A genome-wide regulatory network identifies key transcription factors for memory CD8+ T-cell development

Memory CD8[superscript +] T-cell development is defined by the expression of a specific set of memory signature genes. Despite recent progress, many components of the transcriptional control of memory CD8[superscript +] T-cell development are still unknown. To identify transcription factors and their interactions in memory CD8[superscript +] T-cell development, we construct a genome-wide regulatory network and apply it to identify key transcription factors that regulate memory signature genes. Most of the known transcription factors having a role in memory CD8[superscript +] T-cell development are rediscovered and about a dozen new ones are also identified. Sox4, Bhlhe40, Bach2 and Runx2 are experimentally verified, and Bach2 is further shown to promote both development and recall proliferation of memory CD8[superscript +] T cells through Prdm1 and Id3. Gene perturbation study identifies the interactions between the transcription factors, with Sox4 positioned as a hub. The identified transcription factors and insights into their interactions should facilitate further dissection of molecular mechanisms underlying memory CD8[superscript +] T-cell development.Singapore-MIT AllianceNational Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant AI69208)National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (Koch Institute Support (core) Grant P30-CA14051

Deletion of Germline Promoter PDβ1 from the TCRβ Locus Causes Hypermethylation that Impairs Dβ1 Recombination by Multiple Mechanisms

AbstractThe role of the germline transcriptional promoter, PDβ1, in V(D)J recombination at the T cell receptor β locus was investigated. Deletion of PDβ1 caused reduced germline transcription and DNA hypermethylation in the Dβ1-Jβ1 region and decreased Dβ1 rearrangement. Analyses of methylation levels surrounding recombination signal sequences (RSS) before, during, and after recombination revealed that under physiological conditions cleavage of hypomethylated alleles was preferred over hypermethylated alleles. Methylation of a specific CpG site within the heptamer of the 3′ Dβ1 RSS was incompatible with cleavage by the V(D)J recombinase. These findings suggest that methylation can regulate V(D)J recombination both at a general level by influencing regional chromatin accessibility and specifically by blocking RSS recognition or cleavage by the V(D)J recombinase

Conjugation to polymeric chains of influenza drugs targeting M2 ion channels partially restores inhibition of drug-resistant mutants

By attaching multiple copies of the influenza M2 ion channel inhibitors amantadine (1) and rimantadine (2) to polymeric chains, we endeavored to recover their potency in inhibiting drug-resistant influenza viruses. Depending on loading densities, as well as the nature of the drug, the polymer, and the spacer arm, polymer-conjugated drugs were up to 30-fold more potent inhibitors of drug-resistant strains than their monomeric parents. In particular, a 20% loading density and a short linker group on the negatively charged poly-l-glutamate resulted in one of the most potent inhibitors for 2's conjugates against drug-resistant influenza strains. Although full recovery of the inhibitory action against drug-resistant strains was not achieved, this study may be a step toward salvaging anti-influenza drugs that are no longer effective.Martin Family Society of Fellows for SustainabilityNational Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant U01-AI074443

B Cells Promote Pancreatic Tumorigenesis

Summary: Three recent studies, approaching the question from different angles and using different and/or overlapping models, provide compelling evidence for the involvement of tumor-infiltrating B cells in the initiation and progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. These studies highlight the need for a better understanding of pancreatic tumor–immune system interactions and the immunologic mechanisms that promote or inhibit tumorigenesis, paving the way for better treatment strategies.Bloodwise (UK) (Visiting Fellowship Grant (14043)

Cutting Edge: Delay and Reversal of T Cell Tolerance by Intratumoral Injection of Antigen-Loaded Dendritic Cells in an Autochthonous Tumor Model

The tumor environment exerts a powerful suppressive influence on infiltrating tumor-reactive T cells. It induces tolerance of adoptively transferred effector T cells as they enter tumors and maintains the tolerance of persisting tumor-infiltrating T cells. In an autochthonous prostate cancer model, in which tumor-reactive CD8 T cells are trackable, we demonstrate that both depletion of endogenous dendritic cells (DCs) and intratumoral injection of Ag-loaded mature DCs delayed the tolerization of tumor-infiltrating effector CD8 T cells. Intratumoral injection of Ag-loaded DCs also reactivated tolerized CD8 T cells in the tumor tissue. The observed effects lasted as long as the injected DCs persisted. These findings are consistent with a critical role of DCs in modulating T cell reactivity in the tumor environment. They also suggest new potential strategies to extend the functionality of transferred effector T cells and to restore function to tolerized tumor-infiltrating T cells for cancer immunotherapy.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Graduate Research Fellowship)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant CA100875)United States. Dept. of Defense (National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship)David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT (Research Fund

Genetic Strategy to Prevent Influenza Virus Infections in Animals

The natural reservoirs of influenza viruses are aquatic birds. After adaptation, avian viruses can acquire the ability to infect humans and cause severe disease. Because domestic poultry serves as a key link between the natural reservoir of influenza viruses and epidemics and pandemics in human populations, an effective measure to control influenza would be to eliminate or reduce influenza virus infection in domestic poultry. The development and distribution of influenza-resistant poultry represents a proactive strategy for controlling the origin of influenza epidemics and pandemics in both poultry and human populations. Recent developments in RNA interference and transgenesis in birds should facilitate the development of influenza-resistant poultry

Dendritic cell nediated inhibition of lentiviral infection

Lentiviral entry to quiescent lymphocytes represents a 'time bomb' waiting for cellular activation to spread infection. In order to undergo immune activation T cells interact with dendritic cells presenting peptide:MHC complexes 'sampling' them to look for agonist peptides and receiving survival signals from self peptides. This makes the dendritic cell:T cell interaction an ideal checkpoint to contain lentiviral infection of quiescent lypmhocytes

Synapse-directed delivery of immunomodulators using T-cell-conjugated nanoparticles

Regulating molecular interactions in the T-cell synapse to prevent autoimmunity or, conversely, to boost anti-tumor immunity has long been a goal in immunotherapy. However, delivering therapeutically meaningful doses of immune-modulating compounds into the synapse represents a major challenge. Here, we report that covalent coupling of maleimide-functionlized nanoparticles (NPs) to free thiol groups on T-cell membrane proteins enables efficient delivery of compounds into the T-cell synapse. We demonstrate that surface-linked NPs are rapidly polarized toward the nascent immunological synapse (IS) at the T-cell/APC contact zone during antigen recognition. To translate these findings into a therapeutic application we tested the NP delivery of NSC-87877, a dual inhibitor of Shp1 and Shp2, key phosphatases that downregulate T-cell receptor activation in the synapse, in the context of adoptive T cell therapy of cancer. Conjugating NSC-87877-loaded NPs to the surface of tumor-specific T cells just prior to adoptive transfer into mice with advanced prostate cancer promoted a much greater T-cell expansion at the tumor site, relative to co-infusing the same drug dose systemically, leading to enhanced survival of treated animals. In summary, our studies support the application of T-cell-linked synthetic NPs as efficient drug delivery vehicles into the IS, as well as the broad applicability of this new paradigm for therapeutically modulating signaling events at the T-cell/APC interface.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (CA140476)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (EB123622)United States. Dept. of Defense. Prostate Cancer Research Program (W81XWH-10-1-0290)National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (Cancer Center Support (Core) Grant P30-CA14051)National Cancer Institute (U.S.)American Cancer Society (Postdoctoral Fellowship 12109-PF-11-025-01-LIB