Activity of DNA vaccines encoding self or heterologous Her-2/neu in Her-2 or neu transgenic mice

To assess the efficacy of self versus heterologous ErbB-2 vaccines, the reactivity to human and rat ErbB-2 (Her-2 and neu, respectively) DNA vaccines were tested in normal, Her-2 or neu transgenic mice. When immunized with either Her-2 or neu DNA, normal BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice produced cross-reactive T cells, but only antigen specific antibodies. In Her-2 Tg mice, weak to no anti-Her-2 response was induced by either self Her-2 or heterologous neu DNA, demonstrating profound tolerance to Her-2 and the inability to induce anti-Her-2 immunity with either vaccine. In NeuT mice, vaccination with self neu but not heterologous Her-2 DNA induced anti-neu antibodies and delayed spontaneous tumorigenesis. Both neu and Her-2 DNA induced anti-neu T cell response, but depletion of CD8 T cells did not change the delay in tumorigenesis. Therefore, in NeuT mice, both self and heterologous DNA activated anti-neu T cells, although T cell response did not reach sufficient level to suppress spontaneous tumorigenesis. Rather, induction of anti-neu antibodies by self neu DNA is associated with the delay in spontaneous tumor growth. Overall, NeuT mice were more responsive to DNA vaccination than Her-2 Tg mice and this may be associated with the continuous production of neu by the 10 mammary glands undergoing tumor progression.     

Expression of humanized anti-Her2/neu single-chain IgG1-like antibody in mammary glands of transgenic mice

A system for production of single-chain antibody in mammary glands of mice was developed on the basis of a hybrid gene constructed from the coding sequence of anti-Her2/neu single-chain antibody inserted into the first exon of the sheep beta-lactoglobulin gene. Lines of transgenic mice were obtained that expressed humanized single-chain anti-Her2/neu IgG1-like antibody in their milk. These antibodies interact with Her2/neu antigen with high affinity (K_d = 0.4 nM). The expression level of the transgene depended on its integration site in the genome but not on the copy number. The transgene had no toxic effect on the mice and was stably inherited, at least for two generations. The results reveal new opportunities of producing single-chain antibodies in the milk of animals.     

Vaccination with the extracellular domain of p185 neu prevents mammary tumor development in neu transgenic mice

The HER2/neu oncogene product, p185^{HER2/ neu} , is overexpressed on the surface of many human breast cancers. Strains of transgenic mice have been developed that express the rat neu oncogene in mammary epithelial cells and develop spontaneous mammary tumors that overexpress p185 ^neu . This model provides an ideal system for testing interventions to prevent tumor development. In this study, we immunized neu-transgenic mice with a vaccine consisting of the extracellular domain of p185 ^neu (NeuECD). Immunized mice developed Neu-specific humoral immune responses, as measured by circulating anti-Neu antibodies in their sera, and cellular immune responses, as measured by lymphocyte proliferation to NeuECD in vitro. In addition, the subsequent development of mammary tumors was significantly lower in immunized mice than in controls and vaccine treatment was associated with a significant increase in median survival. Received: 10 September 1998 / Accepted: 17 November 1998     

Genetic immunization against neu /erbB2 transgenic breast cancer

erbB2/neu, an overexpressed oncogene product, has been proposed as a human cancer vaccine target. In the present study, transgenic (rat neuNT oncogene) FVB/neu mice, developing metastasizable mammary carcinoma, were immunized with a plasmid DNA encoding are not tolerant to the self antigen and sequences. We report that transgenic tumour-bearing mice, like some breast cancer patients erbB2+X, develop anti-neu autoimmune responses, which can be boosted and skewed to a Th1 phenotype by DNA immunization. Intramuscular injections of neuNT plasmid drastically reduced (or even prevented in a small number of treated mice) the outgrowth of mammary neoplasms as well as their metastatic penetrance. Furthermore, DNA immunization caused haemorrhagic necrosis of established cancer nests, leaving a greatly reduced portion of the tumour burden for the host to cope with. The antitumour activities we obtained, in this very challenging model for cancer immunotherapy, lay the foundation for DNA-based immunization to control erbB2/neu-overexpressing neoplasms. Received: 19 April 1998 / Accepted: 20 August 1998     

