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Biomedical subjects

Pierre Tiberghien

Publications and source records attributed to Pierre Tiberghien.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Reconstitution of lymphoid development and function in ZAP-70-deficient mice following gene transfer into bone marrow cells.

Mutations in the ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinase gene result in a severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) characterized by a selective inability to produce CD8(+) T cells and a signal transduction defect in peripheral CD4(+) cells. Transplantation of genetically modified hematopoietic progenitor cells that express the wild-type ZAP-70 gene may provide significant benefit to some of these infants. The feasibility of stem cell gene correction for human ZAP-70 deficiency was assessed using a ZAP-70 knock-out model. ZAP-70-deficient murine bone marrow progenitor cells were transduced with a retroviral vector expressing the human ZAP-70 gene. Engraftment of these cells in irradiated ZAP-70-deficient animals resulted in the development of mature CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. In marked contrast, both populations were absent in ZAP-70(-/-) mice undergoing transplantation with bone marrow progenitor cells transduced with a control vector. Importantly, ZAP-70-reconstituted T cells proliferated in response to T-cell receptor stimulation. Moreover, these ZAP-70-expressing T cells demonstrated a diverse T-cell receptor repertoire as monitored by the relative usage of each T-cell receptor beta chain hypervariable region subfamily. The presence of ZAP-70 in B cells did not affect either lipopolysaccharide- or lipopolysaccharide/interleukin-4-mediated immunoglobulin isotype switching. Altogether, these data indicate that retroviral-mediated gene transfer of the ZAP-70 gene may prove to have a therapeutic benefit for patients with ZAP-70-SCID.

Animals↗

Retrovirus-mediated gene transfer in primary T lymphocytes impairs their anti-Epstein-Barr virus potential through both culture-dependent and selection process-dependent mechanisms.

To modulate alloreactivity after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, suicide gene-expressing donor T cells can be administered with an allogeneic T-cell-depleted bone marrow graft. Immune competence of such cells is a critical issue. The impact of the ex vivo gene transfer protocol (12-day culture period including CD3/interleukin-2 [IL-2] activation, retroviral-mediated gene transfer, and G418-based selection) on the anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) potential of gene-modified cells has been examined. Cytotoxic (pCTL) and helper (pTh) cell precursor limiting dilution assays, interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot, or fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis after tetrameric HLA-A2/EBV peptide complexes revealed that the frequency of anti-EBV T cells was lower in gene-modified cells (GMCs) than in similarly cultured but untransduced T cells and was even lower than in fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells, demonstrating both an effect of the culture and of the transduction or selection. The culture-dependent loss of EBV-reactive cells resulted from the preferential induction of activation-induced cell death in tetramer(+) cells. Replacing the initial CD3/IL-2 activation by CD3/CD28/IL-2 partially restored the anti-EBV response of GMCs by reducing the initial activation-induced cell death and enhancing the proliferation of EBV-tetramer(+) cells. Moreover, the G418 selection, and not the transduction, was directly toxic to transduced tetramer(+) cells. Replacing the G418 selection by an immunomagnetic selection significantly prevented the selection-dependent loss of EBV-specific cells. Overall, ex vivo gene modification of primary T cells can result in a significant reduction in EBV-reactive T cells through both culture-dependent and selection-dependent mechanisms. Improving immune functions of GMCs through modifications of the cell culture conditions and transduction/selection processes is critical for further clinical studies.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

Dendritic cells: to where do they lead?

Dendritic cells are a heterogeneous population of bone marrow-derived cells present in most peripheral tissues. These cells are able to capture and present antigens to T cells. Such presentation can lead to two opposite outcomes: potent activation (immunogenicity) or inhibition (tolerance) of the immune response. The fine regulation of these two distinct functions is not completely understood to date. In this review, we discuss three potential variables that may influence dendritic cell function: the origin of dendritic cells, their maturation state, and their capture properties. Each hypothesis is illustrated with examples in the field of transplantation. Lastly, the criteria necessary for proposing tolerogenic dendritic cells to promote engraftment and long-term allograft survival are discussed.

Animals↗

Influence of ex vivo expansion and retrovirus-mediated gene transfer on primary T lymphocyte phenotype and functions.

To modulate alloreactivity after hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, suicide gene-expressing donor T cells can be administered with an allogeneic T cell-depleted HSC graft. Immune competence of such cells is a critical issue. We have examined the impact of our ex vivo gene transfer protocol (12-day culture period including CD3/IL-2 activation, retrovirus-mediated gene transfer, and G418-based selection) on the phenotype and functional properties of gene-modified cells (GMC). GMC were compared with control cells that had been cultured in parallel with GMC, but nontransduced and nonselected, as well as with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Our data show that phenotypical modifications are similar in control cells and GMC, demonstrating that alterations result from the 12-day culture rather than from the transduction and/or selection process itself. Such modifications include a reversal of CD4/CD8 ratio, activated phenotype (increased expression of CD45RO, CD95, and HLA-DR), and acquisition or increased expression of co-stimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86, and CD40). This led to an enhanced allostimulating potential of GMC, as compared with resting T cells, when used as stimulating cells in mixed lymphocyte reactions. Conversely, when using them as responder cells in mixed lymphocyte reactions, GMC exhibited a rapid loss of alloreactivity that resulted both from culture-dependent and from transduction and/or selection-dependent events. In conclusion, the retrovirus-mediated gene transfer can be associated with major phenotypical and functional alterations that could have strong clinical implications (increased immunogenicity, reduced anti-leukemic effect). Thus, future T cell expansion protocols should try to improve not only cell expansion or gene transfer efficiency, but also T cell functions.

