NKT cell-dependent leukemia eradication following stem cell mobilization with potent G-CSF analogs

J Clin Invest. 2005 Nov;115(11):3093-103. doi: 10.1172/JCI25249. Epub 2005 Oct 13.

Abstract

NKT cells have pivotal roles in immune regulation and tumor immunosurveillance. We report that the G-CSF and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt-3L) chimeric cytokine, progenipoietin-1, markedly expands the splenic and hepatic NKT cell population and enhances functional responses to alpha-galactosylceramide. In a murine model of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, donor NKT cells promoted host DC activation and enhanced perforin-restricted CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity against host-type antigens. Following leukemic challenge, donor treatment with progenipoietin-1 significantly improved overall survival when compared with G-CSF or control, attributable to reduced graft-versus-host disease mortality and paradoxical augmentation of graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects. Enhanced cellular cytotoxicity was dependent on donor NKT cells, and leukemia clearance was profoundly impaired in recipients of NKT cell-deficient grafts. Enhanced cytotoxicity and GVL effects were not associated with Flt-3L signaling or effects on DCs but were reproduced by prolonged G-CSF receptor engagement with pegylated G-CSF. Thus, modified G-CSF signaling during stem cell mobilization augments NKT cell-dependent CD8+ cytotoxicity, effectively separating graft-versus-host disease and GVL and greatly expanding the potential applicability of allogeneic stem cell transplantation for the therapy of malignant disease.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Colony-Stimulating Factors / pharmacology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Female
  • Galactosylceramides / physiology
  • Graft vs Leukemia Effect / drug effects
  • Graft vs Leukemia Effect / immunology
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization / methods*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Experimental / immunology
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Colony-Stimulating Factors
  • Galactosylceramides
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • alpha-galactosylceramide
  • flt3 ligand protein
  • progenipoietin-1
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor