研究者データベース
| 竹内 寛人(タケウチ ヒロト) |
| 創成研究機構ワクチン研究開発拠点 |
| 特任助教 |
Last Updated :2023/12/05
研究活動情報
論文
- Tatsuya Deguchi, Naoya Maekawa, Satoru Konnai, Ryo Owaki, Kenji Hosoya, Keitaro Morishita, Motoji Nakamura, Tomohiro Okagawa, Hiroto Takeuchi, Sangho Kim, Ryohei Kinoshita, Yurika Tachibana, Madoka Yokokawa, Satoshi Takagi, Yukinari Kato, Yasuhiko Suzuki, Shiro Murata, Kazuhiko OhashiCancers 15 11 2023年06月01日Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as the anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody, have been developed for the treatment of canine malignant melanoma, desirable clinical efficacies have not been achieved. Recent studies in humans have suggested that radiation therapy (RT) combined with ICIs induces robust systemic antitumour immunity in patients with cancer. This study retrospectively examined the therapeutic efficacy of combination therapy (hypofractionated RT and anti-PD-L1 antibody [c4G12]) in dogs with pulmonary metastatic oral malignant melanoma. The intrathoracic clinical benefit rate (CBR)/median overall survival (OS) in the no RT (n = 20, free from the effect of RT), previous RT (n = 9, received RT ≤8 weeks prior to the first c4G12 dose), and concurrent RT (n = 10, c4G12 therapy within ±1 week of the first RT fraction) groups were 10%/185 days, 55.6%/283.5 days (p < 0.05 vs. no RT group), and 20%/129 days (p > 0.05 vs. no RT group), respectively. The adverse events were considered to be tolerable in the combination therapy. Thus, hypofractionated RT before the initiation of c4G12 therapy can be an effective approach for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy, with acceptable safety profiles. Further prospective clinical studies are required to confirm the findings of this study.
- Naoya Maekawa, Satoru Konnai, Kenji Hosoya, Sangho Kim, Ryohei Kinoshita, Tatsuya Deguchi, Ryo Owaki, Yurika Tachibana, Madoka Yokokawa, Hiroto Takeuchi, Yumiko Kagawa, Satoshi Takagi, Hiroshi Ohta, Yukinari Kato, Satoshi Yamamoto, Keiichi Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Suzuki, Tomohiro Okagawa, Shiro Murata, Kazuhiko OhashiPloS one 18 10 e0291727 2023年Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been developed for canine tumour treatment, and pilot clinical studies have demonstrated their antitumour efficacy in dogs with oral malignant melanoma (OMM). Although ICIs have been approved for various human malignancies, their clinical benefits in other tumour types remain to be elucidated in dogs. Here, we conducted a clinical study of c4G12, a canine chimeric anti-PD-L1 antibody, to assess its safety and efficacy in dogs with various advanced malignant tumours (n = 12) at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Hokkaido University from 2018 to 2023. Dogs with digit or foot pad malignant melanoma (n = 4), osteosarcoma (n = 2), hemangiosarcoma (n = 1), transitional cell carcinoma (n = 1), nasal adenocarcinoma (n = 1), B-cell lymphoma (n = 1), or undifferentiated sarcoma (n = 2) were treated with 2 or 5 mg/kg c4G12 every 2 weeks. Treatment-related adverse events of any grade were observed in eight dogs (66.7%), including elevated aspartate aminotransferase (grade 3) in one dog (8.3%) and thrombocytopenia (grade 4) in another dog (8.3%). Among dogs with target disease at baseline (n = 8), as defined by the response evaluation criteria for solid tumours in dogs (cRECIST), one dog with nasal adenocarcinoma and another with osteosarcoma experienced a partial response (PR), with an objective response rate of 25.0% (2 PR out of 8 dogs; 95% confidence interval: 3.2-65.1%). These results suggest that c4G12 is safe and tolerable and shows antitumor effects in dogs with malignant tumours other than OMM. Further clinical studies are warranted to identify the tumour types that are most likely to benefit from c4G12 treatment.
- Naoya Maekawa, Satoru Konnai, Yumie Asano, Takumi Otsuka, Eri Aoki, Hiroto Takeuchi, Yukinari Kato, Mika K Kaneko, Shinji Yamada, Yumiko Kagawa, Maki Nishimura, Satoshi Takagi, Tatsuya Deguchi, Hiroshi Ohta, Takayuki Nakagawa, Yasuhiko Suzuki, Tomohiro Okagawa, Shiro Murata, Kazuhiko OhashiPloS one 18 1 e0281143 2023年Spontaneous tumors are a major cause of death in cats. Treatment of human tumors has progressed dramatically in the past decade, partly due to the success of immunotherapies using immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) and anti-PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies. However, little is known about the PD-1 pathway and its association with tumor disease in cats. This study investigated the applicability of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy in feline tumors. We first determined the complete coding sequence of feline PD-L1 and PD-L2, and found that the deduced amino acid sequences of feline PD-L1/PD-L2 share high sequence identities (66-83%) with orthologs in other mammalian species. We prepared recombinant feline PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 proteins and confirmed receptor-ligand binding between PD-1 and PD-L1/PD-L2 using flow cytometry. Next, we established an anti-feline PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (clone CL1Mab-7) to analyze the expression of PD-L1. Flow cytometry using CL1Mab-7 revealed the cell surface expression of PD-L1 in a feline macrophage (Fcwf-4) and five mammary adenocarcinoma cell lines (FKNp, FMCm, FYMp, FONp, and FONm), and showed that PD-L1 expression was upregulated by interferon-γ stimulation. Finally, immunohistochemistry using CL1Mab-7 also showed PD-L1 expression in feline squamous cell carcinoma (5/5, 100%), mammary adenocarcinoma (4/5, 80%), fibrosarcoma (5/5, 100%), and renal cell carcinoma (2/2, 100%) tissues. Our results strongly encourage further investigations of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway as a potential therapeutic target for feline tumors.
