Abstract
Background: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain immune tolerance. While Treg-mediated neuroprotective activities are now well-accepted, the lack of defined antigen specificity limits their therapeutic potential. This is notable for neurodegenerative diseases where cell access to injured brain regions is required for disease-specific therapeutic targeting and improved outcomes. To address this need, amyloid-beta (Aβ) antigen specificity was conferred to Treg responses by engineering the T cell receptor (TCR) specific for Aβ (TCRAβ). The TCRAb were developed from disease-specific T cell effector (Teff) clones. The ability of Tregs expressing a transgenic TCRAβ (TCRAβ -Tregs) to reduce Aβ burden, transform effector to regulatory cells, and reverse disease-associated neurotoxicity proved beneficial in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: TCRAβ -Tregs were generated by CRISPR-Cas9 knockout of endogenous TCR and consequent incorporation of the transgenic TCRAb identified from Aβ reactive Teff monoclones. Antigen specificity was confirmed by MHC-Aβ-tetramer staining. Adoptive transfer of TCRAβ-Tregs to mice expressing a chimeric mouse-human amyloid precursor protein and a mutant human presenilin-1 followed measured behavior, immune, and immunohistochemical outcomes. Results: TCRAβ-Tregs expressed an Aβ-specific TCR. Adoptive transfer of TCRAβ-Tregs led to sustained immune suppression, reduced microglial reaction, and amyloid loads. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose radiolabeled TCRAβ-Treg homed to the brain facilitating antigen specificity. Reduction in amyloid load was associated with improved cognitive functions. Conclusions: TCRAβ-Tregs reduced amyloid burden, restored brain homeostasis, and improved learning and memory, supporting the increased therapeutic benefit of antigen specific Treg immunotherapy for AD. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 97 |
Journal | Molecular neurodegeneration |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2023 |
Keywords
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyloid beta
- Antigen specific
- Immunotherapy
- T cell receptor
- Treg cell therapy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Clinical Neurology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience