Janus kinase-2 inhibition induces durable tolerance to alloantigen by human dendritic cell–stimulated T cells yet preserves immunity to recall antigen

BC Betts, O Abdel-Wahab, SA Curran… - Blood, The Journal …, 2011 - ashpublications.org
BC Betts, O Abdel-Wahab, SA Curran, ET St Angelo, P Koppikar, G Heller, RL Levine…
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2011ashpublications.org
Abstract Janus kinase-2 (JAK2) conveys receptor-binding signals by several inflammatory
cytokines, including IL-6, via phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of
transcription 3 (STAT3). We demonstrate that selective JAK2 inhibition by TG101348 during
initial encounters between human T cells and allogeneic monocyte-derived dendritic cells
induces durable, profound, and specific T-cell tolerance upon reexposure to the same
alloantigens. Subsequent responses by nonalloreactive T cells to stimulation de novo by a …
Abstract
Janus kinase-2 (JAK2) conveys receptor-binding signals by several inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, via phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). We demonstrate that selective JAK2 inhibition by TG101348 during initial encounters between human T cells and allogeneic monocyte-derived dendritic cells induces durable, profound, and specific T-cell tolerance upon reexposure to the same alloantigens. Subsequent responses by nonalloreactive T cells to stimulation de novo by a pathogenic nominal antigen remain intact. TG101348 also suppresses primed T-cell responses when present only during alloantigen restimulation. TG101348 ablates IL-6/JAK2–mediated phosphorylation of STAT3, but has no off-target effects on IL-2 or IL-15/JAK3/pSTAT5-dependent signaling, which sustain the responses of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and other effector T cells. JAK2 inhibition preserves Treg numbers and thereby enhances the ratio of CD4+ Tregs to CD8+CD25+ effector T cells in favor of Tregs. JAK2 inhibition also reduces the production of IL-6 and TNF-α in allogeneic MLRs, impairing the activation of central and effector memory T cells as well as the expansion of responder Th1 and Th17 cells. While we have reported the limitations of isolated IL-6R-α inhibition on dendritic cell–stimulated alloreactivity, we demonstrate here that JAK2 represents a relevant biologic target for controlling GVHD or allograft rejection without broader immune impairment.
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