METHOD FOR OBTAINING TREG-CELLS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining T regulatory (T_REG) cells, in particular T_REG-cells having a CD4⁺CD25⁺ phenotype, from certain haemopoietic stem cells/progenitor cells present in cord blood.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cord blood (CB) haemopoietic stem cells (HSC) are derived from the developing foetus and are found in the foetal side of the placental blood system. These cells have the capacity to form all blood cell types of the mature adult, and are therefore of enormous interest to medical researchers and developers of cell-based therapies. In particular, the use of cord blood HSC to produce T_REG-cells offers considerable potential for the development of cell-based immunosuppressive therapies for, inter alia, autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis (Sakaguchi, S. et al., 2006).

However, while the co-culture of cord blood HSC/haemopoietic progenitor cells on stromal feeders has facilitated the generation of a broad range of mature haemopoietic cells, considerable difficulty has been experienced in successfully generating cells of the lymphocyte lineage (Nakano, T. et al., 1994). More recently though, techniques to achieve differentiation of B lymphocytes from cord blood HSC, involving co-culture with a stromal feeder cell derived from an M-CSF deficient mouse (op/op) called OP9, has been developed (Carlyle, J. R. et al. 1997, Nakano, T. et al. 1994, and Nakano, T. et al. 1995). Further, following the identification of the critical role played by the so-called Notch signalling pathway in T lymphocyte development (Robey, E. et al., 1996, Washburn, T. et al., 1997, and Pui, J. C. et al., 1999), efficient in vitro generation of T cells can now be achieved. That is, through the co-culture of HSC or embryonic stem (ES) cells on OP9 stromal feeder cells expressing the Notch ligand, Delta-like 1 (DL1), it is now possible to efficiently produce T cells, in particular CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cells, in in vitro culture (de Pooter, R. F. et al., 2003, De Smedt, M. et al., 2004, and Schmitt, T. M. & J. C. Zuniga-Pflucker, 2002). The CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cells, otherwise known as CD4 CD8 double positive (DP) T cells, appear to be functionally similar to normal T cells and their development appears to correspond with “checkpoints” observed during in vivo thymopoiesis (La Motte-Mohs, R. N. et al., 2005, and Schmitt, T. M. et al., 2004, and Zakrzewski, J. L. et al., 2006).

Of particular interest to the present applicant however, are the T cells known as regulatory T cells (T_REG). Naturally occurring T_REG-cells (nT_REG), representing about 5-10% of circulating CD4⁺ T cells in mice and humans (Maloy, K. J. & F. Powrie, 2001, Sakaguchi, S. et al., 2001, and Gavin, M. & A. Rudensky, 2003), have the ability to actively suppress immune activation and maintain peripheral immune tolerance. Indeed, studies in several animal/pre-clinical models including type I diabetes and colitis, have shown that T_REG-cells are able to reduce disease status (Tang, Q. et al., 2004, and Uhlig, H. H. et al., 2006). Accordingly, the use of T_REG-cells in cell-based therapies of autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, along with treatments for the prevention of transplant rejection, have been proposed. However, before such clinical uses can be developed, methods must be identified to allow for the in vitro generation of large numbers of T_REG-cells. To this end, methods have been proposed for the expansion of isolated natural T_REG-cells in vitro (Masteller, E. L. et al., 2006, and Bluestone, J. A. & Q. Tang, 2004). The present applicant however, hereinafter describes a novel method for generating large numbers of functional T_REG-cells through the in vitro differentiation of cord blood HSC/haemopoietic progenitor cells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of obtaining a population of regulatory T cells (T_REG-cells), said method comprising the steps of;

- (i) culturing haemopoietic stem cells (HSC) and/or haemopoietic progenitor cells in the presence of a Notch ligand that supports T cell differentiation, and thereafter
- (ii) isolating T cells from the culture having a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype.

T cells having a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype isolated from the culture in accordance with the present invention will be enriched for T_REG-cells. Preferably, the T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype comprises a phenotype selected from the group consisting of: CD4⁺CD25⁺, CD45RO⁺, CD45RA⁺, CD127^LOW/−, LAG-3⁺, GPR83⁺ and/or CD39⁺. More preferably, the T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype is a CD4⁺CD25⁺ phenotype.

Most preferably, the isolated T cells having a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype show a CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ phenotype.

Enrichment of T_REG-cells may be enhanced by culturing the cells in the presence of an enhancing agent such as interleukin-2 (IL-2). The population of cells derived from HSC cells may also be expanded by culturing the cells in the presence of an agent such as Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L) or interleukin-7 (IL-7).

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an isolated population of T cells expressing a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype, obtained by the method of the first aspect.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a T_REG-cell isolated from a population according to the second aspect.

