TIGIT blockade repolarizes AML-associated TIGIT(+) M2 macrophages to an M1 phenotype and increases CD47-mediated phagocytosis

BACKGROUND: Leukemia-associated macrophages (LAMs) represent an important cell population within the tumor microenvironment, but little is known about the phenotype, function, and plasticity of these cells. The present study provides an extensive characterization of macrophages in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: The phenotype and expression of coregulatory markers were assessed on bone marrow (BM)-derived LAM populations, using multiparametric flow cytometry. BM and blood aspirates were obtained from patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (pAML, n=59), patients in long-term remission (lrAML, n=8), patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (rAML, n=7) and monocyte-derived macrophages of the blood from healthy donors (HD, n=17). LAM subpopulations were correlated with clinical parameters. Using a blocking anti-T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) antibody or mouse IgG2a isotype control, we investigated polarization, secretion of cytokines, and phagocytosis on LAMs and healthy monocyte-derived macrophages in vitro. RESULTS: In pAML and rAML, M1 LAMs were reduced and the predominant macrophage population consisted of immunosuppressive M2 LAMs defined by expression of CD163, CD204, CD206, and CD86. M2 LAMs in active AML highly expressed inhibitory receptors such as TIGIT, T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 protein (TIM-3), and lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3). High expression of CD163 was associated with a poor overall survival (OS). In addition, increased frequencies of TIGIT(+) M2 LAMs were associated with an intermediate or adverse risk according to the European Leukemia Network criteria and the FLT3 ITD mutation. In vitro blockade of TIGIT shifted the polarization of primary LAMs or peripheral blood-derived M2 macrophages toward the M1 phenotype and increased secretion of M1-associated cytokines and chemokines. Moreover, the blockade of TIGIT augmented the anti-CD47-mediated phagocytosis of AML cell lines and primary AML cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that immunosuppressive TIGIT(+) M2 LAMs can be redirected into an efficient effector population that may be of direct clinical relevance in the near future

Chemokine-mediated distribution of dendritic cell subsets in renal cell carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents one of the most immunoresponsive cancers. Antigen-specific vaccination with dendritic cells (DCs) in patients with metastatic RCC has been shown to induce cytotoxic T-cell responses associated with objective clinical responses. Thus, clinical trials utilizing DCs for immunotherapy of advanced RCCs appear to be promising; however, detailed analyses concerning the distribution and function of DC subsets in RCCs are lacking.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We characterized the distribution of the different immature and mature myeloid DC subsets in RCC tumour tissue and the corresponding normal kidney tissues. In further analyses, the expression of various chemokines and chemokine receptors controlling the migration of DC subsets was investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The highest numbers of immature CD1a+ DCs were found within RCC tumour tissue. In contrast, the accumulation of mature CD83+/DC-LAMP+ DCs were restricted to the invasive margin of the RCCs. The mature DCs formed clusters with proliferating T-cells. Furthermore, a close association was observed between MIP-3α-producing tumour cells and immature CCR6+ DC recruitment to the tumour bed. Conversely, MIP-3β and SLC expression was only detected at the tumour border, where CCR7-expressing T-cells and mature DCs formed clusters.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Increased numbers of immature DCs were observed within the tumour tissue of RCCs, whereas mature DCs were found in increased numbers at the tumour margin. Our results strongly implicate that the distribution of DC subsets is controlled by local lymphoid chemokine expression. Thus, increased expression of MIP-3α favours recruitment of immature DCs to the tumour bed, whereas <it>de novo </it>local expression of SLC and MIP-3β induces accumulation of mature DCs at the tumour margin forming clusters with proliferating T-cells reflecting a local anti-tumour immune response.</p

Identifying immune resistance mechanisms to CD33/CD3 BiTE&reg; antibody construct (AMG 330) mediated cytotoxicity.