CpG oligonucleotides enhance the tumor antigen-specific immune response of an anti-idiotype antibody-based vaccine strategy in CEA transgenic mice

A murine monoclonal anti-idiotype (Id) antibody, 3H1 has been developed and characterized previously. Anti-Id 3H1 mimics a specific epitope of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and can be used as a surrogate antigen for CEA. 3H1 induced anti-CEA immunity in different species of animals as well as humans and showed promise as a potential vaccine candidate in phase I/II clinical trials for colon cancer patients. One area of interest to us has been the development of new immune adjuvants that may augment the potency of 3H1 as a tumor vaccine. Oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated CpG motifs (CpG ODN) are potent immunostimulatory agents capable of enhancing the Ag-specific Th1 response when used as immune adjuvants. In this study, we have evaluated the efficacy of 3H1 as a tumor vaccine when admixed with a select CpG ODN 1826 in transgenic mice that express human CEA. The vaccine potential of 3H1 was also assessed in the presence of another widely used adjuvant, QS-21. 3H1 coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and mixed with Freund’s adjuvant (FA) was used as a gold standard in this system. 3H1 vaccination with different adjuvants induced both humoral and cellular anti-3H1, as well as anti-CEA immunity in CEA transgenic mice. The immune sera could lyse CEA-transfected murine colon carcinoma cells, C15 effectively in an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assay. The anti-CEA antibody responses were somewhat comparable in each adjuvant-treated group of mice, whereas cellular immune responses were significantly greater when CpG was used as an adjuvant. Splenocytes obtained from 3H1–CpG-immunized mice showed an increased proliferative CD4⁺ Th1-type T-cell response when stimulated in vitro with 3H1 or CEA and secreted elevated levels of Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ). This vaccine also induced MHC class I antigen-restricted CD8⁺ T-cell responses. In a solid tumor model, C15 tumor growth was significantly inhibited by 3H1 vaccinations. In 3H1–CpG-vaccinated mice, the duration of survival was, however, longer compared to the 3H1–QS21-vaccinated mice. These findings suggest that 3H1-CpG vaccinations can break peripheral tolerance to CEA and induce protective antitumor immunity in this murine model transgenic for human CEA.     

HER-2/neu x aromatase double transgenic mice model: the effects of aromatase overexpression on mammary tumorigenesis

A majority of breast cancers are hormone-responsive, and require estrogen for growth, and respond to hormonal therapy that blocks estrogen receptor action. Breast tumors with low levels of or completely lacking estrogen receptor fail to respond to antiestrogen therapy yet require estrogen for tumor initiation. To address the importance of local estrogen in oncogene-mediated breast tumorigenesis, we have crossed MMTV-aromatase with MMTV-HER2/neu and examined the incidence of breast cancer in double transgenic mice in comparison with parental strains. Double transgenic mice show normal mammary development and express both transgenes at similar levels to that of parental strains. Tumor incidence in double transgenic mice (<5%) decreased compared to HER2/neu mice (>65%). In addition to a significant decrease in tumorigenesis, these mice expressed ER as well as high levels of ERβ along with decreased levels of cyclin D1 and phosphorylated pRb among other changes. Furthermore, experiments using THC (ER-agonist and ERβ-antagonist) clearly demonstrate the critical role of ERβ in HER2/neu-mediated tumorigenesis. These studies provide the first genetic evidence that estrogen receptor, mainly ERβ than ER and its dependent changes play an important role in regulating mammary tumorigenesis. These findings provide further evidence for development and testing of novel therapeutic approaches based on selective regulation of estrogen receptors (ER and β)-dependent actions for the treatment and prevention of breast cancers.     

