CXCR5 CAR-T cells simultaneously target B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and tumor-supportive follicular T helper cells

Nat Commun. 2021 Jan 11;12(1):240. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20488-3.

Abstract

CAR-T cell therapy targeting CD19 demonstrated strong activity against advanced B cell leukemia, however shows less efficacy against lymphoma with nodal dissemination. To target both B cell Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHLs) and follicular T helper (Tfh) cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), we apply here a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that recognizes human CXCR5 with high avidity. CXCR5, physiologically expressed on mature B and Tfh cells, is also highly expressed on nodal B-NHLs. Anti-CXCR5 CAR-T cells eradicate B-NHL cells and lymphoma-supportive Tfh cells more potently than CD19 CAR-T cells in vitro, and they efficiently inhibit lymphoma growth in a murine xenograft model. Administration of anti-murine CXCR5 CAR-T cells in syngeneic mice specifically depletes endogenous and malignant B and Tfh cells without unexpected on-target/off-tumor effects. Collectively, anti-CXCR5 CAR-T cells provide a promising treatment strategy for nodal B-NHLs through the simultaneous elimination of lymphoma B cells and Tfh cells of the tumor-supporting TME.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Receptors, CXCR5 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Receptors, CXCR5
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen