51
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Zhang C, Yin J, Zheng J, Xiao J, Hu J, Su Y, Zhou K, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Zhang H, Sun Q, Wang Y, Yu W, Wei F, Zhao Q, Li L, Ren X. EZH2 identifies the precursors of human natural killer cells with trained immunity. Cancer Biol Med 2021; 18:j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0791. [PMID: 34553850 PMCID: PMC8610163 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Trained immunity of natural killer (NK) cells has shown great potential in the treatment of cancers by eliciting enhanced effector responses to restimulation by cytokines or cancer cells for long time periods after preactivation. However, the human NK cells responsible for the generation and maintenance of trained immunity are largely unknown. We hypothesized that heterogeneous human NK cells would respond differentially to stimulation with a combination of IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18, and that an NK cell subset might exist that is mainly responsible for the induction of trained immunity. On the basis of our hypothesis, we aimed to identify the subset from which cytokine-trained human NK cells originate and to explore possible regulatory targets for drug intervention. METHODS Flow cytometry assays were performed to analyze the functions of cytokine-trained NK cells and examine cell division and protein expression in NK cell subsets. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) plus TotalSeq™ technology was used to track the heterogeneity of NK cells during the induction of trained immunity. RESULTS Traditional developmental markers for peripheral NK cells were unable to identify the precursors of human NK cells with trained immunity. Therefore, we used scRNA-seq plus TotalSeq™ technology to track the heterogeneity of NK cells during the induction of trained immunity and identified a unique cluster of CD57-NKG2A+EZH2+IFNG+MKI67+IL12R+IL15R+IL18R+ NK cells. Enrichment and pseudotime trajectory analyses suggested that this cluster of NK cells contained the precursor of trained NK cells. We then used flow cytometry to further investigate the role of EZH2 in trained NK precursors and found that CD57-NKG2A+EZH2+ NK cells had faster cell cycles and an enhanced trained phenotype, and EZH2 inhibition significantly impaired the induction of trained immunity in NK cells. These results suggested that EZH2 is a unique epigenetic marker of precursors of human NK cells with trained immunity. CONCLUSIONS Our work revealed human NK heterogeneity in the induction of trained immunity, identified the precursor subset for trained NK cells, and demonstrated the critical role of EZH2 in the induction of trained immunity in human NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Jie Yin
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jian Zheng
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jiajian Hu
- Department of Pediatric Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yudong Su
- Department of Pediatric Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Kaichen Zhou
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yingchi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology and Division of Pediatric Blood Diseases Center, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300000, China
- Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xuzhen Zhang
- Research Center of Basic Medicine Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Qian Sun
- Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Wenwen Yu
- Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Feng Wei
- Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Long Li
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
- Department of Pediatric Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Xiubao Ren
- Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
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52
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Yu M, Su Z, Huang X, Zhou Y, Zhang X, Wang B, Wang Z, Liu Y, Xing N, Xia M, Wang X. Histone methyltransferase Ezh2 negatively regulates NK cell terminal maturation and function. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 110:1033-1045. [PMID: 34425630 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.1ma0321-155rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are innate lymphoid cells that play important roles in tumor eradication and viral clearance. We previously found that deletion or inhibition of the histone methyltransferase Ezh2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from both mice and humans enhanced the commitment and cytotoxicity of NK cells to tumor cells. This study tested the hypothesis that inhibiting Ezh2, especially in NK lineage cells, could also affect NK cell development and function. We crossed Ezh2fl/fl mice with Ncr1iCre mice to delete the Ezh2 gene in immature NK cells and downstream progeny. Ezh2 deficiency increased the total number of NK cells and promoted NK cell terminal differentiation, as the percentages of the most mature CD27- CD11b+ subsets were increased. The NK cell cytotoxicity against tumor cells in vitro was enhanced, with increased degranulation and IFN-γ production. In addition, during the process of human NK cells differentiating from HSPCs , inhibiting EZH2 catalytic activity at day 14 (when NK lineage commitment began) also resulted in increased proportions of mature NK cells and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, RNA-seq and CUT&RUN-qPCR assays showed that the effects of Ezh2 may be based on its direct modulation of the expression of the transcription factor Pbx1 (pre-B-cell leukemia transcription factor 1), which has been reported to promote NK cell development. In summary, we demonstrate that Ezh2 is a negative regulator of NK cell terminal maturation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghang Yu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyang Su
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefeng Huang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yujie Zhou
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xulong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bingbing Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Nianzeng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Urology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Miaoran Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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53
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Llinàs-Arias P, Íñiguez-Muñoz S, McCann K, Voorwerk L, Orozco JIJ, Ensenyat-Mendez M, Sesé B, DiNome ML, Marzese DM. Epigenetic Regulation of Immunotherapy Response in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4139. [PMID: 34439290 PMCID: PMC8394958 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by the absence of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression. This malignancy, representing 15-20% of breast cancers, is a clinical challenge due to the lack of targeted treatments, higher intrinsic aggressiveness, and worse outcomes than other breast cancer subtypes. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising efficacy for early-stage and advanced TNBC, but this seems limited to a subgroup of patients. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that determine immunotherapy efficiency is essential to identifying which TNBC patients will respond to immunotherapy-based treatments and help to develop new therapeutic strategies. Emerging evidence supports that epigenetic alterations, including aberrant chromatin architecture conformation and the modulation of gene regulatory elements, are critical mechanisms for immune escape. These alterations are particularly interesting since they can be reverted through the inhibition of epigenetic regulators. For that reason, several recent studies suggest that the combination of epigenetic drugs and immunotherapeutic agents can boost anticancer immune responses. In this review, we focused on the contribution of epigenetics to the crosstalk between immune and cancer cells, its relevance on immunotherapy response in TNBC, and the potential benefits of combined treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Llinàs-Arias
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Sandra Íñiguez-Muñoz
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Kelly McCann
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Leonie Voorwerk
- Division of Tumor Biology & Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Javier I. J. Orozco
- Saint John’s Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA;
| | - Miquel Ensenyat-Mendez
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Borja Sesé
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Maggie L. DiNome
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA;
| | - Diego M. Marzese
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
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54
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Pickering OJ, Breininger SP, Underwood TJ, Walters ZS. Histone Modifying Enzymes as Targets for Therapeutic Intervention in Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4084. [PMID: 34439236 PMCID: PMC8392153 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) has a dismal prognosis, where curable disease occurs in less than 40% of patients, and many of those with incurable disease survive for less than a year from diagnosis. Despite the widespread use of systematic chemotherapy in OAC treatment, many patients receive no benefit. New treatments are urgently needed for OAC patients. There is an emerging interest in epigenetic regulators in cancer pathogenesis, which are now translating into novel cancer therapeutic strategies. Histone-modifying enzymes (HMEs) are key epigenetic regulators responsible for dynamic covalent histone modifications that play roles in both normal and dysregulated cellular processes including tumorigenesis. Several HME inhibitors are in clinical use for haematological malignancies and sarcomas, with numerous on-going clinical trials for their use in solid tumours. This review discusses the current literature surrounding HMEs in OAC pathogenesis and their potential use in targeted therapies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zoë S. Walters
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (O.J.P.); (S.P.B.); (T.J.U.)
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55
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EZH2 inhibits NK cell-mediated antitumor immunity by suppressing CXCL10 expression in an HDAC10-dependent manner. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2102718118. [PMID: 34301901 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102718118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone H3 lysine 27 methyltransferase that has been shown to function as an oncogene in some cancers. Previous reports have largely focused on the ability of EZH2 to regulate cell-intrinsic tumor regulatory pathways as its mechanism-of-oncogenic action. However, the role that EZH2-mediated immune suppression plays in its oncogenic activity is not fully known. In particular, the role of natural killer (NK) cells in EZH2-driven tumor growth remains incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 induces reexpression of the chemokine CXCL10 in hepatic tumor cells. We find that histone deacetylase 10 (HDAC10) is necessary for EZH2 recruitment to the CXCL10 promoter, leading to CXCL10 transcriptional repression. Critically, CXCL10 is necessary and sufficient for stimulating NK cell migration, and EZH2's ability to inhibit NK cell migration via CXCL10 suppression is conserved in other EZH2-dependent cancers. NK cell depletion in an immunocompetent syngeneic mouse model of hepatic tumorigenesis reverses the tumor inhibitory effects of an EZH2 inhibitor (GSK343), and inhibitor-mediated reexpression of CXCL10 is required for its tumor suppressive effects in the same mouse model. Collectively, these results reveal a decisive role for NK cells and CXCL10 in mediating the oncogenic function of EZH2.
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56
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Epigenetic Regulation of Cancer Immune Cells. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 83:377-383. [PMID: 34182142 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The epigenetic regulation of immune response involves reversible and heritable changes that do not alter the DNA sequence. Though there have been extensive studies accomplished relating to epigenetic changes in cancer cells, recent focus has been shifted on epigenetic-mediated changes in the immune cells including T cells, Macrophages, Natural Killer cells and anti-tumor immune responses. This review compiles the most relevant and recent literature related to the role of epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation and histone modifications in immune cells of wide range of cancers. We also include recent research with respect to role of the most relevant transcription factors that epigenetically control the anti-tumor immune response. Finally, a statement of future direction that promises to look forward for strategies to improve immunotherapy in cancer.
