Synthetic Toll-like Receptor Ligands Research Articles

Impact of Selected Bacterial and Viral Toll-like Receptor Agonists on the Phenotype and Function of Camel Blood Neutrophils.

Innate recognition of pathogens depends on the interaction between microbial structures known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in host cells. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are among the most important PRRs being expressed on and in a wide range of immune cell types. Studies on the interaction mechanisms between different pathogen species and the immune system of the dromedary camel are still scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of synthetic bacterial and viral TLR ligands on some phenotypic properties and selected functions of neutrophils purified from dromedary camel blood. Neutrophils were separated from camel blood (n = five animals) and were stimulated in vitro with the TLR ligands LPS, Pam3CSK4, R848 (Resiquimod), and Poly IC or were left without stimulation. Stimulation with the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used as a positive control stimulation. Shape change, phagocytosis activity, ROS production, the expression of cell surface markers, and cell vitality were compared between stimulated and non-stimulated cells. With exception of the TLR3 agonist Poly IC, all TLR ligands used showed the potential to stimulate camel neutrophils resulting in increased cell size and the upregulation of CD18 and CD14 on their surface. Similarly, the phagocytosis activity of camel neutrophils was significantly improved after priming with all TLR ligands, except Poly IC, which, in contrast, resulted in a reduced percentage of phagocytosis-positive cells. In contrast to stimulation with PMA, which induced a significant ROS production in camel neutrophils, none of the TLR ligands used stimulated ROS generation in neutrophils. Only stimulation with Pam3CSK4 increased the expression of MHCII molecules on camel neutrophils, resulting in an expanded MHCIIhigh fraction within camel neutrophils. Our study indicates selective immunomodulating effects of TLR agonists on purified camel neutrophils without affecting their vitality.

Peptides conjugated to 2-alkoxy-8-oxo-adenine as potential synthetic vaccines triggering TLR7

Covalent linking of immunogenic oligopeptides with synthetic Toll-like receptor ligands is a useful approach to develop self-adjuvanting vaccines. In particular, small-molecule based agonists of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) that are derived from 8-oxo-adenine core are potentially promising because these chemically robust TLR7 ligands can be connected to peptide T-cell epitopes via straightforward solid-phase peptide synthesis. In this contribution we present the synthesis of a Boc-protected 9-benzyl-2-alkoxy-8-oxo-adenine building block and its application in the online solid phase synthesis of three peptide conjugates that differ in the position of the TLR7 ligand within the peptide. The conjugates are able to induce dendritic cell maturation and T cell proliferation while the position of the ligand impacts T cell proliferation potency.

Molecular dissection of plasmacytoid dendritic cell activation in vivo during a viral infection

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are the major source of type I interferons (IFN‐I) during viral infections, in response to triggering of endosomal Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) 7 or 9 by viral single‐stranded RNA or unmethylated CpG DNA, respectively. Synthetic ligands have been used to disentangle the underlying signaling pathways. The adaptor protein AP3 is necessary to transport molecular complexes of TLRs, synthetic CpG DNA, and MyD88 into endosomal compartments allowing interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) recruitment whose phosphorylation then initiates IFN‐I production. High basal expression of IRF7 by pDC and its further enhancement by positive IFN‐I feedback signaling appear to be necessary for robust cytokine production. In contrast, we show here that in vivo during mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection pDC produce high amounts of IFN‐I downstream of the TLR9‐to‐MyD88‐to‐IRF7 signaling pathway without requiring IFN‐I positive feedback, high IRF7 expression, or AP3‐driven endosomal routing of TLRs. Hence, the current model of the molecular requirements for professional IFN‐I production by pDC, established by using synthetic TLR ligands, does not strictly apply to a physiological viral infection.

