We have previously demonstrated that multiple immunizations with vector-based vaccines containing transgenes for tumor antigens and a triad of costimulatory molecules (TRICOM) enhance the expansion and functional avidity of antigen-specific memory CD8+ T cells in a mouse model. However, the effect of enhanced costimulation on human memory CD8+ T cells is still unclear. The study reported here was an in vitro investigation of the proliferation and function of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-specific human memory CD8+ T cells following enhanced costimulation. Our results demonstrated that TRICOM costimulation enhanced production of multiple cytokines and expansion of CEA-specific memory CD8+ T cells. The lytic capacity of memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) toward CEA+ tumors was also significantly enhanced. Interleukin-2R-alpha (CD25) was upregulated dramatically following antigen-presenting cell (APC)-TRICOM stimulation, suggesting that the enhanced expansion of memory CD8+ T cells may be mediated by increased expression of IL-2R on memory T cells. The enhanced cytokine production and proliferation following TRICOM signaling was completely blocked by the combination of neutralizing antibodies against B7-1, ICAM-1, and LFA-3, the costimulatory molecules comprising TRICOM. No difference in T-cell apoptosis was observed between APC-TRICOM and APC-wild-type groups, as determined by annexin V, Bcl-2, and active caspase-3 staining. Results indicated that enhanced costimulation greatly expanded human CEA-specific CD8+ T cells and enhanced T-cell function, without inducing increased apoptosis of CEA-specific memory CD8+ T cells.
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