Antigens, CD↗

Cell-based therapy approaches using dying cells: from tumour immunotherapy to transplantation tolerance induction.

Cell-based therapies are promising approaches to treat uncontrolled pathologies, such as tumours. Apoptotic tumour cells have recently been proposed as a source of tumour-associated antigens to stimulate an efficient immune response. However, a complex relationship exists between apoptosis and the immune system. In this review, the different factors that may influence immune responses against apoptotic cells are detailed and discussed in the light of recent publications. These factors include the nature of the phagocytes and the receptors involved in apoptotic cell uptake, as well as the environment in which cells are dying. A possible distinction between apoptosis and necrosis by immune system sentinels adds a further level of complexity. The potential use of the immunomodulatory properties associated with apoptosis to favour engraftment and induce tolerance in transplantation is then discussed. In conclusion, this review will suggest appropriate conditions to efficiently and safely use apoptotic cells as a new cell therapy product.

Animals↗

Exposure to exogenous DNA can modify the sensitivity of the Fas apoptotic pathway.

BACKGROUND: Gene-transfer techniques are commonly employed for both in vitro and in vivo studies. However, modifications of the target cell following the introduction of the gene of interest are not often examined. These modifications can alter the immunogenicity and/or the susceptibility of the target cell to apoptosis and may produce unwanted consequences in vivo. METHODS: Gene transfer into the murine fibroblastic Psi-CRIP packaging cell line was performed using calcium phosphate precipitation, cationic liposome-DNA complexes or a retroviral RNA-mediated method. After gene transfer, Fas expression, cytokine production, and sensitivity to Fas ligand (FasL)-mediated death were assessed. RESULTS: Following transfection of a FasL expression vector by calcium phosphate precipitation, an unexpected increase was observed in apoptotic cell death in previously Fas-resistant Psi-CRIP cells. This apoptosis was due to Fas upregulation and an increase of sensitivity to FasL-mediated death. Other plasmids coding non-cytotoxic factors also modulated this apoptotic pathway. The co-stimulatory molecule CD80 was also upregulated. Exposure to naked DNA alone elicited the same response. The effect was not dependent on the methylation status of exogenous DNA, but was found to be dependent on the target cell type and might be avoided by the use of an RNA-mediated retroviral system. CONCLUSIONS: Plasmid transfection or simple exposure to naked DNA can increase sensitivity to apoptosis. The generation of FasL packaging cell lines is therefore limited by an increase in FasL/Fas-mediated apoptosis. These findings should be considered when using genetically modified transplantable cells in order to prevent elimination by host cytotoxic cells and in particular when cells are engineered using FasL.

3T3 Cells↗

Polybrene and interleukin-4: two opposing factors for retroviral transduction of bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells.

BACKGROUND: Gene transfer using retroviral transduction offers the advantage of long-term transgene expression in developing strategies that use dendritic cells (DCs) for immunotherapy. The goal of this study was to infect DCs in an immature state in order to take advantage of their proliferating and tolerogenic potential. METHODS: Immature DCs were generated from murine bone marrow (BM) using either GM-CSF alone or GM-CSF plus IL-4. The cells were transduced directly with retroviral supernatants or by co-culture with the GP + E-86 retroviral packaging cell line in the presence of two different cationic polymers: polybrene and protamine sulfate. Phenotypic and functional characterization of the transduced cells were then performed. RESULTS: Our results show a low efficiency of retroviral infection of DCs in the presence of polybrene. This cationic polymer was found to be directly cytotoxic to murine DCs and thus favored the growth of contaminating macrophages. This effect was not observed using protamine sulfate. Furthermore, stimulation by IL-4 early in the culture increased DC differentiation, proliferation and transduction. However, we found that DCs generated in GM-CSF plus IL-4 presented a more mature phenotype with an enhanced allogeneic stimulating activity. Finally, we showed that DCs themselves down-regulated transgene expression in the co-cultured packaging cell line in a promoter-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: We have defined optimal conditions to generate and transduce murine BM-derived DCs. This included: the use of protamine sulfate during exposure to retroviral infectious supernatant and the addition of IL-4 at an early stage of the culture. Nevertheless, this cytokine also induced DC maturation. These findings have potential implications in experimental gene therapy.

Animals↗

Can tolerogenic dendritic cells help to modulate allo-immune responses in the setting of hematopoietic cell transplantation?

Recent evidence suggests that recipient as well as donor dendritic cell (DC) subsets are implicated in hematopoietic engraftment, graft-vs.-host disease occurrence, immune reconstitution and graft-vs.-leukemia effects observed after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Although further data are needed to better understand the precise role of different DC subsets, strategies based on their manipulation to obtain tolerogenic DC can be envisaged. Here, we propose that DC blocked in an immature stage, using immunosuppressive agents, or lymphoid DC can be adequate candidates to control the alloreactive conflict post-allograft.

Dendritic Cells↗

[Allorecognition of the recipient after hematopoietic transplantation].

Donor allorecognition of the recipient after hematopoietic transplantation can result in graft-versus-host disease, a potent graft-vs-leukemia effect as well as a graft facilitation effect. Danger signals, host Ag-presenting cells and minor histocompatibility Ag have recently emerged as major determinants of such an alloreactivity. A better understanding of the involved immune mechanisms, the development of novel immunomonitoring tools and cell engineering approaches should result in a significantly increased therapeutic index of allogeneic alloreactivity.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