Effect of the synthetic Toll-like receptor ligands LPS, Pam3CSK4, HKLM and FSL-1 in the function of bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are a family of pattern recognition receptors that sense microbial associated molecular patterns (MAMP) such as microbial membrane components and nucleic acids of bacterial origin. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are the first cell of the innate immune system to arrive at the site of infection or injury and elicit oxidative and non-oxidative microbicidal mechanisms. Observations in human and mouse suggest that TLR ligands can induce direct responses in PMN. So far, there is no information of the effect of synthetic TLR ligands on the response of bovine PMN. The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional response of bovine PMN incubated with four synthetic TLR ligands: ultrapure LPS (TLR4), Pam3CSK4 (TLR2/1), HKLM (TLR2) and FSL-1 (TLR2/6). The results show that all the ligands increment cells size as identified by changes in the FSC-SSC as part of the flow cytometric analysis. Interestingly, only Pam3CSK4 consistently induced a calcium influx, increased ROS production and secretion of gelatinase granules, whereas no response was seen using other ligands. Furthermore, exposure of bovine PMN to ultrapure LPS, Pam3CSK4, HKLM or FSL-1 for 24 hours did not impact on apoptosis of these cells. Our data provide evidence for a selective response of bovine PMNs to TLR ligands.

TLR3 triggering regulates PD-L1 (CD274) expression in human neuroblastoma cells

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, causing 12% of all pediatric cancer mortality. Neuroblastoma specific T-cells have been detected in patients, but usually fail to attack and eradicate the tumors. Tumor immune evasion may thus play an important role in neuroblastoma pathogenicity. Recent research in adult cancer patients shows that targeting T-cell check-point molecules PD-1/PD-L1 (or CD279/CD274) may bolster immune reactivity against solid tumors. Also, infections can be associated with spontaneous neuroblastoma regression. In our current study, we therefore investigated if antibody targeting of PD-L1 and triggering of selective pathogen-receptor Toll-like receptors (TLRs) potentiates immunogenicity of neuroblastoma cells. We find this to be the case. TLR3 triggering induced strong upregulation of both MHC class I and PD-L1 on neuroblastoma cells. At the same time TGF-β levels decreased and IL-8 secretion was induced. The combined neuroblastoma cell treatment using PD-L1 blockade and TLR3 triggering using virus analog poly(I:C) moreover induced CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation. Thus, we propose combined treatment using PD-L1 blockade with synthetic TLR ligands as an avenue toward new immunotherapy against human neuroblastoma.

Efficient induction of antitumor immunity by synthetic toll-like receptor ligand-peptide conjugates.

Chemical conjugates comprising synthetic Toll-like receptor ligands (TLR-L) covalently bound to antigenic synthetic long peptides (SLP) are attractive vaccine modalities, which can induce robust CD8(+) T-cell immune responses. Previously, we have shown that the mechanism underlying the power of TLR-L SLP conjugates is improved delivery of the antigen together with a dendritic cell activation signal. In the present study, we have expanded the approach to tumor-specific CD4(+) as well as CD8(+) T-cell responses and in vivo studies in two nonrelated aggressive tumor models. We show that TLR2-L SLP conjugates have superior mouse CD8(+) and CD4(+) T-cell priming capacity compared with free SLPs injected together with a free TLR2-L. Vaccination with TLR2-L SLP conjugates leads to efficient induction of antitumor immunity in mice challenged with aggressive transplantable melanoma or lymphoma. Our data indicate that TLR2-L SLP conjugates are suitable to promote integrated antigen-specific CD8(+) and CD4(+) T-cell responses required for the antitumor effects. Collectively, these data show that TLR2-L SLP conjugates are promising synthetic vaccine candidates for active immunotherapy against cancer.

