Biology subjects

Rettig, M. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Rettig, M. P..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

A single-cell atlas characterizes dysregulation of the bone marrow immune microenvironment associated with outcomes in multiple myeloma

Multiple Myeloma (MM) remains incurable despite advances in treatment options. Although tumor subtypes and specific DNA abnormalities are linked to worse prognosis, the impact of immune dysfunction on disease emergence and/or treatment sensitivity remains unclear. We established a harmonized consortium to generate an Immune Atlas of MM aimed at informing disease etiology, risk stratification, and potential therapeutic strategies. We generated a transcriptome profile of 1,149,344 single cells from the bone marrow of 263 newly diagnosed patients enrolled in the CoMMpass study and characterized immune and hematopoietic cell populations. Associating cell abundances and gene expression with disease progression revealed the presence of a proinflammatory immune senescence-associated secretory phenotype in rapidly progressing patients. Furthermore, signaling analyses suggested active intercellular communication involving APRIL-BCMA, potentially promoting tumor growth and survival. Finally, we demonstrate that integrating immune cell levels with genetic information can significantly improve patient stratification.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2024

Streptavidin-drug conjugates streamline optimization of antibody-based conditioning for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) conditioning using antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) is a promising alternative to conventional chemotherapy- and irradiation-based conditioning regimens. The drug payload bound to an ADC is a key contributor to its efficacy and potential toxicities; however, a comparison of HSCT conditioning ADCs produced with different toxic payloads has not been performed. Indeed, ADC optimization studies in general are hampered by the inability to produce and screen multiple combinations of antibody and drug payload in a rapid, cost-effective manner. Herein, we used Click chemistry to covalently conjugate four different small molecule payloads to streptavidin; these streptavidin-drug conjugates can then be joined to any biotinylated antibody to produce stable, indirectly conjugated ADCs. Evaluating CD45-targeted ADCs produced with this system, we found the pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer SGD-1882 was the most effective payload for targeting mouse and human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and acute myeloid leukemia cells. In murine syngeneic HSCT studies, a single dose of CD45-PBD enabled near-complete conversion to donor hematopoiesis. Finally, human CD45-PBD provided significant antitumor benefit in a patient-derived xenograft model of acute myeloid leukemia. As our streptavidin-drug conjugates were generated in-house with readily accessible equipment, reagents, and routine molecular biology techniques, we anticipate this flexible platform will facilitate the evaluation and optimization of ADCs for myriad targeting applications.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

Immunosuppression and Outcomes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients rarely have long first remissions (> 5 years) after standard-of-care chemotherapy, unless classified as favorable risk at presentation. Identification of the mechanisms responsible for long vs. more typical, short remissions may help to define prognostic determinants for chemotherapy responses. Using exome sequencing, RNA-sequencing and functional immunologic studies, we characterized 28 Normal Karyotype (NK)-AML patients with >5 year first remissions after chemotherapy (Long First Remissions, LFR) and compared them to a well-matched group of 31 NK-AML patients who relapsed within 2 years (Standard First Remissions, SFR). Our combined analyses indicated that genetic risk profiling at presentation (as defined by ELN 2017 Criteria) was not sufficient to explain the outcomes of many SFR cases. Single cell RNA-sequencing studies of 15 AML samples showed that SFR AML cells differentially expressed many genes associated with immune suppression. The bone marrow of SFR cases had significantly fewer CD4+ Th1 cells; these T-cells expressed an exhaustion signature and were resistant to activation by T-cell receptor stimulation in the presence of autologous AML cells. T-cell activation could be restored by removing the AML cells, or blocking the inhibitory MHC Class II receptor, LAG3. Most LFR cases did not display these features, suggesting that their AML cells were not as immunosuppressive. These findings were confirmed and extended in an independent set of 50 AML cases representing all ELN 2017 risk groups. AML cell-mediated suppression of CD4+ T-cell activation at presentation is strongly associated with unfavorable outcomes in AML patients treated with standard chemotherapy.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Apolipoprotein M attenuates doxorubicin cardiotoxicity by regulating transcription factor EB