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57
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Xia M, Wang B, Wang Z, Zhang X, Wang X. Epigenetic Regulation of NK Cell-Mediated Antitumor Immunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:672328. [PMID: 34017344 PMCID: PMC8129532 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.672328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical innate lymphocytes that can directly kill target cells without prior immunization. NK cell activation is controlled by the balance of multiple germline-encoded activating and inhibitory receptors. NK cells are a heterogeneous and plastic population displaying a broad spectrum of functional states (resting, activating, memory, repressed, and exhausted). In this review, we present an overview of the epigenetic regulation of NK cell-mediated antitumor immunity, including DNA methylation, histone modification, transcription factor changes, and microRNA expression. NK cell-based immunotherapy has been recognized as a promising strategy to treat cancer. Since epigenetic alterations are reversible and druggable, these studies will help identify new ways to enhance NK cell-mediated antitumor cytotoxicity by targeting intrinsic epigenetic regulators alone or in combination with other strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoran Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bingbing Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xulong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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58
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Rettman P, Blunt MD, Fulton RJ, Vallejo AF, Bastidas-Legarda LY, España-Serrano L, Polak ME, Al-Shamkhani A, Retiere C, Khakoo SI. Peptide: MHC-based DNA vaccination strategy to activate natural killer cells by targeting killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e001912. [PMID: 34016721 PMCID: PMC8141441 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells are increasingly being recognized as agents for cancer immunotherapy. The killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are expressed by NK cells and are immunogenetic determinants of the outcome of cancer. In particular, KIR2DS2 is associated with protective responses to several cancers and also direct recognition of cancer targets in vitro. Due to the high homology between activating and inhibitory KIR genes to date, it has been challenging to target individual KIR for therapeutic benefit. METHODS A novel KIR2DS2-targeting therapeutic peptide:MHC DNA vaccine was designed and used to immunize mice transgenic for KIR genes (KIR-Tg). NK cells were isolated from the livers and spleens of vaccinated mice and then analyzed for activation by flow cytometry, RNA profiling and cytotoxicity assays. In vivo assays of NK cell function using a syngeneic cancer model (B16 melanoma) and an adoptive transfer model for human hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh7) were performed. RESULTS Injecting KIR-Tg mice with the vaccine construct activated NK cells in both liver and spleens of mice, with preferential activation of KIR2DS2-positive NK cells. KIR-specific activation was most marked on the CD11b+CD27+ mature subset of NK cells. RNA profiling indicated that the DNA vaccine upregulated genes associated with cellular metabolism and downregulated genes related to histone H3 methylation, which are associated with immune cell maturation and NK cell function. Vaccination led to canonical and cross-reactive peptide:MHC-specific NK cell responses. In vivo, DNA vaccination led to enhanced antitumor responses against B16F10 melanoma cells and also enhanced responses against a tumor model expressing the KIR2DS2 ligand HLA-C*0102. CONCLUSION We show the feasibility of a peptide-based KIR-targeting vaccine strategy to activate NK cells and hence generate functional antitumor responses. This approach does not require detailed knowledge of the tumor peptidomes nor HLA matching with the patient. It therefore offers a novel opportunity for targeting NK cells for cancer immunotherapy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cancer Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Cancer Vaccines/genetics
- Cancer Vaccines/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/drug effects
- HLA-C Antigens/administration & dosage
- HLA-C Antigens/genetics
- HLA-C Antigens/immunology
- Haplotypes
- Humans
- Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Lectins, C-Type/genetics
- Lectins, C-Type/immunology
- Lectins, C-Type/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/drug effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Melanoma, Experimental/drug therapy
- Melanoma, Experimental/genetics
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Peptides/administration & dosage
- Peptides/genetics
- Peptides/immunology
- Receptors, Immunologic/genetics
- Receptors, Immunologic/immunology
- Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism
- Receptors, KIR/genetics
- Receptors, KIR/immunology
- Receptors, KIR/metabolism
- Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Skin Neoplasms/genetics
- Skin Neoplasms/immunology
- Skin Neoplasms/metabolism
- Vaccination
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Rettman
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Matthew D Blunt
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Rebecca J Fulton
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Andres F Vallejo
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Leidy Y Bastidas-Legarda
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Laura España-Serrano
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Marta E Polak
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Aymen Al-Shamkhani
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Salim I Khakoo
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Lu J, Li S, Li X, Zhao W, Duan X, Gu X, Xu J, Yu B, Sigal LJ, Dong Z, Xie L, Fang M. Declined miR-181a-5p expression is associated with impaired natural killer cell development and function with aging. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13353. [PMID: 33780118 PMCID: PMC8135006 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and thereby influence cell development and function. Numerous studies have shown the significant roles of miRNAs in regulating immune cells including natural killer (NK) cells. However, little is known about the role of miRNAs in NK cells with aging. We previously demonstrated that the aged C57BL/6 mice have significantly decreased proportion of mature (CD27- CD11b+ ) NK cells compared with young mice, indicating impaired maturation of NK cells with aging. Here, we performed deep sequencing of CD27+ NK cells from young and aged mice. Profiling of the miRNome (global miRNA expression levels) revealed that 49 miRNAs displayed a twofold or greater difference in expression between young and aged NK cells. Among these, 30 miRNAs were upregulated and 19 miRNAs were downregulated in the aged NK cells. We found that the expression level of miR-l8la-5p was increased with the maturation of NK cells, and significantly decreased in NK cells from the aged mice. Knockdown of miR-181a-5p inhibited NK cell development in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, miR-181a-5p is highly conserved in mice and human. MiR-181a-5p promoted the production of IFN-γ and cytotoxicity in stimulated NK cells from both mice and human. Importantly, miR-181a-5p level markedly decreased in NK cells from PBMC of elderly people. Thus, our results demonstrated that the miRNAs profiles in NK cells change with aging, the decreased level of miR-181a-5p contributes to the defective NK cell development and function with aging. This opens new strategies to preserve or restore NK cell function in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Shan Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Wenming Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Xuefeng Duan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Xiuling Gu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jianqiao Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing China
| | - Bolan Yu
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Luis J. Sigal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia PA USA
| | - Zhongjun Dong
- School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing China
| | - Lixin Xie
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing China
| | - Min Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou China
- International College University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
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60
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Polycomb-group proteins in the initiation and progression of cancer. J Genet Genomics 2021; 48:433-443. [PMID: 34266781 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are a family of chromatin regulators and critical for the maintenance of cellular identity. The PcG machinery can be categorized into at least three multi-protein complexes, namely Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1), PRC2, and Polycomb Repressive DeUBiquitinase (PR-DUB). Their deregulation has been associated with human cancer initiation and progression. Here we review the updated understanding for PcG proteins in transcription regulation and DNA damage repair and highlight increasing links to the hallmarks in cancer. Accordingly, we discuss some of the recent advances in drug development or strategies against cancers caused by the gain or loss of PcG functions.
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61
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Mola S, Pinton G, Erreni M, Corazzari M, De Andrea M, Grolla AA, Martini V, Moro L, Porta C. Inhibition of the Histone Methyltransferase EZH2 Enhances Protumor Monocyte Recruitment in Human Mesothelioma Spheroids. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094391. [PMID: 33922336 PMCID: PMC8122808 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive cancer with a long latency period and dismal prognosis. Recently, tazemetostat (EPZ-6438), an inhibitor of the histone methyltransferase EZH2, has entered clinical trials due to the antiproliferative effects reported on MPM cells. However, the direct and indirect effects of epigenetic reprogramming on the tumor microenvironment are hitherto unexplored. To investigate the impact of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) on MPM cell responsiveness to tazemetostat, we developed a three-dimensional MPM spheroid model that recapitulates in vitro, both monocytes’ recruitment in tumors and their functional differentiation toward a TAM-like phenotype (Mo-TAMs). Along with an increased expression of genes for monocyte chemoattractants, inhibitory immune checkpoints, immunosuppressive and M2-like molecules, Mo-TAMs promote tumor cell proliferation and spreading. Prolonged treatment of MPM spheroids with tazemetostat enhances both the recruitment of Mo-TAMs and the expression of their protumor phenotype. Therefore, Mo-TAMs profoundly suppress the antiproliferative effects due to EZH2 inhibition in MPM cells. Overall, our findings indicate that TAMs are a driving force for MPM growth, progression, and resistance to tazemetostat; therefore, strategies of TAM depletion might be evaluated to improve the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological inhibition of EZH2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Mola
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.M.); (G.P.); (A.A.G.); (L.M.)
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune & Allergic Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.C.); (M.D.A.); (V.M.)
| | - Giulia Pinton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.M.); (G.P.); (A.A.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Marco Erreni
- Unit of Advanced Optical Microscopy, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy;
| | - Marco Corazzari
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune & Allergic Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.C.); (M.D.A.); (V.M.)
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases (IRCAD), University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Marco De Andrea
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune & Allergic Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.C.); (M.D.A.); (V.M.)
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, Medical School, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Ambra A. Grolla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.M.); (G.P.); (A.A.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Veronica Martini
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune & Allergic Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.C.); (M.D.A.); (V.M.)
- Department of Translational Medicine (DIMET), University of Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Laura Moro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.M.); (G.P.); (A.A.G.); (L.M.)
| | - Chiara Porta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.M.); (G.P.); (A.A.G.); (L.M.)
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune & Allergic Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.C.); (M.D.A.); (V.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0321-375883; Fax: +39-0321-375821
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62
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Yang Y, Wang Y. Role of Epigenetic Regulation in Plasticity of Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:640369. [PMID: 33868269 PMCID: PMC8051582 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.640369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), an immunosuppressive niche, plays a pivotal role in contributing to the development, progression, and immune escape of various types of cancer. Compelling evidence highlights the feasibility of cancer therapy targeting the plasticity of TIME as a strategy to retrain the immunosuppressive immune cells, including innate immune cells and T cells. Epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and noncoding RNA-mediated regulation, regulate the expression of many human genes and have been reported to be accurate in the reprogramming of TIME according to vast majority of published results. Recently, mounting evidence has shown that the gut microbiome can also influence the colorectal cancer and even extraintestinal tumors via metabolites or microbiota-derived molecules. A tumor is a kind of heterogeneous disease with specificity in time and space, which is not only dependent on genetic regulation, but also regulated by epigenetics. This review summarizes the reprogramming of immune cells by epigenetic modifications in TIME and surveys the recent progress in epigenetic-based cancer clinical therapeutic approaches. We also discuss the ongoing studies and future areas of research that benefits to cancer eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunkai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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63
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Maes K, Mondino A, Lasarte JJ, Agirre X, Vanderkerken K, Prosper F, Breckpot K. Epigenetic Modifiers: Anti-Neoplastic Drugs With Immunomodulating Potential. Front Immunol 2021; 12:652160. [PMID: 33859645 PMCID: PMC8042276 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.652160] [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: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are under the surveillance of the host immune system. Nevertheless, a number of immunosuppressive mechanisms allow tumors to escape protective responses and impose immune tolerance. Epigenetic alterations are central to cancer cell biology and cancer immune evasion. Accordingly, epigenetic modulating agents (EMAs) are being exploited as anti-neoplastic and immunomodulatory agents to restore immunological fitness. By simultaneously acting on cancer cells, e.g. by changing expression of tumor antigens, immune checkpoints, chemokines or innate defense pathways, and on immune cells, e.g. by remodeling the tumor stroma or enhancing effector cell functionality, EMAs can indeed overcome peripheral tolerance to transformed cells. Therefore, combinations of EMAs with chemo- or immunotherapy have become interesting strategies to fight cancer. Here we review several examples of epigenetic changes critical for immune cell functions and tumor-immune evasion and of the use of EMAs in promoting anti-tumor immunity. Finally, we provide our perspective on how EMAs could represent a game changer for combinatorial therapies and the clinical management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Maes
- Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Center for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universiteit Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anna Mondino
- Lymphocyte Activation Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Juan José Lasarte
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xabier Agirre
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.,Hemato-oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Felipe Prosper
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.,Hemato-oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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64
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Zhong C, Li Y, Yang J, Jin S, Chen G, Li D, Fan X, Lin H. Immunotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Limits and Prospects. Front Oncol 2021; 11:589680. [PMID: 33854960 PMCID: PMC8039369 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.589680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although many approaches have been used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the clinical benefits remain limited, particularly for late stage HCC. In recent years, studies have focused on immunotherapy for HCC. Immunotherapies have shown promising clinical outcomes in several types of cancers and potential therapeutic effects for advanced HCC. In this review, we summarize the immune tolerance and immunotherapeutic strategies for HCC as well as the main challenges of current therapeutic approaches. We also present alternative strategies for overcoming these limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhong
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yirun Li
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shengxi Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoqiao Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Duguang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentations, Centre for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, College of Optical Science and Engineering, International Research Center for Advanced Photonics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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65
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Lodewijk I, Nunes SP, Henrique R, Jerónimo C, Dueñas M, Paramio JM. Tackling tumor microenvironment through epigenetic tools to improve cancer immunotherapy. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:63. [PMID: 33761971 PMCID: PMC7992805 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01046-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic alterations are known contributors to cancer development and aggressiveness. Additional to alterations in cancer cells, aberrant epigenetic marks are present in cells of the tumor microenvironment, including lymphocytes and tumor-associated macrophages, which are often overlooked but known to be a contributing factor to a favorable environment for tumor growth. Therefore, the main aim of this review is to give an overview of the epigenetic alterations affecting immune cells in the tumor microenvironment to provoke an immunosuppressive function and contribute to cancer development. Moreover, immunotherapy is briefly discussed in the context of epigenetics, describing both its combination with epigenetic drugs and the need for epigenetic biomarkers to predict response to immune checkpoint blockage. MAIN BODY Combining both topics, epigenetic machinery plays a central role in generating an immunosuppressive environment for cancer growth, which creates a barrier for immunotherapy to be successful. Furthermore, epigenetic-directed compounds may not only affect cancer cells but also immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, which could be beneficial for the clinical response to immunotherapy. CONCLUSION Thus, modulating epigenetics in combination with immunotherapy might be a promising therapeutic option to improve the success of this therapy. Further studies are necessary to (1) understand in depth the impact of the epigenetic machinery in the tumor microenvironment; (2) how the epigenetic machinery can be modulated according to tumor type to increase response to immunotherapy and (3) find reliable biomarkers for a better selection of patients eligible to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Lodewijk
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales Y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital “12 de Octubre”, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra P. Nunes
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales Y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital “12 de Octubre”, 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group – Research Center, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group – Research Center, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar – University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group – Research Center, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar – University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Dueñas
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales Y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital “12 de Octubre”, 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús M. Paramio
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales Y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital “12 de Octubre”, 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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66
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Kim HJ, Cantor H, Cosmopoulos K. Overcoming Immune Checkpoint Blockade Resistance via EZH2 Inhibition. Trends Immunol 2021; 41:948-963. [PMID: 32976740 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2020.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent progress in cancer immunotherapy highlights the power of the immune system to control tumors, although a small patient subset responds to current immunotherapies. Additional approaches to mobilize antitumor immunity are required to overcome primary and acquired resistance to immunotherapy such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Emerging evidence shows that targeting epigenetic elements that promote tumor progression and inhibit immune cell activity can enhance antitumor immunity by reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we review the pleiotropic functions in tumor and immune cells of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), with a focus on EZH2 inhibition as a potentially promising approach to enhance current immunotherapies and improve patient outcomes for certain cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Jung Kim
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Harvey Cantor
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Pyziak K, Sroka-Porada A, Rzymski T, Dulak J, Łoboda A. Potential of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibitors for the treatment of SWI/SNF mutant cancers and tumor microenvironment modulation. Drug Dev Res 2021; 82:730-753. [PMID: 33565092 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a catalytic component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), is commonly overexpressed or mutated in many cancer types, both of hematological and solid nature. Till now, plenty of EZH2 small molecule inhibitors have been developed and some of them have already been tested in clinical trials. Most of these inhibitors, however, are effective only in limited cases in the context of EZH2 gain-of-function mutated tumors such as lymphomas. Other cancer types with aberrant EZH2 expression and function require alternative approaches for successful treatment. One possibility is to exploit synthetic lethal strategy, which is based on the phenomenon that concurrent loss of two genes is detrimental but the deletion of either of them leaves cell viable. In the context of EZH2/PRC2, the most promising synthetic lethal target seems to be SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable chromatin remodeling complex (SWI/SNF), which is known to counteract PRC2 functions. SWI/SNF is heavily involved in carcinogenesis and its subunits have been found mutated in approximately 20% of tumors of different kinds. In the current review, we summarize the existing knowledge of synthetic lethal relationships between EZH2/PRC2 and components of the SWI/SNF complex and discuss in detail the potential application of existing EZH2 inhibitors in cancer patients harboring mutations in SWI/SNF proteins. We also highlight recent discoveries of EZH2 involvement in tumor microenvironment regulation and consequences for future therapies. Although clinical studies are limited, the fundamental research might help to understand which patients are most likely to benefit from therapies using EZH2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Pyziak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.,Biology R&D, Ryvu Therapeutics S.A., Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | - Józef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Łoboda
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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EZH1/2 Inhibitors Favor ILC3 Development from Human HSPC-CD34 + Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020319. [PMID: 33467134 PMCID: PMC7830003 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary It has been well-demonstrated that EZH1/2 enzymes are involved not only in tumor development and progression, but also in the regulation of normal hematopoiesis from CD34+-HSPC. Given the crucial role of NK cells in tumor immune surveillance, in this study, we investigated whether EZH1/2 inhibitors can interfere with NK cell differentiation and functional maturation. Our results suggest that EZH1/2 inhibitors push CD56+ precursor proliferation, skewing precursor cell lineage commitment towards ILC3. In recent years, several clinical trials on the use of EZH1/2 inhibitors against solid tumors have been carried out. Since these in vitro observations revealed possible epigenetic mechanisms involved in NK/ILC development, it is important to evaluate patient monitoring of competent NK cells repertoire in order to design appropriate therapeutic protocols. Abstract The dysregulation of epigenetic modifications has a well-established role in the development and progression of hematological malignancies and of solid tumors. In this context, EZH1/2 inhibitors have been designed to interfere with EZH1/2 enzymes involved in histone methylation (e.g., H3K27me3), leading to tumor growth arrest or the restoration of tumor suppressor gene transcription. However, these compounds also affect normal hematopoiesis, interfering with self-renewal and differentiation of CD34+-Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells (HSPC), and, in turn, could modulate the generation of potential anti-tumor effector lymphocytes. Given the important role of NK cells in the immune surveillance of tumors, it would be useful to understand whether epigenetic drugs can modulate NK cell differentiation and functional maturation. CD34+-HSPC were cultured in the absence or in the presence of the EZH1/2 inhibitor UNC1999 and EZH2 inhibitor GSK126. Our results show that UNC1999 and GSK126 increased CD56+ cell proliferation compared to the control condition. However, UNC1999 and GSK 126 favored the proliferation of no-cytotoxic CD56+ILC3, according to the early expression of the AHR and ROR-γt transcription factors. Our results describe novel epigenetic mechanisms involved in the modulation of NK cell maturation that may provide new tools for designing NK cell-based immunotherapy.
