Click Beetle Red Luciferase Research Articles

Abstract 5308: Ifngr1 signaling on tumor-specific CD4 T cells is required to mitigate Treg differentiation during CD40 agonist and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a particularly lethal malignancy that lacks effective therapeutic strategies. A promising therapeutic modality that can elicit transient antitumor responses in a subset of metastatic PDAs is chemotherapy + CD40 agonist +/- anti-PD-1. A deeper understanding of the cellular mechanisms that mediate the initial responses will inform new strategies to enhance the durability of this therapy. Our prior studies demonstrated that tumor-specific CD4 T cells are critical for mitigating tumor growth in a syngeneic KPC orthotopic tumor model of PDA that expresses a model neoantigen, click beetle red luciferase (CBR). CD4 T cells direct tumor antigen recognition by tumor-associated macrophages and host interferon-gamma receptor (Ifngr1) signaling. Here, we demonstrate that CD4 T cells are required for the antitumor effects of anti-CD40 agonist indicating that this therapy fails to compensate for a lack of CD4 T cell help. We sought to test the hypothesis that host Ifngr1 signaling acts in a CD4 T cell intrinsic manner to promote antitumor responses. As such, we develop and validate a novel MHC class II tetramer (CBR54-62:I-Ab) to track the fate of endogenous CD4 T cells during tumor growth. We demonstrate that tumor-specific CD4 T cell abundance and Th1 polarization is decreased in orthotopic tumors, particularly between day 14 and day 21 post tumor implantation. Combination agonistic anti-CD40 + anti-PD-L1 maintained tumor-specific CD4 T cell numbers in the spleen and pancreas-draining lymph nodes of tumor-bearing mice. Intriguingly, Th1 polarized tumor-infiltrating CD4 T cells were decreased by aPD-L1, but were restored by anti-CD40, a finding further corroborated by single-cell RNA sequencing. Further, agonistic anti-CD40 + anti-PD-L1 alone or in combination robustly decreased Treg polarized tumor-specific CD4 T cells. Using a mixed bone marrow chimeric approach, we show immunotherapy’s Treg-depletion effect is dependent on Ifngr1 on antigen-specific CD4 T cells. In contrast, Ifngr1 signaling on tumor-specific CD8 T cells appeared inconsequential to CD8 T cell fate following immunotherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first study to interrogate tumor-specific CD4 T cells in PDA and uncover novel interplay between CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, and myeloid cells that are critical for immunotherapy response. Citation Format: Eduardo Cruz-Hinojoza, Adam Burrack, Zoe Schmiechen, Cara-Lin Lonetree, Ebony A. Miller, Michael Patterson, Jesse Williams, Thamotharampillai Dileepan, Ingunn Stromnes. Ifngr1 signaling on tumor-specific CD4 T cells is required to mitigate Treg differentiation during CD40 agonist and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 5308.

A higher spectral range of beetle bioluminescence with infraluciferin.

Coleopteran bioluminescence is unique in that beetle luciferases emit colors ranging between green (ca.550 nm) and red (ca.600 nm), including intermediate colors such as yellow and orange, allowing up to 3 simultaneous parameters to be resolved in vitro with natural luciferin (D-LH2). Here, we report a more than doubling of the maximum bioluminescence wavelength range using a single synthetic substrate, infraluciferin (iLH2). We report that different luciferases can emit colors ranging from visible green to near-infrared (nIR) with iLH2, including in human cells. iLH2 was designed for dual color far-red to nIR bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in small animals and has been utilized in different mouse models of cancer (including a metastatic hepatic model showing detailed hepatic morphology) and for robust dual parameter imaging in vivo (including in systemic hematological models). Here, we report the properties of different enzymes with iLH2: Lampyrid wild-type (WT) Photinus pyralis (Ppy) firefly luciferase, Ppy-based derivatives previously engineered to be thermostable with D-LH2, and also color-shifted Elaterid-based enzymes: blue-shifted Pyrearinus termitilluminans derivative Eluc (reported D-LH2 λmax = 538 nm) and red-shifted Pyrophorus plagiopthalamus derivative click beetle red (CBR) luciferase (D-LH2 λmax = 618 nm). As purified enzyme, in bacteria or in human cells, Eluc emitted green light (λmax = 536 nm) with DL-iLH2 whereas Ppy Fluc (λmax = 689 nm), x2 Fluc (λmax = 704 nm), x5 Fluc (λmax = 694 nm), x11 Fluc (λmax = 694 nm) and CBR (λmax = 721 nm) produced far-red to nIR peak wavelengths. Therefore, with iLH2, enzyme λmaxes can be separated by ca.185nm, giving almost non-overlapping spectra. This is the first report of single-substrate bioluminescence color emission ranging from visible green to nIR in cells and may help shed light on the color tuning mechanism of beetle luciferases. We also report on the reason for the improvement in activity of x11 Fluc with iLH2 and engineer an improved infraluciferase (iluc) based on this mutant.

Characterization of WU-CART-007, an Allogeneic CD7-Targeted CAR-T Cell Therapy for T-Cell Malignancies

BackgroundT-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) / Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (LBL) represent a class of devastating hematologic cancers with high rates of relapse and mortality in both children and adults. Development of CAR-T cell therapies for T-cell cancers has been complicated by induction of fratricide and the high risk of malignant cell contamination of the drug product in the autologous setting. Previously, Cooper et. al., demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing to delete CD7 prevented self-killing, and deletion of the T-cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC) enabled the use of healthy donor-derived T-cells to manufacture CD7-targeted CAR-T cells without risk of malignancy and mitigating the risk of GvHD. Here we present preclinical data supporting the safety and efficacy of WU-CART-007, an IND ready, off-the-shelf, and fratricide resistant CD7-targeted CAR-T cell for the treatment of CD7+ T-cell malignancies.MethodsWU-CART-007 was manufactured using T cells isolated from healthy donors by deletion of CD7 and TRAC, followed by CAR transduction, cell expansion, depletion of residual TCRa/b+ cells and cryopreservation. Donors were confirmed negative for a panel of adventitious viruses. CD7/TRAC deletion and CAR transduction were confirmed by flow cytometry. Off-target editing profile was assessed by GUIDE-Seq. The binding kinetics to human CD7 were conducted by bio-layer interferometry and CD7 selectivity was confirmed by cell microarray with a library of HEK-293 cells expressing approximately 6000 human proteins. The in vitro activity of WU-CART-007 was interrogated by co-culture with human CD7+ CCRF-CEM T-ALL cells and the potential on-target, off-tumor activity was assessed by co-culture with a panel of immune and non-immune primary human cells. In vivo anti-tumor functionality was confirmed in immunocompromised NSG mice after the establishment of low or high tumor burden CCRF-CEM xenografts engineered to express green fluorescent protein (GFP) and click beetle red (CBR) luciferase. The impact of WU-CART-007 on normal hematopoiesis was assessed using CD34+ humanized NCG mice.ResultsSeveral successful full-scale manufacturing runs were completed with consistently high dual CD7/TRAC deletion, transduction efficiency, and cell viability. Drug product was primarily composed of a T cell memory phenotype. Off- target nuclease analysis by GUIDE-seq and targeted NGS confirmed no evidence of off-target editing events. The WU-CART-007 scFv exhibited high affinity and exquisite specificity for human CD7. In vitro co-incubation experiments confirmed strong cytotoxicity against CD7-expressing cells including CCRF-CEM T-ALL cells, primary T and NK cells, but not CD7- cells such as myeloid cells, B cells, hepatocytes, astrocytes, cardiomyocytes, epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. Importantly, no cytotoxicity was observed against hematopoietic progenitor cells in human bone marrow or cord blood following co-incubation with WU-CART-007. Similarly, WU-CART-007 treatment of a non-tumor bearing humanized mouse model resulted in transient reductions in CD7+ cells (T-cells and NK cells) but not CD7- cells (myeloid and B cells), and the impacted cells recovered after circulating WU-CART-007 cells were no longer detectable. Assessment of in vivo anti-tumor efficacy revealed that WU-CART-007 effectively inhibited tumor progression (>99% TGI) in both low and high burden CCRF-CEM tumor models and improved survival in a dose-dependent manner, while CAR- cells were inactive, confirming CD7-dependent activity.ConclusionsThese preclinical studies support the use of WU-CART-007 in clinical trials and highlight the potential of WU-CART-007 to be a well-tolerated and active therapy for patients with CD7+ T-cell malignancies. A first in human Phase 1/2 trial in patients with R/R T-ALL/LBL is currently open for enrollment (NCT# 04984356). DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

First Report on Ex Vivo Delivery of Paracrine Active Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to Liver Grafts During Machine Perfusion.

Machine perfusion is rapidly becoming the standard for graft preservation and provides new opportunities for organ salvage, reconditioning, and repair. Based on their immune-modulatory and regenerating properties,1 arguable mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are the most promising cell therapy for graft repair on the pump, though proof of concept is still lacking.2 Here, we show the feasibility of delivering clinically relevant numbers of human MSCs (hMSCs; 5–10 × 106/kg) during 30-minute hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion in porcine liver grafts (n = 8; Figure 1). Full methods are described in Supplemental Materials and Methods (SDC, https://links.lww.com/TP/B821). To track the biodistribution of hMSC, cells were genetically labeled with click beetle red luciferase.3 As shown in Figure 2, bioluminescent imaging of both the anterior and posterior side of the liver showed a wide range and patchy distribution of hMSC which retain throughout the liver after 30 minutes of perfusion. No significant difference between arterial (n = 4) or venous infusion (n = 4) was observed. Histological and RNA-expression analysis confirmed the delivery of the hMSC throughout the liver grafts. About 104–105 hMSC were estimated to be still present per kilogram of liver graft. Importantly, the hMSC retained their paracrine activity after infusion. Using both Luminex and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, increasing levels of human-specific interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 released in porcine blood were shown during 4-hour normothermic perfusion. In conclusion, this is the first report showing an effective delivery of hMSC in a liver machine perfusion model. Evidence of paracrine activity of hMSC after delivery indicates regenerative and immune-modulatory effects during normothermic graft perfusion, though this needs further research in a transplantation model.FIGURE 1.: Graphical abstract of the procedure. The timeline indicates the details of each time point. Pig livers are procured after a warm ischemia period of 30 min and infused with 5 × 106–107 click beetle red luciferase (CBred2)-labeled human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) either via the portal vein or hepatic artery. The distribution of hMSC is visualized by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) immediately (time point 0) after infusion using an IVIS Imaging System 200. The liver is then placed on a purpose-made perfusion device in which it is perfused with cold (10°C) oxygenated University of Wisconsin (UW)-organ preservation fluid. After 30 min of perfusion, the distribution of the hMSC is again imaged using BLI. After imaging, the livers were perfused for 4 h with their own, heparinized, full blood at normothermic temperature (37°C) by ex vivo machine perfusion after which biopsies were collected for further analysis. The BLI signal is quantified, presence of hMSC was assessed in biopsies taken from left and right periphery and center of the liver using human-specific antibodies, proteomic and genetic analysis. HOPE, hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion; qPCR, quantitative polymerase chain reaction.FIGURE 2.: Effective delivery of paracrine active human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) during normothermic hepatic machine perfusion. Live imaging of the livers (n = 8) infused with click beetle red luciferase (CBred2)-transduced hMSC in the hepatic artery (n = 4; A, B, E, F) or portal vein (n = 4; C, D, G, H) using the IVIS Imaging System 200, directly after infusion (directly after infusion, A, B, C, D) and after 30 min of perfusion (E, F, G, H). Images are representative images showing bright luciferin-based luminescence at the posterior (A, C, E, G) and anterior side (B, D, F, H) of the liver, demonstrating whole organ coverage of the infused hMSC. The presence of hMSC was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining for copepod green fluorescent protein (copGFP) (I arrows; ×40 objective) at end of perfusion, whereas no staining was observed in liver biopsies before infusion (J). Representative pictures are shown. Human-specific B2M gene expression was determined by nested quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to confirm the presence of hMSC in the pig liver at the genetic level (M). Shown are the raw cycle threshold (Ct) values of B2M expression of 3 pigs. B2M expression was measured in the pig samples that were perfused with hMSC, (pig 1–3) and in nonperfused pig livers (n = 3). Luminex-based analysis using human-specific cytokines showed that interleukin (IL)-6 (O) and IL-8 (P) was secreted in the liver perfusate in 2 of the 4 pigs that were infused via the hepatic artery (filled symbols). In pig livers that were not infused with hMSC, no IL-6 or IL-8 was detected (open symbols). Human-specific IL-6 and IL-8 protein release was confirmed in the same 2 pig livers by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis (data not shown). nd, not detectable.

