There is significant interest in the development of 'T cell adjuvants', biocompounds capable of enhancing T cell immune responses against tumors or chronic infections. In order to target diseased tissue for elimination, T cells must recognize antigens via the T cell antigen receptor (TCR), and induce a conformational change in the TCR-associated CD3 complex (v). However, the mechanism(s) by which this occurs, and the precise contribution this makes to T cell immunity, are not completely understood. In this project, we propose to elucidate the protein sequences controlling CD3?c in experiments designed to inform new conceptual models regarding the structural aspects of T cell activation. We will focus on the TCR/CD3 subunits, domains, and amino acid sequences involved in CD3?c. Relevant sequences that are discovered in this manner will be mutated and expressed to ascertain their functional contribution to T cell development and activation. We will also determine the contribution that exogenous provision of CD3?c imparts to T cell function, via the use of a new reagent we have generated. This reagent can induce CD3?c without inducing other T cell signaling, and therefore it is inert to non-antigen-engaged T cells. However, the reagent appears to enhance T cell activation by weak antigens, and thus may represent a novel class of 'T cell adjuvant'. We will examine the ability of this reagent to lower the T cell activation signaling threshold, and to enhance T cell-mediated tumor rejection in mice. The information obtained from these studies will advance our comprehension of antigen recognition by T cells, and point toward CD3?c as molecular target with therapeutic potential.

Public Health Relevance

Recognition of antigen causes the CD3 complex to undergo a conformational change that can enhance T cell immune activity. We will characterize the precise protein sequences that control this CD3 rearrangement, and establish the level of impact it imparts to T cell immune function. Furthermore, a new means of exogenously inducing this CD3 conformational change will be evaluated for its ability to enhance T cell immunity against tumors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01AI097187-06
Application #
9553015
Study Section
Cellular and Molecular Immunology - B Study Section (CMIB)
Program Officer
Ramachandra, Lakshmi
Project Start
2013-05-21
Project End
2019-04-30
Budget Start
2017-10-26
Budget End
2019-04-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Missouri-Columbia
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
153890272
City
Columbia
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
65211
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Hoffmann, Michele M; Molina-Mendiola, Carlos; Nelson, Alfreda D et al. (2015) Co-potentiation of antigen recognition: A mechanism to boost weak T cell responses and provide immunotherapy in vivo. Sci Adv 1:e1500415
Ferrer, Alejandro; Schrum, Adam G; Gil, Diana (2013) A PCR-Based Method to Genotype Mice Knocked Out for All Four CD3 Subunits, the Standard Recipient Strain for Retrogenic TCR/CD3 Bone Marrow Reconstitution Technology. Biores Open Access 2:222-6