Lynda Misher

Evidence for Persistent, Occult Infection in Neonatal Macaques following Perinatal Transmission of Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus SF162P3

ABSTRACT To model human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) perinatal transmission, we studied infection of simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) SF162P3 in 10 pregnant Macaca nemestrina females and their offspring. Four of nine infants born to and suckled by these dams had evidence of infection, a transmission rate of 44.4% (95% confidence interval, 13.7% to 78.8%). We quantified transplacentally acquired and de novo Env-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and neutralizing antibodies in newborns. Transmission of escape variants was confirmed. In utero infection (n = 1) resulted in high viremia, depletion of peripheral CD4+ T cells, and rapid evolution of env in blood and tissues. Peripartum or postpartum SHIV infection (n = 3) resulted in postacute viral control that was undetectable by very sensitive multiplex PCR, despite increasing antibodies. Seropositive infants with highly controlled viremia had homogeneous peripheral blood env sequences, and their tissues had <3 copies per million cells. A high incidence of seropositive virus-low or -negative SHIV infection in infant macaques has implications for HIV type 1 perinatal transmission and detection.

Derivation and characterization of a highly pathogenic isolate of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 that causes rapid CD4+ cell depletion in Macaca nemestrina.

With few exceptions, humans are the only species known to develop acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) after human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We report here that an isolate of HIV type 2, EHO, readily established persistent infection in 100% of Macaca nemestrina in three consecutive transmission studies. Of the eight infected animals, five showed persistently high virus load and six developed AIDS‐like diseases or CD4+ cell depletion within 4 years of infection. The pathology and clinical signs closely parallel those of HIV‐1 infection of humans, including lymphadenopathy, anemia, CD4+ cell depletion, and opportunistic infections. A cell‐free virus stock was established from the lymph nodes of an animal that developed AIDS‐like diseases. This virus, HIV‐2/287, was highly pathogenic in M. nemestrina, causing CD4+ cell depletion within 2–8 weeks post‐infection. While both HIV‐2 EHO and HIV‐2/287 use predominantly CXCR4, the latter shows greatly enhanced replicative capacity in macaque peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The establishment of a human immunodeficiency virus that causes rapid and reproducible CD4+ cell depletion in macaques could facilitate the study of HIV pathogenesis and the development of effective vaccines and therapy against AIDS.

Recombinant subunit vaccines as an approach to study correlates of protection against primate lentivirus infection

Using pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of macaques as a model, we explored the limits of the protective immunity elicited by recombinant subunit vaccines and examined factors that affect their efficacy. Envelope gp 160 vaccines, when used in a live recombinant virus-priming and subunit-protein-boosting regimen, protected macaques against a low-dose, intravenous infection by a cloned homologous virus SIVmne E11S. The same regimen was also effective against intrarectal challenge by the same virus and against intravenous challenge by E11S grown on primary macaque peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). However, only limited protection was observed against uncloned SIVmne. Priming with live recombinant virus was more effective than immunization with subunit gp 160 alone, indicating a potential advantage of native antigen presentation and the possible role of cell-mediated immunity in protection. Whole gp 160 was more effective than the surface antigen (gp 130), even though both antigens elicited similar levels of neutralizing antibodies. Animals immunized with the core (gag-pol) antigens failed to generate any neutralizing antibody and were all infected following challenge. However, their proviral load was 10-100-fold lower than that of the control animals, indicating that immune mechanisms such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) may play a role. Finally, animals immunized with both the core and the envelope antigens generated significant protective immunity, even with relatively low neutralizing antibodies. Taken together, these results indicate that multiple mechanisms may contribute to protection. It may therefore be advantageous to incorporate multiple antigens in the design of recombinant subunit vaccines against acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Abstract 597: Bispecific anti-CD123 x anti-CD3 ADAPTIR™ molecules for redirected T-cell cytotoxicity in hematological malignancies

