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Zhang Q, Zheng F, Chen Y, Liang CL, Liu H, Qiu F, Liu Y, Huang H, Lu W, Dai Z. The TOPK Inhibitor HI-TOPK-032 Enhances CAR T-cell Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Upregulating Memory T Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:631-643. [PMID: 38407902 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are emerging as an effective antitumoral therapy. However, their therapeutic effects on solid tumors are limited because of their short survival time and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Memory T cells respond more vigorously and persist longer than their naïve/effector counterparts. Therefore, promoting CAR T-cell development into memory T cells could further enhance their antitumoral effects. HI-TOPK-032 is a T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK)-specific inhibitor that moderately represses some types of tumors. However, it is unknown whether HI-TOPK-032 works on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and whether it impacts antitumoral immunity. Using both subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft tumor models of two human HCC cell lines, Huh-7 and HepG2, we found that HI-TOPK-032 significantly improved proliferation/persistence of CD8+ CAR T cells, as evidenced by an increase in CAR T-cell counts or frequency of Ki-67+CD8+ cells and a decrease in PD-1+LAG-3+TIM-3+CD8+ CAR T cells in vivo. Although HI-TOPK-032 did not significantly suppress HCC growth, it enhanced the capacity of CAR T cells to inhibit tumor growth. Moreover, HI-TOPK-032 augmented central memory CD8+ T cell (TCM) frequency while increasing eomesodermin expression in CD8+ CAR T cells in tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, it augmented CD8+ CAR TCM cells in vitro and reduced their expression of immune checkpoint molecules. Finally, HI-TOPK-032 inhibited mTOR activation in CAR T cells in vitro and in tumors, whereas overactivation of mTOR reversed the effects of HI-TOPK-032 on CD8+ TCM cells and tumor growth. Thus, our studies have revealed mechanisms underlying the antitumoral effects of HI-TOPK-032 while advancing CAR T-cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunfang Zhang
- Section of Immunology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Fang Zheng
- Section of Immunology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yuchao Chen
- Section of Immunology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Ling Liang
- Section of Immunology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Huazhen Liu
- Section of Immunology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Feifei Qiu
- Section of Immunology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yunshan Liu
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hongfeng Huang
- Kidney Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Weihui Lu
- Section of Immunology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Zhenhua Dai
- Section of Immunology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
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Messina S. The RAS oncogene in brain tumors and the involvement of let-7 microRNA. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:531. [PMID: 38637419 PMCID: PMC11026240 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09439-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
RAS oncogenes are master regulator genes in many cancers. In general, RAS-driven cancers have an oncogenic RAS mutation that promotes disease progression (colon, lung, pancreas). In contrast, brain tumors are not necessarily RAS-driven cancers because RAS mutations are rarely observed. In particular, glioblastomas (the most lethal brain tumor) do not appear to have dominant genetic mutations that are suitable for targeted therapy. Standard treatment for most brain tumors continues to focus on maximal surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Yet the convergence of genomic aberrations such as EGFR, PDGFR and NF1 (some of which are clinically effective) with activation of the RAS/MAPK cascade is still considered a key point in gliomagenesis, and KRAS is undoubtedly a driving gene in gliomagenesis in mice. In cancer, microRNAs (miRNA) are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate carcinogenesis. However, the functional consequences of aberrant miRNA expression in cancer are still poorly understood. let-7 encodes an intergenic miRNA that is classified as a tumour suppressor, at least in lung cancer. Let-7 suppresses a plethora of oncogenes such as RAS, HMGA, c-Myc, cyclin-D and thus suppresses cancer development, differentiation and progression. let-7 family members are direct regulators of certain RAS family genes by binding to the sequences in their 3'untranslated region (3'UTR). let-7 miRNA is involved in the malignant behaviour in vitro-proliferation, migration and invasion-of gliomas and stem-like glioma cells as well as in vivo models of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) via KRAS inhibition. It also increases resistance to certain chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy in GBM. Although let-7 therapy is not yet established, this review updates the current state of knowledge on the contribution of miRNA let-7 in interaction with KRAS to the oncogenesis of brain tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Messina
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy.
