IL-15 superagonist N-803 improves IFNγ production and killing of leukemia and ovarian cancer cells by CD34+ progenitor-derived NK cells.

Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell transfer is a potential immunotherapy to eliminate and control cancer. A promising source are CD34 + hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), since large numbers of cytotoxic NK cells can be generated. Effective boosting of NK cell function can be achieved by interleukin (IL)-15. However, its in vivo half-life is short and potent trans-presentation by IL-15 receptor α (IL-15Rα) is absent. Therefore, ImmunityBio developed IL-15 superagonist N-803, which combines IL-15 with an activating mutation, an IL-15Rα sushi domain for trans-presentation, and IgG1-Fc for increased half-life. Here, we investigated whether and how N-803 improves HPC-NK cell functionality in leukemia and ovarian cancer (OC) models in vitro and in vivo in OC-bearing immunodeficient mice. We used flow cytometry-based assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, microscopy-based serial killing assays, and bioluminescence imaging, for in vitro and in vivo experiments. N-803 increased HPC-NK cell proliferation and interferon (IFN)γ production. On leukemia cells, co-culture with HPC-NK cells and N-803 increased ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, N-803 improved HPC-NK cell-mediated (serial) leukemia killing. Treating OC spheroids with HPC-NK cells and N-803 increased IFNγ-induced CXCL10 secretion, and target killing after prolonged exposure. In immunodeficient mice bearing human OC, N-803 supported HPC-NK cell persistence in combination with total human immunoglobulins to prevent Fc-mediated HPC-NK cell depletion. Moreover, this combination treatment decreased tumor growth. In conclusion,  N-803 is a promising IL-15-based compound that boosts HPC-NK cell expansion and functionality in vitro and in vivo. Adding N-803 to HPC-NK cell therapy could improve cancer immunotherapy.

Plasticity of Cancer Cell Invasion-Mechanisms and Implications for Therapy.

Cancer cell migration is a plastic and adaptive process integrating cytoskeletal dynamics, cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell adhesion, as well as tissue remodeling. In response to molecular and physical microenvironmental cues during metastatic dissemination, cancer cells exploit a versatile repertoire of invasion and dissemination strategies, including collective and single-cell migration programs. This diversity generates molecular and physical heterogeneity of migration mechanisms and metastatic routes, and provides a basis for adaptation in response to microenvironmental and therapeutic challenge. We here summarize how cytoskeletal dynamics, protease systems, cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion pathways control cancer cell invasion programs, and how reciprocal interaction of tumor cells with the microenvironment contributes to plasticity of invasion and dissemination strategies. We discuss the potential and future implications of predicted "antimigration" therapies that target cytoskeletal dynamics, adhesion, and protease systems to interfere with metastatic dissemination, and the options for integrating antimigration therapy into the spectrum of targeted molecular therapies.

A large-scale (19)F MRI-based cell migration assay to optimize cell therapy.

Adoptive transfer of cells for therapeutic purposes requires efficient and precise delivery to the target organ whilst preserving cell function. Therefore, therapeutically applied cells need to migrate and integrate within their target tissues after delivery, e.g. dendritic cells (DCs) need to migrate to lymph nodes to elicit an antigen-specific immune response. Previous studies have shown that inappropriate cell delivery can hinder DC migration and result in insufficient immune induction. As migration can be extremely difficult to study quantitatively in vivo, we propose an in vitro assay that reproduces key in vivo conditions to optimize cell delivery and migration in vivo. Using DC migration along a chemokine gradient, we describe here a novel (19)F MR-based, large-scale, quantitative assay to measure cell migration in a three-dimensional collagen scaffold. Unlike conventional migration assays, this set-up is amenable to both large and small cell numbers, as well as opaque tissue samples and the inclusion of chemokines or other factors. We labeled primary human DCs with a (19)F label suitable for clinical use; (0.5-15) × 10(6) cells in the scaffolds were imaged sequentially, and migration was assessed using two independent methods. We found no migration with larger numbers of cells, but up to 3% with less than one million cells. Hence, we show that the cell density in cell bolus injections has a decisive impact on migration, and this may explain the limited migration observed using large cell numbers in the clinic.

Adherence of Streptococcus suis to porcine endothelial cells.

Streptococcus suis can cause invasive diseases in pigs and humans, such as meningitis or arthritis. Adherence to and invasion of endothelial cells might represent important steps in survival and spread of S. suis within the host. We tested in vitro adherence and invasion of S. suis strains using a porcine brain microvascular and aortal endothelial cell line. Four S. suis strains were tested with and without prior treatment with porcine serum containing anti-S. suis antibodies. Strains included a capsular serotype 2 strain and its non-encapsulated isogenic mutant strain, as well as two non-typeable (NT) strains, which expressed no capsule under our experimental conditions. Strains adhered to both cell lines to different extents depending on encapsulation and pre-treatment with porcine immune serum. The serotype 2 strain showed almost no adherence, whereas the non-encapsulated mutant strain adhered strongly. Similarly, both NT strains adhered substantially better than the serotype 2 strain. Pre-treatment of bacteria with porcine serum increased adherence of the encapsulated serotype 2 strain and decreased adherence of the non-encapsulated strains. None of the strains was able to efficiently invade either of the two cell lines, except for one NT strain, which showed a very low extend of invasion. Our results suggest that S. suis can adhere to but not invade porcine endothelial cells, and that this interaction may involve different bacterial surface structures, such as capsular polysaccharides and/or binding sites for serum components.

A common mechanism for the mechanosensitive regulation of apoptosis in different cell types and for different mechanical stimuli.

In all kinds of tissue cells are influenced by mechanical forces. In vivo fibroblasts are exposed to mechanical tension and endothelial cells are subjected directly to hemodynamic flow. It has been shown that disturbance of the mechanical stimulus leads to apoptosis by induction of an autocrine loop with thrombospondin-1 as ligand and an integrin/integrin associated protein (CD47) complex as receptor. In the present study the nature of the mechanical stimulus has been exchanged for these two cell types. If fibroblasts are subjected to laminar flow apoptosis decreases about 20-fold whereas turbulence leads to an significant increase compared with the static conditions. If endothelial cells grown on thin silicone membranes are exposed to permanent and pulsatile uniaxial strain, the cells are completely devoid of apoptosis. The thrombospondin-1 secretion as well as the expression of CD47 occurs exclusively under mechanical relaxation respectively turbulence. So different types of cells seem to share a common sense deciding whether a mechanical stimulus induces or suppresses apoptosis and use a common molecular machinery for the regulation of the process.

Shear stress induces apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells via an autocrine Fas/FasL pathway.

Endothelial lesions may lead to the exposure of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to the blood flow. In such circumstances VSMCs are exposed to shear stress, an extraordinary mechanical stimulus for this type of cells. Rat VSMCs are cultivated in normal tissue culture plates (statically) or in a cone-plate viscometer (dynamically). Dynamic cultivation leads to a great increase of apoptosis. Immunofluorescence reveals the shear-stress-dependent expression of fas. Apoptosis can be induced by addition of fas ligand-a process which can be blocked by antibodies against either fas or fas ligand. Conditioned medium of dynamically cultivated VSMCs contains fas ligand as the only active apoptosis inducing activity. Apoptosis can be blocked by caspase inhibitors. So the exposure of VSMCs to shear stress leads to apoptosis by the establishment of an autocrine loop of fas and fas ligand-a potential mechanism for the prevention of narrowing of vessel diameter by VSMC proliferation.

Mechanosensitive induction of apoptosis in fibroblasts is regulated by thrombospondin-1 and integrin associated protein (CD47).

Fibroblasts are cultured in three-dimensional collagen matrices to investigate the effect of mechanical tension on the regulation of apoptosis. Under the influence of mechanical loading, the cells show little apoptosis whereas releasing of tension leads to an increase up to tenfold during the first 24 h and remains constant for further 48 h. An autocrine loop of the integrin alpha(V)beta(3)/CD47 receptor complex and thrombospondin-1 is identified as the molecular coupling device between mechanical loading and apoptosis: The integrin alpha(V)beta(3) is expressed under mechanical loading as well as unloading whereas the CD47 could only be identified after the release of tension. The secreted thrombospondin binds to the active receptor and induces apoptosis. The presented mechanosensitive regulation of apoptosis in fibroblast cultures could be an essential mechanism for the regression of the granulation tissue by apoptosis in the process of wound healing.

The role of thrombospondin-1 in apoptosis.

