Yannick Guilloux

Adoptive Transfer of Tumor-Reactive Melan-A-Specific CTL Clones in Melanoma Patients Is Followed by Increased Frequencies of Additional Melan-A-Specific T Cells

In this study, we report the adoptive transfer of highly tumor-reactive Melan-A-specific T cell clones to patients with metastatic melanoma, and the follow-up of these injected cells. These clones were generated from HLA-A*0201 patients by in vitro stimulations of total PBMC with the HLA-A*0201-binding Melan-A peptide analog ELAGIGILTV. Ten stage IV melanoma patients were treated by infusion of these CTL clones with IL-2 and IFN-α. The generated T cell clones, of effector/memory phenotype were selected on the basis of their ability to produce IL-2 in response to HLA-A*0201 Melan-A-positive melanoma lines. Infused clones were detected, by quantitative PCR, in the blood of three patients for periods ranging from 7 to 60 days. Six patients showed regression of individual metastases or disease stabilization, and one patient experienced a complete response, but no correlation was found between the detection of the infused clones in PBMC or tumor samples and clinical responses. Nonetheless, frequencies of Melan-A/A2-specific lymphocytes, measured by tetramer labeling, increased after treatment in most patients. In one of these patients, who showed a complete response, this increase corresponded to the expansion of new clonotypes of higher avidity than those detected before treatment. Together, our results suggest that infused CTL clones may have initiated an antitumor response that may have resulted in the expansion of a Melan-A-specific CTL repertoire.

A ras-Mutated Peptide Targeted by CTL Infiltrating a Human Melanoma Lesion

Ags derived from commonly mutated oncogenic proteins seem ideally suited as targets for tumor immunotherapy. Nonetheless, only a few mutated epitopes efficiently presented by human tumors have thus far been identified. We describe here an approach to identify such epitopes. This approach involves: 1) identifying tumors expressing a ras mutation and isolating the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL); 2) transfecting COS cells to induce expression of unknown mutated peptides in the context of a patient’s HLA class I molecules; and 3) screening epitope recognition by using TIL from the tumors expressing a ras mutation. By using this approach, there appeared to be a N-ras mutation (a glutamine-to-arginine exchange at residue 61 (Q61R)), detected in a melanoma lesion, which was recognized specifically by the autologous TIL in the HLA-A*0101 context. The ras peptide 55–64Q61R was the epitope of these TIL and was regularly presented by Q61R-mutated HLA-A*0101+ melanoma cell lines. This peptide and its wild-type homolog (55–64wt) bound to HLA-A*0101 with similar affinities. However, only the mutated peptide could induce specific CTL expansion from PBL. All the CTL clones specific to the mutated peptide, failed to recognize the wild-type sequence on both COS and melanoma cells. These data thus show that oncogenic protein mutations can create shared tumor-specific CTL epitopes, efficiently presented by tumor cells, and that screening for oncogene-transfected COS cell recognition by TIL (from tumors containing mutations) is a powerful approach for the identification of these epitopes.

αvβ3-dependent cross-presentation of matrix metalloproteinase–2 by melanoma cells gives rise to a new tumor antigen

A large array of antigens that are recognized by tumor-specific T cells has been identified and shown to be generated through various processes. We describe a new mechanism underlying T cell recognition of melanoma cells, which involves the generation of a major histocompatibility complex class I–restricted epitope after tumor-mediated uptake and processing of an extracellular protein—a process referred to as cross-presentation—which is believed to be restricted to immune cells. We show that melanoma cells cross-present, in an αvβ3-dependent manner, an antigen derived from secreted matrix metalloproteinase–2 (MMP-2) to human leukocyte antigen A*0201-restricted T cells. Because MMP-2 activity is critical for melanoma progression, the MMP-2 peptide should be cross-presented by most progressing melanomas and represents a unique antigen for vaccine therapy of these tumors.