The T_REG-cell of the third aspect is immunosuppressive, and in particular, can inhibit the proliferation of lymphocytes.

Thus, in a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting the proliferation of a lymphocyte (particularly, a T cell), wherein said method comprises contacting the said lymphocyte with the T_REG-cell population of the second aspect or the T_REG-cell of the third aspect.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating a subject for a disease for which immunosuppression may be desirable, wherein said method comprises administering (e.g. by infusion) to said subject the T_REG-cell population of the second aspect or the T_REG-cell of the third aspect, optionally in combination with a physiologically-acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing transplant rejection, wherein said method comprises administering (e.g. by infusion) to a subject having received, or about to receive, a tissue transplant, the T_REG-cell population of the second aspect or the T_REG-cell of the third aspect, optionally in combination with a physiologically-acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 provides graphical results showing cell differentiation of cord blood (CB) CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells towards CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_REG-cells. (a) CD4 and CD25 cell surface expression on CB HSC/progenitor cells cultured on OP9 cells (top panel), OP9 expressing DL1 (OP9-DL1) (middle panel) or OP9-DL1 with supplemental human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) (bottom panel) for 7, 14 or 21 days. For comparison, CD4 and CD25 profiles of natural T_REG-cells from freshly isolated CB mononuclear cells (MNC) are included. (b) Expansion of CB HSC-derived T_REG-cells (hpT_REG; closed symbols) and natural T_REG-cells (nT_REG; open symbols) cultured on OP9-DL1 for up to 21 days with or without supplemental hIL-2.

FIG. 2 provides graphical results showing that combinations of the cytokines Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L or FL), interleukin-7 (IL-7) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) promote expansion of CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells grown on OP9-DL1 cells. CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells were cultured on OP9-DL1 cells and cultures were supplemented with one of several combinations of the cytokines hFLT3L (FL), interleukin-7 (IL-7) and/or interleukin-2 (IL-2) for 7 days. Fold-expansion was then calculated based on the ratio of the total number of cells for the given cytokine combination (indicated below each bar) to the total number of cells in the absence of any of the cytokines (Supplementation of the culture by the relevant cytokine is indicated by a “+”, with absence indicated by a “−”).

FIG. 3 provides results from the assessment of the proportion of CD4+CD25+ T cells produced after 14 days culturing of CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells on OP9-DL1 supplemented with various cytokine combinations. CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells were cultured for 14 days on OP9-DL1 culture supplemented with FLT3L, IL-7 and either IL-2, IL-2 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) or TGF-β. FACS analysis was performed to determine surface expression of CD4 and CD25. The left panel indicates the percentage of total cells which were CD4⁺CD25⁺ when supplemented with FLT3L, IL-7 and IL-2, the middle panel indicates the percentage of total cells which were CD4⁺CD25⁺ when supplemented with FLT3L, IL-7, IL-2 and TGF-β, and the right panel indicates the percentage of total cells which were CD4⁺CD25⁺ when supplemented with FLT3, IL-7 and TGF-β.

FIG. 4 provides results for the assessment of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells produced in accordance with the present invention, for the mRNA and protein expression of the Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) transcription factor and immunosuppressive function. (a) Sorted populations of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells were assessed for FOXP3 mRNA expression by RT-PCR from fresh CB MNC (nT_REG), OP9-DL1 co-cultured natural T_REG-cells (OP9-DL1 nT_REG) and OP9-DL1 co-cultured CB CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells at day 14 (hpT_REG). A sorted population of CD4⁺CD25⁻ T cells was used as a negative control along with a no-template negative control. Total RNA samples were treated with DNaseI and reverse transcribed. Specific PCR products were then measured against the control gene Cyclophilin A. (b) OP9-DL1 co-cultured CB CD34⁺ cells were sorted for CD4⁺ and CD25⁺ expression at day 14. Sorted cells were then cultured on T_REGexpander beads for 8 days. The histogram shows FOXP3 protein expression (shaded) in CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells compared to a matched isotype control antibody (white). (c) Immunosupressive capability of CB CD34⁺ HSC-derived CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_REG-cells was assessed by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay. OP9-DL1 co-cultured CB CD34⁺ cells were sorted for CD4⁺ and CD25⁺ expression at day 14. Sorted cells were then cultured on T_REGexpander beads for 8 days. Expanded CD4⁺ and CD25⁺ T_REG-cells and freshly isolated natural T_REGwere cultured with antigen presenting cells (APCs), namely irradiated dendritic cells, anti CD3 (T cell activation molecule), and immuno-responder cells (CD4⁺CD25⁻; T effector) for 7 days at ratios of 1:1, 1:4 and 1:10, and the level of proliferation determined by tritiated thymidine incorporation.

