anti-CD40 mAb Research Articles

Fcγ receptor dependency of agonistic CD40 antibody in lymphoma therapy can be overcome through antibody multimerization.

Immunomodulatory mAbs, led by the anti-CTLA4 mAb ipilimumab, are an exciting new class of drugs capable of promoting anticancer immunity and providing durable control of some tumors. Close analysis of a number of agents has revealed a critical yet variable role for Fcγ receptors in their efficacy. In this article, we reveal that agonistic anti-CD40 mAbs have an absolute requirement for cross-linking by inhibitory FcγRIIB when used systemically to treat established BCL1 syngeneic lymphoma, and therapy is lost when using a mouse IgG2a mAb not cross-linked by FcγRIIB. Furthermore, in FcγRIIB-deficient mice the lymphoma itself can provide FcγRIIB to cross-link anti-CD40 on neighboring cells, and only when this is blocked does therapy fail. The dependence on FcγRIIB for immunostimulatory activity was not absolute, however, because when anti-CD40 mAbs were administered systemically with the TLR3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid or were given subcutaneously, activatory FcγR could also provide cross-linking. Using this mechanistic insight, we designed multimeric forms of anti-CD40 mAb with intrinsic FcγR-independent activity that were highly effective in the treatment of lymphoma-bearing mice. In conclusion, FcγR-independent anti-CD40 activation is a viable strategy in vivo. These findings have important translational implications, as humans, unlike mice, do not have IgG that binds strongly to FcγRIIB; therefore FcγR-independent derivatives represent an attractive therapeutic option.

Ligation of CD47 induces G1 arrest in EBV-transformed B cells through ROS generation, p38 MAPK/JNK activation, and Tap73 upregulation.

CD47 is expressed in normal activated cells as well as in several tumors. It also has been implicated as having antiangiogenic and antimetastatic properties, but its roles in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B cells are still not fully understood. Herein, we report that EBV infection induced CD47 surface expression on B cells, and CD47 ligation with anti-CD47 mAb (B6H12) reduced cell proliferation and induced G1 arrest. CD47-induced G1 arrest was mediated through increased cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKi) and a simultaneously decreased CDK/cyclins, and p38 MAPK/JNK activation preceded binding of CDKi-CDK. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and upregulation of both TAp73 and ER stress sensor proteins were detected after CD47 ligation, and p38 inhibitor SB203580 and JNK inhibitor SP600125 blocked upregulation of TAp73 and cell cycle arrest. We investigated whether ROS generation is the initial event of CD47-mediated G1 arrest because ROS scavenger NAC effectively abrogated the majority of CD47-mediated responses but SB203580 and SP600125 did not block ROS production. Taken together, we concluded that CD47 ligation on EBV-transformed B cells led to G1 arrest by ROS generation and, subsequently, there was p38 MAPK/JNK pathway activation, ER stress triggering, and TAp73 upregulation. Our findings provide data supporting CD47 as a feasible target for EBV-associated tumor therapy.

B Cells and CD40/CD154 Interactions Are Required for CD8 T Cell Recovery Following Antibody-Mediated Lymphoablation.

