51
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Ong CY, Abdalkareem EA, Khoo BY. Functional roles of cytokines in infectious disease associated colorectal carcinogenesis. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:1529-1535. [PMID: 34981335 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-07006-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Infection processes induce various soluble factors that are carcinogens in humans; therefore, research into the soluble factors of chronic disease released from cells that have been infected with parasites is warranted. Parasitic infections in host cells release high levels of IFNγ. Studies have hypothesised that parasitosis-associated carcinogenesis might be analogous to colorectal cancers developed from inflammatory bowel diseases, whereby various cytokines and chemokines are secreted during chronic inflammation. IL-18 and IL-21 are other factors that might be involved in the development of colorectal cancer in schistosomiasis patients and patients with other infections. IL-21 has profound effects on tumour growth and immunosurveillance of colitis-associated tumourigenesis, thereby emphasising its involvement in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. The prominent role of IL-21 in antitumour effects greatly depends on the enhanced cytolytic activity of NK cells and the pathogenic role of IL-21, which is often associated with enhanced risks of cancer and chronic inflammatory processes. As IL-15 is also related to chronic disease, it is believed to also play a role in the antitumour effect of colorectal carcinogenesis. IL-15 generates and maintains long-term CD8+ T cell immunity against T. gondii to control the infection of intracellular pathogens. The lack of IL-15 in mice contributes to the downregulation of the IFNγ-producing CD4+ T cell response against acute T. gondii infection. IL-15 induces hyperplasia and supports the progressive growth of colon cancer via multiple functions. The limited role of IL-15 in the development of NK and CD8+ T cells suggests that there may be other cytokines compensating for the loss of the IL-15 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching Yi Ong
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, H53, Jalan Inovasi, 11800, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Eshtiyag Abdalla Abdalkareem
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, H53, Jalan Inovasi, 11800, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia.,Tropical Medicine Research Institute (TMRI), 1304, El-Gaser Street, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Boon Yin Khoo
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, H53, Jalan Inovasi, 11800, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia.
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52
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Makkouk A, Yang XC, Barca T, Lucas A, Turkoz M, Wong JTS, Nishimoto KP, Brodey MM, Tabrizizad M, Gundurao SRY, Bai L, Bhat A, An Z, Abbot S, Satpayev D, Aftab BT, Herrman M. Off-the-shelf Vδ1 gamma delta T cells engineered with glypican-3 (GPC-3)-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and soluble IL-15 display robust antitumor efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-003441. [PMID: 34916256 PMCID: PMC8679077 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glypican-3 (GPC-3) is an oncofetal protein that is highly expressed in various solid tumors, but rarely expressed in healthy adult tissues and represents a rational target of particular relevance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) αβ T cell therapies have established significant clinical benefit in hematologic malignancies, although efficacy in solid tumors has been limited due to several challenges including T cell homing, target antigen heterogeneity, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. Gamma delta (γδ) T cells are highly cytolytic effectors that can recognize and kill tumor cells through major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent antigens upregulated under stress. The Vδ1 subset is preferentially localized in peripheral tissue and engineering with CARs to further enhance intrinsic antitumor activity represents an attractive approach to overcome challenges for conventional T cell therapies in solid tumors. Allogeneic Vδ1 CAR T cell therapy may also overcome other hurdles faced by allogeneic αβ T cell therapy, including graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). METHODS We developed the first example of allogeneic CAR Vδ1 T cells that have been expanded from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and genetically modified to express a 4-1BB/CD3z CAR against GPC-3. The CAR construct (GPC-3.CAR/secreted interleukin-15 (sIL)-15) additionally encodes a constitutively-secreted form of IL-15, which we hypothesized could sustain proliferation and antitumor activity of intratumoral Vδ1 T cells expressing GPC-3.CAR. RESULTS GPC-3.CAR/sIL-15 Vδ1 T cells expanded from PBMCs on average 20,000-fold and routinely reached >80% purity. Expanded Vδ1 T cells showed a primarily naïve-like memory phenotype with limited exhaustion marker expression and displayed robust in vitro proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxic activity against HCC cell lines expressing low (PLC/PRF/5) and high (HepG2) GPC-3 levels. In a subcutaneous HepG2 mouse model in immunodeficient NSG mice, GPC-3.CAR/sIL-15 Vδ1 T cells primarily accumulated and proliferated in the tumor, and a single dose efficiently controlled tumor growth without evidence of xenogeneic GvHD. Importantly, compared with GPC-3.CAR Vδ1 T cells lacking sIL-15, GPC-3.CAR/sIL-15 Vδ1 T cells displayed greater proliferation and resulted in enhanced therapeutic activity. CONCLUSIONS Expanded Vδ1 T cells engineered with a GPC-3 CAR and sIL-15 represent a promising platform warranting further clinical evaluation as an off-the-shelf treatment of HCC and potentially other GPC-3-expressing solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Taylor Barca
- Adicet Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lu Bai
- Adicet Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Arun Bhat
- Adicet Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Zili An
- Adicet Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California, USA
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53
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Zhou J, Zhang S, Guo C. Crosstalk between macrophages and natural killer cells in the tumor microenvironment. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 101:108374. [PMID: 34824036 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is jointly constructed by a variety of cell types, including tumor cells, immune cells, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells, among others. The cells within the TME interact with each other and with tumor cells to influence tumor development and progression. As the most abundant immune cells in the TME, macrophages regulate the immune network by not only secreting a large amount of versatile cytokines but also expressing a series of ligands or receptors on the surface to interact with other cells directly. Due to their strong plasticity, they exert both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive effects in the complex TME. The major effector cells of the immune system that directly target cancer cells include but are not limited to natural killer cells (NKs), dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mast cells, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Among them, NK cells are the predominant innate lymphocyte subsets that mediate antitumor and antiviral responses. The activation and inhibition of NK cells are regulated by cytokines and the balance between activating and inhibitory receptors. There is an inextricable regulatory relationship between macrophages and NK cells. Herein, we systematically elaborate on the regulatory network between macrophages and NK cells through soluble mediator crosstalk and cell-to-cell interactions. We believe that a better understanding of the crosstalk between macrophages and NKs in the TME will benefit the development of novel macrophage- or NK cell-focused therapeutic strategies with superior efficacies in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingping Zhou
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Shaolong Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Changying Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China.
