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Tiragolumab, an anti-TIGIT antibody with an active IgG1κ Fc, demonstrated improved outcomes in the phase 2 CITYSCAPE trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03563716 ) when combined with atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) versus atezolizumab alone 1 . However, there remains little consensus on the mechanism(s) of response with this combination 2 . Here we find that a high baseline of intratumoural macrophages and regulatory T cells is associated with better outcomes in patients treated with atezolizumab plus tiragolumab but not with atezolizumab alone. Serum sample analysis revealed that macrophage activation is associated with a clinical benefit in patients who received the combination treatment. In mouse tumour models, tiragolumab surrogate antibodies inflamed tumour-associated macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells through Fcγ receptors (FcγR), in turn driving anti-tumour CD8 + T cells from an exhausted effector-like state to a more memory-like state. These results reveal a mechanism of action through which TIGIT checkpoint inhibitors can remodel immunosuppressive tumour microenvironments, and suggest that FcγR engagement is an important consideration in anti-TIGIT antibody development., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

TGFβ signaling is associated with non-response to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with advanced cancers, particularly in the immune-excluded phenotype. While previous work demonstrates that converting tumors from excluded to inflamed phenotypes requires attenuation of PD-L1 and TGFβ signaling, the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that TGFβ and PD-L1 restrain intratumoral stem cell-like CD8 T cell (T SCL ) expansion and replacement of progenitor-exhausted and dysfunctional CD8 T cells with non-exhausted T effector cells in the EMT6 tumor model in female mice. Upon combined TGFβ/PD-L1 blockade IFNγ hi CD8 T effector cells show enhanced motility and accumulate in the tumor. Ensuing IFNγ signaling transforms myeloid, stromal, and tumor niches to yield an immune-supportive ecosystem. Blocking IFNγ abolishes the anti-PD-L1/anti-TGFβ therapy efficacy. Our data suggest that TGFβ works with PD-L1 to prevent T SCL expansion and replacement of exhausted CD8 T cells, thereby maintaining the T cell compartment in a dysfunctional state., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Dual blockade of the PD-1 and TIGIT coinhibitory receptors on T cells shows promising early results in cancer patients. Here, we studied the mechanisms whereby PD-1 and/or TIGIT blockade modulate anti-tumor CD8 + T cells. Although PD-1 and TIGIT are thought to regulate different costimulatory receptors (CD28 and CD226), effectiveness of PD-1 or TIGIT inhibition in preclinical tumor models was reduced in the absence of CD226. CD226 expression associated with clinical benefit in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) treated with anti-PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab. CD226 and CD28 were co-expressed on NSCLC infiltrating CD8 + T cells poised for expansion. Mechanistically, PD-1 inhibited phosphorylation of both CD226 and CD28 via its ITIM-containing intracellular domain (ICD); TIGIT's ICD was dispensable, with TIGIT restricting CD226 co-stimulation by blocking interaction with their common ligand PVR (CD155). Thus, full restoration of CD226 signaling, and optimal anti-tumor CD8 + T cell responses, requires blockade of TIGIT and PD-1, providing a mechanistic rationale for combinatorial targeting in the clinic., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests K.L.B., A.S.C., A.A.-Y., W.E.O., T.D.W., S.M., R.C., L.C.-A., J.L.G., I.M., and E.Y.C. are or were employees of Genentech, a member of the Roche group, which develops and markets drugs for profit., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

