301
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Storozynsky Q, Hitt MM. The Impact of Radiation-Induced DNA Damage on cGAS-STING-Mediated Immune Responses to Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8877. [PMID: 33238631 PMCID: PMC7700321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a major modality used to combat a wide range of cancers. Classical radiobiology principles categorize ionizing radiation (IR) as a direct cytocidal therapeutic agent against cancer; however, there is an emerging appreciation for additional antitumor immune responses generated by this modality. A more nuanced understanding of the immunological pathways induced by radiation could inform optimal therapeutic combinations to harness radiation-induced antitumor immunity and improve treatment outcomes of cancers refractory to current radiotherapy regimens. Here, we summarize how radiation-induced DNA damage leads to the activation of a cytosolic DNA sensing pathway mediated by cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING). The activation of cGAS-STING initiates innate immune signaling that facilitates adaptive immune responses to destroy cancer. In this way, cGAS-STING signaling bridges the DNA damaging capacity of IR with the activation of CD8+ cytotoxic T cell-mediated destruction of cancer-highlighting a molecular pathway radiotherapy can exploit to induce antitumor immune responses. In the context of radiotherapy, we further report on factors that enhance or inhibit cGAS-STING signaling, deleterious effects associated with cGAS-STING activation, and promising therapeutic candidates being investigated in combination with IR to bolster immune activation through engaging STING-signaling. A clearer understanding of how IR activates cGAS-STING signaling will inform immune-based treatment strategies to maximize the antitumor efficacy of radiotherapy, improving therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary M. Hitt
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada;
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302
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Zhao J, Ma S, Xu Y, Si X, Yao H, Huang Z, Zhang Y, Yu H, Tang Z, Song W, Chen X. In situ activation of STING pathway with polymeric SN38 for cancer chemoimmunotherapy. Biomaterials 2020; 268:120542. [PMID: 33249316 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
STING (stimulator of interferon genes) signaling pathway has attracted considerable attention in cancer immunotherapy due to its capacity to boost vigorous antitumor immunity. However, the shortage of effective STING agonists limits the promotion of STING pathway in cancer treatment. Herein, we present an approach for in situ activation of STING pathway with nanoparticles delivered DNA-targeting chemo agents, based on the understanding that cytosol DNA is a pre-requisite for STING pathway activation. Through in vitro screening among several DNA-targeting chemo agents, we identified 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38) as the most potent drug for stimulating interferon (IFN)-β secretion and proved that this process is mediated by the passage of DNA-containing exosomes from treated tumor cells to bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and subsequent activation of the STING pathway. Furthermore, we designed a polymeric-SN38 conjugate that could self-assemble into nanoparticles (SN38-NPs) for in vivo application. The SN38-NPs formulation reduced toxicity of free SN38, effectively stimulated the activation of STING pathway in E0771 tumors, and resulted in a tumor suppression rate (TSR%) of 82.6%. Our results revealed a new mechanism of SN38 in cancer treatment and should inspire using more DNA-targeting agents, especially in nanoformulation, for activating STING pathway and cancer chemoimmunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Sheng Ma
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Yudi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Xinghui Si
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Haochen Yao
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China; Department of Pathogenobiology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Zichao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China; Jilin Biomedical Polymers Engineering Laboratory, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Haiyang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China; Jilin Biomedical Polymers Engineering Laboratory, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Zhaohui Tang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; Jilin Biomedical Polymers Engineering Laboratory, Changchun, 130022, China.
| | - Wantong Song
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China; Jilin Biomedical Polymers Engineering Laboratory, Changchun, 130022, China.
| | - Xuesi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; Jilin Biomedical Polymers Engineering Laboratory, Changchun, 130022, China
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303
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Carozza JA, Brown JA, Böhnert V, Fernandez D, AlSaif Y, Mardjuki RE, Smith M, Li L. Structure-Aided Development of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of ENPP1, the Extracellular Phosphodiesterase of the Immunotransmitter cGAMP. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:1347-1358.e5. [PMID: 32726585 PMCID: PMC7680421 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells initiate an innate immune response by synthesizing and exporting the small-molecule immunotransmitter cGAMP, which activates the anti-cancer Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) pathway in the host. An extracellular enzyme, ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1), hydrolyzes cGAMP and negatively regulates this anti-cancer immune response. Small-molecule ENPP1 inhibitors are much needed as tools to study the basic biology of extracellular cGAMP and as investigational cancer immunotherapy drugs. Here, we surveyed structure-activity relationships around a series of cell-impermeable and thus extracellular-targeting phosphonate inhibitors of ENPP1. In addition, we solved the crystal structure of an exemplary phosphonate inhibitor to elucidate the interactions that drive potency. This study yielded several best-in-class inhibitors with Ki < 2 nM and excellent physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. Finally, we demonstrate that an ENPP1 inhibitor delays tumor growth in a breast cancer mouse model. Together, we have developed ENPP1 inhibitors that are excellent tool compounds and potential therapeutics.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Cells, Cultured
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
- Enzyme Inhibitors/chemical synthesis
- Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Female
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Molecular Structure
- Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Neurotransmitter Agents/chemistry
- Neurotransmitter Agents/isolation & purification
- Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism
- Nucleotides, Cyclic/chemistry
- Nucleotides, Cyclic/isolation & purification
- Nucleotides, Cyclic/metabolism
- Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases/metabolism
- Pyrophosphatases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Pyrophosphatases/metabolism
- Small Molecule Libraries/chemical synthesis
- Small Molecule Libraries/chemistry
- Small Molecule Libraries/pharmacology
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline A Carozza
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA; Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA
| | - Jenifer A Brown
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA; Biophysics Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA
| | - Volker Böhnert
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA
| | - Daniel Fernandez
- Stanford ChEM-H Macromolecular Structure Knowledge Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA
| | - Yasmeen AlSaif
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA
| | - Rachel E Mardjuki
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA; Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA
| | - Mark Smith
- Stanford ChEM-H Medicinal Chemistry Knowledge Center, Stanford, CA 93405, USA
| | - Lingyin Li
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 93405, USA.
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304
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Domvri K, Petanidis S, Zarogoulidis P, Anestakis D, Tsavlis D, Bai C, Huang H, Freitag L, Hohenforst-Schmidt W, Porpodis K, Katopodi T. Treg-dependent immunosuppression triggers effector T cell dysfunction via the STING/ILC2 axis. Clin Immunol 2020; 222:108620. [PMID: 33176208 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths and despite extensive research, the survival rate of lung cancer patients remains significantly low. Recent data reveal that aberrant Kras signaling drives regulatory T cells (Tregs) present in lung tumor microenvironment to establish immune deregulation and immunosuppression but the exact pathogenic mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we investigate the role of oncogenic Kras in Treg-related immunosuppression and its involvement in tumor-associated metabolic reprogramming. Findings reveal Tregs to prompt GATA3/NOS2-related immunosuppression via STING inhibition which triggers a decline in CD4+ T infiltration, and a subsequent increase in lung metastatic burden. Enhanced Treg expression was also associated with low T/MDSC ratio through restriction of CD8+CD44+CD62L- T effector cells, contributing to a tumor-promoting status. Specifically, TIM3+/LAG3+ Tregs prompted Kras-related immunosuppressive chemoresistance and were associated with T cell dysfunction. This Treg-dependent immunosuppression correlated with CD8 T cell exhaustion phenotype and ILC2 augmentation in mice. Moreover, enhanced Treg expression promoted activation-induced cell death (AICD) of T lymphocytes and guided lymph node metastasis in vivo. Overall, these findings demonstrate the multifaceted roles of Tregs in sustaining lung immunosuppressive neoplasia through tumor microenvironment remodeling and provide new opportunities for effective metastasis inhibition, especially in chemoresistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Domvri
- Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | - Savvas Petanidis
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Biology and Genetics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece; Department of Pulmonology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119992, Russian Federation.