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54
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Strazza M, Bukhari S, Tocheva AS, Mor A. PD-1-induced proliferating T cells exhibit a distinct transcriptional signature. Immunology 2021; 164:555-568. [PMID: 34164813 PMCID: PMC8517598 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ligation of the inhibitory receptor PD-1 on T cells results in the inhibition of numerous cellular functions. Despite the overtly inhibitory outcome of PD-1 signalling, there are additionally a collection of functions that are activated. We have observed that CD4+ T cells stimulated through the T-cell receptor and PD-1 primarily do not proliferate; however, there is a population of cells that proliferates more than T-cell receptor stimulation alone. These highly proliferating cells could potentially be associated with PD-1-blockade unresponsiveness in patients. In this study, we have performed RNA sequencing and found that following PD-1 ligation proliferating and non-proliferating T cells have distinct transcriptional signatures. Remarkably, the proliferating cells showed an enrichment of genes associated with an activated state despite PD-1 signalling. Additionally, circulating follicular helper T cells were significantly more prevalent in the non-proliferating population, demonstrated by enrichment of the associated genes CXCR5, CCR7, TCF7, BCL6 and PRDM1 and validated at the protein level. Translationally, we also show that there are more follicular helper T cells in patients that respond favourably to PD-1 blockade. Overall, the presence of transcriptionally and functionally distinct T cell populations responsive to PD-1 ligation may provide insights into the clinical differences observed following therapeutic PD-1 blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Strazza
- Columbia Center for Translational ImmunologyColumbia University Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Shoiab Bukhari
- Columbia Center for Translational ImmunologyColumbia University Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Anna S. Tocheva
- Columbia Center for Translational ImmunologyColumbia University Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Adam Mor
- Columbia Center for Translational ImmunologyColumbia University Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
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55
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Fiore PF, Di Matteo S, Tumino N, Mariotti FR, Pietra G, Ottonello S, Negrini S, Bottazzi B, Moretta L, Mortier E, Azzarone B. Interleukin-15 and cancer: some solved and many unsolved questions. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-001428. [PMID: 33203664 PMCID: PMC7674108 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Soluble interleukin (IL)-15 exists under two forms: as monomer (sIL-15) or as heterodimeric complex in association with sIL-15Rα (sIL-15/IL-15Rα). Both forms have been successfully tested in experimental tumor murine models and are currently undergoing investigation in phase I/II clinical trials. Despite more than 20 years research on IL-15, some controversial issues remain to be addressed. A first point concerns the detection of the sIL-15/IL-15Rα in plasma of healthy donors or patients with cancer and its biological significance. The second and third unsolved question regards the protumorigenic role of the IL-15/IL-15Rα complex in human cancer and the detrimental immunological consequences associated to prolonged exposure of natural killer (NK) cells to both forms of soluble IL-15, respectively. Data suggest that in vivo prolonged or repeated exposure to monomeric sIL-15 or the soluble complex may lead to NK hypo-responsiveness through the expansion of the CD8+/CD44+ T cell subset that would suppress NK cell functions. In vitro experiments indicate that soluble complex and monomeric IL-15 may cause NK hyporesponsiveness through a direct effect caused by their prolonged stimulation, suggesting that this mechanism could also be effective in vivo. Therefore, a better knowledge of IL-15 and a more appropriate use of both its soluble forms, in terms of concentrations and time of exposure, are essential in order to improve their therapeutic use. In cancer, the overproduction of sIL-15/IL-15Rα could represent a novel mechanism of immune escape. The soluble complex may act as a decoy cytokine unable to efficiently foster NK cells, or could induce NK hyporesponsiveness through an excessive and prolonged stimulation depending on the type of IL-15Rα isoforms associated. All these unsolved questions are not merely limited to the knowledge of IL-15 pathophysiology, but are crucial also for the therapeutic use of this cytokine. Therefore, in this review, we will discuss key unanswered issues on the heterogeneity and biological significance of IL-15 isoforms, analyzing both their cancer-related biological functions and their therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabina Di Matteo
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gabriella Pietra
- Immuology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DiMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Selene Ottonello
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DiMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simone Negrini
- Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa and Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Barbara Bottazzi
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Erwan Mortier
- University of Nantes, CNRS, Inserm, CRCINA, University of Nantes, Nantes, France .,Immunotherapy, Graft, Oncology, LabEx IGO, Nantes, France
| | - Bruno Azzarone
- Immunology Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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56
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Santegoets SJ, Duurland CL, Jordanova EJ, van Ham VJ, Ehsan I, Loof NM, Narang V, Dutertre CA, Ginhoux F, van Egmond SL, J P Welters M, van der Burg SH. CD163 + cytokine-producing cDC2 stimulate intratumoral type 1 T cell responses in HPV16-induced oropharyngeal cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-001053. [PMID: 32771994 PMCID: PMC7418847 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is a distinct clinical entity with a much better prognosis after (chemo)radiotherapy than HPV-negative OPSCC, especially in patients with a concomitant intratumoral HPV-specific and type-1 cytokine-oriented T cell response. However, knowledge on the type of myeloid cells and their coordination with intratumoral T cells and influence on patient outcome in OPSCC is lacking. Methods We analyzed the presence of intratumoral myeloid cells and their relationship to tumor-infiltrating T cells and patient outcome in a well-described cohort of HPV16+ patients with OPSCC using multispectral immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and functional analyses. Results We show that the tumor microenvironment of HPV16+ OPSCC tumors with such an ongoing HPV16-specific T cell response is highly infiltrated with a newly defined CD163+ cytokine-producing subset of conventional dendritic cell type 2 (cDC2), called DC3. These CD163+ cDC2 predominantly stimulated type 1 T cell polarization and produced high levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-18, required for IFNγ and IL-22 production by T cells after cognate antigen stimulation. Tumor-infiltration with these CD163+ cDC2 positively correlated with the infiltration by Tbet+ and tumor-specific T cells, and with prolonged survival. Conclusions These data suggest an important role for intratumoral CD163+ cDC2 in stimulating tumor-infiltrating T cells to exert their antitumor effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia J Santegoets
- Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Chantal L Duurland
- Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ekaterina J Jordanova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Gynecological Oncology Amsterdam (CGOA), Amsterdam UMC - Locatie VUMC, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Vanessa J van Ham
- Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ilina Ehsan
- Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nikki M Loof
- Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vipin Narang
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Charles A Dutertre
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Sylvia L van Egmond
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marij J P Welters
- Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Melero I, Castanon E, Alvarez M, Champiat S, Marabelle A. Intratumoural administration and tumour tissue targeting of cancer immunotherapies. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2021; 18:558-576. [PMID: 34006998 PMCID: PMC8130796 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00507-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Immune-checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are revolutionizing oncology and haematology practice. With these and other immunotherapies, however, systemic biodistribution raises safety issues, potentially requiring the use of suboptimal doses or even precluding their clinical development. Delivering or attracting immune cells or immunomodulatory factors directly to the tumour and/or draining lymph nodes might overcome these problems. Hence, intratumoural delivery and tumour tissue-targeted compounds are attractive options to increase the in situ bioavailability and, thus, the efficacy of immunotherapies. In mouse models, intratumoural administration of immunostimulatory monoclonal antibodies, pattern recognition receptor agonists, genetically engineered viruses, bacteria, cytokines or immune cells can exert powerful effects not only against the injected tumours but also often against uninjected lesions (abscopal or anenestic effects). Alternatively, or additionally, biotechnology strategies are being used to achieve higher functional concentrations of immune mediators in tumour tissues, either by targeting locally overexpressed moieties or engineering 'unmaskable' agents to be activated by elements enriched within tumour tissues. Clinical trials evaluating these strategies are ongoing, but their development faces issues relating to the administration methodology, pharmacokinetic parameters, pharmacodynamic end points, and immunobiological and clinical response assessments. Herein, we discuss these approaches in the context of their historical development and describe the current landscape of intratumoural or tumour tissue-targeted immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Melero
- Department of Immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Department of Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Eduardo Castanon
- Department of Immunology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite Alvarez
- Program for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Stephane Champiat
- Département d'Innovation Thérapeutique et d'Essais Précoces (DITEP), Université Paris Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Biotherapies for In Situ Antitumor Immunization (BIOTHERIS), Centre d'Investigation Clinique INSERM CICBT1428, Villejuif, France
| | - Aurelien Marabelle
- Département d'Innovation Thérapeutique et d'Essais Précoces (DITEP), Université Paris Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
- Biotherapies for In Situ Antitumor Immunization (BIOTHERIS), Centre d'Investigation Clinique INSERM CICBT1428, Villejuif, France.