Antibody-meditaed lymphoablation is commonly used as an induction therapy in transplant patients. However, recipients eventually reconstitute their T cell repertoire, develop anti-donor immune responses and reject transplanted organ. The goal of this study was to investigate the requirements for T cell recovery following lymphoablation in a mouse model of heterotopic cardiac transplantation. We previously reported that memory CD4 T cells are less susceptible to depletion by murine antithymocyte globulin (mATG) than CD8 T cells. Additional CD4 T cell depletion impaired CD8 T cell recovery after mATG treatment in B6 recipients of BALB/c heart allografts (0.2% vs 3-5% of spleen CD8 T cells recovered by d. 10 posttransplant) and in non-transplanted B6 mice. Analogous findings were made in recipients treated with anti-CD8 ± anti-CD4 mAbs demonstrating that the requirement for CD4 cell help is a common feature of antibody-mediated lymphoablation. In addition, memory CD8 T cell reconstitution depended on CD4 T cell help in non-transplanted B6 mice and in B6 isograft recipients treated with mATG. Treatment with blocking anti-CD154 mAb plus mATG inhibited memory CD8 T cell recovery in B6 heart allograft recipients similar to the levels observed after CD4 T cell depletion. Conversely, agonistic anti-CD40 mAb restored expansion of memory CD8 T cells following mATG treatment of CD4 T cell depleted heart allograft recipients. To test whether B cells are required for CD8 T cell recovery, we used B6.huCD20tg mice. Treatment with anti-human CD20 mAb depleted >90% of peripheral B cells and markedly inhibited CD8 T cell expansion in huCD20tg recipients compared to B cell-sufficient mice. Next, B cells were isolated from mATG treated recipients with or without CD4 depletion. In the absence of CD4 T cells, B cells expressed lower levels of MHC class I, CD80, CD86, and TNFa suggesting that both cognate interactions and cytokines promote CD8 T cell expansion. Our results show that CD4 T cell help mediated through B cells and CD40/CD154 interactions drives CD8 T cell reconstitution following antibody-mediated depletion. These findings may be used to improve the efficiency of lymphoablation in sensitized transplant recipients.

Characterization of ASKP1240, a Fully Human Antibody Targeting Human CD40 With Potent Immunosuppressive Effects

Blocking the CD40–CD154 interaction is reported to be effective for transplantation management and autoimmune disease models in rodents and nonhuman primates. However, clinical trials with anti-CD154 mAbs were halted because of high incidence of thromboembolic complications. Thus, we generated and characterized a fully human anti-CD40 mAb ASKP1240, as an alternative to anti-CD154 mAb. In vitro ASKP1240 concentration-dependently inhibited human peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation induced by soluble CD154. In addition, ASKP1240 did not destabilize platelet thrombi under physiological high shear conditions while mouse anti-human CD154 mAb (mu5C8) did. And ASKP1240 itself did not activate platelet and endothelial cells. In vivo administration of ASKP1240 (1 or 10 mg/kg, intravenously) to cynomolgus monkeys, weekly for 3 weeks, significantly attenuated both delayed-type hypersensitivity and specific antibody formation evoked by tetanus toxoid. The immunosuppressive effect was well correlated with the CD40 receptor saturation. Thus, these results suggest that ASKP1240 is immunosuppressive but not prothromboembolic, and as such appears to be a promising therapeutic candidate for the management of solid organ transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases therapy.

Combination of an agonistic anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody and the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib induces anti-glioma effects by promotion of type-1 immunity in myeloid cells and T-cells.

Malignant gliomas are heavily infiltrated by immature myeloid cells that mediate immunosuppression. Agonistic CD40 monoclonal antibody (mAb) has been shown to activate myeloid cells and promote antitumor immunity. Our previous study has also demonstrated blockade of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) reduces immunosuppressive myeloid cells, thereby suppressing glioma development in mice. We therefore hypothesized that a combinatory strategy to modulate myeloid cells via two distinct pathways, i.e., CD40/CD40L stimulation and COX-2 blockade, would enhance anti-glioma immunity. We used three different mouse glioma models to evaluate therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of a combination regimen with an agonist CD40 mAb and the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib. Treatment of glioma-bearing mice with the combination therapy significantly prolonged survival compared with either anti-CD40 mAb or celecoxib alone. The combination regimen promoted maturation of CD11b(+) cells in both spleen and brain, and enhanced Cxcl10 while suppressing Arg1 in CD11b(+)Gr-1(+) cells in the brain. Anti-glioma activity of the combination regimen was T-cell dependent because depletion of CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells in vivo abrogated the anti-glioma effects. Furthermore, the combination therapy significantly increased the frequency of CD8(+) T-cells, enhanced IFN-γ-production and reduced CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T regulatory cells in the brain, and induced tumor-antigen-specific T-cell responses in lymph nodes. Our findings suggest that the combination therapy of anti-CD40 mAb with celecoxib enhances anti-glioma activities via promotion of type-1 immunity both in myeloid cells and T-cells.

Enhancement of Rituximab-induced cell death by the physical association of CD20 with CD40 molecules on the cell surface.

