Abstract 370: T-PLL cells resemble memory-type T-cells with aberrant effector functions implicating a leukemogenic cooperation of TCL1A and TCR signaling
Authors: Schrader Alexandra , Warner Kathrin , Oberbeck Sebastian , Crispatzu Giuliano , Mayer Petra , Pützer Sabine , Diebner Hans , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Hopfinger Georg , Dürig Jan , Haferlach Torsten , Lanasa Mark , Roeder Ingo , Hallek Michael , Mougiakakos Dimitrios , Bergwelt-Baildon Michael von , Brüggemann Monika , Newrzela Sebastian , Abken Hinrich , Herling Marco 
Published: July 2017

The pathogenesis of the rare and aggressive T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is poorly understood, which particularly applies to a mechanistic concept around its hallmark oncogene TCL1A. Existing data implicate TCL1A as a catalytic enhancer of the oncogenic kinase AKT, a central node in a T-cell’s antigen receptor (TCR) signaling cascade, which mediates proliferation and differentiation. The levels and role of TCR activation in T-PLL’s pathogenesis are not known.

To first clarify which physiological T-cell subset T-PLL cells most resemble, we performed comprehensive global gene expression profiling and immunophenotyping of primary T-PLL (n=79) in comparison to healthy-donor derived T-cell populations. Principle component analyses and gene signature alignments revealed a high similarity of T-PLL cells to (central) memory T-lymphocytes over naïve T-cells. Surface markers revealed a spectrum of memory-type differentiation (n=69/79; 87%) with predominant central-memory stages (n=35/79; 44%). The usually TCR and/or CD28-coreceptor positive T-PLL cells revealed no restrictions to genetic or surface TCR-clonotypes. The abnormally high basal activation levels (surface CD25, CD38, CD69) correlated in their degree with inferior clinical outcomes (med. survival 20.8 vs 58.3 mo.; p=0.0012). In parallel, T-PLL cells lost expression of negative-regulatory TCR-co-receptors (e.g. CTLA-4, LAG3). Fittingly, TCR engagement of primary T-PLL cells revealed a trend to hyperactive intracellular responses and interleukin(IL)-2 release alongside a prominent Th1-cytokine program. T-PLL cells also showed a robust resistance to stimulation-induced cell death and agonistic CD95 ligation. TCR-derived signals (phospho-kinase induction, IL-2 release) were enhanced in vitro by the modulated presence of TCL1A with kinetics indicative of a sensitizer relationship, mainly in the CD3 axis as opposed to the CD28 branch. A mouse model with TCL1A-initiated protracted development of T-PLL (Lckpr-TCL1Atg) revealed congruent findings with the aberrant T-cell phenotype of human T-PLL. TCL1A expressing T-cells of this model, that were further equipped with monoclonal epitope-defined TCRs against ovalbumine or a chimeric-antigen-receptor (CAR) against carcinoembryonic antigen, gained a pre-leukemic growth advantage in scenarios of pulsed or continuous low-level receptor stimulation.

Overall, we establish that T-PLL cells resemble antigen-experienced memory T-cells. Retention of functional effector responses to TCR stimulation and loss of restricting activation regulators underlie a highly activated phenotype and a marked resistance to death-inducing signals. TCL1A proactively enhances TCR responses and we postulate that this leukemogenic cooperation drives accumulation of memory-type cells that utilize amplified, hence permissive, low-level cognate antigen input.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting.

Citation Format: Alexandra Schrader, Kathrin Warner, Sebastian Oberbeck, Giuliano Crispatzu, Petra Mayer, Sabine Pützer, Hans Diebner, Stephan Stilgenbauer, Georg Hopfinger, Jan Dürig, Torsten Haferlach, Mark Lanasa, Ingo Roeder, Michael Hallek, Dimitrios Mougiakakos, Michael von Bergwelt-Baildon, Monika Brüggemann, Sebastian Newrzela, Hinrich Abken, Marco Herling. T-PLL cells resemble memory-type T-cells with aberrant effector functions implicating a leukemogenic cooperation of TCL1A and TCR signaling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 370. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-370