CD1d Surface Expression Research Articles

Invariant NKT Are a More Effective and Versatile Platform Than T Cells for CAR Immunotherapy of CD1d-Expressing B Lineage Malignancies: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms

Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR19T) immunotherapy has shown promising clinical potential in relapsed/refractory mature B cell malignancies. However, only about half of patients benefit, highlighting the need for more effective CAR-based strategies.iNKT cells are rare but powerful immunoregulatory and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, playing a pivotal anti-tumor role. iNKT cells are restricted by CD1d, a non-polymorphic, glycolipid-presenting HLA I-like molecule. We previously showed that CD1d, as well as on normal B cells, is also expressed on malignant CD19+ B cells in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) cells, while in up to 50% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) CD1d expression is very low or negative.We tested the hypotheses that a) bi-specific CAR iNKT 19 cells, targeting simultaneously CD19 and CD1d via the CD19-specific CAR and their natural invariant TCR respectively, would be more effective than CART19 cells against CD19+CD1d+ B cell malignancies and b) transcriptional enhancement of CD1d expression would increase the CAR19iNKT cytotoxic effect.We optimized a novel protocol for manufacturing CAR19iNKT cells. Their in vitro reactivity was assessed in cytotoxicity (flow cytometry), cytokine and cytotoxic granule intracellular staining and cytokine release assays (flow cytometry and Luminex technology) as well as real-time Incucyte proliferation assays. In vivo reactivity was assessed in systemic NSG xenograft assays with growth of the C1RCD1d B cells monitored by bioluminescence and magnetic resonance imaging. Transcription factor binding and histone mark enrichment at the promoter of CD1d was assessed by ChiP- and ChIP-re-ChIP-qPCR assays.We manufactured clinical scale 2nd and 3rd generation CAR19iNKT cells using a highly optimized protocol (>75% transduction efficiency, n=8). In vitro validation, using singly- or dual-positive CD1d and CD19 targets, demonstrated that CAR19iNKT cells are CD19-specific, retain their natural CD1d-restricted reactivity and exert additive dual-specific cytotoxicity against CD1d+CD19+ targets. Compared to same donor CAR19T, CAR19iNKT cells display a significantly higher (P<0.0001) expandability and proliferative potential and are equally or more effective in killing CD19+CD1d+ lymphoid cell lines (C1RCD1d and Farage) and consistently more effective against primary MCL, MZL and CLL cells.Since CD1d expression is low/negative in most cases of CLL, we sought to restore CD1d expression on leukemic cells for the purpose of CAR19iNKT cell immunotherapy. We found that surface CD1d expression can be restored by clinically relevant concentrations of ATRA in a time-dependent manner. Mechanistic dissection of CD1d transcriptional regulation in the CD1d-negative B lineage cell line U266 demonstrated the co-existence of bivalent chromatin marks at the promoter of CD1d commensurate with enriched binding and association of EZH2 with RARα. Notably, an EZH2 inhibitor exerted a synergistic effect along with ATRA in restoring CD1d transcription and surface expression and, in line with our hypothesis, 2nd and 3rd generation CAR19iNKT but not CAR19T cells displayed higher cytotoxic activity against ATRA-treated CLL cells.Finally, in an NSG xenograft model of lymphoma, while survival of T and iNKT cell-treated animals was the same as that of untreated animals (n=7, P>0.05), both CAR19T and CAR19iNKT cell-treated animals (n=19) had significantly and comparably improved overall survival (OS; P<0.0001). However, compared to CAR19T, CAR19iNKT cell immunotherapy led to a significantly improved OS (P=0.01) and also better disease control including of CNS lymphoma, with earlier, more profound and sustained complete responses resulting in a significantly improved tumor-free survival (P=0.03).We conclude thatCARiNKT19 are more effective than CART19 cells against CD19+CD1d+ B cell malignancies in vitro and in vivo and ATRA-mediated restoration of CD1d expression enhances the anti-lymphoma effect of CAR19iNKT immunotherapy in vitro . These properties together with the previously demonstrated ability of donor iNKT cells to protect from aGVHD raise the prospect of developing effective ‘off-the-shelf’ CAR19iNKT immunotherapy of lymphomas, which can mitigate against CD19-negative immune escape upon CAR treatment and can be further enhanced by transcriptional and epigenetic treatment. DisclosuresPule:UCL: Patents & Royalties: UCL Business; Autolus Ltd: Employment, Equity Ownership, Research Funding. Maher:Leucid Bio: Other: Chief scientific officer. Karadimitris:GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding.

A Comprehensive Study of Human Integrins in Pediatric Lymphoblastic Leukemia Supports a Role of CD49f (Integrin α6) in the Localization to Bone Marrow but Not Spinal Fluid

Introduction: The overall survival of children with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) has improved markedly over the last decade, yet relapse occurs in about 20% of patients. The spread of leukemic blasts to the Central Nervous System (CNS) and increased resistance to therapy due to cell adherence within the Bone Marrow (BM) or CNS constitutes major challenges to treatment. For these reasons, adhesion molecules governing the homing and adhesion of leukemic cells are perceived to be of extraordinary importance, both as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Integrins constitute a large family of heterodimeric receptors composed of alpha and beta subunits, which play important roles during homing and migration of normal leucocytes by facilitating adhesion to both stromal cells and components of the extracellular matrix. Increased expression of CD49d (integrin subunit α4) is a marker for adverse prognosis in ALL and recently, CD49f (integrin subunit α6) was shown to facilitate metastasis of ALL xenografts to the central nervous system in mice (Yao H et al., Nature 2018). Methods Previous studies of integrins in BCP-ALL have focused on individual alpha integrins in xenograft models and were based on limited numbers of clinical samples. The present study was based on a large number of Danish pediatric BCP-ALL patients stratified between 2012-2018 using Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) according to the Nordic NOPHO-2008 protocol (Toft N et al., Eur J Haematol 2013). Diagnostic BM samples were subjected to flowcytometric analysis (FCM) of CD49f (n=246) and CD49d (n=135), using a backbone of lineage-specific B-cell markers (CD45, CD10, CD19, CD20). Leukemic blasts were detected in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) using high-sensitivity FCM and the following markers CD45, CD10, CD19, CD20, CD34 and CD38 (n = 246, with matching BM and CSF samples). Results Our data provided us with a unique possibility to identify the role of CD49d and CD49f with respect to minimal residual disease (MRD) at the end of induction therapy (day 29), which is considered the most important prognostic factor in paediatric lymphoblastic leukemia. We found that CD49f was more highly expressed in patients with MRD ≥ 0,1% at day 29 than patients with MRD &lt; 0,1% (p = 0,01), whereas no difference was seen with respect to CD49d. We also investigated the correlation between white blood cell (WBC) and surface expression of CD49d and CD49f in diagnostic BM blasts with respect to different cytogenetic subtypes. A Kruskall-Wallis test showed that the expression varies according to genetic subtypes (p‹0.0001). We found that the expression of CD49d was highest among the high hyperdiploid and iAMP21 (intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21) patients, whereas the expression of CD49f was highest among the t12,21 and iAMP21 patients. Notably, the expression of CD49f was inversely correlated to WBC (r=0,17, p=0.01), which was most pronounced among the patients in the B-other cytogenetic subgroup defined as leukaemia that could not be classified into the existing cytogenetic groups (r=0,42, P‹0.0001). In case of strong adherence to BM, lower levels of leukemic blasts might be expected in circulation resulting in high MRD but low WBC. Therefore, both MRD and WBC data are consistent with a prominent adhesive role of CD49f within BM. In contrast, we found significantly lower CD49f surface expression in diagnostic BM samples in patients with leukemic blasts within CSF (p=0.0297). Conclusions: Recently, Yao et al. (2018) showed that ALL cells in circulation are unable to breach the blood-brain barrier in mice and instead employ CD49f (integrin α6) to migrate into the CNS along vessels that connect vertebral or calvarial bone marrow and the subarachnoid space. Potentially, this mechanism could account for cases of ALL relapse within CNS. Our work shows a strong association between high MRD and the expression of CD49f which is a function that would have been anticipated for CD49d due to previous works with ALL and CLL. Furthermore, we found significantly lower CD49f surface expression in leukemic blasts within the BM in patients with CSF involvement and therefore no support for the recently proposed role of CD49f in facilitating the spread of leukemic cells to the CNS. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Human Invariant Natural Killer T Cells Respond to Antigen-Presenting Cells Exposed to Lipids from Olea europaea Pollen

