Extracellular vesicles produced by immunomodulatory cells harboring OX40 ligand and 4-1BB ligand enhance antitumor immunity

Sci Rep. 2020 Sep 16;10(1):15160. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-72122-3.

Abstract

Genetically modified tumor cells harboring immunomodulators may be used as therapeutic vaccines to stimulate antitumor immunity. The therapeutic benefit of these tumor vaccines is extensively investigated and mechanisms by which they boost antitumor response may be further explored. Tumor cells are large secretors of extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs are able to vehiculate RNA and proteins to target cells, and engineered EVs also vehiculate recombinant proteins. In this study, we explore immunomodulatory properties of EVs derived from antitumor vaccines expressing the TNFSF ligands 4-1BBL and OX40L, modulating immune response mediated by immune cells and eliminating tumors. Our results suggest that the EVs secreted by genetically modified tumor cells harboring TNFSF ligands can induce T cell proliferation, inhibit the transcription factor FoxP3, associated with the maintenance of Treg phenotype, and enhance antitumor activity mediated by immune cells. The immunomodulatory extracellular vesicles have potential to be further engineered for developing new approaches for cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 4-1BB Ligand / genetics
  • 4-1BB Ligand / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / genetics
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Extracellular Vesicles / genetics
  • Extracellular Vesicles / immunology
  • Extracellular Vesicles / ultrastructure
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Immunologic Factors / genetics
  • Immunologic Factors / immunology
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Melanoma, Experimental / genetics
  • Melanoma, Experimental / immunology*
  • Melanoma, Experimental / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • OX40 Ligand / genetics
  • OX40 Ligand / immunology*

Substances

  • 4-1BB Ligand
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Immunologic Factors
  • OX40 Ligand
  • Tnfsf4 protein, mouse
  • Tnfsf9 protein, mouse