ObjectivesDetermine the role of apolipoprotein M (ApoM) in anthracycline (Dox) cardiotoxicity. BackgroundApoM binds the cardioprotective sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Circulating ApoM is inversely associated with mortality in human heart failure (HF). MethodsIn the Penn HF Study (PHFS), we tested the relationship between ApoM and mortality in a subset with anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy. We measured ApoM in humans and mice treated with Dox and utilized hepatic ApoM transgenic (ApomTG), ApoM knockout (ApomKO), ApoM knock-in mice with impaired S1P binding, and S1P receptor 3 (S1PR3) knockout mice in Dox cardiotoxicity. We assayed autophagy in left ventricular tissue from anthracycline-induced HF patients versus donor controls. ResultsApoM was inversely associated with mortality in PHFS, and Dox reduced circulating ApoM in mice and breast cancer patients. ApomTG mice were protected from Dox-induced cardiac dysfunction and loss of left ventricular mass. ApomTG attenuated Dox-induced impairment in autophagic flux in vivo and accumulation of insoluble p62, which was also observed in the myocardium of patients with anthracycline-induced HF. In vehicle-treated mice, ApoM negatively regulated transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis. The effect of ApoM on TFEB required both S1P binding and S1PR3. In the presence of Dox, ApoM preserved TFEB and cardiomyocyte lysosomal abundance assessed as lysosomal associated membrane protein 1 positive structures in vivo, while S1P mimetic pretreatment of cardiomyocytes prevented Dox-induced changes in lysosomal pH. ConclusionsApoM attenuates Dox cardiotoxicity via the autophagy-lysosome pathway. The association between ApoM and reduced mortality may be explained by its role in sustaining autophagy. HighlightsO_LICirculating ApoM is inversely associated with survival in human anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy C_LIO_LIAnthracycline treatment reduces circulating ApoM in humans and mice C_LIO_LIIncreasing ApoM attenuates doxorubicin cardiotoxicity, lysosomal injury and preserves myocardial autophagic flux, but does not impact doxorubicin anti-neoplastic efficacy C_LIO_LIAutophagic impairment is characteristic of human anthracycline cardiomyopathy C_LI

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2020

Antibody-drug conjugates targeting CD45 plus Janus kinase inhibitors effectively condition for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Despite the curative potential of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), transplant conditioning-associated toxicities preclude broader clinical application. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) provide an attractive approach to HSCT conditioning that minimizes toxicity while retaining efficacy. Initial studies of ADC conditioning have largely involved syngeneic HSCT; however, for treatment of acute leukemias or tolerance induction for solid organ transplantation, strategies for allogeneic HSCT (allo-HSCT) are needed. Using murine allo-HSCT models, we show that combining CD45-targeted ADCs with the Janus kinase inhibitor baricitinib enables multilineage alloengraftment with >80-90% donor chimerism. Mechanistically, baricitinib impaired T and NK cell survival, proliferation and effector function, with NK cells being particularly susceptible due to inhibited IL-15 signaling. Unlike irradiated mice, CD45-ADC-conditioned mice did not manifest graft-versus-host alloreactivity when challenged with mismatched T cells. Our studies demonstrate novel allo-HSCT conditioning strategies that exemplify the promise of immunotherapy to improve the safe application of HSCT for treating hematologic diseases.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2019

Immune Landscapes Predict Chemotherapy Resistance And Immunotherapy Response In Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This study dissected the complexity of the immune architecture of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at high resolution and assessed its influence on therapeutic response. Using 387 primary bone marrow samples from three discovery cohorts of children and adults with AML, we defined immune-infiltrated and immune-depleted disease subtypes and unraveled critical differences in immune gene expression across age groups and disease stages. Importantly, interferon (IFN)-{gamma}-related mRNA profiles were predictive for both chemotherapy resistance and response of primary refractory/relapsed AML to flotetuzumab immunotherapy. Our compendium of microenvironmental gene and protein profiles sheds novel insights into the immuno-biology of AML and will inform the delivery of personalized immunotherapies to IFN-{gamma}-dominant AML subtypes.

immunology↗