| | - Paul Zarogoulidis
- Third Department of Surgery, "AHEPA" University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 55236 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Doxakis Anestakis
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
| | - Drosos Tsavlis
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
| | - Chong Bai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Haidong Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lutz Freitag
- Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Konstantinos Porpodis
- Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | - Theodora Katopodi
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Biology and Genetics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
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305
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Chang D, Whiteley AT, Bugda Gwilt K, Lencer WI, Mekalanos JJ, Thiagarajah JR. Extracellular cyclic dinucleotides induce polarized responses in barrier epithelial cells by adenosine signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:27502-27508. [PMID: 33087577 PMCID: PMC7959571 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015919117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are secondary messengers used by prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In mammalian cells, cytosolic CDNs bind STING (stimulator of IFN gene), resulting in the production of type I IFN. Extracellular CDNs can enter the cytosol through several pathways but how CDNs work from outside eukaryotic cells remains poorly understood. Here, we elucidate a mechanism of action on intestinal epithelial cells for extracellular CDNs. We found that CDNs containing adenosine induced a robust CFTR-mediated chloride secretory response together with cAMP-mediated inhibition of Poly I:C-stimulated IFNβ expression. Signal transduction was strictly polarized to the serosal side of the epithelium, dependent on the extracellular and sequential hydrolysis of CDNs to adenosine by the ectonucleosidases ENPP1 and CD73, and occurred via activation of A2B adenosine receptors. These studies highlight a pathway by which microbial and host produced extracellular CDNs can regulate the innate immune response of barrier epithelial cells lining mucosal surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Chang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Aaron T Whiteley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Katlynn Bugda Gwilt
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Wayne I Lencer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Digestive Disease Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - John J Mekalanos
- Harvard Digestive Disease Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115;
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Jay R Thiagarajah
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115;
- Harvard Digestive Disease Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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306
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Motedayen Aval L, Pease JE, Sharma R, Pinato DJ. Challenges and Opportunities in the Clinical Development of STING Agonists for Cancer Immunotherapy. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E3323. [PMID: 33081170 PMCID: PMC7602874 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionised cancer therapy. However, they have been effective in only a small subset of patients and a principal mechanism underlying immune-refractoriness is a 'cold' tumour microenvironment, that is, lack of a T-cell-rich, spontaneously inflamed phenotype. As such, there is a demand to develop strategies to transform the tumour milieu of non-responsive patients to one supporting T-cell-based inflammation. The cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway is a fundamental regulator of innate immune sensing of cancer, with potential to enhance tumour rejection through the induction of a pro-inflammatory response dominated by Type I interferons. Recognition of these positive immune-modulatory properties has rapidly elevated the STING pathway as a putative target for immunotherapy, leading to a myriad of preclinical and clinical studies assessing natural and synthetic cyclic dinucleotides and non-nucleotidyl STING agonists. Despite pre-clinical evidence of efficacy, clinical translation has resulted into disappointingly modest efficacy. Poor pharmacokinetic and physiochemical properties of cyclic dinucleotides are key barriers to the development of STING agonists, most of which require intra-tumoral dosing. Development of systemically administered non-nucleotidyl STING agonists, or conjugation with liposomes, polymers and hydrogels may overcome pharmacokinetic limitations and improve drug delivery. In this review, we summarise the body of evidence supporting a synergistic role of STING agonists with currently approved ICI therapies and discuss whether, despite the numerous obstacles encountered to date, the clinical development of STING agonist as novel anti-cancer therapeutics may still hold the promise of broadening the reach of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Motedayen Aval
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W120HS, UK; (L.M.A.); (R.S.)
| | - James E. Pease
- Inflammation, Repair & Development, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK;
| | - Rohini Sharma
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W120HS, UK; (L.M.A.); (R.S.)
| | - David J. Pinato
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W120HS, UK; (L.M.A.); (R.S.)
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307
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Schadt L, Sparano C, Schweiger NA, Silina K, Cecconi V, Lucchiari G, Yagita H, Guggisberg E, Saba S, Nascakova Z, Barchet W, van den Broek M. Cancer-Cell-Intrinsic cGAS Expression Mediates Tumor Immunogenicity. Cell Rep 2020; 29:1236-1248.e7. [PMID: 31665636 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.09.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensing of cytoplasmic DNA by cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) results in production of the dinucleotide cGAMP and consecutive activation of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) followed by production of type I interferon (IFN). Although cancer cells contain supra-normal concentrations of cytoplasmic DNA, they rarely produce type I IFN spontaneously. This suggests that defects in the DNA-sensing pathway may serve as an immune escape mechanism. We find that cancer cells produce cGAMP that is transferred via gap junctions to tumor-associated dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, which respond by producing type I IFN in situ. Cancer-cell-intrinsic expression of cGAS, but not STING, promotes infiltration by effector CD8+ T cells and consequently results in prolonged survival. Furthermore, cGAS-expressing cancers respond better to genotoxic treatments and immunotherapy. Thus, cancer-cell-derived cGAMP is crucial to protective anti-tumor CD8+ T cell immunity. Consequently, cancer-cell-intrinsic expression of cGAS determines tumor immunogenicity and makes tumors hot. These findings are relevant for genotoxic and immune therapies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Schadt
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Colin Sparano
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Angelika Schweiger
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Karina Silina
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Virginia Cecconi
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Lucchiari
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hideo Yagita
- Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Emilien Guggisberg
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sascha Saba
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zuzana Nascakova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR, v. v. i., Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Winfried Barchet
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital and University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 35127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Maries van den Broek
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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308
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Chin EN, Yu C, Vartabedian VF, Jia Y, Kumar M, Gamo AM, Vernier W, Ali SH, Kissai M, Lazar DC, Nguyen N, Pereira LE, Benish B, Woods AK, Joseph SB, Chu A, Johnson KA, Sander PN, Martínez-Peña F, Hampton EN, Young TS, Wolan DW, Chatterjee AK, Schultz PG, Petrassi HM, Teijaro JR, Lairson LL. Antitumor activity of a systemic STING-activating non-nucleotide cGAMP mimetic. Science 2020; 369:993-999. [PMID: 32820126 DOI: 10.1126/science.abb4255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) links innate immunity to biological processes ranging from antitumor immunity to microbiome homeostasis. Mechanistic understanding of the anticancer potential for STING receptor activation is currently limited by metabolic instability of the natural cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) ligands. From a pathway-targeted cell-based screen, we identified a non-nucleotide, small-molecule STING agonist, termed SR-717, that demonstrates broad interspecies and interallelic specificity. A 1.8-angstrom cocrystal structure revealed that SR-717 functions as a direct cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) mimetic that induces the same "closed" conformation of STING. SR-717 displayed antitumor activity; promoted the activation of CD8+ T, natural killer, and dendritic cells in relevant tissues; and facilitated antigen cross-priming. SR-717 also induced the expression of clinically relevant targets, including programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), in a STING-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Chin
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Chenguang Yu
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Vincent F Vartabedian
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ying Jia
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Manoj Kumar
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ana M Gamo
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - William Vernier
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sabrina H Ali
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Mildred Kissai
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Daniel C Lazar
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Nhan Nguyen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Laura E Pereira
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Brent Benish
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ashley K Woods
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sean B Joseph
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Alan Chu
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kristen A Johnson
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Philipp N Sander
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Francisco Martínez-Peña
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Eric N Hampton
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Travis S Young
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Dennis W Wolan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Arnab K Chatterjee
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Peter G Schultz
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - H Michael Petrassi
- California Institute for Biomedical Research, 11119 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - John R Teijaro
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Luke L Lairson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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309
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Abstract
The activation of the cGAS-STING pathway has tremendous potential to improve anti-tumor immunity by generating type I interferons. In recent decades, we have witnessed that producing dsDNA upon various stimuli is an initiative factor, triggering the cGAS-SING pathway for a defensive host. The understanding of both intracellular cascade reaction and the changes of molecular components gains insight into type I IFNs and adaptive immunity. Based on the immunological study, the STING-cGAS pathway is coupled to cancer biotherapy. The most challenging problem is the limited therapeutic effect. Therefore, people view 5, 6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid, cyclic dinucleotides and various derivative as cGAS-STING pathway agonists. Even so, these agonists have flaws in decreasing biotherapeutic efficacy. Subsequently, we exploited agonist delivery systems (nanocarriers, microparticles and hydrogels). The article will discuss the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway and underlying mechanisms, with an introduction of cGAS-STING agonists, related clinical trials and agonist delivery systems.
