Transferrin epitope-CD19-CAR-T cells effectively kill lymphoma cells in vitro and in vivo

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2020 Jan 1;25(2):270-282. doi: 10.2741/4806.

Abstract

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy has demonstrated clinical success in treatment of B-cell hematologic cancers. In this study, we compared human Transferrin epitope tagged CAR-T cells with non-tagged CAR-T cells for cytotoxicity, IFN-gamma secretion and tumor clearance in NSG mice. CD19-TF-CAR-T cells had similar cytotoxicity in vitro to CD19-CAR-T cells against cells expressing CD19 antigen: exogenously CD19+ Hela cells and endogenously CD19+ Raji cells. In addition, CD22-TF CAR-T cells were similarly cytotoxic against CD22+ CHO cells and CD22+ Raji cells. Both CD19-TF or CD22-TF-CAR-T cells secreted less IFN-gamma as compared to non-tagged CAR-T cells. In a Raji xenograft NSG mouse model, CD19-TF-CAR-T cells were as effective as CD19-CAR-T cells in reducing tumor growth and extending mouse survival. The results show that CD19-TF-CAR-T cells can be monitored using TF antibody in vitro and ex vivo, and that these cells effectively killed Raji cells in vitro and in vivo with reduced secretion of IFN-gamma. Thus, these TF-tagged CAR-T cells might have improved safety and provide a basis for future clinical studies.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD19 / genetics
  • Antigens, CD19 / immunology*
  • Antigens, CD19 / metabolism
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / immunology
  • Epitopes / genetics
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Epitopes / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods*
  • Lymphoma / immunology
  • Lymphoma / metabolism
  • Lymphoma / therapy*
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen / genetics
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen / immunology*
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen / metabolism
  • Transferrin / genetics
  • Transferrin / immunology*
  • Transferrin / metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • Epitopes
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen
  • Transferrin