The thrombospondins are a family of extracellular proteins that participate in cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix communication. They regulate cellular phenotype during tissue genesis and repair. Five family members, each representing a separate gene product, probably exist in most vertebrate species. Like most extracellular proteins, the thrombospondins are composed of several structural domains that are responsible for the numerous biological functions that have been described for this protein family. Considerable progress has been made towards understanding the function of thrombospondins. The role of thrombospondin in the process of apoptosis or programmed cell death has recently come into focus. In this review we will concentrate on the role of thrombospondin-1 in the broad field of apoptotis research.

Amoeboid leukocyte crawling through extracellular matrix: lessons from the Dictyostelium paradigm of cell movement.

Cell movement within three-dimensional tissues is a cycling multistep process that requires the integration of complex biochemical and biophysical cell functions. Different cells solve this challenge differently, which leads to differences in migration strategies. Migration principles established for leukocytes share many characteristics with those described for ameba of the lower eukaryote Dictyostelium discoideum. The hallmarks of amoeboid movement include a simple polarized shape, dynamic pseudopod protrusion and retraction, flexible oscillatory shape changes, and rapid low-affinity crawling. Amoeboid crawling includes haptokinetic adhesion-dependent as well as biophysical migration mechanisms on or within many structurally and functionally different substrates. We describe central aspects of amoeboid movement in leukocytes and the implications for leukocyte crawling and positioning strategies within interstitial tissues.

Proatherogenic flow conditions initiate endothelial apoptosis via thrombospondin-1 and the integrin-associated protein.

Recently it has been shown that vascular endothelial cells (EC) are completely devoid of apoptosis if cultivated under a steady laminar flow and that apoptosis is induced by turning off the flow. An autocrine loop of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin/integrin-associated protein (IAP) complex has been identified as the molecular coupling device between flow and apoptosis. Lack of blood flow is a rare and mostly transient phenomenon whereas irregular flow conditions are permanently present at arterial bifurcations and sites of abnormal vessel morphology. Irregular flow conditions are established here either by the action of a cone-and-plate type flow apparatus generating a uniform turbulent flow or in a flow chamber by insertion of a local hindrance creating a zone of unsteady laminar flow with vortex formation and lowered shear stress. In both cases apoptosis is induced either throughout the entire monolayer or restricted to the locally defined area. Flow disturbance and apoptosis are coupled by the described autocrine loop of TSP-1 and the integrin/IAP receptor complex. In vivo atherosclerotic lesions occur predominantly at sites of flow irregularities, which are thought to be pro-atherogenic. Thus we propose a key role of the identified mechanosensitive apoptosis induction for the initiation of atherosclerosis.

Vascular endothelial cells express a functional fas-receptor due to lack of hemodynamic forces.

The fas system is present in atherosclerotic lesions. However, its role in the initiation and progression is still unclear. Here we show that in endothelial cells (EC) the expression of the fas receptor is regulated by flow conditions. The EC of the vascular system are regularly exposed to a range of hemodynamic forces with great impact on cellular structures and functions. Recently it was reported that in endothelial cells the lack of hemodynamic forces as well as irregular flow conditions trigger apoptosis by induction of a mechanosensitive autocrine loop of thrombospondin-1 and the alpha(V)beta(3) integrin/integrin-associated protein complex. Here we show that EC cultivated under regular laminar flow conditions are devoid of the fas-receptor whereas cultivation under static conditions as well as under turbulence leads to its expression. Stimulation of the fas-receptor by its ligand increases the amount of apoptotic cells by twofold; the increase can be prevented by blocking the fas-receptor. The availability of the expressed fas receptor for stimulation by its ligand hints at a role as a tool for progression of atherosclerosis.

Molecular and functional characterization of the four-transmembrane molecule l6 in epidermal keratinocytes.

In normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) proteolytic detachment from the substrate induces a complex activation cascade including expression of new proteins, morphological alterations, and the onset of migration for epidermal regeneration. By subtractive cloning we have shown that L6, a four-transmembrane protein, is newly expressed after proteolytic keratinocyte detachment. In this study, we have generated a novel anti-L6 antibody (clone HD-pKe#104-1.1) and investigated L6 expression regulation in vitro and in vivo as well as L6 function in keratinocyte migration. Dispase-mediated detachment induced L6 expression in NHEK at the mRNA and protein level. Immunohistology of skin biopsies displayed a strong expression of L6 in follicular epidermis and epidermolytic lesions of autoimmune bullous dermatoses (bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris), but not in normal interfollicular epidermis. In contrast to normal keratinocytes, HaCaT cells showed constitutive L6 expression, indicating a constitutively active phenotype. After artificial wounding of confluent HaCaT cultures, anti-L6 antibody strongly impaired cell migration velocity and migratory reepithelization of the defect, indicating L6 involvement in keratinocyte migration. These findings suggest that L6 is an important activation-dependent regulator of keratinocyte function and epidermal tissue regeneration.