In our previous work, we showed elimination of primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells by CD33/CD3 BiTE&reg; antibody construct (AMG 330) mediated cytotoxicity (Krupka et al, Blood 2014). The goal of the present study was to identify innate and adaptive resistance mechanisms to AMG 330 mediated lysis of AML cells. Immune checkpoint molecules have been shown to be a highly relevant escape mechanism of malignant cells to evade innate and adaptive immunity. Previously, it was shown that AML cells upregulate the expression of inhibitory ligands in response to proinflammatory cytokines (Kr&ouml;nig et al, 2014). As AMG 330 mediated T-cell activation induces high levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN&gamma; and TNF&alpha;, we assessed the constitutive and inducible expression profile of different immune checkpoint molecules on AML cell lines and primary AML cells, including PD-L1, HVEM, ILT3 and SLAMF7 by flow cytometry. No constitutive expression was observed for PD-L1 at time of primary diagnosis in 83.7% of the cases (103/123). In contrast, constitutive expression of HVEM and ILT3 was detected in 73.7% (42/57) and 91.9% (68/74) of patient samples, respectively. Adaptive resistance was evaluated by incubating AML cell lines and primary AML samples with IFN&gamma; and TNF&alpha;. We observed an upregulation of PD-L1 and SLAMF7 on AML cell lines and on primary AML patient samples whereas HVEM and ILT3 did not show a significant change in expression level. To test the functional relevance of the immune checkpoint molecules upon AMG 330 mediated lysis, we used an ex vivo long term culture system that enabled us to analyse the dynamic process of receptor-ligand interaction over time. Blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction resulted in a significantly increase in AMG 330 mediated lysis of primary AML cells (n=9, p=0.03). Currently, blockade of the inducible molecule SLAMF7 in AMG 330 mediated cytotoxicity is being tested. Blocking of HVEM or ILT3 did not result in a significant increase in T cell activation and concomitant lysis of AML cells suggesting a less relevant role of HVEM and ILT3 in resistance to AMG 330 mediated cytotoxicity. The latter might also be influenced by the cytokine microenvironment which favours immune resistance of AML cells.&nbsp; Using a bead based multiplex assay we screened the bone marrow (BM) plasma from 16 AML patients and 3 healthy donors (HD) for the presence of 33 cytokines. The cytokine profile differed between AML patients and healthy donors (HDs). The plasma levels of IL-8, IP-10 and CXCL-16 were higher in the AML samples compared to those of HDs (p=0.0041, 0.0248 and 0.0289, respectively). In contrast, EGF, FLT3-ligand, RANTES and IL-4 were significantly lower in AML samples compared to HDs (p=0.0227, 0.0145, 0.0041 and 0.0041, respectively). However, we did observe a high inter-patient variability of cytokine composition in AML. To explore the functional relevance of the BM plasma on AMG 330 mediated cytotoxicity, cocultures of AML cell lines and HD T cells were set up using different sources of plasma including fetal calf serum (FCS) and patient derived BM plasma. Interestingly, AMG 330 mediated cytotoxicity was significantly reduced using patient derived BM plasma (n=5) compared to cultures containing FCS (n=4) (mean % lysis FCS 97.4 vs PT 70.6). This was accompanied by a considerable impairment in T-cell proliferation (mean % proliferation FKS 44.7% vs PT 26.6%). Currently, we are investigating which soluble factors are responsible for the immunosuppressive effects and if we can increase lysis efficacy and T-cell proliferation through specific blocking of them. In summary we have identified possible resistance mechanisms of AML cells to AMG 330 mediated cytotoxicity. Dynamic receptor-ligand interactions between target and effector cells as well as soluble factors contribute to AMG 330 mediated lysis of primary AML cells. We hypothesize that AMG 330 mediated cytotoxicity can be augmented through combinatorial approaches including PD-1 blockade. The significance of our findings will first be validated in an in vivo mouse model and prospectively translated into human studies

Ion-assisted deposition processes: Industrial network IntIon

The presented work is embedded in the research network "Integrative Ion Processes for Modern Optics", called IntIon, consisting of 12 partners from the German optics industry and two research institutes. The main target of the IntIon network is the development of new process concepts on the basis of ion assisted deposition (IAD) for the industrial production of optical thin film components. Besides an improvement in efficiency, a major aim is concentrated on the optical characteristics for selected application fields with high economical potential. In this network, different ion and plasma sources are compared with regard to their qualification for ion assisted deposition processes. This work includes the characterization of the ion energy and ion current using Faraday-cup measurements. The selection of investigated coating materials includes a broad variety of standard and non-standard oxides. First results of the network will be presented for adapted deposition materials and different operation characteristics of ion sources