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Xu Y, Zhang H, Sun Q, Geng R, Yuan F, Liu B, Chen Q. Immunomodulatory Effects of Tryptophan Metabolism in the Glioma Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:730289. [PMID: 34659216 PMCID: PMC8517402 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.730289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common primary malignant tumor in adults’ central nervous system. While current research on glioma treatment is advancing rapidly, there is still no breakthrough in long-term treatment. Abnormalities in the immune regulatory mechanism in the tumor microenvironment are essential to tumor cell survival. The alteration of amino acid metabolism is considered a sign of tumor cells, significantly impacting tumor cells and immune regulation mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment. Despite the fact that the metabolism of tryptophan in tumors is currently discussed in the literature, we herein focused on reviewing the immune regulation of tryptophan metabolism in the tumor microenvironment of gliomas and analyzed possible immune targets. The objective is to identify potential targets for the treatment of glioma and improve the efficiency of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huikai Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rongxin Geng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fanen Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Baohui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qianxue Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Panitz V, Končarević S, Sadik A, Friedel D, Bausbacher T, Trump S, Farztdinov V, Schulz S, Sievers P, Schmidt S, Jürgenson I, Jung S, Kuhn K, Pflüger I, Sharma S, Wick A, Pfänder P, Selzer S, Vollmuth P, Sahm F, von Deimling A, Heiland I, Hopf C, Schulz-Knappe P, Pike I, Platten M, Wick W, Opitz CA. Tryptophan metabolism is inversely regulated in the tumor and blood of patients with glioblastoma. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:9217-9233. [PMID: 34646367 PMCID: PMC8490504 DOI: 10.7150/thno.60679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan (Trp)-catabolic enzymes (TCEs) produce metabolites that activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and promote tumor progression and immunosuppression in glioblastoma. As therapies targeting TCEs or AHR become available, a better understanding of Trp metabolism is required. Methods: The combination of LC-MS/MS with chemical isobaric labeling enabled the simultaneous quantitative comparison of Trp and its amino group-bearing metabolites in multiple samples. We applied this method to the sera of a cohort of 43 recurrent glioblastoma patients and 43 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Tumor volumes were measured in MRI data using an artificial neural network-based approach. MALDI MSI visualized Trp and its direct metabolite N-formylkynurenine (FK) in glioblastoma tissue. Analysis of scRNA-seq data was used to detect the presence of Trp metabolism and AHR activity in different cell types in glioblastoma. Results: Compared to healthy controls, glioblastoma patients showed decreased serum Trp levels. Surprisingly, the levels of Trp metabolites were also reduced. The decrease became smaller with more enzymatic steps between Trp and its metabolites, suggesting that Trp availability controls the levels of its systemic metabolites. High tumor volume associated with low systemic metabolite levels and low systemic kynurenine levels associated with worse overall survival. MALDI MSI demonstrated heterogeneity of Trp catabolism across glioblastoma tissues. Analysis of scRNA-seq data revealed that genes involved in Trp metabolism were expressed in almost all the cell types in glioblastoma and that most cell types, in particular macrophages and T cells, exhibited AHR activation. Moreover, high AHR activity associated with reduced overall survival in the glioblastoma TCGA dataset. Conclusion: The novel techniques we developed could support the identification of patients that may benefit from therapies targeting TCEs or AHR activation.