Cross-Presentation of Synthetic Long Peptides by Human Dendritic Cells: A Process Dependent on ERAD Component p97/VCP but Not sec61 and/or Derlin-1

Antitumor vaccination using synthetic long peptides (SLP) is an additional therapeutic strategy currently under development. It aims to activate tumor-specific CD8+ CTL by professional APCs such as DCs. DCs can activate T lymphocytes by MHC class I presentation of exogenous antigens - a process referred to as “cross-presentation”. Until recently, the intracellular mechanisms involved in cross-presentation of soluble antigens have been unclear. Here, we characterize the cross-presentation pathway of SLP Melan-A16–40 containing the HLA-A2-restricted epitope26–35 (A27L) in human DCs. Using confocal microscopy and specific inhibitors, we show that SLP16–40 is rapidly taken up by DC and follows a classical TAP- and proteasome-dependent cross-presentation pathway. Our data support a role for the ER-associated degradation machinery (ERAD)-related protein p97/VCP in the transport of SLP16–40 from early endosomes to the cytoplasm but formally exclude both sec61 and Derlin-1 as possible retro-translocation channels for cross-presentation. In addition, we show that generation of the Melan-A26–35 peptide from the SLP16–40 was absolutely not influenced by the proteasome subunit composition in DC. Altogether, our findings propose a model for cross-presentation of SLP which tends to enlarge the repertoire of potential candidates for retro-translocation of exogenous antigens to the cytosol.

HLA-E-Restricted Cross-Recognition of Allogeneic Endothelial Cells by CMV-Associated CD8 T Cells: A Potential Risk Factor following Transplantation

Although association between CMV infection and allograft rejection is well admitted, the precise mechanisms involved remain uncertain. Here, we report the characterization of an alloreactive HLA-E-restricted CD8 T cell population that was detected in the PBL of a kidney transplant patient after its CMV conversion. This monoclonal CD8 T cell population represents a sizable fraction in the blood (3% of PBL) and is characterized by an effector-memory phenotype and the expression of multiple NK receptors. Interestingly, these unconventional T cells display HLA-E-dependent reactivity against peptides derived from the leader sequences of both various HCMV-UL40 and allogeneic classical HLA-I molecules. Consequently, while HLA-E-restricted CD8 T cells have potential to contribute to the control of CMV infection in vivo, they may also directly mediate graft rejection through recognition of peptides derived from allogeneic HLA-I molecules on graft cells. Therefore, as HLA-E expression in nonlymphoid organs is mainly restricted to endothelial cells, we investigated the reactivity of this HLA-E-restricted T cell population towards allogeneic endothelial cells. We clearly demonstrated that CMV-associated HLA-E-restricted T cells efficiently recognized and killed allogeneic endothelial cells in vitro. Moreover, our data indicate that this alloreactivity is tightly regulated by NK receptors, especially by inhibitory KIR2DL2 that strongly prevents TCR-induced activation through recognition of HLA-C molecules. Hence, a better evaluation of the role of CMV-associated HLA-E-restricted T cells in transplantation and of the impact of HLA-genotype, especially HLA-C, on their alloreactivity may determine whether they indeed represent a risk factor following organ transplantation.

Combining α-Radioimmunotherapy and Adoptive T Cell Therapy to Potentiate Tumor Destruction

Ionizing radiation induces direct and indirect killing of cancer cells and for long has been considered as immunosuppressive. However, this concept has evolved over the past few years with the demonstration that irradiation can increase tumor immunogenicity and can actually favor the implementation of an immune response against tumor cells. Adoptive T-cell transfer (ACT) is also used to treat cancer and several studies have shown that the efficacy of this immunotherapy was enhanced when combined with radiation therapy. α-Radioimmunotherapy (α-RIT) is a type of internal radiotherapy which is currently under development to treat disseminated tumors. α-particles are indeed highly efficient to destroy small cluster of cancer cells with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissues. We thus hypothesized that, in the setting of α-RIT, an immunotherapy like ACT, could benefit from the immune context induced by irradiation. Hence, we decided to further investigate the possibilities to promote an efficient and long-lasting anti-tumor response by combining α-RIT and ACT. To perform such study we set up a multiple myeloma murine model which express the tumor antigen CD138 and ovalbumine (OVA). Then we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy in the mice treated with α-RIT, using an anti-CD138 antibody coupled to bismuth-213, followed by an adoptive transfer of OVA-specific CD8+ T cells (OT-I CD8+ T cells). We observed a significant tumor growth control and an improved survival in the animals treated with the combined treatment. These results demonstrate the efficacy of combining α-RIT and ACT in the MM model we established.