Isolation and characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody against human corneal endothelial cells.

In vitro cultivation of human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC) is associated with loss of typical cobblestone-like appearance during successive passages. Thus far morphology was the sole criterion for the cell's endothelial nature. Mouse monoclonal antibodies (mabs) to human corneal endothelial cells were raised using standard immunization and hybridoma isolation procedures. The specificity of mabs for human corneal endothelial cells was tested in comparison to other endothelial cell types, to fibroblasts, corneal keratocytes and to human retinal pigmented epithelial cells. In addition immunofluorescence or immunoperoxidase staining was performed with frozen tissue sections of human corneas and with various other human tissues. The mab 9.3.E reacts with cultured human corneal endothelial cells, but not with cultured human fibroblasts and human keratocytes. In frozen sections selective positivity of corneal endothelium in contrast to negativity of the other corneal cell types was confirmed. In investigated extraocular tissues positivity was observed in smooth muscle cells including related cells (i.e. Ito and mesangial cells) and in Schwann's cells and adipocytes, but apparently not in vascular endothelial cells. The mab is human-specific and binds to a protein with a molecular weight of 130 kDa mainly accumulating along cell membranes. A mouse monoclonal antibody against human corneal endothelial cells was established in vitro and was shown to be capable of differentiating corneal endothelial cells from other corneal cell types, especially from corneal keratocytes. It is, however, not cornea-specific, but also reacts with certain extraocular cell types.

Charge-coupled device camera-based detection of fluorescence-labeled proteins immobilized on nitrocellulose membranes.

Proteins dotted on nitrocellulose membranes are biotinylated by reaction with a biotinyl-succinimide ester. The resulting biotinyl residues serve as specific binding sites for a subsequent streptavidin-based detection system. Using streptavidin-peroxidase, the proteins are visualized either by deposition of a colored formazan dye or by enhanced chemiluminescence the latter being twofold more sensitive. Alternatively, streptavidin-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) is substituted for the peroxidase conjugate as tool for protein staining. The sensitivity of both staining variants is dramatically improved by the inclusion of the reporter deposition technique. The fluorescence-labeled proteins are visualized on a visible blue light emitting illuminator preventing the bothering effect of photobleaching. In combination with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera-based image analyzing system the established stain with streptavidin-FITC detects about 10 pg of protein dot blotted on nitrocellulose membranes.

Interaction of T cells with APCs: the serial encounter model.

Primary immune responses are initiated by specific physical interaction of antigen-specific T cells and professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Productive interactions can be a dynamic process that combines physical T-cell binding to APCs with vigorous crawling across and scanning of the APC surface, resulting in signal induction. After T-cell detachment, subsequent migratory contacts to the same or neighboring dendritic cells (DCs) allow the accumulation of sequential signals and interaction time. Here, we develop a serial encounter model of T-cell activation and discuss how the summation of multiple signals provides an efficient strategy to control an ongoing immune response.

A serum-free medium formulation supporting growth of human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells in long-term cultivation.

A serum-free medium formulation - TUD-1 - was developed supporting growth of HUVEC in tissue culture. Special features of the basal medium formulation are highly elevated levels of glutamine and serine as well as the inclusion of N-acetylcysteine and phosphoascorbic acid. The cellular mitogenic needs are satisfied by bFGF, VEGF, EGF and liver growth factor. Further hormone supplementation consists of insulin and hydrocortisone. A protocoll for serum-free passage of HUVEC was established for serum-free long-term cultivation of freshly isolated HUVEC for up to 20 cumulative population doublings without significant differences in final cell density compared to controls cultivated with serum.

T cell migration in three-dimensional extracellular matrix: guidance by polarity and sensations.

