Abstract
Humanized mice developing functional human T cells endogenously and capable of recognizing cognate human leukocyte antigen matched tumors are emerging as relevant models for studying human immuno-oncology in vivo. Herein, mice transplanted with human CD34(+) stem cells and bearing endogenously developed human T cells for >15 weeks were infected with an oncogenic recombinant Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), encoding enhanced firefly luciferase and green fluorescent protein. EBV firefly luciferase was detectable 1 week after infection by noninvasive optical imaging in the spleen, from where it spread rapidly and systemically. EBV infection resulted into a pronounced immunologic skewing regarding the expansion of CD8(+) T cells in the blood outnumbering the CD4(+) T and CD19(+) B cells. Furthermore, within 10 weeks of infections, mice developing EBV-induced tumors had significantly higher absolute numbers of CD8(+) T cells in lymphatic tissues than mice controlling tumor development. Tumor outgrowth was paralleled by an up regulation of the programmed cell death receptor 1 on CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells, indicative for T-cell dysfunction. Histopathological examinations and in situ hybridizations for EBV in tumors, spleen, liver, and kidney revealed foci of EBV-infected cells in perivascular regions in close association with programmed cell death receptor 1 positive infiltrating lymphocytes. The strong spatiotemporal correlation between tumor development and the T-cell dysfunctional status seen in this viral oncogenesis humanized model replicates observations obtained in the clinical setting.
Item Type: | Journal article |
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Faculties: | Medicine |
Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health |
ISSN: | 0002-9440 |
Language: | English |
Item ID: | 81341 |
Date Deposited: | 15. Dec 2021, 14:58 |
Last Modified: | 15. Dec 2021, 14:58 |