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69
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Zhou L, Xu N, Shibata H, Saloura V, Uppaluri R. Epigenetic modulation of immunotherapy and implications in head and neck cancer. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:141-152. [PMID: 33403469 PMCID: PMC7897200 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-020-09944-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer progression is facilitated by distinct mechanisms developed by cancer cells to avoid immune recognition and clearance. The clinical application of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), via monoclonal antibodies blocking PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA4, has achieved promising durable therapeutic response in various cancer types, including recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). HNSCC represents a rational target of ICB treatment given its relatively high mutation burden and the presence of immune infiltrates. However, the limited response rates and recent negative clinical trials data identify an urgent need for new strategies to overcome immunotherapy resistance. Preclinical studies have revealed an important contribution of epigenetic regulators in the anti-tumor immune response. Multiple components of the tumor and host immune system interaction are under epigenetic regulation, including the cancer cells themselves, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, regulatory T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and tumor-associated macrophages. Epigenetic targeting drugs such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase, and methyltransferase inhibitors have demonstrated the potential to reverse immune suppression in various cancer models. The aim of this review is to summarize recent preclinical studies focused on investigating the function of epigenetic modulation in the host immune and cancer cell interface. We also provide a perspective on combining epigenetic modulation and immunotherapy in the management of HNSCC to improve outcomes—an area of great interest in future clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liye Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Na Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Tea and Food Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Hirofumi Shibata
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Vassiliki Saloura
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ravindra Uppaluri
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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70
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Rodrigues CP, Shvedunova M, Akhtar A. Epigenetic Regulators as the Gatekeepers of Hematopoiesis. Trends Genet 2020; 37:S0168-9525(20)30251-1. [PMID: 34756331 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is the process by which both fetal and adult organisms derive the full repertoire of blood cells from a single multipotent progenitor cell type, the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Correct enactment of this process relies on a synergistic interplay between genetically encoded differentiation programs and a host of cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic factors. These include the influence of the HSC niche microenvironment, action of specific transcription factors, and alterations in intracellular metabolic state. The consolidation of these inputs with the genetically encoded program into a coherent differentiation program for each lineage is thought to rely on epigenetic modifiers. Recent work has delineated the precise contributions of different classes of epigenetic modifiers to HSC self-renewal as well as lineage specification and differentiation into various cell types. Here, we bring together what is currently known about chromatin status and the development of cells in the hematopoietic system under normal and abnormal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Pessoa Rodrigues
- Department of Chromatin Regulation, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108 Freiburg, Germany; University of Freiburg, Faculty of Biology, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Biology (IMPRS-MCB), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maria Shvedunova
- Department of Chromatin Regulation, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Asifa Akhtar
- Department of Chromatin Regulation, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108 Freiburg, Germany.
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71
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Shao FF, Chen BJ, Wu GQ. The functions of EZH2 in immune cells: Principles for novel immunotherapies. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 110:77-87. [PMID: 33040370 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.1ru0520-311r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is aberrantly expressed or mutated in multiple types of cancer cells and plays an oncogenic role in tumorigenesis and development in most cancers. Results from pilot clinical studies have implied that EZH2 inhibitors have therapeutic potential against some cancers. However, the exact mechanisms by which EZH2 plays oncogenic roles and EZH2 inhibition exerts anticancer effects are incompletely understood. To date, the findings of studies focusing on EZH2 and cancer cells have failed to fully explain the observations in preclinical and clinical studies. Therefore, recent studies about the roles of EZH2 in cancers have shifted from cancer cells to immune cells. The human immune system is a complex network comprising multiple subpopulations of immune cells. Immune cells communicate and interact with cancer cells during cancer development and treatment, dictating the fate of cancer cells. Elucidating the roles of EZH2 in immune cells, especially in cancer patients, promises the identification of novel immunotherapeutic strategies or priming of existing immunotherapies against cancer. Hence, we reviewed the studies focusing on the involvement of EZH2 in various immune cells, aiming to provide ideas for immunotherapies targeting EZH2 in immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Fei Shao
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bo-Jin Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guo-Qing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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72
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Naeimi Kararoudi M, Tullius BP, Chakravarti N, Pomeroy EJ, Moriarity BS, Beland K, Colamartino ABL, Haddad E, Chu Y, Cairo MS, Lee DA. Genetic and epigenetic modification of human primary NK cells for enhanced antitumor activity. Semin Hematol 2020; 57:201-212. [PMID: 33256913 PMCID: PMC7809645 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2020.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy using genetically modified immune cells such as those expressing chimeric antigen receptors has shown dramatic outcomes in patients with refractory and relapsed malignancies. Natural killer (NK) cells as a member of the innate immune system, possessing both anticancer (cytotoxic) and proinflammatory (cytokine) responses to cancers and rare off-target toxicities have great potential for a wide range of cancer therapeutic settings. Therefore, improving NK cell antitumor activity through genetic modification is of high interest in the field of cancer immunotherapy. However, gene manipulation in primary NK cells has been challenging because of broad resistance to many genetic modification methods that work well in T cells. Here we review recent successful approaches for genetic and epigenetic modification of NK cells including epigenetic remodeling, transposons, mRNA-mediated gene delivery, lentiviruses, and CRISPR gene targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meisam Naeimi Kararoudi
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute of Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Brian P Tullius
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute of Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Nitin Chakravarti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Emily J Pomeroy
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | - Kathie Beland
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Elie Haddad
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Yaya Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
| | - Mitchell S Cairo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
| | - Dean A Lee
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, Abigail Wexner Research Institute of Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH.
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73
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Bailey CP, Figueroa M, Gangadharan A, Lee DA, Chandra J. Scaffolding LSD1 Inhibitors Impair NK Cell Metabolism and Cytotoxic Function Through Depletion of Glutathione. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2196. [PMID: 33042135 PMCID: PMC7527493 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapies such as chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells and NK cells are cutting-edge methods for treating cancer and other diseases. There is high interest in optimizing drug treatment regimens to best work together with emerging cell therapies, such as targeting epigenetic enzymes to stimulate recognition of tumor cells by immune cells. Herein, we uncover new mechanisms of the histone demethylase LSD1, and various inhibitors targeting unique domains of LSD1, in the function of NK cells grown for cell therapy. Catalytic inhibitors (tranylcypromine and the structural derivatives GSK LSD1 and RN-1) can irreversibly block the demethylase activity of LSD1, while scaffolding inhibitors (SP-2509 and clinical successor SP-2577, also known as seclidemstat) disrupt epigenetic complexes that include LSD1. Relevant combinations of LSD1 inhibitors with cell therapy infusions and immune checkpoint blockade have shown efficacy in pre-clinical solid tumor models, reinforcing a need to understand how these drugs would impact T- and NK cells. We find that scaffolding LSD1 inhibitors potently reduce oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis of NK cells, and higher doses induce mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and depletion of the antioxidant glutathione. These effects are unique to scaffolding inhibitors compared to catalytic, to NK cells compared to T-cells, and importantly, can fully ablate the lytic capacity of NK cells. Supplementation with biologically achievable levels of glutathione rescues NK cell cytolytic function but not NK cell metabolism. Our results suggest glutathione supplementation may reverse NK cell activity suppression in patients treated with seclidemstat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cavan P Bailey
- Department of Pediatrics-Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mary Figueroa
- Department of Pediatrics-Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Achintyan Gangadharan
- Department of Pediatrics-Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Dean A Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's and the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Joya Chandra
- Department of Pediatrics-Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
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74
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Targeting the epigenetic regulation of antitumour immunity. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2020; 19:776-800. [PMID: 32929243 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-0077-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 262] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the epigenome drives aberrant transcriptional programmes that promote cancer onset and progression. Although defective gene regulation often affects oncogenic and tumour-suppressor networks, tumour immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumour responses may also be affected by epigenomic alterations. This could have important implications for the development and application of both epigenetic therapies and cancer immunotherapies, and combinations thereof. Here, we review the role of key aberrant epigenetic processes - DNA methylation and post-translational modification of histones - in tumour immunogenicity, as well as the effects of epigenetic modulation on antitumour immune cell function. We emphasize opportunities for small-molecule inhibitors of epigenetic regulators to enhance antitumour immune responses, and discuss the challenges of exploiting the complex interplay between cancer epigenetics and cancer immunology to develop treatment regimens combining epigenetic therapies with immunotherapies.
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75
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Burkhart DL, Morel KL, Wadosky KM, Labbé DP, Galbo PM, Dalimov Z, Xu B, Loda M, Ellis L. Evidence that EZH2 Deregulation is an Actionable Therapeutic Target for Prevention of Prostate Cancer. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2020; 13:979-988. [PMID: 32917647 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-20-0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Chemoprevention trials for prostate cancer by androgen receptor or androgen synthesis inhibition have proven ineffective. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the histone methlytransferase, EZH2 is deregulated in mouse and human high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-PIN). Using preclinical mouse and human models of prostate cancer, we demonstrate that genetic and chemical disruption of EZH2 expression and catalytic activity reversed the HG-PIN phenotype. Furthermore, inhibition of EZH2 function was associated with loss of cellular proliferation and induction of Tp53-dependent senescence. Together, these data provide provocative evidence for EZH2 as an actionable therapeutic target toward prevention of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah L Burkhart
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katherine L Morel
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kristine M Wadosky
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York
| | - David P Labbé
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Phillip M Galbo
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - Bo Xu
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York
| | - Massimo Loda
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Leigh Ellis
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts. .,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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76
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Reduction of Global H3K27me 3 Enhances HER2/ErbB2 Targeted Therapy. Cell Rep 2020; 29:249-257.e8. [PMID: 31597089 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase ERBB2/HER2, such as Trastuzumab, are the standard of care therapy for breast cancers driven by ERBB2 overexpression and activation. However, a substantial proportion of patients exhibit de novo resistance. Here, by comparing matched Trastuzumab-naive and post-treatment patient samples from a neoadjuvant trial, we link resistance with elevation of H3K27me3, a repressive histone modification catalyzed by polycomb repressor complex 2 (PRC2). In ErbB2+ breast cancer models, PRC2 silences endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) to suppress anti-tumor type-I interferon (IFN) responses. In patients, elevated H3K27me3 in tumor cells following Trastuzumab treatment correlates with suppression of interferon-driven viral defense gene expression signatures and poor response. Using an immunocompetent model, we provide evidence that EZH2 inhibitors promote interferon-driven immune responses that enhance the efficacy of anti-ErbB2 mAbs, suggesting the potential clinical benefit of epigenomic reprogramming by H3K27me3 depletion in Trastuzumab-resistant disease.
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77
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Quik M, Hokke CH, Everts B. The role of O-GlcNAcylation in immunity against infections. Immunology 2020; 161:175-185. [PMID: 32740921 PMCID: PMC7576884 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mounting an effective immune response is crucial for the host to protect itself against invading pathogens. It is now well appreciated that reprogramming of core metabolic pathways in immune cells is a key requirement for their activation and function during infections. The role of several ancillary metabolic pathways in shaping immune cell function is less well understood. One such pathway, for which interest has recently been growing, is the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) that generates uridine diphosphate N‐acetylglucosamine (UDP‐GlcNAc), the donor substrate for a specific form of glycosylation termed O‐GlcNAcylation. O‐GlcNAc is an intracellular post‐translational modification that alters the functional properties of the modified proteins, in particular transcription factors and epigenetic regulators. An increasing number of studies suggest a central role for the HBP and O‐GlcNAcylation in dictating immune cell function, including the response to different pathogens. We here discuss the most recent insights regarding O‐GlcNAcylation and immunity, and explore whether targeting of O‐GlcNAcylation could hold promise as a therapeutic approach to modulate immune responses to infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein Quik
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H Hokke
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Everts
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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78
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Kang N, Eccleston M, Clermont PL, Latarani M, Male DK, Wang Y, Crea F. EZH2 inhibition: a promising strategy to prevent cancer immune editing. Epigenomics 2020; 12:1457-1476. [PMID: 32938196 PMCID: PMC7607396 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2020-0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies are revolutionizing the clinical management of a wide range of cancers. However, intrinsic or acquired unresponsiveness to immunotherapies does occur due to the dynamic cancer immunoediting which ultimately leads to immune escape. The evolutionarily conserved histone modifier enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2) is aberrantly overexpressed in a number of human cancers. Accumulating studies indicate that EZH2 is a main driver of cancer cells' immunoediting and mediate immune escape through downregulating immune recognition and activation, upregulating immune checkpoints and creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In this review, we overviewed the roles of EZH2 in cancer immunoediting, the preclinical and clinical studies of current pharmacologic EZH2 inhibitors and the prospects for EZH2 inhibitor and immunotherapy combination for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Kang
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Mark Eccleston
- Belgian Volition SPRL, Parc Scientifique Créalys, Rue Phocas Lejeune 22, BE-5032 Isnes, Belgium
| | - Pier-Luc Clermont
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Maryam Latarani
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Health & Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - David Kingsley Male
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Health & Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Urologic Sciences, The Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Francesco Crea
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Health & Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
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79
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The complex role of EZH2 in the tumor microenvironment: opportunities and challenges for immunotherapy combinations. Future Med Chem 2020; 12:1415-1430. [PMID: 32723083 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2020-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment occurs through epigenetic changes in both tumor cells and immune cells that alter transcriptional programs driving cell fate and cell function. Oncogenic activation of the histone methyltransferase EZH2 mediates gene expression changes, governing tumor immunogenicity as well as differentiation, survival and activation states of immune lineages. Emerging preclinical studies have highlighted the potential for EZH2 inhibitors to reverse epigenetic immune suppression in tumors and combine with immune checkpoint therapies. However, EZH2 activity is essential for the development of lymphoid cells, performing critical immune effector functions within tumors. In this review, we highlight the complexity of EZH2 function in immune regulation which may impact the implementation of combination with immunotherapy agents in clinic.
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80
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Nutt SL, Keenan C, Chopin M, Allan RS. EZH2 function in immune cell development. Biol Chem 2020; 401:933-943. [DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) consists of three core components EZH2, SUZ12 and EED. EZH2 catalyzes the methylation of lysine 27 of histone H3, a modification associated with gene silencing. Through gene duplication higher vertebrate genomes also encode a second partially redundant methyltransferase, EZH1. Within the mammalian immune system most research has concentrated on EZH2 which is expressed predominantly in proliferating cells. EZH2 and other PRC2 components are required for hematopoietic stem cell function and lymphocyte development, at least in part by repressing cell cycle inhibitors. At later stages of immune cell differentiation, EZH2 plays essential roles in humoral and cell-mediated adaptive immunity, as well as the maintenance of immune homeostasis. EZH2 is often overactive in cancers, through both gain-of-function mutations and over-expression, an observation that has led to the development and clinical testing of specific EZH2 inhibitors. Such inhibitors may also be of use in inflammatory and autoimmune settings, as EZH2 inhibition dampens the immune response. Here, we will review the current state of understanding of the roles for EZH2, and PRC2 more generally, in the development and function of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L. Nutt
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Christine Keenan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Michaël Chopin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Rhys S. Allan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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81
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Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is enzymatic catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that can alter downstream target genes expression by trimethylation of Lys-27 in histone 3 (H3K27me3). EZH2 could also regulate gene expression in ways besides H3K27me3. Functions of EZH2 in cells proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence have been identified. Its important roles in the pathophysiology of cancer are now widely concerned. Therefore, targeting EZH2 for cancer therapy is a hot research topic now and different types of EZH2 inhibitors have been developed. In this review, we summarize the structure and action modes of EZH2, focusing on up-to-date findings regarding the role of EZH2 in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, metabolism, drug resistance, and immunity regulation. Furtherly, we highlight the advance of targeting EZH2 therapies in experiments and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Duan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenfang Du
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijian Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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82
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Research Progress on NK Cell Receptors and Their Signaling Pathways. Mediators Inflamm 2020; 2020:6437057. [PMID: 32774149 PMCID: PMC7396059 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6437057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells (NK cells) play an important role in innate immunity. NK cells recognize self and nonself depending on the balance of activating receptors and inhibitory receptors. After binding to their ligands, NK cell receptors trigger subsequent signaling conduction and then determine whether NK is activated or inhibited. Furthermore, NK cell response includes cytotoxicity and cytokine release, which is tightly related to the activation of NK cell-activating receptors and the inhibition of inhibitory receptors on the surfaces of NK cells. The expression and function of NK cell surface receptors also alter in virus infection, tumor, and autoimmune diseases and influence the occurrence and development of diseases. So, it is important to understand the mechanism of recognition between NK receptors and their ligands in pathological conditions and the signaling pathways of NK cell receptors. This review mainly summarizes the research progress on NK cell surface receptors and their signal pathways.
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83
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Stokic-Trtica V, Diefenbach A, Klose CSN. NK Cell Development in Times of Innate Lymphoid Cell Diversity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:813. [PMID: 32733432 PMCID: PMC7360798 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
After being described in the 1970s as cytotoxic cells that do not require MHC-dependent pre-activation, natural killer (NK) cells remained the sole member of innate lymphocytes for decades until lymphoid tissue-inducer cells in the 1990s and helper-like innate lymphoid lineages from 2008 onward completed the picture of innate lymphoid cell (ILC) diversity. Since some of the ILC members, such as ILC1s and CCR6- ILC3s, share specific markers previously used to identify NK cells, these findings provoked the question of how to delineate the development of NK cell and helper-like ILCs and how to properly identify and genetically interfere with NK cells. The description of eomesodermin (EOMES) as a lineage-specifying transcription factor of NK cells provided a candidate that may serve as a selective marker for the genetic targeting and identification of NK cells. Unlike helper-like ILCs, NK cell activation is, to a large degree, regulated by the engagement of activating and inhibitory surface receptors. NK cell research has revealed some elegant mechanisms of immunosurveillance, coined "missing-self" and "induced-self" recognition, thus complementing "non-self recognition", which is predominantly utilized by adaptive lymphocytes and myeloid cells. Notably, the balance of activating and inhibitory signals perceived by surface receptors can be therapeutically harnessed for anti-tumor immunity mediated by NK cells. This review aims to summarize the similarities and the differences in development, function, localization, and phenotype of NK cells and helper-like ILCs, with the purpose to highlight the unique feature of NK cell development and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislava Stokic-Trtica
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Diefenbach
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany.,Mucosal and Developmental Immunology, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph S N Klose
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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84
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Kang SJ, Chun T. Structural heterogeneity of the mammalian polycomb repressor complex in immune regulation. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:1004-1015. [PMID: 32636442 PMCID: PMC8080698 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0462-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation is mainly mediated by enzymes that can modify the structure of chromatin by altering the structure of DNA or histones. Proteins involved in epigenetic processes have been identified to study the detailed molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of specific mRNA expression. Evolutionarily well-conserved polycomb group (PcG) proteins can function as transcriptional repressors by the trimethylation of histone H3 at the lysine 27 residue (H3K27me3) and the monoubiquitination of histone H2A at the lysine 119 residue (H2AK119ub). PcG proteins form two functionally distinct protein complexes: polycomb repressor complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2. In mammals, the structural heterogeneity of each PRC complex is dramatically increased by several paralogs of its subunit proteins. Genetic studies with transgenic mice along with RNA-seq and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq analyses might be helpful for defining the cell-specific functions of paralogs of PcG proteins. Here, we summarize current knowledge about the immune regulatory role of PcG proteins related to the compositional diversity of each PRC complex and introduce therapeutic drugs that target PcG proteins in hematopoietic malignancy. Protein complexes that suppress gene activity by remodeling chromatin, the substance that contains most of a cell’s DNA, play a critical role in regulating the immune system and provide a therapeutic target for treating blood cancers. Seok-Jin Kang and Taehoon Chun from Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, review how polycomb group proteins, best known for their function in embryonic development, also contribute to the formation of immune cells from blood stem cell precursors. Studies with stem cells and cancer cells have begun to reveal many targets of these proteins, and drug companies are evaluating candidate agents directed against some polycomb group proteins in patients with lymphoma and other cancers. More comprehensive profiling of protein function across a broad range of immune cell types could reveal new targets for additional diseases associated with immune dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok-Jin Kang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Taehoon Chun
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
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85
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Ayaz
- School of Life Health & Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Francesco Crea
- School of Life Health & Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, UK
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86
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Chang YH, Weng CL, Lin KI. O-GlcNAcylation and its role in the immune system. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:57. [PMID: 32349769 PMCID: PMC7189445 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00648-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
O-linked-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) is a type of glycosylation that occurs when a monosaccharide, O-GlcNAc, is added onto serine or threonine residues of nuclear or cytoplasmic proteins by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and which can be reversibly removed by O-GlcNAcase (OGA). O-GlcNAcylation couples the processes of nutrient sensing, metabolism, signal transduction and transcription, and plays important roles in development, normal physiology and physiopathology. Cumulative studies have indicated that O-GlcNAcylation affects the functions of protein substrates in a number of ways, including protein cellular localization, protein stability and protein/protein interaction. Particularly, O-GlcNAcylation has been shown to have intricate crosstalk with phosphorylation as they both modify serine or threonine residues. Aberrant O-GlcNAcylation on various protein substrates has been implicated in many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and cancers. However, the role of protein O-GlcNAcylation in immune cell lineages has been less explored. This review summarizes the current understanding of the fundamental biochemistry of O-GlcNAcylation, and discusses the molecular mechanisms by which O-GlcNAcylation regulates the development, maturation and functions of immune cells. In brief, O-GlcNAcylation promotes the development, proliferation, and activation of T and B cells. O-GlcNAcylation regulates inflammatory and antiviral responses of macrophages. O-GlcNAcylation promotes the function of activated neutrophils, but inhibits the activity of nature killer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hsuan Chang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Sec. 2, Nankang Dist., Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Weng
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Sec. 2, Nankang Dist., Taipei, 115, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Immunology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-I Lin
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Sec. 2, Nankang Dist., Taipei, 115, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Immunology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 110, Taiwan.
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87
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Ge Z, Wu S, Zhang Z, Ding S. Mechanism of tumor cells escaping from immune surveillance of NK cells. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2020; 42:187-198. [PMID: 32223464 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2020.1742733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in anti-tumor and anti-infection, and perform their immune surveillance function in various ways. However, no matter what kind of cancer, the functional activity of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is suppressed. Understanding the relationship between tumor cells and NK cells is very critical for tumor immunotherapy. This review discusses the mechanism of tumor cells escaping the immune surveillance of NK cells. These include a variety of factors that inhibit the activity of NK cells, an imbalance of activating receptors and inhibiting receptors on NK cells, abnormal binding of receptors and ligands, cross-talk of surrounding cell groups and NK cells in the TME, and other factors that affect NK cell activity. An understanding of these factors is necessary to provide new treatment strategies for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Ge
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Wu
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuzhe Ding
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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88
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Kee BL, Morman RE, Sun M. Transcriptional regulation of natural killer cell development and maturation. Adv Immunol 2020; 146:1-28. [PMID: 32327150 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ai.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer cells are lymphocytes that respond rapidly to intracellular pathogens or cancer/stressed cells by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines or chemokines and by killing target cells through direct cytolysis. NK cells are distinct from B and T lymphocytes in that they become activated through a series of broadly expressed germ line encoded activating and inhibitory receptors or through the actions of inflammatory cytokines. They are the founding member of the innate lymphoid cell family, which mirror the functions of T lymphocytes, with NK cells being the innate counterpart to CD8 T lymphocytes. Despite the functional relationship between NK cells and CD8 T cells, the mechanisms controlling their specification, differentiation and maturation are distinct, with NK cells emerging from multipotent lymphoid progenitors in the bone marrow under the control of a unique transcriptional program. Over the past few years, substantial progress has been made in understanding the developmental pathways and the factors involved in generating mature and functional NK cells. NK cells have immense therapeutic potential and understanding how to acquire large numbers of functional cells and how to endow them with potent activity to control hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic malignancies and autoimmunity is a major clinical goal. In this review, we examine basic aspects of conventional NK cell development in mice and humans and discuss multiple transcription factors that are known to guide the development of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L Kee
- Department of Pathology and Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
| | - Rosmary E Morman
- Department of Pathology and Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Mengxi Sun
- Department of Pathology and Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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89
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Aspeslagh S, Morel D, Soria JC, Postel-Vinay S. Epigenetic modifiers as new immunomodulatory therapies in solid tumours. Ann Oncol 2019; 29:812-824. [PMID: 29432557 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdy050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment over the last few years by allowing improvements in overall survival. However, the majority of patients is still primary or secondary resistant to such therapies, and enhancing sensitivity to immune therapies is therefore crucial to improve patient outcome. Several recent lines of evidence suggest that epigenetic modifiers have intrinsic immunomodulatory properties, which could be of therapeutic interest. Material and methods We reviewed preclinical evidence and clinical studies which describe or exploit immunomodulatory properties of epigenetic agents. Experimental approaches, clinical applicability and corresponding ongoing clinical trials are described. Results Several epigenetic modifiers, such as histone deacetylase inhibitors, DNA methyl transferase inhibitors, bromodomain inhibitors, lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 inhibitors and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibitors, display intrinsic immunomodulatory properties. The latter can be achieved through the action of these drugs either on cancer cells (e.g. presentation and generation of neoantigens, induction of immunogenic cell death, modulation of cytokine secretion), on immune cells (e.g. linage, differentiation, activation status and antitumor capability), or on components of the microenvironment (e.g. regulatory T cells and macrophages). Several promising combinations, notably with immune checkpoint blockers or adoptive T-cell therapy, can be envisioned. Dedicated clinically relevant approaches for patient selection and trial design will be required to optimally develop such combinations. Conclusion In an era where immune therapies are becoming a treatment backbone in many tumour types, epigenetic modifiers could play a crucial role in modulating tumours' immunogenicity and sensitivity to immune agents. Optimal trial design, including window of opportunity trials, will be key in the success of this approach, and clinical evaluation is ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Aspeslagh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet - ULB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - D Morel
- INSERM, UMR981, Villejuif, France
| | - J-C Soria
- INSERM, UMR981, Villejuif, France; Drug Development Department (DITEP, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France
| | - S Postel-Vinay
- INSERM, UMR981, Villejuif, France; Drug Development Department (DITEP, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France.
