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TCR T cells overexpressing c-Jun have better functionality with improved tumor infiltration and persistence in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Authors :
Hussein, Mohamed S.
Qi Li
Rui Mao
Yibing Peng
Yukai He
Source :
Frontiers in Immunology; 2023, p1-12, 12p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Background: The overall 5-year survival rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a major form of liver cancer, is merely 20%, underscoring the need for more effective therapies. We recently identified T cell receptors (TCR) specific for the HLA-A2/alpha fetoprotein amino acids 158-166 (AFP<subscript>158</subscript>) and showed that these TCR engineered T cells could control HCC xenografts in NSG mice. However, their efficacy was limited by poor expansion, loss of function, and short persistence of the TCR T cells. Here, we studied whether overexpression of c-Jun, a transcription factor required for T cell activation, in the TCR T cells could enhance their expansion, function, and persistence in HCC tumor models. Methods: Recombinant lentiviral vectors (lv), expressing either the HLA-A2/AFP<subscript>158</subscript>-specific TCR or both the TCR and c-Jun (TCR-JUN), were constructed and used to transduce primary human T cells to generate the TCR or TCR-JUN T cells, respectively. We compared the expansion, effector function, and exhaustion status of the TCR and TCR-JUN T cells in vitro after HCC tumor stimulation. Additionally, we studied the persistence and antitumor effects of the TCR and TCR-JUN T cells using the HCC xenografts in NSG mice. Results: We could effectively transduce primary human T cells to express both TCR and c-Jun. Compared to the HLA-A2/AFP<subscript>158</subscript> TCR T cells, the TCR-JUN T cells have better expansion potential in culture, with enhanced functional capacity against HCC tumor cells. In addition, the TCR-JUN T cells were less apoptotic and more resistant to exhaustion after HepG2 tumor stimulation. In the HCC xenograft tumor model, c-Jun overexpression enhanced the TCR T cell expansion and increased the overall survival rate of the treated mice. Importantly, the TCR-JUN T cells were less exhausted in the tumor lesions and demonstrated enhanced tumor infiltration, functionality, and persistence. Conclusion: c-Jun overexpression can enhance the expansion, function, and persistence of the A2/AFP<subscript>158</subscript> TCR engineered T cells. The c-Jun gene co-delivery has the potential to enhance the antitumor efficacy of AFP specific TCR T cells when treating patients with HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
16643224
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Frontiers in Immunology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
163818177
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1114770