151
|
Berzaghi R, Tornaas S, Lode K, Hellevik T, Martinez-Zubiaurre I. Ionizing Radiation Curtails Immunosuppressive Effects From Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts on Dendritic Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:662594. [PMID: 34177901 PMCID: PMC8221608 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.662594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) participate actively in tumor development and affect treatment responses, by among other mechanisms, promoting an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In contrast to normal fibroblasts, reactive CAFs secrete a myriad of immunomodulatory soluble factors at high levels, i.e. growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, which directly influence tumor immunity and inflammation. CAFs have been identified as important players in tumor radioresistance. However, knowledge on the immunomodulatory functions of CAFs during/after radiotherapy is still lacking. In this study, we investigated the effects of ionizing radiation on CAF-mediated regulation of dendritic cells (DCs). CAFs were obtained from freshly operated lung cancer tissues, while DCs were procured from peripheral blood of healthy donors. Experimental settings comprised both co-cultures and incubations with conditioned medium from control and irradiated CAFs. Functional assays to study DC differentiation/activation consisted on cytokine release, expression of cell-surface markers, antigen uptake, migration rates, T cell priming, and DC-signaling analysis. We demonstrate that CAFs induce a tolerogenic phenotype in DCs by promoting down-regulation of: i) signature DC markers (CD14, CD1a, CD209); ii) activation markers (CD80, CD86, CD40, and HLA-DR) and iii) functional properties (migration, antigen uptake, and CD4+ T cell priming). Notably, some of these effects were lost in conditioned medium from CAFs irradiated at fractionated medium-dose regimens (3x6 Gy). However, the expression of relevant CAF-derived regulatory agents like thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) or tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) was unchanged upon irradiation. This study demonstrates that CAFs interfere with DC immune functions and unveil that certain radiation regimens may reverse CAF-mediated immunosuppressive effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Berzaghi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Stian Tornaas
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kristin Lode
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Turid Hellevik
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Inigo Martinez-Zubiaurre
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
152
|
Wu J, Wang Y, Jiang Z. TNFSF9 Is a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlated with Immune Infiltrates in Pancreatic Cancer. J Gastrointest Cancer 2021; 52:150-159. [PMID: 32077004 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-020-00371-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND TNFSF9 gene has been found to play an anti-tumor role and regulate the function of immune cells. However, the prognostic role of TNFSF9 in pancreatic cancer and its relationship with immune cell infiltration have not been studied. METHODS We used Oncomine, UALCAN, and GEPIA databases to analyze the expression of TNFSF9 in pancreatic cancer. We used Kaplan-Meier plotters, GEPIA, and UALCAN to evaluate the effect of TNFSF9 on clinical prognosis. We further used TIMER to study the correlation between TNFSF9 and cancer immune infiltrate cells. In addition, we used GEPIA to analyze the correlation between TNFSF9 expression and gene markers of immune infiltrate cells. RESULTS TNFSF9 mRNA expression level was remarkably increased in pancreatic cancer than that in normal tissues (both P < 0.05). In addition, high TNFSF9 expression was significantly related to poor overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in pancreatic cancer (OS HR = 2.02, P = 0.0012; RFS HR = 2.63, P = 0.022). Moreover, high TNFSF9 expression in pancreatic cancer patients was associated with worse OS in stage 1 to 2 but not stage 3 and stage 4. Specifically, TNFSF9 expression and CD8+ T cell infiltration of pancreatic cancer was negatively correlated. TNFSF9 expression showed strong correlations with M1 macrophages in pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that TNFSF9 is associated with prognosis and CD8+ T cell infiltration levels in patients with pancreatic cancer. Further, TNFSF9 expression potentially contributes to the modulation of M1 polarization of macrophages. These findings indicate that TNFSF9 can be serves as a prognostic biomarker in determining the prognosis of pancreatic cancer and is associated with different types of phenotypes of immune cell infiltration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Wu
- Departments of Gastroenterology, Chongqing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yunpeng Wang
- Departments of cardiovascular, Zigong First People's Hospital, Zigong, 643000, Sichuan, China
| | - Zheng Jiang
- Departments of Gastroenterology, Chongqing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| |
Collapse
|
153
|
Schreiber S, Hammers CM, Kaasch AJ, Schraven B, Dudeck A, Kahlfuss S. Metabolic Interdependency of Th2 Cell-Mediated Type 2 Immunity and the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:632581. [PMID: 34135885 PMCID: PMC8201396 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.632581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of T cells is critically dependent on their ability to generate metabolic building blocks to fulfil energy demands for proliferation and consecutive differentiation into various T helper (Th) cells. Th cells then have to adapt their metabolism to specific microenvironments within different organs during physiological and pathological immune responses. In this context, Th2 cells mediate immunity to parasites and are involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases including asthma, while CD8+ T cells and Th1 cells mediate immunity to viruses and tumors. Importantly, recent studies have investigated the metabolism of Th2 cells in more detail, while others have studied the influence of Th2 cell-mediated type 2 immunity on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and on tumor progression. We here review recent findings on the metabolism of Th2 cells and discuss how Th2 cells contribute to antitumor immunity. Combining the evidence from both types of studies, we provide here for the first time a perspective on how the energy metabolism of Th2 cells and the TME interact. Finally, we elaborate how a more detailed understanding of the unique metabolic interdependency between Th2 cells and the TME could reveal novel avenues for the development of immunotherapies in treating cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Schreiber
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Achim J. Kaasch
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GCI-3), Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Burkhart Schraven
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GCI-3), Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anne Dudeck
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GCI-3), Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sascha Kahlfuss
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GCI-3), Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
154
|
The Interplay between the Immune and the Endocannabinoid Systems in Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061282. [PMID: 34064197 PMCID: PMC8224348 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of Cannabis sativa has been recognized since ancient times. Phytocannabinoids, endocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids activate two major G protein-coupled receptors, subtype 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2). Cannabinoids (CBs) modulate several aspects of cancer cells, such as apoptosis, autophagy, proliferation, migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and stemness. Moreover, agonists of CB1 and CB2 receptors inhibit angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of cancer in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which contains a plethora of innate and adaptive immune cells. These cells play a central role in tumor initiation and growth and the formation of metastasis. CB2 and, to a lesser extent, CB1 receptors are expressed on a variety of immune cells present in TME (e.g., T cells, macrophages, mast cells, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, eosinophils). The activation of CB receptors modulates a variety of biological effects on cells of the adaptive and innate immune system. The expression of CB2 and CB1 on different subsets of immune cells in TME and hence in tumor development is incompletely characterized. The recent characterization of the human cannabinoid receptor CB2-Gi signaling complex will likely aid to design potent and specific CB2/CB1 ligands with therapeutic potential in cancer.
Collapse
|
155
|
Baker AT, Abuwarwar MH, Poly L, Wilkins S, Fletcher AL. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and T Cells: From Mechanisms to Outcomes. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 206:310-320. [PMID: 33397745 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, T cell immunotherapy has changed the face of cancer treatment, providing robust treatment options for several previously intractable cancers. Unfortunately, many epithelial tumors with high mortality rates respond poorly to immunotherapy, and an understanding of the key impediments is urgently required. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) comprise the most frequent nonneoplastic cellular component in most solid tumors. Far from an inert scaffold, CAFs significantly influence tumor neogenesis, persistence, and metastasis and are emerging as a key player in immunotherapy resistance. In this review, we discuss the physical and chemical barriers that CAFs place between effector T cells and their tumor cell targets, and the therapies poised to target them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfie T Baker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mohammed H Abuwarwar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lylarath Poly
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon Wilkins
- Cabrini Monash University Department of Surgery, Cabrini Hospital, Malvern 3144, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia; and
| | - Anne L Fletcher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia; .,Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
156
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
157
|
Mesquita G, Prevarskaya N, Schwab A, Lehen’kyi V. Role of the TRP Channels in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Development and Progression. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051021. [PMID: 33925979 PMCID: PMC8145744 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The transient receptor potential channels (TRPs) have been related to several different physiologies that range from a role in sensory physiology (including thermo- and osmosensation) to a role in some pathologies like cancer. The great diversity of functions performed by these channels is represented by nine sub-families that constitute the TRP channel superfamily. From the mid-2000s, several reports have shown the potential role of the TRP channels in cancers of multiple origin. The pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Its prevalence is predicted to rise further. Disappointingly, the treatments currently used are ineffective. There is an urgency to find new ways to counter this disease and one of the answers may lie in the ion channels belonging to the superfamily of TRP channels. In this review, we analyse the existing knowledge on the role of TRP channels in the development and progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The functions of these channels in other cancers are also considered. This might be of interest for an extrapolation to the pancreatic cancer in an attempt to identify potential therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Mesquita
- Laboratory of Cell Physiology, INSERM U1003, Laboratory of Excellence Ion Channels Science and Therapeutics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technologies, University of Lille, 59650 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France; (G.M.); (N.P.)
- PHYCELL—Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire, INSERM U1003, University of Lille, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
- Institute of Physiology II, University Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Natalia Prevarskaya
- Laboratory of Cell Physiology, INSERM U1003, Laboratory of Excellence Ion Channels Science and Therapeutics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technologies, University of Lille, 59650 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France; (G.M.); (N.P.)
- PHYCELL—Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire, INSERM U1003, University of Lille, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
| | - Albrecht Schwab
- Institute of Physiology II, University Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - V’yacheslav Lehen’kyi
- Laboratory of Cell Physiology, INSERM U1003, Laboratory of Excellence Ion Channels Science and Therapeutics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technologies, University of Lille, 59650 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France; (G.M.); (N.P.)
- PHYCELL—Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire, INSERM U1003, University of Lille, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)-3-20-33-70-78; Fax: +33-(0)-3-20-43-40-66
| |
Collapse
|
158
|
Wigner P, Grębowski R, Bijak M, Saluk-Bijak J, Szemraj J. The Interplay between Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Angiogenesis in Bladder Cancer Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094483. [PMID: 33923108 PMCID: PMC8123426 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2018, 550,000 people were diagnosed with bladder cancer (BC), of which nearly 200,000 people died. Moreover, men are 4 times more likely than women to be diagnosed with BC. The risk factors include exposure to environmental and occupational chemicals, especially tobacco smoke, benzidine and genetic factors. Despite numerous studies, the molecular basis of BC development remains unclear. A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammation, oxidant-antioxidant imbalance and angiogenesis disorders may play a significant role in the development and progression of bladder cancer. The patients with bladder cancer were characterised by an increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the products of lipid peroxidation, proinflammatory cytokines and proangiogenic factors as compared to controls. Furthermore, it was shown that polymorphisms localised in genes associated with these pathways may modulate the risk of BC. Interestingly, ROS overproduction may induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which finally activated angiogenesis. Moreover, the available literature shows that both inflammation and oxidative stress may lead to activation of angiogenesis and tumour progression in BC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Wigner
- Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-236 Lodz, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-42-635-44-85; Fax: +48-42-635-44-84
| | - Radosław Grębowski
- Department of Urology, Provincial Integrated Hospital in Plock, 09-400 Plock, Poland;
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-216 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Michał Bijak
- Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-236 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Joanna Saluk-Bijak
- Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-236 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Janusz Szemraj
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-216 Lodz, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
159
|
Brouwer TP, Vahrmeijer AL, de Miranda NFCC. Immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer: chasing the light at the end of the tunnel. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2021; 44:261-278. [PMID: 33710604 PMCID: PMC7985121 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00587-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy has had a significant impact on the survival of a subset of patients with advanced cancers. It has been particularly effective in immunogenic cancer types that present large numbers of somatic mutations in their genomes. To date, all conventional immunotherapies have failed to produce significant clinical benefits for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, probably due to its poor immunogenic properties, including low numbers of neoantigens and highly immune-suppressive microenvironments. CONCLUSIONS Herein, we discuss advances that have recently been made in cancer immunotherapy and the potential of this field to deliver effective treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients. Preclinical investigations, combining different types of therapies, highlight possibilities to enhance anti-tumor immunity and to generate meaningful clinical responses in pancreatic cancer patients. Results from completed and ongoing (pre)clinical trials are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Brouwer
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC
| | | | - Noel F C C de Miranda
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC.
| |
Collapse
|
160
|
In-Depth Characterization of Stromal Cells within the Tumor Microenvironment Yields Novel Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061466. [PMID: 33806802 PMCID: PMC8005121 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061466] [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: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This up-to-date and in-depth review describes fibroblast-derived cells and their role within the tumor microenvironment for tumor progression. Moreover, targets for future antitumor therapies are summarized and potential aspects for future translational research are outlined. Furthermore, this review discusses the challenges and possible obstacles related to certain treatment targets. Abstract Cells within the tumor stroma are essential for tumor progression. In particular, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and CAF precursor cells (resident fibroblasts and mesenchymal stromal cells) are responsible for the formation of the extracellular matrix in tumor tissue. Consequently, CAFs directly and indirectly mediate inflammation, metastasis, immunomodulation, angiogenesis, and the development of tumor chemoresistance, which is orchestrated by complex intercellular cytokine-mediated crosstalk. CAFs represent a strategic target in antitumor therapy but their heterogeneity hinders effective treatment regimes. In-depth understanding of CAF subpopulations and knowledge of specific functions in tumor progression will ultimately result in more specific and effective cancer treatments. This review provides a detailed description of CAFs and CAF precursor cells and summarizes possible treatment strategies as well as molecular targets of these cells in antitumor therapies.
Collapse
|
161
|
LAG-3-Expressing Tumor-Infiltrating T Cells Are Associated with Reduced Disease-Free Survival in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061297. [PMID: 33803936 PMCID: PMC7998134 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In light of the majority of pancreatic cancer patients not responding to current immune checkpoint blockade, alternative immunotherapeutic targets need to be identified. In this study, we employed multiplex immunofluorescence to investigate the expression of co-stimulatory and inhibitory receptors by tumor-infiltrating T cells in human pancreatic cancer. A comprehensive analysis of the receptor pattern on tumor-infiltrating T cells is essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies, as well as personalized immunotherapy, to identify patients who are likely to benefit from targeting specific immune receptors. Abstract T cells are the predominant immune cell population in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. High CD8+ and Th1-polarized CD4+ T cell infiltration is associated with prolonged survival in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the expression pattern of co-stimulatory and inhibitory receptors by PDAC-infiltrating T cells and their prognostic significance are not well defined. In this study, we employed multiplex immunofluorescence to investigate the intratumoral expression of the co-stimulatory receptor inducible T-cell co-stimulator (ICOS), the inhibitory receptors lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3), programmed death 1 (PD-1), and V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA) by tumor-infiltrating T cells (CD3) in a cohort of 69 patients with resected PDAC. T cells were enriched particularly within the stromal area and were highly heterogeneous across tumors. Further, T cells were associated with prolonged disease-free survival (DFS). However, LAG-3 expression by PDAC-infiltrating T cells was correlated with reduced DFS. Our study highlights the biological importance of LAG-3 expression by tumor-infiltrating T cells. LAG-3+ T cells may represent a novel prognostic marker and a particularly attractive target for immunotherapeutic strategies in PDAC.
Collapse
|
162
|
Hu C, Zhao Y, Wang X, Zhu T. Intratumoral Fibrosis in Facilitating Renal Cancer Aggressiveness: Underlying Mechanisms and Promising Targets. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:651620. [PMID: 33777960 PMCID: PMC7991742 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.651620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Intratumoral fibrosis is a histologic manifestation of fibrotic tumor stroma. The interaction between cancer cells and fibrotic stroma is intricate and reciprocal, involving dysregulations from multiple biological processes. Different components of tumor stroma are implicated via distinct manners. In the kidney, intratumoral fibrosis is frequently observed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. In this review, we recapitulate evidence demonstrating how fibrotic stroma interacts with cancer cells and mechanisms shared between RCC tumorigenesis and renal fibrogenesis, providing promising targets for future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Hu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufeng Zhao
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuanchuan Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Tongyu Zhu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
163
|
Merz V, Gaule M, Zecchetto C, Cavaliere A, Casalino S, Pesoni C, Contarelli S, Sabbadini F, Bertolini M, Mangiameli D, Milella M, Fedele V, Melisi D. Targeting KRAS: The Elephant in the Room of Epithelial Cancers. Front Oncol 2021; 11:638360. [PMID: 33777798 PMCID: PMC7991835 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.638360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations of the proto-oncogene KRAS are the most frequent gain-of-function alterations found in cancer. KRAS is mutated in about 30% of all human tumors, but it could reach more than 90% in certain cancer types such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Although historically considered to be undruggable, a particular KRAS mutation, the G12C variant, has recently emerged as an actionable alteration especially in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). KRASG12C and pan-KRAS inhibitors are being tested in clinical trials and have recently shown promising activity. Due to the difficulties in direct targeting of KRAS, other approaches are being explored. The inhibition of target upstream activators or downstream effectors of KRAS pathway has shown to be moderately effective given the evidence of emerging mechanisms of resistance. Various synthetic lethal partners of KRAS have recently being identified and the inhibition of some of those might prove to be successful in the future. The study of escape mechanisms to KRAS inhibition could support the utility of combination strategies in overcoming intrinsic and adaptive resistance and enhancing clinical benefit of KRASG12C inhibitors. Considering the role of the microenvironment in influencing tumor initiation and promotion, the immune tumor niche of KRAS mutant tumors has been deeply explored and characterized for its unique immunosuppressive skewing. However, a number of aspects remains to be fully understood, and modulating this tumor niche might revert the immunoresistance of KRAS mutant tumors. Synergistic associations of KRASG12C and immune checkpoint inhibitors are being tested.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Merz
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Medical Oncology Unit, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Marina Gaule
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Section of Medical Oncology, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Camilla Zecchetto
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Section of Medical Oncology, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cavaliere
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Section of Medical Oncology, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Simona Casalino
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Section of Medical Oncology, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Camilla Pesoni
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Section of Medical Oncology, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Serena Contarelli
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Fabio Sabbadini
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Monica Bertolini
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Domenico Mangiameli
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Section of Medical Oncology, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Vita Fedele
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Davide Melisi
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Section of Medical Oncology, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
164
|
Lu T, Zheng Y, Gong X, Lv Q, Chen J, Tu Z, Lin S, Pan J, Guo Q, Li J. High Expression of Hyaluronan-Mediated Motility Receptor Predicts Adverse Outcomes: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:608842. [PMID: 33763352 PMCID: PMC7982417 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.608842] [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: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Several studies have shown that the hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) is overexpressed in various cancers and could be a potential prognostic factor. However, further research is still required to determine the prognostic value and potential function of HMMR in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Materials and Methods: Transcriptomic expression data were collected from the Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus and the differences in HMMR expression between normal and tumor tissues were analyzed. The correlation between the methylation level of HMMR and its mRNA expression was analyzed via cBioPortal. Additionally, the data obtained from TCGA was analyzed with MethSurv to determine the prognostic value of the HMMR methylation levels in HNSCC. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and single sample GSEA (ssGSEA) were used to explore the potential biological functions of HMMR. Results: HMMR was highly expressed in HNSCC tumor tissue compared to normal tissue (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis (MAV) showed that high HMMR mRNA expression was an independent prognostic factor of overall survival (OS) in TCGA (HR = 1.628, 95% CI: 1.169–2.266, p = 0.004) and GSE41613 data (HR = 2.238, p = 0.013). The methylation level of HMMR negatively correlated with the HMMR expression (R = −0.12, p < 0.001), and patients with low HMMR methylation had worse OS than patients with high methylation (p < 0.001). GSEA found that HMMR expression was associated with the KARS, EMT, and G2M checkpoint pathways, as well as the interferon-gamma and interferon-alpha responses, whereas ssGSEA showed that HMMR expression positively correlated with the infiltration level of Th2 cells. MAV confirmed that high HMMR protein expression was an inferior independent factor for OS (HR = 2.288, p = 0.045) and progression-free survival (HR = 2.247, p = 0.038) in 70 HNSCC. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the upregulation of HMMR mRNA and protein in HNSCC is a biomarker for poor prognosis. The biological functions of HMMR are potentially related to the KARS, EMT, and G2M checkpoint pathways, as well as the interferon-gamma and interferon-alpha responses. These findings help to elucidate the role of HMMR in carcinogenesis and lay a foundation for further study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianzhu Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Personalized Diagnosis and Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University), Nanchang, China
| | - Yahan Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaochang Gong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qiaoli Lv
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Personalized Diagnosis and Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University), Nanchang, China
| | - Junjun Chen
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Personalized Diagnosis and Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University), Nanchang, China
| | - Ziwei Tu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shaojun Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianji Pan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qiaojuan Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Cancer Hospital and Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jingao Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Personalized Diagnosis and Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University), Nanchang, China
| |
Collapse
|
165
|
Carpenter E, Nelson S, Bednar F, Cho C, Nathan H, Sahai V, di Magliano MP, Frankel TL. Immunotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. J Surg Oncol 2021; 123:751-759. [PMID: 33595893 DOI: 10.1002/jso.26312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a lethal cancer with an urgent need for better medical therapies. Efforts have been made to investigate the efficacy of immunotherapy, particularly given the hallmarks of immune suppression and exhaustion in PDAC tumors. Here, we review the molecular components responsible for the immune-privileged state in PDAC and provide an overview of the immunotherapeutic strategies for PDAC including vaccine therapy, checkpoint blockade, myeloid-targeted therapy, and immune agonist therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Carpenter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sarah Nelson
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Filip Bednar
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Clifford Cho
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Hari Nathan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Vaibhav Sahai
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Timothy L Frankel
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
166
|
Manzo T, Prentice BM, Anderson KG, Raman A, Schalck A, Codreanu GS, Nava Lauson CB, Tiberti S, Raimondi A, Jones MA, Reyzer M, Bates BM, Spraggins JM, Patterson NH, McLean JA, Rai K, Tacchetti C, Tucci S, Wargo JA, Rodighiero S, Clise-Dwyer K, Sherrod SD, Kim M, Navin NE, Caprioli RM, Greenberg PD, Draetta G, Nezi L. Accumulation of long-chain fatty acids in the tumor microenvironment drives dysfunction in intrapancreatic CD8+ T cells. J Exp Med 2021; 217:151833. [PMID: 32491160 PMCID: PMC7398173 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20191920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are master effectors of antitumor immunity, and their presence at tumor sites correlates with favorable outcomes. However, metabolic constraints imposed by the tumor microenvironment (TME) can dampen their ability to control tumor progression. We describe lipid accumulation in the TME areas of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) populated by CD8+ T cells infiltrating both murine and human tumors. In this lipid-rich but otherwise nutrient-poor TME, access to using lipid metabolism becomes particularly valuable for sustaining cell functions. Here, we found that intrapancreatic CD8+ T cells progressively accumulate specific long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs), which, rather than provide a fuel source, impair their mitochondrial function and trigger major transcriptional reprogramming of pathways involved in lipid metabolism, with the subsequent reduction of fatty acid catabolism. In particular, intrapancreatic CD8+ T cells specifically exhibit down-regulation of the very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) enzyme, which exacerbates accumulation of LCFAs and very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) that mediate lipotoxicity. Metabolic reprogramming of tumor-specific T cells through enforced expression of ACADVL enabled enhanced intratumoral T cell survival and persistence in an engineered mouse model of PDA, overcoming one of the major hurdles to immunotherapy for PDA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Manzo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology, Milano, Italy.,Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Boone M Prentice
- Department of Biochemistry, Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology and Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Kristin G Anderson
- Clinical Research Division and Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.,Departments of Medicine/Oncology and Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Ayush Raman
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Aislyn Schalck
- Department of Genetics and Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | - Carina B Nava Lauson
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Tiberti
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Raimondi
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, Milano, Italy
| | - Marissa A Jones
- Department of Biochemistry, Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology and Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Michelle Reyzer
- Department of Biochemistry, Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology and Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Breanna M Bates
- Clinical Research Division and Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.,Departments of Medicine/Oncology and Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Jeffrey M Spraggins
- Department of Biochemistry, Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology and Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Nathan H Patterson
- Department of Biochemistry, Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology and Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - John A McLean
- Center for Innovative Technology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Kunal Rai
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Carlo Tacchetti
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Tucci
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jennifer A Wargo
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.,Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Simona Rodighiero
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology, Milano, Italy
| | - Karen Clise-Dwyer
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Stacy D Sherrod
- Center for Innovative Technology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Michael Kim
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Nicholas E Navin
- Department of Genetics and Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Richard M Caprioli
- Department of Biochemistry, Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology and Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Philip D Greenberg
- Clinical Research Division and Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.,Departments of Medicine/Oncology and Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Giulio Draetta
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Luigi Nezi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology, Milano, Italy.,Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| |
Collapse
|
167
|
Chan LKY, Lau TS, Chung KY, Tam C, Cheung TH, Yim SF, Lee JHS, Leung RWT, Qin J, Or YYY, Lo KW, Kwong J. Short-Form Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (sfTSLP) Is the Predominant Isoform Expressed by Gynaecologic Cancers and Promotes Tumour Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13050980. [PMID: 33652749 PMCID: PMC7956741 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13050980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cytokines are a group of small proteins in the body that play an important part in boosting the immune system. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine that plays an important role in the maturation of T cells. Two variants of TSLP, long-form (lfTSLP) and short-form (sfTSLP), have been found, however their roles in cancers are not known. In this study, we discovered that sfTSLP, but not lfTSLP, is predominantly expressed in ovarian and endometrial cancers. The switch that turns the sfTSLP gene on or off is controlled by external modifications of DNA. Our results also found that sfTSLP promotes tumour growth through activating several signal pathways in cancer cells. Abstract Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial cell derived cytokine belonging to the IL-7 family and a key initiator of allergic inflammation. Two main isoforms of TSLP, classified as long- (lfTSLP) and short-form (sfTSLP), have been reported in human, but their expression patterns and role(s) in cancers are not yet clear. mRNA expression was examined by isoform-specific RT-PCR and RNA in situ hybridisation. Epigenetic regulation was investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR and bisulfite sequencing. Tumour progression was investigated by gene overexpression, cell viability assay, cancer organoid culture and transwell invasion. Signals were investigated by proteome profiler protein array and RNA-sequencing. With the use of isoform-specific primers and probes, we uncovered that only sfTSLP was expressed in the cell lines and tumour tissues of human ovarian and endometrial cancers. We also showed the epigenetic regulation of sfTSLP: sfTSLP transcription was regulated by histone acetylation at promoters in ovarian cancer cells, whereas silencing of the sfTSLP transcripts was regulated by promoter DNA methylation in endometrial cancer cells. In vitro study showed that ectopically overexpressing sfTSLP promoted tumour growth but not invasion. Human phosphokinase array application demonstrated that the sfTSLP overexpression activated phosphorylation of multiple intracellular kinases (including GSK3α/β, AMPKα1, p53, AKT1/2, ERK1/2 and Src) in ovarian cancer cells in a context-dependent manner. We further investigated the impact of sfTSLP overexpression on transcriptome by RNA-sequencing and found that EFNB2 and PBX1 were downregulated in ovarian and endometrial cancer cells, suggesting their role in sfTSLP-mediated tumour growth. In conclusion, sfTSLP is predominantly expressed in ovarian and endometrial cancers and promotes tumour growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loucia Kit Ying Chan
- Department of Obstetrics of Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.K.Y.C.); (T.S.L.); (K.Y.C.); (C.T.); (T.H.C.); (S.F.Y.); (J.H.S.L.)
| | - Tat San Lau
- Department of Obstetrics of Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.K.Y.C.); (T.S.L.); (K.Y.C.); (C.T.); (T.H.C.); (S.F.Y.); (J.H.S.L.)
| | - Kit Ying Chung
- Department of Obstetrics of Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.K.Y.C.); (T.S.L.); (K.Y.C.); (C.T.); (T.H.C.); (S.F.Y.); (J.H.S.L.)
| | - Chit Tam
- Department of Obstetrics of Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.K.Y.C.); (T.S.L.); (K.Y.C.); (C.T.); (T.H.C.); (S.F.Y.); (J.H.S.L.)
| | - Tak Hong Cheung
- Department of Obstetrics of Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.K.Y.C.); (T.S.L.); (K.Y.C.); (C.T.); (T.H.C.); (S.F.Y.); (J.H.S.L.)
| | - So Fan Yim
- Department of Obstetrics of Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.K.Y.C.); (T.S.L.); (K.Y.C.); (C.T.); (T.H.C.); (S.F.Y.); (J.H.S.L.)
| | - Jacqueline Ho Sze Lee
- Department of Obstetrics of Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.K.Y.C.); (T.S.L.); (K.Y.C.); (C.T.); (T.H.C.); (S.F.Y.); (J.H.S.L.)
| | - Ricky Wai Tak Leung
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 510006, China; (R.W.T.L.); (J.Q.)
| | - Jing Qin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 510006, China; (R.W.T.L.); (J.Q.)
| | - Yvonne Yan Yan Or
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (Y.Y.Y.O.); (K.W.L.)
| | - Kwok Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (Y.Y.Y.O.); (K.W.L.)
| | - Joseph Kwong
- Department of Obstetrics of Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.K.Y.C.); (T.S.L.); (K.Y.C.); (C.T.); (T.H.C.); (S.F.Y.); (J.H.S.L.)
