The progressive growth of antigen-expressing tumors despite the presence of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells is a central problem in the field of anti-tumor immunity. Although one hypothetical mechanism of escape is T cell anergy, this process in the tumor setting is poorly defined. Using a TCP transgenic T cell model that allows recovery of sufficient numbers of T cells for analysis ex vivo, we have recently observed that tumors do induce antigen-specific hyporesponsiveness of anti-tumor CD8+ T cells and not of irrelevant T cells, consistent with a form of T cell anergy. We also have obtained preliminary data that tumor-induced T cell hyporesponsiveness does not occur when lymphopenia-induced homeostatic proliferation is permitted. Understanding the mechanism of the induction and reversal of T cell anergy should have great impact in our ability to maintain the functionality of tumor antigen-specific T cells in vivo, and enable the development of interventions that can be translated to the clinic. The first specific aim is to determine the mechanism of T cell-intrinsic hyporesponsiveness of TCR transgenic T cells in tumor bearing mice. TCR Tg T cells will be analyzed ex vivo for deficiencies in signal transduction events triggered by TCR/CD28 stimulation, and for molecular alterations using gene expression profiling. CAR Tg T cells and adenoviral vectors will be utilized to examine the causal relationship between observed changes and T cell dysfunction. The second specific aim is to explore and understand the mechanism by which T cell responsiveness is restored through homeostatic proliferation in vivo. Homeostatic signals will be delivered to anergic T cells by manipulating the host (transferring into RAG2-/- mice), manipulating the tumor (transfecting to express IL-7 and/or IL-15), or by manipulating the T cells (transduction with constitutively active Stat5). T cells will be analyzed for functional and biochemical properties, and alterations will be correlated with tumor rejection capability. The third specific aim is to apply knowledge of maintenance of T cell responsiveness out of this reductionist model toward rejection of established tumors in normal mice. T cell subsets from normal C57BL76 mice will be manipulated to affect homeostatic factors and tested for rejection of B16 melanoma transfected to express the model antigen SIY. T cell transduction and tumor transfectants will be examined using factors identified to be useful from the TCR Tg model and mechanisms of improved tumor control will be dissected.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA118153-04
Application #
7669157
Study Section
Transplantation, Tolerance, and Tumor Immunology (TTT)
Program Officer
Howcroft, Thomas K
Project Start
2006-09-28
Project End
2011-07-31
Budget Start
2009-08-01
Budget End
2010-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$261,011
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Chicago
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005421136
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637
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Gajewski, Thomas F; Fuertes, Mercedes; Spaapen, Robbert et al. (2011) Molecular profiling to identify relevant immune resistance mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment. Curr Opin Immunol 23:286-92

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