Background: Allergic sensitization might be influenced by the lipids present in allergens, which can be recognized by natural killer T (NKT) cells on antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of olive pollen lipids in human APCs, including monocytes as well as monocyte-derived macrophages (Mϕ) and dendritic cells (DCs). Methods: Lipids were extracted from olive (Olea europaea) pollen grains. Invariant (i)NKT cells, monocytes, Mϕ, and DCs were obtained from buffy coats of healthy blood donors, and their cell phenotype was determined by flow cytometry. iNKT cytotoxicity was measured using a lactate dehydrogenase assay. Gene expression of CD1A and CD1D was performed by RT-PCR, and the production of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-α cytokines by monocytes, Mϕ, and DCs was measured by ELISA. Results: Our results showed that monocytes and monocyte-derived Mϕ treated with olive pollen lipids strongly activate iNKT cells. We observed several phenotypic modifications in the APCs upon exposure to pollen-derived lipids. Both Mϕ and monocytes treated with olive pollen lipids showed an increase in CD1D gene expression, whereas upregulation of cell surface CD1d protein occurred only in Mϕ. Furthermore, DCs differentiated in the presence of human serum enhance their surface CD1d expression when exposed to olive pollen lipids. Finally, olive pollen lipids were able to stimulate the production of IL-6 but downregulated the production of lipopolysaccharide- induced IL-10 by Mϕ. Conclusions: Olive pollen lipids alter the phenotype of monocytes, Mϕ, and DCs, resulting in the activation of NKT cells, which have the potential to influence allergic immune responses.

A whole genome mouse siRNA screen to identify novel genes involved in lipid antigen presentation

Abstract Although most T lymphocytes recognize peptides presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded class I and class II molecules, there also are significant populations of T cells that recognize nonpeptide antigens. Prominent among these T lymphocytes are the type I or invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells). These T lymphocytes recognize lipids presented by CD1d, a nonpolymorphic, class I-like, antigen-presenting molecule. We have carried out a whole genome siRNA screen in a macrophage cell line for genes that affect the presentation of a potent glycosphingolipid antigen, GalGal Cer, to iNKT cells. In order to stimulate iNKT cells, this antigen requires internalization and lysosomal carbohydrate antigen processing to remove the terminal galactose. After several rounds of validation, functional classification and gene expression analysis, we have identified genes that lead to altered antigen presentation in macrophages. A majority of the identified genes do not perturb surface CD1d expression, but we can demonstrate they effect the formation of surface CD1d complexes with the stimulating glycolipid. Members of the HOPS and ESCRT complexes have been identified to play an important role in Cd1d dependent antigen presentation. Interestingly, our data show that ABCC1 and several other ABC family transporters are involved in lipid antigen presentation by CD1d. CD1d and MHC-II antigen presentation pathways both depends on antigen loading in the lysosome, therefore we also analyzed the role of these genes in MHC-II antigen presentation. Although the majority of genes identified doesn’t affect MHC-II antigen presentation, there are a few molecules that affect both antigen presentation pathways.

The Rho-ROCK pathway as a new pathological mechanism of innate immune subversion in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are believed to play a key role in cancer immune surveillance, and are functionally deficient in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Herein, we have hypothesized that this defect might originate from BCR-ABL-dependent dysfunctions in myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs). Indeed, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy revealed that cell surface expression of CD1d was downregulated in CML mDCs, relative to healthy donor (HD) controls. The decreased cell surface display of CD1d could not be ascribed to defective mDC differentiation, as attested by normal expression of HLA-DR and the CD86 maturation marker. On the other hand, reduced membrane expression was not associated with decreased intracytoplasmic levels of CD1d or its mRNA transcripts, consistent with intracellular retention. In vitro treatment of CML mDCs with the Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 partially restored both cell surface CD1d expression and CD1d-mediated antigen presentation, whereas it had no effect on HD mDCs. An inhibitor of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase (TK), imatinib mesylate (IM), had no such activity. Similar recovery of CD1d expression occurred with fasudil, another ROCK inhibitor that is commonly used in clinical trials. Our data support the conclusion that BCR-ABL-dependent ROCK, but not TK, is involved in CD1d downregulation. We propose that ROCK, which is most likely activated by the DH/PH domain of BCR-ABL, mediates iNKT-cell immune subversion in CML patients by downregulating CD1d expression on CML mDCs. Our study reveals the ROCK-mDC axis as a new potential target to restore immune surveillance in patients with CML, offering new therapeutic perspectives for CML treatment. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Innate Invariant NKT Cell Recognition of HIV-1-Infected Dendritic Cells Is an Early Detection Mechanism Targeted by Viral Immune Evasion.

