MHC-I-restricted melanoma antigen specific TCR-engineered human CD4+ T cells exhibit multifunctional effector and helper responses, in vitro

MHC class I-restricted human melanoma epitope MART-127–35 specific TCR-engineered CD4+CD25− T cells synthesize Th1 type cytokines and exhibit cytolytic effector function upon cognate stimulation. A detailed characterization of such TCR-engineered CD4+CD25− T cells now reveals that they are multifunctional. For example, they undergo multiple rounds of division, synthesize cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, and MIP1ß), lyse target cells, and “help” the expansion of the MART-127–35 specific CD8+ T cells when stimulated by the MART-127–35 peptide pulsed DC. Multiparametric analyses reveal that a single TCR-engineered CD4+ T cell can perform as many as five different functions. Nearly 100% MART-127–35 specific TCR expressing CD4+ T cells can be generated through retroviral vector-based transduction and one round of in vitro stimulation by the peptide pulsed DC. MHC class I-restricted tumor epitope specific TCR transduced CD4+ T cells, therefore, could be useful in immunotherapeutic strategies for melanoma or other human malignancies.