Noncanonical effector functions of the T-memory-like T-PLL cell are shaped by cooperative TCL1A and TCR signaling

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Noncanonical effector functions of the T-memory-like T-PLL cell are shaped by cooperative TCL1A and TCR signaling
Creators Name:	Oberbeck, S. and Schrader, A. and Warner, K. and Jungherz, D. and Crispatzu, G. and von Jan, J. and Chmielewski, M. and Ianevski, A. and Diebner, H.H. and Mayer, P. and Kondo Ados, A. and Wahnschaffe, L. and Braun, T. and Müller, T.A. and Wagle, P. and Bouska, A. and Neumann, T. and Pützer, S. and Varghese, L. and Pflug, N. and Thelen, M. and Makalowski, J. and Riet, N. and Göx, H.J.M and Rappl, G. and Altmüller, J. and Kotrová, M. and Persigehl, T. and Hopfinger, G. and Hansmann, M.L. and Schlößer, H. and Stilgenbauer, S. and Dürig, J. and Mougiakakos, D. and von Bergwelt-Baildon, M. and Roeder, I. and Hartmann, S. and Hallek, M. and Moriggl, R. and Brüggemann, M. and Aittokallio, T. and Iqbal, J. and Newrzela, S. and Abken, H. and Herling, M.
Abstract:	T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a poor-prognostic neoplasm. Differentiation stage and immune-effector functions of the underlying tumor cell are insufficiently characterized. Constitutive activation of the T-cell leukemia 1A (TCL1A) oncogene distinguishes the (pre)leukemic cell from regular postthymic T cells. We assessed activation-response patterns of the T-PLL lymphocyte and interrogated the modulatory impact by TCL1A. Immunophenotypic and gene expression profiles revealed a unique spectrum of memory-type differentiation of T-PLL with predominant central-memory stages and frequent noncanonical patterns. Virtually all T-PLL expressed a T-cell receptor (TCR) and/or CD28-coreceptor without overrepresentation of specific TCR clonotypes. The highly activated leukemic cells also revealed losses of negative-regulatory TCR coreceptors (eg, CTLA4). TCR stimulation of T-PLL cells evoked higher-than-normal cell-cycle transition and profiles of cytokine release that resembled those of normal memory T cells. More activated phenotypes and higher TCL1A correlated with inferior clinical outcomes. TCL1A was linked to the marked resistance of T-PLL to activation- and FAS-induced cell death. Enforced TCL1A enhanced phospho-activation of TCR kinases, second-messenger generation, and JAK/STAT or NFAT transcriptional responses. This reduced the input thresholds for IL-2 secretion in a sensitizer-like fashion. Mice of TCL1A-initiated protracted T-PLL development resembled such features. When equipped with epitope-defined TCRs or chimeric antigen receptors, these Lck(pr)-hTCL1A(tg) T cells gained a leukemogenic growth advantage in scenarios of receptor stimulation. Overall, we propose a model of T-PLL pathogenesis in which TCL1A enhances TCR signals and drives the accumulation of death-resistant memory-type cells that use amplified low-level stimulatory input, and whose loss of negative coregulators additionally maintains their activated state. Treatment rationales are provided by combined interception in TCR and survival signaling.
Keywords:	Immunologic Memory, Knockout Mice, Proto-Oncogene Proteins, Signal Transduction, T-Cell Antigen Receptors, T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia, T-Lymphocytes, Animals, Mice
Source:	Blood
ISSN:	0006-4971
Publisher:	American Society of Hematology
Volume:	136
Number:	24
Page Range:	2786-2802
Date:	10 December 2020
Additional Information:	Copyright © 2020 by The American Society of Hematology
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2019003348
External Fulltext:	View full text on PubMed Central
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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