Introduction: CD123 is a component of the IL-3 receptor expressed in several hematological malignancies including AML, ALL, HCL, and MDS. CD123 is a compelling target in AML due to its overexpression on AML blasts as well as leukemic stem cells, which are thought to be resistant to chemotherapy and may be responsible for relapse of disease following treatment. While CD123 is expressed by some normal leukocyte populations in circulation and hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow, the low frequency of expression on normal cell types provides a therapeutic window for targeting CD123 in tumor settings with the potential for durable response and reversible side effects. We have developed bispecific anti-CD123 x anti-CD3 ADAPTIR molecules APVO436 and APVO437 for redirecting T-cell cytotoxicity to CD123-expressing tumor cells. Results are presented that examine the in vitro and in vivo activity of these molecules in preclinical models of AML. Methods: APVO436 and APVO437 proteins were expressed in CHO cells. Affinity SPR studies were performed using recombinant CD123-ectodomain. In vitro functional studies were conducted with CD123+ AML tumor cell lines and primary human and cynomolgus macaque T-cell populations. Cytotoxic activity was determined using chromium release assays. On-cell binding, T-cell activation and proliferation were assessed using multi-color flow cytometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined in BALB/c mice using a single IV dose of approximately 10 mg/kg. In vivo studies to examine tumor growth inhibition activity were performed with NOD/SCID mice co-implanted subcutaneously with AML tumor cells and human T-cells followed by treatment with APVO436 or APVO437. Tumor growth was assessed by measuring tumor volume and Bioluminescent Imaging. Results: APVO436 and APVO437 bound human CD123 protein with high affinity and binding to CD123 and CD3 expressing cell lines was confirmed by flow cytometry. Both APVO436 and APVO437 induced concentration-dependent lysis of CD123+ AML cell lines with primary human effector T-cells, accompanied by T-cell activation and proliferation. Comparable redirected T-cell cytotoxicity function was observed using primary cynomolgus macaque T cells. These activities were dependent on the expression of CD123 by the tumor target cells. APVO436 and APVO437 demonstrated an extended elimination half-life in mouse serum, typical of molecules capable of binding the neo-natal Fc receptor. In vivo, growth of AML tumor cells was inhibited by treatment with low doses of APVO436 and APVO437, significantly improving host survival. Conclusion: Taken together these data demonstrate potent in vitro and in vivo activity of APVO436 and APVO437 against CD123 expressing tumor cells and are supportive of further investigation of this approach as a potential treatment option for AML and other hematological malignancies. Citation Format: Michael R. Comeau, Danielle Mitchell, Rebecca Gottschalk, Lynda Misher, Mollie Daugherty, Lara Parr, Peter Pavlik, Brian Woodruff, Hang Fang, Megan Aguilar, Jeannette Bannink, Starrla Johnson, Gary Li, Robert E. Miller, Robert Bader, Nicole Zhang, Toddy Sewell, Maria Dasovich, Gabriela H. Hoyos, John W. Blankenship, Catherine McMahan, David Bienvenue, Jane A. Gross. Bispecific anti-CD123 x anti-CD3 ADAPTIR™ molecules for redirected T-cell cytotoxicity in hematological malignancies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 597. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-597

Abstract 4995: anti-ROR1 x anti-CD3 ADAPTIR™ molecule, ES425, redirects T-cell cytotoxicity and inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models of triple-negative breast cancer

Background: Effective treatment of metastatic, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a highly unmet medical need. We have developed ES425, a bispecific ADAPTIR™ (modular protein technology) molecule that redirects T-cell cytotoxicity to tumor cells expressing ROR1 (receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1), an oncofetal antigen expressed on TNBC and other malignancies. Results are presented for studies run to examine in vitro and in vivo activity of ES425 in preclinical models of TNBC. Materials and Methods: Target-dependent cytotoxic activity was examined in vitro by treating ROR1(+) cell lines and ROR1(−) cell lines with ES425 in the presence of purified human T cells or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Cytotoxic activity was determined using chromium release assays. T cells were assessed for activation and proliferation using multi-color flow cytometry. Pharmacokinetics of ES425 in NOD/SCID gamma (NSG) mice was determined using single intravenous dose of approximately 10 mg/kg. Serum concentrations at time points ranging from 15 minutes to 504 hours were used to calculate the terminal elimination half-life of ES425. To assess activity in vivo, NOD/SCID mice were implanted subcutaneously with the ROR1(+) TNBC tumor cell line MDA-MB-231 and purified human T cells and treated with ES425. This model was run twice with T cells from different human donors. Tumor growth was assessed by measuring tumor volume. Results: ES425 efficiently redirected T cell cytotoxicity against ROR1(+) cell lines at low picomolar concentrations in vitro. Cytotoxic activity was dependent on expression of ROR1 by the target cells. T cells were activated and proliferated in response to ES425 in the presence of ROR1(+) target cells; proliferation was not observed in response to ROR1(−) cells. In vivo, pharmacokinetic analysis showed a serum half-life of approximately 7 days in NSG mice, and ES425 inhibited growth of MDA-MB-231 tumors in mouse xenografts. Repeat experiments showed similar inhibition of tumor growth and an improvement in overall survival. Conclusions: These studies show that ES425 may be an efficient agent for redirecting T cell cytotoxicity in preclinical TNBC models and merits investigation as a potential therapeutic in TNBC and other malignancies. Citation Format: John W. Blankenship, Lynda Misher, Danielle Mitchell, Nicole Zhang, Philip Tan, Gabriela H. Hoyos, Padma Ravikumar, Robert Bader, Catherine J. McMahan, Robert E. Miller, Jeannette Bannink, Hang Fang, Lara Parr, Maria Dasovich, David Bienvenue, Megan Aguilar, Carina Xu, Mollie Daugherty, Brian Woodruff, Jane A. Gross. anti-ROR1 x anti-CD3 ADAPTIR™ molecule, ES425, redirects T-cell cytotoxicity and inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models of triple-negative breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4995.