A Human In Vitro Whole Blood Assay to Predict the Systemic Cytokine Response to Therapeutic Oligonucleotides Including siRNA

Therapeutic oligonucleotides including siRNA and immunostimulatory ligands of Toll-like receptors (TLR) or RIG-I like helicases (RLH) are a promising novel class of drugs. They are in clinical development for a broad spectrum of applications, e.g. as adjuvants in vaccines and for the immunotherapy of cancer. Species-specific immune activation leading to cytokine release is characteristic for therapeutic oligonucleotides either as an unwanted side effect or intended pharmacology. Reliable in vitro tests designed for therapeutic oligonucleotides are therefore urgently needed in order to predict clinical efficacy and to prevent unexpected harmful effects in clinical development. To serve this purpose, we here established a human whole blood assay (WBA) that is fast and easy to perform. Its response to synthetic TLR ligands (R848: TLR7/8, LPS: TLR4) was on a comparable threshold to the more time consuming peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) based assay. By contrast, the type I IFN profile provoked by intravenous CpG-DNA (TLR9 ligand) in humans in vivo was more precisely replicated in the WBA than in stimulated PBMC. Since Heparin and EDTA, but not Hirudin, displaced oligonucleotides from their delivery agent, only Hirudin qualified as the anticoagulant to be used in the WBA. The Hirudin WBA exhibited a similar capacity as the PBMC assay to distinguish between TLR7-activating and modified non-stimulatory siRNA sequences. RNA-based immunoactivating TLR7/8- and RIG-I-ligands induced substantial amounts of IFN-α in the Hirudin-WBA dependent on delivery agent used. In conclusion, we present a human Hirudin WBA to determine therapeutic oligonucleotide-induced cytokine release during preclinical development that can readily be performed and offers a close reflection of human cytokine response in vivo.

Type I interferon negatively controls plasmacytoid dendritic cell numbers in vivo

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) specialize in the secretion of type I interferons (IFN-I) and thus are considered critical mediators of antiviral responses. We recently reported that pDCs have a very early but limited and transient capacity to curtail viral infections. Additionally, pDC numbers are not sustained in human infections caused by Hepatitis B or C viruses (HBV and HCV) and HIV. Thus, the numbers and/or function of pDCs appear to be regulated during the course of viral infection. In this study, we show that splenic pDCs are reduced in vivo during several systemic viral infections and after administration of synthetic toll-like receptor ligands. We demonstrate that IFN-I, regardless of the source, contributes to this decline and mediates pDC death via the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. These findings demonstrate a feedback control mechanism by which IFN-I modulates pDC numbers, thus fine-tuning systemic IFN-I response to viruses. IFN-I-mediated control of pDCs may explain the loss of pDCs during human infections caused by HBV, HCV, or HIV and has important therapeutic implications for settings in which IFN-I is used to treat infections and autoimmune diseases.

In Vivo Elimination of MHC-I-Deficient Lymphocytes by Activated Natural Killer Cells Is Independent of Granzymes A and B

NK cells kill target cells mainly via exocytosis of granules containing perforin (perf) and granzymes (gzm). In vitro, gzm delivery into the target cell cytosol results in apoptosis, and induction of apoptosis is severely impaired in the absence of gzm A and B. However, their importance for in vivo cytotoxicity by cytotoxic T cells has been questioned. We used an in vivo NK cytotoxicity assay, in which splenocytes from wild-type and β2microglobulin-deficient (MHC-Ineg) mice are co-injected into recipients whose NK cells were activated by virus infection or synthetic Toll-like receptor ligands. Elimination of adoptively transferred MHC-Ineg splenocytes was unimpaired in the absence of gzmA and gzmB, but dependent on perforin. This target cell rejection was NK cell dependent, since NK cell depletion abrogated it. Furthermore, target cell elimination in vivo was equally rapid in both wild-type and gzmAxB-deficient recipients, with the majority of specific target cells lost from lymphoid tissue within less than one to two hours after transfer. Thus, similar to T cell cytotoxicity, the contribution of gzmA and B to in vivo target cell elimination remains unresolved.

