Genetic modification of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to express cytokine receptors

Methods Mol Biol. 2014:1139:189-200. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0345-0_17.

Abstract

Adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) or antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) is safe and can be effective in cancer patients. Achievement of clinical responses in these patients is associated with the in vivo expansion and persistence of the transferred T lymphocytes. For this reason, recombinant human interleukin-2 (IL-2) is frequently used to support the in vivo survival of T lymphocytes infused into patients. However, IL-2 also causes important side effects. Thus, alternative strategies are highly demanded to limit cytokine-related off-target effects and to redirect the responsiveness of specific T-cell subsets to selected cytokines. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a promising alternative cytokine as it possesses the above mentioned properties. However, because its receptor is downregulated in ex vivo-expanded T cells, methods are required to restore their responsiveness to this homeostatic cytokine. In this chapter, we describe the methodology to obtain the ectopic expression of IL-7 receptor alpha (IL-7Rα) in antigen-specific CTL, using Epstein-Barr virus-specific CTL (EBV-CTL), as a model.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Count
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Engineering / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Phosphorylation
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7 / genetics*
  • Retroviridae / genetics
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / metabolism*
  • Transduction, Genetic

Substances

  • Receptors, Interleukin-7
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor