Specificity redirection by CAR with human VEGFR-1 affinity endows T lymphocytes with tumor-killing ability and anti-angiogenic potency

Gene Ther. 2013 Oct;20(10):970-8. doi: 10.1038/gt.2013.19. Epub 2013 May 2.

Abstract

Immunotherapy that is based on adoptive transfer of T lymphocytes, which are genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that recognize tumor-associated antigens, has been demonstrated to be an efficient cancer therapy. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1), a vital molecule involved in tumor growth and angiogenesis, has not been targeted by CAR-modified T lymphocytes. In this study, we generated CAR-modified T lymphocytes with human VEGFR-1 specificity (V-1 CAR) by electroporation. V-1 CAR-modified T lymphocytes were demonstrated to elicit lytic cytotoxicity to target cells in a VEGFR-1-dependent manner. The adoptive transfer of V-1 CAR T lymphocytes delayed tumor growth and formation and inhibited pulmonary metastasis in xenograft models and such efficacies were enhanced by cotransfer of T lymphocytes that expressed interleukin-15 (IL-15). Moreover, V-1 CAR-modified T lymphocytes lysed primary endothelial cells and impaired tube formation, in vitro. These data demonstrated the antitumor and anti-angiogenesis ability of V-1 CAR-modified T lymphocytes. Our study provides the rationale for the clinical translation of CAR-modified T lymphocytes with VEGFR-1 specificity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Cell Death
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic*
  • Electroporation
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / transplantation
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / immunology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1