Polyanionic Microbicides Modify Toll-Like Receptor-Mediated Cervicovaginal Immune Responses

Topical microbicides are being developed as a preventative approach to reduce the sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and other infections. For them to be efficacious, it is believed that they should avoid inducing inflammation while allowing the vaginal epithelium to initiate protective Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated innate responses against pathogens. In this study, human cervical and vaginal epithelial cells were exposed to polyanionic HIV entry inhibitors and the following synthetic TLR ligands: (i) the bacterial lipoprotein Pam(3)CSK(4), binding cell surface TLR1/TLR2; (ii) macrophage activating lipopeptide 2 (MALP-2), binding cell surface TLR2/TLR6; and (iii) the viral double-stranded RNA analog poly(I:C), recognized by intracellular TLR3. Cell activation was assessed by nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) reporter gene transactivation and cytokine production. In spite of enhancing TLR-triggered NF-kappaB activation, the polyanionic microbicide compounds dextran sulfate and polystyrene sulfonate significantly inhibited TLR-mediated cytokine production. They decreased cytokine mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory (interleukin-8 [IL-8] and IL-1beta) and antiviral (beta interferon) cytokines following epithelial cell stimulation with Pam(3)CSK(4), MALP-2, or poly(I:C). These activities were associated with the sulfate/sulfonate moieties of the polyanionic compounds, since the unsulfated dextran control did not show any effects. Our data demonstrate that these microbicide compounds are capable of selectively interfering with TLR-mediated epithelial responses at different points in their signaling pathways and underscore the importance of expanding the assessment of microbicide compatibility with vaginal innate immune function. Further studies are warranted to determine the impact of this interference on HIV-1 transmission risk.

Chirality of TLR-2 ligand Pam3CysSK4 in fully synthetic peptide conjugates critically influences the induction of specific CD8+ T-cells

Covalent conjugation of synthetic Toll-like receptor ligands (TLR-L) to synthetic antigenic peptides provides well-defined constructs that have significantly improved capacity to induce efficient priming of CD8+ T lymphocytes in vivo. We have recently explored the cellular mechanisms underlying the efficient induction of a CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte response by such synthetic model vaccines [Khan, S., Bijker, M.S., Weterings, J.J., Tanke, H.J., Adema, G.J., van, H.T., Drijfhout, J.W., Melief, C.J., Overkleeft, H.S., van der Marel, G.A., Filippov, D.V., van der Burg, S.H., Ossendorp, F., 2007. Distinct uptake mechanisms but similar intracellular processing of two different toll-like receptor ligand-peptide conjugates in dendritic cells. J. Biol. Chem. 282, 21145–21159.]. In the current study we have investigated the behaviour of two diastereomers of the TLR-2 ligand Pam3CSK4 (Pam) derivatives, namely the R- and S-epimers at C-2 of the glycerol moiety. Other studies have shown that the Pam3Cys based lipopeptides of R-configuration (Pam(R)) in the glycerol moiety enhanced macrophage and B-cell activation compared to those with S-configuration (Pam(S)). Here we report that Pam(R)-conjugates lead to better activation of dendritic cells than the Pam(S)-conjugates as judged by higher IL-12 secretion, upregulation of relevant markers for dendritic cell maturation. In contrast both epimers were internalized equally efficient in a clathrin-dependent manner indicating no qualitative difference in the uptake of the two stereoisomeric Pam-conjugates. We conclude that the enhanced DC activation is due to enhanced TLR-2 triggering by the Pam(R)-conjugate in contrast to the Pam(S)-conjugate. Importantly, induction of specific CD8+ T-cells was significantly higher in mice injected with the Pam(R)-conjugates compared to mice injected with the Pam(S)-conjugate. In summary we show that the favourable effects of the Pam(R)-configuration of TLR-2 ligand can be attributed to direct effects on dendritic cells resulting in enhancement of CD8+ T-cell responses.