- Hiroto Takeuchi, Chie Nakajima, Satoru Konnai, Naoya Maekawa, Tomohiro Okagawa, Masaru Usui, Yutaka Tamura, Yasuhiko Suzuki, Shiro Murata, Kazuhiko OhashiPloS one 18 1 e0281171 2023年Coagulase-positive Staphylococci express protein A, which binds to host antibodies, to evade the immune system. Taking advantage of its specific binding to antibodies, protein A from Staphylococcus aureus, which is called SpA, is commonly used as an affinity chromatography ligand for human therapeutic antibodies. However, among four canine IgG subclasses (A, B, C, and D), only IgG-B binds to SpA strongly and establishing an efficient and robust purification scheme for canine therapeutic antibodies whose IgG subclass is A, C, or D remains difficult and depends on finding a suitable substitute to SpA. S. pseudintermedius, a major coagulase-positive Staphylococci found in dogs, expresses spsQ gene which is orthologous to S. aureus spa. We hypothesized that to serve S. pseudintermedius to better adapt to the dog immune system, SpsQ would bind to canine IgGs stronger than SpA, making it a better affinity chromatography ligand for canine therapeutic antibodies. To characterize SpsQ, we first determined the spsQ nucleotide sequence from S. pseudintermedius isolates. Based on the identified sequence, we prepared recombinant proteins containing the immunoglobulin-binding domains of SpA (r-SpA) and SpsQ (r-SpsQ) and determined their binding capacity for each canine IgG subclass. The binding capacity of r-SpsQ for IgG-B was almost as high as that of r-SpA. Interestingly, while both r-SpsQ and r-SpA showed no binding to IgG-C, the binding capacity of r-SpsQ for IgG-A and IgG-D was significantly higher than that of r-SpA. Finally, we performed affinity chromatography using r-SpsQ- or r-SpA-immobilized resin and revealed that the recovery rates of IgG-A and IgG-D using r-SpsQ were significantly higher than those using r-SpA. Our findings indicate that SpsQ has a strong potential to be used as an affinity chromatography ligand for canine therapeutic antibodies of subclass A, B, and D.
- ネコ腫瘍組織におけるprogrammed death ligand 1(PD-L1)の発現解析青木 絵理, 今内 覚, 前川 直也, 岡川 朋弘, 竹内 寛人, 佐藤 純平, 浅野 裕美恵, 大塚 拓海, 賀川 由美子, 加藤 幸成, 高木 哲, 鈴木 定彦, 村田 史郎, 大橋 和彦日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集 165回 [DI1A - 04] (公社)日本獣医学会 2022年09月
- Naoya Maekawa, Satoru Konnai, Yumie Asano, Yamato Sajiki, Tatsuya Deguchi, Tomohiro Okagawa, Kei Watari, Hiroto Takeuchi, Satoshi Takagi, Kenji Hosoya, Sangho Kim, Hiroshi Ohta, Yukinari Kato, Yasuhiko Suzuki, Shiro Murata, Kazuhiko OhashiScientific reports 12 1 9265 - 9265 2022年06月03日Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as anti-PD-L1 antibodies are widely used to treat human cancers, and growing evidence suggests that ICIs are promising treatments for canine malignancies. However, only some canine oral malignant melanoma (OMM) cases respond to ICIs. To explore biomarkers predictive of survival in dogs with pulmonary metastatic OMM receiving the anti-PD-L1 antibody c4G12 (n = 27), serum concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were measured prior to treatment initiation. Among 12 factors tested, PGE2, interleukin (IL)-12p40, IL-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and stem cell factor (SCF) were higher in OMM dogs compared to healthy dogs (n = 8). Further, lower baseline serum PGE2, MCP-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A concentrations as well as higher IL-2, IL-12, and SCF concentrations predicted prolonged overall survival. These observations suggest that PGE2 confers resistance against anti-PD-L1 therapy through immunosuppression and thus is a candidate target for combination therapy. Indeed, PGE2 suppressed IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ production by stimulated canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), while inhibition of PGE2 biosynthesis using the COX-2 inhibitor meloxicam in combination with c4G12 enhanced Th1 cytokine production by PBMCs. Thus, serum PGE2 may be predictive of c4G12 treatment response, and concomitant use of COX-2 inhibitors may enhance ICI antitumor efficacy.
