Enhanced function of redirected human T cells expressing linker for activation of T cells that is resistant to ubiquitylation

Hum Gene Ther. 2013 Jan;24(1):27-37. doi: 10.1089/hum.2012.130. Epub 2012 Nov 6.

Abstract

It is likely that the enhancement of signaling after antigenic stimulation, particularly in the tumor microenvironment, would improve the function of adoptively transferred T cells. Linker for activation of T cells (LAT) plays a central role in T cell activation. We hypothesized that the ubiquitylation-resistant form of LAT in cells would enhance T cell signaling and thus augment antitumor activity. To test this, human CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells were electroporated with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to repress endogenous LAT and ubiquitylation-resistant LAT 2KR or wild-type LAT mRNA was introduced for reexpression. Significantly enhanced phosphorylation of LAT and phospholipase C-γ (PLCγ) was observed, and augmented calcium signaling after T cell receptor (TCR) triggering was observed in LAT 2KR-expressing T cells. TCR-induced calcium signaling was abrogated in LAT knockdown cells, but the baseline was higher than that of control siRNA-electroporated cells, suggesting a fundamental requirement of LAT to maintain calcium homeostasis. Redirected LAT 2KR T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor or an MHC class I-restricted TCR showed augmented function as assessed by enhanced cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity. These results indicate that interruption of LAT ubiquitylation is a promising strategy to augment effector T cell function for adoptive cell therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Adoptive Transfer / methods*
  • Calcium Signaling / immunology*
  • Electroporation
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Phospholipase C gamma / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • LAT protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Phospholipase C gamma