CD20 is an attractive therapeutic target given the success of its monoclonal antibody, Rituximab, in the treatment of B-cell malignancies and B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. Treatment with Rituximab causes a rapid depletion of B cells and a decrease in disease symptoms. Despite the clinical efficiency of Rituximab, its mechanism of action is not completely understood. In this study, we aimed at further investigating the Rituximab-induced cell death and the factors affecting such responses. Our results indicate that Rituximab-induced cell death depends on the nature of the cells and levels of CD20 expression on the cell surface. Coexpression of CD20 with CD40, a member of the TNF receptor family that is known to be physically associated with CD20 on the cell surface, enhances the apoptotic response induced by Rituximab. Inhibiting the formation of CD40 disulfide-bound-homodimers, a process required for some CD40 signaling, further enhances Rituximab-induced cell death. Cell death induced by anti-CD40 mAb is also upregulated by the presence of CD20, suggesting a bidirectional influence of the CD20/CD40 association. Moreover, treating cells with both anti-CD20 and anti-CD40 antibodies improves the cell death response induced by a single-agent treatment. These results highlight the role of the CD20/CD40 association in triggering B-cell depletion and may pave the way for an alternative more efficient therapeutic strategy in treating B-cell-mediated disorders.

B cells are required for CD8 T cell recovery after antibody-mediated depletion (TRAN3P.895)

Abstract Antibody-mediated lymphoablation is used as an induction therapy in transplant patients. We investigated the requirements for T cell recovery following lymphoablation in a mouse model of heart transplantation. Memory CD4 T cells are less susceptible to depletion by murine antithymocyte globulin (mATG) than CD8 T cells. Additional CD4 T cell depletion impaired CD8 T cell recovery after mATG treatment in B6 recipients of BALB/c heart allografts and in non-transplanted B6 mice. Treatment with blocking anti-CD154 mAb plus mATG inhibited CD8 T cell recovery, while agonistic anti-CD40 mAb restored memory CD8 T cell expansion after mATG treatment of CD4 T cell depleted recipients. To test whether B cells are required for CD8 T cell recovery, we used B6.huCD20tg mice. Treatment with anti-human CD20 mAb depleted >90% of peripheral B cells and markedly inhibited CD8 T cell expansion in huCD20tg recipients compared to B cell-sufficient mice. Next, B cells were isolated from mATG treated recipients with or without CD4 depletion. In the absence of CD4 T cells, B cells expressed lower levels of MHC class I, CD80, CD86, and TNFα suggesting that both cognate interactions and cytokines promote CD8 T cell expansion. Our results show that CD4 T cell help mediated through B cells and CD40/CD154 interactions drives CD8 T cell reconstitution following antibody-mediated depletion. These findings may be used to improve the efficiency of lymphoablation in sensitized transplant recipients.

Generating a battery of monoclonal antibodies against native green fluorescent protein for immunostaining, FACS, IP, and ChIP using a unique adjuvant.

Using a unique, nontoxic adjuvant compound of poly(I:C) and anti-CD40 MAb, a battery of eight mouse monoclonal antibodies was generated against native green fluorescent protein. All were effective to varying degrees for immunostaining paraformaldehyde-fixed cells, six for staining sections of paraffin-embedded tissue, all to varying degrees in fluorescent-activated cell sorting, five for immunoprecipitation, and seven for chromatin immunoprecipitation. None worked in denaturing Western blots since the target was the native GFP protein. Both the hybridomas and antibodies are available at cost through DSHB, a non-profit National Resource created by the National Institutes of Health.

Encapsulated piscine (tilapia) islets for diabetes therapy: studies in diabetic NOD and NOD‐SCID mice

Our goal was to improve islet transplantation as a therapy for patients with type I diabetes mellitus. Because human donor islets are scarce, we are studying islet xenografts in the diabetic NOD mouse model. We hypothesize that optimal xenoislet survival will be achieved by the combination of donor islet immunoisolation with recipient immunosuppression. We and others have studied adult and neonatal porcine islets as sources of tissue for microencapsulated islet xenografts, but we believe it is also advantageous to consider using islets from fish, which can be raised in large numbers relatively quickly and economically. Therefore, in this study, we have evaluated the function of microencapsulated xenogeneic piscine (tilapia) islets transplanted intraperitoneally (IP) in NOD mice in the presence of CD4(+) T-cell depletion and/or costimulatory blockade. Spontaneously diabetic NOD mice or streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic NOD-SCID mice were transplanted IP with microencapsulated tilapia islets. Recipient immunosuppression included anti-CD4 mAb, CTLA4-Ig, anti-CD80 mAb, anti-CD86 mAb, or anti-CD154 mAb, alone or in combination. Graft function was evaluated by blood glucose (BG) levels, intravenous (IV) and oral glucose tolerance tests (GTTs), histologic and immunohistochemical analyses of grafts, and flow cytometric analysis of peritoneal cells. Encapsulated tilapia islets normalized random BG levels for up to 210 days in NOD-SCID mice. In diabetic NOD mice, encapsulated tilapia islets were rejected on day 11 ± 4 with a peritoneal infiltrate of macrophages, eosinophils, B cells, occasional neutrophils, but few T cells. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the presence of murine IgG on tilapia islets within capsules of rejecting, non-immunosuppressed mice, as well as murine IgG-positive lymphocytes in the layer of host cells surrounding those capsules. These findings suggested that our barium (Ba)-gelled alginate capsules are permeable to IgG and that anti-piscine antibodies may be involved in the rejection of encapsulated tilapia islets in untreated mice. No single immunosuppressive agent prolonged encapsulated tilapia islet survival in NOD mice, but the combination of CTLA4-Ig plus anti-CD154 mAb extended tilapia islet graft survival until rejection at 119 ± 20 days and inhibited host cell recruitment to the peritoneal cavity. Triple treatment with CTLA4-Ig, anti-CD154 mAb, and anti-CD4 mAb allowed graft survival for 157 ± 35 days with little evidence of a host cellular reaction. IV and oral glucose tolerance tests (GTTs) of recipients with functioning xenografts demonstrated remarkably normal metabolic function. We conclude that microencapsulated tilapia islets can survive long term with excellent metabolic control in diabetic mice given targeted immunosuppression, suggesting that cross-species physiological incompatibility may not compromise the applicability of this novel approach for future clinical applications. We predict that an improved microcapsule that prevents the entrance of IgG will enhance tilapia islet survival in this model, possibly allowing the application of this technique with limited or no immunosuppression.

OX40 ligand regulates splenic CD8− dendritic cell-induced Th2 responses in vivo

In mice, splenic conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) can be separated, based on their expression of CD8α into CD8− and CD8+ cDCs. Although previous experiments demonstrated that injection of antigen (Ag)-pulsed CD8− cDCs into mice induced CD4 T cell differentiation toward Th2 cells, the mechanism involved is unclear. In the current study, we investigated whether OX40 ligand (OX40L) on CD8− cDCs contributes to the induction of Th2 responses by Ag-pulsed CD8− cDCs in vivo, because OX40–OX40L interactions may play a preferential role in Th2 cell development. When unseparated Ag-pulsed OX40L-deficient cDCs were injected into syngeneic BALB/c mice, Th2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10) production in lymph node cells was significantly reduced. Splenic cDCs were separated to CD8− and CD8+ cDCs. OX40L expression was not observed on freshly isolated CD8− cDCs, but was induced by anti-CD40 mAb stimulation for 24h. Administration of neutralizing anti-OX40L mAb significantly inhibited IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 production induced by Ag-pulsed CD8− cDC injection. Moreover, administration of anti-OX40L mAb with Ag-pulsed CD8− cDCs during a secondary response also significantly inhibited Th2 cytokine production. Thus, OX40L on CD8− cDCs physiologically contributes to the development of Th2 cells and secondary Th2 responses induced by Ag-pulsed CD8− cDCs in vivo.

The Use of Anti-CD40 mAb in Cancer.

Immunomodulatory monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy is at the forefront of developing cancer therapeutics with numerous targeted agents proving highly effective in selective patients at stimulating protective host immunity, capable of eradicating established tumours and leading to long-term disease-free states. The cell surface marker CD40 is expressed on a range of immune cells and transformed cells in malignant states whose signalling plays a critical role in modulating adaptive immune responses. Anti-CD40 mAb therapy acts via multiple mechanisms to stimulate anti-tumour immunity across a broad range of lymphoid and solid malignancies. A wealth of preclinical research in this field has led to the successful development of multiple anti-CD40 mAb agents that have shown promise in early-phase clinical trials. Significant progress has been made to enhance the engagement of antibodies with immune effectors through their interactions with Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) by the process of Fc engineering. As more is understood about how to best optimise these agents, principally through the fine-tuning of mAb structure and choice of synergistic partnerships, our ability to generate robust, clinically beneficial anti-tumour activity will form the foundation for the next generation of cancer therapeutics.

Role of Crosslinking for Agonistic CD40 Monoclonal Antibodies as Immune Therapy of Cancer

Agonists of the TNF superfamily of receptors hold promise as novel therapy for cancer. Recent data on agonistic anti-murine TNF receptors (TNFR) such as CD40 suggest that the specific engagement of Fc-receptor (FcR) is required for optimal antitumor effects, prompting calls to engineer anti-human CD40 and other TNFR mAb accordingly. CP-870,893 is a fully human anti-CD40 mAb, selected in part because it is an IgG2 which is presumed to have poor reactivity with FcR; however, CP-870,893 has been evaluated in multiple clinical trials with beneficial activity in patients with melanoma, pancreatic and other cancers. Here, we confirmed that the activity of anti-murine CD40 mAb was dependent on FcγRIIB engagement, was decreased significantly in FcγRIIB (-/-) mice, and upon Fc-crosslinking anti-mouse CD40 mAb enhanced the activation of antigen presenting cells. In contrast, the CP-870,893-mediated activation of human B cells was not enhanced with anti-IgG-crosslinking nor abrogated when used as an F(ab)'2 reagent. Crosslinking of CP-870,893 using the CD32-expressing K562 cells yielded an Fc-dependent modest increase in the expression of some activation markers relative to that of the soluble CP-870,893 mAb. Classic Fc-dependent functions such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) were minimal for CP-870,893 as compared to the IgG1 anti-CD20 mAb rituximab, which mediated both ADCC and CMC in parallel assays. Anti-mouse CD40 mAb competed for the CD40 ligand binding site, but CP-870,893 did not. Thus, Fc-crosslinking is not an essential requirement for agonistic anti-human CD40 mAb, whose potency is more dependent on the CD40 epitope recognized and the strength of the signal achieved.

Costimulation Blockade Alters Germinal Center Responses and Prevents Antibody-Mediated Rejection

De novo donor-specific antibody (DSA) after organ transplantation promotes antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and causes late graft loss. Previously, we demonstrated that depletion using anti-CD3 immunotoxin combined with tacrolimus and alefacept (AMR regimen) reliably induced early DSA production with AMR in a nonhuman primate kidney transplant model. Five animals were assigned as positive AMR controls, four received additional belatacept and four received additional anti-CD40 mAb (2C10R4). Notably, production of early de novo DSA was completely attenuated with additional belatacept or 2C10R4 treatment. In accordance with this, while positive controls experienced a decrease in peripheral IgM(+) B cells, bela- and 2C10R4-added groups maintained a predominant population of IgM(+) B cells, potentially indicating decreased isotype switching. Central memory T cells (CD4(+) CD28(+) CD95(+)) as well as PD-1(hi) CD4(+) T cells were decreased in both bela-added and 2C10R4-added groups. In analyzing germinal center (GC) reactions in situ, lymph nodes further revealed a reduction of B cell clonal expansion, GC-follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, and IL-21 production inside GCs with additional belatacept or 2C10R4 treatment. Here we provide evidence that belatacept and 2C10R4 selectively suppresses the humoral response via regulating Tfh cells and prevents AMR in this nonhuman primate model.

