ABSTRACT: Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the most common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT). However, our understanding of the molecular pathways that cause this disease remains incomplete, leading to inadequate treatment strategies. To address this, we measured the gene expression profile of non-human primate (NHP) T cells during acute GVHD (GSE73723). Within these profiles we discovered potentially druggable targets not previously implicated in GVHD, prominently including aurora kinase A (AURKA). In this study, we performed a planned comparison of AURKA gene expression in HCT-recipients with clinical GVHD and compared it to expression in HCT-recipients without clinical GVHD.
Project description:Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the most common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT). However, our understanding of the molecular pathways that cause this disease remains incomplete, leading to inadequate treatment strategies. To address this, we measured the gene expression profile of non-human primate (NHP) T cells during acute GVHD. In this study we specifically interrogated the transcriptional signatures of animals treated with FR104 monotherapy and FR104/Sirolimus combination therapy
Project description:Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the most common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT). However, our understanding of the molecular pathways that cause this disease remains incomplete, leading to inadequate treatment strategies. To address this, we measured the gene expression profile of non-human primate (NHP) T cells during acute GVHD. In this study we specifically interrogated the transcriptional signatures of animals treated with KY1005 monotherapy and KY1005/Sirolimus combination therapy
Project description:Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the most common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT). However, our understanding of the molecular pathways that cause this disease remains incomplete, leading to inadequate treatment strategies. To address this, we measured the gene expression profile of non-human primate (NHP) T cells during acute GVHD. This transcriptome analysis enables an unsupervised approach to the identification of targets for disease control using a model with an immune system that closely overlaps with the human and has a high degree of cross-reactivity with human antibody-based therapeutics.
Project description:Single cell analysis of gene expression in blood B cells from allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transpant (HCT) patients that either developed chronic GVHD, or never developed chronic GVHD.
Project description:Notch signaling promotes T-cell pathogenicity and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) in mice, with a dominant role for the Delta-like ligand DLL4. To assess if Notch’s effects are evolutionarily conserved and identify key mechanisms, we studied antibody-mediated DLL4 blockade in a non-human primate (NHP) model similar to human allo-HCT. Short-term DLL4 blockade improved post-transplant survival with striking, durable protection from gastrointestinal GVHD, out of proportion to other disease sites. Unlike prior immunosuppressive strategies tested in the NHP GVHD model, anti-DLL4 interfered with a T-cell transcriptional program associated with intestinal infiltration. In cross-species investigations, Notch inhibition decreased surface abundance of the gut-homing integrin α4β7 in conventional T-cells while preserving α4β7 in regulatory T-cells, with findings suggesting increased 1 competition for 4 binding in conventional T-cells. Secondary lymphoid organ fibroblastic reticular cells emerged as the critical cellular source of Delta-like Notch ligands for Notch-mediated up-regulation of α4β7 integrin in T-cells after allo-HCT. Altogether, DLL4/Notch blockade decreased effector T-cell infiltration into the gut, with increased regulatory to conventional T-cell ratios early after allo-HCT. Our results identify a conserved, biologically unique and targetable role of DLL4/Notch signaling in GVHD.
Project description:Biologic markers of immune tolerance may facilitate tailoring of immune suppression duration after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In a cross-sectional study, peripheral blood samples were obtained from tolerant (n=15, median 38.5 months post-HCT) and non-tolerant (n=17, median 39.5 post-HCT) HCT recipients and healthy control subjects (n=10) for analysis of immune cell subsets and differential gene expression. There were no significant differences in immune subsets across groups. We identified 281 probe sets unique to the tolerant (TOL) group and 122 for non-tolerant (non-TOL). These were enriched for process networks including NK cell cytotoxicity, antigen presentation, lymphocyte proliferation, and cell cycle and apoptosis. Differential gene expression was enriched for CD56, CD66, and CD14 human lineage-specific gene expression. Differential expression of 20 probe sets between groups was sufficient to develop a classifier with > 90% accuracy, correctly classifying 14/15 TOL cases and 15/17 non-TOL cases. These data suggest that differential gene expression can be utilized to accurately classify tolerant patients following HCT. Prospective investigation of immune tolerance biologic markers is warranted. Samples were collected after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) or in healthy control subjects. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from tolerant (n=15, median 38.5 months post-HCT) and non-tolerant (n=17, median 39.5 post-HCT) HCT recipients and healthy control subjects (n=10).