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Ling RE, Cross JW, Roy A. Aberrant stem cell and developmental programs in pediatric leukemia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1372899. [PMID: 38601080 PMCID: PMC11004259 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1372899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a finely orchestrated process, whereby hematopoietic stem cells give rise to all mature blood cells. Crucially, they maintain the ability to self-renew and/or differentiate to replenish downstream progeny. This process starts at an embryonic stage and continues throughout the human lifespan. Blood cancers such as leukemia occur when normal hematopoiesis is disrupted, leading to uncontrolled proliferation and a block in differentiation of progenitors of a particular lineage (myeloid or lymphoid). Although normal stem cell programs are crucial for tissue homeostasis, these can be co-opted in many cancers, including leukemia. Myeloid or lymphoid leukemias often display stem cell-like properties that not only allow proliferation and survival of leukemic blasts but also enable them to escape treatments currently employed to treat patients. In addition, some leukemias, especially in children, have a fetal stem cell profile, which may reflect the developmental origins of the disease. Aberrant fetal stem cell programs necessary for leukemia maintenance are particularly attractive therapeutic targets. Understanding how hijacked stem cell programs lead to aberrant gene expression in place and time, and drive the biology of leukemia, will help us develop the best treatment strategies for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Ling
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joe W. Cross
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anindita Roy
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
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Fang Q, Liu C, Nie D, Guo J, Xie W, Zhang Y. Phosphorylation of PBK at Thr9 by CDK5 correlates with invasion of prolactinomas. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14629. [PMID: 38363020 PMCID: PMC10870245 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Prolactinomas are the most prevalent functional pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs), and they are invasive to surrounding anatomic structures. The detailed mechanisms of invasion are not yet clear. OBJECTIVE We explored the role of PBK phosphorylation in the proliferation and invasion of prolactinomas and its possible mechanism. RESULTS We report that PBK directly binds to and is phosphorylated at Thr9 by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), which promotes GH3 cell EMT progression and proliferation. Phosphorylation of PBK at Thr9 (pPBK-T9) by CDK5 enhances the stability of PBK. p38 is one of the downstream targets of PBK, and its phosphorylation is reduced as pPBK-T9 increases in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we found that pPBK-T9 is highly expressed in invasive PitNETs and was significantly correlated with invasion by univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS Phosphorylation of PBK at Thr9 by CDK5 promotes cell proliferation and EMT progression in prolactinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyue Fang
- Beijing Neurosurgical InstituteCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Changxiaofeng Liu
- Beijing Neurosurgical InstituteCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Ding Nie
- Beijing Neurosurgical InstituteCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Weiyan Xie
- Beijing Neurosurgical InstituteCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yazhuo Zhang
- Beijing Neurosurgical InstituteCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Brain Tumor Center, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological DiseasesKey Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury ResearchBeijingChina
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Yadav N, Purow BW. Understanding current experimental models of glioblastoma-brain microenvironment interactions. J Neurooncol 2024; 166:213-229. [PMID: 38180686 PMCID: PMC11056965 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-023-04536-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common and devastating primary brain tumor, with median survival of 16-18 months after diagnosis in the setting of substantial resistance to standard-of-care and inevitable tumor recurrence. Recent work has implicated the brain microenvironment as being critical for GBM proliferation, invasion, and resistance to treatment. GBM does not operate in isolation, with neurons, astrocytes, and multiple immune populations being implicated in GBM tumor progression and invasiveness. The goal of this review article is to provide an overview of the available in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experimental models for assessing GBM-brain interactions, as well as discuss each model's relative strengths and limitations. Current in vitro models discussed will include 2D and 3D co-culture platforms with various cells of the brain microenvironment, as well as spheroids, whole organoids, and models of fluid dynamics, such as interstitial flow. An overview of in vitro and ex vivo organotypic GBM brain slices is also provided. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the various in vivo rodent models of GBM, including xenografts, syngeneic grafts, and genetically-engineered models of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niket Yadav
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Benjamin W Purow
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
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