Development of a Staphylococcus aureus reporter strain with click beetle red luciferase for enhanced in vivo imaging of experimental bacteremia\xa0and mixed infections

In vivo bioluminescence imaging has been used to monitor Staphylococcus aureus infections in preclinical models by employing bacterial reporter strains possessing a modified lux operon from Photorhabdus luminescens. However, the relatively short emission wavelength of lux (peak 490 nm) has limited tissue penetration. To overcome this limitation, the gene for the click beetle (Pyrophorus plagiophtalamus) red luciferase (luc) (with a longer >600 emission wavelength), was introduced singly and in combination with the lux operon into a methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain. After administration of the substrate D-luciferin, the luc bioluminescent signal was substantially greater than the lux signal in vitro. The luc signal had enhanced tissue penetration and improved anatomical co-registration with infected internal organs compared with the lux signal in a mouse model of S. aureus bacteremia with a sensitivity of approximately 3 × 104 CFU from the kidneys. Finally, in an in vivo mixed bacterial wound infection mouse model, S. aureus luc signals could be spectrally unmixed from Pseudomonas aeruginosa lux signals to noninvasively monitor the bacterial burden of both strains. Therefore, the S. aureus luc reporter may provide a technological advance for monitoring invasive organ dissemination during S. aureus bacteremia and for studying bacterial dynamics during mixed infections.

CXCR4 Blockade By BL-8040 in T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Decreases Mitochondrial Mass and Induces Non-Apoptotic Cell Death

T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy that accounts for 10-15% of pediatric and 25% of adult ALL cases. CXCL12 is a CXC chemokine that is constitutively expressed at high levels in the bone marrow. CXCR4 is the major receptor for CXCL12 and is by far the most highly expressed chemokine receptor on T-ALL cells. Two groups recently showed that genetic loss of CXCR4 signaling in murine or human T-ALL cells markedly suppressed their growth in vivo. We previously reported that BL-8040, a potent new CXCR4 antagonist with sustained receptor occupancy, is active as monotherapy against T-ALL in mice. Indeed, a 2-week course of daily BL-8040 resulted in a median reduction in tumor burden of 32.1-fold (range 6.8 to 176) across 5 different T-ALL xenografts. Preliminary data from a clinical trial of BL-8040 plus nelarabine for relapsed T-ALL also suggest therapeutic activity, with a complete remission rate observed in 4/8 patients (50%), which compares favorably to published response rates of approximately 30% with single agent nelarabine. Here, we explore molecular mechanisms by which CXCR4 blockade induces T-ALL death. NOD-scid IL2Rgammanull (NSG) mice were injected with P12-Ichikawa cells, a T-ALL cell line modified to express click beetle red luciferase and GFP. Following T-ALL engraftment, mice were treated with a single dose of BL-8040, and then leukemic cells in the bone marrow harvested 24-48 hours later. Treatment with BL-8040 resulted in a marked suppression of Akt and Erk1/2 phosphorylation, suggesting that signaling through CXCR4 is the major source of PI3 kinase pathway activation in T-ALL cells. Surprisingly, treatment with BL-8040 did not affect cellular proliferation, as measured by Ki67/FxCycle Violet staining or by EdU labeling. Moreover, no increase in apoptosis, as measured by annexin V or activated caspase 3 expression, was observed. These data suggest that CXCR4 blockade induces a non-apoptotic cell death. To explore this possibility further, we performed transcriptome sequencing on T-ALL cells recovered from mice 24 hours after 1 dose of BL-8040. A total of 151 differentially expressed genes (FDR of < 0.05% and ≥ 2-fold change) were identified. Gene set enrichment analysis was strongly positive for alterations in oxidative phosphorylation, ribosome biogenesis, and carbohydrate metabolism. Ribosome function was assessed using O-propargyl-puromycin (OPP), which monitors global protein translation. No difference in global protein synthesis in T-ALL cells was observed after CXCR4 blockade in vivo. T-ALL cells are dependent on glutamine as a source of carbon, and PI3 kinase signaling positively regulates glutaminolysis. Thus, we hypothesized that CXCR4 blockade may induce T-ALL cell death by reducing glutamine metabolism. However, treatment of T-ALL cells in vitro with BL-8040 did not alter the cellular levels of glutamine or glutamate, as measured using a commercial bioluminescent assay. Confirmatory metabolic tracing studies using 13C-labeled glutamine and glucose are in progress. Finally, to explore the reduction in oxidative phosphorylation, we examined mitochondria function using Mitotracker Green. Treatment of T-ALL cells in vitro with BL-8040 for 24-48 hours induced a significant decrease in mitochondria number, suggesting induction of mitophagy. Collectively, these data suggest that T-ALL cells are addicted to CXCR4 signaling in vivo. CXCR4 blockade with BL-8040 induces a non-apoptotic cell death that is characterized by a loss of mitochondria. Disclosures Uy: Astellas: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Curis: Consultancy; GlycoMimetics: Consultancy. Bohana-Kashtan:BiolineRx: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sorani:BiolineRx: Employment, Equity Ownership. Vainstein:BiolineRx: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Abstract A089: The effect of lactate dehydrogenase-A (LDH-A) knockdown and human prostate-specific membrane antigen (hPSMA) directed CAR T-cell treatment on hPSMA(+) Myc-CaP tumors