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310
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Campisi M, Sundararaman SK, Shelton SE, Knelson EH, Mahadevan NR, Yoshida R, Tani T, Ivanova E, Cañadas I, Osaki T, Lee SWL, Thai T, Han S, Piel BP, Gilhooley S, Paweletz CP, Chiono V, Kamm RD, Kitajima S, Barbie DA. Tumor-Derived cGAMP Regulates Activation of the Vasculature. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2090. [PMID: 33013881 PMCID: PMC7507350 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intratumoral recruitment of immune cells following innate immune activation is critical for anti-tumor immunity and involves cytosolic dsDNA sensing by the cGAS/STING pathway. We have previously shown that KRAS-LKB1 (KL) mutant lung cancer, which is resistant to PD-1 blockade, exhibits silencing of STING, impaired tumor cell production of immune chemoattractants, and T cell exclusion. Since the vasculature is also a critical gatekeeper of immune cell infiltration into tumors, we developed a novel microfluidic model to study KL tumor-vascular interactions. Notably, dsDNA priming of LKB1-reconstituted tumor cells activates the microvasculature, even when tumor cell STING is deleted. cGAS-driven extracellular export of 2'3' cGAMP by cancer cells activates STING signaling in endothelial cells and cooperates with type 1 interferon to increase vascular permeability and expression of E selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 and T cell adhesion to the endothelium. Thus, tumor cell cGAS-STING signaling not only produces T cell chemoattractants, but also primes tumor vasculature for immune cell escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Campisi
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shriram K. Sundararaman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Sarah E. Shelton
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Erik H. Knelson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Navin R. Mahadevan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ryohei Yoshida
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tetsuo Tani
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Elena Ivanova
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Israel Cañadas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tatsuya Osaki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sharon Wei Ling Lee
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology, BioSystems and Micromechanics, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tran Thai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Saemi Han
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brandon P. Piel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sean Gilhooley
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Cloud P. Paweletz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Valeria Chiono
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Roger D. Kamm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Shunsuke Kitajima
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - David A. Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
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311
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Zhou L, Jilderda LJ, Foijer F. Exploiting aneuploidy-imposed stresses and coping mechanisms to battle cancer. Open Biol 2020; 10:200148. [PMID: 32873156 PMCID: PMC7536071 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aneuploidy, an irregular number of chromosomes in cells, is a hallmark feature of cancer. Aneuploidy results from chromosomal instability (CIN) and occurs in almost 90% of all tumours. While many cancers display an ongoing CIN phenotype, cells can also be aneuploid without displaying CIN. CIN drives tumour evolution as ongoing chromosomal missegregation will yield a progeny of cells with variable aneuploid karyotypes. The resulting aneuploidy is initially toxic to cells because it leads to proteotoxic and metabolic stress, cell cycle arrest, cell death, immune cell activation and further genomic instability. In order to overcome these aneuploidy-imposed stresses and adopt a malignant fate, aneuploid cancer cells must develop aneuploidy-tolerating mechanisms to cope with CIN. Aneuploidy-coping mechanisms can thus be considered as promising therapeutic targets. However, before such therapies can make it into the clinic, we first need to better understand the molecular mechanisms that are activated upon aneuploidization and the coping mechanisms that are selected for in aneuploid cancer cells. In this review, we discuss the key biological responses to aneuploidization, some of the recently uncovered aneuploidy-coping mechanisms and some strategies to exploit these in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Floris Foijer
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
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312
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Lv M, Chen M, Zhang R, Zhang W, Wang C, Zhang Y, Wei X, Guan Y, Liu J, Feng K, Jing M, Wang X, Liu YC, Mei Q, Han W, Jiang Z. Manganese is critical for antitumor immune responses via cGAS-STING and improves the efficacy of clinical immunotherapy. Cell Res 2020; 30:966-979. [PMID: 32839553 PMCID: PMC7785004 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-020-00395-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 354] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cell-mediated cancer clearance is often suppressed by the interaction between inhibitory molecules like PD-1 and PD-L1, an interaction acts like brakes to prevent T cell overreaction under normal conditions but is exploited by tumor cells to escape the immune surveillance. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapeutics by removing such brakes. Unfortunately, only a minority of cancer patients respond to immunotherapies presumably due to inadequate immunity. Antitumor immunity depends on the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway, as STING-deficient mice fail to stimulate tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells (DCs) to activate CD8+ T cells. STING agonists also enhance natural killer (NK) cells to mediate the clearance of CD8+ T cell-resistant tumors. Therefore STING agonists have been intensively sought after. We previously discovered that manganese (Mn) is indispensable for the host defense against cytosolic dsDNA by activating cGAS-STING. Here we report that Mn is also essential in innate immune sensing of tumors and enhances adaptive immune responses against tumors. Mn-insufficient mice had significantly enhanced tumor growth and metastasis, with greatly reduced tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Mechanically, Mn2+ promoted DC and macrophage maturation and tumor-specific antigen presentation, augmented CD8+ T cell differentiation, activation and NK cell activation, and increased memory CD8+ T cells. Combining Mn2+ with immune checkpoint inhibition synergistically boosted antitumor efficacies and reduced the anti-PD-1 antibody dosage required in mice. Importantly, a completed phase 1 clinical trial with the combined regimen of Mn2+ and anti-PD-1 antibody showed promising efficacy, exhibiting type I IFN induction, manageable safety and revived responses to immunotherapy in most patients with advanced metastatic solid tumors. We propose that this combination strategy warrants further clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengze Lv
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (JRI), Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meixia Chen
- Department of Bio-therapeutic, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Institute for Immunology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.,Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (JRI), Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chenguang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Bio-therapeutic, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xiaoming Wei
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yukun Guan
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jiejie Liu
- Department of Bio-therapeutic, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Kaichao Feng
- Department of Bio-therapeutic, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Miao Jing
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xurui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yun-Cai Liu
- Institute for Immunology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qian Mei
- Department of Bio-therapeutic, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Weidong Han
- Department of Bio-therapeutic, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Zhengfan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China. .,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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313
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Gogoi H, Mansouri S, Jin L. The Age of Cyclic Dinucleotide Vaccine Adjuvants. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E453. [PMID: 32823563 PMCID: PMC7563944 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As prophylactic vaccine adjuvants for infectious diseases, cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) induce safe, potent, long-lasting humoral and cellular memory responses in the systemic and mucosal compartments. As therapeutic cancer vaccine adjuvants, CDNs induce potent anti-tumor immunity, including cytotoxic T cells and NK cells activation that achieve durable regression in multiple mouse models of tumors. Clinical trials are ongoing to fulfill the promise of CDNs (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02675439, NCT03010176, NCT03172936, and NCT03937141). However, in October 2018, the first clinical data with Merck's CDN MK-1454 showed zero activity as a monotherapy in patients with solid tumors or lymphomas (NCT03010176). Lately, the clinical trial from Aduro's CDN ADU-S100 monotherapy was also disappointing (NCT03172936). The emerging hurdle in CDN vaccine development calls for a timely re-evaluation of our understanding on CDN vaccine adjuvants. Here, we review the status of CDN vaccine adjuvant research, including their superior adjuvant activities, in vivo mode of action, and confounding factors that affect their efficacy in humans. Lastly, we discuss the strategies to overcome the hurdle and advance promising CDN adjuvants in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lei Jin
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (H.G.); (S.M.)
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314
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Lu X, Miao L, Gao W, Chen Z, McHugh KJ, Sun Y, Tochka Z, Tomasic S, Sadtler K, Hyacinthe A, Huang Y, Graf T, Hu Q, Sarmadi M, Langer R, Anderson DG, Jaklenec A. Engineered PLGA microparticles for long-term, pulsatile release of STING agonist for cancer immunotherapy. Sci Transl Med 2020; 12:eaaz6606. [PMID: 32801144 PMCID: PMC9019818 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz6606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Activation of the stimulator of interferon gene (STING) pathway within the tumor microenvironment has been shown to generate a strong antitumor response. Although local administration of STING agonists has promise for cancer immunotherapy, the dosing regimen needed to achieve efficacy requires frequent intratumoral injections over months. Frequent dosing for cancer treatment is associated with poor patient adherence, with as high as 48% of patients failing to comply. Multiple intratumoral injections also disrupt the tumor microenvironment and vascular networks and therefore increase the risk of metastasis. Here, we developed microfabricated polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) particles that remain at the site of injection and release encapsulated STING agonist as a programmable sequence of pulses at predetermined time points that mimic multiple injections over days to weeks. A single intratumoral injection of STING agonist-loaded microparticles triggered potent local and systemic antitumor immune responses, inhibited tumor growth, and prolonged survival as effectively as multiple soluble doses, but with reduced metastasis in several mouse tumor models. STING agonist-loaded microparticles improved the response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy and substantially decreased the tumor recurrence rate from 100 to 25% in mouse models of melanoma when administered during surgical resection. In addition, we demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of STING microparticles on an orthotopic pancreatic cancer model in mice that does not allow multiple intratumoral injections. These findings could directly benefit current STING agonist therapy by decreasing the number of injections, reducing risk of metastasis, and expanding its applicability to hard-to-reach cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueguang Lu
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lei Miao
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Wenting Gao
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ziqi Chen
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kevin J McHugh
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6500 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Yehui Sun
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Zachary Tochka
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Stephanie Tomasic
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Sadtler
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Section on Immuno-Engineering, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Alain Hyacinthe
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yuxuan Huang
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tyler Graf
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Quanyin Hu
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Morteza Sarmadi
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Robert Langer
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Daniel G Anderson
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ana Jaklenec
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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315
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Tumour sensitization via the extended intratumoural release of a STING agonist and camptothecin from a self-assembled hydrogel. Nat Biomed Eng 2020; 4:1090-1101. [DOI: 10.1038/s41551-020-0597-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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316
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Hoong BYD, Gan YH, Liu H, Chen ES. cGAS-STING pathway in oncogenesis and cancer therapeutics. Oncotarget 2020; 11:2930-2955. [PMID: 32774773 PMCID: PMC7392626 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The host innate immunity offers the first line of defense against infection. However, recent evidence shows that the host innate immunity is also critical in sensing the presence of cytoplasmic DNA derived from genomic instability events, such as DNA damage and defective cell cycle progression. This is achieved through the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/Stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING) pathway. Here we discuss recent insights into the regulation of this pathway in cancer immunosurveillance, and the downstream signaling cascades that coordinate immune cell recruitment to the tumor microenvironment to destroy transformed cells through cellular senescence or cell death programs. Its central role in immunosurveillance positions the cGAS-STING pathway as an attractive anti-cancer immunotherapeutic drug target for chemical agonists or vaccine adjuvants and suggests a key node to be targeted in a synthetic lethal approach. We also discuss adaptive mechanisms used by cancer cells to circumvent cGAS-STING signaling and present evidence linking chronic cGAS-STING activation to inflammation-induced carcinogenesis, cautioning against the use of activating the cGAS-STING pathway as an anti-tumor immunotherapy. A deeper mechanistic understanding of the cGAS-STING pathway will aid in the identification of potentially efficacious anti-cancer therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Yi Da Hoong