CD99 Is a Therapeutic Target On Disease Stem Cells In Acute Myeloid Leukemia and The Myelodysplastic Syndromes

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are initiated and sustained by self-renewing stem cells. We performed transcriptomal profiling of purified MDS hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and identified CD99 as a highly expressed cell surface transcript. Flow cytometry of MDS patient bone marrow (BM) samples (n=63) confirmed that CD99 is frequently increased on MDS HSCs (85%). Assessment of 78 paired diagnosis/relapse AML specimens revealed that CD99 is also frequently overexpressed in AML at diagnosis (81%) and relapse (83%). CD99 is a potential leukemic stem cell (LSC) marker, as CD99 high cells exhibit a CD34+CD38-CD90-CD45RA+ LMPP-like immunophenotype, previously shown to be enriched for LSC activity, whereas CD99 low cells exhibit a CD34+CD38-CD45RA- phenotype resembling normal HSCs and MPPs.Providing additional support that CD99 is a LSC marker in AML, CD99 surface expression is significantly higher in the LSC-enriched CD34+CD38- fraction compared to bulk blasts (p=0.003), as well as in relapsed as compared to diagnostic specimens (p=0.007). To determine if CD99 is preferentially expressed on functional LSCs, we purified the top 10% and bottom 10% of CD99 expressing leukemic blasts from the CD34+CD38-CD90-CD45RA+ fraction of a primary AML specimen. Limiting dilution xenotransplantation experiments demonstrated an estimated LSC frequency of 1 in 24,401 in the top 10% of CD99 expressors, whereas transplantation of up to 360,000 of the bottom 10% of CD99 expressors did not lead to any engraftment. Thus, within the LMPP-like LSC-enriched compartment, LSC activity appears to be restricted to high CD99 expressors.To determine the function of CD99 in AML, we stably transduced MOLM13 AML cells with a CD99 shRNA (8.0-fold knockdown) and xenografted them into NSG mice. Animals transplanted with these cells showed improved survival compared to vector controls (58d vs. 34d, p=0.02). Consistent with its described role in leukocyte trafficking, overexpression of CD99 in AML cell lines promoted transendothelial migration in transwell assays. In primary AML specimens, CD99 expression was higher on PB as compared with BM specimens (p=0.03). Together, these findings suggest that CD99 may promote AML aggressiveness by enhancing transendothelial migration and mobilization.Unexpectedly, CD99 transcript expression in the ECOG 1900 AML patient cohort (n=308) positively correlated with survival (p=0.001). We propose that CD99 may improve survival in the context of chemotherapy by promoting mobilization and thus chemosensitivity of AML cells, and AML cells with low levels of CD99 may exhibit increased retention in chemoprotective BM niches. In line with this hypothesis, the poor prognosis of low CD99 expression appeared to be mitigated by intensification of chemotherapy.To determine whether CD99 may be a relevant therapeutic target, we tested the ability of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against CD99 to induce direct cytotoxicity in vitro. Anti-CD99 mAbs induced significant cell death in 11 AML and two MDS-derived cell lines, as well as in primary AML blasts (n=7) and MDS HSCs/CD34+ cells (n=3). These mAbs induced cytotoxicity in a CDC and ADCC independent manner, with relative sparing of normal cells expressing low levels of CD99 such as primary human HSCs and endothelial cells, suggesting a mechanism of cytotoxicity unique to AML and MDS. Pre-coating of primary human LSCs with an anti-CD99 mAb prior to transplantation into NSG mice led to impaired engraftment at eight weeks (20% vs. 67%, p=0.009) and improved survival (p=0.05). Immunofluorescence imaging demonstrated that mAb ligation promotes clustering of CD99, and this clustering appears to be critical for cytotoxicity. Accordingly, cross-linking of IgG isotype anti-CD99 mAbs with an anti-IgG secondary antibody enhanced cytotoxicity 3.4-fold. Anti-CD99 mAb treatment was also associated with activation of Src-family kinases, and we propose that anti-CD99 mAbs may promote cytotoxicity by inducing oncogenic stress via dysregulated Src-family kinase activation.Our results establish CD99 as a cell surface marker expressed in AML and MDS stem cells, as a mediator of transendothelial migration, and as a promising therapeutic target for direct targeting by mAbs. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential of targeting CD99 in AML/MDS in vivo and to further characterize the mechanisms of CD99 mediated cell death. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Antitumor effects of anti-CD40/CpG immunotherapy combined with gemcitabine or 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy in the B16 melanoma model