Clinical investigations of Toll-like receptor agonists

Background: Toll-like receptors (TLR) represent a family of surface molecules that function as primary sensors of the innate immune system to recognize microbial pathogens. Ligand binding to TLR results in activation of cellular signaling pathways that regulate expression of genes involved in inflammation and immunity. Objective: Use of synthetic TLR ligands (agonists) for treatment and prevention of infectious and neoplastic diseases. Methods: Review of literature about clinical investigations of agonists of TLR 4, 7, 8, and 9. Results/conclusions: Imiquimod was the first TLR agonist approved for treatment of anogenital warts, actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma in humans. Several other agonists of TLRs 4, 7, 8 and 9 were also shown to be effective for treatment of infections and cancers and, furthermore, were used as adjuvants for vaccination. Based on safety and efficacy of the TLR agonists used to date, applications are likely to increase in the future.

Synthesis of β-(1→4)-oligo- d-mannuronic acid neoglycolipids

Mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play important roles in host immune defense. The activation of TLR and down-stream signaling pathways have great impact on human physiology. Chemically diverse microbial products as well as synthetic ligands serve as agonists for these receptors. Recently, synthetic TLR ligands are being exploited as useful therapeutic agents for a variety of diseases including infections, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. Alginate polymers and oligosaccharides are strong immune stimulants mediated by TLR2/4, but synthesis of alginate oligomers is rarely studied. Reported here are the design and chemical synthesis of two β-(1→4)-di- and β-(1→4)-tri- d-mannuronic acid neoglycolipids 1 and 2 as potential TLR ligands. By using 4,6-di- O-benzylidene-protected 1-thio mannoside 7 as a glycosyl donor, the diastereoselective β- d-mannosylation protocol provides the β-(1→4)- d-mannobiose and β-(1→4)- d-mannotriose derivatives, which upon regioselective oxidation with TEMPO/BAIB oxidation system yield the corresponding β-(1→4)- d-mannuronic acid containing neoglycolipids 1 and 2.

Synthesis of β-1,4-di- d-mannuronic acid glycosides as potential ligands for toll-like receptors

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play important roles in host immune defense, and synthetic TLR ligands are useful therapeutic agents for a variety of diseases including infection, inflammation, and cancers. Alginates are strong immune stimulants mediated by TLR2/4. Reported here are the design and chemical synthesis of two glycosides ( 1 and 2) containing β-1,4-di- d-mannuronic acid moiety derived from alginate. The synthesis features the preparation of β-1,4- d-mannobiose derivatives through diastereoselective β-glycosylation of 4,6-di- O-benzylidene protected thiomannoside donor 7, followed by an oxidation step using TEMPO/BAIB to provide the β-1,4-di- d-mannuronic acid moiety.

Safety and In Vivo Efficacy of Innate (Class R) and Broadly Reactive (Class B) Inhibitory Oligonucleotides (INH-ODN) in MRL-Fas/lpr Lupus Mice

The vertebrate innate immune system uses pattern recognition receptors, including the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), specifically to detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) present in infectious agents. Synthetic TLR ligands have also been identified, including imidazoquinoline compounds such as Imiquimod and Resiquimod (R-848), which activate human TLR7 and 8. Many of these ligands can modulate innate as well as adaptive immune responses and are evaluated as potential vaccine adjuvants. This chapter focuses on the TLR9 agonist CpG ODN as an immune adjuvant for infectious disease, cancer, and asthma/allergy. CpG ODN is demonstrated to be a well tolerated and effective adjuvant in numerous animal models and humans. These studies indicate that CpG ODN can stimulate strong Thl responses against a variety of antigens and demonstrate the potential of CpG ODN as an adjuvant in vaccines against infectious disease (both prophylactic and therapeutic), cancer, asthma, and allergy Clinical data obtained thus far are extremely encouraging, at least for prophylactic vaccines, and a number of trials are ongoing to further evaluate this technology, especially in therapeutic settings. For future development in humans, it may be desirable to further develop formulations to protect the antigen, improve uptake by immune cells, allow mucosal delivery, and possibly allow lower doses of antigen or fewer vaccine doses to be used.