605 Tumor antigens recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes

In human tumors, several antigens recognized by autologous CTL have been identified. A first class results from the activation of genes such as MAGE-1, MAGE-3, BAGE and GAGE, which are not expressed in normal tissues with the exception of testis. MAGE-derived peptides binding to HLA-A1, Cwl6 and A2 have been identified. The MAGE family comprises genes that are expressed in tumors of several histological types. A second type of antigens identified in melanoma consists of differentiation antigens derived from proteins such as tyrosinase and Melan-A that are specific for melanocytes and melanomas. Recently, we have identified a melanoma antigen which results from a point mutation in an intron. The antigenic peptide is encoded by the end of an exon and the initial part of intron. Another antigen recognized on a large fraction of HLA-A2 melanomas involves an antigenic peptide encoded by an intron. The identification of new antigens will extend the range of patients eligible for specific immunotherapy, allowing also to immunize against several antigens borne by the same tumor. This may be a critical condition for therapeutic success.

Folding of matrix metalloproteinase-2 prevents endogenous generation of MHC class-I restricted epitope.

Background We previously demonstrated that the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) contained an antigenic peptide recognized by a CD8 T cell clone in the HLA-A*0201 context. The presentation of this peptide on class I molecules by human melanoma cells required a cross-presentation mechanism. Surprisingly, the classical endogenous processing pathway did not process this MMP-2 epitope. Methodology/Principal Findings By PCR directed mutagenesis we showed that disruption of a single disulfide bond induced MMP-2 epitope presentation. By Pulse-Chase experiment, we demonstrated that disulfide bonds stabilized MMP-2 and impeded its degradation. Finally, using drugs, we documented that mutated MMP-2 epitope presentation used the proteasome and retrotranslocation complex. Conclusions/Significance These data appear crucial to us since they established the existence of a new inhibitory mechanism for the generation of a T cell epitope. In spite of MMP-2 classified as a self-antigen, the fact that cross-presentation is the only way to present this MMP-2 epitope underlines the importance to target this type of antigen in immunotherapy protocols.

Using α radiation to boost cancer immunity

Radioimmunotherapy aims to deliver radiation directly to cancer cells by means of a tumor specific vector coupled to a radionuclide. Alpha radionuclides are very potent agents to treat disseminated cancer and metastasis. We have demonstrated that α radiation can also induce immunogenic cell death, reinforcing interest in their clinical development.

The Immune Response to the RT181-189 Epitope in HIV-1-Infected Patients is Associated with Viral Sequence Polymorphism Flanking the Epitope

Many drug-resistance mutations in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase fall within cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) epitopes, but studies of the response to these epitopes in patients with virological failure are lacking. We therefore compared IFN-γ ELISPOT responses to the YV9 epitope (RT181-189) covering the lamivudine resistance mutation, M184V, in HLA-A2+ antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naive patients (n = 19), to those found in HLA-A2+ patients with virological failure (n = 15). Ten ART-naive patients had an ELISPOT response to the wild-type epitope that cross-reacted with the mutant epitope. Two patients with virological failure showed a specific response to the 184V mutant epitope. Responses against YV9 were strongly associated (p = 0.005) with the presence of a 177E mutation, and the same tendency was observed in an independent cohort of patients (n = 22). These results indicate that variants in flanking residues may influence CTL responses to conserved subdominant HIV-1 epitopes.