Met Val Phe Glu Leu Ala Asn Ser Ile Val 580 585 590Leu
Pro Phe Asp Cys Arg Asp Tyr Ala Val Val Leu Arg Lys Tyr Ala 595 600
605Asp Lys Ile Tyr Ser Ile Ser Met Lys His Pro Gln Glu Met Lys Thr
610 615 620Tyr Ser Val Ser Phe Asp Ser Leu Phe Ser Ala Val Lys Asn
Phe Thr625 630 635 640Glu Ile Ala Ser Lys Phe Ser Glu Arg Leu Gln
Asp Phe Asp Lys Ser 645 650 655Lys His Val Ile Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ser
His Asn Lys Tyr Ala Gly Glu 660 665 670Ser Phe Pro Gly Ile Tyr Asp
Ala Leu Phe Asp Ile Glu Ser Lys Val 675 680 685Asp Pro Ser Lys Ala
Trp Gly Glu Val Lys Arg Gln Ile Tyr Val Ala 690 695 700Ala Phe Thr
Val Gln Ala Ala Ala Glu Thr Leu Ser Glu Val Ala705 710
715521PRTClostridium tetani 5Phe Asn Asn Phe Thr Val Ser Phe Trp
Leu Arg Val Pro Lys Val Ser1 5 10 15Ala Ser His Leu Glu
2068PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptide 6Ser Ile Ile Asn Phe Glu Lys Leu1
575PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(2)..(2)N-acylated GlyMOD_RES(3)..(3)Cys or
S-acylated CysMOD_RES(4)..(4)Any amino acidMOD_RES(5)..(5)Cys or
S-acylated Cyssee specification as filed for detailed description
of substitutions and preferred embodiments 7Met Gly Cys Xaa Cys1
589PRTHomo sapiens 8Phe Leu Trp Gly Pro Arg Ala Leu Val1
599PRTInfluenza A virus 9Gly Ile Leu Gly Phe Val Phe Thr Leu1
5109PRTHuman immunodeficiency virus type 1 10Ser Leu Tyr Asn Thr
Val Ala Thr Leu1 51135DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 11atatactcga gaaaaaggtg
gccaagaagc caacc 351236DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 12atatagtcga ctcactgtct
ctcctgcact gagatg 361336DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 13cgatcactcg agggctggag
gatatctttt tattgg 361438DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 14tgatcggtcg acatgtacag
agtttttgga tccaagtg 381540DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 15cgatcactcg agtataagtt
ctattttcac ctgatgcttc 401637DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 16tgatcggtcg acgatagatg
ttgcttcctg ccaattg 371738DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 17cgatcagtcg acgatgtgtg
gtatatttac catttctg 381835DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 18tgatcggtcg acgaccgttt
ccttgaacac ctgac 351938DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 19cgatcactcg aggatgtttg
gtttatatat aatgtgtg 382034DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 20tcggtcgacg tattgcttaa
tggaatcgac atac 342134DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 21cgatcactcg aggacctctg
gtactgcttc cacc 342232DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic primer 22tgatctgtcg acttcggccg
tgggtccctg gc 322338DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial
Sequence Synthetic primer 23aatctaccgc ggccaccatg atgtctgcct
cgcgcctg 382437DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial
Sequence Synthetic primer 24tcagttctcg aggatagatg ttgcttcctg
ccaattg 372535DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial
Sequence Synthetic primer 25atatactcga gaaaaaggtg gccaagaagc caacc
352633DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic primer 26acatagtcga cctgtctctc ctgcactgag atg
332734DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic primer 27atagcactcg agatggggga agagggtggt tcag
342834DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic primer 28cttcatgtcg acgacctcca ggacattctc tgtg
342932DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic primer 29atagcactcg agaccaccga gcagcgacgc ag
323037DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic primer 30cttcatgtcg acaatctgta tgtcagaagt ttccatc
373133DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic primer 31acatcaactc gagatggctg caggaggtcc cgg
333234DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic primer 32actcatagtc gaccagggac aaggccttgg caag
343335DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic primer 33acatcaactc gagatggcct gcacaggccc atcac
353435DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic primer 34actcatagtc gacttctgcc tcctgcgtct tgtcc
353542DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic primer 35aactagacgc gtactactaa aatgtaaatg acataggaaa ac
423636DNAArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic primer 36gacttgaagc ttaacacgaa cagtgtcgcc tactac
36376PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic 6x His tag 37His His His His His His1 5
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