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Lim TX, Ahamed M, Reutens DC. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: A diagnostic and therapeutic target in glioma. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:422-435. [PMID: 34624509 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a deadly disease; 5-year survival rates have shown little improvement over the past 30 years. In vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is an important method of identifying potential diagnostic and therapeutic molecular targets non-invasively. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that regulates multiple genes involved in immune response modulation and tumorigenesis. The AhR is an attractive potential drug target and studies have shown that its activation by small molecules can modulate innate and adaptive immunity beneficially and prevent AhR-mediated tumour promotion in several cancer types. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of the AhR in glioma tumorigenesis and highlight its potential as an emerging biomarker for glioma therapies targeting the tumour immune response and PET diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xiang Lim
- ARC Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Muneer Ahamed
- ARC Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David C Reutens
- ARC Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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54
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Krane GA, O'Dea CA, Malarkey DE, Miller AD, Miller CR, Tokarz DA, Jensen HL, Janardhan KS, Shockley KR, Flagler N, Rainess BA, Mariani CL. Immunohistochemical evaluation of immune cell infiltration in canine gliomas. Vet Pathol 2021; 58:952-963. [PMID: 34196247 DOI: 10.1177/03009858211023946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Evasion of the immune response is an integral part of the pathogenesis of glioma. In humans, important mechanisms of immune evasion include recruitment of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and polarization of macrophages toward an M2 phenotype. Canine glioma has a robust immune cell infiltrate that has not been extensively characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of immune cells infiltrating spontaneous intracranial canine gliomas. Seventy-three formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples were evaluated using immunohistochemistry for CD3, forkhead box 3 (FOXP3), CD20, Iba1, calprotectin (Mac387), CD163, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Immune cell infiltration was present in all tumors. Low-grade and high-grade gliomas significantly differed in the numbers of FoxP3+ cells, Mac387+ cells, and CD163+ cells (P = .006, .01, and .01, respectively). Considering all tumors, there was a significant increase in tumor area fraction of CD163 compared to Mac387 (P < .0001), and this ratio was greater in high-grade tumors than in low-grade tumors (P = .005). These data warrant further exploration into the roles of macrophage repolarization or Treg interference therapy in canine glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Krane
- 6857National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Toxicology Program, Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.,Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.,Comparative Neuroimmunology and Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | - David E Malarkey
- 6857National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Toxicology Program, Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Debra A Tokarz
- Experimental Pathology Laboratories Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Heather L Jensen
- 6857National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Toxicology Program, Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Keith R Shockley
- Division of Intramural Research, Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Norris Flagler
- 6857National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Toxicology Program, Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Brittani A Rainess
- Comparative Neuroimmunology and Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Christopher L Mariani
- Comparative Neuroimmunology and Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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55
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Kynurenines as a Novel Target for the Treatment of Malignancies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070606. [PMID: 34201791 PMCID: PMC8308824 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignancies are unquestionably a significant public health problem. Their effective treatment is still a big challenge for modern medicine. Tumors have developed a wide range of mechanisms to evade an immune and therapeutic response. As a result, there is an unmet clinical need for research on solutions aimed at overcoming this problem. An accumulation of tryptophan metabolites belonging to the kynurenine pathway can enhance neoplastic progression because it causes the suppression of immune system response against cancer cells. They are also involved in the development of the mechanisms responsible for the resistance to antitumor therapy. Kynurenine belongs to the most potent immunosuppressive metabolites of this pathway and has a significant impact on the development of malignancies. This fact prompted researchers to assess whether targeting the enzymes responsible for its synthesis could be an effective therapeutic strategy for various cancers. To date, numerous studies, both preclinical and clinical, have been conducted on this topic, especially regarding the inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity and their results can be considered noteworthy. This review gathers and systematizes the knowledge about the role of the kynurenine pathway in neoplastic progression and the findings regarding the usefulness of modulating its activity in anticancer therapy.
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Mithaiwala MN, Santana-Coelho D, Porter GA, O’Connor JC. Neuroinflammation and the Kynurenine Pathway in CNS Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. Cells 2021; 10:1548. [PMID: 34205235 PMCID: PMC8235708 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) remain a significant health, social and economic problem around the globe. The development of therapeutic strategies for CNS conditions has suffered due to a poor understanding of the underlying pathologies that manifest them. Understanding common etiological origins at the cellular and molecular level is essential to enhance the development of efficacious and targeted treatment options. Over the years, neuroinflammation has been posited as a common link between multiple neurological, neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Processes that precipitate neuroinflammatory conditions including genetics, infections, physical injury and psychosocial factors, like stress and trauma, closely link dysregulation in kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan metabolism as a possible pathophysiological factor that 'fuel the fire' in CNS diseases. In this study, we aim to review emerging evidence that provide mechanistic insights between different CNS disorders, neuroinflammation and the KP. We provide a thorough overview of the different branches of the KP pertinent to CNS disease pathology that have therapeutic implications for the development of selected and efficacious treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa N. Mithaiwala
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (M.N.M.); (D.S.-C.); (G.A.P.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, Mail Code 8864, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Danielle Santana-Coelho
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (M.N.M.); (D.S.-C.); (G.A.P.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, Mail Code 8864, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Grace A. Porter
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (M.N.M.); (D.S.-C.); (G.A.P.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, Mail Code 8864, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jason C. O’Connor
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (M.N.M.); (D.S.-C.); (G.A.P.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, Mail Code 8864, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Research, Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital, South Texas Veterans Heath System, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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Kwiatkowska I, Hermanowicz JM, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Pawlak D. Not Only Immune Escape-The Confusing Role of the TRP Metabolic Pathway in Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2667. [PMID: 34071442 PMCID: PMC8198784 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recently discovered phenomenon that cancer cells can avoid immune response has gained scientists' interest. One of the pathways involved in this process is tryptophan (TRP) metabolism through the kynurenine pathway (KP). Individual components involved in TRP conversion seem to contribute to cancerogenesis both through a direct impact on cancer cells and the modulation of immune cell functionality. Due to this fact, this pathway may serve as a target for immunotherapy and attempts are being made to create novel compounds effective in cancer treatment. However, the results obtained from clinical trials are not satisfactory, which raises questions about the exact role of KP elements in tumorigenesis. An increasing number of experiments reveal that TRP metabolites may either be tumor promoters and suppressors and this is why further research in this field is highly needed. The aim of this study is to present KP as a modulator of cancer development through multiple mechanisms and to point to its ambiguity, which may be a reason for failures in treatment based on the inhibition of tryptophan metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Kwiatkowska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (J.M.H.); (D.P.)
| | - Justyna Magdalena Hermanowicz
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (J.M.H.); (D.P.)
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | | | - Dariusz Pawlak
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (J.M.H.); (D.P.)
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58
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Jiang Y, Xiao H, Sun L, Zhang Y, Liu S, Luo B. LMP2A suppresses the role of AHR pathway through ERK signal pathway in EBV-associated gastric cancer. Virus Res 2021; 297:198399. [PMID: 33753181 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the function of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) and to explore the relationship between EBV and AHR expression. METHODS The expression of AHR in EBVaGC and EBV negative GC (EBVnGC) tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis were used to examine the expression of AHR, cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), and cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) in gastric cancer cells. The cell proliferation and migration assay were tested by CCK8 and transwell analysis. EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) was over-expressed in SGC7901 cells and silenced in AGS-EBV cells to further identify its role in EBV positive GC cells. RESULTS It was found that EBV infection inhibited the expression of AHR in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. We also found that the activation of AHR pathway can promote cell proliferation and migration. However, the function was restricted in EBVaGC cell lines compared with EBVnGC. LMP2A can suppress AHR expression and pathway activation by activating phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in EBV positive GC cell lines. CONCLUSION EBV-encoded LMP2A regulated the function of the AHR pathway by activating the ERK signal pathway in EBV positive GC cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Jiang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266021, China; Department of Medical Affairs of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 1677 Wutaishan Road, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Hua Xiao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Lingling Sun
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266021, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Central Hospital of Zibo, 19 Gongqingtuan Road, ZiBo, 255036, China
| | - Shuzhen Liu
- Department of Medical Affairs of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 1677 Wutaishan Road, Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Bing Luo
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266021, China
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Yao Y, Liang H, Fang X, Zhang S, Xing Z, Shi L, Kuang C, Seliger B, Yang Q. What is the prospect of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 inhibition in cancer? Extrapolation from the past. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:60. [PMID: 33557876 PMCID: PMC7869231 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01847-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), a monomeric heme-containing enzyme, catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, which plays an important role in immunity and neuronal function. Its implication in different pathophysiologic processes including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases has inspired the development of IDO1 inhibitors in the past decades. However, the negative results of the phase III clinical trial of the would-be first-in-class IDO1 inhibitor (epacadostat) in combination with an anti-PD1 antibody (pembrolizumab) in patients with advanced malignant melanoma call for a better understanding of the role of IDO1 inhibition. In this review, the current status of the clinical development of IDO1 inhibitors will be introduced and the key pre-clinical and clinical data of epacadostat will be summarized. Moreover, based on the cautionary notes obtained from the clinical readout of epacadostat, strategies for the identification of reliable predictive biomarkers and pharmacodynamic markers as well as for the selection of the tumor types to be treated with IDO1inhibitors will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Heng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Zikang Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunxiang Kuang
- Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, 200092, Shanghai, China
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Qing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, 200438, Shanghai, China.