FIG. 5 provides graphical indication that hpT_REG-cells show a mature phenotype based on surface expression analysis. CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells were cultured for 14 days on OP9-DL1 culture supplemented with FLT3L, IL-7 and IL-2 and analysed using FACS for surface expression of CD4 and MHC Class 2 molecules. Cells expressing CD4 also expressed MHC Class 2, indicating that such cells have a mature T cell phenotype.

FIG. 6 provides expression profiles of several transcription factors in hpT_REGcells. Sorted populations of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells were assessed for FOXP3, GATA3, TBET and RORgammaT mRNA expression by RT-PCR from OP9-DL1 co-cultured CB CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells at days 0, 7, 14 and 21 (hpT_REG). Total RNA samples were treated with DNaseI and reverse transcribed. Specific PCR products were then normalised against the control gene Cyclophilin A. The plot presents mean normalised expression of the transcription factors FOXP3 (circle, solid line), GATA3 (squares, short dashed line), TBET (triangle, long dash) and RORgammaT (“X”, dash-dot line).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Recent studies have revealed crucial roles of the Notch system in Th1, Th2 and T_REG-cell differentiation (Amsen, D. et al., 2004, Maekawa, Y. et al., 2003, Hoyne, G. F. et al., 2000, Vigouroux, S. et al., 2003, and Yvon, E. S. et al., 2003). For example, it has been independently demonstrated that Notch receptor activation by accessory cells can induce naive CD4⁺ T cells to develop as T_REG-cells (Hoyne, G. F. et al., 2000, and Yvon, E. S. et al., 2003). However, while these prior studies indicate that peripheral T cells are responsive to Notch signaling, considerable work is still required before the manner by which Notch signaling directs naive T cells toward the T_REG-cell fate is fully understood. Using the Notch ligand, DL1, the present applicant has found that it is possible to generate from certain haemopoietic stem cells/progenitor cells present in cord blood (CB), a population of functional T_REG-cells having a CD4⁺CD25⁺ phenotype that show similar characteristics to those of natural CB T_REG-cells. They have also found that it is possible to cause the significant enrichment of this T_REG-cell population by culturing in the presence of IL-2.

Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of obtaining a population of regulatory T cells (T_REG-cells), said method comprising the steps of;

- (i) culturing haemopoietic stem cells (HSC) and/or haemopoietic progenitor cells in the presence of a Notch ligand that supports T cell differentiation, and thereafter
- (ii) isolating T cells from the culture having a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype.

Most preferably, the isolated T cells having a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype show a CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ phenotype.

FOXP3, which is a nuclear protein believed to act as a transcriptional factor, is considered to provide a specific marker for T_REG-cells (Ramsdell, F. and S. F. Ziegler, 2003). However, since FOXP3 is an intracellular protein, it unfortunately cannot presently be used to separate T_REG-cells from a heterogeneous population (e.g. by using magnetic bead-based methods or cell sorting using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS)). It can, nevertheless, be used to assess a population of cells for the relative proportion of T_REG-cells present (i.e. quantification of the proportion of T_REG-cells in a population can be achieved by performing, for example, intracellular FOXP3 flow cytometry through permeabilising an aliquot of cells, thereafter staining with a labelled anti-FOXP3 antibody using any of the commercially available kits such as those available from eBioscience, Inc. (San Diego, Calif., United States of America) and BD Biosciences (San Jose, Calif., United States of America), and finally, undertaking FACS profiling to determine the percentage of cells expressing FOXP3 in the aliquot representative of the cell population).

The method of the first aspect of the present invention may involve culturing HSC and/or haemopoietic progenitor cells such as lymphoblasts and prolymphocytes that have been isolated, or partially purified, from cord blood (e.g. by using magnetic bead-based methods or cell sorting using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS)). Alternatively, haemopoietic progenitor cells may be isolated, or partially purified, from bone marrow, or otherwise produced following lineage-specific differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells.

However, preferably, the method involves culturing HSC, and particularly CD34⁺ HSC, that have been isolated from cord blood. CD34⁺ HSC may be isolated from cord blood using any of the methods well known to persons skilled in the art. One preferred method involves the isolation of CD34⁺ HSC from the fraction(s) of centrifuged cord blood which remain following removal of erythrocytes, by magnetic bead-based methods such as the magnetically activated cell sorting (MACS) protocol described in the CD34 MicroBead Kit from Miltenyi Biotec (Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Cologne, Germany (2006)). The cord blood used to source the HSC will typically be human cord blood and may be derived from a specimen stored in a cord blood bank.

Preferably, the step of culturing the HSC and/or haemopoietic progenitor cells is conducted using a culture system comprising a suitable culture medium provided with the Notch ligand, DL1. However, since Notch receptors are able to bind Notch ligands “promiscuously”, other Notch ligands, for example Delta-like 4 (DL4) and jagged 2 (JAG2), that support T cell differentiation may also be suitable (Sambandam et. al. 2005, Bhandoola A, et. al. 2006, Bhandoola A, et. al. 2007). DL1 (or other Notch ligand) may be provided by simply adding suitable amounts of the purified protein to achieve a concentration which promotes T cell differentiation (e.g. 1-100 ng/ml). This concentration may, if desired, be maintained or adjusted as required throughout the duration of the culture.

Such a culture system may therefore be “cell free” (i.e. comprise no cells other than those intended to be cultured). However, conveniently, DL1 (or other Notch ligand) may be provided to the culture medium by the inclusion of suitable feeder cells.

Accordingly, the culture system may comprise a suitable culture medium that is provided with a population of a suitable feeder cell; such that the step of culturing the HSC and/or haemopoietic progenitor cells amounts to a co-culture of the HSC and/or haemopoietic progenitor cells and the feeder cells. Suitable feeder cells may include foetal liver stromal feeder cells such as AFT024 (Moore, K. A. et al., 1997), and bone marrow stromal feeder cells such as L87/4 and L88/5 (Thalmeier, K. et al., 1994), AC6.21 (Shih, C. C. et al., 1999) and FBMD-1 (Kusadasi, N. et al., 2000), which are well known to persons skilled in the art.

Preferably, the feeder cell is an OP9 bone marrow stromal feeder cell. This type of feeder cell does not, however, naturally express DL1 (or other Notch ligand such as DL4 and JAG2). Therefore, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the culture medium comprises a population of an OP9 cell that has been transformed with, and stably expresses, an exogenous nucleic acid molecule encoding DL1 (designated OP9-DL1). In another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the culture system comprises a population of a feeder cell derived from a human tissue source (e.g. a feeder cell derived from a human foreskin fibroblast cell or human thymus epithelial cell), particularly an autologous human tissue source.

Further, the culture system may comprise at least one enhancing agent to enhance the T cell differentiation or expansion that occurs during the step of culturing to thereby increase the relative amount of T_REG-cells within the isolated T cells having a T_REGsurface marker phenotype. The enhancing agent may be selected from a range of different compounds. However, preferably, the enhancing agent is selected from suitable cytokines. More preferably, the enhancing agent is selected from IL-2, IL-7, interleukin-15 (IL-15), TGF-β, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and combinations thereof. Most preferably, the enhancing agent is selected from IL-2, IL-7, TSLP and combinations thereof. The enhancing agent will typically be provided in the culture medium at a concentration in the range of about 10 to 500 Units or 1-50 μg/ml. For IL-2, IL-7 and TSLP, the amount used will typically be in the range of about 10 to 500 Units.

Other growth/cell expansion factors such as Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L) may also be provided in the culture system.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the culture system comprises FLT3L, IL-7 and IL-2. This combination of agents has been found to both expand the cell population and increase the percentage of T cells with a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype present in the expanded population. These agents will typically be provided in the culture medium at concentrations in the range of 1-50 ng/ml for FLT3L and IL-7, and 100 U/ml for IL-2.

Moreover, the culture system may comprise dendritic cells (DCs), especially mature DCs, which have been reported to be capable of expanding CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells in vitro (Yamazaki, S. et al., 2003).

The step of culturing the HSC and/or haemopoietic progenitor cells is preferably conducted using standard mammalian culture conditions for HSC cells. In one example, standard mammalian culture conditions comprise 2.5×10⁵cells/ml in α-MEM media with 20% Fetal Calf Serum (FCS) at 37° C./5% CO₂. It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that variations made on the number of cells, media and percentage of FCS, temperature and CO₂percentage may be made. Moreover, various alternatives to α-MEM medium may be used such as Dulbeco's Modified Eagles Medim (DMEM), Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Media (Iscove's DMEM or IDMEM), and variants thereof which may include additional supplements such as L-glutamine. Serum-free or humanised alternatives may also be used. Under such conditions, and in the presence of a Notch ligand that supports T cell differentiation, T cells having a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype (such as CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells) may represent a transient population, and accordingly, the duration of the culturing step should be selected so as to coincide with the period during which T cells having a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype are present.

Preferably, the duration of the culturing step is in the range of about 5 to 25 days, more preferably about 10 to 20 days, and most preferably, about 12 to 16 days. However, it has been found that as cell confluence increases, expression of the Notch ligand (e.g. DL1) by the feeder cells can be reduced, in which case, it may be desirable at one or more time points during the culturing step to reduce the level of cell confluence by any of the methods well known to persons skilled in the art (e.g. by “splitting” the feeder cell layers into halves and resuspending one or both of the halves in fresh culture medium).