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore
- Wong Hock Boon Society, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yunn Hwen Gan
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore
- NUS Graduate School of Integrative Sciences & Engineering (NGS), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Haiyan Liu
- National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ee Sin Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore
- NUS Graduate School of Integrative Sciences & Engineering (NGS), National University of Singapore, Singapore
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317
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Pollock AJ, Zaver SA, Woodward JJ. A STING-based biosensor affords broad cyclic dinucleotide detection within single living eukaryotic cells. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3533. [PMID: 32669552 PMCID: PMC7363834 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17228-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are second messengers conserved across all three domains of life. Within eukaryotes they mediate protective roles in innate immunity against malignant, viral, and bacterial disease, and exert pathological effects in autoimmune disorders. Despite their ubiquitous role in diverse biological contexts, CDN detection methods are limited. Here, using structure guided design of the murine STING CDN binding domain, we engineer a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based biosensor deemed BioSTING. Recombinant BioSTING affords real-time detection of CDN synthase activity and inhibition. Expression of BioSTING in live human cells allows quantification of localized bacterial and eukaryotic CDN levels in single cells with low nanomolar sensitivity. These findings establish BioSTING as a powerful kinetic in vitro platform amenable to high throughput screens and as a broadly applicable cellular tool to interrogate the temporal and spatial dynamics of CDN signaling in a variety of infectious, malignant, and autoimmune contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J Pollock
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Shivam A Zaver
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Joshua J Woodward
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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318
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Zhang X, Bai XC, Chen ZJ. Structures and Mechanisms in the cGAS-STING Innate Immunity Pathway. Immunity 2020; 53:43-53. [PMID: 32668227 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 339] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Besides its role as the blueprint of life, DNA can also alert the cell to the presence of microbial pathogens as well as damaged or malignant cells. A major sensor of DNA that triggers the innate immune response is cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS), which produces the second messenger cGAMP. cGAMP activates stimulator of interferon genes (STING), which activates a signaling cascade leading to the production of type I interferons and other immune mediators. Recent research has demonstrated an expanding role of the cGAS-cGAMP-STING pathway in many physiological and pathological processes, including host defense against microbial infections, anti-tumor immunity, cellular senescence, autophagy, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Biochemical and structural studies have elucidated the mechanism of signal transduction in the cGAS pathway at the atomic resolution. This review focuses on the structural and mechanistic insights into the roles of cGAS and STING in immunity and diseases revealed by these recent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Xiao-Chen Bai
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Zhijian J Chen
- Department of Molecular biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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319
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Harnessing the Complete Repertoire of Conventional Dendritic Cell Functions for Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12070663. [PMID: 32674488 PMCID: PMC7408110 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12070663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The onset of checkpoint inhibition revolutionized the treatment of cancer. However, studies from the last decade suggested that the sole enhancement of T cell functionality might not suffice to fight malignancies in all individuals. Dendritic cells (DCs) are not only part of the innate immune system, but also generals of adaptive immunity and they orchestrate the de novo induction of tolerogenic and immunogenic T cell responses. Thus, combinatorial approaches addressing DCs and T cells in parallel represent an attractive strategy to achieve higher response rates across patients. However, this requires profound knowledge about the dynamic interplay of DCs, T cells, other immune and tumor cells. Here, we summarize the DC subsets present in mice and men and highlight conserved and divergent characteristics between different subsets and species. Thereby, we supply a resource of the molecular players involved in key functional features of DCs ranging from their sentinel function, the translation of the sensed environment at the DC:T cell interface to the resulting specialized T cell effector modules, as well as the influence of the tumor microenvironment on the DC function. As of today, mostly monocyte derived dendritic cells (moDCs) are used in autologous cell therapies after tumor antigen loading. While showing encouraging results in a fraction of patients, the overall clinical response rate is still not optimal. By disentangling the general aspects of DC biology, we provide rationales for the design of next generation DC vaccines enabling to exploit and manipulate the described pathways for the purpose of cancer immunotherapy in vivo. Finally, we discuss how DC-based vaccines might synergize with checkpoint inhibition in the treatment of malignant diseases.
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320
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Wu J, Dobbs N, Yang K, Yan N. Interferon-Independent Activities of Mammalian STING Mediate Antiviral Response and Tumor Immune Evasion. Immunity 2020; 53:115-126.e5. [PMID: 32640258 PMCID: PMC7365768 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Type I interferon (IFN) response is commonly recognized as the main signaling activity of STING. Here, we generate the Sting1S365A/S365A mutant mouse that precisely ablates IFN-dependent activities while preserving IFN-independent activities of STING. StingS365A/S365A mice protect against HSV-1 infection, despite lacking the STING-mediated IFN response. This challenges the prevailing view and suggests that STING controls HSV-1 infection through IFN-independent activities. Transcriptomic analysis reveals widespread IFN-independent activities of STING in macrophages and T cells, and STING activities in T cells are predominantly IFN independent. In mouse tumor models, T cells in the tumor experience substantial cell death that is in part mediated by IFN-independent activities of STING. We found that the tumor induces STING-mediated cell death in T cells to evade immune control. Our data demonstrate that mammalian STING possesses widespread IFN-independent activities that are important for restricting HSV-1 infection, tumor immune evasion and likely also adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Wu
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Nicole Dobbs
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Kun Yang
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Nan Yan
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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321
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Hai J, Zhang H, Zhou J, Wu Z, Chen T, Papadopoulos E, Dowling CM, Pyon V, Pan Y, Liu JB, Bronson RT, Silver H, Lizotte PH, Deng J, Campbell JD, Sholl LM, Ng C, Tsao MS, Thakurdin C, Bass AJ, Wong KK. Generation of Genetically Engineered Mouse Lung Organoid Models for Squamous Cell Lung Cancers Allows for the Study of Combinatorial Immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3431-3442. [PMID: 32209571 PMCID: PMC7334092 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-1627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a deadly disease for which only a subset of patients responds to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Therefore, preclinical mouse models that recapitulate the complex genetic profile found in patients are urgently needed. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We used CRISPR genome editing to delete multiple tumor suppressors in lung organoids derived from Cre-dependent SOX2 knock-in mice. We investigated both the therapeutic efficacy and immunologic effects accompanying combination PD-1 blockade and WEE1 inhibition in both mouse models and LSCC patient-derived cell lines. RESULTS We show that multiplex gene editing of mouse lung organoids using the CRISPR-Cas9 system allows for efficient and rapid means to generate LSCCs that closely mimic the human disease at the genomic and phenotypic level. Using this genetically defined mouse model and three-dimensional tumoroid culture system, we show that WEE1 inhibition induces DNA damage that primes the endogenous type I IFN and antigen presentation system in primary LSCC tumor cells. These events promote cytotoxic T-cell-mediated clearance of tumor cells and reduce the accumulation of tumor-infiltrating neutrophils. Beneficial immunologic features of WEE1 inhibition are further enhanced by the addition of anti-PD-1 therapy. CONCLUSIONS We developed a mouse model system to investigate a novel combinatory approach that illuminates a clinical path hypothesis for combining ICB with DNA damage-inducing therapies in the treatment of LSCC.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Editing
- Gene Expression
- Genetic Engineering
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Immunotherapy
- Lung/drug effects
- Lung/pathology
- Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Lung Neoplasms/metabolism
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Organoids/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Hai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Jin Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Zhong Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Eleni Papadopoulos
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Catríona M Dowling
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Val Pyon
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Yuanwang Pan
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Jie Bin Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Heather Silver
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Patrick H Lizotte
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jiehui Deng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Joshua D Campbell
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lynette M Sholl
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christine Ng
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ming-Sound Tsao
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cassandra Thakurdin
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Adam J Bass
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Kwok-Kin Wong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
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322
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Arwert EN, Milford EL, Rullan A, Derzsi S, Hooper S, Kato T, Mansfield D, Melcher A, Harrington KJ, Sahai E. STING and IRF3 in stromal fibroblasts enable sensing of genomic stress in cancer cells to undermine oncolytic viral therapy. Nat Cell Biol 2020; 22:758-766. [PMID: 32483388 PMCID: PMC7611090 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-020-0527-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) perform diverse roles and can modulate therapy responses1. The inflammatory environment within tumours also influences responses to many therapies, including the efficacy of oncolytic viruses2; however, the role of CAFs in this context remains unclear. Furthermore, little is known about the cell signalling triggered by heterotypic cancer cell-fibroblast contacts and about what activates fibroblasts to express inflammatory mediators1,3. Here, we show that direct contact between cancer cells and CAFs triggers the expression of a wide range of inflammatory modulators by fibroblasts. This is initiated following transcytosis of cytoplasm from cancer cells into fibroblasts, leading to the activation of STING and IRF3-mediated expression of interferon-β1 and other cytokines. Interferon-β1 then drives interferon-stimulated transcriptional programs in both cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts and ultimately undermines the efficacy of oncolytic viruses, both in vitro and in vivo. Further, targeting IRF3 solely in stromal fibroblasts restores oncolytic herpes simplex virus function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther N Arwert
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Emma L Milford
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Antonio Rullan
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Stefanie Derzsi
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Steven Hooper
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Takuya Kato
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Erik Sahai
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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323
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Bacterial-induced cell fusion is a danger signal triggering cGAS-STING pathway via micronuclei formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:15923-15934. [PMID: 32571920 PMCID: PMC7355030 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2006908117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei is a bacterial pathogen that causes melioidosis, an infectious disease in the tropics with high morbidity and mortality. It has a unique property among bacteria: to fuse infected host cells. We found that our immune system detects bacterial- or chemical-induced host cell fusion as a danger signal. Abnormal cell fusion leads to genomic instability and formation of micronuclei. This triggers the host to activate a signaling pathway leading to a form of cell death known as autophagic death, which likely serves to limit abnormal cellular transformation. Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, an infectious disease in the tropics and subtropics with high morbidity and mortality. The facultative intracellular bacterium induces host cell fusion through its type VI secretion system 5 (T6SS5) as an important part of its pathogenesis in mammalian hosts. This allows it to spread intercellularly without encountering extracellular host defenses. We report that bacterial T6SS5-dependent cell fusion triggers type I IFN gene expression in the host and leads to activation of the cGAMP synthase–stimulator of IFN genes (cGAS–STING) pathway, independent of bacterial ligands. Aberrant and abortive mitotic events result in the formation of micronuclei colocalizing with cGAS, which is activated by double-stranded DNA. Surprisingly, cGAS–STING activation leads to type I IFN transcription but not its production. Instead, the activation of cGAS and STING results in autophagic cell death. We also observed type I IFN gene expression, micronuclei formation, and death of chemically induced cell fusions. Therefore, we propose that the cGAS–STING pathway senses unnatural cell fusion through micronuclei formation as a danger signal, and consequently limits aberrant cell division and potential cellular transformation through autophagic death induction.
