101
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Peña-Romero AC, Orenes-Piñero E. Dual Effect of Immune Cells within Tumour Microenvironment: Pro- and Anti-Tumour Effects and Their Triggers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1681. [PMID: 35406451 PMCID: PMC8996887 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Our body is constantly exposed to pathogens or external threats, but with the immune response that our body can develop, we can fight off and defeat possible attacks or infections. Nevertheless, sometimes this threat comes from an internal factor. Situations such as the existence of a tumour also cause our immune system (IS) to be put on alert. Indeed, the link between immunology and cancer is evident these days, with IS being used as one of the important targets for treating cancer. Our IS is able to eliminate those abnormal or damaged cells found in our body, preventing the uncontrolled proliferation of tumour cells that can lead to cancer. However, in several cases, tumour cells can escape from the IS. It has been observed that immune cells, the extracellular matrix, blood vessels, fat cells and various molecules could support tumour growth and development. Thus, the developing tumour receives structural support, irrigation and energy, among other resources, making its survival and progression possible. All these components that accompany and help the tumour to survive and to grow are called the tumour microenvironment (TME). Given the importance of its presence in the tumour development process, this review will focus on one of the components of the TME: immune cells. Immune cells can support anti-tumour immune response protecting us against tumour cells; nevertheless, they can also behave as pro-tumoural cells, thus promoting tumour progression and survival. In this review, the anti-tumour and pro-tumour immunity of several immune cells will be discussed. In addition, the TME influence on this dual effect will be also analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Esteban Orenes-Piñero
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-A, University of Murcia, 30120 Murcia, Spain;
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102
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Minici C, Testoni S, Della-Torre E. B-Lymphocytes in the Pathophysiology of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:867902. [PMID: 35359944 PMCID: PMC8963963 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.867902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is highly infiltrated by B lymphocytes but the relevance of these immune cells in tumor development has been surprisingly overlooked until recently. Based on available evidence from other solid tumors, interaction between B lymphocytes and neoplastic cells is probably not uniformly stimulatory or inhibitory. Although presentation of tumor antigens to T cells and production of antitumor immunoglobulins might intuitively suggest a prominent tumor suppressive activity, specific subsets of B lymphocytes can secrete growth factors for neoplastic cells and immunosuppressive cytokines thus promoting escape from immunosurveillance and cancer progression. Because many of these mechanisms might also be implicated in the development of PDAC, and immune-modulation of B-cell activity is nowadays possible at different levels, determining the role of B-lymphocytes in this lethal cancer becomes of utmost importance to design novel therapeutic strategies. This review aims to discuss the emerging role of B cells in PDAC tumorigenesis, progression, and associated stromal reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Minici
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabrina Testoni
- Pancreato-Biliary Endoscopy and Endosonography Division, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Pancreas Translational and Clinical Research Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuel Della-Torre
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Pancreas Translational and Clinical Research Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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103
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Single-cell transcriptomics links malignant T cells to the tumor immune landscape in cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1158. [PMID: 35241665 PMCID: PMC8894386 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28799-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) represents a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphoma distinguished by the presence of clonal malignant T cells. The heterogeneity of malignant T cells and the complex tumor microenvironment remain poorly characterized. With single-cell RNA analysis and bulk whole-exome sequencing on 19 skin lesions from 15 CTCL patients, we decipher the intra-tumor and inter-lesion diversity of CTCL patients and propose a multi-step tumor evolution model. We further establish a subtyping scheme based on the molecular features of malignant T cells and their pro-tumorigenic microenvironments: the TCyEM group, demonstrating a cytotoxic effector memory T cell phenotype, shows more M2 macrophages infiltration, while the TCM group, featured by a central memory T cell phenotype and adverse patient outcome, is infiltrated by highly exhausted CD8+ reactive T cells, B cells and Tregs with suppressive activities. Our results establish a solid basis for understanding the nature of CTCL and pave the way for future precision medicine for CTCL patients.
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104
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Heidary F, Tourani M, Hejazi-Amiri F, Khatami SH, Jamali N, Taheri-Anganeh M. Design of a new multi-epitope peptide vaccine for non-small cell Lung cancer via vaccinology methods: an in silico study. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 11:55-66. [PMID: 35463817 PMCID: PMC9012431 DOI: 10.22099/mbrc.2022.42468.1697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common type of tumor worldwide. Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is considered any epithelial cell-related lung cancer, which includes more than 85% of all lung cancer cases. NSCLC is less responsive to chemotherapy than SCLC. Therefore, the need for other treatments has become more pronounced and immunotherapy has gained increasing attention as a promising therapy in recent years. The current study aimed to design a multi-epitope peptide vaccine targeting main cancer/testis antigens of SP17, AKAP4, and PTTG1, which have a major function in tumor cell proliferation invasion. The protein vaccine was constructed using the rigorous immunoinformatics analysis and investigation of several immune system parameters, considering B cell epitopes and CD4 and CD8 induced epitopes as the most important cells to respond to cancer cells. Inverse translation and optimization of codons were performed to have the designed protein's cloning as well as expression potential in E.coli. Physicochemical, antigenic, and allergenic features were assessed to confirm the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine. The secondary and tertiary structures were predicted. Finally, intrinsic disorder and 3D model refinement and validation were performed to eliminate structural problems. The designed construct had a stable structure that could be an antigen and stimulate the immune system and not be an allergen. The built model 3D structure was valid and stable. Further investigations are needed to approve the safety and immunogenic property of this new vaccine for NSCLC before it can be used in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Heidary
- Department of Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran,Fatemeh Heidary and Mehdi Tourani are contributed equally to this work
| | - Mehdi Tourani
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran,Fatemeh Heidary and Mehdi Tourani are contributed equally to this work
| | - Fatemeh Hejazi-Amiri
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Seyyed Hossein Khatami
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Jamali
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran,Corresponding Author: PhD of Medical Biotechnology. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. Tel: +98 44 33486165 ; Fax: +98 44 33486165, E. mail:
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105
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Koukourakis IM, Giatromanolaki A, Mitrakas A, Koukourakis MI. Loss of HLA-class-I expression in non-small-cell lung cancer: Association with prognosis and anaerobic metabolism. Cell Immunol 2022; 373:104495. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2022.104495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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106
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Simon Davis DA, Mun S, Smith JM, Hammill D, Garrett J, Gosling K, Price J, Elsaleh H, Syed FM, Atmosukarto II, Quah BJC. Machine learning predicts cancer subtypes and progression from blood immune signatures. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264631. [PMID: 35226704 PMCID: PMC8884497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical adoption of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer management has highlighted the interconnection between carcinogenesis and the immune system. Immune cells are integral to the tumour microenvironment and can influence the outcome of therapies. Better understanding of an individual's immune landscape may play an important role in treatment personalisation. Peripheral blood is a readily accessible source of information to study an individual's immune landscape compared to more complex and invasive tumour bioipsies, and may hold immense diagnostic and prognostic potential. Identifying the critical components of these immune signatures in peripheral blood presents an attractive alternative to tumour biopsy-based immune phenotyping strategies. We used two syngeneic solid tumour models, a 4T1 breast cancer model and a CT26 colorectal cancer model, in a longitudinal study of the peripheral blood immune landscape. Our strategy combined two highly accessible approaches, blood leukocyte immune phenotyping and plasma soluble immune factor characterisation, to identify distinguishing immune signatures of the CT26 and 4T1 tumour models using machine learning. Myeloid cells, specifically neutrophils and PD-L1-expressing myeloid cells, were found to correlate with tumour size in both the models. Elevated levels of G-CSF, IL-6 and CXCL13, and B cell counts were associated with 4T1 growth, whereas CCL17, CXCL10, total myeloid cells, CCL2, IL-10, CXCL1, and Ly6Cintermediate monocytes were associated with CT26 tumour development. Peripheral blood appears to be an accessible means to interrogate tumour-dependent changes to the host immune landscape, and to identify blood immune phenotypes for future treatment stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sahngeun Mun
- Irradiation Immunity Interaction Lab, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Dillon Hammill
- Division of Genome Sciences & Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jessica Garrett
- Division of Genome Sciences & Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Katharine Gosling
- Division of Genome Sciences & Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jason Price
- Division of Genome Sciences & Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Hany Elsaleh
- Radiation Oncology Department, The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Farhan M. Syed
- Irradiation Immunity Interaction Lab, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Radiation Oncology Department, Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Ines I. Atmosukarto
- Irradiation Immunity Interaction Lab, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Division of Genome Sciences & Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Benjamin J. C. Quah
- Irradiation Immunity Interaction Lab, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Radiation Oncology Department, Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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107
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Sung JY, Cheong JH. New Immunometabolic Strategy Based on Cell Type-Specific Metabolic Reprogramming in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Cells 2022; 11:768. [PMID: 35269390 PMCID: PMC8909366 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunometabolism is an emerging discipline in cancer immunotherapy. Tumor tissues are heterogeneous and influenced by metabolic reprogramming of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). In the TIME, multiple cell types interact, and the tumor and immune cells compete for limited nutrients, resulting in altered anticancer immunity. Therefore, metabolic reprogramming of individual cell types may influence the outcomes of immunotherapy. Understanding the metabolic competition for access to limited nutrients between tumor cells and immune cells could reveal the breadth and complexity of the TIME and aid in developing novel therapeutic approaches for cancer. In this review, we highlight that, when cells compete for nutrients, the prevailing cell type gains certain advantages over other cell types; for instance, if tumor cells prevail against immune cells for nutrients, the former gains immune resistance. Thus, a strategy is needed to selectively suppress such resistant tumor cells. Although challenging, the concept of cell type-specific metabolic pathway inhibition is a potent new strategy in anticancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Yong Sung
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jae-Ho Cheong
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
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108
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Hsieh CY, Lien MY, Lin CY, Lo WJ, Hua CH, Chang WC, Chiu CF, Lin CC. Rituximab in combination with gemcitabine plus cisplatin in patients with recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a phase I trial. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:169. [PMID: 35168547 PMCID: PMC8845344 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09258-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) remains challenging. Preclinical studies revealed that B cell depletion could modulate the microenvironment and overcome chemoresistance. We conducted a phase I study to evaluate the feasibility and safety of B cell depletion using the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab to treat HNSCC. Methods Ten patients were enrolled in two protocols. The first four patients treated using protocol 1 received rituximab 1000 mg on days −14 and −7, followed by gemcitabine/cisplatin every 3 weeks, and rituximab was administered every 6 months thereafter. Because of disease hyperprogression, protocol 1 was amended to protocol 2, which consisted of the concomitant administration of rituximab 375 mg/m2 and gemcitabine/cisplatin every 3 weeks. Another six patients were enrolled and treated using protocol 2. Results Three patients treated using protocol 1 exhibited rapid disease progression, and the remaining patient could not undergo evaluation after rituximab treatment. Conversely, no unpredicted harm was observed in the six patients treated using protocol 2. Among these patients, one achieved complete response, and two had partial responses. The disease-free durations in these patients were 7.0, 6.2, and 7.1 months, respectively. Immune cell analysis revealed a higher ratio of cytotoxic T cells to regulatory T cells in responders than in non-responders. Conclusions B cell depletion using rituximab alone in patients with HNSCC can cause hyperprogressive disease. Contrarily, the co-administration of rituximab and cisplatin/gemcitabine was feasible and safe. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04361409, 24 April 2020, retrospectively registered
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Yun Hsieh
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, 2 Yude Rd, North District, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yu Lien
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, 2 Yude Rd, North District, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yuan Lin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, 2 Yude Rd, North District, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.,School of Pharmacy and Graduate Institute, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Jyi Lo