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are innate-like T cells that respond rapidly with a broad range of effector functions upon recognition of glycolipid Ags presented by CD1d. HIV-1 carries Nef- and Vpu-dependent mechanisms to interfere with CD1d surface expression, indirectly suggesting a role for iNKT cells in control of HIV-1 infection. In this study, we investigated whether iNKT cells can participate in the innate cell-mediated immune response to HIV-1. Infection of dendritic cells (DCs) with Nef- and Vpu-deficient HIV-1 induced upregulation of CD1d in a TLR7-dependent manner. Infection of DCs caused modulation of enzymes in the sphingolipid pathway and enhanced expression of the endogenous glucosylceramide Ag. Importantly, iNKT cells responded specifically to rare DCs productively infected with Nef- and Vpu-defective HIV-1. Transmitted founder viral isolates differed in their CD1d downregulation capacity, suggesting that diverse strains may be differentially successful in inhibiting this pathway. Furthermore, both iNKT cells and DCs expressing CD1d and HIV receptors resided in the female genital mucosa, a site where HIV-1 transmission occurs. Taken together, these findings suggest that innate iNKT cell sensing of HIV-1 infection in DCs is an early immune detection mechanism, which is independent of priming and adaptive recognition of viral Ag, and is actively targeted by Nef- and Vpu-dependent viral immune evasion mechanisms.

Control of B-cell lymphoma by therapeutic vaccination and acquisition of immune resistance is independent of direct tumour IFN-gamma signalling.

Immunomodulatory therapies can effectively control haematological malignancies by promoting antitumour immunity. Previously, we reported transient growth of poorly immunogenic murine non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas (B-NHL) by targeting natural killer T (NKT) cells with a therapeutic vaccine approach. Therapeutic efficacy was highly dependent on the ability of the vaccine to provoke rapid interferon-gamma (IFNγ) production from NKT and NK cells. By manipulating the capacity of either host or lymphoma cells to signal through the IFNγ receptor (IFNγR), we investigated whether the therapeutic effect conferred by vaccine-induced IFNγ is a result of immune cell activation, lymphoma IFNγ sensitivity or a combination of both. We demonstrated that antitumour immunity elicited by vaccination requires IFNγ signalling within host cells but not tumour cells. IFNγR-deficient mice failed to mount an effective antitumour immune response following vaccination despite elevated IFNγ levels. With successive exposure to vaccination, lymphomas acquired an increasingly therapy-resistant phenotype and displayed a reduction in major histocompatibility complex I and CD1d surface expression, which is independent of tumour intrinsic IFNγ signalling. Our results suggest that immunotherapy-induced IFNγ production mainly exerts its therapeutic effect via signalling through host cells, rather than directly to tumour cells in B-NHL. This signifies that intact IFNγ signalling within patients' immune compartment rather than tumour cell sensitivity to IFNγ is more critical for successful treatment. Finally, tumour IFNγ signalling alone does not drive acquired tumour resistance to vaccination, implying that additional immunoediting pathways are responsible for tumour immune escape.

TLR9-induced miR-155 and Ets-1 decrease expression of CD1d on B cells in SLE.

B cells present lipid antigens to CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells to maintain autoimmune tolerance, and this process is disrupted in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Inflammation may inhibit CD1d expression to exacerbate the pathology of lupus. However, how inflammation regulates CD1d expression on B cells is unclear in SLE. In the present study, we showed that the surface expression of CD1d on B cells from SLE mice was decreased and that stimulation of inflammatory responses through TLR9 decreased the membrane and total CD1d levels of CD1d on B cells. Moreover, inflammation-related microRNA-155 (miR-155) negatively correlated with the expression of CD1d in B cells. miR-155 directly targeted the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of CD1d upon TLR9 activation in both humans and mice. The inhibitory effects of miR-155 on CD1d expression in B cells impaired their antigen-presenting capacity to iNKT cells. In addition, Ets-1, a susceptibility gene of SLE, also directly regulated the expression of the CD1d gene at the transcriptional level. These findings provide new insight into the mechanism underlying decreased CD1d expression on B cells in SLE, suggesting that inhibition of inflammation may increase CD1d expression in B cells to ameliorate SLE via modulating iNKT cells.

The DH/PH domain of BCR-ABL mediates INKT cell immunosubversion in chronic myeloid leukemia by downregulating cell-surface CD1D expression in myeloid dendritic cells (TUM10P.1038)

Abstract Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is associated with a rearrangement between the Abelson (ABL) and the BCR genes, generating a chimeric fusion gene. The constitutive tyrosine-kinase (TK) activity linked to ABL is sufficient to induce malignant transformation while BCR contains a DH/PH domain ensuring activation of the Rho/ROCK pathway that is implicated in the control of mobility of leukemia cells. iNKT cells constitute a distinct population of T cells that recognize glycolipids as α-GC presented by CD1d, and are believed to play a key role in cancer immunosurveillance. CML in chronic phase (CP) is associated with functional deficiencies of iNKT cells. Here, we hypothesized that the anergic status of iNKT cells during CML-CP results from BCR-ABL-dependent dysfunctions in APC. Accordingly, CML mDC downregulated their cell surface expression of CD1d, as compared to mDC from healthy individuals. Since Rho/ROCK pathway is a negative regulator of CD1d expression, we surmised that its enhancement by the DH/PH domain of BCR-ABL is responsible for the impaired cell-surface CD1d expression in CML mDC. In favor of this hypothesis, we showed that treatment of PBMC by Rho/ROCK inhibitors restores in vitro cell-surface expression levels of CD1d on CML-CP mDC as well as expansion of CM-CP iNKT cells in response to α-GC. Altogether, these results indicate that the DH/PH domain of BCR-ABL mediates iNKT-cell immunosubversion in CML patients by downregulating cell-surface CD1d expression in mDC.

Involvement of a C-terminal motif in the interference of primate lentiviral Vpu proteins with CD1d-mediated antigen presentation.

The HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu is emerging as a critical factor for viral evasion from innate immunity. We have previously shown that the Vpu proteins of two HIV-1 group M subtype B strains (NL4-3 and BaL) down-regulate CD1d from the surface of infected dendritic cells (DCs) and inhibit their crosstalk with the innate invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. In the present study, we have investigated the ability of a comprehensive set of primate lentiviral Vpu proteins to interfere with CD1d-mediated immunity. We found that CD1d down-regulation is a conserved function of Vpu proteins from HIV-1 groups M, O and P as well as their direct precursors SIVcpzPtt and SIVgor. At the group M subtype level, subtype C Vpu proteins were significantly weaker CD1d antagonists than subtype B Vpu proteins. Functional characterization of different mutants and chimeras derived from active subtype B and inactive subtype C Vpu proteins revealed that residues in the cytoplasmic domain are important for CD1d down-regulation. Specifically, we identified a C-terminal APW motif characteristic for group M subtype B Vpu proteins necessary for interference with CD1d surface expression. These findings support the notion that Vpu plays an important role in lentiviral evasion from innate immunity.

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 US3 Phosphorylates Cellular KIF3A To Downregulate CD1d Expression.

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) causes one of the most prevalent herpesviral infections in humans and is the leading etiological agent of viral encephalitis and eye infections. Our understanding of how HSV-1 interacts with the host at the cellular and organismal levels is still limited. We and others previously reported that, upon infection, HSV-1 rapidly and efficiently downregulates CD1d cell surface expression and suppresses the function of NKT cells, a group of innate T cells with critical immunoregulatory function. The viral protein kinase US3 plays a major role in this immune evasion mechanism, and its kinase activity is required for this function. In this study, we investigated the cellular substrate(s) phosphorylated by US3 and how it mediates US3 suppression of CD1d recycling. We identified the type II kinesin motor protein KIF3A as a critical kinesin factor in the cell surface expression of CD1d. Interestingly, KIF3A is phosphorylated by US3 both in vitro and in infected cells. Mass spectrometry analysis of purified KIF3A showed that it is phosphorylated predominantly at serine 687 by US3. Ablation of this phosphorylation abolished US3-mediated downregulation of CD1d expression, suggesting that phosphorylation of KIF3A is the primary mechanism of HSV-1 suppression of CD1d expression by US3 protein. Understanding of the precise mechanism of viral modulation of CD1d expression will help to develop more efficient vaccines in the future to boost host NKT cell-mediated immune responses against herpesviruses. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is among the most common human pathogens. Little is known regarding the exact mechanism by which this virus evades the human immune system, particularly the innate immune system. We previously reported that HSV-1 employs its protein kinase US3 to modulate the expression of the key antigen-presenting molecule CD1d to evade the antiviral function of NKT cells. Here we identified the key cellular motor protein KIF3A as a cellular substrate phosphorylated by US3, and this phosphorylation event mediates US3-induced immune evasion.