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58
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Robinson TO, Hegde SM, Chang AJ, Gangadharan A, Rivas S, Madakamutil L, Zalevsky J, Miyazaki T, Schluns KS. NKTR-255, a polymer-conjugated IL-15 with unique mechanisms of action on T and natural killer cells. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:e144365. [PMID: 34375310 DOI: 10.1172/jci144365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
NKTR-255 is a novel polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugate of recombinant human IL-15 (rhIL-15) being examined as a potential cancer immunotherapeutic. Since IL-15 responses can be mediated by trans- or cis-presentation via IL-15Rα or soluble IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes, we investigated the role of IL-15Rα in driving NKTR-255 responses using defined naïve and memory ovalbumin-specific CD8 T cells (OT-I) CD8 T and NK cells in mice. NKTR-255 induced a 2.5 and 2.0-fold expansion of CD8 T and NK cells, respectively in WT mice. In adoptive transfer studies, proliferation of naïve and memory Wt OT-I T cells in response to NKTR-255 was not impaired in IL-15Rα-/- mice, suggesting trans-presentation was not utilized by NKTR-255. Interestingly, naïve IL-15Rα-/- OT-I cells had deficient responses to NKTR-255 while memory IL-15Rα-/- OT-I cell responses were partially impaired, suggesting that naive CD8 T cells are more dependent on cis-presentation of NKTR-255 than memory CD8 T cells. In bone marrow chimeras studies, IL-15Rα-/- and WT NK cells present in WT recipients had similar responses to NKTR-255, suggesting that cis-presentation is not utilized by NK cells. NKTR-255 could form soluble complexes with IL-15Rα; binding to murine IL-15Rα generated superagonists that preferentially stimulated NK cells showing that conversion to IL-15Rβ agonist biases the response towards NK cells. These findings highlight the ability of NKTR-255 to utilize IL-15Rα for cis-presentation and act as an IL-15Rαβ agonist on CD8 T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya O Robinson
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States of America
| | - Shweta M Hegde
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States of America
| | - Allison J Chang
- Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Rice University, Houston, United States of America
| | - Achintyan Gangadharan
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States of America
| | - Sarai Rivas
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States of America
| | - Loui Madakamutil
- Research Biology: Pharmacology, Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Zalevsky
- Research and Development, Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Takahiro Miyazaki
- Research Biology: Pharmacology, Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Kimberly S Schluns
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States of America
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59
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Guo J, Liang Y, Xue D, Shen J, Cai Y, Zhu J, Fu YX, Peng H. Tumor-conditional IL-15 pro-cytokine reactivates anti-tumor immunity with limited toxicity. Cell Res 2021; 31:1190-1198. [PMID: 34376814 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-021-00543-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
IL-15 is a promising cytokine to expand NK and CD8+ T cells for cancer immunotherapy, but its application is limited by dose-limiting, on-target off-tumor toxicity. Here, we have developed a next-generation IL-15 that is activated inside the tumor microenvironment (TME). This pro-IL-15 has the extracellular domain of IL-15Rβ fused to the N-terminus of sIL-15-Fc through a tumor-enriched Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) cleavable peptide linker to block its activity. Unlike sIL-15-Fc, pro-IL-15 does not activate the peripheral expansion of NK cells and T cells, thus reducing systemic toxicity, but it still preserves efficient anti-tumor abilities. In various mouse tumors, the anti-tumor effect of pro-IL-15 depends on intratumoral CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ. Pro-IL-15 increases the stem-like TCF1+Tim-3-CD8+ T cells within tumor tissue and helps overcome immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) resistance. Moreover, pro-IL-15 synergizes with current tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) targeted-therapy in a poorly inflamed TUBO tumor model, suggesting that pro-IL-15 helps overcome targeted-therapy resistance. Our results demonstrate a next-generation IL-15 cytokine that can stimulate potent anti-tumor activity without severe toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingya Guo
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Diyuan Xue
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiao Shen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yueqi Cai
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiankun Zhu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Hua Peng
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Ma S, Yan J, Barr T, Zhang J, Chen Z, Wang LS, Sun JC, Chen J, Caligiuri MA, Yu J. The RNA m6A reader YTHDF2 controls NK cell antitumor and antiviral immunity. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20210279. [PMID: 34160549 PMCID: PMC8225680 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20210279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent posttranscriptional modification on RNA. NK cells are the predominant innate lymphoid cells that mediate antiviral and antitumor immunity. However, whether and how m6A modifications affect NK cell immunity remain unknown. Here, we discover that YTHDF2, a well-known m6A reader, is upregulated in NK cells upon activation by cytokines, tumors, and cytomegalovirus infection. Ythdf2 deficiency in NK cells impairs NK cell antitumor and antiviral activity in vivo. YTHDF2 maintains NK cell homeostasis and terminal maturation, correlating with modulating NK cell trafficking and regulating Eomes, respectively. YTHDF2 promotes NK cell effector function and is required for IL-15-mediated NK cell survival and proliferation by forming a STAT5-YTHDF2 positive feedback loop. Transcriptome-wide screening identifies Tardbp to be involved in cell proliferation or survival as a YTHDF2-binding target in NK cells. Collectively, we elucidate the biological roles of m6A modifications in NK cells and highlight a new direction to harness NK cell antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoubao Ma
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jiazhuo Yan
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Gynecological Radiotherapy, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Tasha Barr
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Zhenhua Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Li-Shu Wang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Joseph C. Sun
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Michael A. Caligiuri
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA
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Briukhovetska D, Dörr J, Endres S, Libby P, Dinarello CA, Kobold S. Interleukins in cancer: from biology to therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:481-499. [PMID: 34083781 PMCID: PMC8173513 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00363-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 349] [Impact Index Per Article: 116.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Interleukins and associated cytokines serve as the means of communication for innate and adaptive immune cells as well as non-immune cells and tissues. Thus, interleukins have a critical role in cancer development, progression and control. Interleukins can nurture an environment enabling and favouring cancer growth while simultaneously being essential for a productive tumour-directed immune response. These properties of interleukins can be exploited to improve immunotherapies to promote effectiveness as well as to limit side effects. This Review aims to unravel some of these complex interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Briukhovetska
- Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS-M) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Janina Dörr
- Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS-M) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Endres
- Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS-M) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Munich, Germany
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Peter Libby
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Sebastian Kobold
- Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS-M) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU, Munich, Germany.
- German Center for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Munich, Germany.
- Einheit für Klinische Pharmakologie (EKLiP), Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), Neuherberg, Germany.
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Zhang S, Huang H, Handley M, Griffin N, Bai X, Shan F. A novel mechanism of lung cancer inhibition by methionine enkephalin through remodeling the immune status of the tumor microenvironment. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 99:107999. [PMID: 34315116 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the antitumor effect of methionine enkephalin (MENK) against lung cancer in vivo and in vitro and explored the underlying mechanisms. Changes in the immune status of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in response to MENK administration were examined in mice. MENK significantly inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer cells in vivo and in vitro by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and causing cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Knockdown of opioid growth factor receptor abolished the effect of MENK on lung cancer cells. The immune status of the TME of mice differed between the MENK and control groups. MENK increased the infiltration of M1-type macrophages, natural killer cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and dendritic cells into the TME, and decreased the proportion of myeloid inhibitory cells and M2-type macrophages. Immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of cytokines in the TME showed that MENK upregulated IL-15, IL-21, IFN-γ, and granzyme B and downregulated IL-10 and TGF-β1 in mice. Taken together, these finding indicate that MENK may be a potential agent for lung cancer treatment in the future, especially for overcoming immune escape and immune resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuling Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China; Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Hai Huang
- Department of Orthopedic Oncology, the People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Mike Handley
- Cytocom Inc, 3001 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL 32792, USA
| | - Noreen Griffin
- Cytocom Inc, 3001 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL 32792, USA
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Gynecology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
| | - Fengping Shan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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63
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Interleukin-2 therapy of cancer-clinical perspectives. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 98:107836. [PMID: 34218217 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-2 is a pleiotropic cytokine that displays opposing activities on immune system acting either in favor of or against cancer progression. Advanced/metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are the two types of cancers that included most studies implemented for assessing the role of high-dose IL-2 therapy. The use of high-dose IL-2 therapy can, however, increase the rate of toxicities and interferes with the activity of endothelial cells (ECs) and effector T cells in tumor microenvironment (TME). This implies the need for adjusting strategies related to the cytokine therapy, such as suppressing signals that are interfering with the activity of this cytokine or the use of engineered IL-2 variants. The focus of this review is to discuss about pros and cons related to the IL-2 therapy and propose strategies to increase the efficacy of therapy. The outcomes of this literature will call for application of variants of IL-2 engineered to represent higher half-life and efficacy, and are more safe in the area of cancer immunotherapy.
