Depletion of CD25⁺ T cells from hematopoietic stem cell grafts increases posttransplantation vaccine-induced immunity to neuroblastoma

Blood. 2011 Jun 23;117(25):6952-62. doi: 10.1182/blood-2010-12-326108. Epub 2011 Apr 26.

Abstract

A multifaceted immunotherapeutic strategy that includes hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, T-cell adoptive transfer, and tumor vaccination can effectively eliminate established neuroblastoma tumors in mice. In vivo depletion of CD4⁺ T cells in HSC transplantation recipients results in increased antitumor immunity when adoptively transferred T cells are presensitized, but development of T-cell memory is severely compromised. Because increased percentages of regulatory T (Treg) cells are seen in HSC transplantation recipients, here we hypothesized that the inhibitory effect of CD4⁺ T cells is primarily because of the presence of expanded Treg cells. Remarkably, adoptive transfer of presensitized CD25-depleted T cells increased tumor vaccine efficacy. The enhanced antitumor effect achieved by ex vivo depletion of CD25⁺ Treg cells was similar to that achieved by in vivo depletion of all CD4⁺ T cells. Depletion of CD25⁺ Treg cells resulted in elevated frequencies of tumor-reactive CD8 and CD4⁺ T cells and increased CD8-to-Treg cell ratios inside tumor masses. All mice given presensitized CD25-depleted T cells survived a tumor rechallenge, indicating the development of long-term CD8⁺ T-cell memory to tumor antigens. These observations should aid in the future design of immunotherapeutic approaches that promote the generation of both acute and long-term antitumor immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / transplantation
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / transplantation
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-gamma / immunology
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods*
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Neuroblastoma / immunology*
  • Neuroblastoma / therapy*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / transplantation
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / transplantation

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Foxa3 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-gamma