Blocking GARP-mediated activation of TGF-β1 did not alter innate or adaptive immune responses to bacterial infection or protein immunization in mice

ABSTRACT: Transmembrane protein GARP binds latent TGF-β1 to form GARP:(latent)TGF-β1 complexes on the surface of several cell types including Tregs, B-cells, and platelets. Upon stimulation, these cells release active TGF-β1. Blocking TGF-β1 activation by Tregs with anti-GARP:TGF-β1 mAbs overcomes resistance to PD1/PD-L1 blockade and induces immune-mediated regressions of murine tumors, indicating that Treg-derived TGF-β1 inhibits anti-tumor immunity. TGF-β1 exerts a vast array of effects on immune responses. For example, it favors differentiation of T(H)17 cells and B-cell switch to IgA production, two important processes for mucosal immunity. Here, we sought to determine whether treatment with anti-GARP:TGF-β1 mAbs would perturb immune responses to intestinal bacterial infection. We observed no aggravation of intestinal disease, no systemic dissemination, and no alteration of innate or adaptative immune responses upon oral gavage of C. rodentium in highly susceptible Il22r(−/−) mice treated with anti-GARP:TGF-β1 mAbs. To examine the effects of GARP:TGF-β1 blockade on Ig production, we compared B cell- and T(H) cell- responses to OVA or CTB protein immunization in mice carrying deletions of Garp in Tregs, B cells, or platelets. No alteration of adaptive immune responses to protein immunization was observed in the absence of GARP on any of these cells. Altogether, we show that antibody-mediated blockade of GARP:TGF-β1 or genetic deletion of Garp in Tregs, B cells or platelets, do not alter innate or adaptive immune responses to intestinal bacterial infection or protein immunization in mice. Anti-GARP:TGF-β1 mAbs, currently tested for cancer immunotherapy, may thus restore anti-tumor immunity without severely impairing other immune defenses. PRÉCIS: Immunotherapy with GARP:TGF-β1 mAbs may restore anti-tumor immunity without impairing immune or inflammatory responses required to maintain homeostasis or host defense against infection, notably at mucosal barriers. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00262-021-03119-8.