Clinical grade generation of hexon-specific T cells for adoptive T-cell transfer as a treatment of adenovirus infection after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

J Immunother. 2008 Feb-Mar;31(2):199-206. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0b013e31815ef862.

Abstract

Adenovirus infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is still causing significant morbidity and mortality, especially in children. It has been demonstrated that a sufficient host T-cell response is essential to clear the virus. Adoptive transfer of specific T-cell immunity from the donor to the recipient has become a new treatment option for patients with systemic adenoviral infection who lack specific T-cell responses. The adenoviral hexon protein was shown to be an immunodominant T-cell target. We describe here a Good Manufacturing Practice-compatible generation of hexon-specific T cells developed by isolating interferon-gamma-secreting T cells after stimulation of mononuclear cells ex vivo with hexon protein. Phenotypical and functional characterization of the generated, specific T-cell product resulted in a mixed population of CD4 and CD8-positive T cells with an intermediate effector memory phenotype. Isolated hexon-specific T cells showed high expansion potential in vitro and specific cytotoxicity. T-cell lines, directed against type 5 hexon protein showed good crossreactivity against viral strains from other adenovirus species. The availability for isolation of hexon-specific T cells among 76 hematopoietic stem cell transplantation donors showed in > 72% a sufficient T-cell response (0.05% of T cells). In conclusion, Good Manufacturing Practice-grade selection of adenovirus-specific T cells for adoptive immunotherapy by hexon-induced secretion of interferon-gamma has been established. Adoptive T-cell transfer could potentially restore T-cell immunity against adenovirus after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / immunology
  • Adenovirus Infections, Human / etiology
  • Adenovirus Infections, Human / therapy*
  • Adoptive Transfer / methods*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Capsid Proteins / immunology*
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Separation / methods
  • Cell Survival
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / immunology
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / virology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / chemistry
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • hexon capsid protein, Adenovirus
  • Interferon-gamma