A soluble form of Siglec-9 provides an antitumor benefit against mammary tumor cells expressing MUC1 in transgenic mice

Tumor-associated MUC1 binds to Siglec-9, which is expected to mediate tumor cell growth and negative immunomodulation. We hypothesized that a soluble form of Siglec-9 (sSiglec-9) competitively inhibits a binding of MUC1 to its receptor molecules like human Siglec-9, leading to provide antitumor benefit against MUC1-expressing tumor, and generated transgenic mouse lines expressing sSiglec-9 (sSiglec-9 Tg). When mammary tumor cells expressing MUC1 were intraperitoneally transplanted into sSiglec-9 Tg, tumor proliferation was slower with the lower histological malignancy as compared with non-transgenic mice. The sSiglec-9 was detected in the ascites caused by the tumor in the sSiglec-9 Tg, and sSiglec-9 and MUC1 were often colocalized on surfaces of the tumor cells. PCNA immunohistochemistry also revealed the reduced proliferation of the tumor cells in sSiglec-9 Tg. In sSiglec-9 Tg with remarkable suppression of tumor proliferation, MUC1 expressions were tend to be reduced. In the ascites of sSiglec-9 Tg bearing the tumor, T cells were uniformly infiltrated, whereas aggregations of degenerative T cells were often observed in the non-transgenic mice. These results suggest that sSiglec-9 has an antitumor benefit against MUC1-expressing tumor in the transgenic mice, which may avoid the negative immunomodulation and/or suppress tumor-associated MUC1 downstream signal transduction, and subsequent tumor proliferation.     

乳腺癌超声征象与ER、PR、连环蛋白p120、癌基因CerbB-2、原癌基因Her-2/neu表达的关系研究

目的:探讨乳腺癌超声征象与雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)、连环蛋白p120、癌基因CerbB-2、原癌基因Her-2/neu表达的关系。方法:将2014年10月至2017年10月我院收治的50例乳腺癌患者纳入本研究,术前获得患者完整乳腺超声图像资料,术后通过免疫组织化学法检测ER、PR、CerbB-2、Her-2/neu和p120的表达情况。记录超声检查与组织标本检测结果,比较不同乳腺癌超声征象中ER、PR、CerbB-2、Her-2/neu和p120的表达情况。结果:p120阴性表达率为62.00%,ER阳性表达率为50.00%,PR阳性表达率为36.00%,CerbB-2阳性表达率为74.00%,Her-2/neu阳性表达率为30.00%。病灶边缘有毛刺征、周边有高回声晕征、无淋巴结转移患者的ER阳性表达率高于病灶边缘无毛刺征、周边无高回声晕征、淋巴结转移者(P0.05);病灶边缘有毛刺征、周边有高回声晕征患者的PR阳性表达率高于病灶边缘无毛刺征、周边无高回声晕征者(P0.05);内部有微小钙化、血流显像分级2-3级、淋巴结转移患者的p120阴性表达率高于内部无微小钙化、血流显像分级0-1级、无淋巴结转移者(P0.05);内部有微小钙化、血流显像分级2-3级、淋巴结转移患者的CerbB-2阳性表达率高于内部无微小钙化、血流显像分级0-1级、无淋巴结转移者(P0.05);内部有微小钙化、淋巴结转移患者的Her-2/neu阳性表达率高于内部无微小钙化、无淋巴结转移者(P0.05)。结论:乳腺癌超声征象与ER、PR、CerbB-2、Her-2/neu和p120的表达有紧密联系,可为治疗方案拟定提供参考。     

HER-2/neu peptide specificity in the recognition of HLA-A2 by natural killer cells

Although natural killer (NK) cells have been described as non-MHC-restricted, new evidence suggests that NK activity can be either up- or down-regulated after interaction with the peptide–MHC-class-I complex expressed on target cells. However, the epitope(s) recognized by NK cells have remained ill-defined. We investigated NK cell recognition of synthetic peptides representing a portion of a self-protein encoded by the HER-2/neu (HER-2) proto-oncogene and presented by HLA-A2. HER-2 nonapeptides C85, E89, and E75 were found partially to protect T2 targets from lysis by freshly isolated and interleukin-2(IL-2)-activated NK cells (either HLA-A2⁺ or A2⁻). This inhibition was not solely due to changes in the level of HLA-A2 expression or conformation of serological HLA-A2 epitopes. Using single-amino-acid variants at position 1 (P1) of two HER-2 peptides, we observed that protection of targets was dependent on the sequence and the side-chain. These results suggest similarities in the mechanism of target recognition by NK and T cells. This information may be important for understanding the mechanisms of tumor escape from immunosurveillance and could help explain the aggressiveness of HER-2-overexpressing tumor cells. Received: 16 March 1999 / Accepted: 3 June 1999     