CD96 is a member of the poliovirus receptor (PVR, CD155)-nectin family that includes T cell Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT) and CD226. While CD96, TIGIT, and CD226 have important roles in regulating NK cell activity, and TIGIT and CD226 have also been shown to regulate T cell responses, it is unclear whether CD96 has inhibitory or stimulatory function in CD8 + T cells. Here, we demonstrate that CD96 has co-stimulatory function on CD8 + T cells. Crosslinking of CD96 on human or mouse CD8 + T cells induced activation, effector cytokine production, and proliferation. CD96 was found to transduce its activating signal through the MEK-ERK pathway. CD96-mediated signaling led to increased frequencies of NUR77- and T-bet-expressing CD8 + T cells and enhanced cytotoxic effector activity, indicating that CD96 can modulate effector T cell differentiation. Antibody blockade of CD96 or genetic ablation of CD96 expression on CD8 + T cells impaired expression of transcription factors and proinflammatory cytokines associated with CD8 + T cell activation in in vivo models. Taken together, CD96 has a co-stimulatory role in CD8 + T cell activation and effector function., (© 2020 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Exhausted T cells have been described in cancer patients and murine tumor models largely based on their expression of various inhibitory receptors. Understanding of the functional attributes of these cells is limited. Here, we report that among CD8 + T cells in commonly used syngeneic tumor models, the coexpression of inhibitory receptors PD-1, LAG3, and TIM3 defined a group of highly activated and functional effector cells. Coexpression of these receptors further enriched for antigen-specific cells with increased T-cell receptor clonality. Anti-PD-L1 treatment increased the number and activation of these triple-positive CD8 + T cells without affecting the density of PD-1 - cells. The intratumoral density of CD8 + T cells coexpressing inhibitory receptors negatively correlated with tumor burden. The density ratio and pretreatment phenotype of CD8 + T cells coexpressing inhibitory receptors was positively correlated with response across a variety of tumor models. Our results demonstrate that coexpression of inhibitory receptors is not a signifier of exhausted T cells, but rather can define a group of activated and functional effector cells in syngeneic tumor models. In the cancer setting, these cells could represent a heterogeneous population of not only exhausted but also highly activated cells responsive to treatment., (©2019 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Checkpoint inhibitors like anti-PD1/PD-L1 have demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy in a subset of patients partly through reinvigoration of CD8 T cells. However, their impact on myeloid cells remains largely unknown. Here, we report that anti-PD-L1 treatment favorably impacts the phenotype and function of tumor macrophages by polarizing the macrophage compartment toward a more proinflammatory phenotype. This phenotype was characterized by a decrease in Arginase-I (ARG1) expression and an increase in iNOS, MHCII, and CD40 expression. Whole-transcriptome profiling further confirmed extensive polarization of both tumor monocytes and macrophages from a suppressive to a proinflammatory, immunostimulatory phenotype. This polarization was driven mainly through IFNγ and was associated with enhanced T-cell activity. Transfer of monocytes into anti-PD-L1-treated tumor-bearing mice led to macrophage differentiation into a more proinflammatory phenotype, with an increase in CD8 T cells expressing granzyme-B and an increase in the CD8/Treg ratio compared with control-treated mice. Although in responsive tumor models, anti-PD-L1 treatment remodeled the macrophage compartment with beneficial effects on T cells, both macrophage reprogramming and depletion were needed to maximize anti-PD-L1 responses in a tumor immune contexture with high macrophage burden. Our results demonstrate that anti-PD-L1 treatment can favorably remodel the macrophage compartment in responsive tumor models toward a more proinflammatory phenotype, mainly through increased IFNγ levels. They also suggest that directly targeting these cells with reprogramming and depleting agents may further augment the breadth and depth of response to anti-PD-L1 treatment in less responsive or more macrophage-dense tumor microenvironments. SIGNIFICANCE: This work demonstrates that increased IFNγ signaling following anti-PD-L1 treatment can remodel the macrophage compartment to enhance T-cell responses. Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/7/1493/F1.large.jpg., (©2019 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Natural killer (NK) cell recognition of tumor cells is mediated through activating receptors such as CD226, with suppression of effector functions often controlled by negative regulatory transcription factors such as FOXO1. Here we show that CD226 regulation of NK cell cytotoxicity is facilitated through inactivation of FOXO1. Gene-expression analysis of NK cells isolated from syngeneic tumors grown in wild-type or CD226-deficient mice revealed dysregulated expression of FOXO1-regulated genes in the absence of CD226. In vitro cytotoxicity and stimulation assays demonstrated that CD226 is required for optimal killing of tumor target cells, with engagement of its ligand CD155 resulting in phosphorylation of FOXO1. CD226 deficiency or anti-CD226 antibody blockade impaired cytotoxicity with concomitant compromised inactivation of FOXO1. Furthermore, inhibitors of FOXO1 phosphorylation abrogated CD226-mediated signaling and effector responses. These results define a pathway by which CD226 exerts control of NK cell responses against tumors., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement: All authors are employees of Genentech, a member of the Roche group, which develops and markets drugs for profit., (Copyright © 2018 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.)

Sequence analysis of the human genome permitted cloning of five Ca(2+)-channel beta(2) splice variants (beta(2a)-beta(2e)) that differed only in their proximal amino-termini. The functional consequences of such beta(2)-subunit diversity were explored in recombinant L-type channels reconstituted in HEK 293 cells. Beta(2a) and beta(2e) targeted autonomously to the plasma membrane, whereas beta(2b)-beta(2d) localized to the cytosol when expressed in HEK 293 cells. The pattern of modulation of L-type channel voltage-dependent inactivation gating correlated with the subcellular localization of the component beta(2) variant-membrane-bound beta(2a) and beta(2e) subunits conferred slow(er) channel inactivation kinetics and displayed a smaller fraction of channels recovering from inactivation with fast kinetics, compared to beta(2b)-beta(2d) channels. The varying effects of beta(2) subunits on inactivation gating were accounted for by a quantitative model in which L-type channels reversibly distributed between fast and slow forms of voltage-dependent inactivation-membrane-bound beta(2) subunits substantially decreased the steady-state fraction of fast inactivating channels. Finally, the beta(2) variants also had distinctive effects on L-type channel steady-state activation gating, as revealed by differences in the waveforms of tail-activation (G-V) curves, and conferred differing degrees of prepulse facilitation to the channel. Our results predict important physiological consequences arising from subtle changes in Ca(2+)-channel beta(2)-subunit structure due to alternative splicing and emphasize the utility of splice variants in probing structure-function mechanisms.