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Ala M. The footprint of kynurenine pathway in every cancer: a new target for chemotherapy. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 896:173921. [PMID: 33529725 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.173921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of cancers has always been a challenge for physicians. Typically, several groups of anti-cancer medications are needed for effective management of an invasive and metastatic cancer. Recently, therapeutic potentiation of immune system markedly improved treatment of cancers. Kynurenine pathway has an interwoven correlation with immune system. Kynurenine promotes T Reg (regulatory) differentiation, which leads to increased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and suppression of cytotoxic activity of T cells. Overactivation of kynurenine pathway in cancers provides an immunologically susceptible microenvironment for mutant cells to survive and invade surrounding tissues. Interestingly, kynurenine pathway vigorously interacts with other molecular pathways involved in tumorigenesis. For instance, kynurenine pathway interacts with phospoinosisitide-3 kinase (PI3K), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Wnt/β-catenin, P53, bridging integrator 1 (BIN-1), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) and collagen type XII α1 chain (COL12A1). Overactivation of kynurenine pathway, particularly overactivation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) predicts poor prognosis of several cancers such as gastrointestinal cancers, gynecological cancers, hematologic malignancies, breast cancer, lung cancer, glioma, melanoma, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, kynurenine increases the invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance of cancer cells. Recently, IDO inhibitors entered clinical trials and successfully passed their safety tests and showed promising therapeutic efficacy for cancers such as melanoma, brain cancer, renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. However, a phase III trial of epacadostat, an IDO inhibitor, could not increase the efficacy of treatment with pembrolizumab for melanoma. In this review the expanding knowledge towards kynurenine pathway and its application in each cancer is discussed separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moein Ala
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
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61
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AhR and Cancer: From Gene Profiling to Targeted Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020752. [PMID: 33451095 PMCID: PMC7828536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that has been shown to be an essential regulator of a broad spectrum of biological activities required for maintaining the body’s vital functions. AhR also plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. Its role in cancer is complex, encompassing both pro- and anti-tumorigenic activities. Its level of expression and activity are specific to each tumor and patient, increasing the difficulty of understanding the activating or inhibiting roles of AhR ligands. We explored the role of AhR in tumor cell lines and patients using genomic data sets and discuss the extent to which AhR can be considered as a therapeutic target.
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Wu L, Zhao N, Zhou Z, Chen J, Han S, Zhang X, Bao H, Yuan W, Shu X. PLAGL2 promotes the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells via USP37-mediated deubiquitination of Snail1. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:700-714. [PMID: 33391500 PMCID: PMC7738862 DOI: 10.7150/thno.47800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: PLAGL2 (pleomorphic adenoma gene like-2), a zinc finger PLAG transcription factor, is aberrantly expressed in several malignant tumors. However, the biological roles of PLAGL2 and its underlying mechanism in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. Methods: A series of experiments in vitro and in vivo were conducted to reveal the role of PLAGL2 in GC progression. Results: The data revealed that PLAGL2 promotes GC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrated the critical role of PLAGL2 in the stabilization of snail family transcriptional repressor 1 (Snail1) and promoting Snail1-mediated proliferation and migration of GC cells. PLAGL2 activated the transcription of deubiquitinase USP37, which then interacted with and deubiquitinated Snail1 protein directly. In addition, GSK-3β-dependent phosphorylation of Snail1 protein is essential for USP37-mediated Snail1 deubiquitination regulation. Conclusions: In general, PLAGL2 promotes the proliferation and migration of GC cells through USP37-mediated deubiquitination of Snail1 protein. This work provided potential therapeutic targets for GC treatment.
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Panada J, Klopava V, Kulahava T, Frolova N, Faletrov Y, Shkumatov V. New 3β-hydroxysteroid-indolamine conjugates: Design, synthesis and inhibition of C6 glioma cell proliferation. Steroids 2020; 164:108728. [PMID: 32931809 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2020.108728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Four novel indole steroids based on dehydroepiandrosterone (IS-1), estrone (IS-2) and pregnenolone (IS-3) were obtained and studied for their ability to inhibit C6 glioma proliferation. A reduction in cell proliferation by 52 ± 13% was observed for IS-1 at 10 μM, whereas IS-3 and abiraterone acetate at 10 μM caused a 36 ± 8% decrease. Surprisingly, the cellular effects reported for abiraterone, namely, cytochrome P450 CYP17A1 inhibition and endoplasmic reticulum stress were not detected for IS-1. However, both abiraterone and IS-1 significantly increased glutathione levels. Docking studies predicted good affinity of IS-1 to liver X receptors and regulatory protein Keap1, which are proposed to be involved in the compounds' antiproliferative activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Panada
- Research Institute for Physical Chemical Problems of the Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus; Chemistry Faculty of Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Valeriya Klopava
- Department of Biophysics, Physics Faculty of Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Tatsiana Kulahava
- Department of Biophysics, Physics Faculty of Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus; Institute for Nuclear Problems of the Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Nina Frolova
- Research Institute for Physical Chemical Problems of the Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Yaroslav Faletrov
- Research Institute for Physical Chemical Problems of the Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus; Chemistry Faculty of Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Vladimir Shkumatov
- Research Institute for Physical Chemical Problems of the Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus; Chemistry Faculty of Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus.
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Pan S, Zhou Y, Wang Q, Wang Y, Tian C, Wang T, Huang L, Nan J, Li L, Yang S. Discovery and structure-activity relationship studies of 1-aryl-1H-naphtho[2,3-d][1,2,3]triazole-4,9-dione derivatives as potent dual inhibitors of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and trytophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). Eur J Med Chem 2020; 207:112703. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Lafita-Navarro MC, Venkateswaran N, Kilgore JA, Kanji S, Han J, Barnes S, Williams NS, Buszczak M, Burma S, Conacci-Sorrell M. Inhibition of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway limits ribosomal RNA transcription causing nucleolar stress in glioblastoma cells. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009117. [PMID: 33201894 PMCID: PMC7707548 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive type of cancer in the brain; its poor prognosis is often marked by reoccurrence due to resistance to the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide, which is triggered by an increase in the expression of DNA repair enzymes such as MGMT. The poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options led to studies targeted at understanding specific vulnerabilities of glioblastoma cells. Metabolic adaptations leading to increased synthesis of nucleotides by de novo biosynthesis pathways are emerging as key alterations driving glioblastoma growth. In this study, we show that enzymes necessary for the de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidines, DHODH and UMPS, are elevated in high grade gliomas and in glioblastoma cell lines. We demonstrate that DHODH’s activity is necessary to maintain ribosomal DNA transcription (rDNA). Pharmacological inhibition of DHODH with the specific inhibitors brequinar or ML390 effectively depleted the pool of pyrimidines in glioblastoma cells grown in vitro and in vivo and impaired rDNA transcription, leading to nucleolar stress. Nucleolar stress was visualized by the aberrant redistribution of the transcription factor UBF and the nucleolar organizer nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), as well as the stabilization of the transcription factor p53. Moreover, DHODH inhibition decreased the proliferation of glioblastoma cells, including temozolomide-resistant cells. Importantly, the addition of exogenous uridine, which reconstitutes the cellular pool of pyrimidine by the salvage pathway, to the culture media recovered the impaired rDNA transcription, nucleolar morphology, p53 levels, and proliferation of glioblastoma cells caused by the DHODH inhibitors. Our in vivo data indicate that while inhibition of DHODH caused a dramatic reduction in pyrimidines in tumor cells, it did not affect the overall pyrimidine levels in normal brain and liver tissues, suggesting that pyrimidine production by the salvage pathway may play an important role in maintaining these nucleotides in normal cells. Our study demonstrates that glioblastoma cells heavily rely on the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway to generate ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and thus, we identified an approach to inhibit ribosome production and consequently the proliferation of glioblastoma cells through the specific inhibition of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. The current standard therapy for glioblastoma, the most malignant brain tumor, was established more than a decade ago and relies on a combination of surgery, radiation, and the DNA methylating agent temozolomide. Here, we report a new approach to target glioblastoma growth through the inhibition of the de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidines, which preferentially limits ribosomal RNA (rRNA) production. Cancer cells have elevated rates of rRNA synthesis so that they can produce enough ribosomes to meet the demands for protein synthesis that are linked to increase cell growth and division. Therefore, targeting aberrant rRNA production by reducing nucleotide availability could provide an effective strategy to treat glioblastoma and, potentially, other tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Carmen Lafita-Navarro