Our previous studies demonstrated that anti-CD40 mAb (anti-CD40) can synergize with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG) to mediate antitumor effects by activating myeloid cells, such as macrophages in tumor-bearing mice. Separate teams have shown that chemotherapy with gemcitabine (GEM) or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) can reduce tumor-induced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in mice. In this study we asked if the same chemotherapy regimens with GEM or 5-FU will enhance the antitumor effect of anti-CD40 and CpG. Using the model of B16 melanoma growing intraperitoneally in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice, we show that these GEM or 5-FU treatment regimens reduced MDSC in the peritoneal cavity of tumor-bearing mice. Treatment of mice with GEM or 5-FU did not significantly affect the antitumor function of macrophages as assessed in vitro. In vivo, treatment with these GEM or 5-FU regimens followed by anti-CD40/CpG resulted in antitumor effects similar to those of anti-CD40/CpG in the absence of GEM or 5-FU. Likewise, reduction of MDSC by in vivo anti-Gr-1 mAb treatment did not significantly affect anti-CD40/CpG antitumor responses. Together, the results show that the GEM or 5-FU chemotherapy regimens did not substantially affect the antitumor effects induced by anti-CD40/CpG immunotherapy.

Antitumor effects of anti-CD40/CpG immunotherapy combined with gemcitabine or 5- fluorouracil chemotherapy in the B16 melanoma model

Our previous studies demonstrated that anti-CD40 mAb (anti-CD40) can synergize with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG) to mediate antitumor effects by activating myeloid cells, such as macrophages in tumor-bearing mice. Separate teams have shown that chemotherapy with gemcitabine (GEM) or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) can reduce tumor-induced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in mice. In this study we asked if the same chemotherapy regimens with GEM or 5-FU will enhance the antitumor effect of anti-CD40 and CpG. Using the model of B16 melanoma growing intraperitoneally in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice, we show that these GEM or 5-FU treatment regimens either did not change or reduced, respectively, the number of MDSC in the peritoneal cavity of tumor-bearing mice. Treatment of mice with GEM or 5-FU did not significantly affect the antitumor function of macrophages as assessed in vitro. In vivo, treatment with these GEM or 5-FU regimens followed by anti-CD40/CpG resulted in antitumor effects similar to those of anti-CD40/CpG in the absence of GEM or 5-FU. Likewise, reduction of MDSC by in vivo anti-Gr-1 mAb treatment did not significantly affect anti-CD40/CpG antitumor responses. Together, the results show that the GEM or 5-FU chemotherapy regimens did not substantially affect the antitumor effects induced by anti-CD40/CpG immunotherapy.

Agonistic anti-CD40 promotes early development and increases the incidence of severe thyroid epithelial cell hyperplasia (TEC H/P) in CD4-/- mice.

IFN-γ−/−NOD.H-2h4 mice develop thyroid epithelial cell hyperplasia (TEC H/P) characterised by abnormal proliferation of thyrocytes and infiltration of thyroids by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. CD8+ T cells from mice with severe TEC H/P transfer similar lesions to SCID recipients, whereas CD4+ T cells transfer mild TEC H/P. CD4− and CD8− deficient IFN-γ−/−NOD.H-2h4 mice were generated to determine if CD4+ T cells were required for initial activation of the CD8+ T cells that transfer TEC H/P. After 6–8 months on NaI water, only 2 of 60 CD8−/− mice developed severe TEC H/P, whereas 31 of 101 CD4−/− mice developed severe TEC H/P and fibrosis comparable in severity to that of IFN-γ−/− mice. However, splenocytes from CD4−/− mice with severe TEC H/P did not effectively transfer severe TEC H/P to SCID recipients. When CD4−/− donors were given agonistic anti-CD40 mAb, most developed severe TEC H/P and their cells transferred severe TEC H/P to SCID recipients. These results indicate that agonistic anti-CD40 can provide an important signal for activation of autoreactive CD8+ T cells that transfer severe TEC H/P. Therefore, targeting or blocking CD40 could provide effective therapy for diseases involving hyperplasia and fibrosis mediated by CD8+ T cells.