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90
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Gu X, Xu Y, Xue WZ, Wu Y, Ye Z, Xiao G, Wang HL. Interplay of miR-137 and EZH2 contributes to the genome-wide redistribution of H3K27me3 underlying the Pb-induced memory impairment. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:671. [PMID: 31511494 PMCID: PMC6739382 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1912-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Compromised learning and memory is a common feature of multiple neurodegenerative disorders. A paradigm spatial memory impairment could be caused by developmental lead (Pb) exposure. Growing evidence implicates epigenetic modifications in the Pb-mediated memory deficits; however, how histone modifications exemplified by H3K27me3 (H3 Lys27 trimethylation) contribute to this pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Here we found that Pb exposure diminished H3K27me3 levels in vivo by suppressing EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) expression at an early stage. EZH2 overexpression in Pb-treated rats rescued the H3K27me3 abundance and partially restored the normal spatial memory, as manifested by the rat performance in a Morris water maze test, and structural analysis of hippocampal spine densities. Furthermore, miR-137 and EZH2 constitute mutually inhibitory loop to regulate the H3K27me3 level, and this feedback regulation could be specifically activated by Pb treatment. Considering genes targeted by H3K27me3, ChIP-chip (chromatin immunoprecipitation on chip) studies revealed that Pb could remodel the genome-wide distribution of H3K27me3, represented by pathways like transcriptional regulation, developmental regulation, cell motion, and apoptosis, as well as a novel Wnt9b locus. As a Wnt isoform associated with canonical and noncanonical signaling, Wnt9b was regulated by the opposite modifications of H3K4me3 (H3 Lys4 trimethylation) and H3K27me3 in Pb-exposed neurons. Rescue trials further validated the contribution of Wnt9b to Pb-induced neuronal impairments, wherein canonical or noncanonical Wnt signaling potentially exhibited destructive or protective roles, respectively. In summary, the study reveals an epigenetic-based molecular change underlying Pb-triggered spatial memory deficits, and provides new potential avenues for our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases with environmental etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhen Gu
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Xu
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Zhen Xue
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulan Wu
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi Ye
- College of Life Science and Bio-engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100022, People's Republic of China
| | - Guiran Xiao
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, 230009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui-Li Wang
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, 230009, People's Republic of China.
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91
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Next-generation unnatural monosaccharides reveal that ESRRB O-GlcNAcylation regulates pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4065. [PMID: 31492838 PMCID: PMC6731260 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11942-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Unnatural monosaccharides such as azidosugars that can be metabolically incorporated into cellular glycans are currently used as a major tool for glycan imaging and glycoproteomic profiling. As a common practice to enhance membrane permeability and cellular uptake, the unnatural sugars are per-O-acetylated, which, however, can induce a long-overlooked side reaction, non-enzymatic S-glycosylation. Herein, we develop 1,3-di-esterified N-azidoacetylgalactosamine (GalNAz) as next-generation chemical reporters for metabolic glycan labeling. Both 1,3-di-O-acetylated GalNAz (1,3-Ac2GalNAz) and 1,3-di-O-propionylated GalNAz (1,3-Pr2GalNAz) exhibit high efficiency for labeling protein O-GlcNAcylation with no artificial S-glycosylation. Applying 1,3-Pr2GalNAz in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), we identify ESRRB, a critical transcription factor for pluripotency, as an O-GlcNAcylated protein. We show that ESRRB O-GlcNAcylation is important for mESC self-renewal and pluripotency. Mechanistically, ESRRB is O-GlcNAcylated by O-GlcNAc transferase at serine 25, which stabilizes ESRRB, promotes its transcription activity and facilitates its interactions with two master pluripotency regulators, OCT4 and NANOG. Per-O-acetylated unnatural monosaccharides are popular tools for glycan labeling in live cells but can undergo unwanted side reactions with cysteines. Here, the authors develop unnatural sugars in a partially esterified form that are inert towards cysteines, and use them to probe O-GlcNAcylation in mESCs.
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92
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Shen H, Yang ESH, Conry M, Fiveash J, Contreras C, Bonner JA, Shi LZ. Predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint blockade and opportunities for combination therapies. Genes Dis 2019; 6:232-246. [PMID: 32042863 PMCID: PMC6997608 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade therapies (ICBs) are a prominent breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy in recent years (named the 2013 “Breakthrough of the Year” by the Science magazine). Thus far, FDA-approved ICBs primarily target immune checkpoints CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1. Notwithstanding their impressive long-term therapeutic benefits, their efficacy is limited to a small subset of cancer patients. In addition, ICBs induce inadvertent immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and can be costly for long-term use. To overcome these limitations, two strategies are actively being pursued: identification of predictive biomarkers for clinical response to ICBs and multi-pronged combination therapies. Biomarkers will allow clinicians to practice a precision medicine approach in ICBs (biomarker-based patient selection) such as treating triple-negative breast cancer patients that exhibit PD-L1 staining of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in ≥1% of the tumor area with nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)–paclitaxel plus anti-PD-L1 and treating patients of MSI-H or MMR deficient unresectable or metastatic solid tumors with pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1). Importantly, the insights gained from these biomarker studies can guide rational combinatorial strategies such as CDK4/6 inhibitor/fractionated radiotherapy/HDACi in conjunction with ICBs to maximize therapeutic benefits. Further, with the rapid technological advents (e.g., ATCT-Seq), we predict more reliable biomarkers will be identified, which in turn will inspire more promising combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxing Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Eddy Shih-Hsin Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Marty Conry
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - John Fiveash
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Carlo Contreras
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - James A Bonner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Lewis Zhichang Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,Program in Immunology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
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93
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Zhou J, Huang S, Wang Z, Huang J, Xu L, Tang X, Wan YY, Li QJ, Symonds ALJ, Long H, Zhu B. Targeting EZH2 histone methyltransferase activity alleviates experimental intestinal inflammation. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2427. [PMID: 31160593 PMCID: PMC6547712 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10176-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)-mediated trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27Me3) is critical for immune regulation. However, evidence is lacking to address the effect of EZH2 enzyme's activity on intestinal immune responses during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Here we report that suppressing EZH2 activity ameliorates experimental intestinal inflammation and delayed the onset of colitis-associated cancer. In addition, we identified an increased number of functional MDSCs in the colons, which are essential for EZH2 inhibitor activity. Moreover, inhibition of EZH2 activity promotes the generation of MDSCs from hematopoietic progenitor cells in vitro, demonstrating a previously unappreciated role for EZH2 in the development of MDSCs. Together, these findings suggest the feasibility of EZH2 inhibitor clinical trials for the control of IBD. In addition, this study identifies MDSC-promoting effects of EZH2 inhibitors that may be undesirable in other therapeutic contexts and should be addressed in a clinical trial setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Shuo Huang
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Zhongyu Wang
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Jiani Huang
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Liang Xu
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Xuefeng Tang
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yisong Y Wan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Qi-Jing Li
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, 27710, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alistair L J Symonds
- Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - Haixia Long
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
| | - Bo Zhu
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
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94
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Wang X, Brea LT, Yu J. Immune modulatory functions of EZH2 in the tumor microenvironment: implications in cancer immunotherapy. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL UROLOGY 2019; 7:85-91. [PMID: 31139703 PMCID: PMC6526357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Polycomb group protein EZH2, a histone methyltransferase, is the enzymatic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) that catalyzes histone H3 lysine 27 methylation. They are epigenetic modifiers that mediate gene repression, or epigenetic silencing. EZH2 controls developmental regulators in embryonic stem cells and is essential for cell fate determination and transition. In the last two decades, EZH2 was reported upregulated in a variety of solid tumors, including prostate cancer, and mutated in multiple hematological malignancies, such as lymphoma. EZH2 represses the expression of a plethora of tumor suppressor genes in tumor cells, thereby promoting cell cycle, cell proliferation, and cell invasion and driving cancer progression. Recently, evidence is emerging indicating important roles of EZH2 in immune cells. Here, we review EZH2 regulation of various immune cell types, the tumor microenvironment, immune responses, and cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohai Wang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL, USA
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Lourdes T Brea
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL, USA
| | - Jindan Yu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL, USA
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95
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Targeting DNA Methylation and EZH2 Activity to Overcome Melanoma Resistance to Immunotherapy. Trends Immunol 2019; 40:328-344. [PMID: 30853334 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Methylation of DNA at CpG sites is the most common and stable of epigenetic changes in cancer. Hypermethylation acts to limit immune checkpoint blockade immunotherapy by inhibiting endogenous interferon responses needed for recognition of cancer cells. By contrast, global hypomethylation results in the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and inhibitory cytokines, accompanied by epithelial-mesenchymal changes that can contribute to immunosuppression. The drivers of these contrasting methylation states are not well understood. DNA methylation also plays a key role in cytotoxic T cell 'exhaustion' associated with tumor progression. We present an updated exploratory analysis of how DNA methylation may define patient subgroups and can be targeted to develop tailored treatment combinations to help improve patient outcomes.
