Antigen-specific CD8+ memory stem T cells generated from human peripheral blood effectively eradicate allogeneic targets in mice

As the implantation and long-term existence of tumor-specific T cells in host are the prerequisite for adoptive immunotherapy, memory stem T cells (TSCM) with self-renewal and differentiation capacity show the greatest potential to implant and long-term exhibit function in vivo, compared with other T cells of differentiation stages. Hence, tumor-specific TSCM have become potential candidate for adoptive T cell therapy of cancer. Here, we reported a protocol to generate allogeneic antigen-specific CD8+ TSCM cells from human PBLs.

This protocol was able to prepare allogeneic antigen-specific CD8+ TSCM cells from human PBLs. The prepared TSCM showed the properties of stem cells and T memory cells. This study provided a reference method for generation of antigen-specific TSCM for T cell adoptive immunotherapy.

To prepare allogeneic antigen-specific CD8+ TSCM, we used an LCL named E007 of defined HLA allotyping as simulator, a co-culture of E007 and allogeneic PBLs was carried out in the presence of differentiation inhibitor TWS119 for 7 days. Sorting of proliferation cells ensured the E007-specificity of the prepared TSCM cells. The sorted lymphocytes underwent further expansion by cytokines IL-7 and IL-15 for further 7 days, making the E007-specific CD8 + TSCM expanded in number. The stem cell and T memory cell properties of the prepared CD8+ TSCM were observed in NOD-SCID mice.

Our protocol began with 1 × 107 PBLs and resulted in 2 × 107 E007-specific CD8+ TSCM cells in 2 weeks of preparation. The prepared TSCM cells exhibited a proliferative history and rapid differentiation into effector cells upon the E007 re-stimulation. Importantly, the prepared TSCM cells were able to exist long and reconstitute other T cell subsets in vivo, eradicating the E007 cells effectively after transferred into the LCL burden mice. Conclusions: This protocol was able to prepare allogeneic antigen-specific CD8+ TSCM cells from human PBLs. The prepared TSCM showed the properties of stem cells and T memory cells. This study provided a reference method for generation of antigen-specific TSCM for T cell adoptive immunotherapy.