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Keele University, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 5BG, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-3505-2801
| |
Collapse
|
168
|
Alay A, Cordero D, Hijazo-Pechero S, Aliagas E, Lopez-Doriga A, Marín R, Palmero R, Llatjós R, Escobar I, Ramos R, Padrones S, Moreno V, Nadal E, Solé X. Integrative transcriptome analysis of malignant pleural mesothelioma reveals a clinically relevant immune-based classification. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-001601. [PMID: 33632900 PMCID: PMC7908918 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive neoplasia affecting the lung mesothelium. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in MPM have not been extremely successful, likely due to poor identification of suitable candidate patients for the therapy. We aimed to identify cellular immune fractions associated with clinical outcome and classify patients with MPM based on their immune contexture. For each defined group, we sought for molecular specificities that could help further define our MPM classification at the genomic and transcriptomic level, as well as identify differential therapeutic strategies based on transcriptional signatures predictive of drug response. Methods The abundance of 20 immune cell fractions in 516 MPM samples from 7 gene expression datasets was inferred using gene set variation analysis. Identification of clinically relevant fractions was performed with Cox proportional-hazards models adjusted for age, stage, sex, and tumor histology. Immune-based groups were defined based on the identified fractions. Results T-helper 2 (TH2) and cytotoxic T (TC) cells were found to be consistently associated with overall survival. Three immune clusters (IG) were subsequently defined based on TH2 and TC immune infiltration levels: IG1 (54.5%) was characterized by high TH2 and low TC levels, IG2 (37%) had either low or high levels of both fractions, and IG3 (8.5%) was defined by low TH2 and high TC levels. IG1 and IG3 groups were associated with worse and better overall survival, respectively. While no differential genomic alterations were identified among immune groups, at the transcriptional level, IG1 samples showed upregulation of proliferation signatures, while IG3 samples presented upregulation of immune and inflammation-related pathways. Finally, the integration of gene expression with functional signatures of drug response showed that IG3 patients might be more likely to respond to ICI. Conclusions This study identifies a novel immune-based signature with potential clinical relevance based on TH2 and TC levels, unveiling a fraction of patients with MPM with better prognosis and who might benefit from immune-based therapies. Molecular specificities of the different groups might be used to tailor specific potential therapies in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ania Alay
- Unit of Bioinformatics for Precision Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Cordero
- Unit of Bioinformatics for Precision Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Centre Network for Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Hijazo-Pechero
- Unit of Bioinformatics for Precision Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabet Aliagas
- Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology Program (Oncobell), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adriana Lopez-Doriga
- Unit of Bioinformatics for Precision Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Centre Network for Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Marín
- Unit of Bioinformatics for Precision Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramón Palmero
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger Llatjós
- Department of Pathology, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Escobar
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ricard Ramos
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Padrones
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bellvitge University Hospital, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Víctor Moreno
- Biomedical Research Centre Network for Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain.,Oncology Data Analytics Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL)-University of Barcelona (UB), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ernest Nadal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Solé
- Unit of Bioinformatics for Precision Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain .,Biomedical Research Centre Network for Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
169
|
Vacchelli E, Galluzzi L, Eggermont A, Galon J, Tartour E, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G. Trial Watch: Immunostimulatory cytokines. Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:493-506. [PMID: 22754768 PMCID: PMC3382908 DOI: 10.4161/onci.20459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last two decades, a number of approaches for the activation of the immune system against cancer has been developed. These include highly specific interventions, such as monoclonal antibodies, vaccines and cell-based therapies, as well as relatively unselective strategies, such as the systemic administration of adjuvants and immunomodulatory cytokines. Cytokines constitute a huge group of proteins that, taken together, regulate not only virtually all the aspects of innate and cognate immunity, but also several other cellular and organismal functions. Cytokines operate via specific transmembrane receptors that are expressed on the plasma membrane of target cells and, depending on multiple variables, can engage autocrine, paracrine or endocrine signaling pathways. The most appropriate term for defining the cytokine network is “pleiotropic”: cytokines are produced by - and operate on - multiple, often overlapping, cell types, triggering context-depend biological outcomes as diverse as cell proliferation, chemotaxis, differentiation, inflammation, elimination of pathogens and cell death. Moreover, cytokines often induce the release of additional cytokines, thereby engaging self-amplificatory or self-inhibitory signaling cascades. In this Trial Watch, we will summarize the biological properties of cytokines and discuss the progress of ongoing clinical studies evaluating their safety and efficacy as immunomodulatory agents against cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Vacchelli
- INSERM; U848; Villejuif, France ; Université Paris-Sud/Paris XI; Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
170
|
Protti MP, De Monte L. Cross-talk within the tumor microenvironment mediates Th2-type inflammation in pancreatic cancer. Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:89-91. [PMID: 22720220 DOI: 10.4161/onci.1.1.17939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Th2-type inflammation has been proposed to facilitate tumor growth. In De Monte et al. (J Exp Med 208:469-478, 2011) we identify in pancreatic cancer a complex cytokine/chemokine cross-talk within the tumor microenvironment mediating Th2 immune-deviation and show that the ratio of Th2/Th1 tumor infiltrating lymphocytes is an independent predictive marker of patients survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pia Protti
- Tumor Immunology Unit; Division of Immunology; Transplantation and Infectious Diseases; San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Milan, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
171
|
Richardson JR, Schöllhorn A, Gouttefangeas C, Schuhmacher J. CD4+ T Cells: Multitasking Cells in the Duty of Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:596. [PMID: 33546283 PMCID: PMC7913359 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy activates the immune system to specifically target malignant cells. Research has often focused on CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, as those have the capacity to eliminate tumor cells after specific recognition upon TCR-MHC class I interaction. However, CD4+ T cells have gained attention in the field, as they are not only essential to promote help to CD8+ T cells, but are also able to kill tumor cells directly (via MHC-class II dependent recognition) or indirectly (e.g., via the activation of other immune cells like macrophages). Therefore, immunotherapy approaches have shifted from only stimulating CD8+ T cells to targeting and assessing both, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Here, we discuss the various subsets of CD4+ T cells, their plasticity and functionality, their relevance in the antitumor immune response in patients affected by cancer, and their ever-growing role in therapeutic approaches for human cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R. Richardson
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (J.R.R.); (A.S.); (J.S.)
| | - Anna Schöllhorn
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (J.R.R.); (A.S.); (J.S.)
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cécile Gouttefangeas
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (J.R.R.); (A.S.); (J.S.)
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Partner Site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Juliane Schuhmacher
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (J.R.R.); (A.S.); (J.S.)
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies”, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
172
|
Heeran AB, Dunne MR, Morrissey ME, Buckley CE, Clarke N, Cannon A, Donlon NE, Nugent TS, Durand M, Dunne C, Larkin JO, Mehigan B, McCormick P, Lynam-Lennon N, O’Sullivan J. The Protein Secretome Is Altered in Rectal Cancer Tissue Compared to Normal Rectal Tissue, and Alterations in the Secretome Induce Enhanced Innate Immune Responses. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030571. [PMID: 33540635 PMCID: PMC7867296 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Rectal cancer occurs in the lower part of the bowel, and approximately half of all rectal cancer patients receive chemoradiotherapy before surgery. In ~22% of cases the tumour is eradicated, but the reasons for different response rates between patients are largely unknown. Inflammation and the immune system are important players in the response to cancer treatment, but we do not fully understand the role they play in this clinical setting. We examined the levels of 54 inflammatory markers in normal (non-cancerous) rectal tissue and rectal cancer tissue, and we found that rectal cancer tissue was more inflammatory, and the levels of inflammatory markers correlated with obesity status. We found that irradiating rectal cancer tissue enhanced the ability of immune cells to induce an anti-tumour immune response. Abstract Locally advanced rectal cancer is treated with neoadjuvant-chemoradiotherapy; however, only ~22% of patients achieve a complete response, and resistance mechanisms are poorly understood. The role of inflammation and immune cell biology in this setting is under-investigated. In this study, we profiled the inflammatory protein secretome of normal (non-cancer) (n = 8) and malignant rectal tissue (n = 12) pre- and post-radiation in human ex vivo explant models and examined the influence of these untreated and treated secretomes on dendritic cell biology (n = 8 for cancer and normal). These resultant profiles were correlated with patient clinical characteristics. Nineteen factors were secreted at significantly higher levels from the rectal cancer secretome when compared to the normal rectal secretome; Flt-1, P1GF, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, CCL20, CCL26, CCL22, CCL3, CCL4, CCL17, GM-CSF, IL-12/IL-23p40, IL-17A, IL-1α, IL-17A/F, IL-1RA, TSLP and CXCL10 (p < 0.05). Radiation was found to have differential effects on normal rectal tissue and rectal cancer tissue with increased IL-15 and CCL22 secretion following radiation from normal rectal tissue explants (p < 0.05), while no significant alterations were observed in the irradiated rectal cancer tissue. Interestingly, however, the irradiated rectal cancer secretome induced the most potent effect on dendritic cell maturation via upregulation of CD80 and PD-L1. Patient’s visceral fat area correlated with secreted factors including CCL20, suggesting that obesity status may alter the tumour microenvironment (TME). These results suggest that radiation does not have a negative effect on the ability of the rectal cancer TME to induce an immune response. Understanding these responses may unveil potential therapeutic targets to enhance radiation response and mitigate normal tissue injury. Tumour irradiation in this cohort enhances innate immune responses, which may be harnessed to improve patient treatment outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aisling B. Heeran
- Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital, D08 W9RT Dublin 8, Ireland; (A.B.H.); (M.R.D.); (M.E.M.); (C.E.B.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (N.E.D.); (T.S.N.); (N.L.-L.)
| | - Margaret R. Dunne
- Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital, D08 W9RT Dublin 8, Ireland; (A.B.H.); (M.R.D.); (M.E.M.); (C.E.B.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (N.E.D.); (T.S.N.); (N.L.-L.)
| | - Maria E. Morrissey
- Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital, D08 W9RT Dublin 8, Ireland; (A.B.H.); (M.R.D.); (M.E.M.); (C.E.B.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (N.E.D.); (T.S.N.); (N.L.-L.)
| | - Croí E. Buckley
- Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital, D08 W9RT Dublin 8, Ireland; (A.B.H.); (M.R.D.); (M.E.M.); (C.E.B.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (N.E.D.); (T.S.N.); (N.L.-L.)
| | - Niamh Clarke
- Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital, D08 W9RT Dublin 8, Ireland; (A.B.H.); (M.R.D.); (M.E.M.); (C.E.B.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (N.E.D.); (T.S.N.); (N.L.-L.)
| | - Aoife Cannon
- Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital, D08 W9RT Dublin 8, Ireland; (A.B.H.); (M.R.D.); (M.E.M.); (C.E.B.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (N.E.D.); (T.S.N.); (N.L.-L.)
| | - Noel E. Donlon
- Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital, D08 W9RT Dublin 8, Ireland; (A.B.H.); (M.R.D.); (M.E.M.); (C.E.B.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (N.E.D.); (T.S.N.); (N.L.-L.)
| | - Timothy S. Nugent
- Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital, D08 W9RT Dublin 8, Ireland; (A.B.H.); (M.R.D.); (M.E.M.); (C.E.B.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (N.E.D.); (T.S.N.); (N.L.-L.)
| | - Michael Durand
- GEMS, St. James’s Hospital, D08 NHY1 Dublin 8, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.D.); (J.O.L.); (B.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Cara Dunne
- GEMS, St. James’s Hospital, D08 NHY1 Dublin 8, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.D.); (J.O.L.); (B.M.); (P.M.)
| | - John O. Larkin
- GEMS, St. James’s Hospital, D08 NHY1 Dublin 8, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.D.); (J.O.L.); (B.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Brian Mehigan
- GEMS, St. James’s Hospital, D08 NHY1 Dublin 8, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.D.); (J.O.L.); (B.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Paul McCormick
- GEMS, St. James’s Hospital, D08 NHY1 Dublin 8, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.D.); (J.O.L.); (B.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Niamh Lynam-Lennon
- Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital, D08 W9RT Dublin 8, Ireland; (A.B.H.); (M.R.D.); (M.E.M.); (C.E.B.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (N.E.D.); (T.S.N.); (N.L.-L.)
| | - Jacintha O’Sullivan
- Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital, D08 W9RT Dublin 8, Ireland; (A.B.H.); (M.R.D.); (M.E.M.); (C.E.B.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (N.E.D.); (T.S.N.); (N.L.-L.)