The step of isolating T cells having a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype (e.g. CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells) from the culture may be conducted in accordance with any of the methods well known to persons skilled in the art, for example magnetic bead-based methods and FACS cell sorting techniques. For FACS cell sorting, the sorting or “gating” may preferably be conducted in a manner so as to isolate those cells present in the culture which show the appropriate T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype. For example, a high level of expression for both CD4⁺ and CD25⁺ (e.g. so-called CD25^HIGHT cells, where “high” represents the top 1-2% of expressors of CD25)). Further, such sorting may be based on the cells that express both CD4⁺ and CD25⁺ in the highest 20% of expressors, preferably, in the highest 10% of expressors, more preferably, in the highest 5% of expressors, and most preferably, in the highest 2% of expressors.

As mentioned above, T cells may be isolated according to those having a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype. Examples of T_REG-cell surface marker phenotypes include a CD4⁺CD25⁺ phenotype, CD45RO⁺ phenotype (since it has been previously reported that CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells that also express CD45RO possess “potent regulatory properties”; Jonuleit, H. et al., 2001; Seddiki, N. et al., 2006), a CD45RA⁺ phenotype (CD45RA⁺ is predominantly expressed on naïve T-cells, with expression switching from CD25RA+ to CD45RO+ phenotype on activation; Seddiki, N. et al., 2006), a CD127^LOWor CD127⁻ phenotype (Liu, W. et al., 2006), a LAG-3 (a CD4-related molecule that binds to MHC class II, and has been shown to be highly expressed in CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_REGcells; Bruder, D. et al., 2004, and Huang, C. T. et al., 2004) phenotype, a GPR83⁺ phenotype (Sugimoto, N et al., 2006) and/or a CD39⁺ phenotype (Borsellino, G. et al., 2007). Additionally or alternatively, the present invention may further comprise selection of cells based on combinations of these phenotypes. Moreover, sas mentioned above, the present invention may further comprise identifying and selecting T_REG-cells having a FOXP3+ phenotype.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an isolated population of T cells expressing a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype, enriched for T_REG-cells, obtained by the method of the first aspect.

As used herein, the term “enriched” means that the population of T cells expressing a T_REGsurface marker phenotype comprises at least 25% T_REG-cells, more preferably at least 50% T_REG-cells, and most preferably, at least 75% T_REG-cells.

Preferably, the isolated population is obtained in accordance with the method of the first aspect.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a T_REG-cell isolated from a population according to the second aspect.

Preferably, the T_REG-cell shows a CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3 phenotype. The T_REG-cell may also show a CD45RO⁺ phenotype, CD127^LOWor CD127⁻ phenotype, a LAG-3⁺ phenotype, a GPR83⁺ phenotype, and/or a CD39⁺ phenotype.

The T_REG-cell of the third aspect is immunosuppressive, and in particular, can inhibit the proliferation of lymphocytes.

The disease may be selected from autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes, acquired haemolytic anaemia, pernicious anaemia, myasthenia gravis, glomerulonephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

The methods of the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects may further comprise the use of an immunosuppressive agent such as those well known to persons skilled in the art. Particularly suitable examples of such agents include cyclosporine, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and prednisone.

Prior to use in the methods of the fifth and sixth aspects, the population of T cells expressing a T_REG-cell surface marker phenotype may, optionally, be treated so as to activate immunosuppressive function in the T_REG-cells. Such treatment may involve culturing the population in the presence of anti-CD3 antibodies. It is, however, considered that T_REG-cells produced in accordance with the present invention may show immunosuppressive function regardless of any specific activation treatment.

The present invention is hereinafter further described by way of the following, non-limiting examples and accompanying figures.

EXAMPLES
Example 1
Methods and Materials
Primary Cells and Cell Lines

Fresh primary human cord blood was obtained from volunteer donors. Mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated by density gradient centrifugation over Lymphoprep™ solution (Axis-Shield, Oslo, Norway) and purified for CD34+ cells using magnetically activated cell sorting (MACS) with a Direct CD34 Progenitor Cell Isolation Kit and LS Separation Columns (Miltenyi Biotech, Auburn, Calif., United States of America).

An OP9 feeder cell line expressing DL1, designated OP9-DL1 (Schmitt, T. M. and J. C. Zuniga-Pflucker, 2002), was generated by infecting OP9 cells with a retroviral expression vector, pRUFpuro (Jenkins, B. J. et al., 1995), comprising a human DL1 gene, using standard methods.

