Engineering NK Cells Modified With an EGFRvIII-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor to Overexpress CXCR4 Improves Immunotherapy of CXCL12/SDF-1α-secreting Glioblastoma

J Immunother. 2015 Jun;38(5):197-210. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0000000000000082.

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells are promising effector cells for adjuvant immunotherapy of cancer. So far, several preclinical studies have shown the feasibility of gene-engineered NK cells, which upon expression of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are redirected to otherwise NK cell-resistant tumors. Yet, we reasoned that the efficiency of an immunotherapy using CAR-modified NK cells critically relies on efficient migration to the tumor site and might be improved by the engraftment of a receptor specific for a chemokine released by the tumor. On the basis of the DNAX-activation protein 12 (DAP12), a signaling adapter molecule involved in signal transduction of activating NK cell receptors, we constructed an epidermal growth factor variant III (EGFRvIII)-CAR, designated MR1.1-DAP12 which confers specific cytotoxicity of NK cell towards EGFRvIII glioblastoma cells in vitro and to established subcutaneous U87-MG tumor xenografts. So far, infusion of NK cells with expression of MR1.1-DAP12 caused a moderate but significantly delayed tumor growth and increased median survival time when compared with NK cells transduced with an ITAM-defective CAR. Notably, the further genetic engineering of these EGFRvIII-specific NK cells with the chemokine receptor CXCR4 conferred a specific chemotaxis to CXCL12/SDF-1α secreting U87-MG glioblastoma cells. Moreover, the administration of such NK cells resulted in complete tumor remission in a number of mice and a significantly increased survival when compared with the treatment of xenografts with NK cells expressing only the EGFRvIII-specific CAR or mock control. We conclude that chemokine receptor-engineered NK cells with concomitant expression of a tumor-specific CAR are a promising tool to improve adoptive tumor immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / biosynthesis
  • Chemotaxis / genetics
  • Chemotaxis / immunology
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Ectopic Gene Expression
  • ErbB Receptors / immunology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression*
  • Gene Order
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / etiology*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / mortality
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Glioblastoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
  • Lentivirus / genetics
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / genetics*
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Transduction, Genetic
  • Tumor Burden
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • epidermal growth factor receptor VIII
  • ErbB Receptors