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +353-(0)18964122
| |
Collapse
|
173
|
Abstract
ABSTRACT Microorganisms can help maintain homeostasis in humans by providing nutrition, maintaining hormone balance, and regulating inflammatory responses. In the case of imbalances, these microbes can cause various diseases, even malignancy. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by high tumor invasiveness, distant metastasis, and insensitivity to traditional chemotherapeutic drugs, and it is confirmed that PC is closely related to microorganisms. Recently, most studies based on clinical samples or case reports discussed the positive or negative relationships between microorganisms and PC. However, the specific mechanisms are blurry, especially the involved immunological pathways, and the roles of beneficial flora have usually been ignored. We reviewed studies published through September 2020 as identified using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science. We mainly introduced the traits of oral, gastrointestinal, and intratumoral microbes in PC and summarized the roles of these microbes in tumorigenesis and tumoral development through immunological pathways, in addition to illustrating the relationships between metabolic diseases with PC by microorganism. In addition, we identified microorganisms as biomarkers for early diagnosis and immunotherapy. This review will be significant for greater understanding the effect of microorganisms in PC and provide more meaningful guidance for future clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wei
- From the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun
| | - Chunlei Mei
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xixi Li
- From the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun
| | - Yingjun Xie
- From the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun
| |
Collapse
|
174
|
Senovilla L, Vacchelli E, Galon J, Adjemian S, Eggermont A, Fridman WH, Sautès-Fridman C, Ma Y, Tartour E, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L. Trial watch: Prognostic and predictive value of the immune infiltrate in cancer. Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:1323-1343. [PMID: 23243596 PMCID: PMC3518505 DOI: 10.4161/onci.22009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid tumors are constituted of a variety of cellular components, including bona fide malignant cells as well as endothelial, structural and immune cells. On one hand, the tumor stroma exerts major pro-tumorigenic and immunosuppressive functions, reflecting the capacity of cancer cells to shape the microenvironment to satisfy their own metabolic and immunological needs. On the other hand, there is a component of tumor-infiltrating leucocytes (TILs) that has been specifically recruited in the attempt to control tumor growth. Along with the recognition of the critical role played by the immune system in oncogenesis, tumor progression and response to therapy, increasing attention has been attracted by the potential prognostic and/or predictive role of the immune infiltrate in this setting. Data from large clinical studies demonstrate indeed that a robust infiltration of neoplastic lesions by specific immune cell populations, including (but not limited to) CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, Th1 and Th17 CD4+ T cells, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and M1 macrophages constitutes an independent prognostic indicator in several types of cancer. Conversely, high levels of intratumoral CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells, Th2 CD4+ T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, M2 macrophages and neutrophils have frequently been associated with dismal prognosis. So far, only a few studies have addressed the true predictive potential of TILs in cancer patients, generally comforting the notion that—at least in some clinical settings—the immune infiltrate can reliably predict if a specific patient will respond to therapy or not. In this Trial Watch, we will summarize the results of clinical trials that have evaluated/are evaluating the prognostic and predictive value of the immune infiltrate in the context of solid malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Senovilla
- Institut Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; Université Paris-Sud/Paris XI; Orsay, France ; INSERM, U848; Villejuif, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
175
|
Lança T, Silva-Santos B. The split nature of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes: Implications for cancer surveillance and immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:717-725. [PMID: 22934263 PMCID: PMC3429575 DOI: 10.4161/onci.20068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An important development in tumor immunology was the identification of highly diverse tumor-infiltrating leukocyte subsets that can play strikingly antagonistic functions. Namely, “anti-tumor” vs. “pro-tumor” roles have been suggested for Th1 and Th17 subsets of CD4+ T cells, Type I or Type II NKT cells, M1 and M2 macrophages, or N1 and N2 neutrophils, respectively. While these findings are being validated in cancer patients, it is also clear that the balance between infiltrating CD8+ cytotoxic and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells has prognostic value. Here we review the pre-clinical and clinical data that have shaped our current understanding of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Telma Lança
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular; Faculdade de Medicina; Universidade de Lisboa; Lisbon, Portugal
| | | |
Collapse
|
176
|
Hofschröer V, Najder K, Rugi M, Bouazzi R, Cozzolino M, Arcangeli A, Panyi G, Schwab A. Ion Channels Orchestrate Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Progression and Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:586599. [PMID: 33841132 PMCID: PMC8025202 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.586599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a devastating disease with a dismal prognosis. Therapeutic interventions are largely ineffective. A better understanding of the pathophysiology is required. Ion channels contribute substantially to the "hallmarks of cancer." Their expression is dysregulated in cancer, and they are "misused" to drive cancer progression, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Ion channels are located in the cell membrane at the interface between the intracellular and extracellular space. They sense and modify the tumor microenvironment which in itself is a driver of PDAC aggressiveness. Ion channels detect, for example, locally altered proton and electrolyte concentrations or mechanical stimuli and transduce signals triggered by these microenvironmental cues through association with intracellular signaling cascades. While these concepts have been firmly established for other cancers, evidence has emerged only recently that ion channels are drivers of PDAC aggressiveness. Particularly, they appear to contribute to two of the characteristic PDAC features: the massive fibrosis of the tumor stroma (desmoplasia) and the efficient immune evasion. Our critical review of the literature clearly shows that there is still a remarkable lack of knowledge with respect to the contribution of ion channels to these two typical PDAC properties. Yet, we can draw parallels from ion channel research in other fibrotic and inflammatory diseases. Evidence is accumulating that pancreatic stellate cells express the same "profibrotic" ion channels. Similarly, it is at least in part known which major ion channels are expressed in those innate and adaptive immune cells that populate the PDAC microenvironment. We explore potential therapeutic avenues derived thereof. Since drugs targeting PDAC-relevant ion channels are already in clinical use, we propose to repurpose those in PDAC. The quest for ion channel targets is both motivated and complicated by the fact that some of the relevant channels, for example, KCa3.1, are functionally expressed in the cancer, stroma, and immune cells. Only in vivo studies will reveal which arm of the balance we should put our weights on when developing channel-targeting PDAC therapies. The time is up to explore the efficacy of ion channel targeting in (transgenic) murine PDAC models before launching clinical trials with repurposed drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Karolina Najder
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Micol Rugi
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rayhana Bouazzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Cozzolino
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Annarosa Arcangeli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Albrecht Schwab
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
177
|
Zhang W, Zhang K, Zhang P, Zheng J, Min C, Li X. Research Progress of Pancreas-Related Microorganisms and Pancreatic Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 10:604531. [PMID: 33520714 PMCID: PMC7841623 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.604531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common digestive system cancers. Early diagnosis is difficult owing to the lack of specific symptoms and reliable biomarkers. The cause of pancreatic cancer remains ambiguous. Smoking, drinking, new-onset diabetes, and chronic pancreatitis have been proven to be associated with the occurrence of pancreatic cancer. In recent years, a large number of studies have clarified that a variety of microorganisms colonized in pancreatic cancer tissues are also closely related to the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer, and the specific mechanisms include inflammatory induction, immune regulation, metabolism, and microenvironment changes caused by microorganism. The mechanism of action of the pancreatic colonized microbiome in the tumor microenvironment, as well as immunotherapy approaches require further study in order to find more evidence to explain the complex relationship between the pancreatic colonized microbiome and PDAC. Relevant studies targeting the microbiome may provide insight into the mechanisms of PDAC development and progression, improving treatment effectiveness and overall patient prognosis. In this article, we focus on the research relating to the microorganisms colonized in pancreatic cancer tissues, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. We also highlight the microbial diversity in the occurrence, invasion, metastasis, treatment, and prognosis of pancreatic cancer in order to elucidate its significance in the early diagnosis and new therapeutic treatment of pancreatic cancer, which urgently need to be improved in clinical practice. The elimination or increase in diversity of the pancreatic microbiome is beneficial for prolonging the survival of PDAC patients, improving the response to chemotherapy drugs, and reducing tumor burden. The colonization of microorganisms in the pancreas may become a new hotspot in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xiaoyu Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
178
|
Armitage JD, Newnes HV, McDonnell A, Bosco A, Waithman J. Fine-Tuning the Tumour Microenvironment: Current Perspectives on the Mechanisms of Tumour Immunosuppression. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010056. [PMID: 33401460 PMCID: PMC7823446 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionised the treatment of cancers by harnessing the power of the immune system to eradicate malignant tissue. However, it is well recognised that some cancers are highly resistant to these therapies, which is in part attributed to the immunosuppressive landscape of the tumour microenvironment (TME). The contexture of the TME is highly heterogeneous and contains a complex architecture of immune, stromal, vascular and tumour cells in addition to acellular components such as the extracellular matrix. While understanding the dynamics of the TME has been instrumental in predicting durable responses to immunotherapy and developing new treatment strategies, recent evidence challenges the fundamental paradigms of how tumours can effectively subvert immunosurveillance. Here, we discuss the various immunosuppressive features of the TME and how fine-tuning these mechanisms, rather than ablating them completely, may result in a more comprehensive and balanced anti-tumour response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D. Armitage
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (J.D.A.); (H.V.N.); (A.M.)
| | - Hannah V. Newnes
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (J.D.A.); (H.V.N.); (A.M.)
| | - Alison McDonnell
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (J.D.A.); (H.V.N.); (A.M.)
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, QEII Medical Centre, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Anthony Bosco
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (J.D.A.); (H.V.N.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (J.W.)
| | - Jason Waithman
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (J.D.A.); (H.V.N.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (J.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
179
|
Bushnell GG, Orbach SM, Ma JA, Crawford HC, Wicha MS, Jeruss JS, Shea LD. Disease-induced immunomodulation at biomaterial scaffolds detects early pancreatic cancer in a spontaneous model. Biomaterials 2020; 269:120632. [PMID: 33418200 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has the worst prognosis of all cancers due to disease aggressiveness and paucity of early detection platforms. We developed biomaterial scaffolds that recruit metastatic tumor cells and reflect the immune dysregulation of native metastatic sites. While this platform has shown promise in orthotopic breast cancer models, its potential in other models is untested. Herein, we demonstrate that scaffolds recruit disseminated pancreatic cells in the KPCY model of spontaneous pancreatic cancer prior to adenocarcinoma formation (3-fold increase in scaffold YFP + cells). Furthermore, immune cells at the scaffolds differentiate early- and late-stage disease with greater accuracy (0.83) than the natural metastatic site (liver, 0.50). Early disease was identified by an approximately 2-fold increase in monocytes. Late-stage disease was marked by a 1.5-2-fold increase in T cells and natural killer cells. The differential immune response indicated that the scaffolds could distinguish spontaneous pancreatic cancer from spontaneous breast cancer. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the utility of scaffolds to reflect immunomodulation in two spontaneous models of tumorigenesis, and their particular utility for identifying early disease stages in the aggressive KPCY pancreatic cancer model. Such scaffolds may serve as a platform for early detection of pancreatic cancer to improve treatment and prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace G Bushnell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sophia M Orbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Howard C Crawford
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Max S Wicha
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jacqueline S Jeruss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Lonnie D Shea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
180
|
Seifert AM, List J, Heiduk M, Decker R, von Renesse J, Meinecke AC, Aust DE, Welsch T, Weitz J, Seifert L. Gamma-delta T cells stimulate IL-6 production by pancreatic stellate cells in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2020; 146:3233-3240. [PMID: 32865617 PMCID: PMC7679341 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03367-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment promotes progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). γδ T cells infiltrate the pancreatic tumor stroma and support tumorigenesis through αβ T cell inhibition. Pancreatic stellate cell (PSC) activation contributes to pancreatic fibrosis in PDAC, limiting the delivery and efficacy of therapeutic agents. Whether γδ T cells have direct effects on PSC activation is unknown. METHODS In this study, we analyzed tumor tissue from 68 patients with PDAC and determined the frequency and location of γδ T cells using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. PDAC samples from the TCGA database with low and high TRGC2 expression were correlated with the expression of extracellular matrix genes. Further, PSCs were isolated from pancreatic tumor tissue and co-cultured with γδ T cells for 48 hours and cytokine production was measured using a cytometric bead array. RESULTS γδ T cells infiltrated the pancreatic tumor stroma and were located in proximity to PSCs. A high infiltration of γδ T cells was associated with increased expression of several extracellular matrix genes in human PDAC. In vitro, γδ T cells stimulated IL-6 production by PDAC-derived PSCs. CONCLUSION γδ T cells activated PSCs and modulation of this interaction may enhance the efficacy of combinational therapies in human PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian M Seifert
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julian List
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Max Heiduk
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rahel Decker
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Janusz von Renesse
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ann-Christin Meinecke
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Daniela E Aust
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- NCT Biobank Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thilo Welsch
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Weitz
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena Seifert
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
181
|
Elebo N, Fru P, Omoshoro-Jones J, Candy GP, Nweke EE. Role of different immune cells and metabolic pathways in modulating the immune response in pancreatic cancer (Review). Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:4981-4991. [PMID: 33174057 PMCID: PMC7646946 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer, making it a leading cause of cancer‑related deaths. It is characteristically resistant to treatment, which results in low survival rates. In pancreatic cancer, immune cells undergo transitions that can inhibit or promote their functions, enabling treatment resistance and tumor progression. These transitions can be fostered by metabolic pathways that are dysregulated during tumorigenesis. The present review aimed to summarize the different immune cells and their roles in pancreatic cancer. The review also highlighted the individual metabolic pathways in pancreatic cancer and how they enable transitions in immune cells. Finally, the potential of targeting metabolic pathways for effective therapeutic strategies was considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nnenna Elebo
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2193, South Africa
| | - Pascaline Fru
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2193, South Africa
| | - Jones Omoshoro-Jones
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2193, South Africa
| | - Geoffrey Patrick Candy
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2193, South Africa
| | - Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2193, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
182
|
|
183
|
Ragunathan K, Upfold NLE, Oksenych V. Interaction between Fibroblasts and Immune Cells Following DNA Damage Induced by Ionizing Radiation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228635. [PMID: 33207781 PMCID: PMC7696681 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) form the basis of tumor microenvironment and possess immunomodulatory functions by interacting with other cells surrounding tumor, including T lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and natural killer cells. Ionizing radiation is a broadly-used method in radiotherapy to target tumors. In mammalian cells, ionizing radiation induces various types of DNA damages and DNA damage response. Being unspecific, radiotherapy affects all the cells in tumor microenvironment, including the tumor itself, CAFs and immune cells. CAFs are extremely radio-resistant and do not initiate apoptosis even at high doses of radiation. However, following radiation, CAFs become senescent and produce a distinct combination of immunoregulatory molecules. Radiosensitivity of immune cells varies depending on the cell type due to inefficient DNA repair in, for example, monocytes and granulocytes. In this minireview, we are summarizing recent findings on the interaction between CAF, ionizing radiation and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kalaiyarasi Ragunathan
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7028 Trondheim, Norway; (K.R.); (N.L.E.U.)
| | - Nikki Lyn Esnardo Upfold
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7028 Trondheim, Norway; (K.R.); (N.L.E.U.)
| | - Valentyn Oksenych
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7028 Trondheim, Norway; (K.R.); (N.L.E.U.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition (BioNuT), Karolinska Institutet, 14183 Huddinge, Sweden
- KG Jebsen Centre for B Cell Malignancies, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
184
|
Bruni D, Angell HK, Galon J. The immune contexture and Immunoscore in cancer prognosis and therapeutic efficacy. Nat Rev Cancer 2020; 20:662-680. [PMID: 32753728 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-020-0285-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 856] [Impact Index Per Article: 214.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The international American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control (AJCC/UICC) tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system provides the current guidelines for the classification of cancer. However, among patients within the same stage, the clinical outcome can be very different. More recently, a novel definition of cancer has emerged, implicating at all stages a complex and dynamic interaction between tumour cells and the immune system. This has enabled the definition of the immune contexture, representing the pre-existing immune parameters associated with patient survival. Even so, the role of distinct immune cell types in modulating cancer progression is increasingly emerging. An immune-based assay named the 'Immunoscore' was defined to quantify the in situ T cell infiltrate and was demonstrated to be superior to the AJCC/UICC TNM classification for patients with colorectal cancer. This Review provides a broad overview of the main immune parameters positively or negatively shaping cancer development, including the Immunoscore, and their prognostic and predictive value. The importance of the immune system in cancer control is demonstrated by the requirement for a pre-existing intratumour adaptive immune response for effective immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors. Finally, we discuss how the combination of multiple immune parameters, rather than individual ones, might increase prognostic and/or predictive power.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bruni
- INSERM, Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology; Équipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer; Sorbonne Université; Sorbonne Paris Cité; Université de Paris; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Helen K Angell
- Translational Medicine, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jérôme Galon
- INSERM, Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology; Équipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer; Sorbonne Université; Sorbonne Paris Cité; Université de Paris; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
185
|
Hilmi M, Nicolle R, Bousquet C, Neuzillet C. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Accomplices in the Tumor Immune Evasion. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102969. [PMID: 33066357 PMCID: PMC7602282 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A growing number of studies suggest that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) modulate both myeloid and lymphoid cells through secretion of molecules (i.e., chemical function) and production of the extracellular matrix (ECM), i.e., physical function. Even though targeting functions CAFs is a relevant strategy, published clinical trials solely aimed at targeting the stroma showed disappointing results, despite being based on solid preclinical evidence. Our review dissects the interactions between CAFs and immune cells and explains how a deeper understanding of CAF subpopulations is the cornerstone to propose relevant therapies that will ultimately improve survival of patients with cancer. Abstract Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are prominent cells within the tumor microenvironment, by communicating with other cells within the tumor and by secreting the extracellular matrix components. The discovery of the immunogenic role of CAFs has made their study particularly attractive due to the potential applications in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Indeed, CAFs are highly involved in tumor immune evasion by physically impeding the immune system and interacting with both myeloid and lymphoid cells. However, CAFs do not represent a single cell entity but are divided into several subtypes with different functions that may be antagonistic. Considering that CAFs are orchestrators of the tumor microenvironment and modulate immune cells, targeting their functions may be a promising strategy. In this review, we provide an overview of (i) the mechanisms involved in immune regulation by CAFs and (ii) the therapeutic applications of CAFs modulation to improve the antitumor immune response and the efficacy of immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Hilmi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Curie Institute, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France;
- GERCOR, 151 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-06-8547-3027
| | - Rémy Nicolle
- Programme Cartes d’Identité des Tumeurs (CIT), Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, 75013 Paris, France;
| | - Corinne Bousquet
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM UMR 1037, University Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, ERL5294 CNRS, 31000 Toulouse, France;
| | - Cindy Neuzillet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Curie Institute, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France;
- GERCOR, 151 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Cell Migration and Invasion, UMR144, PSL Research University, 26, rue d’Ulm, F-75005 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
186
|
Han X, Zhang WH, Wang WQ, Yu XJ, Liu L. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in therapeutic resistance of pancreatic cancer: Present situation, predicaments, and perspectives. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188444. [PMID: 33031899 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal, and the most effective treatment is curative resection followed by chemotherapy. Unfortunately, chemoresistance is an extremely common occurrence, and novel treatment modalities, such as immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy, have shown limited success in clinical practice. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by an abundant stromal compartment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the extracellular matrix they deposit account for a large portion of the pancreatic tumor stroma. CAFs interact directly and indirectly with pancreatic cancer cells and can compromise the effects of, and even promote tumorigenic responses to, various treatment approaches. To eliminate these adverse effects, CAFs depletion strategies were developed. Instead of the anticipated antitumor effects of CAFs depletion, more aggressive tumor phenotypes were occasionally observed. The failure of universal stromal depletion led to the investigation of CAFs heterogeneity that forms the foundation for stromal remodeling and normalization. This review analyzes the role of CAFs in therapeutic resistance of pancreatic cancer and discusses potential CAFs-targeting strategies basing on the diverse biological functions of CAFs, thus to improve the outcome of pancreatic cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Han
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wu-Hu Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Quan Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xian-Jun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
187
|
Huber M, Brehm CU, Gress TM, Buchholz M, Alashkar Alhamwe B, Pogge von Strandmann E, Slater EP, Bartsch JW, Bauer C, Lauth M. The Immune Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7307. [PMID: 33022971 PMCID: PMC7583843 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The biology of solid tumors is strongly determined by the interactions of cancer cells with their surrounding microenvironment. In this regard, pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC) represents a paradigmatic example for the multitude of possible tumor-stroma interactions. PDAC has proven particularly refractory to novel immunotherapies, which is a fact that is mediated by a unique assemblage of various immune cells creating a strongly immunosuppressive environment in which this cancer type thrives. In this review, we outline currently available knowledge on the cross-talk between tumor cells and the cellular immune microenvironment, highlighting the physiological and pathological cellular interactions, as well as the resulting therapeutic approaches derived thereof. Hopefully a better understanding of the complex tumor-stroma interactions will one day lead to a significant advancement in patient care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Huber
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Corinna U. Brehm
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Giessen-Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Thomas M. Gress
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectiology, Center for Tumor- and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.B.); (C.B.)
| | - Malte Buchholz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectiology, Center for Tumor- and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.B.); (C.B.)
| | - Bilal Alashkar Alhamwe
- Institute for Tumor Immunology, Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (E.P.v.S.); (B.A.A.)
| | - Elke Pogge von Strandmann
- Institute for Tumor Immunology, Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (E.P.v.S.); (B.A.A.)
| | - Emily P. Slater
- Department of Visceral-, Thoracic- and Vascular Surgery, Philipps University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Jörg W. Bartsch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Christian Bauer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectiology, Center for Tumor- and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.B.); (C.B.)