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Conventional NK cells and tissue-resident ILC1s join forces to control liver metastasis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2026271118. [PMID: 34183415 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026271118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is a major metastatic target organ, and little is known about the role of immunity in controlling hepatic metastases. Here, we discovered that the concerted and nonredundant action of two innate lymphocyte subpopulations, conventional natural killer cells (cNKs) and tissue-resident type I innate lymphoid cells (trILC1s), is essential for antimetastatic defense. Using different preclinical models for liver metastasis, we found that trILC1 controls metastatic seeding, whereas cNKs restrain outgrowth. Whereas the killing capacity of trILC1s was not affected by the metastatic microenvironment, the phenotype and function of cNK cells were affected in a cancer type-specific fashion. Thus, individual cancer cell lines orchestrate the emergence of unique cNK subsets, which respond differently to tumor-derived factors. Our findings will contribute to the development of therapies for liver metastasis involving hepatic innate cells.
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65
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Carnevalli LS, Ghadially H, Barry ST. Therapeutic Approaches Targeting the Natural Killer-Myeloid Cell Axis in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:633685. [PMID: 33953710 PMCID: PMC8092119 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.633685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment by promoting durable clinical responses in a proportion of patients; however, treatment still fails in many patients. Innate immune cells play a key role in the response to immunotherapy. Crosstalk between innate and adaptive immune systems drives T-cell activation but also limits immunotherapy response, as myeloid cells are commonly associated with resistance. Hence, innate cells have both negative and positive effects within the tumor microenvironment (TME), and despite investment in early clinical trials targeting innate cells, they have seen limited success. Suppressive myeloid cells facilitate metastasis and immunotherapy resistance through TME remodeling and inhibition of adaptive immune cells. Natural killer (NK) cells, in contrast, secrete inflammatory cytokines and directly kill transformed cells, playing a key immunosurveillance role in early tumor development. Myeloid and NK cells show reciprocal crosstalk, influencing myeloid cell functional status or antigen presentation and NK effector function, respectively. Crosstalk between myeloid cells and the NK immune network in the TME is especially important in the context of therapeutic intervention. Here we discuss how myeloid and NK cell interactions shape anti-tumor responses by influencing an immunosuppressive TME and how this may influence outcomes of treatment strategies involving drugs that target myeloid and NK cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/adverse effects
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
- Cell Communication/drug effects
- Humans
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/adverse effects
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Immunity, Cellular/drug effects
- Immunity, Humoral/drug effects
- Immunotherapy
- Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/drug effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells/drug effects
- Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells/immunology
- Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells/metabolism
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Tumor Escape/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Simon T. Barry
- Early Oncology, Research and Development, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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66
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Kumar S, Singh SK, Rana B, Rana A. Tumor-infiltrating CD8 + T cell antitumor efficacy and exhaustion: molecular insights. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:951-967. [PMID: 33450394 PMCID: PMC8131230 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Host immunity has an essential role in the clinical management of cancers. Therefore, it is advantageous to choose therapies that can promote tumor cell death and concurrently boost host immunity. The dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME) determines whether an antineoplastic drug will elicit favorable or disparaging immune responses from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). CD8+ T cells are one of the primary tumor-infiltrating immune cells that deliver antitumor responses. Here, we review the influence of various factors in the TME on CD8+ T cell exhaustion and survival, and possible strategies for restoring CD8+ T cell effector function through immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Sunil Kumar Singh
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Basabi Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA; University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA; University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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67
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Wang X, Zhao XY. Transcription Factors Associated With IL-15 Cytokine Signaling During NK Cell Development. Front Immunol 2021; 12:610789. [PMID: 33815365 PMCID: PMC8013977 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.610789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes primarily involved in innate immunity and possess important functional properties in anti-viral and anti-tumor responses; thus, these cells have broad potential for clinical utilization. NK cells originate from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) through the following two independent and continuous processes: early commitment from HSCs to IL-15-responsive NK cell progenitors (NKPs) and subsequent differentiation into mature NK cells in response to IL-15. IL-15 is the most important cytokine for NK cell development, is produced by both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells, and functions through a distinct delivery process termed transpresentation. Upon being transpresented to NK cells, IL-15 contributes to NK cell development via the activation of several downstream signaling pathways, including the Ras-MEK-MAPK, JAK-STAT5, and PI3K-ATK-mTOR pathways. Nonetheless, the exact role of IL-15 in NK cell development has not been discussed in a consecutive and comprehensive manner. Here, we review current knowledge about the indispensable role of IL-15 in NK cell development and address which cells produce IL-15 to support NK cell development and when IL-15 exerts its function during multiple developmental stages. Specifically, we highlight how IL-15 supports NK cell development by elucidating the distinct transpresentation of IL-15 to NK cells and revealing the downstream target of IL-15 signaling during NK cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Wang
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang-Yu Zhao
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Laboratory for Cellular Therapy, Beijing, China
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68
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Bergamaschi C, Pandit H, Nagy BA, Stellas D, Jensen SM, Bear J, Cam M, Valentin A, Fox BA, Felber BK, Pavlakis GN. Heterodimeric IL-15 delays tumor growth and promotes intratumoral CTL and dendritic cell accumulation by a cytokine network involving XCL1, IFN-γ, CXCL9 and CXCL10. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000599. [PMID: 32461349 PMCID: PMC7254133 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin-15 (IL-15) promotes growth and activation of cytotoxic CD8+ T and natural killer (NK) cells. Bioactive IL-15 is produced in the body as a heterodimeric cytokine, comprising the IL-15 and IL-15 receptor alpha chains (hetIL-15). Several preclinical models support the antitumor activity of hetIL-15 promoting its application in clinical trials. METHODS The antitumor activity of hetIL-15 produced from mammalian cells was tested in mouse tumor models (MC38 colon carcinoma and TC-1 epithelial carcinoma). The functional diversity of the immune infiltrate and the cytokine/chemokine network within the tumor was evaluated by flow cytometry, multicolor immunohistochemistry (IHC), gene expression profiling by Nanostring Technologies, and protein analysis by electrochemiluminescence and ELISA assays. RESULTS hetIL-15 treatment resulted in delayed primary tumor growth. Increased NK and CD8+ T cell tumoral infiltration with an increased CD8+/Treg ratio were found by flow cytometry and IHC in hetIL-15 treated animals. Intratumoral NK and CD8+ T cells showed activation features with enhanced interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production, proliferation (Ki67+), cytotoxic potential (Granzyme B+) and expression of the survival factor Bcl-2. Transcriptomics and proteomics analyses revealed complex effects on the tumor microenvironment triggered by hetIL-15 therapy, including increased levels of IFN-γ and XCL1 with intratumoral accumulation of XCR1+IRF8+CD103+ conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1). Concomitantly, the production of the chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 by tumor-localized myeloid cells, including cDC1, was boosted by hetIL-15 in an IFN-γ-dependent manner. An increased frequency of circulating CXCR3+ NK and CD8+ T cells was found, suggesting their ability to migrate toward the tumors following the CXCL9 and CXCL10 chemokine gradient. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that hetIL-15 administration enhances T cell entry into tumors, increasing the success rate of immunotherapy interventions. Our study further supports the incorporation of hetIL-15 in tumor immunotherapy approaches to promote the development of antitumor responses by favoring effector over regulatory cells and by promoting lymphocyte and DC localization into tumors through the modification of the tumor chemokine and cytokine milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bergamaschi
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Hrishikesh Pandit
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Bethany A Nagy
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Dimitris Stellas
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Shawn M Jensen
- Robert W Franz Cancer Research Center, Providence Portland Medical Center, Earle A Chiles Research Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jenifer Bear
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Maggie Cam
- Office of Science and Technology Resources, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Antonio Valentin