P/Q-type (Ca(v)2.1) calcium channels support a host of Ca2+-driven neuronal functions in the mammalian brain. Alternative splicing of the main alpha1A (alpha1(2.1)) subunit of these channels may thereby represent a rich strategy for tuning the functional profile of diverse neurobiological processes. Here, we applied a recently developed "transcript-scanning" method for systematic determination of splice variant transcripts of the human alpha1(2.1) gene. This screen identified seven loci of variation, which together have never been fully defined in humans. Genomic sequence analysis clarified the splicing mechanisms underlying the observed variation. Electrophysiological characterization and a novel analytical paradigm, termed strength-current analysis, revealed that one focus of variation, involving combinatorial inclusion and exclusion of exons 43 and 44, exerted a primary effect on current amplitude and a corollary effect on Ca2+-dependent channel inactivation. These findings significantly expand the anticipated scope of functional diversity produced by splice variation of P/Q-type channels.

Recombinant adenoviruses were used to overexpress green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fused auxiliary Ca(2+) channel beta subunits (beta(1)-beta(4)) in cultured adult rat heart cells, to explore new dimensions of beta subunit functions in vivo. Distinct beta-GFP subunits distributed differentially between the surface sarcolemma, transverse elements, and nucleus in single heart cells. All beta-GFP subunits increased the native cardiac whole-cell L-type Ca(2+) channel current density, but produced distinctive effects on channel inactivation kinetics. The degree of enhancement of whole-cell current density was non-uniform between beta subunits, with a rank order of potency beta(2a) approximately equal to beta(4) > beta(1b) > beta(3). For each beta subunit, the increase in L-type current density was accompanied by a correlative increase in the maximal gating charge (Q(max)) moved with depolarization. However, beta subunits produced characteristic effects on single L-type channel gating, resulting in divergent effects on channel open probability (P(o)). Quantitative analysis and modelling of single-channel data provided a kinetic signature for each channel type. Spurred on by ambiguities regarding the molecular identity of the actual endogenous cardiac L-type channel beta subunit, we cloned a new rat beta(2) splice variant, beta(2b), from heart using 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR. By contrast with beta(2a), expression of beta(2b) in heart cells yielded channels with a microscopic gating signature virtually identical to that of native unmodified channels. Our results provide novel insights into beta subunit functions that are unattainable in traditional heterologous expression studies, and also provide new perspectives on the molecular identity of the beta subunit component of cardiac L-type Ca(2+) channels. Overall, the work establishes a powerful experimental paradigm to explore novel functions of ion channel subunits in their native environments.

The passive electrical properties of 17 ON-OFF retinal ganglion cells were derived from electrophysiological recordings. The parameters for each cells' equivalent model were obtained from the transient current responses to small step changes in clamp potential. Thirteen of the cells could be adequately approximated by a spherical soma connected to an equivalent dendritic cable. Estimates for the cell input conductance (GN), membrane time constant (tau m), the dendritic-to-soma conductance ratio (rho), and the normalized electrotonic length (L) were obtained (mean +/- standard deviation, n = 13): GN = 580 +/- 530 pS, tau m = 97 +/- 72 ms, rho = 2.8 +/- 2.8, and L = 0.34 +/- 0.13. Series resistance averaged 32 +/- 11 M omega. The mean of the derived soma diameters was 18 +/- 6 microns and the mean diameter and length of the equivalent cables were 1.4 +/- 0.6 and 470 +/- 90 microns, respectively. The average of the specific membrane conductances, 1.67 +/- 1.08 S/cm2, corresponded to a membrane resistivity of 60 k omega. cm2. Computer simulations of synaptic inputs were performed on a representative model, with an electrode at the soma and using the worst-case configuration, in which all synaptic inputs were confined to the tips of the dendrites. We draw three conclusions from the modeling: (1) Under voltage clamp, fast spontaneous EPSCs would be significantly attenuated and slowed while the time course of the slower, light-evoked non-NMDA and NMDA EPSCs would be minimally distorted by dendritic filtering. (2) Excitatory synaptic reversal potentials can be accurately determined under voltage clamp. (3) In the absence of GABAergic and glycinergic inhibition, the efficacy at the soma of excitatory conductance changes is essentially independent of their dendritic location. The specific membrane resistivity appears to represent a good compromise between having a small membrane time constant and minimal EPSP attenuation.