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324
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Jiang M, Chen P, Wang L, Li W, Chen B, Liu Y, Wang H, Zhao S, Ye L, He Y, Zhou C. cGAS-STING, an important pathway in cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:81. [PMID: 32571374 PMCID: PMC7310007 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00916-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosolic DNA sensing, the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, is an important novel role in the immune system. Multiple STING agonists were developed for cancer therapy study with great results achieved in pre-clinical work. Recent progress in the mechanical understanding of STING pathway in IFN production and T cell priming, indicates its promising role for cancer immunotherapy. STING agonists co-administrated with other cancer immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-programmed death 1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 antibodies, and adoptive T cell transfer therapies, would hold a promise of treating medium and advanced cancers. Despite the applications of STING agonists in cancer immunotherapy, lots of obstacles remain for further study. In this review, we mainly examine the biological characters, current applications, challenges, and future directions of cGAS-STING in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minlin Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Peixin Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Sha Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingyun Ye
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yayi He
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China.
| | - Caicun Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China.
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325
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Yum S, Li M, Chen ZJ. Old dogs, new trick: classic cancer therapies activate cGAS. Cell Res 2020; 30:639-648. [PMID: 32541866 PMCID: PMC7395767 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-020-0346-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of cancer immune surveillance and immunotherapy has opened up a new era of cancer treatment. Immunotherapies modulate a patient’s immune system to specifically eliminate cancer cells; thus, it is considered a very different approach from classic cancer therapies that usually induce DNA damage to cause cell death in a cell-intrinsic manner. However, recent studies have revealed that classic cancer therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy also elicit antitumor immunity, which plays an essential role in their therapeutic efficacy. The cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and the downstream effector Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) have been determined to be critical for this interplay. Here, we review the antitumor roles of the cGAS-STING pathway during tumorigenesis, cancer immune surveillance, and cancer therapies. We also highlight classic cancer therapies that elicit antitumor immune responses through cGAS activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoyun Yum
- Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Minghao Li
- Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Zhijian J Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Inflammation Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA.
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326
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The interactions between cGAS-STING pathway and pathogens. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:91. [PMID: 32532954 PMCID: PMC7293265 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0198-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosolic DNA is an indicator of pathogen invasion or DNA damage. The cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) detects DNA and then mediates downstream immune responses through the molecule stimulator of interferon genes (STING, also known as MITA, MPYS, ERIS and TMEM173). Recent studies focusing on the roles of the cGAS-STING pathway in evolutionary distant species have partly sketched how the mammalian cGAS-STING pathways are shaped and have revealed its evolutionarily conserved mechanism in combating pathogens. Both this pathway and pathogens have developed sophisticated strategies to counteract each other for their survival. Here, we summarise current knowledge on the interactions between the cGAS-STING pathway and pathogens from both evolutionary and mechanistic perspectives. Deeper insight into these interactions might enable us to clarify the pathogenesis of certain infectious diseases and better harness the cGAS-STING pathway for antimicrobial methods.
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327
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Del Prete A, Sozio F, Barbazza I, Salvi V, Tiberio L, Laffranchi M, Gismondi A, Bosisio D, Schioppa T, Sozzani S. Functional Role of Dendritic Cell Subsets in Cancer Progression and Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113930. [PMID: 32486257 PMCID: PMC7312661 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) constitute a complex network of cell subsets with common functions but also with many divergent aspects. All dendritic cell subsets share the ability to prime T cell response and to undergo a complex trafficking program related to their stage of maturation and function. For these reasons, dendritic cells are implicated in a large variety of both protective and detrimental immune responses, including a crucial role in promoting anti-tumor responses. Although cDC1s are the most potent subset in tumor antigen cross-presentation, they are not sufficient to induce full-strength anti-tumor cytotoxic T cell response and need close interaction and cooperativity with the other dendritic cell subsets, namely cDC2s and pDCs. This review will take into consideration different aspects of DC biology, including the functional role of dendritic cell subsets in both fostering and suppressing tumor growth, the mechanisms underlying their recruitment into the tumor microenvironment, as well as the prognostic value and the potentiality of dendritic cell therapeutic targeting. Understanding the specificity of dendritic cell subsets will allow to gain insights on role of these cells in pathological conditions and to design new selective promising therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Del Prete
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.P.); (F.S.); (I.B.); (V.S.); (L.T.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (T.S.)
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano (MI), Italy
| | - Francesca Sozio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.P.); (F.S.); (I.B.); (V.S.); (L.T.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (T.S.)
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano (MI), Italy
| | - Ilaria Barbazza
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.P.); (F.S.); (I.B.); (V.S.); (L.T.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Valentina Salvi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.P.); (F.S.); (I.B.); (V.S.); (L.T.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Laura Tiberio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.P.); (F.S.); (I.B.); (V.S.); (L.T.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Mattia Laffranchi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.P.); (F.S.); (I.B.); (V.S.); (L.T.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Angela Gismondi
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Daniela Bosisio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.P.); (F.S.); (I.B.); (V.S.); (L.T.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Tiziana Schioppa
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.D.P.); (F.S.); (I.B.); (V.S.); (L.T.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (T.S.)
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano (MI), Italy
| | - Silvano Sozzani
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-4434-0632
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328
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Stögerer T, Stäger S. Innate Immune Sensing by Cells of the Adaptive Immune System. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1081. [PMID: 32547564 PMCID: PMC7274159 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensing of microbes or of danger signals has mainly been attributed to myeloid innate immune cells. However, T and B cells also express functional pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). In these cells, PRRs mediate signaling cascades that result in different functions depending on the cell's activation and/or differentiation status, on the environment, and on the ligand/agonist. Some of these functions are beneficial for the host; however, some are detrimental and are exploited by pathogens to establish persistent infections. In this review, we summarize the available literature on innate immune sensing by cells of the adaptive immune system and discuss possible implications for chronic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Stögerer
- INRS Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Simona Stäger
- INRS Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada
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329
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Gardner A, de Mingo Pulido Á, Ruffell B. Dendritic Cells and Their Role in Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:924. [PMID: 32508825 PMCID: PMC7253577 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advances in the field of cancer immunotherapy, the majority of patients still do not benefit from treatment and must rely on traditional therapies. Dendritic cells have long been a focus of cancer immunotherapy due to their role in inducing protective adaptive immunity, but cancer vaccines have shown limited efficacy in the past. With the advent of immune checkpoint blockade and the ability to identify patient-specific neoantigens, new vaccines, and combinatorial therapies are being evaluated in the clinic. Dendritic cells are also emerging as critical regulators of the immune response within tumors. Understanding how to augment the function of these intratumoral dendritic cells could offer new approaches to enhance immunotherapy, in addition to improving the cytotoxic and targeted therapies that are partially dependent upon a robust immune response for their efficacy. Here we will discuss the role of specific dendritic cell subsets in regulating the anti-tumor immune response, as well as the current status of dendritic cell-based immunotherapies, in order to provide an overview for future lines of research and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alycia Gardner
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.,Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Álvaro de Mingo Pulido
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Brian Ruffell
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.,Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
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330
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Hopfner KP, Hornung V. Molecular mechanisms and cellular functions of cGAS-STING signalling. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:501-521. [PMID: 32424334 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-0244-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 889] [Impact Index Per Article: 222.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The cGAS-STING signalling axis, comprising the synthase for the second messenger cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAS) and the cyclic GMP-AMP receptor stimulator of interferon genes (STING), detects pathogenic DNA to trigger an innate immune reaction involving a strong type I interferon response against microbial infections. Notably however, besides sensing microbial DNA, the DNA sensor cGAS can also be activated by endogenous DNA, including extranuclear chromatin resulting from genotoxic stress and DNA released from mitochondria, placing cGAS-STING as an important axis in autoimmunity, sterile inflammatory responses and cellular senescence. Initial models assumed that co-localization of cGAS and DNA in the cytosol defines the specificity of the pathway for non-self, but recent work revealed that cGAS is also present in the nucleus and at the plasma membrane, and such subcellular compartmentalization was linked to signalling specificity of cGAS. Further confounding the simple view of cGAS-STING signalling as a response mechanism to infectious agents, both cGAS and STING were shown to have additional functions, independent of interferon response. These involve non-catalytic roles of cGAS in regulating DNA repair and signalling via STING to NF-κB and MAPK as well as STING-mediated induction of autophagy and lysosome-dependent cell death. We have also learnt that cGAS dimers can multimerize and undergo liquid-liquid phase separation to form biomolecular condensates that could importantly regulate cGAS activation. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms and cellular functions underlying cGAS-STING activation and signalling, particularly highlighting the newly emerging diversity of this signalling pathway and discussing how the specificity towards normal, damage-induced and infection-associated DNA could be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Peter Hopfner
- Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany. .,Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.
| | - Veit Hornung
- Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany. .,Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.
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331
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Hodgins JJ, Khan ST, Park MM, Auer RC, Ardolino M. Killers 2.0: NK cell therapies at the forefront of cancer control. J Clin Invest 2020; 129:3499-3510. [PMID: 31478911 DOI: 10.1172/jci129338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphocytes involved in the surveillance and elimination of cancer. As we have learned more and more about the mechanisms NK cells employ to recognize and eliminate tumor cells, and how, in turn, cancer evades NK cell responses, we have gained a clear appreciation that NK cells can be harnessed in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we review the evidence for NK cells' critical role in combating transformed and malignant cells, and how cancer immunotherapies potentiate NK cell responses for therapeutic purposes. We highlight cutting-edge immunotherapeutic strategies in preclinical and clinical development such as adoptive NK cell transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-expressing NK cells (CAR-NKs), bispecific and trispecific killer cell engagers (BiKEs and TriKEs), checkpoint blockade, and oncolytic virotherapy. Further, we describe the challenges that NK cells face (e.g., postsurgical dysfunction) that must be overcome by these therapeutic modalities to achieve cancer clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Hodgins
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
| | - Sarwat T Khan
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria M Park
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
| | - Rebecca C Auer
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michele Ardolino
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and
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332
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Wan D, Jiang W, Hao J. Research Advances in How the cGAS-STING Pathway Controls the Cellular Inflammatory Response. Front Immunol 2020; 11:615. [PMID: 32411126 PMCID: PMC7198750 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) sensor cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) along with the downstream stimulator of interferon genes (STING) acting as essential immune-surveillance mediators have become hot topics of research. The intrinsic function of the cGAS-STING pathway facilitates type-I interferon (IFN) inflammatory signaling responses and other cellular processes such as autophagy, cell survival, senescence. cGAS-STING pathway interplays with other innate immune pathways, by which it participates in regulating infection, inflammatory disease, and cancer. The therapeutic approaches targeting this pathway show promise for future translation into clinical applications. Here, we present a review of the important previous works and recent advances regarding the cGAS-STING pathway, and provide a comprehensive understanding of the modulatory pattern of the cGAS-STING pathway under multifarious pathologic states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongshan Wan
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Junwei Hao
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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333
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Zhou C, Chen X, Planells-Cases R, Chu J, Wang L, Cao L, Li Z, López-Cayuqueo KI, Xie Y, Ye S, Wang X, Ullrich F, Ma S, Fang Y, Zhang X, Qian Z, Liang X, Cai SQ, Jiang Z, Zhou D, Leng Q, Xiao TS, Lan K, Yang J, Li H, Peng C, Qiu Z, Jentsch TJ, Xiao H. Transfer of cGAMP into Bystander Cells via LRRC8 Volume-Regulated Anion Channels Augments STING-Mediated Interferon Responses and Anti-viral Immunity. Immunity 2020; 52:767-781.e6. [PMID: 32277911 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The enzyme cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) senses cytosolic DNA in infected and malignant cells and catalyzes the formation of 2'3'cGMP-AMP (cGAMP), which in turn triggers interferon (IFN) production via the STING pathway. Here, we examined the contribution of anion channels to cGAMP transfer and anti-viral defense. A candidate screen revealed that inhibition of volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs) increased propagation of the DNA virus HSV-1 but not the RNA virus VSV. Chemical blockade or genetic ablation of LRRC8A/SWELL1, a VRAC subunit, resulted in defective IFN responses to HSV-1. Biochemical and electrophysiological analyses revealed that LRRC8A/LRRC8E-containing VRACs transport cGAMP and cyclic dinucleotides across the plasma membrane. Enhancing VRAC activity by hypotonic cell swelling, cisplatin, GTPγS, or the cytokines TNF or interleukin-1 increased STING-dependent IFN response to extracellular but not intracellular cGAMP. Lrrc8e-/- mice exhibited impaired IFN responses and compromised immunity to HSV-1. Our findings suggest that cell-to-cell transmission of cGAMP via LRRC8/VRAC channels is central to effective anti-viral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Zhou
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xia Chen
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; College of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Rosa Planells-Cases
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) and Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin, D-13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jiachen Chu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Li Wang
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Limin Cao
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zhihong Li
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Karen I López-Cayuqueo
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) and Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin, D-13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yadong Xie
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shiwei Ye
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Florian Ullrich
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) and Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin, D-13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Shixin Ma
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yiyuan Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zhikang Qian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiaozheng Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shi-Qing Cai
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zhengfan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Dongming Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Qibin Leng
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, China
| | - Tsan S Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Ke Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Jinbo Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Huabin Li
- Center for Allergic and Inflammatory Diseases & Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Chao Peng
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Zhaozhu Qiu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Thomas J Jentsch
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) and Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin, D-13125 Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité University Medicine, D-10117 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Hui Xiao
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
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334
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McLaughlin M, Patin EC, Pedersen M, Wilkins A, Dillon MT, Melcher AA, Harrington KJ. Inflammatory microenvironment remodelling by tumour cells after radiotherapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2020; 20:203-217. [PMID: 32161398 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-020-0246-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 428] [Impact Index Per Article: 107.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is revolutionizing the way we think about cancer treatment. Even so, for most types of cancer, only a minority of patients currently benefit from ICI therapies. Intrinsic and acquired resistance to ICIs has focused research towards new combination therapy approaches that seek to increase response rates, the depth of remission and the durability of benefit. In this Review, we describe how radiotherapy, through its immunomodulating effects, represents a promising combination partner with ICIs. We describe how recent research on DNA damage response (DDR) inhibitors in combination with radiotherapy may be used to augment this approach. Radiotherapy can kill cancer cells while simultaneously triggering the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and increasing tumour-infiltrating immune cells - phenomena often described colloquially as turning immunologically 'cold' tumours 'hot'. Here, we focus on new developments illustrating the key role of tumour cell-autonomous signalling after radiotherapy. Radiotherapy-induced tumour cell micronuclei activate cytosolic nucleic acid sensor pathways, such as cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING), and propagation of the resulting inflammatory signals remodels the immune contexture of the tumour microenvironment. In parallel, radiation can impact immunosurveillance by modulating neoantigen expression. Finally, we highlight how tumour cell-autonomous mechanisms might be exploited by combining DDR inhibitors, ICIs and radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin McLaughlin
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Emmanuel C Patin
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Malin Pedersen
- Translational Immunotherapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Magnus T Dillon
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Alan A Melcher
- Translational Immunotherapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kevin J Harrington
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
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335
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Zaver SA, Woodward JJ. Cyclic dinucleotides at the forefront of innate immunity. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2020; 63:49-56. [PMID: 31958669 PMCID: PMC7247925 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2019.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) have emerged as ubiquitous signaling molecules in all domains of life. In eukaryotes, CDN signaling systems are evolutionarily ancient and have developed to sense and respond to pathogen infection. On the other hand, dysregulation of these pathways has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Thus, CDNs have garnered major interest over recent years for their ability to elicit potent immune responses in the eukaryotic host. Similarly, ancestral CDN-based signaling systems also appear to confer immunological protection against infection in prokaryotes. Therefore, a better understanding of the host processes regulated by CDNs will be of tremendous value in many areas of research. Here, we aim to review the latest discoveries and recent trends in CDN research with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms by which these small molecules mediate innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivam A Zaver
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Joshua J Woodward
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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336
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Ge Z, Wu S, Zhang Z, Ding S. Mechanism of tumor cells escaping from immune surveillance of NK cells. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2020; 42:187-198. [PMID: 32223464 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2020.1742733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in anti-tumor and anti-infection, and perform their immune surveillance function in various ways. However, no matter what kind of cancer, the functional activity of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is suppressed. Understanding the relationship between tumor cells and NK cells is very critical for tumor immunotherapy. This review discusses the mechanism of tumor cells escaping the immune surveillance of NK cells. These include a variety of factors that inhibit the activity of NK cells, an imbalance of activating receptors and inhibiting receptors on NK cells, abnormal binding of receptors and ligands, cross-talk of surrounding cell groups and NK cells in the TME, and other factors that affect NK cell activity. An understanding of these factors is necessary to provide new treatment strategies for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Ge
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Wu
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuzhe Ding
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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337
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Riley JS, Tait SW. Mitochondrial DNA in inflammation and immunity. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e49799. [PMID: 32202065 PMCID: PMC7132203 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201949799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 434] [Impact Index Per Article: 108.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are cellular organelles that orchestrate a vast range of biological processes, from energy production and metabolism to cell death and inflammation. Despite this seemingly symbiotic relationship, mitochondria harbour within them a potent agonist of innate immunity: their own genome. Release of mitochondrial DNA into the cytoplasm and out into the extracellular milieu activates a plethora of different pattern recognition receptors and innate immune responses, including cGAS‐STING, TLR9 and inflammasome formation leading to, among others, robust type I interferon responses. In this Review, we discuss how mtDNA can be released from the mitochondria, the various inflammatory pathways triggered by mtDNA release and its myriad biological consequences for health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel S Riley
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.,Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Stephen Wg Tait
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.,Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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338