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Bernard A Fox
- Robert W Franz Cancer Research Center, Providence Portland Medical Center, Earle A Chiles Research Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Barbara K Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - George N Pavlakis
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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Huang B, Liu R, Wang P, Yuan Z, Yang J, Xiong H, Zhang N, Huang Q, Fu X, Sun W, Li L. CD8 +CD57 + T cells exhibit distinct features in human non-small cell lung cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000639. [PMID: 32606053 PMCID: PMC7328901 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The repetitive antigen stimulation during chronic infection often leads to the accumulation of CD8+CD57+ T cells. These cells express high levels of interferon-γ, granzyme B and perforin with elevated cytolytic effect, and are considered as the most potent cells for combating chronical viral infection. The status of CD8+CD57+ T cells in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been well defined. Methods We used flow cytometry and undertook a systemic approach to examine the frequency, immunophenotyping and functional properties of CD8+CD57+ T cells in the peripheral blood, tumor tissue and the corresponding normal tissue, as well as lung draining lymph nodes, of patients with NSCLC. Results CD57+ T cells expressed high levels of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) in all tested compartments and were predominantly CD8+ T cells. These cells in the peripheral blood displayed a terminally differentiated phenotype as defined by loss of CD27 and CD28 while expressing KLRG1. CD8+CD57+ T cells exhibited enhanced cytotoxic potencies and impaired proliferative capability. Unlike CD57+ T cells in the peripheral blood, a significant proportion of CD57+ T cells in the primary tumors expressed CD27 and CD28. CD8+CD57+ T cells in tumors lacked cytotoxic activity. The proliferative activity of these cells was also impaired. CD8+CD57+ T cells in the corresponding normal lung tissues shared similarities with their counterparts in peripheral blood rather than their counterparts in tumors. The vast majority of CD8+CD57+ T cells in lung draining lymph nodes were positive for CD27 and CD28. These cells were unable to produce perforin and granzyme B, but their proliferative activity was preserved. CD8+CD57+ T cells in tumors displayed an inferior response to PD-1 blockade compared with their CD8+CD57- counterparts. Interleukin (IL)-15 preferentially restored the effector function of these cells. Additionally, IL-15 was able to restore the impaired proliferative activity of CD8+CD57+ T cells in tumors and peripheral blood. Conclusions Our data indicate that the failure of the immune system to fight cancer progression could be a result of impaired CD8+ T-cell functional maturation into fully differentiated effector T cells within the tumor microenvironment. Boosting IL-15 activity might promote tumor-reactive CD8+ T-cell functional maturation while preserving their proliferative activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Huang
- Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rong Liu
- Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peiliang Wang
- Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiwei Yuan
- Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianjian Yang
- Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Xiong
- Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ni Zhang
- Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangning Fu
- Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lequn Li
- Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Weiss SA, Sznol M. Resistance mechanisms to checkpoint inhibitors. Curr Opin Immunol 2021; 69:47-55. [PMID: 33676271 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Although multiple immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have been identified and tested in the clinic, antibodies blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have produced the greatest impact on cancer treatment. Many potential mechanisms of treatment failure have been proposed from pre-clinical animal and human translational studies. Pre-clinical studies and clinical trials are underway to better understand how resistance arises and to develop strategies that can circumvent these resistance mechanisms and sensitize patients to anti-PD1/PD-L1 to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Weiss
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine (Section of Medical Oncology), 333 Cedar St., P.O. Box 208032, New Haven, CT 06520, United States.
| | - Mario Sznol
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine (Section of Medical Oncology), 333 Cedar St., P.O. Box 208032, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
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Gaggero S, Witt K, Carlsten M, Mitra S. Cytokines Orchestrating the Natural Killer-Myeloid Cell Crosstalk in the Tumor Microenvironment: Implications for Natural Killer Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 11:621225. [PMID: 33584718 PMCID: PMC7878550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.621225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are endowed with germline-encoded receptors that enable them to detect and kill malignant cells without prior priming. Over the years, overwhelming evidence has identified an essential role for NK cells in tumor immune surveillance. More recently, clinical trials have also highlighted their potential in therapeutic settings. Yet, data show that NK cells can be dysregulated within the tumor microenvironment (TME), rendering them ineffective in eradicating the cancer cells. This has been attributed to immune suppressive factors, including the tumor cells per se, stromal cells, regulatory T cells, and soluble factors such as reactive oxygen species and cytokines. However, the TME also hosts myeloid cells such as dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells that influence NK cell function. Although the NK-myeloid cell crosstalk can promote anti-tumor responses, myeloid cells in the TME often dysregulate NK cells via direct cell-to-cell interactions down-regulating key NK cell receptors, depletion of nutrients and growth factors required for NK cell growth, and secretion of metabolites, chemokines and cytokines that ultimately alter NK cell trafficking, survival, and cytotoxicity. Here, we review the complex functions of myeloid-derived cytokines in both supporting and suppressing NK cells in the TME and how NK cell-derived cytokines can influence myeloid subsets. We discuss challenges related to these interactions in unleashing the full potential of endogenous and adoptively infused NK cells. Finally, we present strategies aiming at improving NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies via pathways that are involved in the NK-myeloid cell crosstalk in the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Gaggero
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut pour la Recherche contre le Cancer de Lille, UMR9020 - UMR-S 1277 - CANTHER - Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France
| | - Kristina Witt
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mattias Carlsten
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Center for Cell Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Suman Mitra
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut pour la Recherche contre le Cancer de Lille, UMR9020 - UMR-S 1277 - CANTHER - Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France
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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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Zhang S, Zhao J, Bai X, Handley M, Shan F. Biological effects of IL-15 on immune cells and its potential for the treatment of cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 91:107318. [PMID: 33383444 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107318] [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: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) has recently emerged as a novel immunomodulatory cytokine in cancer immunotherapy. IL-15 has the potential to reject and destroy cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment by expanding and activating natural killer (NK), natural killer T (NKT), and memory (m) CD8+T cells. Due to the feasible outcomes obtained from preclinical studies and phase 1/2 clinical trials, IL-15-based therapy, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell or CAR NK cell infusion following in vitro expansion in the presence of IL-15, used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and other therapy may extend to clinical practice in the future. It is also important to understand the biological characteristics of IL-15 to ensure the maximal benefit of therapeutic strategies. Here, we summarize the current development of IL-15 in the following areas: anti-tumor mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment, advances in IL-15-based therapy itself or in combination with other methods, including biological agents, monoclonal antibodies, and adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuling Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Jianzhu Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Gynecology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Mike Handley
- Cytocm lnc, 3001 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792, USA
| | - Fengping Shan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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DNA Damage Baseline Predicts Resilience to Space Radiation and Radiotherapy. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108434. [PMID: 33242409 PMCID: PMC7784531 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep space exploration will require real-time, minimally invasive monitoring of astronaut health to mitigate the potential health impairments caused by space radiation and microgravity. Genotoxic stress in humans can be monitored by quantifying the amount of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in immune cells from a simple finger prick. In a cohort of 674 healthy donors, we show that the endogenous level of DSBs increases with age and with latent cytomegalovirus infection. To map the range of human responses to space radiation, we then study DSB induction and repair in immune cells from 319 healthy donors after the cells are exposed to galactic cosmic ray components and lymphocytes from 30 cancer patients after radiotherapy. Individuals with low baseline DSB have fewer clinical complications, enhanced DNA damage repair responses, and a functional dose-dependent cytokine response in healthy donor cells. This supports the use of DSB monitoring for health resilience in space.
