Expression Of Multiple Antigens Research Articles

Tandem bispecific CD123/CLL-1 CAR-T cells exhibit specific cytolytic effector functions against human acute myeloid leukaemia.

The treatment of refractory and recurrent acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is still a challenge with poor response rates and short survival times. In an attempt to solve this problem, we constructed a tandem bispecific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD123 and C-type lectin-like molecule 1 (CLL-1), two different AML antigens, and verified its cytotoxic effects in vitro. We established and cultured K562 cell lines expressing both CD123 and CLL1 antigens. Single-target CAR-T cells specific to CD123 and CLL1 were engineered, alongside tandem CD123/CLL1 bispecific CAR-T cells. Flow cytometry was used to determine cell phenotypes, transfection efficiencies, cytokine release, and CAR-T-cell proliferation, and an lactate dehydrogenase assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of CD123/CLL-1 bispecific tandem CAR-T cells in vitro. Two types of tandem CAR-T cells exhibited significant killing effects on CLL-1 + CD123+ leukaemia cell lines and primary AML tumour cells. The killing efficiency of tandem CAR-T cells in the case of single antigen expression is comparable to that of single target CAR-T cells. When faced with dual target tumour cells, dual target CAR-T cells significantly surpass single target CAR-T cells. CD123/CLL-1 CAR-T cells in tandem targeted and killed CD123- and CLL-1-positive leukaemia cell lines and released a large number of cytokines. CD123/CLL-1 CAR-T cells in tandem can simultaneously target CD123 and CLL-1 on AML cells, demonstrating a significant ability to kill single antigens and multi-target tumour cells. This suggests that CD123/CLL-1 CAR-T cells exhibit significant advantages in the expression of multiple antigens in a wide range of target cells, which may help overcome the challenges posed by tumour heterogeneity and evasion mechanisms.

Viral Vector Vaccines

Viral vector vaccines use harmless, non-replicating or replicating viruses to deliver genetic material for production of vaccine antigens into host cell cytoplasm. While viral vector vaccines may theoretically induce life-long immunity with low antigen concentrations, their attenuation, safety and spread to the community are of concern. Vaccines based on recombinant viral vectors can induce both humoral and cellular immune responses. Adenovirus vectors are versatile gene transfer vectors that can be easily manufactured, and which may allow simultaneous expression of multiple antigens by a single vector construct. Adenovirus vector vaccines based on the adenovirus Ad26 vector have been widely used as vaccines against Ebola and COVID19 (see Chapters 44 and 56). A common concern of using viral vector vaccines is pre-existing immunity or induction of immunity against the vector itself, but in some circumstances it has no meaningful impact and it can be resolved in several ways. Several harmless viruses are already used as vectors for innovative vaccines and many more are in research.

Intramuscular and Intradermal Electroporation of HIV-1 PENNVAX-GP® DNA Vaccine and IL-12 Is Safe, Tolerable, Acceptable in Healthy Adults.

Background: Several techniques are under investigation to improve the immunogenicity of HIV-1 DNA vaccine candidates. DNA vaccines are advantageous due to their ease of design, expression of multiple antigens, and safety. Methods: The HVTN 098 trial assessed the PENNVAX®-GP DNA vaccine (encoding HIV env, gag, pol) administered with or without plasmid IL-12 at 0-, 1-, 3-, and 6-month timepoints via intradermal (ID) or intramuscular (IM) electroporation (EP) in healthy, adult participants. We report on safety, tolerability, and acceptability. Results: HVTN 098 enrolled 94 participants: 85 received PENNVAX®-GP and nine received placebo. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores immediately after each vaccination were lower in the ID/EP than in the IM/EP group (medians 4.1–4.6 vs. 6–6.5, p < 0.01). IM/EP participants reported greater pain and/or tenderness at the injection site. Most ID/EP participants had skin lesions such as scabs/eschars, scars, and pigmentation changes, which resolved within 6 months in 51% of participants (24/55). Eighty-two percent of IM/EP and 92% of ID/EP participant survey responses showed acceptable levels of discomfort. Conclusions: ID/EP and IM/EP are distinct experiences; however, HIV-1 DNA vaccination by either route was safe, tolerable and acceptable by most study participants.

Immunophenotyping of selected hematologic disorders – focus on lymphoproliferative disorders with more than one malignant cell population

Currently, clinical laboratories face increasing demand for flow cytometry testing combined with limited funding. Therefore, many laboratories search for panels that would provide sufficient immunophenotyping information and meet economical requirements. At the Flow Cytometry Laboratory, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada, we apply two 10-color tubes of surface markers for diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). These tubes contain most of the mandatory B- and T-cell markers according to European Leukemia Net (www.leukemia-net.org) recommendations. The B-cell-oriented panel includes the following antibodies: Kappa-FITC/lambda-PE/CD19-ECD/CD38-PC5.5/CD20-PC7/CD34-APC/CD23 APC-AF700/CD10 APC-AF750/CD5-PB/CD45-KO. A different combination is applied to detect cytoplasmic Ig light chain expression and aberrant immunophenotype of plasma cells. The T-cell panel allows enumeration of various T- and NK-cell subsets: CD57-FITC/CD11c-PE/CD8-ECD/CD3-PC5.5/CD2-PC7/CD56-APC/CD7-APC-AF700/CD4-APC-AF750/CD5-PB/CD45-KO. The reported overall incidence of B-cell chronic LPDs presenting with more than one aberrant population is approximately 5%. Multicolor analysis facilitates the detection of multiple aberrant populations in the same sample because expression of multiple antigens can be studied simultaneously in each defined population. Examples of LPDs with multiple aberrant populations are presented.