HSC/OP9-DL1 Co-Cultures

OP9-DL1 cells were prepared 16 hours prior to initiating co-cultures. The cells were seeded at 2×10⁴cell/ml in 4 ml α-MEM media (Sigma-Aldrich Co., St Louis, Mo., United States of America) supplemented with 20% foetal calf serum (FCS) in 6 well plates (resulting in 8×10⁵OP9-DL1 cells/well). Cord blood CD34⁺ cells or cord blood CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells were isolated by MACS enrichment and co-cultured at 2.5×10⁵cells/ml on the pre-established OP9-DL1 stromal layer (80-90% confluent), in freshly prepared α-MEM media supplemented with 20% FCS, human recombinant (hr) FLT3L (10 ng/ml) and hr IL-7 (10 ng/ml) at 37° C./5% CO₂. Some co-cultures were also supplemented with hrIL-2 (100 U/ml). Haemopoietic cells were isolated using 40 μm nylon mesh filters and passaged every third day of culture onto pre-established OP9-DL1 stromal layers (prepared 16 hours earlier as described above) for up to 28 days.

Cytofluorometry

For immunophenotyping of differentiated CB cells, anti-CD25 antibodies conjugated with phycoerythrin (PE), anti-CD8 antibodies conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), anti-CD4 antibodies conjugated to phycoerythrin-Cy5 (PE-Cy5) and anti-MHC class 2 conjugated to phycoerythrin-Cy5 (PE-Cy5) were used (Becton, Dickinson and Company, San Jose, Calif., United States of America). Respective isotype controls were used. Samples were analysed on a flow cytometer (EPICS XL, Coulter, Miami, Fla., United States of America).

Suppression Assay

HSC-derived CD4⁺CD25⁺ (hpT_REGwhere hp represents haemopoietic progenitor) and CD4⁺CD25⁻ cells were sorted after culture on OP9-DL1 for 14 days as described above. Sorted hpT_REGand natural T-reg (nT_REG) cells freshly isolated from CB by MACS cells were tested in an allo-MLR (based on the method described in Godfrey, W. R. et al., 2004) using unmatched 5×10⁴CD25⁻ cells from a random donor peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) sample, and 3×10⁵day 7 monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) used as APCs cultured for 4-7 days. Proliferation was assessed by tritiated thymidine incorporation as previously described (Godfrey, W. R. et al., 2004).

RT-PCR

Total RNA was prepared from haemopoietic cells using standard commercial reagents (TRIzol™, Life Technologies, Rockville, Md., United States of America). RNA was treated with DNase I (Ambion, Austin, Tex., United States of America), reverse transcribed using MMLV Reverse Transcriptase (QIAGEN, Valencia, Calif., United States of America) and quantitated by real time PCR using Taq polymerase (Amplitaq Gold, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif., United States of America). Primers were designed to amplify PCR products with a TM of approx 65° C. PCR reactions were cycled at 60° C. for 10 minutes followed by 32 cycles of 95° C. for 30 seconds, 60° C. for 30 seconds and 72° C. for 30 seconds, with a final extension step of 90 seconds at 72° C. PCR products were run on ethidium agarose gels to ascertain specificity. Relative mRNA levels were quantitated against mRNA expression of Cyclophilin A.

FOXP3 Protein Expression Analysis

Sorted CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells were analysed for FOXP3 protein expression by culturing on T_REGexpander beads at a ratio of 2 cells per bead (Dynal®; Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif., United States of America) for 15 days in accordance with standard methods, and thereafter permeabilised and stained with a labelled anti-FOXP3 antibody using the FITC anti-human FOXP3 Fix/Perm Staining Set (eBioscience, Inc., San Diego, Calif., United States of America) in accordance with standard methods. Staining was compared to a matched isotype control antibody (Rat IgG_2a) as provided in the FOXP3 Fix/Perm Staining Set.

Results

In a series of experiments (n=7), it was found that the co-culture of cord blood CD34⁺ HSC with OP9 cells expressing DL1 (OP9-DL1) in the presence of supplemental FLT3L (10 ng/ml) and IL-7 (10 ng/ml) predominantly supported the generation of CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cells (as previously described, La Motte-Mohs, R. N. et al., 2005), but also generated a previously unrecognised transient population of CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells peaking at day 14 of the culture (see FIG. 1a). This was surprising, because it is widely believed that CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells are a late developing cell type (Ladi, E. et al., 2006, Wing, K. et al., 2006, Jiang, Q. et al., 2006).

The CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells generated (i.e. hpT_REG-cells) displayed similar staining characteristics to populations of natural T_REG-cells (nT_REG) from freshly isolated CB MNC, were not observed in similar cultures of cord blood CD34⁺ HSC with OP9 cells which did not express DL1 (see FIG. 1a). When DL1 was present, the supplementation of the co-cultures with IL-2 (100 U/ml), resulted in a significant enhancement in the number of hpT_REG-cells generated (see FIG. 1a).