ASKP1240, a Fully Human Anti-CD40 Monoclonal Antibody, Prolongs Pancreatic Islet Allograft Survival in Nonhuman Primates

A strategy for inhibiting CD40 has been considered as an alternative approach for immunosuppression because of undesirable effects of anti-CD154 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Previously, we demonstrated that ASKP1240, which is a fully human anti-CD40 mAb, significantly prolonged kidney and liver allograft survival in cynomolgus monkeys without causing thromboembolic complications. Herein, we evaluated the effect of ASKP1240 on pancreatic islet transplantation (PITx) in cynomolgus monkeys. Diabetes was induced by total pancreatectomy, and islet allografts were transplanted into the liver. Following PITx (8201–12 438 IEQ/kg), blood glucose levels normalized promptly in all animals. Control islet allografts were rejected within 9 days (n = 3), whereas ASKP1240 (10 mg/kg) given on postoperative days 0, 4, 7, 11 and 14 (induction treatment, n = 5) significantly prolonged graft survival time (GST) to >15, >23, 210, 250 and >608 days, respectively. When ASKP1240 (5 mg/kg) was administered weekly thereafter up to post-PITx 6 months (maintenance treatment, n = 4), GST was markedly prolonged to >96, >115, 523 and >607 days. During the ASKP1240 treatment period, both anti-donor cellular responses and development of anti-donor antibodies were abolished, and no serious adverse events were noted. ASKP1240 appears to be a promising candidate for immunosuppression in clinical PITx.

A Potent Anti-CD70 Antibody–Drug Conjugate Combining a Dimeric Pyrrolobenzodiazepine Drug with Site-Specific Conjugation Technology

A highly cytotoxic DNA cross-linking pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer with a valine-alanine dipeptide linker was conjugated to the anti-CD70 h1F6 mAb either through endogenous interchain cysteines or, site-specifically, through engineered cysteines at position 239 of the heavy chains. The h1F6239C-PBD conjugation strategy proved to be superior to interchain cysteine conjugation, affording an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) with high uniformity in drug-loading and low levels of aggregation. In vitro cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated that the h1F6239C-PBD was potent and immunologically specific on CD70-positive renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cell lines. The conjugate was resistant to drug loss in plasma and in circulation, and had a pharmacokinetic profile closely matching that of the parental h1F6239C antibody capped with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Evaluation in CD70-positive RCC and NHL mouse xenograft models showed pronounced antitumor activities at single or weekly doses as low as 0.1 mg/kg of ADC. The ADC was tolerated at 2.5 mg/kg. These results demonstrate that PBDs can be effectively used for antibody-targeted therapy.

Engagement of CD47 induces G1 arrest in EBV-transformed B cells by controlling CDK-cyclin-CDKi and activating p38 MAPK/JNK pathway (P2149)

Abstract CD47 possesses a variety of anti-tumor, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic properties in several tumors, but its roles on EBV-transformed B cells are still not fully understood. Here we first observed that EBV infection induced CD47 expression on B cells surface, and CD47 stimulation of EBV-transformed B cells with anti-CD47 mAb (B6H12) reduced cell proliferation and induced the cell cycle arrest at G1-phase. We showed that CD47-induced G1-phase arrest was mediated through increased expression of CDKi (p16INK4a, p21WAF1, and p53), a simultaneous decreased expression in CDK2, 4, 6 and cyclin D1, D2 and E and enhanced binding of CDKi-CDK. Among the relevant pathways, CD47 mAb induced outstanding activation of p38 MAPK and JNK, whereas phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 were both reduced. In particular, p38 inhibitor SB203580 and JNK inhibitor SP600125 powerfully blocked the decreased expression of CDK and the increased expression of CDKi and dramatically suppressed binding of phospho-p38-CDKi. Accordingly, these data demonstrate that the p38 MAPK and JNK pathway participates in CDKi induction, subsequently leading to a decrease in the levels of cyclin D1-CDK4/6 and cyclin E-CDK2 complexes and CD47-dependent EBV-transformed B cell growth inhibition. In conclusion, these findings concerning the molecular mechanisms of CD47 signaling in EBV-transformed B cells provides a theoretical basis for clinical approaches for the use of therapeutic agents in treating EBV-associated tumors.