A Novel and Practical Method Using HRP-polymer Conjugate and Microwave Treatment for Visualization of 2 Antigens Raised From the Same or Different Species in Paraffin-embedded Tissues

Recent advances in imaging systems have improved the ability to simultaneously visualize expression of multiple antigens in a single tissue section. In most instances, fluorescence microscopy, modern imaging systems, electronic scanners, and expensive reagents are required to achieve these results. Using conventional methodologies, we have developed an inexpensive and straightforward method for visualizing 2 antigens on a single formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue section. The protocol combines the use of broad spectrum horseradish peroxidase-polymer conjugate and microwave treatment for detection of 2 primary antibodies raised from the same or different species. Our technique enables the researcher to simultaneously visualize 2 antigens in paraffin-embedded tissue requiring only one enzyme and a microwave.

Immunomodulation with low dose levamisole in patients with colonic polyps

Background: Levamisole (LMS) has immunomodulatory activity, stimulates the immune system of healthy, normal volunteers and has been proposed previously as a colon cancer preventive agent. Methods: Patients with a history of colonic polyps who are at increased risk of colon cancer received LMS in a placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trail with crossover design. Primary endpoints were immunologic and included flow cytometry of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), measurement of interferon-γ copy number (IGCN) in PBMCs, and an ex vivo serum immune assay. Results: No differences were seen in the expression of multiple antigens by flow cytometry pre- and post-LMS. The IGCN partitioned subjects into two distinct groups defined by a γ-distribution which had a differential response to LMS. Those with low basal IGCN had a lower percentage of CD25 expressing PBMCs and responded to low dose LMS by producing more PBMC-derived interferon-γ and increasing the expression of CD25 and two NK cell markers, CD16 and CD56. In contrast, subjects with a high basal IGCN responded to low dose LMS with a reduction in PBMC-derived interferon-γ and a decrease in the expression of CD25. Conclusions: In aggregate, these responses suggest that LMS may act as an immunostimulatory agent for one group, those with low basal IGCN, and as an immunosuppressive agent for the other. LMS may not be an optimal agent for most patients with colonic polyps and should be avoided in patients with normal immune function. IGCN may be useful as an immunologic surrogate endpoint biomarker in future cancer prevention trials with immunomodulatory agents.

Topology of Kell blood group protein and the expression of multiple antigens by transfected cells

Kell is one of the major blood group systems in human red blood cells (RBCs). The Kell antigens are carried on a 731 amino acid glycoprotein that is thought to span the erythrocyte membrane once. Rabbit antibodies to three synthetic peptides, derived from different parts of the Kell protein, were used to determine the topology of Kell protein on the RBC. Antibodies to a C-terminal peptide and to a peptide derived from amino acid residues 410 to 439 reacted with RBCs treated with 0.2 mol/L dithiothreitol. An antibody to the N-terminal peptide reacted with inside-out RBC vesicles but not with right-side-out vesicles nor with intact RBCs, showing that Kell is a type II membrane protein and that the extracellular portion of the protein is folded by disulfide bonds. By transfection, Kell protein was expressed on the cell surface of surrogate cells, and the transfected cells expressed similar antigenic properties as native RBCs. Kell protein was expressed in COS- 1 and K562 cells and in Sf9 cells infected by the Baculovirus system. Transfected K562 cells expressed several high-incidence antigens but not the low-incidence antigen K1.

Topology of Kell Blood Group Protein and the Expression of Multiple Antigens by Transfected Cells

Kell is one of the major blood group systems in human red blood cells (RBCs). The Kell antigens are carried on a 731 amino acid glycoprotein that is thought to span the erythrocyte membrane once. Rabbit antibodies to three synthetic peptides, derived from different parts of the Kell protein, were used to determine the topology of Kell protein on the RBC. Antibodies to a C-terminal peptide and to a peptide derived from amino acid residues 410 to 439 reacted with RBCs treated with 0.2 mol/L dithiothreitol. An antibody to the N-terminal peptide reacted with inside-out RBC vesicles but not with right-side-out vesicles nor with intact RBCs, showing that Kell is a type II membrane protein and that the extracellular portion of the protein is folded by disulfide bonds. By transfection, Kell protein was expressed on the cell surface of surrogate cells, and the transfected cells expressed similar antigenic properties as native RBCs. Kell protein was expressed in COS-1 and K562 cells and in Sf9 cells infected by the Baculovirus system. Transfected K562 cells expressed several high-incidence antigens but not the low-incidence antigen K1.