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75
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de Castro GS, Correia-Lima J, Simoes E, Orsso CE, Xiao J, Gama LR, Gomes SP, Gonçalves DC, Costa RGF, Radloff K, Lenz U, Taranko AE, Bin FC, Formiga FB, de Godoy LGL, de Souza RP, Nucci LHA, Feitoza M, de Castro CC, Tokeshi F, Alcantara PSM, Otoch JP, Ramos AF, Laviano A, Coletti D, Mazurak VC, Prado CM, Seelaender M. Myokines in treatment-naïve patients with cancer-associated cachexia. Clin Nutr 2020; 40:2443-2455. [PMID: 33190987 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2020.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome characterized by weight loss and systemic inflammation. Muscle loss and fatty infiltration into muscle are associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. Skeletal muscle secretes myokines, factors with autocrine, paracrine and/or endocrine action, which may be modified by or play a role in cachexia. This study examined myokine content in the plasma, skeletal muscle and tumor homogenates from treatment-naïve patients with gastric or colorectal stages I-IV cancer with cachexia (CC, N = 62), or not (weight stable cancer, WSC, N = 32). Myostatin, interleukin (IL) 15, follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL-1), fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3), irisin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein content in samples was measured with Multiplex technology; body composition and muscle lipid infiltration were evaluated in computed tomography, and quantification of triacylglycerol (TAG) in the skeletal muscle. Cachectic patients presented lower muscle FSTL-1 expression (p = 0.047), higher FABP3 plasma content (p = 0.0301) and higher tumor tissue expression of FABP3 (p = 0.0182), IL-15 (p = 0.007) and irisin (p = 0.0110), compared to WSC. Neither muscle TAG content, nor muscle attenuation were different between weight stable and cachectic patients. Lumbar adipose tissue (AT) index, visceral AT index and subcutaneous AT index were lower in CC (p = 0.0149, p = 0.0455 and p = 0.0087, respectively), who also presented lower muscularity in the cohort (69.2% of patients; p = 0.0301), compared to WSC. The results indicate the myokine profile in skeletal muscle, plasma and tumor is impacted by cachexia. These findings show that myokines eventually affecting muscle wasting may not solely derive from the muscle itself (as the tumor also may contribute to the systemic scenario), and put forward new perspectives on cachexia treatment targeting myokines and associated receptors and pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela S de Castro
- Cancer Metabolism Research Group, Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Cirurgia, LIM 26-HC, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Joanna Correia-Lima
- Cancer Metabolism Research Group, Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Cirurgia, LIM 26-HC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Estefania Simoes
- Cancer Metabolism Research Group, Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Cirurgia, LIM 26-HC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila E Orsso
- University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Canada
| | - Jingjie Xiao
- University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Canada; Covenant Health Palliative Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Leonardo R Gama
- Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia & Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvio P Gomes
- Cancer Metabolism Research Group, Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Cirurgia, LIM 26-HC, São Paulo, Brazil; Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria, Departamento de Cirurgia, Brazil
| | - Daniela Caetano Gonçalves
- Cancer Metabolism Research Group, Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Cirurgia, LIM 26-HC, São Paulo, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Instituto de Biociencias, Santos, Brazil
| | - Raquel G F Costa
- Cancer Metabolism Research Group, Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Cirurgia, LIM 26-HC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katrin Radloff
- Cancer Metabolism Research Group, Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Cirurgia, LIM 26-HC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ulrike Lenz
- Cancer Metabolism Research Group, Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Cirurgia, LIM 26-HC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anna E Taranko
- Cancer Metabolism Research Group, Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Cirurgia, LIM 26-HC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fang Chia Bin
- Santa Casa de Misericoria de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Luis H A Nucci
- Instituto do Cancer Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mario Feitoza
- Instituto do Cancer Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudio C de Castro
- Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Radiologia, São Paulo, Brazil; Universidade de Sao Paulo Hospital Universitario, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flavio Tokeshi
- Universidade de Sao Paulo Hospital Universitario, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Jose P Otoch
- Universidade de Sao Paulo Hospital Universitario, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre F Ramos
- Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia & Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Escola de Artes, Ciencias e Humanidades, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alessandro Laviano
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Coletti
- Sorbonne Université, Department of Biological Adaptation and Aging, B2A, Paris, France; Department of AHFMO - Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vera C Mazurak
- University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Canada
| | - Carla M Prado
- University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Canada
| | - Marilia Seelaender
- Cancer Metabolism Research Group, Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Cirurgia, LIM 26-HC, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
Tumors represent a hostile environment for the effector cells of cancer immunosurveillance. Immunosuppressive receptors and soluble or membrane-bound ligands are abundantly exposed and released by malignant entities and their stromal accomplices. As a consequence, executioners of antitumor immunity inefficiently navigate across cancer tissues and fail to eliminate malignant targets. By inducing immunogenic cancer cell death, oncolytic viruses profoundly reshape the tumor microenvironment. They trigger the local spread of danger signals and tumor-associated (as well as viral) antigens, thus attracting antigen-presenting cells, promoting the activation and expansion of lymphocytic populations, facilitating their infiltration in the tumor bed, and reinvigorating cytotoxic immune activity. The present review recapitulates key chemokines, growth factors and other cytokines that orchestrate this ballet of antitumoral leukocytes upon oncolytic virotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan G Pol
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France; Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Villejuif, France.
| | - Samuel T Workenhe
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Prathyusha Konda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Shashi Gujar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France; Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Villejuif, France; Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France; Suzhou Institute for Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Suzhou, China; Karolinska Institute, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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77
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Tumor cell-expressed IL-15Rα drives antagonistic effects on the progression and immune control of gastric cancer and is epigenetically regulated in EBV-positive gastric cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2020; 43:1085-1097. [PMID: 32767257 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-020-00542-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) often exhibits a favorable prognosis that correlates with highly methylated viral and host genes and significant immune cell infiltration compared to EBV-negative gastric cancers (GCs). Previously, it has been reported that expression of the IL-15 receptor α (IL-15Rα) is down-regulated in EBVaGC via promoter hypermethylation. In the present study, we offer a novel explanation for this puzzle by associating IL-15Rα expression with infiltration of lymphocytes in GC lesions. METHODS We investigated the expression of IL-15Rα by RT-PCR, Western-blotting and immunohistochemistry in GC cell lines and primary tissues, respectively. IL-15Rα promoter methylation was analyzed using genomic methylation sequencing. The growth behavior of GC cells was analyzed using MTT, flow cytometry, colony formation, transwell invasion and scratch wound healing assays. Demethylation of IL-15Rα was carried out using 5-Aza-CdR, and rIL-15 was added to evaluate growth promoting effects of the IL-15/IL-15Rα complex. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were co-cultured with GC cells with/without the addition of rIL-15, after which the phosphorylation of STAT5 in PBMCs was evaluated using flow cytometry to estimate the activation of these immune cells through IL-15 binding to IL-2Rβ/γ receptors by in trans presentation. RESULTS We found that EBV-positive GC cells (AE) expressed IL-15Rα at a significantly lower level than EBV-negative GC cells (AGS) due to promoter hypermethylation. In the absence of immune cells, IL-15Rα on the cancer cell surface induced a malignant phenotype, including augmented cell growth, migration and invasion, and decreased apoptosis. 5-Aza-CdR reverted AE cells to a more malignant phenotype similar to AGS cells, which may be attributed to activation of the STAT1, STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways. However, when PBMCs were added to the GC cell cultures, these immune cells were activated as detected by increased pSTAT5 levels. Also, more GC cells underwent apoptosis. These effects were enhanced by the addition of rIL-15 and, subsequently, confirmed in EBVaGC patient samples exhibiting increased expression of T cell surface markers and activation of immune co-stimulating pathways. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a mechanistic explanation for the clinical association of EBVaGC with a lower IL-15Rα expression, a better prognosis and an increased lymphocyte infiltration. We propose that in highly infiltrated GCs the IL-15/IL-15Rα complex on the GC cell surface may present IL-15 in trans to IL-2Rβ/γ-expressing immune cells to activate these cells in the tumor microenvironment.