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Niranjan Venkateswaran
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jessica A. Kilgore
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Suman Kanji
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jungsoo Han
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Spencer Barnes
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Noelle S. Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michael Buszczak
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sandeep Burma
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Maralice Conacci-Sorrell
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States of America
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Dolšak A, Gobec S, Sova M. Indoleamine and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenases as important future therapeutic targets. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 221:107746. [PMID: 33212094 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Conversion of tryptophan to N-formylkynurenine is the first and rate-limiting step of the tryptophan metabolic pathway (i.e., the kynurenine pathway). This conversion is catalyzed by three enzyme isoforms: indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2), and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). As this pathway generates numerous metabolites that are involved in various pathological conditions, IDOs and TDO represent important targets for therapeutic intervention. This pathway has especially drawn attention due to its importance in tumor resistance. Over the last decade, a large number of IDO and TDO inhibitors have been developed, many of which have entered clinical trials. Here, detailed structural comparisons of these three enzymes (with emphasis on their active sites), their involvement in cellular signaling, and their role(s) in pathological conditions are discussed. Furthermore, the most important recent inhibitors described in papers and patents and involved in clinical trials are reviewed, with a focus on both selective and multiple inhibitors. A short overview of the biochemical and cellular assays used for inhibitory potency evaluation is also presented. This review summarizes recent advances on IDO and TDO as potential drug targets, and provides the key features and perspectives for further research and development of potent inhibitors of the kynurenine pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Dolšak
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Stanislav Gobec
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Sova
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Zhai L, Bell A, Ladomersky E, Lauing KL, Bollu L, Sosman JA, Zhang B, Wu JD, Miller SD, Meeks JJ, Lukas RV, Wyatt E, Doglio L, Schiltz GE, McCusker RH, Wainwright DA. Immunosuppressive IDO in Cancer: Mechanisms of Action, Animal Models, and Targeting Strategies. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1185. [PMID: 32612606 PMCID: PMC7308527 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO; IDO1; INDO) is a rate-limiting enzyme that metabolizes the essential amino acid, tryptophan, into downstream kynurenines. Canonically, the metabolic depletion of tryptophan and/or the accumulation of kynurenine is the mechanism that defines how immunosuppressive IDO inhibits immune cell effector functions and/or facilitates T cell death. Non-canonically, IDO also suppresses immunity through non-enzymic effects. Since IDO targeting compounds predominantly aim to inhibit metabolic activity as evidenced across the numerous clinical trials currently evaluating safety/efficacy in patients with cancer, in addition to the recent disappointment of IDO enzyme inhibitor therapy during the phase III ECHO-301 trial, the issue of IDO non-enzyme effects have come to the forefront of mechanistic and therapeutic consideration(s). Here, we review enzyme-dependent and -independent IDO-mediated immunosuppression as it primarily relates to glioblastoma (GBM); the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Our group's recent discovery that IDO levels increase in the brain parenchyma during advanced age and regardless of whether GBM is present, highlights an immunosuppressive synergy between aging-increased IDO activity in cells of the central nervous system that reside outside of the brain tumor but collaborate with GBM cell IDO activity inside of the tumor. Because of their potential value for the in vivo study of IDO, we also review current transgenic animal modeling systems while highlighting three new constructs recently created by our group. This work converges on the central premise that maximal immunotherapeutic efficacy in subjects with advanced cancer requires both IDO enzyme- and non-enzyme-neutralization, which is not adequately addressed by available IDO-targeting pharmacologic approaches at this time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijie Zhai
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - April Bell
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Erik Ladomersky
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Kristen L. Lauing
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Lakshmi Bollu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jeffrey A. Sosman
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Bin Zhang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jennifer D. Wu
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Stephen D. Miller
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Joshua J. Meeks
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Rimas V. Lukas
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Eugene Wyatt
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Transgenic and Targeted Mutagenesis Laboratory, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Lynn Doglio
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Transgenic and Targeted Mutagenesis Laboratory, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Gary E. Schiltz
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Robert H. McCusker
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Derek A. Wainwright
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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