ATRA Upregulates Cell Surface CD1D on Myeloma Cells and Sensitizes Them to iNKT Cell-Mediated Lysis

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells recognize lipid antigens in the context of CD1D and have been shown to effectively kill CD1D-expressing multiple myeloma (MM) cells. It has been reported that iNKT cells in MM patients are deficient and dysfunctional and that CD1D is variably expressed among MM patients and is completely lost in MM cell lines. Recent clinical study suggests that targeting iNKT cells may prevent progression of asymptomatic MM (AMM) to active disease (Richter at al. Blood 2013). All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) has been used for the treatment of MM but its modes of action have not been completely elucidated. The aims of this study were to shed light on the mechanism of action of ATRA and to identify ATRA target genes in MM. ATRA at clinically relevant concentrations (1-2 μM, 4 days) had minimal growth inhibitory effect on the majority of MM cell lines (10±13% and 14±16%, respectively; n=10). Gene expression profile (GEP) of MM cell lines and primary cases (n=13) treated with ATRA (1 μM, 2 days) revealed upregulation of CD1D (381±204 vs. 5692±1675 mean±SEM GEP signal in CONT and ATRA groups, respectively; p<0.006). Flow cytometry analysis for cell surface CD1D in 21 MM cases treated in vitro with ATRA revealed significant CD1D induction in 11 cases, intermediate induction in 2 cases and no induction in 8 cases. Clinically, MM cells from patients who received ATRA as part of their salvage therapy also had induced CD1D gene expression compared to levels prior to ATRA therapy. Analysis of abnormal plasma cells based on a single 8-color markers flow cytometry showed higher CD1D coefficient of variation (CV) in AMM cases molecularly classified as high-risk (n=5) than low-risk cases (n=9, p<0.003), while mean florescence intensity (MFI) was insignificantly lower in high-risk AMM cases. In vitro ATRA treatment of BM cells from high-risk AMM patient resulted in increased CD1D MFI by 2 folds and reduced CV in abnormal plasma cell restricted population. To test the functional consequences of CD1D upregulation in MM cells, iNKT cells were purified from healthy donors’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells using anti-Vα24Jα18 immunomagnetic beads and expanded in vitro via stimulation with irradiated autologous α-GalCer-loaded mature dendritic cells (DCs) in the presence of IL-2. ATRA treated (1 μM, 2 days) compared to vehicle treated MM cells (n=4) were more sensitive to iNKT cell-mediated lysis in 5 hour 51chromium-release assays or bioluminescence viability assays (e.g. 21% vs. 75% lysis of H929 cells, p<0.0001, effector: target ratio 2.5:1). ATRA-induced MM cell lysis by iNKT cells was markedly blocked by CD1D neutralizing antibody (1-40 μg/ml) indicating that the enhanced cell lysis was mediated through CD1D. Further GEP analysis identified RARRES3 (retinoic acid receptor responder protein 3) as an additional top ATRA target gene in MM cells. RARRES3 gene expression was commonly but variably induced by ATRA whereas MM cells expressing high baseline RARRES3 were resistant to ATRA-induced CD1D gene and protein expression. Expression levels of CD1D and RARRES3 were inversely correlated in MM cells from newly diagnosed patients (n=449, r=-0.4, p<0.0001). Among molecularly classified groups, the MF subtype, known to be associated with poor survival, had the lowest CD1D/highest RARRES3 expression, whereas the favorable CD2 subtype had a reversed pattern. We conclude that CD1D and RARRES3 are ATRA target genes in MM cells and that stimulation of cell surface CD1D expression on MM cells enhances sensitivity to iNKT cell-mediated lysis. Disclosuresvan Rhee:Senesco: PI Other.

Abstract 541: Specific Deletion of LDL Receptor--Related Protein on Macrophages Skews Cytokine Production by Invariant Natural Killer T Cells

Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are specialized lymphocytes that when activated can regulate chronic inflammatory conditions and atherosclerotic processes. The activation of iNKT cells occurs when glycolipid antigens bind the MHC class-I like molecule CD1d present on antigen presenting cells (APCs). The pathways by which glycolipid antigens target CD1d for presentation and activation of iNKT cells remain unclear, yet the expression of surface receptors associated with lipid homeostasis, such as the LDL receptor (LDLr), have been implicated in the modulation of iNKT cell activation. The LDLr has been shown to modulate this process by binding apoE-containing lipoproteins, which can carry antigenic glycolipids for iNKT cell activation. The LDL receptor-related protein (LRP), a transmembrane receptor from the LDL receptor family of proteins, shares structural homology with LDLr and can bind a number of ligands including apoE-containing lipoproteins. We hypothesized that LRP can play an active role in glycolipid antigen presentation and subsequent activation of iNKT cells. Here, we demonstrate that LRP is preferentially expressed at high levels on F4/80 + macrophages, when compared to other APCs. We also show that a specialized subset of macrophages expressing CD169, known for their ability to present glycolipid antigen to iNKT cells, have increased levels of LRP when compared to CD169 - macrophages. Using mice with a targeted deletion of LRP in macrophages, we observed decreased activation of iNKT cells in vitro (24, 48 hours) and normal IFN-gamma but blunted IL-4 response in vivo. Further flow cytometric analysis showed normal surface expression of CD1d in LRP-cKO macrophages as well as normal uptake of fluorescently labeled glycolipid in vitro . Additionally, analysis of the iNKT cell compartment in LRP-cKO mice revealed intact numbers and percentages of iNKT cells and no homeostatic disruption as evidenced by absence of programmed death-1 and LY-49. Collectively, these data suggest that macrophage LRP contributes to early iNKT cell activation by enhancing early IL-4 responses.

