TLR9 agonist MGN1703 enhances B cell differentiation and function in lymph nodes

Mariane H Schleimann, Maria-Louise Kobberø, Line K Vibholm, Kathrine Kjær, Leila B Giron, Kathleen Busman-Sahay, Chi Ngai Chan, Michael Nekorchuk, Manuel Schmidt, Burghardt Wittig, Tine E Damsgaard, Peter Ahlburg, Michel B Hellfritzsch, Kaja Zuwala, Frederik H Rothemejer, Rikke Olesen, Phillipp Schommers, Florian Klein, Harsh Dweep, Andrew KossenkovJens R Nyengaard, Jacob D Estes, Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen, Lars Østergaard, Martin Tolstrup, Ole S Søgaard, Paul W Denton

27 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: TLR9 agonists are being developed as immunotherapy against malignancies and infections. TLR9 is primarily expressed in B cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). TLR9 signalling may be critically important for B cell activity in lymph nodes but little is known about the in vivo impact of TLR9 agonism on human lymph node B cells. As a pre-defined sub-study within our clinical trial investigating TLR9 agonist MGN1703 (lefitolimod) treatment in the context of developing HIV cure strategies (NCT02443935), we assessed TLR9 agonist-mediated effects in lymph nodes.

METHODS: Participants received MGN1703 for 24 weeks concurrent with antiretroviral therapy. Seven participants completed the sub-study including lymph node resection at baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment. A variety of tissue-based immunologic and virologic parameters were assessed.

FINDINGS: MGN1703 dosing increased B cell differentiation; activated pDCs, NK cells, and T cells; and induced a robust interferon response in lymph nodes. Expression of Activation-Induced cytidine Deaminase, an essential regulator of B cell diversification and somatic hypermutation, was highly elevated. During MGN1703 treatment IgG production increased and antibody glycosylation patterns were changed.

INTERPRETATION: Our data present novel evidence that the TLR9 agonist MGN1703 modulates human lymph node B cells in vivo. These findings warrant further considerations in the development of TLR9 agonists as immunotherapy against cancers and infectious diseases. FUND: This work was supported by Aarhus University Research Foundation, the Danish Council for Independent Research and the NovoNordisk Foundation. Mologen AG provided study drug free of charge.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftEBioMedicine
Vol/bind45
Sider (fra-til)328-340
Antal sider13
DOI
StatusUdgivet - jul. 2019
Udgivet eksterntJa

Fingeraftryk

Dyk ned i forskningsemnerne om 'TLR9 agonist MGN1703 enhances B cell differentiation and function in lymph nodes'. Sammen danner de et unikt fingeraftryk.

Citationsformater