P03.02 Suppression of T-cell proliferation and cytokine release by the adenosine axis are mediated by different mechanisms

BackgroundThe so-called adenosine axis has emerged as a promising therapeutic target pathway as high adenosine levels in the tumor microenvironment contribute to the suppression of antitumor immune responses. The ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 act in concert to degrade extracellular immune-stimulating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to immunosuppressive adenosine. According to the current model, subsequent suppression of effector immune cell function is caused by binding of adenosine to adenosine receptors like the A2a receptor (A2aR). The ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 as well as the A2aR have emerged as molecular targets within the adenosine axis with currently more than 20 clinical trials investigating antitumor effects of CD39-, CD73- or A2aR blockade. We aimed to perform a direct comparison of these targets with regard to their roles in regulating T-cell proliferation and IFN-γ secretion.Materials and MethodsCD39 and CD73 expression was suppressed using LNAplusTM antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). ASOs were synthesized as gapmers with flanking locked nucleic acids (LNA) to increase stability and affinity to the target RNA, leaving a central gap for recruitment of the RNA-degrading enzyme RNaseH I. Knockdown efficacy of ASOs on mRNA and protein level was investigated in primary human T cells. Furthermore, the effects of ATP, AMP and adenosine analogues on T–cell proliferation and IFN–γ secretion were investigated. A2aR was blocked using small molecule inhibitors that are currently under clinical investigation.ResultsTreatment of human T cells with LNA-modified ASOs specific for human CD39 and CD73 resulted in potent target knockdown in vitro without the use of a transfection reagent. T-cell proliferation was reduced after addition of ATP to activated T cells that was completely reverted by ASO-mediated suppression of CD39 and/or CD73 expression but not A2aR inhibition. Adenosine analogues inhibited IFN–γ secretion of activated T cells, however, they did not suppress T-cell proliferation. Blockade of the adenosine kinase was able to revert the anti-proliferative effect of ATP degradation products, arguing for downstream metabolites of adenosine, but not A2aR signaling, being responsible for the suppression of T-cell proliferation.ConclusionsCytokine secretion and proliferation of T cells might be differentially regulated by the adenosine axis. Adenosine might primarily affect cytokine secretion via A2aR signaling, whereas adenosine metabolites might espe