LF 15-0195 immunosuppressive agent enhances activation-induced T-cell death by facilitating caspase-8 and caspase-10 activation at the DISC level

The deoxyspergualin derivative LF 15-0195 has demonstrated some efficacy in animal models of autoimmune and graft-versus-host diseases and is currently tested in clinics. The molecular mechanisms of LF 15-0195 immunosuppressive activity remained unknown. We show that exposure to LF 15-0195 sensitizes Jurkat T cells to apoptosis induced by an agonistic anti-CD95 antibody (CH11 clone) and by the cytokine TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. LF 15-0195 does not demonstrate any significant effect on the post-mitochondrial activation of caspases, nor does it modify overall expression of CD95, Fas-associated death domain, and procaspase-8. The compound facilitates the recruitment of these molecules to the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) and enhances caspase-8 and -10 activation, thus increasing cytochrome c and direct IAP binding with low pl (DIABLO)/Smac mitochondrial release. LF 15-0195 also sensitizes Jurkat T cells to CD3-mediated apoptosis, an in vitro model for activation-induced T-cell death (AICD). LF 15-0195-mediated sensitization to AICD was further confirmed in human peripheral T cells exposed to anti-CD3 antibodies, then cultured in the presence of interleukin-2. In these cells, LF 15-0195 increased apoptosis triggered by either anti-CD95 antibodies or CD3 restimulation, whereas no effect was observed on "passive apoptosis." Finally, in bone marrow recipient mice, LF 15-0195 enhanced allogeneic donor T-cell death, which required a functional CD95 pathway. These results suggest that LF 15-0195 sensitizes T cells to AICD by increasing caspase activation at the DISC level in response to CD95 engagement. This original mechanism, together with LF 15-0195 efficacy in various disease models, makes this compound a promising immunosuppressive drug.