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Fieni C, Sorrentino C, Ciummo SL, Fontana A, Lotti LV, Scialis S, Calvo Garcia D, Caulo M, Di Carlo E. Immunoliposome-based targeted delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9gRNA-IL30 complex inhibits prostate cancer and prolongs survival. Exp Mol Med 2024:10.1038/s12276-024-01310-2. [PMID: 39232121 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01310-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of selective and nontoxic immunotherapy targeting prostate cancer (PC) is challenging. Interleukin (IL)30 plays immunoinhibitory and oncogenic roles in PC, and its tumor-specific suppression may have significant clinical implications. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated IL30 gene deletion in PC xenografts using anti-PSCA antibody-driven lipid nanocomplexes (Cas9gRNA-hIL30-PSCA NxPs) revealed significant genome editing efficiency and circulation stability without off-target effects or organ toxicity. Biweekly intravenous administration of Cas9gRNA-hIL30-PSCA NxPs to PC-bearing mice inhibited tumor growth and metastasis and improved survival. Mechanistically, Cas9gRNA-hIL30-PSCA NxPs suppressed ANGPTL 1/2/4, IL1β, CCL2, CXCL1/6, SERPINE1-F1, EFNB2, PLG, PF4, VEGFA, VEGFD, ANG, TGFβ1, EGF and HGF expression in human PC cells while upregulated CDH1, DKK3 and PTEN expression, leading to low proliferation and extensive ischemic necrosis. In the syngeneic PC model, IL30-targeting immunoliposomes downregulated NFKB1 expression and prevented intratumoral influx of CD11b+Gr-1+MDCs, Foxp3+Tregs, and NKp46+RORγt+ILC3, and prolonged host survival by inhibiting tumor progression. This study serves as a proof of principle that immunoliposome-based targeted delivery of Cas9gRNA-IL30 represent a potentially safe and effective strategy for PC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiano Fieni
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Carlo Sorrentino
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefania Livia Ciummo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonella Fontana
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- UDA-TECHLAB Research Center, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Sofia Scialis
- Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Darien Calvo Garcia
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Massimo Caulo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Emma Di Carlo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
- Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
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Sorrentino C, D'Antonio L, Ciummo SL, Fieni C, Landuzzi L, Ruzzi F, Vespa S, Lanuti P, Lotti LV, Lollini PL, Di Carlo E. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of Interleukin-30 suppresses IGF1 and CXCL5 and boosts SOCS3 reducing prostate cancer growth and mortality. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:145. [PMID: 36224639 PMCID: PMC9559017 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01357-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic prostate cancer (PC) is a leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. Targeting of the culprits of disease progression is an unmet need. Interleukin (IL)-30 promotes PC onset and development, but whether it can be a suitable therapeutic target remains to be investigated. Here, we shed light on the relationship between IL30 and canonical PC driver genes and explored the anti-tumor potential of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of IL30. METHODS PC cell production of, and response to, IL30 was tested by flow cytometry, immunoelectron microscopy, invasion and migration assays and PCR arrays. Syngeneic and xenograft models were used to investigate the effects of IL30, and its deletion by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, on tumor growth. Bioinformatics of transcriptional data and immunopathology of PC samples were used to assess the translational value of the experimental findings. RESULTS Human membrane-bound IL30 promoted PC cell proliferation, invasion and migration in association with STAT1/STAT3 phosphorylation, similarly to its murine, but secreted, counterpart. Both human and murine IL30 regulated PC driver and immunity genes and shared the upregulation of oncogenes, BCL2 and NFKB1, immunoregulatory mediators, IL1A, TNF, TLR4, PTGS2, PD-L1, STAT3, and chemokine receptors, CCR2, CCR4, CXCR5. In human PC cells, IL30 improved the release of IGF1 and CXCL5, which mediated, via autocrine loops, its potent proliferative effect. Deletion of IL30 dramatically downregulated BCL2, NFKB1, STAT3, IGF1 and CXCL5, whereas tumor suppressors, primarily SOCS3, were upregulated. Syngeneic and xenograft PC models demonstrated IL30's ability to boost cancer proliferation, vascularization and myeloid-derived cell infiltration, which were hindered, along with tumor growth and metastasis, by IL30 deletion, with improved host survival. RNA-Seq data from the PanCancer collection and immunohistochemistry of high-grade locally advanced PCs demonstrated an inverse association (chi-squared test, p = 0.0242) between IL30 and SOCS3 expression and a longer progression-free survival of patients with IL30NegSOCS3PosPC, when compared to patients with IL30PosSOCS3NegPC. CONCLUSIONS Membrane-anchored IL30 expressed by human PC cells shares a tumor progression programs with its murine homolog and, via juxtacrine signals, steers a complex network of PC driver and immunity genes promoting prostate oncogenesis. The efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeting of IL30 in curbing PC progression paves the way for its clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Sorrentino