NKT cells act as helper T cells to cytotoxic T cells by direct recognition of CD1d on T cells (IRC8P.487)

Abstract Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), known as CD8+ T cells, recognize their targets by binding to antigens associated with MHC class I. NKT cells recognize foreign glycolipid antigens and endogenous glycolipid antigens presented by CD1d which is an MHC class I- like molecule. NKT cells have been shown to be essential for the optimal activation of CTLs. In this study, we investigated the mechanism how NKT cells provide help for the CTL responses. We observed significantly higher production of IFN-γ by antigen-stimulated OT-1 CD8+ T cells in the presence of NKT cells. This enhanced CTL activation by NKT cells was observed even in the antigen presenting cell (APC)-free conditions. We also found that CD8+ T cells start to up-regulate surface expression of CD1d reaching highest level at around 18 hours upon antigen recognition. These results suggest that not only APC, but also activated CTLs receive direct help from NKT cells by increasing CD1d expression on their cell surface when they recognize cognate antigens.

Bortezomib down-modulates the survival factor interferon regulatory factor 4 in Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines and decreases the protective activity of Hodgkin lymphoma-associated fibroblasts

Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor active in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) cell lines, but poorly active in the clinic when used as a single agent, suggesting that the microenvironment could protect from drug efficacy. Therefore, we investigated the effects of bortezomib activity in the presence of HL-associated fibroblasts (HL-AFs) and sCD40L. We found that co-cultivation with human HL-AFs or the addition of sCD40L during bortezomib treatment protected cHL cells from apoptosis and cytotoxicity and rescued the down-regulation of the survival factor interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4). In contrast, bortezomib treatment before co-cultivation with HL-AFs inhibited in a dose-dependent manner cHL cell adhesion to HL-AFs and completely overcame HL-AF protection against drug activity. Consistently, we found that bortezomib treatment down-regulated the surface expression of CD49d and CD44, which mediate the adhesion of cHL cells to HL-AFs, and of CD54 and CD40, which mediate the adhesion to CD40L+ rosetting T-cells. These preclinical findings suggest that the low in vivo activity of bortezomib as a single agent may be due to a protective influence of the microenvironment. However, inclusion of bortezomib in the cHL drug regimen, by reducing IRF4 expression and interactions with the microenvironment, could increase the efficacy of current chemotherapeutic treatment of relapsed/refractory cHL.

SP0086 Regulatory B cells in healthy and in patients with SLE

Recent advances have demonstrated the existence of a B cell subset with regulatory function named (Bregs). Bregs have been shown to restrain the severity of several autoimmune disease and contribute...

Invariant natural killer T cells recognize and restrict the transformation of B cells by Epstein-Barr virus (P4363)

Abstract Individuals with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) lack invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and are uniquely susceptible to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). To determine whether iNKT cells recognize or regulate EBV replication, human B cells were infected with GFP+ EBV 95.8 in the presence or absence of iNKT cells. We observed that iNKT cells significantly reduced early EBV titres and GFP+ B cell expansion but that within 72 hours of infection, B cells transformed into lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) by EBV had downregulated the iNKT antigen receptor CD1d, completely abrogating iNKT recognition of the lipid agonist α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer). To determine whether ectopic CD1d expression could restore iNKT recognition, LCL were treated with a synthetic retinoic acid receptor-α agonist AM580 known to modulate CD1d expression by regulating the nuclear protein lymphoid enhancer-binding factor-1 (LEF-1). AM580 treatment significantly reduced LEF-1 at the CD1d promoter, induced surface CD1d expression and enabled iNKT recognition of LCL loaded with αGalCer. Unexpectedly, AM580-treated LCL also activated iNKT function even in the absence of αGalCer suggesting that EBV infection and transformation triggers endogenous iNKT antigen expression. These observations indicate that iNKT cells may be important for the early recognition and control of EBV-infected B cells prior to CD1d downregulation and the loss of CD1d may allow EBV to circumvent iNKT-mediated immunosurveillance.