Danger signals and nonself entity of tumor antigen are both required for eliciting effective immune responses against HER-2/neu positive mammary carcinoma: implications for vaccine design

Using parental FVB mice and their neu transgenic counterparts, FVBN202, we showed for the first time that dangerous hyperplasia of mammary epithelial cells coincided with breaking immunological tolerance to the neu "self" tumor antigen, though such immune responses failed to prevent formation of spontaneous neu-overexpressing mammary carcinoma (MMC) or reject transplanted MMC in FVBN202 mice. On the other hand, neu-specific immune responses appeared to be effective against MMC in parental FVB mice because of the fact that rat neu protein was seen as "nonself" antigen in these animals and the protein was dangerously overexpressed in MMC. Interestingly, low/intermediate expression of the neu "nonself" protein in tumors induced immune responses but such immune responses failed to reject the tumor in FVB mice. Our results showed that self-nonself (SNS) entity of a tumor antigen or danger signal alone, while may equally induce an antigen-specific immune response, will not warrant the efficacy of immune responses against tumors. On the other hand, entity of antigen in the context of dangerous conditions, i.e. abnormal/dangerous overexpression of the neu nonself protein, will warrant effective anti-tumor immune responses in FVB mice. This unified "danger-SNS" model suggests focusing on identification of naturally processed cryptic or mutated epitopes, which are considered semi-nonself by the host immune system, along with novel dangerous adjuvant in vaccine design.     

The tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment impairs the therapy of anti-HER2/neu antibody

It has been well established that immune surveillance plays critical roles in preventing the occurrence and progression of tumor. More and more evidence in recent years showed the host anti-tumor immune responses also play important roles in the chemotherapy and radiotherapy of cancers. Our previous study found that tumor- targeting therapy of anti-HER2/neu mAb is mediated by CD8⁺ T cell responses. However, we found here that enhancement of CD8⁺ T cell responses by combination therapy with IL-15R/IL-15 fusion protein or anti-CD40, which are strong stimultors for T cell responses, failed to promote the tumor therapeutic effects of anti-HER2/neu mAb. Analysis of tumor microenviornment showed that tumor tissues were heavily infiltrated with the immunosuppressive macrophages and most tumor infiltrating T cells, especially CD8⁺ T cells, expressed high level of inhibitory co-signaling receptor PD-1. These data suggest that tumor microenvironment is dominated by the immunosuppressive strategies, which thwart anti-tumor immune responses. Therefore, the successful tumor therapy should be the removal of inhibitory signals in the tumor microenvironment in combination with other therapeutic strategies.     

Autoantibody to p185 erbB2/neu oncoprotein by vaccination with xenogenic DNA

 The passive transfer of antibodies and vaccination procedures against p185, the erbB2/neu oncoprotein, are approaches being explored for treatment of human breast cancer. We now report the possibility of using the erbB2/neu gene as an immunogen. This study demonstrates that intramuscular or intradermal injections of rat neuNT full-length DNA into mice generate anti-p185 autoantibodies. Anti-p185 polyclonals were also shown to bind the homologous human receptor ErbB2 and to stain specimens of breast adenocarcinoma from both neu-transgenic mice and humans. Further, in vitro assays demonstrated that anti-p185 IgG (probably dependent on CD4⁺ Th1) were able to inhibit human SKBR3 tumour cell growth and to mediate their lysis by natural killer cells. The continuous presence of circulating neu autoantibodies in mice did not cause any discernible toxic effects on normal tissues expressing low levels of self-antigen, even after 1 year. Received: 29 August 1996 / Accepted: 31 October 1996     

Detection of HER2/neu gene amplification in archival paraffin-embedded breast cancer tissues by fluorescence in situ hybridization

We evaluated HER2/neu gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in archival paraffin-embedded breast cancer tissues. Tumors from 63 human invasive breast cancers were categorized into two groups depending on whether the paraffin-embedded tissue blocks had been stored for more or less than 12 months duration. These were subjected to routine and modified FISH protocols. As microwave oven formalin fixation of tissues was carried out in the majority of the older archived specimens, the effect of this fixation method was also analyzed. FISH signals were obtained in all 13 archival specimens stored for less than 12 months. However, in 50 specimens stored for more than 12 months duration, the procedure was successful in only 10 specimens (20%), for which the pretreatment procedure had to be individually optimized for each specimen. There was no significant difference in the detection of FISH signals between microwave oven and routinely fixed specimens.     