The human ovarian cancer cell line EFO-27 in culture spontaneously produced anti-PAF activity, which eluted from HPLC in the range of synthetic PAF. The activity therefore appears to be due to an antagonistic PAF-analogue. It was detected by a suppressed PAF-induced platelet aggregation in vitro. EFO-27 cells were found to be able to bind synthetic PAF with saturable binding kinetics. This binding led to reduced cell proliferation. The production of anti-PAF activity by EFO-27 cells resembles an autocrine growth regulation in the light of recent findings that other malignant transformed cell lines produce PAF-like activity in vitro if stimulated appropriately.

Rats tested for 1 h in the Behavioral Pattern Monitor (BPM) after injection of the mixed serotonergic agonist d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) exhibit a behavioral profile similar to that produced by various hallucinogenic 5HT-2 agonists. The characteristic effects of the hallucinogens include suppression of locomotor and exploratory behavior and a preferential decrease in entries into the center of the BPM during the initial half of the test session. After LSD, the initial suppression of responding is followed by a subsequent increase in locomotor activity that is not observed with other serotonergic agonists. In the present studies, the 5HT-1 and beta-adrenergic antagonist d,l-propranolol and the 5HT-2 antagonist ritanserin were administered individually or in combination prior to the acute administration of LSD to test for the involvement of these receptor subtypes in the mediation of the effects of LSD in the BPM paradigm. Propranolol (20 mg/kg) abolished the initial suppression of activity induced by 60 micrograms/kg LSD without affecting the subsequent increase in locomotion. Conversely, 2.0 mg/kg ritanserin failed to block the initial suppressive effects of 60 or 120 micrograms/kg LSD, but attenuated the LSD-induced increases in activity during the second half of the session. The combination of propranolol and ritanserin prevented both these effects of LSD. By contrast, the more selective 5HT-2 agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) (0.27 mg/kg) produced an initial suppression of activity in the BPM that was blocked by 2.0 mg/kg ritanserin and was not followed by a subsequent increase in activity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Behavioral profiles composed of both locomotor activity and investigatory behavior were established for the 5HT-1A agonists 8OHDPAT, buspirone, gepirone, and ipsapirone using rats tested in a Behavioral Pattern Monitor. Typically these compounds dose-relatedly decreased horizontal locomotion and investigatory activity during the first half of the 1-h test session. Time-course studies revealed that the time interval between injection and placement of the animal in the testing chamber made no difference in the temporal distribution of locomotor activity following most 5HT-1A agonists. These results were compared and contrasted to the behavioral profiles previously established for hallucinogenic compounds such as LSD and DOM, the psychoactive properties of which have been suggested to be mediated by 5HT-2 binding sites. Examination of ipsapirone and 8OHDPAT in a familiar environment paradigm revealed that both drugs decreased behavioral responding independently of the animals' familiarity with the test environment, in contrast to the behaviorally suppressive effects of hallucinogenic 5HT-2 antagonists which disappear in a familiar environment. Additionally, d,l-propranolol was used as a 5HT-1 antagonist and was found to block the behavioral effects of the 5HT-1A agonists ipsapirone and buspirone without having significant effects by itself. Propranolol was also used to identify the contribution of the 5HT-1 binding site to the behavioral effects of LSD. Even at relatively high doses, propranolol only partially antagonized the effects of LSD, supporting the hypothesis that the behavioral effects of LSD reflect the activation of both 5HT-1 and 5HT-2 receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The bubble pressure of a micropipet tip is the minimum transmural pressure necessary to expel bubbles into a liquid in which the tip is submerged. Bubble pressure measurement is a simple, accurate and non-destructive technique for determining the tip outer diameter of micropipets used in microinjection, intracellular recording and patch-clamp experiments. For micropipets pulled from thin-wall glass capillary tubing, with tip outer diameters between 0.1 and 1.5 micrograms, observed bubble pressures are close to those predicted by considering surface tension at the pipet tip. Also, as predicted, neither glass composition nor shank geometry influences the relationship between bubble pressure and tip outer diameter. Tip outer diameter for a given bubble pressure is larger for micropipets pulled from thick-wall glass capillary tubing than it is for pipets pulled from thin-wall glass. However, for a given wall thickness, the outer diameter vs bubble pressure behavior is sufficiently reproducible to allow accurate size determination from bubble pressure measurements. The size of micropipet tips modified by fire-polishing or beveling can also be estimated by bubble pressure measurement, although with less accuracy. Thus, bubble pressure measurement can be a useful technique for following the progress of micropipet tip modification.