Expression of anti-HVEM single-chain antibody on tumor cells induces tumor-specific immunity with long-term memory

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2012 Feb;61(2):203-214. doi: 10.1007/s00262-011-1101-8. Epub 2011 Aug 30.

Abstract

Genetic engineering of tumor cells to express immune-stimulatory molecules, including cytokines and co-stimulatory ligands, is a promising approach to generate highly efficient cancer vaccines. The co-signaling molecule, LIGHT, is particularly well suited for use in vaccine development as it delivers a potent co-stimulatory signal through the Herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) receptor on T cells and facilitates tumor-specific T cell immunity. However, because LIGHT binds two additional receptors, lymphotoxin β receptor and Decoy receptor 3, there are significant concerns that tumor-associated LIGHT results in both unexpected adverse events and interference with the ability of the vaccine to enhance antitumor immunity. In order to overcome these problems, we generated tumor cells expressing the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of anti-HVEM agonistic mAb on the cell surface. Tumor cells expressing anti-HVEM scFv induce a potent proliferation and cytokine production of co-cultured T cells. Inoculation of anti-HVEM scFv-expressing tumor results in a spontaneous tumor regression in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell-dependent fashion, associated with the induction of tumor-specific long-term memory. Stimulation of HVEM and 4-1BB co-stimulatory signals by anti-HVEM scFv-expressing tumor vaccine combined with anti-4-1BB mAb shows synergistic effects which achieve regression of pre-established tumor and T cell memory specific to parental tumor. Taken in concert, our data suggest that genetic engineering of tumor cells to selectively potentiate the HVEM signaling pathway is a promising antitumor vaccine therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / genetics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Cancer Vaccines*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neoplasms, Experimental
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 14 / immunology
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / genetics
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / immunology
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Cytokines
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 14
  • Single-Chain Antibodies
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9