Targeting BCL11B in chimeric antigen receptor-engineered lymphoid progenitors propagates adaptive NK-like cell responses against leukemia
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ABSTRACT: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-induced suppression of the transcription factor B cell CLL/lymphoma 11B propagates CAR-induced killer (CARiK) cell development. Here, we show that CRISPR-mediated BCL11B knockout (ko) in early lymphoid progenitors distinctively modulates this process depending on its use alone or in combination with a CAR. Upon adoptive transfer into hematopoietic stem cell recipients, Bcl11b-edited progenitors mediated either innate or adaptive anti-leukemic immune responses. With CAR expression being a prerequisite for antigen-specific CARiK responses, additional BCL11B ko was critical for the acquisition of adaptive killer cell functions such as clonal expansion, persistence, and recall responses. These findings have important insights on how BCL11B targeting can be used to tailor anti-leukemia functionality of CAR-engineered lymphoid progenitor cells.
Project description:The transcription factor B Cell CLL/Lymphoma 11B (BCL11B) is indispensable for T lineage development of lymphoid progenitors. Here we show that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expression early in ex vivo generated lymphoid progenitors suppresses Bcl11b, leading to suppression of T cell-associated gene expression and acquisition of natural killer (NK) cell-like properties. These results give important insights into differentiation of murine and human lymphoid progenitors driven by synthetic CAR transgene-expression and inform the potential use of ex vivo generated CARiK cells as a broadly applicable product for targeted immunotherapy.
Project description:We recently found that a unique subset of innate-like γδ T cells develop from the DN2a-stage of the fetal thymus independent of the zinc-finger transcription factor B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 11b (Bcl11b). Herein we characterized these Bcl11b-independent γδ T cells in the periphery as CD5−NK1.1+ and Granzyme B+, and show that they are capable of producing interferon (IFN)-γ upon T cell receptor stimulation without Ca2+ influx. In wild-type mice, these cells were sparse in lymphoid tissues but abundant in non-lymphoid tissues such as the liver. Bcl11b-independent CD5−NK1.1+ γδ T cells appeared and contributed to early protection before Bcl11b-dependent CD5+NK1.1− γδT cells following Listeria monocytogenes infection, recapitulating their appearance during thymic development.
Project description:B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 11B (Bcl11b) is a transcription factor showing predominant expression in the striatum. To date, there are no known gene targets of Bcl11b in the nervous system. Here, we define targets for Bcl11b in striatal cells by performing genome-wide expression profiling. Transcriptome-wide analysis revealed that 694 genes were significantly altered in striatal cells over-expressing Bcl11b, including genes showing striatal-enriched expression similar to Bcl11b. Functional analysis on the gene target list identified significant association of Bcl11b to brain-derived neurotrophic factor/neurotrophin signaling. These data implicate Bcl11b as a novel regulator of the BDNF signaling pathway, which is disrupted in many neurological disorders. n=4 wt STHdh striatal cells and n=4 Bcl11b-transfected STHdh striatal cells
Project description:Natural killer (NK) cells are circulating lymphocytes that possess both innate and adaptive features, the latter including antigen-specific clonal expansion and long-lived memory responses. Unlike other adaptive lymphocytes like T and B cells, NK cells are not thought to require priming in lymphoid organs during activation. However, although NK cells respond in multiple tissue sites during cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, here we observed that early activation and virus-specific expansion occurs predominantly in the spleen. These splenic NK cells exhibited heightened TNF-a signaling, which we identify as a novel and critical regulator of both innate and adaptive responses through engagement of distinct NF-kB signaling arms downstream of TNFR2. These findings highlight the central role of the spleen as a lymphoid organ in facilitating the innate-to-adaptive transition NK cells undergo during viral infection, and provide insight into how we can better generate innate and adaptive NK cell immunity across diverse settings. Bulk RNA-Seq data of WT Ly49H+ NK from spleen or liver on day 0 and day 1 post MCMV infection.
Project description:Natural killer (NK) cells are circulating lymphocytes that possess both innate and adaptive features, the latter including antigen-specific clonal expansion and long-lived memory responses. Unlike other adaptive lymphocytes like T and B cells, NK cells are not thought to require priming in lymphoid organs during activation. However, although NK cells respond in multiple tissue sites during cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, here we observed that early activation and virus-specific expansion occurs predominantly in the spleen. These splenic NK cells exhibited heightened TNF-a signaling, which we identify as a novel and critical regulator of both innate and adaptive responses through engagement of distinct NF-kB signaling arms downstream of TNFR2. These findings highlight the central role of the spleen as a lymphoid organ in facilitating the innate-to-adaptive transition NK cells undergo during viral infection, and provide insight into how we can better generate innate and adaptive NK cell immunity across diverse settings. Bulk RNA-Seq data of cDC1, pDC, red pulp macrophages from spleen at different time points post MCMV infection
Project description:Natural killer (NK) cells are circulating lymphocytes that possess both innate and adaptive features, the latter including antigen-specific clonal expansion and long-lived memory responses. Unlike other adaptive lymphocytes like T and B cells, NK cells are not thought to require priming in lymphoid organs during activation. However, although NK cells respond in multiple tissue sites during cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, here we observed that early activation and virus-specific expansion occurs predominantly in the spleen. These splenic NK cells exhibited heightened TNF-a signaling, which we identify as a novel and critical regulator of both innate and adaptive responses through engagement of distinct NF-kB signaling arms downstream of TNFR2. These findings highlight the central role of the spleen as a lymphoid organ in facilitating the innate-to-adaptive transition NK cells undergo during viral infection, and provide insight into how we can better generate innate and adaptive NK cell immunity across diverse settings. Bulk RNA-Seq data of WT or TNFR2-/- Ly49H+ NK from spleen at different time points post MCMV infection.
Project description:BCL11B, an essential transcription factor for thymopoiesis, regulates also vital processes in post-thymic lymphocytes. Increased expression of BCL11B was recently correlated with the maturation of NK cells, whereas reduced BCL11B levels were observed in native and induced T cell subsets displaying NK cell features. We show that BCL11B-depleted CD8+ T cells stimulated with IL-15 acquired remarkable innate characteristics. These induced innate CD8+ (iiT8) cells expressed multiple innate receptors like NKp30, CD161, and CD16 as well as factors regulating migration and tissue homing while maintaining their T cell phenotype. The iiT8 cells effectively killed leukemic cells spontaneously and neuroblastoma spheroids in the presence of a tumor-specific monoclonal antibody mediated by CD16 receptor activation. These iiT8 cells integrate the innate natural killer cell activity with adaptive T cell longevity, promising an interesting therapeutic potential. Our study demonstrates that innate T cells, albeit of limited clinical applicability given their low frequency, can be efficiently generated from peripheral blood and applied for adoptive transfer, CAR therapy, or combined with therapeutic antibodies.
Project description:B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 11B (Bcl11b) is a transcription factor showing predominant expression in the striatum. To date, there are no known gene targets of Bcl11b in the nervous system. Here, we define targets for Bcl11b in striatal cells by performing genome-wide expression profiling. Transcriptome-wide analysis revealed that 694 genes were significantly altered in striatal cells over-expressing Bcl11b, including genes showing striatal-enriched expression similar to Bcl11b. Functional analysis on the gene target list identified significant association of Bcl11b to brain-derived neurotrophic factor/neurotrophin signaling. These data implicate Bcl11b as a novel regulator of the BDNF signaling pathway, which is disrupted in many neurological disorders.