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Poster Presentation
AKT inhibition mitigates terminal differentiation and preserves central memory phenotype of CD8 T cells
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  1. Rasha Abu Eid1,
  2. Kevin Friedman2,
  3. Mikayel Mkrtichyan1 and
  4. Samir N Khleif1
  1. Aff1 grid.410427.40000000419370183Georgia Regents University Cancer Center Augusta GA USA
  2. Aff2 grid.434678.abluebird Bio Cambridge MA USA

https://doi.org/10.1186/2051-1426-2-S3-P93

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    Meeting abstracts

    Introduction

    CD8 T cell response comprises effector and memory T cells. Effector CD8 T cells become terminally differentiated and are eliminated by apoptosis. Memory CD8 T cells encompass central (TCM) and effector memory T cells (TEM). TCM display a higher proliferative ability, express a higher level of CD62L and are superior in their protection against viral and bacterial challenges and mediation of anti-tumor immunity when compared to TEM. The differentiation of CD8 T cell is thought to be coordinated by the PI3K/Akt pathway.

    Methods

    The effect of in vitro Akt inhibition using the pan Akt inhibitors MK-2206 and AZD5363 on the differentiation and proliferation of CD8 T cells was examined. Cell proliferation, expansion, cytokine production and phenotype were assessed in antigen specific CD8 T cells.

    Results

    We found that the inhibition of Akt leads to a significant enhancement of the proliferative potential of CD8 T cells, and to prolongation of their survival upon TCR re-stimulation. Furthermore, we found that Akt inhibition leads to increase in IL-2 secretion, a marker of cells with high proliferative ability. We further identified that Akt inhibition preserved the TCM phenotype by conserving a higher percentage of (CD44HI CD62LHI) expressing T cells. These cells also displayed a higher level of CD127 and a lower level of the exhaustion marker KLRG-1 reflecting their increased expansion ability and longevity due to Akt inhibition. Additionally, we found that Akt inhibition also resulted in the preservation of a significantly higher percentage of naïve CD8 T cells (CD44LO CD62LHI) when compared to the non-treated cells.

    Conclusion

    Here, we show that Akt inhibition preserves the central memory phenotype of CD8 T cells thus enhancing their proliferation, survival and cytokine production. Furthermore, Akt inhibition results in the conservation of a reservoir of naïve CD8 T cells. Both naïve and TCM CD8 T cells are superior mediators of anti-tumor immunity when compared to effector or TEM cells. These findings strongly suggest the utility of using Akt inhibitors to modulate the immune response as part of cancer immune therapy.