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Nicolai CJ, Wolf N, Chang IC, Kirn G, Marcus A, Ndubaku CO, McWhirter SM, Raulet DH. NK cells mediate clearance of CD8 + T cell-resistant tumors in response to STING agonists. Sci Immunol 2020; 5:5/45/eaaz2738. [PMID: 32198222 PMCID: PMC7228660 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aaz2738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Several immunotherapy approaches that mobilize CD8+ T cell responses stimulate tumor rejection, and some, such as checkpoint blockade, have been approved for several cancer indications and show impressive increases in patient survival. However, tumors may evade CD8+ T cell recognition via loss of MHC molecules or because they contain few or no neoantigens. Therefore, approaches are needed to combat CD8+ T cell-resistant cancers. STING-activating cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are a new class of immune-stimulating agents that elicit impressive CD8+ T cell-mediated tumor rejection in preclinical tumor models and are now being tested in clinical trials. Here, we demonstrate powerful CDN-induced, natural killer (NK) cell-mediated tumor rejection in numerous tumor models, independent of CD8+ T cells. CDNs enhanced NK cell activation, cytotoxicity, and antitumor effects in part by inducing type I interferon (IFN). IFN acted in part directly on NK cells in vivo and in part indirectly via the induction of IL-15 and IL-15 receptors, which were important for CDN-induced NK activation and tumor control. After in vivo administration of CDNs, dendritic cells (DCs) up-regulated IL-15Rα in an IFN-dependent manner. Mice lacking the type I IFN receptor specifically on DCs had reduced NK cell activation and tumor control. Therapeutics that activate NK cells, such as CDNs, checkpoint inhibitors, NK cell engagers, and cytokines, may represent next-generation approaches to cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Nicolai
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Natalie Wolf
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - I-Chang Chang
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Georgia Kirn
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Assaf Marcus
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | | | - David H. Raulet
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,corresponding author:
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339
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Zhou L, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Zhang M, Sun W, Dai T, Wang A, Wu X, Zhang S, Wang S, Zhou F. A Dual Role of Type I Interferons in Antitumor Immunity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 4:e1900237. [PMID: 33245214 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN-Is) are a family of cytokines that exert direct antiviral effects and regulate innate and adaptive immune responses through direct and indirect mechanisms. It is generally believed that IFN-Is repress tumor development via restricting tumor proliferation and inducing antitumor immune responses. However, recent emerging evidence suggests that IFN-Is play a dual role in antitumor immunity. That is, in the early stage of tumorigenesis, IFN-Is promote the antitumor immune response by enhancing antigen presentation in antigen-presenting cells and activating CD8+ T cells. However, in the late stage of tumor progression, persistent expression of IFN-Is induces the expression of immunosuppressive factors (PD-L1, IDO, and IL-10) on the surface of dendritic cells and other bone marrow cells and inhibits their antitumor immunity. This review outlines these dual functions of IFN-Is in antitumor immunity and elucidates the involved mechanisms, as well as their applications in tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, The Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Yuqi Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, The Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Yongqiang Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, The Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Meirong Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, The Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Wenhuan Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, The Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Tong Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, The Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Aijun Wang
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Xiaojin Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Suping Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Human Disease Prevention, Department of Pharmacology, Base for international Science and Technology Cooperation: Carson Cancer Stem Cell Vaccines R&D Center, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, The Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, The Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
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340
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Inflammasome-mediated antagonism of type I interferon enhances Rickettsia pathogenesis. Nat Microbiol 2020; 5:688-696. [PMID: 32123346 PMCID: PMC7239376 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-020-0673-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The innate immune system fights infection with inflammasomes and interferons. Facultative bacterial pathogens that inhabit the host cytosol avoid inflammasomes1–6 and are often insensitive to type I interferons (IFN-I), but are restricted by IFN-γ7–11. However, it remains unclear how obligate cytosolic bacterial pathogens, including Rickettsia species, interact with innate immunity. Here, we report that the human pathogen Rickettsia parkeri is sensitive to IFN-I and benefits from inflammasome-mediated host cell death that antagonizes IFN-I. R. parkeri-induced cell death requires the cytosolic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor caspase-11 and antagonizes IFN-I production mediated by the DNA sensor cGAS. The restrictive effects of IFN-I require the interferon regulatory factor IRF5, which upregulates genes encoding guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which we found to inhibit R. parkeri. Mice lacking both IFN-I and IFN-γ receptors succumb to R. parkeri, revealing critical and overlapping roles for these cytokines in vivo. The interactions of R. parkeri with inflammasomes and interferons are similar to those of viruses, which can exploit the inflammasome to avoid IFN-I12, are restricted by IFN-I via IRF513,14, and are controlled by IFN-I and IFN-γ in vivo15–17. Our results suggest that the innate immune response to an obligate cytosolic pathogen lies at the intersection of anti-bacterial and anti-viral responses.
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341
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Saeed AFUH, Ruan X, Guan H, Su J, Ouyang S. Regulation of cGAS-Mediated Immune Responses and Immunotherapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1902599. [PMID: 32195086 PMCID: PMC7080523 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201902599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Early detection of infectious nucleic acids released from invading pathogens by the innate immune system is critical for immune defense. Detection of these nucleic acids by host immune sensors and regulation of DNA sensing pathways have been significant interests in the past years. Here, current understandings of evolutionarily conserved DNA sensing cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) are highlighted. Precise activation and tight regulation of cGAS are vital in appropriate innate immune responses, senescence, tumorigenesis and immunotherapy, and autoimmunity. Hence, substantial insights into cytosolic DNA sensing and immunotherapy of indispensable cytosolic sensors have been detailed to extend limited knowledge available thus far. This Review offers a critical, in-depth understanding of cGAS regulation, cytosolic DNA sensing, and currently established therapeutic approaches of essential cytosolic immune agents for improved human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah F. U. H. Saeed
- The Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian ProvinceProvincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic RegulationBiomedical Research Center of South ChinaKey Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of EducationCollege of Life SciencesFujian Normal UniversityFuzhou350117China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Special Marine Bio‐resources Sustainable UtilizationThe Public Service Platform for Industrialization Development Technology of Marine Biological Medicine and Product of State Oceanic AdministrationCollege of Life SciencesFujian Normal UniversityFuzhou350117China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and BiotechnologyPilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao)Qingdao266237China
- College of Chemistry and Materials ScienceFujian Normal UniversityFuzhou350117China
| | - Xinglin Ruan
- Department of NeurologyFujian Medical University Union Hospital29 Xinquan Road Gulou DistrictFuzhou350001China
| | - Hongxin Guan
- The Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian ProvinceProvincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic RegulationBiomedical Research Center of South ChinaKey Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of EducationCollege of Life SciencesFujian Normal UniversityFuzhou350117China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Special Marine Bio‐resources Sustainable UtilizationThe Public Service Platform for Industrialization Development Technology of Marine Biological Medicine and Product of State Oceanic AdministrationCollege of Life SciencesFujian Normal UniversityFuzhou350117China
| | - Jingqian Su
- The Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian ProvinceProvincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic RegulationBiomedical Research Center of South ChinaKey Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of EducationCollege of Life SciencesFujian Normal UniversityFuzhou350117China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Special Marine Bio‐resources Sustainable UtilizationThe Public Service Platform for Industrialization Development Technology of Marine Biological Medicine and Product of State Oceanic AdministrationCollege of Life SciencesFujian Normal UniversityFuzhou350117China
| | - Songying Ouyang
- The Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian ProvinceProvincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic RegulationBiomedical Research Center of South ChinaKey Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of EducationCollege of Life SciencesFujian Normal UniversityFuzhou350117China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Special Marine Bio‐resources Sustainable UtilizationThe Public Service Platform for Industrialization Development Technology of Marine Biological Medicine and Product of State Oceanic AdministrationCollege of Life SciencesFujian Normal UniversityFuzhou350117China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and BiotechnologyPilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao)Qingdao266237China
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342
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Wang S, Zhou L, Ling L, Meng X, Chu F, Zhang S, Zhou F. The Crosstalk Between Hippo-YAP Pathway and Innate Immunity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:323. [PMID: 32174922 PMCID: PMC7056731 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) triggers expression of antiviral interferons and proinflammatory cytokines, which functions as the frontier of host defense against microbial pathogen invasion. Hippo-YAP pathway regulates cell proliferation, survival, differentiation and is involved in diverse life processes, including tissue homeostasis and tumor suppression. Emerging discoveries elucidated that the components of Hippo-YAP pathway, such as MST1/2, NDR1/2, and YAP/TAZ played crucial regulatory roles in innate immunity. Meanwhile the innate immune signaling also exhibited regulatory effect on Hippo-YAP pathway. As for the importance of these two pathways, it would be interesting to figure out the deeper biological implications of their interplays. This review focuses on the regulation between Hippo-YAP pathway and innate immune signaling. We also propose the possible contribution of these interplays to tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lili Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Li Ling
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xuli Meng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feng Chu
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Suping Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Human Disease Prevention, Department of Pharmacology, Base for International Science and Technology Cooperation: Carson Cancer Stem Cell Vaccines R&D Center, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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343
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Blockade of the Phagocytic Receptor MerTK on Tumor-Associated Macrophages Enhances P2X7R-Dependent STING Activation by Tumor-Derived cGAMP. Immunity 2020; 52:357-373.e9. [PMID: 32049051 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages prevents excessive inflammation and supports immune tolerance. Here, we examined the effect of blocking apoptotic cell clearance on anti-tumor immune response. We generated an antibody that selectively inhibited efferocytosis by phagocytic receptor MerTK. Blockade of MerTK resulted in accumulation of apoptotic cells within tumors and triggered a type I interferon response. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with anti-MerTK antibody stimulated T cell activation and synergized with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy. The anti-tumor effect induced by anti-MerTK treatment was lost in Stinggt/gt mice, but not in Cgas-/- mice. Abolishing cGAMP production in Cgas-/- tumor cells, depletion of extracellular ATP, or inactivation of the ATP-gated P2X7R channel also compromised the effects of MerTK blockade. Mechanistically, extracellular ATP acted via P2X7R to enhance the transport of extracellular cGAMP into macrophages and subsequent STING activation. Thus, MerTK blockade increases tumor immunogenicity and potentiates anti-tumor immunity, which has implications for cancer immunotherapy.
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344
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Guey
- Global Health Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Ablasser
- Global Health Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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345
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Carozza JA, Böhnert V, Nguyen KC, Skariah G, Shaw KE, Brown JA, Rafat M, von Eyben R, Graves EE, Glenn JS, Smith M, Li L. Extracellular cGAMP is a cancer cell-produced immunotransmitter involved in radiation-induced anti-cancer immunity. NATURE CANCER 2020; 1:184-196. [PMID: 33768207 PMCID: PMC7990037 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-020-0028-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
2'3'-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) is an intracellular second messenger that is synthesized in response to cytosolic double-stranded DNA and activates the innate immune STING pathway. Our previous discovery of its extracellular hydrolase ENPP1 hinted at the existence of extracellular cGAMP. Here, we detected that cGAMP is continuously exported but then efficiently cleared by ENPP1, explaining why it has previously escaped detection. By developing potent, specific, and cell impermeable ENPP1 inhibitors, we found that cancer cells continuously export cGAMP in culture at steady state and at higher levels when treated with ionizing radiation (IR). In mouse tumors, depletion of extracellular cGAMP decreased tumor-associated immune cell infiltration and abolished the curative effect of IR. Boosting extracellular cGAMP with ENPP1 inhibitors synergized with IR to delay tumor growth. In conclusion, extracellular cGAMP is an anti-cancer immunotransmitter that could be harnessed to treat cancers with low immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline A Carozza
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Volker Böhnert
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Khanh C Nguyen
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gemini Skariah
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kelsey E Shaw
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jenifer A Brown
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marjan Rafat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rie von Eyben
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Edward E Graves
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Glenn
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mark Smith
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lingyin Li
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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346
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Pépin G, De Nardo D, Rootes CL, Ullah TR, Al-Asmari SS, Balka KR, Li HM, Quinn KM, Moghaddas F, Chappaz S, Kile BT, Morand EF, Masters SL, Stewart CR, Williams BRG, Gantier MP. Connexin-Dependent Transfer of cGAMP to Phagocytes Modulates Antiviral Responses. mBio 2020; 11:e03187-19. [PMID: 31992625 PMCID: PMC6989113 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03187-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) plays a critical role in antiviral responses to many DNA viruses. Sensing of cytosolic DNA by cGAS results in synthesis of the endogenous second messenger cGAMP that activates stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in infected cells. Critically, cGAMP can also propagate antiviral responses to uninfected cells through intercellular transfer, although the modalities of this transfer between epithelial and immune cells remain poorly defined. We demonstrate here that cGAMP-producing epithelial cells can transactivate STING in cocultured macrophages through direct cGAMP transfer. cGAMP transfer was reliant upon connexin expression by epithelial cells and pharmacological inhibition of connexins blunted STING-dependent transactivation of the macrophage compartment. Macrophage transactivation by cGAMP contributed to a positive-feedback loop amplifying antiviral responses, significantly protecting uninfected epithelial cells against viral infection. Collectively, our findings constitute the first direct evidence of a connexin-dependent cGAMP transfer to macrophages by epithelial cells, to amplify antiviral responses.IMPORTANCE Recent studies suggest that extracellular cGAMP can be taken up by macrophages to engage STING through several mechanisms. Our work demonstrates that connexin-dependent communication between epithelial cells and macrophages plays a significant role in the amplification of antiviral responses mediated by cGAMP and suggests that pharmacological strategies aimed at modulating connexins may have therapeutic applications to control antiviral responses in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneviève Pépin
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dominic De Nardo
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Inflammation Division, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christina L Rootes
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Health and Biosecurity, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tomalika R Ullah
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sumaiah S Al-Asmari
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine R Balka
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Inflammation Division, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hong-Mei Li
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kylie M Quinn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona Moghaddas
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Inflammation Division, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephane Chappaz
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin T Kile
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric F Morand
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Seth L Masters
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Inflammation Division, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cameron R Stewart
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Health and Biosecurity, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bryan R G Williams
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael P Gantier
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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347
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Flood BA, Higgs EF, Li S, Luke JJ, Gajewski TF. STING pathway agonism as a cancer therapeutic. Immunol Rev 2020; 290:24-38. [PMID: 31355488 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The fact that a subset of human cancers showed evidence for a spontaneous adaptive immune response as reflected by the T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment phenotype led to the search for candidate innate immune pathways that might be driving such endogenous responses. Preclinical studies indicated a major role for the host STING pathway, a cytosolic DNA sensing pathway, as a proximal event required for optimal type I interferon production, dendritic cell activation, and priming of CD8+ T cells against tumor-associated antigens. STING agonists are therefore being developed as a novel cancer therapeutic, and a greater understanding of STING pathway regulation is leading to a broadened list of candidate immune regulatory targets. Early phase clinical trials of intratumoral STING agonists are already showing promise, alone and in combination with checkpoint blockade. Further advancement will derive from a deeper understanding of STING pathway biology as well as mechanisms of response vs resistance in individual cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake A Flood
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Emily F Higgs
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Shuyin Li
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jason J Luke
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Thomas F Gajewski
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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348
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Shimasaki N, Jain A, Campana D. NK cells for cancer immunotherapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2020; 19:200-218. [PMID: 31907401 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-019-0052-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 666] [Impact Index Per Article: 166.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells can swiftly kill multiple adjacent cells if these show surface markers associated with oncogenic transformation. This property, which is unique among immune cells, and their capacity to enhance antibody and T cell responses support a role for NK cells as anticancer agents. Although tumours may develop several mechanisms to resist attacks from endogenous NK cells, ex vivo activation, expansion and genetic modification of NK cells can greatly increase their antitumour activity and equip them to overcome resistance. Some of these methods have been translated into clinical-grade platforms and support clinical trials of NK cell infusions in patients with haematological malignancies or solid tumours, which have yielded encouraging results so far. The next generation of NK cell products will be engineered to enhance activating signals and proliferation, suppress inhibitory signals and promote their homing to tumours. These modifications promise to significantly increase their clinical activity. Finally, there is emerging evidence of increased NK cell-mediated tumour cell killing in the context of molecularly targeted therapies. These observations, in addition to the capacity of NK cells to magnify immune responses, suggest that NK cells are poised to become key components of multipronged therapeutic strategies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Shimasaki
- Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amit Jain
- Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dario Campana
- Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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349
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Wong EB, Montoya B, Ferez M, Stotesbury C, Sigal LJ. Resistance to ectromelia virus infection requires cGAS in bone marrow-derived cells which can be bypassed with cGAMP therapy. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1008239. [PMID: 31877196 PMCID: PMC6974301 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells sensing infection produce Type I interferons (IFN-I) to stimulate Interferon Stimulated Genes (ISGs) that confer resistance to viruses. During lympho-hematogenous spread of the mouse pathogen ectromelia virus (ECTV), the adaptor STING and the transcription factor IRF7 are required for IFN-I and ISG induction and resistance to ECTV. However, it is unknown which cells sense ECTV and which pathogen recognition receptor (PRR) upstream of STING is required for IFN-I and ISG induction. We found that cyclic-GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS), a DNA-sensing PRR, is required in bone marrow-derived (BMD) but not in other cells for IFN-I and ISG induction and for resistance to lethal mousepox. Also, local administration of cGAMP, the product of cGAS that activates STING, rescues cGAS but not IRF7 or IFN-I receptor deficient mice from mousepox. Thus, sensing of infection by BMD cells via cGAS and IRF7 is critical for resistance to a lethal viral disease in a natural host. During primary acute systemic viral infections, cells sensing virus through Pathogen Recognition Receptors (PRR) can produce Type I interferons (IFN-I) to induce an anti-viral state that curbs viral spread and protect from viral disease. The dissection of the specific cells, receptors and downstream pathways required for IFN-I production during viral infection in vivo is necessary to improve anti-viral therapies. In this study, we demonstrated that the cytosolic PRR cGAS in hematopoietic cells but not in parenchymal cells is required for protection against ectromelia virus, the archetype for viruses that spread through the lympho-hematogenous route. We also show that cGAS deficiency can be bypassed by local administration of cyclic-GMP-AMP (cGAMP) by inducing IFN-I only in the skin and in the presence of virus. Our study provides novel insights into the cGAS signaling pathway and highlights the potential of cGAMP as an efficient anti-viral treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric B. Wong
- Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Brian Montoya
- Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Maria Ferez
- Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Colby Stotesbury
- Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Luis J. Sigal
- Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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350
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Kwon J, Bakhoum SF. The Cytosolic DNA-Sensing cGAS-STING Pathway in Cancer. Cancer Discov 2019; 10:26-39. [PMID: 31852718 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-19-0761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 567] [Impact Index Per Article: 113.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The recognition of DNA as an immune-stimulatory molecule is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism to initiate rapid innate immune responses against microbial pathogens. The cGAS-STING pathway was discovered as an important DNA-sensing machinery in innate immunity and viral defense. Recent advances have now expanded the roles of cGAS-STING to cancer. Highly aggressive, unstable tumors have evolved to co-opt this program to drive tumorigenic behaviors. In this review, we discuss the link between the cGAS-STING DNA-sensing pathway and antitumor immunity as well as cancer progression, genomic instability, the tumor microenvironment, and pharmacologic strategies for cancer therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: The cGAS-STING pathway is an evolutionarily conserved defense mechanism against viral infections. Given its role in activating immune surveillance, it has been assumed that this pathway primarily functions as a tumor suppressor. Yet, mounting evidence now suggests that depending on the context, cGAS-STING signaling can also have tumor and metastasis-promoting functions, and its chronic activation can paradoxically induce an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kwon
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Samuel F Bakhoum
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. .,Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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