Abstract Objective: Determine whether LDH-A knockdown enhances CAR T-cell tumor-targeting and treatment response.Background: It has been shown that T-cells are restricted from entering many human and murine solid tumors, including both murine and human prostate tumors. CD3(+) T-cells are restricted from Myc-CaP murine prostate tumors and localize around the periphery of the tumor nodules (1). Human prostate specific membrane antigen (hPSMA) targeted CAR T-cells are also restricted from hPSMA(+) Myc-CaP tumors and this is only partially reversed by anti-PD1 treatment (1). This report describes the benefit of LDH-A depletion and a greater response of CAR T-cells targeting Myc-CaP tumors with low expression of LDH-A. Methods: LDH-A depletion in hPSMA(+) Myc-CaP cells bearing a bioluminescence reporter (Renilla Luciferase), was achieved by shRNA knockdown (KD) (1). A scrambled IgG shRNA was used as a control (NC). LDH-A expression was quantified by digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), Western blotting and LDH enzyme activity. The glycolytic activity of KD and NC cells was measured using Seahorse XF96 and XFp analyzers. Intratumoral lactate levels were monitored by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The preparation and characterization of “second generation” hPSMA-directed CAR T-cells and the hPSMA(+) Myc-CaP tumor models in SCID mice have been described (1). To monitor CAR T-cell trafficking, T-cells were transduced with a Click Beetle Red luciferase reporter to enable efficient visualization by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) of CAR T-cell trafficking, persistence and viability within the hPSMA(+)Myc-CaP tumor mass. Tumor volume was calculated from caliper measurements. CD31 and PD-L1 expression was quantified with immunofluorescent staining and Metamorph Offline image analysis. Results and Discussion: These studies demonstrated that LDH-A KD was the dominant factor in reducing tumor growth. The difference in tumor doubling time (DT) between KD and NC tumors in the presence of CAR T-cell therapy was significant (p<0.0001): DT= 5.0±0.3 vs 2.9±0.5 days, respectively. A significant difference was also found in the absence of CAR T-cell therapy. Although LDH-A KD produced the larger single-treatment effect, the addition of CAR T-cells was additive. To explain these observations and study the effect of LDH-A KD on tumor metabolism and microenvironment, Seahorse and MRS experiments were performed. LDH-A depletion (KD) resulted in: lower rates of basal (NC: 24.0±1.9 vs KD: 6.9±1.9 pmol H+/min/µg protein; p<0.0001) and compensatory glycolysis (NC: 43.0±2.3 vs KD: 18.3±3.9 pmol H+/min/µg protein, p<0.0001), and lactate production. In contrast, basal and maximal respiration increased following LDH-A KD (NC: 4.0±0.8 vs KD: 8.3±0.6, p=0.0011, and NC: 6.7±1.4 vs KD: 13.8±0.6 pmol O2/min/µg protein, p=0.0003, respectively). However, total tumor lactate, measured in vivo by MRS, showed only marginal differences between KD and NC tumors. Nevertheless, there were significant differences in CAR T-cell trafficking-to and persistence-in KD compared to NC tumors, and the increase in tumor doubling time was directly related to the CAR T-cell expansion ratio. Interestingly, tumor vascularity (CD31), but not PD-L1, was significantly lower in KD compared to NC tumors. Necrosis was minimal in both KD and NC tumors, with or without CAR T-cell treatment. Conclusions: LDHA knockdown (KD) in the Myc-CaP murine prostate tumor model has a significant effect on tumor cell metabolism resulting in reduced glycolysis, reduced lactate production and increased oxidative phosphorylation that impacts the tumor microenvironment. The LDH-A KD induced changes in tumor metabolism and the microenvironment diminish Myc-CaP tumor growth rate and impact CAR T-cell trafficking and persistence in the tumor. Future studies will compare the effects of anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 therapy in combination with LDH-A knockdown. Reference: 1. Serganova I, et al. Molecular Therapy: Oncolytics 2017;4:41. Citation Format: Mayuresh M. Mane, Khalid Shalaby, Ivan Cohen, Avi Albeg, Jenny Ijoma, Myat Ko, Masatomo Maeda, Kiranmayi Vemuri, Jaya Satagopan, Anna Moroz, Juan Zurita, Larissa Shenker, Ellen Ackerstaff, Masahiro Shindo, Ekaterina Moroz, Maxim A. Moroz, Inna Serganova, Jason Koutcher, Vladimir Ponomarev, Ronald G. Blasberg. The effect of lactate dehydrogenase-A (LDH-A) knockdown and human prostate-specific membrane antigen (hPSMA) directed CAR T-cell treatment on hPSMA(+) Myc-CaP tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; Sept 30-Oct 3, 2018; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2019;7(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A089.

Modeling Sézary Syndrome for Immunophenotyping and Anti-Tumor Effect of Ucart and Long-Acting Interleukin-7 Combination Therapy