- Hiroto Takeuchi, Satoru Konnai, Naoya Maekawa, Satoshi Takagi, Hiroshi Ohta, Noboru Sasaki, Sangho Kim, Tomohiro Okagawa, Yasuhiko Suzuki, Shiro Murata, Kazuhiko OhashiFrontiers in veterinary science 8 656715 - 656715 2021年Cancer cells can evade host immune systems via multiple mechanisms. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is an immunosuppressive cytokine that induces regulatory T cell (Tregs) differentiation and is involved in immune evasion mechanisms in cancer. The inhibition of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway can suppress cancer progression and metastasis through the modulation of anticancer immune responses. However, to best of our knowledge, no implementation of treatments targeting TGF-β1 has been reported in dog cancers. This study aimed to examine whether TGF-β1 is upregulated in canine cancers. We measured TGF-β1 concentrations in culture supernatants of canine melanoma cell lines and in serum samples from dogs with oral malignant melanoma. TGF-β1 production was observed in several cell lines, and serum TGF-β1 levels were elevated in dogs with oral malignant melanoma. Interestingly, the addition of recombinant TGF-β1 to canine peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures decreased Th1 cytokine production and increased differentiation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ lymphocytes, suggesting that TGF-β1 is immunosuppressive in canine immune systems. We developed a decoy receptor for TGF-β, namely TGF-βRII-Ig, by identifying an open reading frame of the canine TGFBR2 gene. TGF-βRII-Ig was prepared as a recombinant fusion protein of the extracellular region of canine TGF-βRII and the Fc region of canine IgG-B. As expected, TGF-βRII-Ig bound to TGF-β1. In the presence of TGF-β1, the treatment with TGF-βRII-Ig increased Th1 cytokine production and decreased the differentiation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ lymphocytes. Our results suggest that TGF-βRII-Ig competitively inhibits the immunosuppressive effects of TGF-β1 and thereby activates immune responses. This study demonstrated the potential of TGF-βRII-Ig as a novel biologic for canine melanoma.
- Hiroto Takeuchi, Satoru Konnai, Naoya Maekawa, Erina Minato, Yoshiki Ichikawa, Atsushi Kobayashi, Tomohiro Okagawa, Shiro Murata, Kazuhiko OhashiFrontiers in veterinary science 7 330 - 330 2020年Cancer is one of the most significant causes of death in dogs. Antibody drugs targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis represent a promising immunotherapy for both human and canine cancers. However, the regulation mechanisms of PD-L1 expression in canine cancers require further investigation to better understand the resistance mechanisms to anti-PD-L1 therapy. Recent reports have shown that CMTM6 and CMTM4 are critical regulators of PD-L1 protein expression in human cancer cells. By preventing PD-L1 from lysosome-mediated degradation, CMTM6 maintains PD-L1 expression on the cell surface. However, the literature has not reported on CMTM6 and CMTM4 in dogs, and their functions are completely unknown. To reveal a regulation mechanism of PD-L1 in canine cancers, this study firstly identified the gene sequences of CMTM6 and CMTM4. Then, the expression analysis of these proteins was performed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the functions of CMTM6 and CMTM4 in regulating PD-L1 expression were examined by gene knockdown of CMTM6 and CMTM4. Canine CMTM6 and CMTM4 displayed high amino acid sequence identities compared with those of humans and mice. An immunohistochemical analysis using cross-reactive antibodies revealed that canine malignant melanoma and osteosarcoma express CMTM6, CMTM4, and PD-L1 simultaneously. Gene knockdown of CMTM6 and CMTM4 with RNA interference significantly reduced the cell surface expression of PD-L1 in a canine cell line. These results suggest that CMTM6 and CMTM4 are regulators of PD-L1 expression in canine cancers and could serve as potential therapeutic targets to enhance antitumor immunity.
その他活動・業績
- 竹内寛人, 前川直也, 今内覚, 高木哲, 細谷謙次, 賀川由美子, 岡川朋弘, 鈴木定彦, 鈴木定彦, 山本啓一, 山本啓一, 村田史郎, 大橋和彦 北海道獣医師会雑誌 63 (8) 343 -343 2019年08月09日 [査読無し][通常論文]
特許
- 特開2022-169389:イヌTGF-β受容体II 2022年11月09日今内 覚, 前川 直也, 岡川 朋弘, 大橋 和彦, 村田 史郎, 鈴木 定彦, 竹内 寛人 国立大学法人北海道大学 202203018896478340
受賞
- 2021年10月 第7回 北大・部局横断シンポジウム ベストポスター賞
「イヌ腫瘍に対するTGF-β1を標的とした新規バイオ医薬品の開発」 - 2021年09月 "The 9th Sapporo Summer Symposium for One Health" Best Poster Session Award
The use of recombinant spsQ from Staphylococcus pseudintermedius may improve the purification efficiency of therapeutic antibodies for dogs - 2019年09月 日本小動物獣医学会 日本小動物獣医学会奨励賞 (北海道)
「免疫チェックポイント分子Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) を標的とする抗体薬による免疫療法が奏功した肺転移のある口腔内悪性黒色腫の犬の1 例」