To confirm hpT_REG-cell differentiation from cord blood HSC/progenitor cells in the culture (rather than mere expansion of a contaminating CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cell population), purified natural CB T_REG-cells (showing a CD4⁺CD25⁺ FOXP3⁺ phenotype) were cultured on OP9-DL1 with and without IL-2. Whilst the numbers of cells were maintained for 14 days, this population did not significantly increase over the period of culture. In comparison, CB CD34⁺ HSC differentiation towards the CD4⁺CD25⁺ phenotype correlated with a significant cell expansion (see FIG. 1b), especially when IL-2 was present. No T_REG-cells were detectable in the CD34⁺ input population as determined by phenotypic markers. Total cell expansion in this system was up to 600 fold (n=5).

Expansion of CB CD34⁺ HSC in culture on OP9-DL1 cells was investigated using combinations of the cytokines Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L or FL), interleukin-7 (IL-7) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells were cultured on OP9-DL1 cells and cultures were supplemented with one of several combinations of the cytokines FLT3L (FL), interleukin-7 (IL-7) and/or interleukin-2 (IL-2) for 7 days. Fold-expansion was then calculated based on the ratio of the total number of cells for the given cytokine combination (indicated below each bar) to the total number of cells in the absence of any of the cytokines, and the results are shown in FIG. 2. It can be seen that any combination including at least two of the three cytokines induced expansion of the cells after 7 days. In particular, FLT3L and IL-7 produced the largest expansion, followed by the combination of FLT3L, IL-7 and IL-2. When these results are compared to those of FIG. 1, it is apparent that whilst the expansion of cells by the combination of FLT3L, IL-7 and IL-2 is not as great as that obtained using FLT3L and IL-7, the relative fraction of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_REG(hpT_REG) (to the total number of cells) is larger (i.e. is enhanced) when IL-2 is added (15.4% vs 1.8% at day 7 and 18.3% vs 6.7% at day 14).

Further experiments were also performed to investigate the effect of various cytokines on enhancing the production of hpT_REGcells. CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells were cultured for 14 days on OP9-DL1 culture supplemented with FLT3L, IL-7 and either IL-2, IL-2 and TGF-β, or TGF-β. FACS analysis was used to determine the percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_REGcells (hpT_REGs) and the results are presented in FIG. 3. The left panel indicates that 17% of cells were CD4⁺CD25⁺ when supplemented with FLT3L, IL-7 and IL-2, the middle panel indicates that 2.31% of cells were CD4⁺CD25⁺ when supplemented with FLT3L, IL-7, IL-2 and TGF-β, and the right panel indicates that 6.94% of the total cells were CD4⁺CD25⁺ when supplemented with FLT3L, IL-7 and TGF-β. These results can also be compared to FIG. 1, in which at day 14, 6.7% of cells were positive after growth in FLT3L and IL-7. Thus TGF-β had little effect on enhancing the production of hpT_REG-cells. In contrast, IL-2 produced much higher proportions of hpT_REG-cells in this system with the relative fraction being more than double that obtained compared to the case of no supplementation with IL-2.

Whilst the CD4⁺CD25⁺ phenotype is known to enrich for T_REG-cells, CD25 is also expressed at low levels in a large proportion of circulating human T cells and is up-regulated after activation (Zola, H. et al., 1989), making it a non-exclusive marker for this T cell subset. However, since reconstitution experiments have demonstrated that the expression of FOXP3 during the thymic maturation of CD4⁺ T cells is essential for the production of T_REG-cells and correlates with T-reg immunosuppressive function (Ramsdell, F. and S. F. Ziegler, 2003, Fontenot, J. D. et al., 2003, Yagi, H. et al., 2004, Horis, S. et al., 2003, and Walker, M. R. et al., 2003), CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells generated from OP9-DL1 co-cultured CB CD34⁺ HSC were assessed for the expression of FOXP3 using RT-PCR. That is, to assess FOXP3 mRNA expression in hpT_REG-cells, CB CD34+ HSCs were co-cultured on OP9-DL1 for 14 days, and RT-PCR performed on sorted CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells. As shown in FIG. 4a, hpT_REG-cells expressed a significant amount of FOXP3 mRNA that was consistent with the levels typically observed in either freshly isolated natural T_REG-cell populations, or from natural T_REG-cells after 14 days co-culture on OP9-DL1. To confirm FOXP3 protein expression, day 14 CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_REGcells were purified by flow cytometry and then cultured on human T-reg expander beads (Dynal™) for 8 days. Cells were then analysed by flow cytometry and, as shown in FIG. 4b, it was found that hpT_REG-cells express significant levels of FOXP3 protein, comparable with expression in naturally derived T_REG-cells (55%+ve vs 67%+ve respectively).