Background: Sézary syndrome (SS) is a highly-morbid T cell leukemic lymphoma with no widely-effective treatments and few preclinical models. We demonstrated effective T cell lymphoma therapy with allogeneic gene-edited anti-CD7 CARTs (Cooper et al, Leukemia, 2018). However, SS T cells typically lose CD7 but maintain ubiquitous high CD2 expression. Thus, we generated CD2- and TRAC-deleted anti-CD2 universal CARTs (UCART2) and multiple SS xenograft models (PDXs) as preclinical UCART2 testing platforms. We further tested a stable homodimeric interleukin-7 molecule, the long-acting form of recombinant human interleukin-7 fused with hybrid Fc (rhIL-7-hyFc, NT-I7), to potentiate UCART2 killing of an SS xenograft in vivo.Methods: To generate SS PDX models, we injected NOD scid IL2Rgammanull (NSG) mice expressing SCF, GM-CSF, and IL-3 (NSG-SGM3) with ~2x106 mononuclear cells derived from SS patients. We immunophenotyped SS patient blood and PDX engraftment with two 21-color flow cytometry panels assessing major immune subsets, CTCL, and exhaustion markers (Staser et al, Cytometry A, 2018). To generate UCART2s, we activated human T cells on CD3/CD28 beads, electroporated the T cells with Cas9, a TRAC-targeted gRNA, and a CD2-targeted gRNA followed by viral transduction with an anti-CD2 scFv 3rd generation CAR. For initial UCART2 testing, we injected NSG mice with 5x105 cells from a human Sézary cell line transduced with click beetle red luciferase (HHCBR-GFP) four days prior to UCART2 treatment. Mice were treated with NT-I7 (10mg/kg SC) on days +1, +15 and +29 post UCART2 infusion.Results: SS patient blood showed specific defects in monocyte, monocytic dendritic cell, and natural killer cell differentiation, increased skewing toward granulocytes and non-classical CD16+ monocytes (p<0.01, SS vs. normal PBMCs), and loss of effector memory CD4 cells (8% vs 34%, p<0.001, SS vs. normal PBMCs). SS cells were CD3+CD4+CD2+CD5+CD8- with variable CD7 loss and PD1 gain. Four of six unique human SS samples injected in NSG-SGM3 mice engrafted within ~6 weeks with no signs of xenogeneic GVHD. Following engraftment, SS cells showed near ubiquitous PD1 expression (>90% vs ~20%, p<0.001, SS vs. normal PBMCs), CD7 loss, and increased CD30 and CD26 expression. Immunohistochemistry further revealed atypical CD3+CD4+CD8-CD7- lymphocytes lining the dermo-epidermal junction. Second generation PDXs showed infiltration of the spleens, blood, and bone marrow with CD2+CD7- human cells and developed alopecia, scaling, and subcutaneous and intraperitoneal masses, with immunophenotyping, sequencing, and UCART treatment studies ongoing.To test UCART2's efficacy in killing SS cells in vivo, we injected NSG mice with HHCBR-GFP+ cells. UCART2-treated HHCBR-GFP mice showed dramatically reduced tumor burden as compared to control UCART19-treated HHCBR-GFP mice (BLI; 10^7 vs. 10^11 photon flux/s at 3 weeks, p<0.0001, UCART2 vs. UCART19). Moreover, UCART2-treated HHCBR-GFP mice survived ~40 days as compared to ~21 days in the UCART19 group. Remarkably, UCART2-treated HHCBR-GFP mice receiving NT-I7 showed virtually no tumor burden (maximum 106 photon flux/s vs. 1010 photon flux/s, UCART2+NT-I7 vs. UCART2 only groups) with 100% of UCART2- and NT-I7-treated HHCBR-GFP mice surviving beyond 49 days (Figure 1).Discussion: We describe the generation of physiologically-relevant SS preclinical models, comprehensive immunophenotyping of patient SS samples, clonal SS PDX outgrowth, and the highly effective anti-tumor activity of UCART2- plus NT-I7-mediated killing of SS cells in vivo using an NSG xenograft model. Ongoing studies involve treating primary SS and CTCL PDX models with UCART2 and NT-I7. These preclinical data validate the use of allogeneic “off-the-shelf” adoptive immunotherapy for the treatment of Sézary syndrome, while demonstrating the dramatic enhancement of CART efficacy using a dose-adjustable, clinic-ready long-acting interleukin-7 agonist given in an adjuvant setting. [Display omitted] DisclosuresPark:NeoImmuneTech: Employment. Lee:NeoImmuneTech: Employment. Musiek:Seattle Genetics: Honoraria; Actelion: Other: Scientific Advisory Committee ; Kyowa Kirin: Honoraria.

AMV564, a Bivalent Bispecific (2×2) CD33/CD3 T-Cell Engager, Is Active and Improves Survival in a Mouse Model of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background: AMV564 is a novel bivalent, bispecific (2x2) CD33/CD3 targeted immunotherapy that binds both CD33 and the invariant CD3ε on T-cell receptors with strong avidity, thus creating an immune synapse between CD33-expressing cells and T cells, initiating T-cell directed lysis of CD33 expressing cells, and inducing expansion, differentiation and proliferation of T cells. AMV564 is being evaluated in clinical trials for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML, NCT03144245). Previously, we demonstrated that the parent molecule, T564, had specific, T-cell mediated cytotoxic activity against a KG-1 CD33+ cell line in vitro and eliminated blasts in an autologous AML patient-derived xenograft mouse model (Eissenberg, et al. 2015 ASCO). Here we investigated factors that may contribute to antileukemic activity of AMV564 in another, more aggressive, preclinical model of AML.Methods: Disseminated activity studies in NOD scid gamma mice (NSG) were performed by injecting MOLM13 AML cells transduced with click beetle red luciferase and green fluorescent protein (MOLM13-CG) in the tail vein. In a series of experiments, AMV564-mediated clearance of MOLM13-CG cells and overall mouse survival was determined. Tumor cells (either 3.3 x 103 or 1 x 105) were engrafted in non-conditioned NSG mice for 3-7 days. Variables included dose of AMV564 (0.5 to 25 mcg, i.v.), number of AMV564 cycles (1 or 2) and cycle length (4-5 days), number of T cell injections (1 or 2), and total number of human T cells administered (0.2 to 1.2 x 107). Tumor burden was serially measured by bioluminescence (BLI) and survival measured for 51 days.Results: Mouse survival was greatest when AMV564 was injected along with a total number of T cells ≥ 8 x 106 regardless of the number of T cell injections or their timing relative to tumor injection. AMV564 mediated up to a 3-fold increase in survival time compared to untreated mice. In the experiment shown in Figure 1, untreated mice died at day 28, yet about half of the treated mice were still alive when the experiment was terminated on day 51. In the absence of AMV564 (i.e., T cell treatment only), animal survival and tumor burden were similar to that of untreated animals.In the same experiment we administered, AMV564 daily from days 7-11 after MOLM13-CG infusion along with one injection of 8 x 106 human T cells on day 7, then measured tumor burden by BLI signal (Figure 2). By day 14 we observed a median 4.0 log or 4.8 log reduction in tumor using 5 or 25 mcg AMV564. In fact by day 14, 4 of 10 mice treated with 25 mcg AMV564 and 2 of 10 treated with 5 mcg had no detectable signal above background. No rebound in tumor burden occurred in these mice throughout the 51-day study.Conclusions: AMV564 is a potent and effective immunotherapy against an aggressive human AML cell line in NSG mice. AMV564 very effectively prolonged survival and dramatically reduced tumor in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. These results are consistent with our previous preclinical data with primary AML and support the testing of this reagent in patients with relapsed and refractory AML in the clinic. [Display omitted] DisclosuresEissenberg:Amphivena Therapeutics: Research Funding; Novimmune: Research Funding. Rettig:Novimmune: Research Funding; Amphivena Therapeutics: Research Funding. Fox:Sunesis Pharmaceuticals: Employment; Amphivena Therapeutics: Employment. Guenot:Amphivena Therapeutics, Inc: Employment.