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78
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Abstract
Immunotherapy with checkpoint blockade induces rapid and durable immune control of cancer in some patients and has driven a monumental shift in cancer treatment. Neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells are at the forefront of current immunotherapy strategies, and the majority of drug discovery and clinical trials revolve around further harnessing these immune effectors. Yet the immune system contains a diverse range of antitumour effector cells, and these must function in a coordinated and synergistic manner to overcome the immune-evasion mechanisms used by tumours and achieve complete control with tumour eradication. A key antitumour effector is the natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic innate lymphocytes present at high frequency in the circulatory system and identified by their exquisite ability to spontaneously detect and lyse transformed or stressed cells. Emerging data show a role for intratumoural NK cells in driving immunotherapy response and, accordingly, there have been renewed efforts to further elucidate and target the pathways controlling NK cell antitumour function. In this Review, we discuss recent clinical evidence that NK cells are a key immune constituent in the protective antitumour immune response and highlight the major stages of the cancer-NK cell immunity cycle. We also perform a new analysis of publicly available transcriptomic data to provide an overview of the prognostic value of NK cell gene expression in 25 tumour types. Furthermore, we discuss how the role of NK cells evolves with tumour progression, presenting new opportunities to target NK cell function to enhance cancer immunotherapy response rates across a more diverse range of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D Huntington
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- oNKo-Innate Pty Ltd, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Joseph Cursons
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- oNKo-Innate Pty Ltd, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Jai Rautela
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- oNKo-Innate Pty Ltd, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia
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79
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Panda AK, Gangaplara A, Buszko M, Natarajan K, Boyd LF, Sharma S, Margulies DH, Shevach EM. Cutting Edge: Inhibition of the Interaction of NK Inhibitory Receptors with MHC Class I Augments Antiviral and Antitumor Immunity. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 205:567-572. [PMID: 32601097 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
NK cells recognize MHC class I (MHC-I) Ags via stochastically expressed MHC-I-specific inhibitory receptors that prevent NK cell activation via cytoplasmic ITIM. We have identified a pan anti-MHC-I mAb that blocks NK cell inhibitory receptor binding at a site distinct from the TCR binding site. Treatment of unmanipulated mice with this mAb disrupted immune homeostasis, markedly activated NK and memory phenotype T cells, enhanced immune responses against transplanted tumors, and augmented responses to acute and chronic viral infection. mAbs of this type represent novel checkpoint inhibitors in tumor immunity, potent tools for the eradication of chronic infection, and may function as adjuvants for the augmentation of the immune response to weak vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abir K Panda
- Cellular Immunology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Arunakumar Gangaplara
- Laboratory of Early Sickle Mortality Prevention, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892; and
| | - Maja Buszko
- Cellular Immunology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Kannan Natarajan
- Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Lisa F Boyd
- Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Suveena Sharma
- Cellular Immunology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - David H Margulies
- Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Ethan M Shevach
- Cellular Immunology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892;
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80
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Interrogation of the Microenvironmental Landscape in Brain Tumors Reveals Disease-Specific Alterations of Immune Cells. Cell 2020; 181:1643-1660.e17. [PMID: 32470396 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 541] [Impact Index Per Article: 135.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Brain malignancies encompass a range of primary and metastatic cancers, including low-grade and high-grade gliomas and brain metastases (BrMs) originating from diverse extracranial tumors. Our understanding of the brain tumor microenvironment (TME) remains limited, and it is unknown whether it is sculpted differentially by primary versus metastatic disease. We therefore comprehensively analyzed the brain TME landscape via flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, protein arrays, culture assays, and spatial tissue characterization. This revealed disease-specific enrichment of immune cells with pronounced differences in proportional abundance of tissue-resident microglia, infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells. These integrated analyses also uncovered multifaceted immune cell activation within brain malignancies entailing converging transcriptional trajectories while maintaining disease- and cell-type-specific programs. Given the interest in developing TME-targeted therapies for brain malignancies, this comprehensive resource of the immune landscape offers insights into possible strategies to overcome tumor-supporting TME properties and instead harness the TME to fight cancer.
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81
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Wan D, Jiang W, Hao J. Research Advances in How the cGAS-STING Pathway Controls the Cellular Inflammatory Response. Front Immunol 2020; 11:615. [PMID: 32411126 PMCID: PMC7198750 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) sensor cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) along with the downstream stimulator of interferon genes (STING) acting as essential immune-surveillance mediators have become hot topics of research. The intrinsic function of the cGAS-STING pathway facilitates type-I interferon (IFN) inflammatory signaling responses and other cellular processes such as autophagy, cell survival, senescence. cGAS-STING pathway interplays with other innate immune pathways, by which it participates in regulating infection, inflammatory disease, and cancer. The therapeutic approaches targeting this pathway show promise for future translation into clinical applications. Here, we present a review of the important previous works and recent advances regarding the cGAS-STING pathway, and provide a comprehensive understanding of the modulatory pattern of the cGAS-STING pathway under multifarious pathologic states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongshan Wan
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Junwei Hao
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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82
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Nistor GI, Dillman RO. Cytokine network analysis of immune responses before and after autologous dendritic cell and tumor cell vaccine immunotherapies in a randomized trial. J Transl Med 2020; 18:176. [PMID: 32316978 PMCID: PMC7171762 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02328-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In a randomized phase II trial conducted in patients with metastatic melanoma, patient-specific autologous dendritic cell vaccines (DCV) were associated with longer survival than autologous tumor cell vaccines (TCV). Both vaccines presented antigens from cell-renewing autologous tumor cells. The current analysis was performed to better understand the immune responses induced by these vaccines, and their association with survival. Methods 110 proteomic markers were measured at a week-0 baseline, 1 week before the first of 3 weekly vaccine injections, and at week-4, 1 week after the third injection. Data was presented as a deviation from normal controls. A two-component principal component (PC) statistical analysis and discriminant analysis were performed on this data set for all patients and for each treatment cohort. Results At baseline PC-1 contained 64.4% of the variance and included the majority of cytokines associated with Th1 and Th2 responses, which positively correlated with beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ1). Results were similar at baseline for both treatment cohorts. After three injections, DCV-treated patients showed correlative grouping among Th1/Th17 cytokines on PC-1, with an inverse correlation with B2M, FAS, and IL-18, and correlations among immunoglobulins in PC-2. TCV-treated patients showed a positive correlation on PC-1 among most of the cytokines and tumor markers B2M and FAS receptor. There were also correlative changes of IL12p40 with both Th1 and Th2 cytokines and TGFβ1. Discriminant analysis provided additional evidence that DCV was associated with innate, Th1/Th17, and Th2 responses while TCV was only associated with innate and Th2 responses. Conclusions These analyses confirm that DCV induced a different immune response than that induced by TCV, and these immune responses were associated with improved survival. Trial registration Clinical trials.gov NCT004936930 retrospectively registered 28 July 2009
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel I Nistor
- AIVITA Biomedical, Inc., 18301 Von Karman, Suite 130, Irvine, CA, 92612, USA
| | - Robert O Dillman
- AIVITA Biomedical, Inc., 18301 Von Karman, Suite 130, Irvine, CA, 92612, USA.
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83
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Ben-Shmuel A, Biber G, Barda-Saad M. Unleashing Natural Killer Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment-The Next Generation of Immunotherapy? Front Immunol 2020; 11:275. [PMID: 32153582 PMCID: PMC7046808 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of immunotherapy for cancer treatment bears considerable clinical promise. Nevertheless, many patients remain unresponsive, acquire resistance, or suffer dose-limiting toxicities. Immune-editing of tumors assists their escape from the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) induces immune suppression through multiple mechanisms. Immunotherapy aims to bolster the activity of immune cells against cancer by targeting these suppressive immunomodulatory processes. Natural Killer (NK) cells are a heterogeneous subset of immune cells, which express a diverse array of activating and inhibitory germline-encoded receptors, and are thus capable of directly targeting and killing cancer cells without the need for MHC specificity. Furthermore, they play a critical role in triggering the adaptive immune response. Enhancing the function of NK cells in the context of cancer is therefore a promising avenue for immunotherapy. Different NK-based therapies have been evaluated in clinical trials, and some have demonstrated clinical benefits, especially in the context of hematological malignancies. Solid tumors remain much more difficult to treat, and the time point and means of intervention of current NK-based treatments still require optimization to achieve long term effects. Here, we review recently described mechanisms of cancer evasion from NK cell immune surveillance, and the therapeutic approaches that aim to potentiate NK function. Specific focus is placed on the use of specialized monoclonal antibodies against moieties on the cancer cell, or on both the tumor and the NK cell. In addition, we highlight newly identified mechanisms that inhibit NK cell activity in the TME, and describe how biochemical modifications of the TME can synergize with current treatments and increase susceptibility to NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviad Ben-Shmuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Guy Biber
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Mira Barda-Saad
- Laboratory of Molecular and Applied Immunology, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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84
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TYK2 in Tumor Immunosurveillance. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12010150. [PMID: 31936322 PMCID: PMC7017180 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We review the history of the tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) as the founding member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family and outline its structure-function relation. Gene-targeted mice and hereditary defects of TYK2 in men have established the biological and pathological functions of TYK2 in innate and adaptive immune responses to infection and cancer and in (auto-)inflammation. We describe the architecture of the main cytokine receptor families associated with TYK2, which activate signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). We summarize the cytokine receptor activities with well characterized dependency on TYK2, the types of cells that respond to cytokines and TYK2 signaling-induced cytokine production. TYK2 may drive beneficial or detrimental activities, which we explain based on the concepts of tumor immunoediting and the cancer-immunity cycle in the tumor microenvironment. Finally, we summarize current knowledge of TYK2 functions in mouse models of tumor surveillance. The biology and biochemistry of JAKs, TYK2-dependent cytokines and cytokine signaling in tumor surveillance are well covered in recent reviews and the oncogenic properties of TYK2 are reviewed in the recent Special Issue ‘Targeting STAT3 and STAT5 in Cancer’ of Cancers.