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, 2 Yude Rd, North District, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hung Hua
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chao Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Fang Chiu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, 2 Yude Rd, North District, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chan Lin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, 2 Yude Rd, North District, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
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109
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Sorrentino C, D'Antonio L, Fieni C, Ciummo SL, Di Carlo E. Colorectal Cancer-Associated Immune Exhaustion Involves T and B Lymphocytes and Conventional NK Cells and Correlates With a Shorter Overall Survival. Front Immunol 2022; 12:778329. [PMID: 34975867 PMCID: PMC8716410 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.778329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancer worldwide, with a growing impact on public health and clinical management. Immunotherapy has shown promise in the treatment of advanced cancers, but needs to be improved for CRC, since only a limited fraction of patients is eligible for treatment, and most of them develop resistance due to progressive immune exhaustion. Here, we identify the transcriptional, molecular, and cellular traits of the immune exhaustion associated with CRC and determine their relationships with the patient's clinic-pathological profile. Bioinformatic analyses of RNA-sequencing data of 594 CRCs from TCGA PanCancer collection, revealed that, in the wide range of immune exhaustion genes, those coding for PD-L1, LAG3 and T-bet were associated (Cramér's V=0.3) with MSI/dMMR tumors and with a shorter overall survival (log-rank test: p=0.0004, p=0.0014 and p=0.0043, respectively), whereas high levels of expression of EOMES, TRAF1, PD-L1, FCRL4, BTLA and SIGLEC6 were associated with a shorter overall survival (log-rank test: p=0.0003, p=0.0188, p=0.0004, p=0.0303, p=0.0052 and p=0.0033, respectively), independently from the molecular subtype of CRC. Expression levels of PD-L1, PD-1, LAG3, EOMES, T-bet, and TIGIT were significantly correlated with each other and associated with genes coding for CD4+ and CD8+CD3+ T cell markers and NKp46+CD94+EOMES+T-bet+ cell markers, (OR >1.5, p<0.05), which identify a subset of group 1 innate lymphoid cells, namely conventional (c)NK cells. Expression of TRAF1 and BTLA co-occurred with both T cell markers, CD3γ, CD3δ, CD3ε, CD4, and B cell markers, CD19, CD20 and CD79a (OR >2, p<0.05). Expression of TGFβ1 was associated only with CD4 + and CD8+CD3ε+ T cell markers (odds ratio >2, p<0.05). Expression of PD-L2 and IDO1 was associated (OR >1.5, p<0.05) only with cNK cell markers, whereas expression of FCRL4, SIGLEC2 and SIGLEC6 was associated (OR >2.5; p<0.05) with CD19+CD20+CD79a+ B cell markers. Morphometric examination of immunostained CRC tissue sections, obtained from a validation cohort of 53 CRC patients, substantiated the biostatistical findings, showing that the highest percentage of immune exhaustion gene expressing cells were found in tumors from short-term survivors and that functional exhaustion is not confined to T lymphocytes, but also involves B cells, and cNK cells. This concept was strengthened by CYBERSORTx analysis, which revealed the expression of additional immune exhaustion genes, in particular FOXP1, SIRT1, BATF, NR4A1 and TOX, by subpopulations of T, B and NK cells. This study provides novel insight into the immune exhaustion landscape of CRC and emphasizes the need for a customized multi-targeted therapeutic approach to overcome resistance to current immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Sorrentino
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Luigi D'Antonio
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristiano Fieni
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefania Livia Ciummo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Emma Di Carlo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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110
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Ding J, He X, Luo W, Zhou W, Chen R, Cao G, Chen B, Xiong M. Development and Validation of a Pyroptosis-Related Signature for Predicting Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:801419. [PMID: 35140750 PMCID: PMC8818951 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.801419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has emerged as a primary health problem and threat to global mortality, especially in China. Since pyroptosis as a new field for HCC prognosis is not well studied, it is important to open a specific prognostic model. In this study, consensus clustering method for 42 pyroptosis-related genes to classify 374 HCC patients in the TCGA database. After cox regression analysis of the differentially expressed genes between the two clusters, LASSO-Cox analysis was then performed to construct a pyroptosis-related prognostic model with 11 genes including MMP1, KPNA2, LPCAT1, NEIL3, CDCA8, SLC2A1, PSRC1, CBX2, HAVCR1, G6PD, MEX3A. The ICGC dataset was served as the validation cohort. Patients in the high-risk group had significantly lower overall survival (OS) rates than those in the low-risk group (p < 0.05). COX regression analysis showed that our model could be used as an independent prognostic factor to predict prognosis of patients and was significantly correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. Nomogram showing the stability of the model predicting the 1, 3, 5 year survival probability of patients. In addition, based on the risk model, ssGSEA analysis revealed significant differences in the level of immune cell infiltration and activation of immune-related functional pathways between high and low-risk groups, and patients with the high-risk score may benefit more from treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Furthermore, patients in the high-risk group were more tend to develop chemoresistance. Overall, we identified a novel pyroptosis-related risk signature for prognosis prediction in HCC patients and revealed the overall immune response intensity of the tumor microenvironment. All these findings make the pyroptosis signature shed light upon a latent therapeutic strategy aimed at the treatment and prevention of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Ding
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaobo He
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Luo
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Weiguo Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Chaohu, China
| | - Guodong Cao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Guodong Cao, ; Bo Chen, ; Maoming Xiong,
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Guodong Cao, ; Bo Chen, ; Maoming Xiong,
| | - Maoming Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Guodong Cao, ; Bo Chen, ; Maoming Xiong,
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111
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Műzes G, Bohusné Barta B, Sipos F. Colitis and Colorectal Carcinogenesis: The Focus on Isolated Lymphoid Follicles. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020226. [PMID: 35203436 PMCID: PMC8869724 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020226] [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] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gut-associated lymphoid tissue is one of the most diverse and complex immune compartments in the human body. The subepithelial compartment of the gut consists of immune cells of innate and adaptive immunity, non-hematopoietic mesenchymal cells, and stem cells of different origins, and is organized into secondary (and even tertiary) lymphoid organs, such as Peyer's patches, cryptopatches, and isolated lymphoid follicles. The function of isolated lymphoid follicles is multifaceted; they play a role in the development and regeneration of the large intestine and the maintenance of (immune) homeostasis. Isolated lymphoid follicles are also extensively associated with the epithelium and its conventional and non-conventional immune cells; hence, they can also function as a starting point or maintainer of pathological processes such as inflammatory bowel diseases or colorectal carcinogenesis. These relationships can significantly affect both physiological and pathological processes of the intestines. We aim to provide an overview of the latest knowledge of isolated lymphoid follicles in colonic inflammation and colorectal carcinogenesis. Further studies of these lymphoid organs will likely lead to an extended understanding of how immune responses are initiated and controlled within the large intestine, along with the possibility of creating novel mucosal vaccinations and ways to treat inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ferenc Sipos
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-20-478-0752; Fax: +36-1-266-0816
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112
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Gameiro SF, Evans AM, Mymryk JS. The tumor immune microenvironments of HPV + and HPV - head and neck cancers. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1539. [PMID: 35030304 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the etiological agent of a significant, and increasing, fraction of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC)-a heterogenous group of malignancies in the head and neck region. HPV infection accounts for approximately 25% of all cases, with the remainder typically caused by smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. These distinct etiologies lead to profound clinical and immunological differences between HPV-positive (HPV+ ) and HPV-negative (HPV- ) HNSCC, likely related to the expression of exogenous viral antigens in the HPV+ subtype. Specifically, HPV+ HNSCC patients generally exhibit better treatment response compared to those with HPV- disease, leading to a more favorable prognosis, with lower recurrence rate, and longer overall survival time. Importantly, a plethora of studies have illustrated that the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of HPV+ HNSCC has a strikingly distinct immune composition to that of its HPV- counterpart. The HPV+ TIME is characterized as being immunologically "hot," with more immune infiltration, higher levels of T-cell activation, and higher levels of immunoregulation compared to the more immunologically "cold" HPV- TIME. In general, cancers with an immune "hot" TIME exhibit better treatment response and superior clinical outcomes in comparison to their immune "cold" counterparts. Indeed, this phenomenon has also been observed in HPV+ HNSCC patients, highlighting the critical role of the TIME in influencing prognosis, and further validating the use of cancer therapies that capitalize on the mobilization and/or modulation of the TIME. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Infectious Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven F Gameiro
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andris M Evans
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joe S Mymryk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Oncology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,London Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
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113
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Zhou C, Liu Q, Xiang Y, Gou X, Li W. Role of the tumor immune microenvironment in tumor immunotherapy. Oncol Lett 2022; 23:53. [PMID: 34992685 PMCID: PMC8721848 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.13171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapy is considered to be a novel and promising therapy for tumors and it has recently become a hot research topic. The clinical success of tumor immunotherapy has been notable, but it has been less than totally satisfactory because tumor immunotherapy has performed poorly in numerous patients although it has shown appreciable efficacy in some patients. A minority of patients demonstrate durable responses but the majority of patients do not respond to tumor immunotherapy as the tumor immune microenvironment is different in different patients for different tumor types. The success of tumor immunotherapy may be affected by the heterogeneity of the tumor immune microenvironment and its components, as these vary widely during neoplastic progression. The deepening of research and the development of technology have improved our understanding of the complexity and heterogeneity of the tumor immune microenvironment and its components, and their effects on response to tumor immunotherapy. Therefore, investigating the tumor immune microenvironment and its components and elucidating their association with tumor immunotherapy should improve the ability to study, predict and guide immunotherapeutic responsiveness, and uncover new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changsheng Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou 550002, P.R. China.,School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China.,Retroperitoneal Tumor Research Center of Oncology Chapter of Chinese Medical Association, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Qianqian Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China.,School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Yi Xiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou 550002, P.R. China
| | - Xin Gou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou 550002, P.R. China
| | - Wengang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China.,School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China.,Retroperitoneal Tumor Research Center of Oncology Chapter of Chinese Medical Association, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
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114
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Liu K, Hoover AR, Krawic JR, DeVette CI, Sun XH, Hildebrand WH, Lang ML, Axtell RC, Chen WR. Antigen presentation and interferon signatures in B cells driven by localized ablative cancer immunotherapy correlate with extended survival. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:639-656. [PMID: 34976205 PMCID: PMC8692917 DOI: 10.7150/thno.65773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: B cells have emerged as key regulators in protective cancer immunity. However, the activation pathways induced in B cells during effective immunotherapy are not well understood. Methods: We used a novel localized ablative immunotherapy (LAIT), combining photothermal therapy (PTT) with intra-tumor delivery of the immunostimulant N-dihydrogalactochitosan (GC), to treat mice bearing mouse mammary tumor virus-polyoma middle tumor-antigen (MMTV-PyMT). We used single-cell RNA sequencing to compare the transcriptional changes induced by PTT, GC and PTT+GC in B cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Results: LAIT significantly increased survival in the tumor-bearing mice, compared to the treatment by PTT and GC alone. We found that PTT, GC and PTT+GC increased the proportion of tumor-infiltrating B cells and induced gene expression signatures associated with B cell activation. Both GC and PTT+GC elevated gene expression associated with antigen presentation, whereas GC elevated transcripts that regulate B cell activation and GTPase function and PTT+GC induced interferon response genes. Trajectory analysis, where B cells were organized according to pseudotime progression, revealed that both GC and PTT+GC induced the differentiation of B cells from a resting state towards an effector phenotype. The analyses confirmed upregulated interferon signatures in the differentiated tumor-infiltrating B cells following treatment by PTT+GC but not by GC. We also observed that breast cancer patients had significantly longer survival time if they had elevated expression of genes in B cells that were induced by PTT+GC therapy in the mouse tumors. Conclusion: Our findings show that the combination of local ablation and local application of immunostimulant initiates the activation of interferon signatures and antigen-presentation in B cells which is associated with positive clinical outcomes for breast cancer. These findings broaden our understanding of LAIT's regulatory roles in remodeling TME and shed light on the potentials of B cell activation in clinical applications.
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115
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Shen L, Li J, Liu Q, Das M, Song W, Zhang X, Tiruthani K, Dorosheva O, Hu H, Lai SK, Liu R, Huang L. Nano-trapping CXCL13 reduces regulatory B cells in tumor microenvironment and inhibits tumor growth. J Control Release 2022; 343:303-313. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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116
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Pero SC, Rosenfeld AM, Shukla GS, Mei L, Sun Y, Meng W, Fournier DJ, Harlow SP, Robinson MK, Krag DN, Luning Prak ET, Harman BC. Diversification and shared features of tumor‐binding antibody repertoires in tumor, sentinel lymph node and blood of three patients with breast cancer. Clin Transl Immunology 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C Pero
- Department of Surgery & University of Vermont Cancer Center University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Burlington VT USA
| | - Aaron M Rosenfeld
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA USA
| | - Girja S Shukla
- Department of Surgery & University of Vermont Cancer Center University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Burlington VT USA
| | - Linda Mei
- Department of Surgery & University of Vermont Cancer Center University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Burlington VT USA
| | - Yujing Sun
- Department of Surgery & University of Vermont Cancer Center University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Burlington VT USA
| | - Wenzhao Meng
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA USA
| | - David J Fournier
- Department of Surgery & University of Vermont Cancer Center University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Burlington VT USA
| | - Seth P Harlow
- Department of Surgery & University of Vermont Cancer Center University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Burlington VT USA
| | | | - David N Krag
- Department of Surgery & University of Vermont Cancer Center University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Burlington VT USA
| | - Eline T Luning Prak
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA USA
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117
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Lian SWM, Guo S, Ren K, Xu Y, Ho JS, Chen CH. Heterogeneous multi-compartmental DNA hydrogel particles prepared via microfluidic assembly for lymphocyte-inspired precision medicine. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:20531-20540. [PMID: 34859803 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr06594g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Lymphocytes play a vital role in immunosurveillance through sensing biomolecules and eliminating targeted invaders. Compared with conventional therapies that depend on drug loading, lymphocytes are advantageous as they are able to ensure self-regulated therapeutics. Here, novel multi-compartmental DNA hydrogel particles were synthesized using a microfluidic assembly for intelligent cancer treatment via the logic-based control of siRNA release without external stimulation. The sensing sequence (D1) was compartmentalized from the treatment sequence (D2) with the use of core-shell DNA hydrogel particles. When D1 detects a cancer-associated biomarker, miRNA-21, a sequence cascade is triggered to release siRNA from D2, effectively eliminating the targeted cancer cells via lymphocyte-inspired precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Wan Mei Lian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 04-08, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), MD6, 14 Medical Drive #14-01, Singapore 117599
| | - Song Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 04-08, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), MD6, 14 Medical Drive #14-01, Singapore 117599
| | - Kewei Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 04-08, 117583, Singapore
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - John S Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 04-08, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), MD6, 14 Medical Drive #14-01, Singapore 117599
| | - Chia-Hung Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
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118
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Zhong Z, Nan K, Weng M, Yue Y, Zhou W, Wang Z, Chu Y, Liu R, Miao C. Pro- and Anti- Effects of Immunoglobulin A- Producing B Cell in Tumors and Its Triggers. Front Immunol 2021; 12:765044. [PMID: 34868013 PMCID: PMC8640120 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.765044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
B cells are well known as key mediators of humoral immune responses via the production of antibodies. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the most abundantly produced antibody isotype and provides the first line of immune protection at mucosal surfaces. However, IgA has long been a divisive molecule with respect to tumor progression. IgA exerts anti- or pro-tumor effect in different tumor types. In this review, we summarize emerging evidence regarding the production and effects of IgA and IgA+ cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, we discuss that the TME cytokines, host diet, microbiome, and metabolites play a pivotal role in controlling the class-switch recombination (CSR) of IgA. The analysis of intratumoral Ig repertoires and determination of metabolites that influence CSR may help establish novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwen Zhong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Ke Nan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meilin Weng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Yue
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenchang Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwei Chu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ronghua Liu
- Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changhong Miao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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119
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Zhang J, Wang T. Immune cell landscape and immunotherapy of medulloblastoma. Pediatr Investig 2021; 5:299-309. [PMID: 34938973 PMCID: PMC8666938 DOI: 10.1002/ped4.12261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common primary pediatric malignancy of the central nervous system. Recurrent and refractory patients account for approximately 30% of them. Immune cells are an important component of the brain tumor microenvironment, including tumor-associated macrophages, T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, neutrophils and B lymphocytes. Understanding how they behave and interact is important in the investigation of the onset and progression of medulloblastoma. Here, we overview the features and recent advances of each component of immune cells in medulloblastoma. Meanwhile, immunotherapy is a promising but also challenging treatment strategy for medulloblastoma. At present, there are a growing number of immunotherapeutic approaches under investigation including immune checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic viruses, cancer vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies, and natural killer cells in recurrent and refractory medulloblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- Department of PediatricsBeijing Shijitan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- Hematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Tianyou Wang
- Hematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
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120
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Newnes HV, Armitage JD, Audsley KM, Bosco A, Waithman J. Directing the Future Breakthroughs in Immunotherapy: The Importance of a Holistic Approach to the Tumour Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13235911. [PMID: 34885021 PMCID: PMC8656826 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunotherapies have changed the way we treat cancer and, while some patients have benefitted greatly, there are still those that do not respond to therapy. Understanding why some patients respond to therapy and others do not is critical in developing new immunotherapeutic strategies. The increasing awareness of the importance of investigating the tumour in its entirety, including the surrounding tissue and role of various immune cells is helping to differentiate responders and non-responders. In addition, the resolution gained by the development of sophisticated bioinformatic technologies allows for a deeper understanding of the complex roles of individual cells in the tumour. This advancement will be critical for the development of novel therapies to treat cancer. Abstract Immunotherapy has revolutionised the treatment of cancers by exploiting the immune system to eliminate tumour cells. Despite the impressive response in a proportion of patients, clinical benefit has been limited thus far. A significant focus to date has been the identification of specific markers associated with response to immunotherapy. Unfortunately, the heterogeneity between patients and cancer types means identifying markers of response to therapy is inherently complex. There is a growing appreciation for the role of the tumour microenvironment (TME) in directing response to immunotherapy. The TME is highly heterogeneous and contains immune, stromal, vascular and tumour cells that all communicate and interact with one another to form solid tumours. This review analyses major cell populations present within the TME with a focus on their diverse and often contradictory roles in cancer and how this informs our understanding of immunotherapy. Furthermore, we discuss the role of integrated omics in providing a comprehensive view of the TME and demonstrate the potential of leveraging multi-omics to decipher the underlying mechanisms of anti-tumour immunity for the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies.
