Anti-CD3ε mAb improves thymic architecture and prevents autoimmune manifestations in a mouse model of Omenn syndrome: therapeutic implications

Blood. 2012 Aug 2;120(5):1005-14. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-01-406827. Epub 2012 Jun 21.

Abstract

Omenn syndrome (OS) is an atypical primary immunodeficiency characterized by severe autoimmunity because of activated T cells infiltrating target organs. The impaired recombinase activity in OS severely affects expression of the pre-T-cell receptor complex in immature thymocytes, which is crucial for an efficient development of the thymic epithelial component. Anti-CD3ε monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment in RAG2(-/-) mice was previously shown to mimic pre-TCR signaling promoting thymic expansion. Here we show the effect of anti-CD3ε mAb administration in the RAG2(R229Q) mouse model, which closely recapitulates human OS. These animals, in spite of the inability to induce the autoimmune regulator, displayed a significant amelioration in thymic epithelial compartment and an important reduction of peripheral T-cell activation and tissue infiltration. Furthermore, by injecting a high number of RAG2(R229Q) progenitors into RAG2(-/-) animals previously conditioned with anti-CD3ε mAb, we detected autoimmune regulator expression together with the absence of peripheral immunopathology. These observations indicate that improving epithelial thymic function might ameliorate the detrimental behavior of the cell-autonomous RAG defect. Our data provide important therapeutic proof of concept for future clinical applications of anti-CD3ε mAb treatment in severe combined immunodeficiency forms characterized by poor thymus function and autoimmunity.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Autoimmunity / drug effects
  • Autoimmunity / genetics
  • CD3 Complex / immunology*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / immunology
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / pathology
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / therapy*
  • Thymus Gland / drug effects*
  • Thymus Gland / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / pathology
  • Thymus Gland / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • CD3 Complex
  • Cd3e protein, mouse
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Rag2 protein, mouse