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96
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Huang S, Wang Z, Zhou J, Huang J, Zhou L, Luo J, Wan YY, Long H, Zhu B. EZH2 Inhibitor GSK126 Suppresses Antitumor Immunity by Driving Production of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells. Cancer Res 2019; 79:2009-2020. [PMID: 30737232 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-2395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog (EZH2) is a key epigenetic regulator of gene expression and is frequently overexpressed in various cancer types, suggesting a role in oncogenesis. The therapeutic potential of EZH2 inhibitors is currently being explored, but their effect on antitumor immunity is largely unknown. Here we report that suppressing EZH2 activity using EZH2 inhibitor GSK126 resulted in increased numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and fewer CD4+ and IFNγ+CD8+ T cells, which are involved in antitumor immunity. Addition of a neutralizing antibody against the myeloid differentiation antigen GR-1 or gemcitabine/5-fluorouracil-depleted MDSCs alleviated MDSC-mediated immunosuppression and increased CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell tumor infiltration and GSK126 therapeutic efficacy. Mechanistically, we identified a novel pathway of MDSC production in cancer in which EZH2 inhibition directs myeloid differentiation from primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells. These findings suggest that modulating the tumor immune microenvironment may improve the efficacy of EZH2 inhibitors. SIGNIFICANCE: This study uncovers a potential mechanism behind disappointing results of a phase I clinical trial of EZH2 inhibitor GSK126 and identifies a translatable combinational strategy to overcome it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Huang
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhongyu Wang
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiani Huang
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Chongqing, China
| | - Yisong Y Wan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North California
| | - Haixia Long
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China. .,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Chongqing, China
| | - Bo Zhu
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China. .,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Chongqing, China
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97
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Ramakrishnan S, Granger V, Rak M, Hu Q, Attwood K, Aquila L, Krishnan N, Osiecki R, Azabdaftari G, Guru K, Chatta G, Gueron G, McNally L, Ohm J, Wang J, Woloszynska A. Inhibition of EZH2 induces NK cell-mediated differentiation and death in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Cell Death Differ 2019; 26:2100-2114. [PMID: 30692641 PMCID: PMC6748105 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0278-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysine-specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A) and members of the Switch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) family are known to counteract the activity of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), which is often overexpressed and is associated with poor prognosis in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Here we provide evidence that alterations in chromatin modifying enzymes, including KDM6A and members of the SWI/SNF complex, are frequent in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. We exploit the loss of function mutations in KDM6A and SWI/SNF complex to make bladder cancer cells susceptible to EZH2-based epigenetic therapy that activates an immune response to drive tumor cell differentiation and death. We reveal a novel mechanism of action of EZH2 inhibition, alone and in combination with cisplatin, which induces immune signaling with the largest changes observed in interferon gamma (IFN-γ). This upregulation is a result of activated natural killer (NK) signaling as demonstrated by the increase in NK cell-associated genes MIP-1α, ICAM1, ICAM2, and CD86 in xenografts treated with EZH2 inhibitors. Conversely, EZH2 inhibition results in decreased expression of pluripotency markers, ALDH2 and CK5, and increased cell death. Our results reveal a novel sensitivity of muscle-invasive bladder cancer cells with KMD6A and SWI/SNF mutations to EZH2 inhibition alone and in combination with cisplatin. This sensitivity is mediated through increased NK cell-related signaling resulting in tumor cell differentiation and cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swathi Ramakrishnan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Victoria Granger
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Monika Rak
- Department of Cell Biology, Jagiellonian University, 31-007, Krakow, Poland
| | - Qiang Hu
- Department of Bioinformatics and BioStatistics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Kristopher Attwood
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Lanni Aquila
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Nithya Krishnan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | | | - Gissou Azabdaftari
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Khurshid Guru
- Department of Urology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Gurkamal Chatta
- Department of Medicine-GU Center, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Geraldine Gueron
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Intendente Guiraldes 2160, CABA, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lacey McNally
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Joyce Ohm
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and BioStatistics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Anna Woloszynska
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA.
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San B, Rougeot J, Voeltzke K, van Vegchel G, Aben M, Andralojc KM, Flik G, Kamminga LM. The ezh2(sa1199) mutant zebrafish display no distinct phenotype. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210217. [PMID: 30677064 PMCID: PMC6345456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are essential regulators of epigenetic gene silencing and development. The PcG protein enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2) is a key component of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 and is responsible for placing the histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) repressive mark on the genome through its methyltransferase domain. Ezh2 is highly conserved in vertebrates. We studied the role of ezh2 during development of zebrafish with the use of a mutant allele (ezh2(sa1199), R18STOP), which has a stop mutation in the second exon of the ezh2 gene. Two versions of the same line were used during this study. The first and original version of zygotic ezh2(sa1199) mutants unexpectedly retained ezh2 expression in brain, gut, branchial arches, and eyes at 3 days post-fertilization (dpf), as revealed by in-situ hybridization. Moreover, the expression pattern in homozygous mutants was identical to that of wild types, indicating that mutant ezh2 mRNA is not subject to nonsense mediated decay (NMD) as predicted. Both wild type and ezh2 mutant embryos presented edemas at 2 and 3 dpf. The line was renewed by selective breeding to counter select the non-specific phenotypes and survival was assessed. In contrast to earlier studies on ezh2 mutant zebrafish, ezh2(sa1199) mutants survived until adulthood. Interestingly, the ezh2 mRNA and Ezh2 protein were present during adulthood (70 dpf) in both wild type and ezh2(sa1199) mutant zebrafish. We conclude that the ezh2(sa1199) allele does not exhibit an ezh2 loss-of-function phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilge San
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Julien Rougeot
- Radboud University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kai Voeltzke
- Radboud University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gertie van Vegchel
- Radboud University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Aben
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Karolina M. Andralojc
- Radboud University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Flik
- Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Leonie M. Kamminga
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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99
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Gounder MM, Zhu G, Roshal L, Lis E, Daigle SR, Blakemore SJ, Michaud NR, Hameed M, Hollmann TJ. Immunologic Correlates of the Abscopal Effect in a SMARCB1/INI1-negative Poorly Differentiated Chordoma after EZH2 Inhibition and Radiotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:2064-2071. [PMID: 30642912 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-3133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to determine the mechanism of an exceptional response in a patient diagnosed with a SMARCB1/INI1-negative chordoma treated with tazemetostat, an EZH2 inhibitor, and followed by radiotherapy.Patient and Methods: In an attempt to investigate the mechanism behind this apparent abscopal effect, we interrogated tumor tissues obtained over the clinical course. We utilized next-generation sequencing, standard IHC, and employed a novel methodology of multiplex immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS We report an exceptional and durable response (2+ years) in a patient with SMARCB1-deleted, metastatic, poorly differentiated chordoma, a lethal disease with an overall survival of 6 months. The patient was treated for 4 weeks with tazemetostat, an EZH2 inhibitor, in a phase II clinical trial. At the time of progression she underwent radiation to the primary site and unexpectedly had a complete response at distant metastatic sites. We evaluated baseline and on-treatment tumor biopsies and demonstrate that tazemetostat resulted in pharmacodynamic inhibition of EZH2 as seen by decrease in histone trimethylation at H3K27. Tazemetostat resulted in a significant increase in intratumoral and stromal infiltration by proliferative (high Ki-67), CD8+ T cells, FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, and immune cells expressing checkpoint regulators PD-1 and LAG-3. These changes were pronounced in the stroma. CONCLUSIONS These observations are the first demonstration in patient samples confirming that EZH2 inhibition can promote a sustained antitumor response that ultimately leads to T-cell exhaustion and checkpoint activation. This suggests that targeted alteration of the epigenetic landscape may sensitize some tumors to checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal M Gounder
- Developmental Therapeutics Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weil Cornell Medical School, New York, New York.
| | - Guo Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Lev Roshal
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Eric Lis
- Developmental Therapeutics Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weil Cornell Medical School, New York, New York
| | | | | | | | - Meera Hameed
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Travis J Hollmann
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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100
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Epigenetic modulation enhances immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Immunol 2019; 336:66-74. [PMID: 30626493 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-PDL-1 immunotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) demonstrated a mixed response. Polycomb Repressor Complex 2(PRC2) contributes to the initiation and progression of HCC by suppressing tumor antigens and inhibiting an immune response. Two components of epigenetic modulation are Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2, the catalytic component of PRC2) and DNA Methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). We aim to investigate the potential role of epigenetic therapy targeting EZH2 and DNMT1 as a novel strategy to modulate immunotherapy response in HCC. METHODS HepG2, Hep3B, and Hepa1-6 HCC cell lines were treated with EZH2 inhibitor (DZNep) and DNMT1 inhibitor (5-Azacytidine) with and without anti-PDL-1. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate the expression of tumor suppressors, tumor antigens, and Th1 chemokines. In-vivo C57/LJ immunocompetent mice model with subcutaneous tumor inoculation was performed with intraperitoneal drug injections. RESULTS There was a significant upregulation of Th1 chemokines in HepG2 (CXCL9 5.5 ± 0.2 relative fold change; CXCL10 1.44 × 103 ± 37 relative fold change) and Hep3B (CXCL 9 6.85 × 103 ± 1.3 × 103 relative fold change; CXCL 10 2.15 × 103 ± 3.1 × 102 relative fold change). Additionally, there was a significant induction of cancer testis antigens NY-ESO-1 (3.6-3.7 ± 0.3 relative fold change) and LAGE (8.3-11.7 ± 1.9 relative fold change). In vivo model demonstrated statistically significant tumor regression in the combination treatment group (0.02 g ± 0.02) compared to epigenetic therapy (0.63 g ± 0.61) or immunotherapy alone (0.15 g ± 0.21) with untreated control (2.4 g ± 0.71). There was significantly increased trafficking of cytotoxic T- lymphocytes and associated apoptosis for the combination treatment group compared to epigenetic or immunotherapy alone. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that epigenetic modulation could be a novel potential strategy to augment immunotherapy for HCC by stimulating T cell trafficking into tumor microenvironment via activation of transcriptionally repressed chemokine genes responsible for T-cell trafficking, inducing previously silent neoantigens for immune targets, and allowing tumor regression as a result. A clinical trial of this feasible combination therapy of these clinically available agents is warranted.
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