Click beetle luciferase mutant and near infrared naphthyl-luciferins for improved bioluminescence imaging

The sensitivity of bioluminescence imaging in animals is primarily dependent on the amount of photons emitted by the luciferase enzyme at wavelengths greater than 620 nm where tissue penetration is high. This area of work has been dominated by firefly luciferase and its substrate, D-luciferin, due to the system’s peak emission (~ 600 nm), high signal to noise ratio, and generally favorable biodistribution of D-luciferin in mice. Here we report on the development of a codon optimized mutant of click beetle red luciferase that produces substantially more light output than firefly luciferase when the two enzymes are compared in transplanted cells within the skin of black fur mice or in deep brain. The mutant enzyme utilizes two new naphthyl-luciferin substrates to produce near infrared emission (730 nm and 743 nm). The stable luminescence signal and near infrared emission enable unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy for performing deep tissue multispectral tomography in mice.

Development of a Click Beetle Luciferase Reporter System for Enhanced Bioluminescence Imaging of Listeria monocytogenes: Analysis in Cell Culture and Murine Infection Models.

Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen that is widely used as a model organism for the analysis of infection biology. In this context, there is a current need to develop improved reporters for enhanced bioluminescence imaging (BLI) of the pathogen in infection models. We have developed a click beetle red luciferase (CBR-luc) based vector (pPL2CBRopt) expressing codon optimized CBR-luc under the control of a highly expressed Listerial promoter (PHELP) for L. monocytogenes and have compared this to a lux-based system expressing bacterial luciferase for BLI of the pathogen using in vitro growth experiments and in vivo models. The CBR-luc plasmid stably integrates into the L. monocytogenes chromosome and can be used to label field isolates and laboratory strains of the pathogen. Growth experiments revealed that CBR-luc labeled L. monocytogenes emits a bright signal in exponential phase that is maintained during stationary phase. In contrast, lux-labeled bacteria produced a light signal that peaked during exponential phase and was significantly reduced during stationary phase. Light from CBR-luc labeled bacteria was more efficient than the signal from lux-labeled bacteria in penetrating an artificial tissue depth assay system. A cell invasion assay using C2Bbe1 cells and a systemic murine infection model revealed that CBR-luc is suited to BLI approaches and demonstrated enhanced sensitivity relative to lux in the context of Listeria infection models. Overall, we demonstrate that this novel CBR reporter system provides efficient, red-shifted light production relative to lux and may have significant applications in the analysis of L. monocytogenes pathogenesis.

Enhancement of PSMA-Directed CAR Adoptive Immunotherapy by PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in hematologic malignancies has shown remarkable responses, but the same level of success has not been observed in solid tumors. A new prostate cancer model (Myc-CaP:PSMA(+)) and a second-generation anti-hPSMA human CAR T cells expressing a Click Beetle Red luciferase reporter) were used to study hPSMA targeting and assess CAR T cell trafficking and persistence by bioluminescence imaging (BLI). We investigated the antitumor efficacy of human CAR T cells targeting human prostate-specific membrane antigen (hPSMA), in the presence and absence of the target antigen; first alone and then combined with a monoclonal antibody targeting the human programmed death receptor 1 (anti-hPD1 mAb). PDL-1 expression was detected in Myc-CaP murine prostate tumors growing in immune competent FVB/N and immune-deficient SCID mice. Endogenous CD3+ T cells were restricted from the centers of Myc-CaP tumor nodules growing in FVB/N mice. Following anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) treatment, the restriction of CD3+ T cells was reversed, and a tumor-treatment response was observed. Adoptive hPSMA-CAR T cell immunotherapy was enhanced when combined with PD-1 blockade, but the treatment response was of comparatively short duration, suggesting other immune modulation mechanisms exist and restrict CAR T cell targeting, function, and persistence in hPSMA expressing Myc-CaP tumors. Interestingly, an “inverse pattern” of CAR T cell BLI intensity was observed in control and test tumors, which suggests CAR T cells undergo changes leading to a loss of signal and/or number following hPSMA-specific activation. The lower BLI signal intensity in the hPSMA test tumors (compared with controls) is due in part to a decrease in T cell mitochondrial function following T cell activation, which may limit the intensity of the ATP-dependent Luciferin-luciferase bioluminescence signal.

In Vivo and In Vitro Detection of Luminescent and Fluorescent Lactobacillus reuteri and Application of Red Fluorescent mCherry for Assessing Plasmid Persistence.

Lactobacillus reuteri is a symbiont that inhabits the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of mammals, and several strains are used as probiotics. After introduction of probiotic strains in a complex ecosystem like the GI tract, keeping track of them is a challenge. The main objectives of this study were to introduce reporter proteins that would enable in vivo and in vitro detection of L. reuteri and increase knowledge about its interactions with the host. We describe for the first time cloning of codon-optimized reporter genes encoding click beetle red luciferase (CBRluc) and red fluorescent protein mCherry in L. reuteri strains ATCC PTA 6475 and R2LC. The plasmid persistence of mCherry-expressing lactobacilli was evaluated by both flow cytometry (FCM) and conventional plate count (PC), and the plasmid loss rates measured by FCM were lower overall than those determined by PC. Neutralization of pH and longer induction duration significantly improved the mCherry signal. The persistency, dose-dependent signal intensity and localization of the recombinant bacteria in the GI tract of mice were studied with an in vivo imaging system (IVIS), which allowed us to detect fluorescence from 6475-CBRluc-mCherry given at a dose of 1×1010 CFU and luminescence signals at doses ranging from 1×105 to 1×1010 CFU. Both 6475-CBRluc-mCherry and R2LC-CBRluc were localized in the colon 1 and 2 h after ingestion, but the majority of the latter were still found in the stomach, possibly reflecting niche specificity for R2LC. Finally, an in vitro experiment showed that mCherry-producing R2LC adhered efficiently to the intra cellular junctions of cultured IPEC-J2 cells. In conclusion, the two reporter genes CBRluc and mCherry were shown to be suitable markers for biophotonic imaging (BPI) of L. reuteri and may provide useful tools for future studies of in vivo and in vitro interactions between the bacteria and the host.

