Immune-check blocking combination multiple cytokines shown curative potential in mice tumor model.

Objective: In order to ensure the stable transcription of target genes, we constructed a eukaryotic high expression vector carrying an immune-check inhibitor PD-1v and a variety of cytokines, and studied their effects on activating immune response to inhibit tumor growth.

Methods: A novel eukaryotic expression plasmid vector named pT7AMPCE containing T7RNA polymerase, T7 promoter, internal ribosome entry site (IRES), and poly A tailing signal was constructed by T4 DNA ligase, on which homologous recombination was used to clone and construct the vector carrying PD-1v, IL-2/15, IL-12, GM-CSF, and GFP. In vitro transfection of CT26 cells was performed, and the protein expression of PD-1v, IL-12 and GM-CSF was detected by Western blot and ELISA after 48 h. Mice were subcutaneously inoculated with CT26-IRFP tumor cells in the rib abdomen, and the tumor tissues were injected with PD-1v, IL-2/15, IL-12, and GM-CSF recombinant plasmids for treatment during the experimental period. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by assay tumor size and survival time of tumor-bearing mice during the experiment. Expression levels of IFN-γ, TNF, IL-4, IL-2, and IL-5 in mouse blood were measured using the CBA method. Tumor tissues were extracted and immune cell infiltration in tumor tissues was detected by HE staining and the IHC method.

Results: The recombinant plasmids carrying PD-1v, IL-2/15, IL-12, and GM-CSF were successfully constructed, and the Western blot and ELISA results showed that PD-1v, IL-12, and GM-CSF were expressed in the supernatant of CT26 cells 48 h after in vitro cell transfection. The combined application of PD-1v, IL-2/15, IL-12, and GM-CSF recombinant plasmids significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice, and the tumor growth rate was significantly lower than that in the blank control group and GFP plasmid control group (p < 0.05). Cytometric bead array data suggested that the combination of PD-1v and various cytokines can effectively activate immune cells. HE and IHC analysis revealed plenty of immune cell infiltrates in the tumor tissue, and a large proportion of tumor cells showed the necrotic phenotype in the combination treatment group.

Conclusion: The combination of immune check blockade and multiple cytokine therapy can significantly activate the body's immune response and inhibit tumor growth.