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121
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Stergiou N, Urschbach M, Gabba A, Schmitt E, Kunz H, Besenius P. The Development of Vaccines from Synthetic Tumor-Associated Mucin Glycopeptides and their Glycosylation-Dependent Immune Response. CHEM REC 2021; 21:3313-3331. [PMID: 34812564 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202100182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens are overexpressed as altered-self in most common epithelial cancers. Their glycosylation patterns differ from those of healthy cells, functioning as an ID for cancer cells. Scientists have been developing anti-cancer vaccines based on mucin glycopeptides, yet the interplay of delivery system, adjuvant and tumor associated MUC epitopes in the induced immune response is not well understood. The current state of the art suggests that the identity, abundancy and location of the glycans on the MUC backbone are all key parameters in the cellular and humoral response. This review shares lessons learned by us in over two decades of research in glycopeptide vaccines. By bridging synthetic chemistry and immunology, we discuss efforts in designing synthetic MUC1/4/16 vaccines and focus on the role of glycosylation patterns. We provide a brief introduction into the mechanisms of the immune system and aim to promote the development of cancer subunit vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Stergiou
- Radionuclide Center, Radiology and Nuclear medicine Amsterdam UMC, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085c, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Moritz Urschbach
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Adele Gabba
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Edgar Schmitt
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Horst Kunz
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Pol Besenius
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
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122
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Lin DL, Wang LL, Zhao P, Ran WW, Wang W, Zhang LX, Han M, Bao H, Liu K, Wu X, Shao Y, Xing XM. Gastrointestinal Goblet Cell Adenocarcinomas Harbor Distinctive Clinicopathological, Immune, and Genomic Landscape. Front Oncol 2021; 11:758643. [PMID: 34804955 PMCID: PMC8603204 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.758643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Goblet cell adenocarcinoma (GCA) is a rare amphicrine tumor and difficult to diagnose. GCA is traditionally found in the appendix, but extra-appendiceal GCA may be underestimated. Intestinal adenocarcinoma with signet ring cell component is also very rare, and some signet ring cell carcinomas are well cohesive, having some similar morphological features to GCAs. It is necessary to differentiate GCA from intestinal adenocarcinomas with cohesive signet ring cell component (IACSRCC). The goal of this study is to find occurrence of extra-appendiceal GCA and characterize the histological, immunohistochemical, transcriptional, and immune landscape of GCA. We collected 12 cases of GCAs and 10 IACSRCCs and reviewed the clinicopathologic characters of these cases. Immunohistochemical stains were performed with synaptophysin, chromogranin A, CD56, somatostatin receptor (SSTR) 2, and Ki-67. Whole transcriptome RNA-sequencing was performed, and data were used to analyze differential gene expression and predict immune cell infiltration levels in GCA and IACSRCC. RNA-sequencing data for colorectal adenocarcinoma were gathered from TCGA data portal. Of the 12 patients with GCA, there were 4 women and 8 men. There were three appendiceal cases and nine extra-appendiceal cases. GCAs were immunohistochemically different from IACSRCC. GCA also had different levels of B-cell and CD8+ T-cell infiltration compared to both colorectal adenocarcinoma and cohesive IACSRCCs. Differential gene expression analysis showed distinct gene expression patterns in GCA compared to colorectal adenocarcinoma, with a number of cancer-related differentially expressed genes, including upregulation of TMEM14A, GOLT1A, DSCC1, and HSD17B8, and downregulation of KCNQ1OT1 and MXRA5. GCA also had several differentially expressed genes compared to IACSRCCs, including upregulation of PRSS21, EPPIN, RPRM, TNFRSF12A, and BZRAP1, and downregulation of HIST1H2BE, TCN1, AC069363.1, RP11-538I12.2, and REG4. In summary, the number of extra-appendiceal GCA was underestimated in Chinese patients. GCA can be seen as a distinct morphological, immunohistochemical, transcriptomic, and immunological entity. The classic low-grade component of GCA and the immunoreactivity for neuroendocrine markers are the key points to diagnosing GCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Liang Lin
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Li-Li Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wen-Wen Ran
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Long-Xiao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ming Han
- Geneseeq Research Institute, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Hua Bao
- Geneseeq Research Institute, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Kaihua Liu
- Geneseeq Research Institute, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Xue Wu
- Geneseeq Research Institute, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Shao
- Geneseeq Research Institute, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China.,School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Xing
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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123
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Hu Z, Zhang H, Fan F, Wang Z, Xu J, Huang Y, Dai Z, Cao H, Zhang X, Liu Z, Cheng Q. Identification of Methylation Immune Subtypes and Establishment of a Prognostic Signature for Gliomas Using Immune-Related Genes. Front Immunol 2021; 12:737650. [PMID: 34804019 PMCID: PMC8600480 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.737650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation patterns are essential in understanding carcinogenesis. However, the relationship between DNA methylation and the immune process has not been clearly established—this study aimed at elucidating the interaction between glioma and DNA methylation, consolidating glioma classification and prognosis. A total of 2,483 immune-related genes and 24,556 corresponding immune-related methylation probes were identified. From the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) glioma cohort, a total of 683 methylation samples were stratified into two different clusters using unsupervised clustering, and eight types of other cancer samples from the TCGA database were shown to exhibit excellent distributions. A total of 3,562 differentially methylated probes (DMPs) were selected and used for machine learning. A five-probe signature was established to evaluate the prognosis of glioma as well as the potential benefits of radiotherapy and Procarbazine, CCNU, Vincristine (PCV) treatment. Other prognostic clinical models, such as nomogram and decision tree, were also evaluated. Our findings confirmed the interactions between immune-related methylation patterns and glioma. This novel approach for cancer molecular characterization and prognosis should be validated in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fan Fan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiahao Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yunying Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ziyu Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, The Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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124
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Costa AC, Santos JMO, Gil da Costa RM, Medeiros R. Impact of immune cells on the hallmarks of cancer: A literature review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 168:103541. [PMID: 34801696 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) are critical players in the tumor microenvironment, modulating cancer cell functions. TIICs are highly heterogenic and plastic and may either suppress cancers or provide support for tumor growth. A wide range of studies have shed light on how tumor-associated macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, mast cells, natural killer cells and lymphocytes contribute for the establishment of several hallmarks of cancer and became the basis for successful immunotherapies. Many of those TIICs play pivotal roles in several hallmarks of cancer. This review contributes to elucidate the multifaceted roles of immune cells in cancer development, highlighting molecular components that constitute promising therapeutic targets. Additional studies are needed to clarify the relation between TIICs and hallmarks such as enabling replicative immortality, evading growth suppressors, sustaining proliferative signaling, resisting cell death and genome instability and mutation, to further explore their therapeutic potential and improve the outcomes of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C Costa
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Joana M O Santos
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Rui M Gil da Costa
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal; Postgraduate Programme in Adult Health (PPGSAD), Department of Morphology, Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), and UFMA University Hospital (HUUFMA), 65080-805, São Luís, Brazil.
| | - Rui Medeiros
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-319, Porto, Portugal; Virology Service, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal; CEBIMED, Faculty of Health Sciences of the Fernando Pessoa University, 4249-004, Porto, Portugal; Research Department of the Portuguese League Against Cancer-Regional Nucleus of the North (Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro-Núcleo Regional do Norte), 4200-177, Porto, Portugal.
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125
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Shi Y. PLAN B for immunotherapy: Promoting and leveraging anti-tumor B cell immunity. J Control Release 2021; 339:156-163. [PMID: 34563591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Current immuno-oncology primarily focuses on adaptive cellular immunity mediated by T lymphocytes. The other important lymphocytes, B cells, are largely ignored in cancer immunotherapy. B cells are generally considered to be responsible for humoral immune response to viral and bacterial infections. The role of B cells in cancer immunity has long been under debate. Recently, increasing evidence from both preclinical and clinical research has shown that B cells can also induce potent anti-cancer immunity, via humoral and cellular immune responses. Yet it is unclear how to efficiently integrate B cell immunity in cancer immunotherapy. In the current perspective, anti-tumor immunity of B cells is discussed regarding antibody production, antigen presentation, cytokine release and contribution to intratumoral tertiary lymphoid structures. Afterwards, immunosuppressive regulatory phenotypes of B cells are summarized. Furthermore, strategies to activate and modulate B cells using nanomedicines and biomaterials are discussed. This article provides a unique perspective on "PLAN B" (promoting and leveraging anti-tumor B cell immunity) using nanomedicines and biomaterials for cancer immunotherapy. This is envisaged to form a new research direction with the potential to reach the next breakthrough in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shi
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany.
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126
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Cho JW, Park S, Kim G, Han H, Shim HS, Shin S, Bae YS, Park SY, Ha SJ, Lee I, Kim HR. Dysregulation of T FH-B-T RM lymphocyte cooperation is associated with unfavorable anti-PD-1 responses in EGFR-mutant lung cancer. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6068. [PMID: 34663810 PMCID: PMC8523541 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26362-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations exhibit an unfavorable response to PD-1 inhibitor through unclear mechanisms. Hypothesizing that EGFR mutations alter tumor-immune interactions, we compare tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes between EGFR mutant (EGFR-MT) and wild type (EGFR-WT) tumors through single-cell transcriptomic analysis. We find that B cells, CXCL13-producing follicular helper CD4+ T (TFH)-like cells, and tissue-resident memory CD8+ T (TRM)-like cells decreased in EGFR-MT tumors. The NOTCH-RBPJ regulatory network, which is vital for persistence of TRM state, is perturbed, and the interactions between TFH and B cells through the CXCL13-CXCR5 axis disappear in EGFR-MT tumors. Notably, the proportion of TRM-like cells is predictive for anti-PD-1 response in NSCLC. Our findings suggest that the impairment of TFH-B-TRM cooperation in tertiary lymphoid structure formation, accompanied by the dysregulation of TRM homeostasis and the loss of TFH-B crosstalk, underlies unfavorable anti-PD-1 response in EGFR-MT lung tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Won Cho
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Seyeon Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Gamin Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Heonjong Han
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Hyo Sup Shim
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Sunhye Shin
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Yong-Soo Bae
- Department of Biological Sciences, Science Research Center (SRC) for Immune Research on Non-lymphoid Organ (CIRNO), Sungkyunkwan University, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, Korea
| | - Seong Yong Park
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Korea.
| | - Sang-Jun Ha
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea.
| | - Insuk Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea.
| | - Hye Ryun Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Korea.
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127
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Peritumoral B cells drive proangiogenic responses in HMGB1-enriched esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Angiogenesis 2021; 25:181-203. [PMID: 34617194 PMCID: PMC8494172 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-021-09819-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Several B-cell subsets with distinct functions and polarized cytokine profiles that extend beyond antibody production have been reported in different cancers. Here we have demonstrated that proliferating B cells were predominantly found in the peritumoral region of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). These B cells were enriched in tumor nests with high expression of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). High densities of peritumoral proliferating B cells and concomitantly high intratumoral HMGB1 expression showed improved prognostic significance, surpassing prognostic stratification of ESCC patients based on HMGB1 positivity alone. This striking association led us to set up models to test whether cancer-derived HMGB1 could shape tumor microenvironment via modulation on B cells. Overexpression of HMGB1 in ESCC cell lines (KYSE510 and EC18) enhanced proliferation and migration of B cells. Transcriptomic analysis showed that migratory B cells exhibited high enrichment of proangiogenic genes. VEGF expression in proliferating B cells was induced upon co-culture of HMGB1-overexpressing tumor cells and B cells. Secretome array profiling of conditioned media (CM) from the co-culture revealed rich expression of proangiogenic proteins. Consequently, incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with CM promoted angiogenesis in tube formation and migration assays. HMGB1 inhibitor, glycyrrhizin, abolishes all the observed proangiogenic phenotypes. Finally, co-injection of B cells and CM with HMGB1-overexpressing tumor cells, but not with glycyrrhizin, significantly enhanced tumor growth associated with increased microvascular density in ESCC xenograft mice model. Our results indicate that cancer-derived HMGB1 elevates angiogenesis in ESCC by shifting the balance toward proangiogenic signals in proliferating B cells.
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128
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Paillet J, Plantureux C, Lévesque S, Le Naour J, Stoll G, Sauvat A, Caudana P, Tosello Boari J, Bloy N, Lachkar S, Martins I, Opolon P, Checcoli A, Delaune A, Robil N, de la Grange P, Hamroune J, Letourneur F, Autret G, Leung PS, Gershwin ME, Zhu JS, Kurth MJ, Lekbaby B, Augustin J, Kim Y, Gujar S, Coulouarn C, Fouassier L, Zitvogel L, Piaggio E, Housset C, Soussan P, Maiuri MC, Kroemer G, Pol JG. Autoimmunity affecting the biliary tract fuels the immunosurveillance of cholangiocarcinoma. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20200853. [PMID: 34495298 PMCID: PMC8429038 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) results from the malignant transformation of cholangiocytes. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are chronic diseases in which cholangiocytes are primarily damaged. Although PSC is an inflammatory condition predisposing to CCA, CCA is almost never found in the autoimmune context of PBC. Here, we hypothesized that PBC might favor CCA immunosurveillance. In preclinical murine models of cholangitis challenged with syngeneic CCA, PBC (but not PSC) reduced the frequency of CCA development and delayed tumor growth kinetics. This PBC-related effect appeared specific to CCA as it was not observed against other cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma. The protective effect of PBC was relying on type 1 and type 2 T cell responses and, to a lesser extent, on B cells. Single-cell TCR/RNA sequencing revealed the existence of TCR clonotypes shared between the liver and CCA tumor of a PBC host. Altogether, these results evidence a mechanistic overlapping between autoimmunity and cancer immunosurveillance in the biliary tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Paillet
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Céleste Plantureux
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Sarah Lévesque
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Julie Le Naour
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Gautier Stoll
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Allan Sauvat
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Pamela Caudana
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U932, Paris, France
| | - Jimena Tosello Boari
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U932, Paris, France
| | - Norma Bloy
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Sylvie Lachkar
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Isabelle Martins
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Andrea Checcoli
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Paris, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U900, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Juliette Hamroune
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Franck Letourneur
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Gwennhael Autret
- Université de Paris, Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U970, Paris, France
| | - Patrick S.C. Leung
- Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA
| | - M. Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA
| | - Jie S. Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Mark J. Kurth
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Bouchra Lekbaby
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Jérémy Augustin
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, Département de Pathologie, Paris, France
| | - Youra Kim
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Shashi Gujar
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Cédric Coulouarn
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Rennes 1, Chemistry, Oncogenesis Stress Signaling, UMR_S 1242, Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Laura Fouassier
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1015, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Eliane Piaggio
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Biothérapie 1428, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Chantal Housset
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Reference Center for Inflammatory Biliary Diseases and Autoimmune Hepatitis, Department of Hepatology, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Soussan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Maria Chiara Maiuri
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
- Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 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
| | - Jonathan G. Pol
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
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Stoycheva D, Simsek H, Weber W, Hauser AE, Klotzsch E. External cues to drive B cell function towards immunotherapy. Acta Biomater 2021; 133:222-230. [PMID: 33636402 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy stands out as a powerful and promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of cancer, infections, and autoimmune diseases. Adoptive immune therapies are usually centered on modified T cells and their specific expansion towards antigen-specific T cells against cancer and other diseases. However, despite their unmatched features, the potential of B cells in immunotherapy is just beginning to be explored. The main role of B cells in the immune response is to secrete antigen-specific antibodies and provide long-term protection against foreign pathogens. They further function as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and secrete pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and thus exert positive and negative regulatory stimuli on other cells involved in the immune response such as T cells. Therefore, while hyperactivation of B cells can cause autoimmunity, their dysfunctions lead to severe immunodeficiencies. Only suitably activated B cells can play an active role in the treatment of cancers, infections, and autoimmune diseases. As a result, studies have focused on B cell-targeted immunotherapies in recent years. For this, the development, functions, interactions with the microenvironment, and clinical importance of B cells should be well understood. In this review, we summarize the main events during B cell activation. From the viewpoint of mechanobiology we discuss the translation of external cues such as surface topology, substrate stiffness, and biochemical signaling into B cell functions. We further dive into current B cell-targeted therapy strategies and their clinical applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: B cells are proving as a promising tool in the field of immunotherapy. B cells exhibit various functions such as antibody production, antigen presentation or secretion of immune-regulatory factors which can be utilized in the fight against oncological or immunological disorders. In this review we discuss the importance of external mechanobiological cues such as surface topology, substrate stiffness, and biochemical signaling on B cell function. We further summarize B cell-targeted therapy strategies and their clinical applications, as in the context of anti-tumor responses and autoimmune diseases.
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130
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McKee AM, Kirkup BM, Madgwick M, Fowler WJ, Price CA, Dreger SA, Ansorge R, Makin KA, Caim S, Le Gall G, Paveley J, Leclaire C, Dalby M, Alcon-Giner C, Andrusaite A, Feng TY, Di Modica M, Triulzi T, Tagliabue E, Milling SW, Weilbaecher KN, Rutkowski MR, Korcsmáros T, Hall LJ, Robinson SD. Antibiotic-induced disturbances of the gut microbiota result in accelerated breast tumor growth. iScience 2021; 24:103012. [PMID: 34522855 PMCID: PMC8426205 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota's function in regulating health has seen it linked to disease progression in several cancers. However, there is limited research detailing its influence in breast cancer (BrCa). This study found that antibiotic-induced perturbation of the gut microbiota significantly increases tumor progression in multiple BrCa mouse models. Metagenomics highlights the common loss of several bacterial species following antibiotic administration. One such bacteria, Faecalibaculum rodentium, rescued this increased tumor growth. Single-cell transcriptomics identified an increased number of cells with a stromal signature in tumors, and subsequent histology revealed an increased abundance of mast cells in the tumor stromal regions. We show that administration of a mast cell stabilizer, cromolyn, rescues increased tumor growth in antibiotic treated animals but has no influence on tumors from control cohorts. These findings highlight that BrCa-microbiota interactions are different from other cancers studied to date and suggest new research avenues for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair M. McKee
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
| | - Benjamin M. Kirkup
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
| | - Matthew Madgwick
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UZ, UK
| | - Wesley J. Fowler
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
| | - Christopher A. Price
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
| | - Sally A. Dreger
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
| | - Rebecca Ansorge
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
| | - Kate A. Makin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Shabhonam Caim
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
| | - Gwenaelle Le Gall
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Jack Paveley
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
| | - Charlotte Leclaire
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
| | - Matthew Dalby
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
| | - Cristina Alcon-Giner
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
| | - Anna Andrusaite
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Tzu-Yu Feng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Martina Di Modica
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Instituto Nazionale di Tumori, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Tiziana Triulzi
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Instituto Nazionale di Tumori, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Elda Tagliabue
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Instituto Nazionale di Tumori, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Simon W.F. Milling
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Katherine N. Weilbaecher
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Washington University in St Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Melanie R. Rutkowski
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Tamás Korcsmáros
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UZ, UK
| | - Lindsay J. Hall
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
- Chair of Intestinal Microbiome, School of Life Sciences, ZIEL – Institute for Food & Health, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Stephen D. Robinson
- Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7AU, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
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131
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Zheng X, Jin W, Wang S, Ding H. Progression on the Roles and Mechanisms of Tumor-Infiltrating T Lymphocytes in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2021; 12:729705. [PMID: 34566989 PMCID: PMC8462294 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.729705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC) is one of the most common malignancies in China, where it ranks second in mortality and fifth in morbidity. Currently, liver transplantation, hepatic tumor resection, radiofrequency ablation, and molecular-targeted agents are the major treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Overall, HCC has a poor survival rate and a high recurrence rate. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been discovered to play essential roles in the development, prognosis, and immunotherapy treatment of HCC. As the major component cells of TILs, T cells are also proved to show antitumor and protumor effects in HCC. Foxp3+, CD8+, CD3+, and CD4+ T lymphocytes are the broadly studied subgroups of TILs. This article reviews the roles and mechanisms of different tumor-infiltrating T lymphocyte subtypes in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatology, Beijing You’An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjie Jin
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing You’An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiguo Ding
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatology, Beijing You’An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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132
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Wieland A, Patel MR, Cardenas MA, Eberhardt CS, Hudson WH, Obeng RC, Griffith CC, Wang X, Chen ZG, Kissick HT, Saba NF, Ahmed R. Defining HPV-specific B cell responses in patients with head and neck cancer. Nature 2021; 597:274-278. [PMID: 33208941 PMCID: PMC9462833 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2931-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumours often contain B cells and plasma cells but the antigen specificity of these intratumoral B cells is not well understood1-8. Here we show that human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific B cell responses are detectable in samples from patients with HPV-positive head and neck cancers, with active production of HPV-specific IgG antibodies in situ. HPV-specific antibody secreting cells (ASCs) were present in the tumour microenvironment, with minimal bystander recruitment of influenza-specific cells, suggesting a localized and antigen-specific ASC response. HPV-specific ASC responses correlated with titres of plasma IgG and were directed against the HPV proteins E2, E6 and E7, with the most dominant response against E2. Using intratumoral B cells and plasma cells, we generated several HPV-specific human monoclonal antibodies, which exhibited a high degree of somatic hypermutation, consistent with chronic antigen exposure. Single-cell RNA sequencing analyses detected activated B cells, germinal centre B cells and ASCs within the tumour microenvironment. Compared with the tumour parenchyma, B cells and ASCs were preferentially localized in the tumour stroma, with well-formed clusters of activated B cells indicating ongoing germinal centre reactions. Overall, we show that antigen-specific activated and germinal centre B cells as well as plasma cells can be found in the tumour microenvironment. Our findings provide a better understanding of humoral immune responses in human cancer and suggest that tumour-infiltrating B cells could be harnessed for the development of therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Wieland
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,corresponding authors: Material requests and correspondence should be directed to Rafi Ahmed () or Andreas Wieland ()
| | - Mihir R. Patel
- Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maria A. Cardenas
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christiane S. Eberhardt
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - William H. Hudson
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rebecca C. Obeng
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christopher C. Griffith
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhuo G. Chen
- Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Haydn T. Kissick
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nabil F. Saba
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rafi Ahmed
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,corresponding authors: Material requests and correspondence should be directed to Rafi Ahmed () or Andreas Wieland ()
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133
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The Interplay between Glioblastoma and Its Microenvironment. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092257. [PMID: 34571905 PMCID: PMC8469987 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
GBM is the most common primary brain tumor in adults, and the aggressive nature of this tumor contributes to its extremely poor prognosis. Over the years, the heterogeneous and adaptive nature of GBM has been highlighted as a major contributor to the poor efficacy of many treatments including various immunotherapies. The major challenge lies in understanding and manipulating the complex interplay among the different components within the tumor microenvironment (TME). This interplay varies not only by the type of cells interacting but also by their spatial distribution with the TME. This review highlights the various immune and non-immune components of the tumor microenvironment and their consequences f the efficacy of immunotherapies. Understanding the independent and interdependent aspects of the various sub-populations encapsulated by the immune and non-immune components will allow for more targeted therapies. Meanwhile, understanding how the TME creates and responds to different environmental pressures such as hypoxia may allow for other multimodal approaches in the treatment of GBM. Ultimately, a better understanding of the GBM TME will aid in the development and advancement of more effective treatments and in improving patient outcomes.
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Tsai JC, Saad OA, Magesh S, Xu J, Lee AC, Li WT, Chakladar J, Fuster MM, Chang EY, Wang-Rodriguez J, Ongkeko WM. Tobacco Smoke and Electronic Cigarette Vapor Alter Enhancer RNA Expression That Can Regulate the Pathogenesis of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164225. [PMID: 34439379 PMCID: PMC8391195 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary It is well established that tobacco smoke is the key player in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) pathogenesis, and there is growing evidence that electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) vapor may also cause LUSC. Recently, several studies have associated tobacco smoke with differential enhancer RNA (eRNA) expression. However, the effects of tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapor on eRNA expression in correlation to LUSC outcomes have not been fully elucidated. This study demonstrates that tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapor may decrease DNA methylation and increase chromosomal alterations at key sites, which ultimately upregulate the expression of oncogenic eRNAs and downregulate the expression of tumor-suppressing eRNAs. Subsequently, we demonstrate that these eRNAs may have altered interactions with immune cells to promote LUSC pathogenesis and reduced patient survival. We hope our results can be validated in future studies, and the key eRNAs we identified may be used as effective targets for more specialized treatments for smoking-mediated LUSC. Abstract Tobacco is the primary etiologic agent in worsened lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) outcomes. Meanwhile, it has been shown that etiologic agents alter enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) expression. Therefore, we aimed to identify the effects of tobacco and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use on eRNA expression in relation to LUSC outcomes. We extracted eRNA counts from RNA-sequencing data of tumor/adjacent normal tissue and before/after e-cigarette tissue from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), respectively. Tobacco-mediated LUSC eRNAs were correlated to patient survival, clinical variables, and immune-associated elements. eRNA expression was also correlated to mutation rates through the Repeated Evaluation of Variables Conditional Entropy and Redundance (REVEALER) algorithm and methylated sites through methylationArrayAnalysis. Differential expression analysis was then completed for the e-cigarette data to compare with key tobacco-mediated eRNAs. We identified 684 downregulated eRNAs and 819 upregulated eRNAs associated with tobacco-mediated LUSC, specifically, with the cancer pathological stage. We also observed a decrease in immune cell abundance in tobacco-mediated LUSC. Yet, we found an increased association of eRNA expression with immune cell abundance in tobacco-mediated LUSC. We identified 16 key eRNAs with significant correlations to 8 clinical variables, implicating these eRNAs in LUSC malignancy. Furthermore, we observed that these 16 eRNAs were highly associated with chromosomal alterations and reduced CpG site methylation. Finally, we observed large eRNA expression upregulation with e-cigarette use, which corresponded to the upregulation of the 16 key eRNAs. Our findings provide a novel mechanism by which tobacco and e-cigarette smoke influences eRNA interactions to promote LUSC pathogenesis and provide insight regarding disease progression at a molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Tsai
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (J.C.T.); (O.A.S.); (S.M.); (J.X.); (A.C.L.); (W.T.L.); (J.C.)
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Omar A. Saad
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (J.C.T.); (O.A.S.); (S.M.); (J.X.); (A.C.L.); (W.T.L.); (J.C.)
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Shruti Magesh
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (J.C.T.); (O.A.S.); (S.M.); (J.X.); (A.C.L.); (W.T.L.); (J.C.)
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Jingyue Xu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (J.C.T.); (O.A.S.); (S.M.); (J.X.); (A.C.L.); (W.T.L.); (J.C.)
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Abby C. Lee
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (J.C.T.); (O.A.S.); (S.M.); (J.X.); (A.C.L.); (W.T.L.); (J.C.)
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Wei Tse Li
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (J.C.T.); (O.A.S.); (S.M.); (J.X.); (A.C.L.); (W.T.L.); (J.C.)
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Jaideep Chakladar
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (J.C.T.); (O.A.S.); (S.M.); (J.X.); (A.C.L.); (W.T.L.); (J.C.)
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Mark M. Fuster
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, Medical and Research Sections, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92161, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Eric Y. Chang
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA;
- Radiology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Jessica Wang-Rodriguez
- Department of Pathology, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92093, USA;
- Pathology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Weg M. Ongkeko
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; (J.C.T.); (O.A.S.); (S.M.); (J.X.); (A.C.L.); (W.T.L.); (J.C.)
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(858)-552-8585-X-7165
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Nuclear and stromal expression of Manic fringe in renal cell carcinoma. Exp Mol Pathol 2021; 122:104667. [PMID: 34371013 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2021.104667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer and has the highest mortality rate among genitourinary cancers. Despite the advances in molecular targeted therapies to treat RCC, the inevitable emergence of resistance has delineated the need to uncover biomarkers to prospectively identify patient response to treatment and more accurately predict patient prognosis. Fringe is a fucose specific β1, 3N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase that modifies the Notch receptors. Given the link between its function and aberrant Notch activation in RCC, Fringe may be implicated in this disease. The Fringe homologs comprise of Lunatic fringe (LFng), Manic fringe (MFng) and Radical fringe (RFng). MFng has been reported to play a role in cancer. MFng is also essential in the development of B cells. However, the expression profile and clinical significance of MFng, and its association with B cells in RCC are unknown. CD20 is a clinically employed biomarker for B cells. This pilot study aimed to determine if MFng protein expression can be utilized as a prospective biomarker for therapeutics and prognosis in RCC, as well as to determine its association with CD20+ B cells. Analysis of publicly available MFng gene expression datasets on The Cancer Genome Atlas Netlwork (TCGA) identified MFng gene expression to be up-regulated in Kidney Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma (KIRC) patients. However there was no significant association between the patient survival probability and the level of MFng expression in this cohort. Immunohistochemistry performed on a tissue microarray containing cores from 64 patients revealed an elevated MFng protein expression in the epithelial and stromal tissues of RCC compared to the normal kidney, suggesting a possible role in tumorigenesis. Our study describes for the first time to our knowledge, the protein expression of MFng in the nuclear compartment of normal kidney and RCC, implicating a prospective involvement in gene transcription. At the cellular level, cytoplasmic MFng was also abundant in the normal kidney and RCC. However, MFng protein expression in the malignant epithelial and stromal tissue of RCC had no positive correlation with the patients' overall survival, progression-free survival and time to metastasis, as well as the gender, age, tumor stage and RCC subtype, indicating that MFng may not be an appropriate prognostic marker. The association between CD20+ B cells and epithelial MFng was found to approach borderline insignificance. Nonetheless, these preliminary findings may provide valuable information on the suitability of MFng as a potential therapeutic molecular marker for RCC, thus warrants further investigation using a larger cohort.
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136
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Identification of Immune Cell Infiltration in Murine Pheochromocytoma during Combined Mannan-BAM, TLR Ligand, and Anti-CD40 Antibody-Based Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13163942. [PMID: 34439097 PMCID: PMC8393500 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become an essential component in cancer treatment. However, the majority of solid metastatic cancers, such as pheochromocytoma, are resistant to this approach. Therefore, understanding immune cell composition in primary and distant metastatic tumors is important for therapeutic intervention and diagnostics. Combined mannan-BAM, TLR ligand, and anti-CD40 antibody-based intratumoral immunotherapy (MBTA therapy) previously resulted in the complete eradication of murine subcutaneous pheochromocytoma and demonstrated a systemic antitumor immune response in a metastatic model. Here, we further evaluated this systemic effect using a bilateral pheochromocytoma model, performing MBTA therapy through injection into the primary tumor and using distant (non-injected) tumors to monitor size changes and detailed immune cell infiltration. MBTA therapy suppressed the growth of not only injected but also distal tumors and prolonged MBTA-treated mice survival. Our flow cytometry analysis showed that MBTA therapy led to increased recruitment of innate and adaptive immune cells in both tumors and the spleen. Moreover, adoptive CD4+ T cell transfer from successfully MBTA-treated mice (i.e., subcutaneous pheochromocytoma) demonstrates the importance of these cells in long-term immunological memory. In summary, this study unravels further details on the systemic effect of MBTA therapy and its use for tumor and metastasis reduction or even elimination.