A panel of Trypanosoma brucei strains tagged with blue and red-shifted luciferases for bioluminescent imaging in murine infection models.

BackgroundGenetic engineering with luciferase reporter genes allows monitoring Trypanosoma brucei (T.b.) infections in mice by in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Until recently, luminescent T.b. models were based on Renilla luciferase (RLuc) activity. Our study aimed at evaluating red-shifted luciferases for in vivo BLI in a set of diverse T.b. strains of all three subspecies, including some recently isolated from human patients.Methodology/Principal findingsWe transfected T.b. brucei, T.b. rhodesiense and T.b. gambiense strains with either RLuc, click beetle red (CBR) or Photinus pyralis RE9 (PpyRE9) luciferase and characterised their in vitro luciferase activity, growth profile and drug sensitivity, and their potential for in vivo BLI. Compared to RLuc, the red-shifted luciferases, CBR and PpyRE9, allow tracking of T.b. brucei AnTaR 1 trypanosomes with higher details on tissue distribution, and PpyRE9 allows detection of the parasites with a sensitivity of at least one order of magnitude higher than CBR luciferase. With CBR-tagged T.b. gambiense LiTaR1, T.b. rhodesiense RUMPHI and T.b. gambiense 348 BT in an acute, subacute and chronic infection model respectively, we observed differences in parasite tropism for murine tissues during in vivo BLI. Ex vivo BLI on the brain confirmed central nervous system infection by all luminescent strains of T.b. brucei AnTaR 1, T.b. rhodesiense RUMPHI and T.b. gambiense 348 BT.Conclusions/SignificanceWe established a genetically and phenotypically diverse collection of bioluminescent T.b. brucei, T.b. gambiense and T.b. rhodesiense strains, including drug resistant strains. For in vivo BLI monitoring of murine infections, we recommend trypanosome strains transfected with red-shifted luciferase reporter genes, such as CBR and PpyRE9. Red-shifted luciferases can be detected with a higher sensitivity in vivo and at the same time they improve the spatial resolution of the parasites in the entire body due to the better kinetics of their substrate D-luciferin.

Imaging CXCL12-CXCR4 Signaling in Ovarian Cancer Therapy

Chemokine CXCL12 and receptor CXCR4 have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer, a disease that continues to have a dismal prognosis. CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling drives proliferation, survival, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells, leading to tumor growth and metastasis. Pleiotropic effects of CXCR4 in multiple key steps in ovarian cancer suggest that blocking this pathway will improve outcomes for patients with this disease. To quantify CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling in cell-based assays and living mouse models of ovarian cancer, we developed a click beetle red luciferase complementation reporter that detects activation of CXCR4 based on recruitment of the cytosolic adapter protein β-arrestin 2. Both in two-dimensional and three-dimensional cell cultures, we established that bioluminescence from this reporter measures CXCL12-dependent activation of CXCR4 and inhibition of this pathway with AMD3100, a clinically-approved small molecule that blocks CXCL12-CXCR4 binding. We used this imaging system to quantify CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling in a mouse model of metastatic ovarian cancer and showed that treatment with AMD3100 interrupted this pathway in vivo. Combination therapy with AMD3100 and cisplatin significantly decreased tumor burden in mice, although differences in overall survival were not significantly greater than treatment with either agent as monotherapy. These studies establish a molecular imaging reporter system for analyzing CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling in ovarian cancer, which can be used to investigate biology and therapeutic targeting of this pathway in cell-based assays and living mice.

Abstract LB-114: Using molecular imaging to identify modulators of breast cancer metastasis

Abstract Metastasis occurs through a sequence of stages involving dissociation of cells from the primary tumor, local invasion and migration through the basement membrane and into the circulation, survival in the circulation, extravasation into foreign organs, tumor dormancy, and finally tumor growth in the new organ. Our laboratory has characterized several preclinical “Human In Mouse” (HIM) breast cancer models for their ability to metastasize from the humanized mammary gland to foreign organs including lymph node, lung, and/or bone. We believe this model of breast cancer metastasis more accurately reflects the biology of human breast metastasis than do currently used methods of introducing cancer cells directly into the mouse circulation. One HIM line, HIM3, is able to grow in cell culture and was characterized as triple negative and wild type for p53. HIM3 was engineered to express a fusion protein for Click Beetle Red Luciferase (CBRluc) and mCherry, and this bioluminescent HIM3 line was further transduced with control lentivirus (HIM3p53WT) or lentivirus encoding shRNA targeting p53 (HIM3p53KD). After engraftment into the humanized mammary fat pad of immune compromised mice, bioluminescence imaging (BLI) was employed to detect metastasis. Preliminary data revealed that disruption of the p53 pathway increased tumor growth and decreased latency to metastasis. In addition, loss of p53 altered the homing of breast tumor cells to secondary sites. Breast tumor cells from the mammary gland as well as secondary metastatic sites (lymph node (LN), lung, liver, and bone) were harvested for RNA isolation and for re-engraftment into the mammary glands of recipient humanized mice. My is goal to enrich for tumor cells that preferentially home to lung, bone, and liver. RNA isolated from these tumors will be subjected to RNA-seq in order to identify genomic and epigenetic changes responsible for organ-specific homing. I have already observed that serial passaging is generating sub populations of tumors that metastasize more quickly out of the mammary gland to populate their preferred organ. I hypothesize that enrichment for metastatic subpopulations will reveal transcriptional profiles that are unique from the primary-site populations from which they derive. Moreover, I hypothesize that human breast cancer cells that home to lung will exhibit diverse transcriptional profiles compared to those that home to bone, and that loss of a functional p53 pathway will lead to the transcriptional upregulation of genes responsible for promoting EMT and metastasis. Functional assessment of the gene products encoded by these differentially expressed genes is expected to add important new information about breast cancer metastasis and lead to future reductions in breast cancer mortality. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-114. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-114

Bioluminescence spectra of click beetle luciferases in higher plant cells

Reporter genes are often used to monitor gene expression in various organisms. To investigate the use of a dual-color luciferase reporter assay (DCRA) for monitoring expression of multiple genes in higher plants, we characterized the bioluminescence and the spectra of click beetle luciferases in planta. The DCRA consists of click beetle green luciferase (CBG68luc) and click beetle red luciferase (CBRluc). The green and the red bioluminescence from CBG68luc and CBRluc, respectively, are suitable for nondestructive in vivo assays because luminescence signals can be monitored selectively using optical filters. Using transgenic plants and a transient expression system, we introduced and expressed CBG68luc and CBRluc reporter genes in plant cells and obtained luminescence spectra by spectrometry. The spectral patterns from the transgenic plant cells were similar to those from E. coli transformed with the same reporter genes. Although plant tissues contain pigments and autofluorescent materials, our data suggest that the presence of these do not interfere with gene expression monitoring by DCRA, which is therefore applicable to monitoring the regulation of gene expression in plants.