| | - Matthias Lauth
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectiology, Center for Tumor- and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.G.); (M.B.); (C.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
188
|
Ridolo E, Pucciarini F, Nizi MC, Makri E, Kihlgren P, Panella L, Incorvaia C. Mabs for treating asthma: omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 16:2349-2356. [PMID: 32401603 PMCID: PMC7644228 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1753440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The introduction of biologics for the treatment of patients with refractory asthma represented a marked therapeutic advance. For more than 10 y, the only biologic available has been the monoclonal anti-IgE antibody omalizumab, reserved for patients with asthma caused by perennial allergen. In recent years, other biologics have been licensed for the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma. They include monoclonal antibodies that target the Th2-pathway cytokines, such as IL-5 (mepolizumab and reslizumab) or its receptor (benralizumab) and the IL-4 and IL-13 receptor (dupilumab). The effectiveness of these biologics was demonstrated in several placebo controlled trials, the main outcomes being the significant reduction of the rate of asthma exacerbation and the improvement of respiratory function in actively treated patients. Based on the further understanding of the pathogenesis of asthma, new cytokines network and new targets are emerging, such as thymic stromal lymphopoietin, which can activate Th2 cells, innate lymphoid cells, or both, or prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), to develop additional biologics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erminia Ridolo
- Medicine and Surgery Department, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Eleni Makri
- Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation, ASST Pini-CTO, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Kihlgren
- Medicine and Surgery Department, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Panella
- Department of Rehabilitation, ASST Pini-CTO Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
189
|
Attrill GH, Ferguson PM, Palendira U, Long GV, Wilmott JS, Scolyer RA. The tumour immune landscape and its implications in cutaneous melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2020; 34:529-549. [PMID: 32939993 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The field of tumour immunology has rapidly advanced in the last decade, leading to the advent of effective immunotherapies for patients with advanced cancers. This highlights the critical role of the immune system in determining tumour development and outcome. The tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) is highly heterogeneous, and the interactions between tumours and the immune system are vastly complex. Studying immune cell function in the TIME will provide an improved understanding of the mechanisms underpinning these interactions. This review examines the role of immune cell populations in the TIME based on their phenotype, function and localisation, as well as contextualising their position in the dynamic relationship between tumours and the immune system. We discuss the function of immune cell populations, examine their impact on patient outcome and highlight gaps in current understanding of their roles in the TIME, both in cancers in general and specifically in melanoma. Studying the TIME by evaluating both pro-tumour and anti-tumour effects may elucidate the conditions which lead to tumour growth and metastasis or immune-mediated tumour regression. Moreover, an in-depth understanding of these conditions could contribute to improved prognostication, more effective use of current immunotherapies and guide the development of novel treatment strategies and therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace H Attrill
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter M Ferguson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, Australia
| | - Umaimainthan Palendira
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Discipline of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Mater and North Shore Hospitals, Sydney, Australia
| | - James S Wilmott
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
190
|
Protti MP, De Monte L. Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin and Cancer: Th2-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2088. [PMID: 33042121 PMCID: PMC7524868 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an IL-7-like cytokine originally cloned from a murine thymic stromal cell line, and subsequently a human homolog was identified using database search methods. Human TSLP is mostly expressed in epithelial cells, among which are keratinocytes as well as stromal cells such as fibroblasts and immune cells. Human TSLP was first described to activate myeloid dendritic cells, which prime naïve T helper cells to produce high concentrations of Th2 cytokines, thus representing a key cytokine in triggering dendritic cells-mediated allergic Th2 inflammation. TSLP and/or its receptor has been shown to be expressed in several tumor types, where TSLP expression is associated with functional activities that can be associated or not with the induction of a Th2-prone tumor microenvironment, i.e., Th2-dependent and Th2-independent mechanisms. These mechanisms involve tissue- and immune cell target-dependent tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressive functions in different or even the same tumor type. Here we report and discuss the Th2-dependent and Th2-independent roles of TSLP in cancer and possible therapeutic targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pia Protti
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricerca a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia De Monte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Istituto di Ricerca a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
191
|
Karagiannidis I, Jerman SJ, Jacenik D, Phinney BB, Yao R, Prossnitz ER, Beswick EJ. G-CSF and G-CSFR Modulate CD4 and CD8 T Cell Responses to Promote Colon Tumor Growth and Are Potential Therapeutic Targets. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1885. [PMID: 33042110 PMCID: PMC7522314 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are known to shape the tumor microenvironment and although progress has been made in understanding their role in carcinogenesis, much remains to learn regarding their role in tumor growth and progression. We have identified granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as one such cytokine, showing that G-CSF is linked with metastasis in human gastrointestinal tumors and neutralizing G-CSF in a mouse model of colitis-associated cancer is protective. Here, we set out to identify the role of G-CSF and its receptor, G-CSFR, in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in the tumor microenvironment. MC38 colon cancer cells were injected into WT, G-CSFR-/- mice, or Rag2-/- mice. Flow cytometry, Real Time PCR and Multiplex cytokine array analysis were used for in vitro T cell phenotype analysis. Adoptive transfer of WT or G-CSFR-/- CD4+ of CD8+ T cells were performed. Mouse tumor size, cytokine expression, T cell phenotype, and cytotoxic activity were analyzed. We established that in G-CSFR-/- mice, tumor growth of MC38 colon cancer cells is significantly decreased. T cell phenotype and cytokine production were also altered, as both in vitro and in vivo approaches revealed that the G-CSF/G-CSFR stimulate IL-10-producing, FoxP3-expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, whereas G-CSFR-/- T cells exhibit increased IFNγ and IL-17A production, leading to increased cytotoxic activity in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, peritumoral injection of recombinant IFNγ or IL-17A inhibited colon and pancreas tumor growth compared to controls. Taken together, our data reveal an unknown mechanism by which G-CSF, through its receptor G-CSFR, promotes an inhibitory Treg phenotype that limits tumor immune responses and furthermore suggest that targeting this cytokine/receptor axis could represent a novel therapeutic approach for gastrointestinal, and likely other tumors with high expression of these factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Karagiannidis
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Stephanie J. Jerman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Albuquerque, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Damian Jacenik
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States,Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Brandon B. Phinney
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Albuquerque, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Ruoxin Yao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Eric R. Prossnitz
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Ellen J. Beswick
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States,*Correspondence: Ellen J. Beswick
| |
Collapse
|
192
|
Marone G, Schroeder JT, Mattei F, Loffredo S, Gambardella AR, Poto R, de Paulis A, Schiavoni G, Varricchi G. Is There a Role for Basophils in Cancer? Front Immunol 2020; 11:2103. [PMID: 33013885 PMCID: PMC7505934 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Basophils were identified in human peripheral blood by Paul Ehrlich over 140 years ago. Human basophils represent <1% of peripheral blood leukocytes. During the last decades, basophils have been described also in mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and monkeys. There are many similarities, but also several immunological differences between human and mouse basophils. There are currently several strains of mice with profound constitutive or inducible basophil deficiency useful to prove that these cells have specific roles in vivo. However, none of these mice are solely and completely devoid of all basophils. Therefore, the relevance of these findings to humans remains to be established. It has been known for some time that basophils have the propensity to migrate into the site of inflammation. Recent observations indicate that tissue resident basophils contribute to lung development and locally promote M2 polarization of macrophages. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that lung-resident basophils exhibit a specific phenotype, different from circulating basophils. Activated human and mouse basophils synthesize restricted and distinct profiles of cytokines. Human basophils produce several canonical (e.g., VEGFs, angiopoietin 1) and non-canonical (i.e., cysteinyl leukotriene C4) angiogenic factors. Activated human and mouse basophils release extracellular DNA traps that may have multiple effects in cancer. Hyperresponsiveness of basophils has been demonstrated in patients with JAK2V617F-positive polycythemia vera. Basophils are present in the immune landscape of human lung adenocarcinoma and pancreatic cancer and can promote inflammation-driven skin tumor growth. The few studies conducted thus far using different models of basophil-deficient mice have provided informative results on the roles of these cells in tumorigenesis. Much more remains to be discovered before we unravel the hitherto mysterious roles of basophils in human and experimental cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Marone
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali dei Colli, Monaldi Hospital Pharmacy, Naples, Italy
| | - John T Schroeder
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Fabrizio Mattei
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Loffredo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,WAO Center of Excellence, Naples, Italy.,Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore", National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | | | - Remo Poto
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Amato de Paulis
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,WAO Center of Excellence, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Schiavoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Gilda Varricchi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,WAO Center of Excellence, Naples, Italy.,Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore", National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
193
|
Manfredi F, Cianciotti BC, Potenza A, Tassi E, Noviello M, Biondi A, Ciceri F, Bonini C, Ruggiero E. TCR Redirected T Cells for Cancer Treatment: Achievements, Hurdles, and Goals. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1689. [PMID: 33013822 PMCID: PMC7494743 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) is a rapidly evolving therapeutic approach designed to harness T cell specificity and function to fight diseases. Based on the evidence that T lymphocytes can mediate a potent anti-tumor response, initially ACT solely relied on the isolation, in vitro expansion, and infusion of tumor-infiltrating or circulating tumor-specific T cells. Although effective in a subset of cases, in the first ACT clinical trials several patients experienced disease progression, in some cases after temporary disease control. This evidence prompted researchers to improve ACT products by taking advantage of the continuously evolving gene engineering field and by improving manufacturing protocols, to enable the generation of effective and long-term persisting tumor-specific T cell products. Despite recent advances, several challenges, including prioritization of antigen targets, identification, and optimization of tumor-specific T cell receptors, in the development of tools enabling T cells to counteract the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, still need to be faced. This review aims at summarizing the major achievements, hurdles and possible solutions designed to improve the ACT efficacy and safety profile in the context of liquid and solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Manfredi
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice Claudia Cianciotti
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione Centro San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Potenza
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano – Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Tassi
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maddalena Noviello
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Clinica Pediatrica Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM, Monza, Italy
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bonini
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Eliana Ruggiero
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
194
|
Huang BZ, Binder AM, Sugar CA, Chao CR, Setiawan VW, Zhang ZF. Methylation of immune-regulatory cytokine genes and pancreatic cancer outcomes. Epigenomics 2020; 12:1273-1285. [PMID: 32867538 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2019-0335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Given the immunosuppressive nature of pancreatic cancer, we investigated the relationship between epigenetic modification of immune-regulatory cytokine genes and pancreatic cancer outcomes. Materials & methods: We evaluated DNA methylation of 184 pancreatic tumor samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas for 111 CpG loci in seven cytokine genes: IL10, IL6, IL8, TGFβ1, TGFβ2, TGFβ3 and TNF. We used Cox regression to evaluate the associations between methylation and overall survival, disease-specific survival and disease progression (α = 0.05). Results: Poorer survival was associated with increased methylation in fifteen CpG probes in TGFβ1, TGFβ2, TGFβ3 and TNF. We also detected improved outcomes for three loci in IL10, IL8 and IL6. Conclusion: Epigenetic regulation of cytokine-related gene expression may be associated with pancreatic cancer outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Z Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Alexandra M Binder
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Department of Cancer Epidemiology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Catherine A Sugar
- Department of Biostatistics, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Chun R Chao
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
| | - Veronica Wendy Setiawan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Zuo-Feng Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| |
Collapse
|
195
|
Regulation and modulation of antitumor immunity in pancreatic cancer. Nat Immunol 2020; 21:1152-1159. [PMID: 32807942 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-020-0761-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma carries a dismal prognosis, and outcomes have improved little with modern therapeutics. Checkpoint-based immunotherapy has failed to elicit responses in the vast majority of patients with pancreatic cancer. Alongside tumor cell-intrinsic mechanisms associated with oncogenic KRAS-induced inflammation, the tolerogenic myeloid cell infiltrate has emerged as a critical impediment to adaptive antitumor immune responses. Furthermore, the discovery of an intratumoral microbiome and the elucidation of host-microbe interactions that curtail antitumor immunity also present opportunities for intervention. Here we review the mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and discuss strategies to directly augment T cell responses in parallel with myeloid cell- and microbiome-targeted approaches that may enable immune-mediated control of this malignancy.
Collapse
|
196
|
Ni G, Chen S, Chen M, Wu J, Yang B, Yuan J, Walton SF, Li H, Wei MQ, Wang Y, Chen G, Liu X, Wang T. Host-Defense Peptides Caerin 1.1 and 1.9 Stimulate TNF-Alpha-Dependent Apoptotic Signals in Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:676. [PMID: 32850805 PMCID: PMC7412766 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Host defense caerin 1.1 and 1.9 peptides, isolated from the glandular secretion of Australian tree frogs, the genus Litoria, have been previously shown to have multiple biological activities, including the inhibition of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 early protein E7 transformed murine as well as human cancerous cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism underlying their anti-proliferative activities against HPV18+ cervical cancer HeLa cells remains unknown. This study comparatively investigated the anti-proliferation on HeLa cells by caerin 1.1, 1.9, and their mixture, followed by confocal microscopy examination to assess the cellular intake of the peptides. Tandem mass tag labeling proteomics was employed to reveal the proteins that were significantly regulated by the peptide treatment in cells and cell growth environment, to elucidate the signaling pathways that were modulated. Western blot was performed to confirm the modulation of the pathways. Both caerin 1.1 and 1.9 highly inhibited HeLa cell proliferation with a significant additive effect compared to untreated and control peptide. They entered the cells with different magnitudes. Intensive protein-protein interaction was detected among significantly upregulated proteins. Translation, folding and localization of proteins and RNA processing, apoptosis process was significantly enriched post the treatments. The apoptotic signaling was suggested as a result of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) pathway activation, indicated by the dose-dependent elevated levels of caspase 3 and caspase 9. The epidermal growth factor receptor and androgen receptor pathways appeared inhibited by the peptides. Moreover, the activation of T-cell receptor derived from the quantitation results further implies the likelihood of recruiting more T cells to the cell growth environment post the treatment and more sensitive to T cell mediated killing of HeLa cells. Our results indicate that caerin 1.1 and 1.9 mediate apoptotic signals of HeLa cells and may subsequently enhances adaptive T cell immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guoying Ni
- Cancer Research Institute, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia
- The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu Chen
- Cancer Research Institute, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Mo Chen
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Jialing Wu
- Cancer Research Institute, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Binbin Yang
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Nanomedicine Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jianwei Yuan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shelley F. Walton
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia
| | - Hejie Li
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia
- Department of Mechanical and Biofunctional System, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ming Q. Wei
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Yuejian Wang
- Cancer Research Institute, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Guoqiang Chen
- Cancer Research Institute, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Xiaosong Liu
- Cancer Research Institute, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia
- The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianfang Wang
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
197
|
Therapeutic potential of anti-VEGF receptor 2 therapy targeting for M2-tumor-associated macrophages in colorectal cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 70:289-298. [PMID: 32705303 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02676-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has become a standard therapeutic strategy in colorectal cancer (CRC) exhibiting microsatellite instability-high, limited patients benefit from this new approach. To increase the efficacy of ICIs in CRC patients, it is crucial to control the function of immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment. M2-tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key immunosuppressive cells and promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In the present study, we focused on the VEGF signaling pathway in M2-TAMs to control their inhibitory function. METHODS We evaluated the population of M2-TAMs, the VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expression on M2-TAMs, and the correlation between HIF-1α-positive cells and VEGFR2 expression levels on M2-TAMs in CRC using the analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas colorectal adenocarcinoma dataset (n = 592), the flow cytometry of freshly resected surgical specimens of CRC (n = 20), and the immunofluorescence staining of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded whole tissue samples of CRC (n = 20). Furthermore, we performed a functional assay of M2 macrophages through the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway in vitro. RESULTS The population of M2-TAMs and their VEGFR2 expression significantly increased in the tumor compared to the normal mucosa in the CRC patients. HIF1-α-positive cells significantly correlated with the VEGFR2 expression level of M2-TAMs. M2 macrophages induced by cytokines in vitro produced TGF-β1 through the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that anti-VEGFR2 therapy may have therapeutic potential to control the immune inhibitory functions of M2-TAMs in CRC, resulting in enhanced efficacy of immunotherapy with ICIs.
Collapse
|
198
|
He M, Henderson M, Muth S, Murphy A, Zheng L. Preclinical mouse models for immunotherapeutic and non-immunotherapeutic drug development for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 3. [PMID: 32832900 PMCID: PMC7440242 DOI: 10.21037/apc.2020.03.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is in urgent need of better diagnostic and therapeutic methods due to its late diagnosis, limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Finding the right animal models to recapitulate the tumor molecular pathogenesis and tumor microenvironment (TME) complexity is critical for preclinical immunotherapeutic and non-immunotherapeutic treatment developments. In this review, we summarize and evaluate popular preclinical animal models including patient-derived xenograft models, humanized mouse models, genetically engineered mouse models, and syngeneic mouse models. Through comparisons between these models in different research settings, we hope to provide guidance in finding the most relevant preclinical models to suit various research purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengni He
- Department of Cell Biology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - MacKenzie Henderson
- Department of Oncology, Baltimore, MD, USA.,The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephen Muth
- Department of Oncology, Baltimore, MD, USA.,The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adrian Murphy
- Department of Oncology, Baltimore, MD, USA.,The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,The Precision Medicine Center of Excellence (PMCoE) Program for Pancreatic Cancer, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Baltimore, MD, USA.,The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,The Precision Medicine Center of Excellence (PMCoE) Program for Pancreatic Cancer, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
199
|
Marković I, Savvides SN. Modulation of Signaling Mediated by TSLP and IL-7 in Inflammation, Autoimmune Diseases, and Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1557. [PMID: 32849527 PMCID: PMC7396566 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) and Interleukin-7 (IL-7) are widely studied cytokines within distinct branches of immunology. On one hand, TSLP is crucially important for mediating type 2 immunity at barrier surfaces and has been linked to widespread allergic and inflammatory diseases of the airways, skin, and gut. On the other hand, IL-7 operates at the foundations of T-cell and innate lymphoid cell (ILC) development and homeostasis and has been associated with cancer. Yet, TSLP and IL-7 are united by key commonalities in their structure and the structural basis of the receptor assemblies they mediate to initiate cellular signaling, in particular their cross-utilization of IL-7Rα. As therapeutic targeting of TSLP and IL-7 via diverse approaches is reaching advanced stages and in light of the plethora of mechanistic and structural data on receptor signaling mediated by the two cytokines, the time is ripe to provide integrated views of such knowledge. Here, we first discuss the major pathophysiological roles of TSLP and IL-7 in autoimmune diseases, inflammation and cancer. Subsequently, we curate structural and mechanistic knowledge about receptor assemblies mediated by the two cytokines. Finally, we review therapeutic avenues targeting TSLP and IL-7 signaling. We envision that such integrated view of the mechanism, structure, and modulation of signaling assemblies mediated by TSLP and IL-7 will enhance and fine-tune the development of more effective and selective approaches to further interrogate the role of TSLP and IL-7 in physiology and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iva Marković
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium.,Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Savvas N Savvides
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium.,Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
200
|
Mahata B, Pramanik J, van der Weyden L, Polanski K, Kar G, Riedel A, Chen X, Fonseca NA, Kundu K, Campos LS, Ryder E, Duddy G, Walczak I, Okkenhaug K, Adams DJ, Shields JD, Teichmann SA. Tumors induce de novo steroid biosynthesis in T cells to evade immunity. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3588. [PMID: 32680985 PMCID: PMC7368057 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17339-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors subvert immune cell function to evade immune responses, yet the complex mechanisms driving immune evasion remain poorly understood. Here we show that tumors induce de novo steroidogenesis in T lymphocytes to evade anti-tumor immunity. Using a transgenic steroidogenesis-reporter mouse line we identify and characterize de novo steroidogenic immune cells, defining the global gene expression identity of these steroid-producing immune cells and gene regulatory networks by using single-cell transcriptomics. Genetic ablation of T cell steroidogenesis restricts primary tumor growth and metastatic dissemination in mouse models. Steroidogenic T cells dysregulate anti-tumor immunity, and inhibition of the steroidogenesis pathway is sufficient to restore anti-tumor immunity. This study demonstrates T cell de novo steroidogenesis as a mechanism of anti-tumor immunosuppression and a potential druggable target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bidesh Mahata
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
| | - Jhuma Pramanik
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | - Krzysztof Polanski
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Gozde Kar
- EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
- Translational Medicine, Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Riedel
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, Hutchison/Medical Research Council Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nuno A Fonseca
- EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Kousik Kundu
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Long Road, Cambridge, CB2 0PT, UK
| | - Lia S Campos
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Edward Ryder
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Graham Duddy
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Izabela Walczak
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Klaus Okkenhaug
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - David J Adams
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jacqueline D Shields
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, Hutchison/Medical Research Council Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Sarah A Teichmann
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
- Theory of Condensed Matter, Cavendish Laboratory, 19 JJ Thomson Ave, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK.
| |
Collapse
|