The locomotion of T lymphocytes within 3-D extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly dynamic and flexible process following the principles of ameboid movement. Ameboid motility is characterized by a polarized yet simple cell shape allowing high speed, rapid directional oscillations, and low affinity interactions to the substrate that are coupled to a low degree of cytoskeletal organization lacking discrete focal contacts. At the onset of T cell migration, a default program, here described as migration-associated polarization, is initiated, resulting in the polar redistribution of cell surface receptors and cytoskeletal elements. Polarization involves protein cycling either to the leading edge (i.e. LFA-1, CD45RO, chemokine receptors, focal adhesion kinase), to a central polarizing compartment (MTOC, PKC, MARCKS), or into the uropod (CD44, CD43, ICAM-1 and -3, beta1 integrins). The function of such compartment formation may be important in chemotactic response, scanning of encountered cells, and a flexible and adaptive interaction with the ECM itself. Due to the simple shape and a diffusely organized cytoskeleton, the interactions to the surrounding extracellular matrix are rapid and reversible and appear to allow a broad spectrum of molecular migration strategies. These range from (1) adhesive and haptokinetic following i.e. chemokine-induced motility across 2-D surfaces to (2) largely integrin-independent migration predominantly guided by shape change and morphological flexibility, as seen in 3-D type I collagen matrices. Their prominent capacity to rapidly adapt to a given structural environment coupled to contact guidance mechanisms set T cell locomotion apart from slow, focal contact-dependent and more adhesive migration strategies established by fibroblast-like cells and cell clusters. It is therefore likely that, within the tissues, besides chemotactic or haptotactic gradients, the preformed matrix structure has an important impact on T cell trafficking and positioning in health and disease.

Antigen presentation in extracellular matrix: interactions of T cells with dendritic cells are dynamic, short lived, and sequential.

Cognate interactions of naive T cells with antigen-presenting dendritic cells require physical cell-cell contacts leading to signal induction and T cell activation. Using a three-dimensional collagen matrix videomicroscopy model for ovalbumin peptide-specific activation of murine and oxidative mitogenesis of human T cells, we show that T cells maintain vigorous migration upon cognate interactions to DC (dendritic cell), continuously crawl across the DC surface, and rapidly detach (median within 6-12 min). These dynamic and short-lived encounters favor sequential contacts with the same or other DC and trigger calcium influx, upregulation of activation markers, T blast formation, and proliferation. We conclude that a tissue environment supports the accumulation of sequential signals, implicating a numeric or "digital" control mechanism for an ongoing primary immune response.

The biology of cell locomotion within three-dimensional extracellular matrix.

Cell migration in three-dimensional (3-D) extracellular matrix (ECM) is not a uniform event but rather comprises a modular spectrum of interdependent biophysical and biochemical cell functions. Haptokinetic cell migration across two-dimensional (2-D) surfaces consists of at least three processes: (i) the protrusion of the leading edge for adhesive cell-substratum interactions is followed by (ii) contraction of the cell body and (iii) detachment of the trailing edge. In cells of flattened morphology migrating slowly across 2-D substrate, contact-dependent clustering of adhesion receptors including integrins results in focal contact and stress fiber formation. While haptokinetic migration is predominantly a function of adhesion and deadhesion events lacking spatial barriers towards the advancing cell body, the biophysics of the tissues require a set of cellular strategies to overcome matrix resistance. Matrix barriers force the cells to adapt their morphology and change shape and/or enzymatically degrade ECM components, either by contact-dependent proteolysis or by protease secretion. In 3-D ECM, in contrast to 2-D substrate, the cell shape is mostly bipolar and the cytoskeletal organization is less stringent, frequently lacking discrete focal contacts and stress fibers. Morphologically large spindle-shaped cells (i.e., fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and many tumor cells) of high integrin expression and strong cytoskeletal contractility utilize integrin-dependent migration strategies that are coupled to the capacity to reorganize ECM. In contrast, a more dynamic ameboid migration type employed by smaller cells expressing low levels of integrins (i.e., T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, some tumor cells) is characterized by largely integrin-independent interaction strategies and flexible morphological adaptation to preformed fiber strands, without structurally changing matrix architecture. In tumor invasion and angiogenesis, migration mechanisms further comprise the migration of entire cell clusters or strands maintaining stringent cell-cell adhesion and communication while migrating. Lastly, cellular interactions, enzyme and cytokine secretion, and tissue remodeling provided by reactive stroma cells (i.e. fibroblasts and macrophages) contribute to cell migration. In conclusion, depending on the cellular composition and tissue context of migration, diverse cellular and molecular migration strategies can be developed by different cell types.