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Luigi D'Antonio
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefania Livia Ciummo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristiano Fieni
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Lorena Landuzzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Ruzzi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simone Vespa
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paola Lanuti
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Pier Luigi Lollini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emma Di Carlo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy. .,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
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Sorrentino C, Ciummo SL, D'Antonio L, Fieni C, Lanuti P, Turdo A, Todaro M, Di Carlo E. Interleukin-30 feeds breast cancer stem cells via CXCL10 and IL23 autocrine loops and shapes immune contexture and host outcome. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002966. [PMID: 34663639 PMCID: PMC8524378 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer (BC) progression to metastatic disease is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Metastasis is driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs) and signals from their microenvironment. Interleukin (IL) 30 promotes BC progression, and its expression correlates with disease recurrence and mortality. Whether it acts by regulating BCSCs is unknown and could have significant therapeutic implications. Methods Human (h) and murine (m) BCSCs were tested for their production of and response to IL30 by using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, proliferation and sphere-formation assays, and PCR array. Immunocompetent mice were used to investigate the role of BCSC-derived IL30 on tumor development and host outcome. TCGA PanCancer and Oncomine databases provided gene expression data from 1084 and 75 hBC samples, respectively, and immunostaining unveiled the BCSC microenvironment. Results hBCSCs constitutively expressed IL30 as a membrane-anchored glycoprotein. Blocking IL30 hindered their proliferation and self-renewal efficiency, which were boosted by IL30 overexpression. IL30 regulation of immunity gene expression in human and murine BCSCs shared a significant induction of IL23 and CXCL10. Both immunoregulatory mediators stimulated BCSC proliferation and self-renewal, while their selective blockade dramatically hindered IL30-dependent BCSC proliferation and mammosphere formation. Orthotopic implantation of IL30-overexpressing mBCSCs, in syngeneic mice, gave rise to poorly differentiated and highly proliferating MYC+KLF4+LAG3+ tumors, which expressed CXCL10 and IL23, and were infiltrated by myeloid-derived cells, Foxp3+ T regulatory cells and NKp46+RORγt+ type 3 innate lymphoid cells, resulting in increased metastasis and reduced survival. In tumor tissues from patients with BC, expression of IL30 overlapped with that of CXCL10 and IL23, and ranked beyond the 95th percentile in a Triple-Negative enriched BC collection from the Oncomine Platform. CIBERSORTx highlighted a defective dendritic cell, CD4+ T and γδ T lymphocyte content and a prominent LAG3 expression in IL30highversus IL30low human BC samples from the TCGA PanCancer collection. Conclusions Constitutive expression of membrane-bound IL30 regulates BCSC viability by juxtacrine signals and via second-level mediators, mainly CXCL10 and IL23. Their autocrine loops mediate much of the CSC growth factor activity of IL30, while their paracrine effect contributes to IL30 shaping of immune contexture. IL30-related immune subversion, which also emerged from computational analyses, strongly suggests that targeting IL30 can restrain the BCSC compartment and counteract BC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Sorrentino
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefania Livia Ciummo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Luigi D'Antonio
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristiano Fieni
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paola Lanuti
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Alice Turdo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matilde Todaro
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Emma Di Carlo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy .,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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