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Published on: March 5, 2019
Identification of different functions of CD8+ T cell subpopulations by a novel monoclonal antibody
Kantinan Chuensirikulchai1, Supansa Pata2,3, Witida Laopajon2,3
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Insights
A new monoclonal antibody, FE-1H10, identifies two distinct CD8+ T cell subpopulations. FE-1H10+ cells show enhanced effector functions and tumor cell killing, suggesting potential for cancer immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- CD8+ T cells are crucial for immunity against pathogens and cancer.
- Identifying distinct CD8+ T cell subpopulations is key to understanding their roles.
- Novel markers are needed to differentiate functional T cell subsets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel subpopulations of peripheral blood CD8+ T cells.
- To investigate the functional differences between these newly identified subpopulations.
- To explore the potential of these subpopulations in cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Generation of a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb), FE-1H10.
- Flow cytometry to identify FE-1H10+ and FE-1H10- CD8+ T cells.
- T cell proliferation, cytokine production (IFN-γ, TNF-α), and cytotoxicity assays.
- RNA-sequencing to analyze gene expression profiles.
Main Results:
- mAb FE-1H10 identified two distinct CD8+ T cell subpopulations: FE-1H10+ and FE-1H10-.
- FE-1H10+ CD8+ T cells exhibited higher IFN-γ and TNF-α production and superior cytotoxicity against tumor cells.
- FE-1H10- CD8+ T cells showed higher proliferation rates and gene expression related to memory populations.
- FE-1H10+ CD8+ T cells displayed higher expression of effector function genes (e.g., GZMB, PRF1).
Conclusions:
- mAb FE-1H10 successfully identifies two novel, functionally distinct CD8+ T cell subpopulations.
- FE-1H10+ CD8+ T cells possess enhanced effector functions and anti-tumor activity.
- These findings provide a basis for developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer treatment by selecting specific CD8+ T cell subsets.
Abstract:
The explicit identification of CD8+ T cell subpopulation is important for deciphering the role of CD8+ T cells for protecting our body against invading pathogens and cancer. Our generated monoclonal antibody (mAb), named FE-1H10, recognized two novel subpopulations of peripheral blood CD8+ T cells, FE-1H10+ and FE-1H10- CD8+ T cells. The molecule recognized by mAb FE-1H10 (FE-1H10 molecules) had a higher distribution on effector memory CD8+ T cell subsets. The functions of FE-1H10- and FE-1H10+ CD8+ T cells were investigated. T cell proliferation assays revealed that FE-1H10- CD8+ T cells exhibited a higher proliferation rate than FE-1H10+ CD8+ T cells, whereas FE-1H10+ CD8+ T cells produced higher levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α than FE-1H10- CD8+ T cells. In T cell cytotoxicity assays, FE-1H10+ CD8+ T cells were able to kill target cells better than FE-1H10- CD8+ T cells. RNA-sequencing analysis confirmed that these subpopulations were distinct: FE-1H10+ CD8+ T cells have higher expression of genes involved in effector functions (IFNG, TNF, GZMB, PRF1, GNLY, FASL, CX3CR1) while FE-1H10- CD8+ T cells have greater expression of genes related to memory CD8+ T cell populations (CCR7, SELL, TCF7, CD40LG). The results suggested that mAb FE-1H10 identifies two novel distinctive CD8+ T cell subpopulations. The FE-1H10+ CD8+ T cells carried a superior functionality in response to tumour cells. The uncover of these novel CD8+ T cell subpopulations may be the basis knowledge of an optional immunotherapy for the selection of potential CD8+ T cells in cancer treatment.
