1
|
Maes K, Mondino A, Lasarte JJ, Agirre X, Vanderkerken K, Prosper F, Breckpot K. Epigenetic Modifiers: Anti-Neoplastic Drugs With Immunomodulating Potential. Front Immunol 2021; 12:652160. [PMID: 33859645 PMCID: PMC8042276 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.652160] [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] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are under the surveillance of the host immune system. Nevertheless, a number of immunosuppressive mechanisms allow tumors to escape protective responses and impose immune tolerance. Epigenetic alterations are central to cancer cell biology and cancer immune evasion. Accordingly, epigenetic modulating agents (EMAs) are being exploited as anti-neoplastic and immunomodulatory agents to restore immunological fitness. By simultaneously acting on cancer cells, e.g. by changing expression of tumor antigens, immune checkpoints, chemokines or innate defense pathways, and on immune cells, e.g. by remodeling the tumor stroma or enhancing effector cell functionality, EMAs can indeed overcome peripheral tolerance to transformed cells. Therefore, combinations of EMAs with chemo- or immunotherapy have become interesting strategies to fight cancer. Here we review several examples of epigenetic changes critical for immune cell functions and tumor-immune evasion and of the use of EMAs in promoting anti-tumor immunity. Finally, we provide our perspective on how EMAs could represent a game changer for combinatorial therapies and the clinical management of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ken Maes
- Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Center for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universiteit Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anna Mondino
- Lymphocyte Activation Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Juan José Lasarte
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xabier Agirre
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.,Hemato-oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Felipe Prosper
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.,Hemato-oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Deng Q, Luo Y, Chang C, Wu H, Ding Y, Xiao R. The Emerging Epigenetic Role of CD8+T Cells in Autoimmune Diseases: A Systematic Review. Front Immunol 2019; 10:856. [PMID: 31057561 PMCID: PMC6482221 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are usually complex and multifactorial, characterized by aberrant production of autoreactive immune cells and/or autoantibodies against healthy cells and tissues. However, the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases has not been clearly elucidated. The activation, differentiation, and development of CD8+ T cells can be affected by numerous inflammatory cytokines, transcription factors, and chemokines. In recent years, epigenetic modifications have been shown to play an important role in the fate of CD8+ T cells. The discovery of these modifications that contribute to the activation or suppression of CD8+ cells has been concurrent with the increasing evidence that CD8+ T cells play a role in autoimmunity. These relationships have been studied in various autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic sclerosis (SSc), type 1 diabetes (T1D), Grave's disease (GD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), aplastic anemia (AA), and vitiligo. In each of these diseases, genes that play a role in the proliferation or activation of CD8+ T cells have been found to be affected by epigenetic modifications. Various cytokines, transcription factors, and other regulatory molecules have been found to be differentially methylated in CD8+ T cells in autoimmune diseases. These genes are involved in T cell regulation, including interferons, interleukin (IL),tumor necrosis factor (TNF), as well as linker for activation of T cells (LAT), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA4), and adapter proteins. MiRNAs also play a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases and several known miRNAs that are involved in these diseases have also been shown to play a role in CD8+ regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiancheng Deng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yangyang Luo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Dermatology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Christopher Chang
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Haijing Wu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Dermatology, Hainan Provincial Dermatology Disease Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Rong Xiao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pilipow K, Scamardella E, Puccio S, Gautam S, De Paoli F, Mazza EM, De Simone G, Polletti S, Buccilli M, Zanon V, Di Lucia P, Iannacone M, Gattinoni L, Lugli E. Antioxidant metabolism regulates CD8+ T memory stem cell formation and antitumor immunity. JCI Insight 2018; 3:122299. [PMID: 30232291 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.122299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell transfer (ACT) immunotherapy benefits from early differentiated stem cell memory T (Tscm) cells capable of persisting in the long term and generating potent antitumor effectors. Due to their paucity ex vivo, Tscm cells can be derived from naive precursors, but the molecular signals at the basis of Tscm cell generation are ill-defined. We found that less differentiated human circulating CD8+ T cells display substantial antioxidant capacity ex vivo compared with more differentiated central and effector memory T cells. Limiting ROS metabolism with antioxidants during naive T cell activation hindered terminal differentiation, while allowing expansion and generation of Tscm cells. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), the most effective molecule in this regard, induced transcriptional and metabolic programs characteristic of self-renewing memory T cells. Upon ACT, NAC-generated Tscm cells established long-term memory in vivo and exerted more potent antitumor immunity in a xenogeneic model when redirected with CD19-specific CAR, highlighting the translational relevance of NAC as a simple and inexpensive method to improve ACT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Pilipow
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Eloise Scamardella
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Puccio
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sanjivan Gautam
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Federica De Paoli
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Emilia Mc Mazza
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele De Simone
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marta Buccilli
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Zanon
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Di Lucia
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases and Experimental Imaging Center, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Iannacone
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases and Experimental Imaging Center, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Gattinoni
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Enrico Lugli
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Humanitas Flow Cytometry Core, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Urbano PCM, Koenen HJPM, Joosten I, He X. An Autocrine TNFα-Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 Loop Promotes Epigenetic Effects Inducing Human Treg Stability In Vitro. Front Immunol 2018; 9:573. [PMID: 29619032 PMCID: PMC5871762 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A crucial issue for Treg-based immunotherapy is to maintain a bona fide Treg phenotype as well as suppressive function during and after ex vivo expansion. Several strategies have been applied to harness Treg lineage stability. For instance, CD28 superagonist stimulation in vitro, in the absence of CD3 ligation, is more efficient in promoting Treg proliferation, and prevention of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, such as IL-17, as compared to CD3/CD28-stimulated Treg. Addition of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin to Treg cultures enhances FOXP3 expression and Treg stability, but does impair proliferative capacity. A tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) agonist antibody was recently shown to favor homogenous expansion of Treg in vitro. Combined stimulation with rapamycin and TNFR2 agonist antibody enhanced hypo-methylation of the FOXP3 gene, and thus promoting Treg stability. To further explore the underlying mechanisms of rapamycin and TNFR2 agonist-mediated Treg stability, we here stimulated FACS-sorted human Treg with a CD28 superagonist, in the presence of rapamycin and a TNFR2 agonist. Phenotypic analysis of expanded Treg revealed an autocrine loop of TNFα-TNFR2 underlying the maintenance of Treg stability in vitro. Addition of rapamycin to CD28 superagonist-stimulated Treg led to a high expression of TNFR2, the main TNFR expressed on Treg, and additional stimulation with a TNFR2 agonist enhanced the production of soluble as well as membrane-bound TNFα. Moreover, our data showed that the expression of histone methyltransferase EZH2, a crucial epigenetic modulator for potent Treg suppressor function, was enhanced upon stimulation with CD28 superagonist. Interestingly, rapamycin seemed to downregulate CD28 superagonist-induced EZH2 expression, which could be rescued by the additional addition of TNFR2 agonist antibody. This process appeared TNFα-dependent manner, since depletion of TNFα using Etanercept inhibited EZH2 expression. To summarize, we propose that an autocrine TNFα-TNFR2 loop plays an important role in endorsing Treg stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulo C M Urbano
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Hans J P M Koenen
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Irma Joosten
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Xuehui He
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,College of Computer Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Willemsen M, Schouten HC. Inappropriate costimulation and aberrant DNA methylation as therapeutic targets in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. Biomark Res 2017; 5:6. [PMID: 28194275 PMCID: PMC5299773 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-017-0085-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is one of the most common subtypes of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Advances in understanding the mutational landscape of AITL have not resulted in improved prognosis nor consensus regarding optimal first-line and second-line treatment. The recently proposed multistep tumorigenesis model for AITL provides a theoretical framework of AITL oncogenesis. In this model, early mutations in epigenetic modifiers interact with late cooperative mutations to enable malignant transformation. Frequent mutations in epigenetic modifiers suggest that aberrant DNA methylation contributes to AITL oncogenesis. Several research groups have reported findings suggesting that inappropriate costimulation acts as a late cooperative mutation. Drugs targeting inappropriate costimulation have already been approved for the treatment of several malignancies or autoimmune diseases. Additionally, aberrant DNA methylation was recently shown to potentiate inappropriate costimulation in a subset of AITL cases. Therefore, drugs targeting inappropriate costimulation and hypomethylating agents might have synergistic effects. Both offer promising new therapeutic options in AITL treatment. This commentary summarizes the main findings on aberrant DNA methylation and inappropriate costimulation in AITL and proposes several already approved drugs for AITL treatment. Hopefully, these will contribute to improving the still dismal prognosis of AITL patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathijs Willemsen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Harry C Schouten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Herrero-Sánchez MC, Rodríguez-Serrano C, Almeida J, San Segundo L, Inogés S, Santos-Briz Á, García-Briñón J, Corchete LA, San Miguel JF, Del Cañizo C, Blanco B. Targeting of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to inhibit T cell activation and prevent graft-versus-host disease development. J Hematol Oncol 2016; 9:113. [PMID: 27765055 PMCID: PMC5072323 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-016-0343-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) remains the major obstacle to successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, despite of the immunosuppressive regimens administered to control T cell alloreactivity. PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is crucial in T cell activation and function and, therefore, represents an attractive therapeutic target to prevent GvHD development. Recently, numerous PI3K inhibitors have been developed for cancer therapy. However, few studies have explored their immunosuppressive effect. METHODS The effects of a selective PI3K inhibitor (BKM120) and a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor (BEZ235) on human T cell proliferation, expression of activation-related molecules, and phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway proteins were analyzed. Besides, the ability of BEZ235 to prevent GvHD development in mice was evaluated. RESULTS Simultaneous inhibition of PI3K and mTOR was efficient at lower concentrations than PI3K specific targeting. Importantly, BEZ235 prevented naïve T cell activation and induced tolerance of alloreactive T cells, while maintaining an adequate response against cytomegalovirus, more efficiently than BKM120. Finally, BEZ235 treatment significantly improved the survival and decreased the GvHD development in mice. CONCLUSIONS These results support the use of PI3K inhibitors to control T cell responses and show the potential utility of the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 in GvHD prophylaxis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mª Carmen Herrero-Sánchez
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Concepción Rodríguez-Serrano
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Julia Almeida
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Servicio de Citometría, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Laura San Segundo
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Susana Inogés
- Laboratorio de Inmunoterapia, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Avda. Pío XII 55, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ángel Santos-Briz
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Patología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jesús García-Briñón
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Biología Celular y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Luis Antonio Corchete
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jesús F San Miguel
- Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Avda. Pío XII 55, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Consuelo Del Cañizo
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Belén Blanco
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Herrero-Sánchez MC, Rodríguez-Serrano C, Almeida J, San-Segundo L, Inogés S, Santos-Briz Á, García-Briñón J, SanMiguel JF, Del Cañizo C, Blanco B. Effect of mTORC1/mTORC2 inhibition on T cell function: potential role in graft-versus-host disease control. Br J Haematol 2016; 173:754-68. [PMID: 26914848 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.13984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is crucial for the activation and function of T cells, which play an essential role in the development of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Despite its partial ability to block mTOR pathway, the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin has shown encouraging results in the control of GvHD. Therefore, we considered that simultaneous targeting of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes could exert a more potent inhibition of T cell activation and, thus, could have utility in GvHD control. To assess this assumption, we have used the dual mTORC1/mTORC2 inhibitors CC214-1 and CC214-2. In vitro studies confirmed the superior ability of CC214-1 versus rapamycin to block mTORC1 and mTORC2 activity and to reduce T cell proliferation. Both drugs induced a similar decrease in Th1/Th2 cytokine secretion, but CC214-1 was more efficient in inhibiting naïve T cell activation and the expression of T-cell activation markers. In addition, CC214-1 induced specific tolerance against alloantigens, while preserving anti-cytomegalovirus response. Finally, in a mouse model of GvHD, the administration of CC214-2 significantly improved mice survival and decreased GvHD-induced damages. In conclusion, the current study shows, for the first time, the immunosuppressive ability of CC214-1 on T lymphocytes and illustrates the role of CC214-2 in the allogeneic transplantation setting as a possible GvHD prophylaxis agent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ma Carmen Herrero-Sánchez
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Concepción Rodríguez-Serrano
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Julia Almeida
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Servicio de Citometría, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Laura San-Segundo
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Susana Inogés
- Laboratorio de Inmunoterapia, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ángel Santos-Briz
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Patología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jesús García-Briñón
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Biología Celular y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jesús F SanMiguel
- Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Consuelo Del Cañizo
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Belén Blanco
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR, also known as mammalian target of rapamycin) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase that regulates cell growth, proliferation and survival. These effects are cell-type-specific, and are elicited in response to stimulation by growth factors, hormones and cytokines, as well as to internal and external metabolic cues. Rapamycin was initially developed as an inhibitor of T-cell proliferation and allograft rejection in the organ transplant setting. Subsequently, its molecular target (mTOR) was identified as a component of two interacting complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, that regulate T-cell lineage specification and macrophage differentiation. mTORC1 drives the proinflammatory expansion of T helper (TH) type 1, TH17, and CD4(-)CD8(-) (double-negative, DN) T cells. Both mTORC1 and mTORC2 inhibit the development of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T regulatory (TREG) cells and, indirectly, mTORC2 favours the expansion of T follicular helper (TFH) cells which, similarly to DN T cells, promote B-cell activation and autoantibody production. In contrast to this proinflammatory effect of mTORC2, mTORC1 favours, to some extent, an anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization that is protective against infections and tissue inflammation. Outside the immune system, mTORC1 controls fibroblast proliferation and chondrocyte survival, with implications for tissue fibrosis and osteoarthritis, respectively. Rapamycin (which primarily inhibits mTORC1), ATP-competitive, dual mTORC1/mTORC2 inhibitors and upstream regulators of the mTOR pathway are being developed to treat autoimmune, hyperproliferative and degenerative diseases. In this regard, mTOR blockade promises to increase life expectancy through treatment and prevention of rheumatic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andras Perl
- Division of Rheumatology, Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, College of Medicine, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rapamycin restores p14, p15 and p57 expression and inhibits the mTOR/p70S6K pathway in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Int J Hematol 2015; 102:558-68. [DOI: 10.1007/s12185-015-1858-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
10
|
Perl A. mTOR activation is a biomarker and a central pathway to autoimmune disorders, cancer, obesity, and aging. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2015; 1346:33-44. [PMID: 25907074 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase, which plays pivotal roles in integrating growth signals on a cellular level. To support proliferation and survival under stress, two interacting complexes that harbor mTOR, mTORC1 and mTORC2, promote the transcription of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and lipogenesis, enhance protein translation, and inhibit autophagy. Although rapamycin was originally developed as an inhibitor of T cell proliferation for preventing organ transplant rejection, its molecular target, mTOR, has been subsequently identified as a central regulator of metabolic cues that drive lineage specification in the immune system. Owing to oxidative stress, the activation of mTORC1 has emerged as a central pathway for the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. Paradoxically, mTORC1 has also been identified as a mediator of the Warburg effect that allows cell survival under hypoxia. Rapamycin and new classes of mTOR inhibitors are being developed to block not only transplant rejection and autoimmunity but also to treat obesity and various forms of cancer. Through preventing these diseases, personalized mTOR blockade holds promise to extend life span.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andras Perl
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, College of Medicine, Syracuse, New York.,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, College of Medicine, Syracuse, New York
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hasan M, Neumann B, Haupeltshofer S, Stahlke S, Claudio Fantini M, Angstwurm K, Bogdahn U, Kleiter I. Activation of TGF‐β‐induced non‐Smad signaling pathways during Th17 differentiation. Immunol Cell Biol 2015; 93:662-72. [DOI: 10.1038/icb.2015.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maruf Hasan
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg Regensburg Germany
| | - Bernhard Neumann
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg Regensburg Germany
| | | | - Sarah Stahlke
- Department of Neurology, St Josef‐Hospital, Ruhr‐University Bochum Bochum Germany
| | | | - Klemens Angstwurm
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg Regensburg Germany
| | - Ulrich Bogdahn
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg Regensburg Germany
| | - Ingo Kleiter
- Department of Neurology, St Josef‐Hospital, Ruhr‐University Bochum Bochum Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chapman NM, Chi H. mTOR Links Environmental Signals to T Cell Fate Decisions. Front Immunol 2015; 5:686. [PMID: 25653651 PMCID: PMC4299512 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell fate decisions play an integral role in maintaining the health of organisms under homeostatic and inflammatory conditions. The localized microenvironment in which developing and mature T cells reside provides signals that serve essential functions in shaping these fate decisions. These signals are derived from the immune compartment, including antigens, co-stimulation, and cytokines, and other factors, including growth factors and nutrients. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a vital sensor of signals within the immune microenvironment, is a central regulator of T cell biology. In this review, we discuss how various environmental cues tune mTOR activity in T cells, and summarize how mTOR integrates these signals to influence multiple aspects of T cell biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Chapman
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis, TN , USA
| | - Hongbo Chi
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis, TN , USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Staron MM, Gray SM, Marshall HD, Parish IA, Chen JH, Perry CJ, Cui G, Li MO, Kaech SM. The transcription factor FoxO1 sustains expression of the inhibitory receptor PD-1 and survival of antiviral CD8(+) T cells during chronic infection. Immunity 2014; 41:802-14. [PMID: 25464856 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2014.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinase B (also known as AKT) and the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) are central regulators of T cell differentiation, proliferation, metabolism, and survival. Here, we show that during chronic murine lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection, activation of AKT and mTOR are impaired in antiviral cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), resulting in enhanced activity of the transcription factor FoxO1. Blockade of inhibitory receptor programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) in vivo increased mTOR activity in virus-specific CTLs, and its therapeutic effects were abrogated by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. FoxO1 functioned as a transcriptional activator of PD-1 that promoted the differentiation of terminally exhausted CTLs. Importantly, FoxO1-null CTLs failed to persist and control chronic viral infection. Collectively, this study shows that CTLs adapt to persistent infection through a positive feedback pathway (PD-1?FoxO1?PD-1) that functions to both desensitize virus-specific CTLs to antigen and support their survival during chronic viral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Staron
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Simon M Gray
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Heather D Marshall
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Ian A Parish
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Jonathan H Chen
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Curtis J Perry
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Guoliang Cui
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Ming O Li
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Susan M Kaech
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 4000 Jones Bridge Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-6789, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Oxidative stress is increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and it contributes to immune system dysregulation, abnormal activation and processing of cell-death signals, autoantibody production and fatal comorbidities. Mitochondrial dysfunction in T cells promotes the release of highly diffusible inflammatory lipid hydroperoxides, which spread oxidative stress to other intracellular organelles and through the bloodstream. Oxidative modification of self antigens triggers autoimmunity, and the degree of such modification of serum proteins shows striking correlation with disease activity and organ damage in SLE. In T cells from patients with SLE and animal models of the disease, glutathione, the main intracellular antioxidant, is depleted and serine/threonine-protein kinase mTOR undergoes redox-dependent activation. In turn, reversal of glutathione depletion by application of its amino acid precursor, N-acetylcysteine, improves disease activity in lupus-prone mice; pilot studies in patients with SLE have yielded positive results that warrant further research. Blocking mTOR activation in T cells could conceivably provide a well-tolerated and inexpensive alternative approach to B-cell blockade and traditional immunosuppressive treatments. Nevertheless, compartmentalized oxidative stress in self-reactive T cells, B cells and phagocytic cells might serve to limit autoimmunity and its inhibition could be detrimental. Antioxidant therapy might also be useful in ameliorating damage caused by other treatments. This Review thus seeks to critically evaluate the complexity of oxidative stress and its relevance to the pathogenesis and treatment of SLE.
Collapse
|
15
|
Zeng H, Chi H. mTOR and lymphocyte metabolism. Curr Opin Immunol 2013; 25:347-55. [PMID: 23722114 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2013.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Upon antigen engagement and proper co-stimulation, naïve lymphocytes exit quiescence and undergo clonal expansion and differentiate into functional effector cells, after which they either die through apoptosis or survive as memory cells. Lymphocytes at different activation stages exhibit distinct metabolic signatures. Emerging evidence highlights a central role for the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) in bridging immune signals and metabolic cues to direct lymphocyte proliferation, differentiation and survival. Here we review recent advances in understanding the functional significance and signal transduction of mTOR in T cell biology, and the interplay between mTOR signaling and metabolic programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hu Zeng
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bassett JD, Swift SL, VanSeggelen H, Hammill JA, McGray AJR, Evelegh C, Wan Y, Bramson JL. Combined mTOR inhibition and OX40 agonism enhances CD8(+) T cell memory and protective immunity produced by recombinant adenovirus vaccines. Mol Ther 2011; 20:860-9. [PMID: 22186790 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2011.281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The memory CD8(+) T cell population elicited by immunization with recombinant human adenovirus serotype 5 (rHuAd5) vaccines is composed primarily of effector and effector memory cells (T(EM)) with limited polyfunctionality. In this study, we investigated whether treatment with immunomodulators could enhance and/or redistribute the CD8(+) memory population elicited by rHuAd5. Vaccination in combination with both rapamycin (to modulate differentiation) and an OX40 agonist (to enhance costimulation) increased both the quantity and polyfunctionality of the CD8(+) memory T cell population, with expansion of the T(EM) and memory precursor populations. Furthermore, this intervention enhanced protection against multiple virus challenges. Attenuation of adenovirus transgene expression was required to enable the combination rapamycin + OX40 agonist immunomodulatory treatment to further enhance skewing towards central memory formation, indicating that persistence of antigen expression ultimately limits development of this memory population following rHuAd5 immunization. These results demonstrate that during the expansion phase following adenovirus immunization, the level of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity, the amount of costimulation and the duration of antigen availability act together to define the magnitude, phenotype, and functionality of memory CD8(+) T cells. Modulation of these factors can be used to selectively manipulate memory formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Bassett
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|