Importantly, hpT_REG-cells actively suppressed cell proliferation when cultured with antigen presenting cells (APCs) and immune responders (i.e. cord blood CD4⁺CD25⁻ T effector cells) compared to CD4⁺CD25⁻ T effector cells in a suppression assay utilising a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) (see FIG. 4c). In this assay, it was observed that the hpT_REG-cells were anergic (see column 4), resistant to activation by anti-CD3 antibodies (see column 6) and were potent suppressors of proliferating CD4⁺CD25⁻ T effector cells (see columns 11-13). In comparison with freshly isolated nT_REG-cells (see columns 8-10), the hpT_REG-cells were at least as potent suppressors of proliferation as nT_REG-cells (hpT_REG52.8% suppression vs nT_REG30.2% suppression at 1:10 T_REG:responder). These results strongly indicate that the cells produced in this system are akin to nT_REG-cells, and not an activation induced transient T_REG-cell population (Allan, S. E. et al., 2007).

To further investigate that hpT_REG-cells were mature equivalents to natural T_REG-cells, CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells were cultured for 14 days on OP9-DL1 culture supplemented with FLT3L, IL-7 and IL-2 and analysed using FACS for surface expression of CD4 and MHC Class 2 molecules. FIG. 5 presents the FACS plot indicating that cells expressing CD4 also expressed MHC Class 2 (at typically brighter levels), indicating that the hpT_REG-cells have a mature T cell phenotype.

Expression profiles of several transcription factors was also performed in hpT_REG-cells. Sorted populations of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells were assessed for FOXP3, GATA3, TBET and RORgammaT mRNA expression by RT-PCR from OP9-DL1 co-cultured CB CD34⁺ HSC/progenitor cells at days 0, 7, 14 and 21 (hpT_REG). Total RNA samples were treated with DNaseI and reverse transcribed. Specific PCR products were then normalised against the control gene Cyclophilin A. Results are presented in FIG. 6 and the plot presents mean normalised expression of the transcription factors FOXP3 (circle, solid line), GATA3 (squares, short dashed line), TBET (triangle, long dash) and RORgammaT (“X”, dash-dot line). It is apparent that expression of FOXP3 is greater than expression of these other factors, with there being no detectable expression of RORgammaT. Further, to rule out failure of primers in the case of RORgammaT, they were tested in an independent experiment (data not shown) and detectable levels of RORgammaT were found indicating that the primers were suitable.

Thus, the results of FIGS. 4 to 6 indicate that the CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_REGcells (hpT_REG) are mature equivalents to natural T_REGcells, showing high expression of FOXP3 and suppression capability.

Surface profiling for a range of markers was also performed on CD4⁺CD25⁺ FOXP3+ cells. Cells at day 14 were selected using FACS and the percentage of these cells expressing CD127, MHCII, CD39, CD45RO and CTLA4 assessed. The results are presented in Table 1. The CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ cells showed low levels of CD127, and high levels of CD39 and CD45RO consistent with previously observed T_REG-cell surface marker phenotypes (Jonuleit, H. et al., 2001; Seddiki, N. et al., 2006, Liu, W. et al., 2006, Borsellino, G. et al., 2007).

TABLE 1

Surface expression of several markers on hpT_REGcells

% of

CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺cells

positive for the given

Surface Marker
surface marker

CD127
4.6%

MHCII
45%

CD39
94.3%

CD45RO
96.2%

CTLA4
40%

Discussion

T_REG-cells from cord blood are potent suppressors of immune responses to a wide variety of antigens, and are capable of reversing the destructive consequence of autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, the role of Notch ligands in lymphoid differentiation has been confirmed using in vitro assays on OP9 stromal cells. Delta-like 1 (DL1) signalling has been shown to drive CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cell differentiation of embryonic stem cells, adult haemopoietic progenitors and cord blood haemopoietic progenitor cells. This example shows the development of a transient population of CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ T cells (although other suitable surface markers for T_REGcells could have been utilised), having similar characteristics to those of natural CB T_REG-cells, that emerges in co-cultures of CB HSC/progenitor cells and OP9 cells expressing DL1. Further, it has been shown that the development of these cells can be significantly enhanced by IL-2 especially when combined with FLT3L and IL-7. The culture system therefore represents an important advance in the production of large numbers of T_REG-cells to enable the development of cell-based therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and prevention of transplant rejection.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

All publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of each claim of this application.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

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METHOD FOR OBTAINING TREG-CELLS

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