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van der Sijde F, Mustafa DAM, Vietsch EE, Katsikis PD, van Eijck CHJ. Circulating Immunological Biomarkers: Prognosis of Pancreatic Cancer Patients Reflected by the Immune System. Pancreas 2021; 50:933-941. [PMID: 34643608 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000001862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT To date, little advances have been made toward new and more effective therapies for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Discovery of prognostic and predictive biomarkers is needed to stratify patients for available treatments and to elucidate how new therapies could be developed. Recent studies have made clear that the immune system is not only affected in the microenvironment of the primary tumor and it is also systemically disrupted in PDAC patients. Under normal circumstances, the immune system is in perfect balance with both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory components present. In this review, we focus on circulating immunological characteristics including immune cells and their subtypes, cytokines, and immune checkpoints in the peripheral blood not only to understand the poor prognosis of PDAC patients but also to find new leads for new innovative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Peter D Katsikis
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Aizik L, Dror Y, Taussig D, Barzel A, Carmi Y, Wine Y. Antibody Repertoire Analysis of Tumor-Infiltrating B Cells Reveals Distinct Signatures and Distributions Across Tissues. Front Immunol 2021; 12:705381. [PMID: 34349765 PMCID: PMC8327180 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.705381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of B cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) has largely been under investigated, and data regarding the antibody repertoire encoded by B cells in the TME and the adjacent lymphoid organs are scarce. Here, we utilized B cell receptor high-throughput sequencing (BCR-Seq) to profile the antibody repertoire signature of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte B cells (TIL−Bs) in comparison to B cells from three anatomic compartments in a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer. We found that TIL-Bs exhibit distinct antibody repertoire measures, including high clonal polarization and elevated somatic hypermutation rates, suggesting a local antigen-driven B-cell response. Importantly, TIL-Bs were highly mutated but non-class switched, suggesting that class-switch recombination may be inhibited in the TME. Tracing the distribution of TIL-B clones across various compartments indicated that they migrate to and from the TME. The data thus suggests that antibody repertoire signatures can serve as indicators for identifying tumor-reactive B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligal Aizik
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Dror
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - David Taussig
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adi Barzel
- The School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yaron Carmi
- Department of Pathology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yariv Wine
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Inflammation and tumor progression: signaling pathways and targeted intervention. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:263. [PMID: 34248142 PMCID: PMC8273155 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00658-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 804] [Impact Index Per Article: 268.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer development and its response to therapy are regulated by inflammation, which either promotes or suppresses tumor progression, potentially displaying opposing effects on therapeutic outcomes. Chronic inflammation facilitates tumor progression and treatment resistance, whereas induction of acute inflammatory reactions often stimulates the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and antigen presentation, leading to anti-tumor immune responses. In addition, multiple signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT), toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways, cGAS/STING, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK); inflammatory factors, including cytokines (e.g., interleukin (IL), interferon (IFN), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), chemokines (e.g., C-C motif chemokine ligands (CCLs) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligands (CXCLs)), growth factors (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β), and inflammasome; as well as inflammatory metabolites including prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxane, and specialized proresolving mediators (SPM), have been identified as pivotal regulators of the initiation and resolution of inflammation. Nowadays, local irradiation, recombinant cytokines, neutralizing antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors, DC vaccines, oncolytic viruses, TLR agonists, and SPM have been developed to specifically modulate inflammation in cancer therapy, with some of these factors already undergoing clinical trials. Herein, we discuss the initiation and resolution of inflammation, the crosstalk between tumor development and inflammatory processes. We also highlight potential targets for harnessing inflammation in the treatment of cancer.
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Combinatorial therapy in tumor microenvironment: Where do we stand? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188585. [PMID: 34224836 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation and progression by creating a dynamic interaction with cancer cells. The tumor microenvironment consists of various cellular components, including endothelial cells, fibroblasts, pericytes, adipocytes, immune cells, cancer stem cells and vasculature, which provide a sustained environment for cancer cell proliferation. Currently, targeting tumor microenvironment is increasingly being explored as a novel approach to improve cancer therapeutics, as it influences the growth and expansion of malignant cells in various ways. Despite continuous advancements in targeted therapies for cancer treatment, drug resistance, toxicity and immune escape mechanisms are the basis of treatment failure and cancer escape. Targeting tumor microenvironment efficiently with approved drugs and combination therapy is the solution to this enduring challenge that involves combining more than one treatment modality such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and nanotherapy that can effectively and synergistically target the critical pathways associated with disease pathogenesis. This review shed light on the composition of the tumor microenvironment, interaction of different components within tumor microenvironment with tumor cells and associated hallmarks, the current status of combinatorial therapies being developed, and various growing advancements. Furthermore, computational tools can also be used to monitor the significance and outcome of therapies being developed. We addressed the perceived barriers and regulatory hurdles in developing a combinatorial regimen and evaluated the present status of these therapies in the clinic. The accumulating depth of knowledge about the tumor microenvironment in cancer may facilitate further development of effective treatment modalities. This review presents the tumor microenvironment as a sweeping landscape for developing novel cancer therapies.
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141
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Varshney D, Qiu SY, Graf TP, McHugh KJ. Employing Drug Delivery Strategies to Overcome Challenges Using TLR7/8 Agonists for Cancer Immunotherapy. AAPS JOURNAL 2021; 23:90. [PMID: 34181117 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-021-00620-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a potential target for cancer immunotherapy due to their role in the activation of the innate immune system. More specifically, TLR7 and TLR8, two structurally similar pattern recognition receptors that trigger interferon and cytokine responses, have proven to be therapeutically relevant targets for cancer in numerous preclinical and clinical studies. When triggered by an agonist, such as imiquimod or resiquimod, the TLR7/8 activation pathway induces cellular and humoral immune responses that can kill cancer cells with high specificity. Unfortunately, TLR7/8 agonists also present a number of issues that must be overcome prior to broad clinical implementation, such as poor drug solubility and systemic toxic effects. To overcome the key limitations of TLR7/8 agonists as a cancer therapy, biomaterial-based drug delivery systems have been developed. These delivery devices are highly diverse in their design and include systems that can be directly administered to the tumor, passively accumulated in relevant cancerous and lymph tissues, triggered by environmental stimuli, or actively targeted to specific physiological areas and cellular populations. In addition to improved delivery systems, recent studies have also demonstrated the potential benefits of TLR7/8 agonist co-delivery with other types of therapies, particularly checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and chemotherapeutics, which can yield impressive anti-cancer effects. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the development of TLR7/8 agonist delivery systems and provide perspective on promising future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhruv Varshney
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77005, USA.,David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA
| | - Sherry Yue Qiu
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77005, USA
| | - Tyler P Graf
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77005, USA
| | - Kevin J McHugh
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77005, USA.
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Qin M, Wang D, Fang Y, Zheng Z, Liu X, Wu F, Wang L, Li X, Hui B, Ma S, Tang W, Pan X. Current Perspectives on B Lymphocytes in the Immunobiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:647854. [PMID: 34235074 PMCID: PMC8256159 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.647854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune cells infiltrating tumors are capable of significantly impacting carcinogenesis through cancer promotion and anticancer responses. There are many aspects of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related T lymphocytes that are undergoing extensive studies, whereas the effect exerted by B lymphocytes remains a less researched area. In this study, the latest research on the effect of B lymphocytes as they infiltrate tumors in relation to HCC is presented. Their prognosis-related importance is analyzed, along with their function in the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as the way that B cell biology can be employed to help create a B cell therapy strategy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Qin
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Danping Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yijiao Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiying Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinyang Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liangliang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bingqing Hui
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shijie Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, China
| | - Weiwei Tang
- Hepatobiliary/Liver Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiongxiong Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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143
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Sun X, Wang L, Li H, Jin C, Yu Y, Hou L, Liu X, Yu Y, Yan R, Xue F. Identification of microenvironment related potential biomarkers of biochemical recurrence at 3 years after prostatectomy in prostate adenocarcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:16024-16042. [PMID: 34133324 PMCID: PMC8266350 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Prostate adenocarcinoma is one of the leading adult malignancies. Identification of multiple causative biomarkers is necessary and helpful for determining the occurrence and prognosis of prostate adenocarcinoma. We aimed to identify the potential prognostic genes in the prostate adenocarcinoma microenvironment and to estimate the causal effects simultaneously. We obtained the gene expression data of prostate adenocarcinoma from TCGA project and identified the differentially expressed genes based on immune-stromal components. Among these genes, 68 were associated with biochemical recurrence at 3 years after prostatectomy in prostate adenocarcinoma. After adjusting for the minimal sets of confounding covariates, 14 genes (TNFRSF4, ZAP70, ERMN, CXCL5, SPINK6, SLC6A18, CHRM2, TG, CLLU1OS, POSTN, CTSG, NETO1, CEACAM7, and IGLV3-22) related to the microenvironment were identified as prognostic biomarkers using the targeted maximum likelihood estimation. Both the average and individual causal effects were obtained to measure the magnitude of the effect. CIBERSORT and gene set enrichment analyses showed that these prognostic genes were mainly associated with immune responses. POSTN and NETO1 were correlated with androgen receptor expression, a main driver of prostate adenocarcinoma progression. Finally, five genes were validated in another prostate adenocarcinoma cohort (GEO: GSE70770). These findings might lead to the improved prognosis of prostate adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoru Sun
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.,Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.,Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Hongkai Li
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.,Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Chuandi Jin
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.,Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.,Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Hou
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.,Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Xinhui Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.,Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yifan Yu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.,Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Ran Yan
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.,Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Fuzhong Xue
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.,Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
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144
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DNA Methylation-Based Estimates of Circulating Leukocyte Composition for Predicting Colorectal Cancer Survival: A Prospective Cohort Study. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13122948. [PMID: 34204621 PMCID: PMC8231262 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Inflammation is involved in the evolution of cancer. Leukocytes, of which the proportion can be estimated using epigenome-wide methylation data, may serve as a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer (CRC). Our aim was to investigate whether DNA methylation-based estimates of circulating leukocytes is associated with all-cause and disease-specific mortality in a prospective CRC patients’ cohort. Significant associations with CRC prognosis were observed for CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, NK cells, and lymphocytes, independent of age, sex, tumor stage, tumor subsite, and therapy. CD4+ T cells outperformed other leukocytes and provided added predictive value in comparison to age, sex, and tumor stage. Although cell counting is commonly used in clinical practice, DNA methylation-estimated cell proportions could be a promising tool in understanding the role of leukocytes as CRC prognostic biomarkers when using stored blood samples. Abstract Leukocytes are involved in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). The proportion of six major leukocyte subtypes can be estimated using epigenome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) data from stored blood samples. Whether the composition of circulating leukocytes can be used as a prognostic factor is unclear. DNAm-based leukocyte proportions were obtained from a prospective cohort of 2206 CRC patients. Multivariate Cox regression models and survival curves were applied to assess associations between leukocyte composition and survival outcomes. A higher proportion of lymphocytes, including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, and NK cells, was associated with better survival, while a higher proportion of neutrophils was associated with poorer survival. CD4+ T cells outperformed other leukocytes in estimating the patients’ prognosis. Comparing the highest quantile to the lowest quantile of CD4+ T cells, hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of all-cause and CRC-specific mortality were 0.59 (0.48, 0.72) and 0.59 (0.45, 0.77), respectively. Furthermore, the association of CD4+ T cells and prognosis was stronger among patients with early or intermediate CRC or patients with colon cancer. In conclusion, the composition of circulating leukocytes estimated from DNAm, particularly the proportions of CD4+ T cells, could be used as promising independent predictors of CRC survival.
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145
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Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, but efficacy remains limited in most clinical settings. Cancer is a systemic disease that induces many functional and compositional changes to the immune system as a whole. Immunity is regulated by interactions of diverse cell lineages across tissues. Therefore, an improved understanding of tumour immunology must assess the systemic immune landscape beyond the tumour microenvironment (TME). Importantly, the peripheral immune system is required to drive effective natural and therapeutically induced antitumour immune responses. In fact, emerging evidence suggests that immunotherapy drives new immune responses rather than the reinvigoration of pre-existing immune responses. However, new immune responses in individuals burdened with tumours are compromised even beyond the TME. Herein, we aim to comprehensively outline the current knowledge of systemic immunity in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamir J Hiam-Galvez
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Breanna M Allen
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthew H Spitzer
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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146
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Romera-Giner S, Andreu Martínez Z, García-García F, Hidalgo MR. Common pathways and functional profiles reveal underlying patterns in Breast, Kidney and Lung cancers. Biol Direct 2021; 16:9. [PMID: 34039407 PMCID: PMC8152308 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-021-00293-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer is a major health problem which presents a high heterogeneity. In this work we explore omics data from Breast, Kidney and Lung cancers at different levels as signalling pathways, functions and miRNAs, as part of the CAMDA 2019 Hi-Res Cancer Data Integration Challenge. Our goal is to find common functional patterns which give rise to the generic microenvironment in these cancers and contribute to a better understanding of cancer pathogenesis and a possible clinical translation down further studies. Results After a tumor versus normal tissue comparison of the signaling pathways and cell functions, we found 828 subpathways, 912 Gene Ontology terms and 91 Uniprot keywords commonly significant to the three studied tumors. Such features interestingly show the power to classify tumor samples into subgroups with different survival times, and predict tumor state and tissue of origin through machine learning techniques. We also found cancer-specific alternative activation subpathways, such as the ones activating STAT5A in ErbB signaling pathway. miRNAs evaluation show the role of miRNAs, such as mir-184 and mir-206, as regulators of many cancer pathways and their value in prognoses. Conclusions The study of the common functional and pathway activities of different cancers is an interesting approach to understand molecular mechanisms of the tumoral process regardless of their tissue of origin. The existence of platforms as the CAMDA challenges provide the opportunity to share knowledge and improve future scientific research and clinical practice. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13062-021-00293-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Romera-Giner
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center, 46012, Valencia, Spain.,ATOS Research & Innovation (ARI), 28037, Madrid, Spain
| | - Zoraida Andreu Martínez
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center, 46012, Valencia, Spain.,Foundation Valencian Institute of Oncology (FIVO), 46009, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco García-García
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center, 46012, Valencia, Spain.,Spanish National Bioinformatics Institute, ELIXIR-Spain (INB, ELIXIR-ES), 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta R Hidalgo
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center, 46012, Valencia, Spain.
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147
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Miao KZ, Kim GY, Meara GK, Qin X, Feng H. Tipping the Scales With Zebrafish to Understand Adaptive Tumor Immunity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:660969. [PMID: 34095125 PMCID: PMC8173129 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.660969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The future of improved immunotherapy against cancer depends on an in-depth understanding of the dynamic interactions between the immune system and tumors. Over the past two decades, the zebrafish has served as a valuable model system to provide fresh insights into both the development of the immune system and the etiologies of many different cancers. This well-established foundation of knowledge combined with the imaging and genetic capacities of the zebrafish provides a new frontier in cancer immunology research. In this review, we provide an overview of the development of the zebrafish immune system along with a side-by-side comparison of its human counterpart. We then introduce components of the adaptive immune system with a focus on their roles in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of teleosts. In addition, we summarize zebrafish models developed for the study of cancer and adaptive immunity along with other available tools and technology afforded by this experimental system. Finally, we discuss some recent research conducted using the zebrafish to investigate adaptive immune cell-tumor interactions. Without a doubt, the zebrafish will arise as one of the driving forces to help expand the knowledge of tumor immunity and facilitate the development of improved anti-cancer immunotherapy in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Z Miao
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Grace Y Kim
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Grace K Meara
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xiaodan Qin
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hui Feng
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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148
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Limonin modulated immune and inflammatory responses to suppress colorectal adenocarcinoma in mice model. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2021; 394:1907-1915. [PMID: 34009457 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-021-02101-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation and compromised immune responses often increase colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. The immune-modulating effects of limonin on carcinogen/inflammation-induced colorectal cancer (CRC) were studied in mice. Male Balb/c mice were randomly assorted into three groups (n = 6): healthy control, non-treated CRC-induced (azoxymethane/dextran-sulfate-sodium AOM/DSS) control, and CRC-induced + 50 mg limonin/kg body weight. The CRC developments were monitored via macroscopic, histopathological, ELISA, and mRNA expression analyses. Limonin downregulated inflammation (TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α), enhanced the adaptive immune responses (CD8, CD4, and CD19), and upregulated antioxidant defense (Nrf2, SOD2) mRNA expressions. Limonin reduced serum malondialdehyde (MDA, lipid peroxidation biomarker), prostaglandin E2, and histopathology inflammation scores, while increasing reduced glutathione (GSH) in CRC-induced mice. Limonin significantly (p < 0.05) increased T cells (CD4 and CD8) and B cells (CD19) in spleen tissues. The CD335 (natural killer cells) were increased in the CRC-induced mice and limonin treatment restored them to normal levels suggesting reinstatement to normal colon conditions. Limonin apparently mitigated CRC development, by ameliorating adaptive immune responses (CD8, CD4, and CD19), reducing inflammation (serum prostaglandin E2; TNF-α, innate immune responses) and oxidative stress, and enhancing the endogenous anti-oxidation defense reactions (GSH) in CRC-induced mice.
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149
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Chen X, Jiang Z, Wang Z, Jiang Z. The prognostic and immunological effects of ZBTB7C across cancers: friend or foe? Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:12849-12864. [PMID: 33946045 PMCID: PMC8148469 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
As an important transcription factor, zinc-finger and BTB domain-containing 7B (ZBTB7C) plays an important role in a variety of tumors. However, its relationship with human immunity is unclear. This article aims to study its differential expression and survival across cancers and explore the relationships between its differential expression and the tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration. In this study, we used R software to process The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and explored the expression pattern and prognostic value of ZBTB7C across cancers. Next, we comprehensively explained the important role of ZBTB7C in several tumor types in terms of tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI) and immune cell infiltration. In general, the expression level of ZBTB7C in tumor tissues was lower than that in normal tissues. Highly expressed ZBTB7C was beneficial to the survival of patients with colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), lymphoid neoplasm diffuses large B cell lymphoma (DLBC), esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) and mesothelioma (MESO). Multivariate analysis showed that the expression of ZBTB7C was an independent prognostic factor in COAD and MESO. In COAD, the expression of ZBTB7C was positively correlated with both TMB and MSI. In colorectal cancer (CRC), there was a significant positive correlation between ZBTB7C expression and immune cell infiltration, especially the infiltration of mast cells and B cells. In conclusion, ZBTB7C can be used as a potential therapeutic target across cancers and is related to immune cell infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuenuo Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhongxiang Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhijian Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zheng Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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150
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Curtis LT, Sebens S, Frieboes HB. Modeling of tumor response to macrophage and T lymphocyte interactions in the liver metastatic microenvironment. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:1475-1488. [PMID: 33180183 PMCID: PMC10992133 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02785-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic interactions between macrophages and T-lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment exert both antagonistic and synergistic functions affecting tumor growth. Extensive experimental effort has been expended to investigate immunotherapeutic strategies targeting macrophage polarization as well as T-cell activation with the goal to promote tumor cell killing and cancer elimination. However, these interactions remain poorly understood, and cancer immunotherapeutic strategies are often disappointing. The complex system encompassing innate and adaptive immune cell activity in response to tumor growth could benefit from a systems perspective built upon mathematical modeling. This study develops a modeling system to help evaluate the effects of macrophage and T-lymphocyte interactions on tumor growth. The system enables simulating the combined cytotoxic and tumor-promoting interactions of these two immune cell populations in a vascularized organ microenvironment, such as in liver metastases. A hypothetical immunotherapeutic strategy is simulated to increase the number of tumor-suppressive (M1-phenotype) vs. tumor-promoting (M2-phenotype) macrophages to gauge their effects on CD8+ T-cells and CD4+ T-helper cells, which in turn affect the macrophage functions. The results highlight the dynamic interactions between macrophages and T-lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment and show that with the chosen set of parameter values, the overall cytotoxic effect from macrophages and T-lymphocytes obtained by driving the M1:M2 ratio higher could saturate and fail to achieve tumor regression. Further expansion of this modeling platform to include additional tumor-immune cell interactions, coupled with parameters representing particular tumor characteristics, could enable systematic evaluation of immunotherapeutic strategies tailored to patient-tumor specific conditions, including metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis T Curtis
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Lutz Hall 419, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Susanne Sebens
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel (CAU), Kiel, Germany
- University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UK-SH), Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Hermann B Frieboes
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Lutz Hall 419, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA.
- Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
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