Technical Advance: Measurement of iNKT cell responses at the single-cell level against rare HIV-1-infected dendritic cells in a mixed culture

iNKT cells recognize lipid antigens, such as α-GalCer, presented in complex with CD1d expressed by DCs. Exposure of DCs to HIV-1 can lead to productive infection, and it was demonstrated recently that HIV-1 inhibits CD1d surface expression in an apparent mode of immune evasion. However, studies of the interaction between T cells, including iNKT cells and HIV-infected DCs in vitro, are hampered by the low frequency of productive infection in DCs. Here, we demonstrate the utility of full-length HIV-1 modified to express eGFP to address this problem. This virus allowed identification of single, rare productively infected cells in a mixed DC population by fluorescence microscopy and enabled detailed studies of the interaction of such cells with individual iNKT cells. iNKT cell responses to α-GalCer presented by HIV-1-positive and -negative DCs were quantified by intracellular IFN-γ staining in iNKT cells forming conjugates with DCs. Whereas complex formation was observed between iNKT cells and uninfected and infected DCs, only iNKT cells in contact with uninfected DCs produced IFN-γ. This microscopy assay, based on full-length HIV-1 modified to express eGFP, thus allows detailed evaluation of HIV-1 immune-evasion mechanisms in rare virus-infected live DCs.

I22 Regulatory B cells in healthy and in patients with sle

Recent advances have demonstrated the existence of an IL-10-producing B cell subset with regulatory capacity named (Bregs). In mice, Bregs have been shown to restrain the severity of autoimmune disorders and contribute to the development of infection and cancer. In humans, CD19 + CD24 hi CD38 hi C D1d hi B cells have been ascribed with regulatory function. We have shown that this B cell subset inhibits the activation of T helper (Th)1 and Th17 responses whilst supporting the differentiation of FoxP3 + Tregs. We have shown that, in addition to regulating the differentiation of CD4 + T cells, Bregs are essential for the maintenance of CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T ( i NKT) cells in healthy individuals but fail to exert the same effect in SLE patients. i NKT cells play a potent immune-regulatory role functioning in both innate and adaptive immunity. Defective B cell-mediated stimulation of i NKT cells in SLE was associated with rapid CD1d recycling leading to reduced CD1d surface expression on B cells from SLE patients, a defect that could be recapitulated in B cells from healthy individuals after simultaneous stimulation with interferon-a (IFN-a) and anti-immunoglobulin (Ig). i NKT cell homeostasis was restored in SLE patients responding to B cell depletion therapy, upon normalization of CD1d levels in repopulated CD19 + CD24 hi CD38 hi C D1d hi Bregs.

Intrinsic unresponsiveness of Mertk−/− B cells to chronic graft-versus-host disease is associated with unmodulated CD1d expression

Activation and migration of marginal zone B (MZB) cells into follicular (FO) regions of the spleen has been proposed as one of the mechanisms that regulate the development of autoreactive B cells. The mer receptor tyrosine kinase (Mertk) mediates apoptotic cell clearance and regulates activation and cytokine secretion. In the well-studied class II chronic GVH model of bm12 cells into B6 hosts, we observed that Mertk deficient B6 mice did not generate autoantibodies in response to this allogeneic stimulus. We posited that Mertk is important in MHC-II-mediated B cell signaling. In the present study, we show that B cells from Mertk−/− mice but not WT B6 mice exhibited decreased calcium mobilization and tyrosine phosphorylation when stimulated by MHC-II cross-linking. The finding that Mertk was important for class II signaling in B cells was further supported by the preponderance of a-allotype autoantibodies in cGVH in RAG-KO mice reconstituted with a mixture of bone marrow from Mertk−/− mice (b-allotype) and C20 mice (a-allotype). MZB cells from Mertk−/− mice were unable to down regulate surface CD1d expression and subsequent inclusion in the MZ, associated with significantly lower germinal center responses compared to MZB cells from WT. Moreover, Mertk−/− mice treated with an anti-CD1d down regulating antibody responded significantly to bm12 cells, while no response was observed in Mertk−/− mice treated with control antibodies. Taken together, these findings extend the role of Mertk to include CD1d down regulation on MZB cells, a potential mechanism limiting B cell activation in cGVH.