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85
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Węgierek K, Pajtasz-Piasecka E. Perspectives for the application of interleukin 15 in anti-cancer therapy. POSTEP HIG MED DOSW 2019. [DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0013.7194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL-) 15 plays a crucial role in the preservation of lymphoid cell homeostasis including maintaining a broad repertoire of naïve T, B and NK cells, eliminating effector cells and long-term survival of memory cells. It is an essential causative factor in generating CD8+ T cells of memory. In addition, it selectively promotes not only survival and proliferation, but also the effector function of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, even in the presence of regulatory T cells. Interleukin 15 can thus modulate immune suppression as well as promote an immune activation. All obtained data on the biology and function of IL-15 provide information essential to design the manners of its application in the fight against the solid cancers and myeloproliferative neoplasms and make it a promising therapeutic option provided that its potential is consciously used. In this paper we reviewed on the relationship between the biological properties of IL-15 and its IL-15/IL-15Rα complex and their antitumor potential in the light of recent reports about the possibilities of using these molecules in cancer therapy have been assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Węgierek
- Laboratorium Doświadczalnej Terapii Przeciwnowotworowej, Instytut Immunologii i Terapii Doświadczalnej Polskiej Akademii Nauk im. L. Hirszfelda we Wrocławiu
| | - Elżbieta Pajtasz-Piasecka
- Laboratorium Doświadczalnej Terapii Przeciwnowotworowej, Instytut Immunologii i Terapii Doświadczalnej Polskiej Akademii Nauk im. L. Hirszfelda we Wrocławiu
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86
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Nolz JC, Richer MJ. Control of memory CD8 + T cell longevity and effector functions by IL-15. Mol Immunol 2019; 117:180-188. [PMID: 31816491 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
IL-15 is a member of the common gamma chain family of cytokines and plays important roles in regulating several aspects of innate and adaptive immunity. Besides its established role in controlling homeostatic proliferation and survival of memory CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells, recent findings demonstrate that inflammatory IL-15 can also stimulate a variety of effector functions, such as enhanced cytotoxicity, entry into the cell cycle, and trafficking into non-lymphoid tissues. Here, we discuss how IL-15 is critical in regulating many functions of memory CD8+ T cells and how these processes act collectively to ensure optimal protective cellular immunity against re-infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C Nolz
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States.
| | - Martin J Richer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, McGill University, 712 McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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87
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Dillman RO, Nistor GI, Poole AJ. Genomic, proteomic, and immunologic associations with a durable complete remission of measurable metastatic melanoma induced by a patient-specific dendritic cell vaccine. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 16:742-755. [PMID: 31625825 PMCID: PMC7227648 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1680239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
This report describes efforts to understand the immune mechanism of action that led to a complete response in a patient with progressive, refractory, metastatic melanoma after treatment with a therapeutic vaccine consisting of autologous dendritic cells (DC) loaded with autologous tumor antigens (ATA) derived from cells that were self-renewing in cell culture. Her histocompatibility type proved to be HLA B27 with extensive mutations in the HLA-A locus. Exomic analysis of proliferating tumor cells revealed more than 2800 non-synonymous mutations compared to her leukocytes. Histology of resected tumor lesions showed no evidence of an existing or suppressed immune response. In in vitro mixed cell cultures, DC loaded with ATA induced increased IL-22 expression, and a four-fold increase in CD8 + T lymphocytes. Cryopreserved blood samples obtained at week-0, 1 week before the first of three-weekly vaccine injections, and at week-4, 1 week after the third dose, were analyzed by protein array and compared for 110 different serum markers. At baseline, she had marked elevations of amyloid A, IL-12p40, IL21, IL-22, IL-10, IL-16, GROa, TNF-alpha, IL-3, and IL-2, and a lesser elevation of IL-15. One week after 3 weekly vaccinations she had a further 80% increase in amyloid A, a further 66% increase in IL-22, a 92% decrease in IL12p40, a 45% decrease in TGF-β and 26% decrease in IL-10. The data suggested that by 3 weeks after the first DCV injection, vaccine-induced changes in this particular patient were most consistent with enhanced innate and Th1 immune responses rather than Th2 or Th17.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert O Dillman
- AIVITA Biomedical, Inc, Irvine, CA, USA.,Hoag Cancer Institute, Newport Beach, CA, USA
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88
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Association between ANGPTL-4 and the proinflammatory process in cancer cachexia patients. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6444-6455. [PMID: 31741709 PMCID: PMC6849656 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Contradictory results are reported for the role of angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL-4) in the development of cancer-cachexia and inflammation, given its importance in angiogenesis and inflammatory signaling. Our aim was to analyze the levels of ANGPTL-4 in colorectal cancer patients with a stable weight and those with cachexia in order to establish a relationship between ANGPTL-4 and the inflammatory process. Results Plasma and tumor levels of ANGPTL-4 were higher in CC in comparison to other groups. A positive association was verified between plasmatic ANGPTL-4 and NFκB levels in tumor from CC. In WSC, we identified an association between the plasmatic ANGPTL-4, IL-15, and IL-10 in tumor and IL-15 in MES. Increased levels of NFκB and TNF-R1 in MES were detected in CC in comparison to WSC. Specifically in CC-group, a positive correlation was found between ANGPTL-4 levels and those of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NFκB in tumor, along with an association between ANGPTL-4 levels with IL-1β and MCP-1 levels in tumor; and ANGPTL-4 and IL-1β levels in MES. Methods We studied 102 patients, who were divided into three groups: control patients (C, n=37), cancer patients with a stable weight (WSC, n=23), and cancer-cachexia patients (CC, n=42). Samples of plasma, tumor, mesenteric (MES) and subcutaneous adipose tissue were removed for the determination of ANGPTL-4 levels and other proinflammatory factors. Conclusions ANGPTL-4 levels were higher in plasma and tumor of CC-group, and positively associated with pro-inflammatory and pro-tumorigenic factors. Our results suggest an opposite effect of ANGPTL-4 depending on the concentration and presence of cachexia.
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89
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Bi J, Tian Z. NK Cell Dysfunction and Checkpoint Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1999. [PMID: 31552017 PMCID: PMC6736636 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells play important roles in the innate immune responses against tumors. The effector function of NK cells relies on the integration of activating and inhibitory signals. Emerging checkpoint receptors and molecules are being revealed to mediate NK cell dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment. Inhibition of some NK cell surface checkpoint receptors has displayed the potential to reverse NK cell dysfunction in tumors, and to boost anti-tumor immunity, both in clinical trials (anti-KIR and anti-NKG2A), and in preclinical studies (e.g., anti-TIGIT, and anti-CD96). To fully exploit the potential of NK-based checkpoint immunotherapy, more understanding of the regional features of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment is required. This will provide valuable information regarding the dynamic nature of NK cell immune response against tumors, as well as novel checkpoints or pathways to be targeted. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of NK cell dysfunction in tumors, as well as emerging strategies of NK-based checkpoint immunotherapy for tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Bi
- Shenzhen Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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