Squalene emulsion-based vaccine adjuvants stimulate CD8 T cell, but not antibody responses, through a RIPK3-dependent pathway

  1. Eui Ho Kim
  2. Matthew C Woodruff
  3. Lilit Grigoryan
  4. Barbara Maier
  5. Song Hee Lee
  6. Pratyusha Mandal
  7. Mario Cortese
  8. Muktha S Natrajan
  9. Rajesh Ravindran
  10. Huailiang Ma
  11. Miriam Merad
  12. Alexander D Gitlin
  13. Edward S Mocarski
  14. Joshy Jacob
  15. Bali Pulendran  Is a corresponding author
  1. Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, United States
  2. Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, United States
  3. Viral Immunology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Republic of Korea
  4. Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, United States
  5. Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute and the Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States
  6. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Vaccine Center, School of Medicine, Emory University, United States
  7. Department of Physiological Chemistry, Genentech, United States
  8. Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, United States
  9. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, United States
8 figures, 1 table and 1 additional file

Figures

Figure 1 with 1 supplement
MF59 and AddaVax induce robust antibody and CD8 T cell responses.

(A) Formulation comparison of two SE adjuvants; AddaVax and MF59 (B) WT B6 mice were primed and boosted with Ova mixed with MF59, AV or alum at indicated time points (arrows). Levels of Ova-specific IgG1, IgG2b and IgG2c in serum were determined by ELISA. *p<0.05 (t-test). (C–J) After the prime-boost vaccination with Ova plus MF59, AV or alum, immune responses were measured at day 7 post-boost. (C) Frequency of follicular helper T cells (CXCR5+ PD1+ CD4+) *p<0.05 (t-test) (D and E) Frequency of germinal center B cells *p<0.05 (t-test). **p<0.01 (t-test) (F) Ova-specific CD8 T cell response was assessed by class I MHC-peptide tetramer staining. ***p<0.001 (t-test). (G) Granzyme B expression was measured among Ova-specific CD8 T cells. ***p<0.001 (t-test). (H, I and J) FACS plots and bar graphs displaying Ova-specific CD8 T cell responses in different organs. (K) 10 days after the prime-boost vaccination with Ova alone or Ova plus AV, WT B6 mice were challenged with Ova-expressing B16 melanoma. Graphs show size of tumor (upper panel) and survival of mice (lower panel). *p<0.05 (ANOVA). For the survival curve, p value was determined by Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Data are representative of two to three independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Figure 1—figure supplement 1
Experimental design and adoptive immune responses by alum, MF59 and AV.

(A) A cartoon depicts the prime-boost immunization strategy. (B) Numbers of IFN-γ+ CD4 T cells in dLNs. **p<0.01 (t-test). Data are representative of two independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Figure 2 with 1 supplement
AV elicits robust innate immune responses.

WT B6 mice were vaccinated with Ova mixed with AV or alum, and innate immune responses were assessed in dLNs during the first 48 hr period. (A) Total cell numbers of inguinal LNs. (B) Absolute numbers of different immune cell populations. (C) At 12 hr post-vaccination, the uptake of antigen was measured using AF647-conjugated Ova. (D) Total numbers of Ova+ immune cell subsets were plotted. (E) Histograms show surface expression of CD80 and CD86 on migratory DCs and resident DCs. (F) Kinetic analysis of CD80 expression. Data are representative of two independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.). *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001, ****p<0.0001 (ANOVA).

Figure 2—figure supplement 1
Analysis of innate immune response.

(A) Gating strategy of various innate immune cells in mouse LNs. (B–D) WT B6 mice were vaccinated with Ova mixed with MF59, AV or alum, and innate immune responses were assessed. (B) Total cell numbers of inguinal LNs at 24 hr post-vaccination. (C) At 12 hr post-vaccination, the uptake of antigen was measured using AF647-conjugated Ova. (D) Bar graphs show surface expression of CD80 and CD86 on migratory DCs and resident DCs at 24 hr after immunization. *p<0.05, **p<0.01 (t-test). Data are representative of two independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Figure 3 with 1 supplement
LN-resident macrophages uptake SE adjuvant and are eliminated.

(A and B) WT B6 mice were vaccinated with Ova together with AV-Did, and the uptake of AV-Did was measured in dLNs by immunofluorescence at 2 hr (A) and flow cytometry at 3 hr (B). (C and D) Immunofluorescence of dLNs at 24 hr post-vaccination with PBS, alum or AV. (D) Quantification of MMs (upper) and SSMs (lower) from the acquired confocal images using CellProfiler software. *p<0.05, ***p<0.001 (ANOVA). (E–G) Kinetic changes of dLN-resident macrophage subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. FACS plots are pre-gated on CD11b+CD11cSiglec-F- Ly6G- Ly6C- population. Frequencies (F) and absolute numbers (G) of each macrophage subset were plotted. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001, ****p<0.0001 (ANOVA). Data are representative of two to three independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Figure 3—figure supplement 1
LN-resident macrophages uptake MF59 and undergo elimination.

(A) Immunofluorescence of dLNs at 24 hr post-vaccination with PBS, alum or MF59. (B–C) Frequencies of dLN-resident macrophage subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry at 24 hr post-immunization. FACS plots are pre-gated on CD11b+CD11c- Siglec-F- Ly6G- Ly6C- population. *p<0.05 (t-test). Data are representative of two independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Figure 4 with 1 supplement
SE adjuvant triggers sequential waves of regulated necrosis and apoptosis in LN macrophages.

(A) Bone marrow-derived macrophages were incubated with AV for different time periods. Using co-staining of AnnexinV and Propidium Iodide, kinetic changes of necrotic and apoptotic cells were determined by flow cytometry. (B) After WT B6 mice were immunized with alum or AV, dLNs from each group were collected, and total dLN lysates were subjected to western blot analysis at indicated time points. (C) Immunofluorescence of dLNs at indicated time points to detect necroptosis signaling. (D) Western blot analysis with dLN lysates from control and CLL-treated WT B6 mice. (E) Immunofluorescence of dLNs at 0 hr, 0.5 hr and 2 hr post-vaccination. (F) Electron micrographs displaying AV-vaccinated dLNs at different time points. Red arrows represent cells with necrotic phenotype. (G) Serum levels of different cytokines were assessed by ELISA. *p<0.05, ****p<0.0001 (ANOVA). (H) At 24 hr post-immunization, the release of dsDNA and uric acid was determined in serum. **p<0.01, ***p<0.001 (t-test). Data are representative of two independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Figure 4—figure supplement 1
SE adjuvants triggers cell death signaling pathways.

(A) Immunofluorescence of dLNs from WT B6 and RIPK3 KO mice at 24 hr post-vaccination with AV. (B) Mice were immunized with MF59 or alum. dLNs were harvested at indicated time points and analyzed by western blot. (C) 5 days post-injection of control liposome or CLL, the depletion of each macrophage subset was assessed in dLNs. *p<0.05 (t-test). Data are representative of two independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Figure 5 with 1 supplement
Macrophages and Batf3+ DCs cooperatively stimulate CD8 T cell response.

(A) WT B6 mice were injected with control or clodronate-loaded liposomes. 5 days later, mice were subsequently immunized with Ova and AV. Ova-specific CD8 T cell response at day 7 post-boost in different tissues. *p<0.05, **p<0.01 (t-test). (B and C) Mice got intraperitoneal injection with 400 ng of diphtheria toxin per mouse, and two days later, they were subsequently immunized by Ova plus AV. (B) The depletion of LN-resident macrophages was measured in CD169-DTR mice two days after the DT injection. *p<0.05 (t-test). (C) Ova-specific CD8 T cell responses in WT B6 and CD169-DTR mice at day 7 post-boost. *p<0.05 (t-test). (D) Ova-specific CD8 T cell response in WT B6 and Batf3 KO mice. *p<0.05, **p<0.01 (t-test). Data are representative of two independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Figure 5—figure supplement 1
Association of macrophages and dendritic cells in SE adjuvant-mediated immune responses.

(A) 5 days after CLL injection, mice were immunized with Ova and AV. 24 hr post-immunization, mDC population and its activation status was measured. **p<0.01 (ANOVA). (B) Serum IL-6 level was determined at 24 hr post-immunization. ***p<0.001 (ANOVA). (C) The depletion of LN-resident macrophages was measured in LysM-iDTR mice two days after the DT injection. *p<0.05 (t-test). (D) CD8 T cell response in LysM-iDTR mice at day 7 post-boost. (E) Comparison of CD103+ XCR1+ DC levels in LNs between WT B6 and Batf3 KO mice. ***p<0.001 (t-test).

Figure 6 with 2 supplements
RIPK3 kinase-dependent signaling is critical for the induction of CD8 T cell response.

(A) WT B6 and RIPK3 KO mice were primed with Ova and AV, and serum cytokine levels were quantified at 24 hr. (B) At day 7 post-boost, Ova-specific CD8 T cell response was determined from different tissues in WT B6 and RIPK3 KO mice. *p<0.05, ***p<0.001 (t-test). (C) Ova-specific CD8 T cell responses in WT B6, RIPK3 KO and RIPK3 K51A kinase-dead mice. Data were pooled from two independent experiments. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001, ****p<0.0001 (t-test). (D) Ova-specific CD8 T cell responses in WT B6 and MLKL KO mice. (E) Histograms represent OT-I cell proliferation upon Ag cross-presentation (1h- or 3h-incubation of BMMs with AV). Gray, blue and red colors represent control, WT B6 BMM and RIPK3 KO BMM groups, respectively. Data are representative of two to three independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Figure 6—figure supplement 1
AV-induced CD8 T cell responses in different KO mice and drug treatment.

(A and B) Ova-specific CD8 T cell responses were determined at day 7 post-boost in different TLR KO, MyD88 or TRIF KO mice. (C) Ova-specific CD8 T cell responses were determined at day 7 post-boost in WT B6, ASC KO and Caspase 1 KO mice. (D) WT B6 mice were immunized in the presence or absence of z-VAD-fmk. At day 7 post-boost, CD8 T cell responses were analyzed. Data are representative of two independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Figure 6—figure supplement 2
CD8 T cell responses in the absence of RIPK3 by SE adjuvants.

(A) After prime-boost vaccination with Ova and MF59, Ova-specific CD8 T cell responses were determined in WT B6 and RIPK3 KO mice. *p<0.05, **p<0.01 (t-test). Data are representative of two independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.). (B) Experimental procedure of in vitro cross-presentation assay. Briefly, BMMs from WT B6 or RIPK3 KO mice were incubated with AV and Ova, followed by co-culture with WT BMDCs. Subsequently, BMDCs were incubated with CFSE-labeled OT-I cells for 3 days, and numbers of cell division were analyzed by flow cytometer.

Figure 7 with 1 supplement
Caspase activity and DAMPs promote IgG responses.

Levels of IgG1 and IgG2b were assessed in serum samples at day 7 post-boost. (A) IgG levels in WT B6 and CD169-DTR mice at day 7 post-boost. (B) WT B6 mice were immunized with AV in the presence or absence of Nec-1s or z-VAD-fmk. (C) IgG levels in WT B6 and RIPK3 KO mice. (D) WT B6 mice were primed and boosted with AV in the presence or absence of DNaseI. (E) A working model describing distinctive mechanisms governing the IgG and CD8 T cell responses induced by the SE adjuvant. *p<0.05, ***p<0.001 (t-test). Data are representative of two to three independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Figure 7—figure supplement 1
Ova-specific antibody responses.

(A–E) Ova-specific IgG1 and IgG2b levels in indicated experimental groups were determined in sera at day 7 post-boost. *p<0.05 (t-test). Data are representative of two independent experiments (mean and s.e.m.).

Author response image 1

Tables

Key resources table
Reagent type
(species) or
resource
DesignationSource or
reference
IdentifiersAdditional
information
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
C57BL/6JThe Jackson LaboratoryStock No: 000664
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
Batf3 KOThe Jackson LaboratoryStock No: 013755
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
Caspase 1 KOThe Jackson LaboratoryStock No: 016621
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
TLR3 KOThe Jackson LaboratoryStock No: 005217
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
TRIF KOThe Jackson LaboratoryStock No: 005037
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
RIPK3 KOPMID:14749364
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
RIPK3K51A/K51APMID:25459880
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
CD169-DTRPMID:23601688
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
LysM-iDTRPMID:20176743
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
ASC KOPMID:15190255
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
MLKL KOPMID:24012422
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
TLR4 KOPMID:16461338
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
TLR7 KOPMID:16461338
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
TLR9 KOPMID:20962088
Genetic reagent
(M. musculus)
MyD88 KOPMID:16461338
AntibodyCD11c
(Hamster monoclonal)
BioLegend117330FCM 1:400
AntibodyCD169
(Rat monoclonal)
BioLegend142413FCM 1:400
AntibodyCD19
(Rat monoclonal)
BioLegend115541FCM 1:800
AntibodyTCR-b
(Hamster monoclonal)
BioLegend109224FCM 1:400
AntibodyCD4
(Rat monoclonal)
BioLegend100557FCM 1:800
AntibodyCD44
(Rat monoclonal)
BioLegend103047FCM 1:800
AntibodyCD45R (B220)
(Rat monoclonal)
BioLegend103244
103229
FCM 1:800
IF 1:400
AntibodyCD80
(Hamster monoclonal)
BioLegend104729FCM 1:800
AntibodyCD86
(Rat monoclonal)
BioLegend105006FCM 1:800
AntibodyCD8a
(Rat monoclonal)
BioLegend100750FCM 1:800
AntibodyIFN-g
(Rat monoclonal)
BioLegend505806FCM 1:800
AntibodyLy6G
(Rat monoclonal)
BioLegend127624FCM 1:800
AntibodyRabbit IgG AF647
(Donkey polyclonal)
BioLegend406421IF 1:400
AntibodyFc block
(Rat monoclonal)
BD Biosciences553142FCM 1:800
AntibodyCD103
(Rat monoclonal)
BD Biosciences564322FCM 1:400
AntibodyCD11b
(Rat monoclonal)
BD Biosciences563402FCM 1:800
AntibodyCD279 (PD-1)
(Hamster monoclonal)
BD Biosciences563059FCM 1:200
AntibodyCD45
(Rat monoclonal)
BD Biosciences563053FCM 1:800
AntibodyCD95
(Hamster monoclonal)
BD Biosciences563646FCM 1:800
AntibodyCXCR5
(Rat monoclonal)
BD Biosciences551961FCM 1:100
AntibodyGL7
(Rat monoclonal)
BD Biosciences562967FCM 1:400
AntibodyF4/80
(Rat monoclonal)
eBioscience25-4801-82FCM 1:400
AntibodyLy6C
(Rat monoclonal)
eBioscience45-5932-82FCM 1:800
AntibodyMHC II (I-A/I-E)
(Mouse monoclonal)
eBioscience56-5321-82FCM 1:800
AntibodyCD209b (SIGN-R1)
(Hamster monoclonal)
eBioscience16-2093-82IF 1:200
AntibodyAnti-Rabbit IgG
(Goat polyclonal)
Life TechnologiesA-11070FCM 1:1000
AntibodyGranzyme B
(Mouse monoclonal)
InvitrogenGRB05FCM 5 μl
Antibodyp-RIP3 (T231/S232)
(Rabbit monoclonal)
Cell Signaling Technology91702IF 1:200
Antibodyp-MLKL (S345)
(Rabbit monoclonal)
Cell Signaling Technology37333IF 1:200
AntibodyCleaved caspase-3
(Rabbit polyclonal)
Cell Signaling Technology9661IF 1:400
AntibodyMLKL
(Rabbit
monoclonal)
Cell Signaling Technology37705WB 1:1000
AntibodyCleaved caspase-1
(Rabbit polyclonal)
Santa Cruz Biotechnologysc-514WB 1:500
AntibodyBeta-actin
(Rabbit polyclonal)
Cell Signaling Technology4967WB 1:1000
Antibodyp-MLKL (S345)
(Rabbit monoclonal)
Abcamab196436WB 1:1000
Antibodymouse IgG1-HRP
(Goat polyclonal)
Southern Biotech1070–05ELISA 1:5000
Antibodymouse IgG2b-HRP
(Goat polyclonal)
Southern Biotech1090–05ELISA 1:5000
Antibodymouse IgG2c-HRP
(Goat polyclonal)
Southern Biotech1079–05ELISA 1:5000
Peptide, recombinant proteinK(b)/Ova.SIINFEKL tetramerNIH Tetramer Core FacilityFCM 1:400
Peptide, recombinant proteinEndoGrade OvalbuminHyglos321001For injection
Peptide, recombinant proteinOva-AF647Life TechnologiesO34784
Peptide, recombinant proteinAlbumin, chicken egg white (Ovalbumin)Sigma-AldrichA2512For ELISA
Peptide, recombinant proteinUricase from Candida sp.Sigma-AldrichU0880-250UN
Peptide, recombinant proteinDNase IRoche10104159001
Peptide, recombinant proteinMurine GM-CSFPeproTech315–03
Peptide, recombinant proteinMurine M-CSFPeproTech315–02
Peptide, recombinant proteinCollagenase IVWorthington BiochemicalLS004189
Peptide, recombinant proteinStreptavidin-PEBD Biosciences554061
Chemical compound, drugOptEIA TMB SubstrateBD Biosciences555214
Peptide, recombinant proteinAnnexin VBiolegend640906FCM 5 μl
Chemical compound, drugMF59Novartis
Chemical compound, drugAddaVaxInvivoGenvac-adx-10
Chemical compound, drugAlhydogelInvivoGenvac-alu-250
Chemical compound, drugz-VAD-fmkCayman Chemical14463
Chemical compound, drugNec-1sBioVision2263–5
Chemical compound, drugLive/Dead Aqua stain kitInvitrogenL34957FCM 1:1000
Chemical compound, drugBlotting-grade blockerBio-Rad1706404
Chemical compound, drugProtease/phosphatase inhibitor cocktailCell Signaling Technology5872
Chemical compound, drugSuperSignalWest Femto/Dura chemiluminescent substrateThermo Scientific34094/34075
Commercial assay or kitMouse IL-1b ELISA kitBD Biosciences559603
Commercial assay or kitMouse IL-6 ELISA kitBD Biosciences555240
Commercial assay or kitMouse IL-12 (p70) ELISA SetBD Biosciences555256
Commercial assay or kitMouse TNF ELISA Set IIBD Biosciences558534
Commercial assay or kitQuanti-iT PicoGreen dsDNA assay kitInvitrogenP11496
Commercial assay or kitUric Acid Assay kitAbcamab65344
Commercial assay or kitStandard macrophage depletion kitEncapsula NanoSciences8901Clodronate liposome
Software, algorithmFlowJoBD
Software, algorithmPrismGraphPad
Software, algorithmCellProfilerBroad Institute

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  1. Eui Ho Kim
  2. Matthew C Woodruff
  3. Lilit Grigoryan
  4. Barbara Maier
  5. Song Hee Lee
  6. Pratyusha Mandal
  7. Mario Cortese
  8. Muktha S Natrajan
  9. Rajesh Ravindran
  10. Huailiang Ma
  11. Miriam Merad
  12. Alexander D Gitlin
  13. Edward S Mocarski
  14. Joshy Jacob
  15. Bali Pulendran
(2020)
Squalene emulsion-based vaccine adjuvants stimulate CD8 T cell, but not antibody responses, through a RIPK3-dependent pathway
eLife 9:e52687.
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.52687