Growth inhibition of breast cancer cell lines overexpressing Her2/neu by a novel internalized fully human Fab antibody fragment

The Her2/neu oncogene is overexpressed in various human cancers of epithelial origin and is associated with increased metastatic potential and poor prognosis. Blocking the Her2/neu signalling has been the focus of most therapeutic approaches. In this paper, the Her2/neu extracellular domain expressed in soluble form in yeast Pichia pastoris was used in order to isolate a fully human Fab fragment from a combinatorial Fab phage display library, derived from invaded lymph nodes of a breast cancer patient. The isolated fully human Fab63 binds specifically the native Her2/neu receptor and competes with Herceptin for binding to soluble Her2/neu receptor. In Her2/neu overexpressing cancer cells, Fab63 is rapidly internalized and has significant antiproliferative effects, where ligand-independent mechanisms dominate signal induction. Moreover, in the presence of the ligand heregulin, growth inhibition was also detected by Fab63. The human Fab63 is a non-immunogenic agent with unique properties that can be applied in diagnosis and cancer therapy, with great potential for further manipulation towards the generation of an effective anticancer molecule.     

Dendritic cells loaded with polyomavirus VP1/VP2Her2 virus-like particles efficiently prevent outgrowth of a Her2/neu expressing tumor

One immunization with murine polyomavirus (MPyV) VP1 virus-like particles containing a fusion protein between MPyV VP2 and the extra cellular and transmembrane domain of Her2 (Her2_1–683PyVLPs) efficiently protects BALB/c mice from outgrowth of the Her2 expressing tumor D2F2/E2. To possibly enhance the anti-Her2 immune response and abrogate the induced anti-VLP antibody response, immunization with murine dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with Her2_1–683PyVLPs was performed. Mice were immunized once or more with 5 or 50 μg Her2_1–683PyVLPs alone or loaded on DCs, and challenged 14 days after the last immunization with a lethal dose of Her2-positive D2F2/E2 cells. Mice were protected from tumor outgrowth, when immunized only once with 5 or 50 μg Her2_1–683PyVLPs loaded on DCs, or 50 μg of Her2_1–683PyVLPs alone, whereas immunization once or more with 5 μg of Her2_1–683PyVLPs alone only protected half of the mice. Immunization with recombinant Her2 protein alone, or loaded on DCs, did not induce tumor immunity. Using both immunization strategies, Her2-specific T cell immunity was demonstrated, while Her2-specific antibodies were not detected. Loading VLPs on DCs reduced anti-VLP antibodies sixfold, but did not influence the efficiency of subsequent immunizations. Notably, DC maturation by Her2_1–683PyVLPs in vitro was not demonstrated although the IL-12 production was significantly increased. In conclusion, loading of VLPs on DCs can enhance specific VLP immunization considerably.     

Generation of an ABCG2 transgenic line - A tool to study ABCG2 expression in mice

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter 2 (ABCG2) is expressed by stem cells in many organs and in stem cells of solid tumors. These cells are isolated based on the side population (SP) phenotype, a Hoechst 3342 dye efflux property believed to be conferred by ABCG2. Because of the limitations of this approach we generated transgenic mice that express Nuclear GFP (GFPn) coupled to the Puromycin-resistance gene, under the control of ABCG2 promoter/enhancer sequences. We show that ABCG2 is expressed in neural progenitors of the developing forebrain and spinal cord and in embryonic and adult endothelial cells of the brain. Using the neurosphere assay, we isolated tripotent ABCG2-expressing neural stem cells from embryonic mouse brain. This transgenic line is a powerful tool for studying the expression of ABCG2 in many tissues and for performing functional studies in different experimental settings.