Effect of In Vivo Azacitidine on GvHD and Gvl: Mechanistic Studies

AbstractAbstract 2537 Introduction:Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to mitigate graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) while preserving the beneficial graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect in animal models of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). However, three major obstacles prevent their use in human clinical trials: the low numbers of Tregs, loss of suppressor activity following in vitro expansion, and the lack of Treg-specific markers to purify expanded Tregs. The locus of the Foxp3 gene, the master regulator of Tregs, is unmethylated and expressed only in Tregs. We have recently reported that the hypomethylating agent azacitidine (AzaC) induces FOXP3 expression in non-Tregs, converting them into Tregs in vitro and in vivo when administered after allogeneic BMT completely mitigating GvHD without abrogating GvL (Choi, et al Blood 2010). Three possible mechanisms for these effects include: 1) AzaC induces FOXP3+ Tregs, which in turn mitigate GvHD without abrogating GvL by regulating alloreactive donor T cells, 2) AzaC directly suppresses the proliferation of alloreactive donor T cells reducing GvHD, 3) AzaC alters donor T cell trafficking to GvHD target organs to prevent GvHD without altering interaction of donor T cells with recipient leukemia or trafficking of leukemic cells. Methods:Balb/c (CD45.2+, H-2Kd) were lethally irradiated one day prior to injection of T cell-depleted BM cells isolated from B6 (CD45.1+, H-2Kb) and luciferase-expressing A20 leukemia cells derived from Balb/c. Allogeneic donor T cells isolated from B6 (CD45.2+, H-2Kb) were given 11 days after BMT. AzaC (2 mg/kg) was administrated subcutaneously every other day (4 doses total) starting 4 days after T cell injection. In vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) was performed to assess leukemia cell localization. For T cell proliferation/trafficking analyses, Balb/c were lethally irradiated one day prior to injection of T cell-depleted BM cells isolated from B6 (CD45.1+). Allogeneic donor T cells isolated from B6 (CD45.2+) were transduced with Click Beetle Red luciferase and were given 11 days after BMT, followed by AzaC treatment as described above. BLI was performed to track the donor T cells. Results:While neither T cell or leukemia cell trafficking was affected by the AzaC treatment, proliferation of donor T cells was significantly reduced compared to mice treated with PBS. The observed reduced T cell proliferation is not likely due to the direct effect of AzaC on T cells since the AzaC treatment preserved GvL activity comparable with the PBS control group. In addition, T cells isolated from both AzaC and PBS groups were equally reactive against third party antigen presenting cells, based on mixed lymphocyte reactions and cytotoxic T lymphocyte killing assays. These data along with our previous report demonstrating that the AzaC treatment increases Tregs in vivo strongly suggest that the therapeutic effect of AzaC on GvHD and GvL are mediated by the AzaC-induced Tregs which preferentially target alloreactive T cells while preferentially sparing anti-tumor T cells. Currently, secondary transplantation of Treg-depleted/replete T cells isolated from AzaC/PBS-treated recipient mice is underway to further confirm that donor T cells in the AzaC-treated mice are fully functional and that alloresponses of donor T cells are regulated by AzaC-induced Tregs. Conclusions:In vivo administration of AzaC after donor T cell infusion mitigates GvHD while preserving GvL via peripheral conversion of alloreactive donor T cells to FOXP3+ Tregs that preferentially inhibit alloreactive T cells while sparing anti-tumor T cells. These data provides the foundation for future clinical trials using epigenetic therapy aimed at mitigating GvHD without abrogating GvL and overcoming HLA barriers. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Dual-Color Click Beetle Luciferase Heteroprotein Fragment Complementation Assays

Understanding the functional complexity of protein interactions requires mapping biomolecular complexes within the cellular environment over biologically relevant time scales. Herein, we describe a set of reversible multicolored heteroprotein complementation fragments based on various firefly and click beetle luciferases that utilize the same substrate, D-luciferin. Luciferase heteroprotein fragment complementation systems enabled dual-color quantification of two discrete pairs of interacting proteins simultaneously or two distinct proteins interacting with a third shared protein in live cells. Using real-time analysis of click beetle green and click beetle red luciferase heteroprotein fragment complementation applied to β-TrCP, an E3-ligase common to the regulation of both β-catenin and IκBα, GSK3β was identified as a candidate kinase regulating IκBα processing. These dual-color protein interaction switches may enable directed dynamic analysis of a variety of protein interactions in living cells.

Development of Luciferin Analogues Bearing an Amino Group and Their Application as BRET Donors

We systematically synthesized bioluminogenic substrates bearing an amino group on benzothiazole, quinoline, naphthalene, and coumarin scaffolds. They emit bioluminescence in various colors: red, orange, yellow, and green. An amino-substituted coumarylluciferin derivative, coumarylaminoluciferin (CAL), showed the shortest bioluminescence wavelength among substrates reported so far. Further, the fluorescence of CAL did not exhibit solvatochromism, which suggests that its bioluminescence is not susceptible to environmental factors. We applied CAL as an energy-donor substrate for a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) system with click beetle red luciferase (CBRluc), a mutant of firefly luciferase, as the energy-donor enzyme and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) as the energy-acceptor fluorophore, and obtained a clearly bimodal bioluminescence spectrum. Stable bioluminescence that is not influenced by environmental factors is highly desirable for reliable measurements in biological assays.