1
|
Zhao F, Zhang K, Ma L, Huang Y. Identification of epithelial-related artificial neural network prognostic models for the prediction of bladder cancer prognosis through comprehensive analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing. Heliyon 2024; 10:e34632. [PMID: 39157397 PMCID: PMC11328080 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer (BLCA) presents as a heterogeneous epithelial malignancy. Progress in the early detection and effective treatment of BLCA relies heavily on the identification of novel biomarkers. Therefore, the primary goal of this study is to pinpoint potential biomarkers for BLCA through the fusion of single-cell RNA sequencing and RNA sequencing assessments. Furthermore, the aim is to establish practical clinical prognostic models that can facilitate accurate categorization and individualized therapy for patients. Methods In this research, training sets were acquired from the TCGA database, whereas validation sets (GSE32894) and single-cell datasets (GSE135337) were extracted from the GEO database. Single-cell analysis was utilized to obtain characteristic subpopulations along with their associated marker genes. Subsequently, a novel BLCA subtype was identified within TCGA-BLCA. Furthermore, an artificial neural network prognostic model was constructed within the TCGA-BLCA cohort and subsequently verified utilizing a validation set. Two machine learning algorithms were employed to screen hub genes. QRT-qPCR was performed to detect the gene expression levels utilized in the construction of prognostic models across various cell lines. Additionally, the cMAP database and molecular docking were utilized for searching small molecule drugs. Results The results of single-cell analysis revealed the presence of epithelial cells in multiple subpopulations, with 1579 marker genes selected for subsequent investigations. Subsequently, four epithelial cell subtypes were identified within the TCGA-BLCA cohort. Notably, cluster A exhibited a significant survival advantage. Concurrently, an artificial neural network prognostic model comprising 17 feature genes was constructed, accurately stratifying patient risk. Patients categorized in the low-risk group demonstrated a considerable survival advantage. The ROC analysis suggested that the model has strong prognostic ability. Furthermore, the findings of the validation group align consistently with those from the training group. Two types of machine learning algorithms screened NFIC as hub genes. Forskolin, a small molecule drug that binds to NFIC, was identified by employing a cMAP database and molecular docking. Conclusion The analysis results supplement the research on the role of epithelial cells in BLCA. An artificial neural network prognostic model containing 17 characteristic genes demonstrates the capability to accurately stratify patient risk, thereby potentially improving clinical decision-making and optimizing personalized therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhao
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Limin Ma
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yeqing Huang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jiang J, Lin C, Chang T, Lo L, Lin C, Lu R, Yang C. Decreased interleukin-17RA expression is associated with good prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer and inhibits tumor growth and vascularity in mice. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7059. [PMID: 38491831 PMCID: PMC10943367 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7059] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a vital role in the promotion of tumorigenesis in various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Based on current evidence, IL-17 binds to interleukin-17 receptor A (IL-17RA); however, the role of IL-17RA has not been elucidated in previous studies on CRC. In this study, we explored the role of IL-17RA in human CRC tissues and the progression of CRC in humans and mice. METHODS The expressions of IL-17RA and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes were examined in CRC cells and tissue samples by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The role of IL-17RA in pathogenesis and prognosis was evaluated using a Chi-squared test, Kaplan-Meier analysis, univariate, and multivariate Cox regression analysis in 133 CRC patients. A tumor-bearing mice model was executed to evaluate the role of IL-17RA in tumor growth, vascularity and population of infiltrating immune cells. RESULTS IL-17RA expression was found to be significantly higher in CRC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. The expression of IL-17RA in Stage IV patients was significantly higher than that in Stages I and II patients. Patients with high IL-17RA expression exhibited significantly worse overall and CRC-specific survival than those with low IL-17RA expression. Functional assessment suggested that the knockdown of IL-17RA expression distinctly suppressed cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT-related gene expression. In a tumor-bearing mouse model, decreased IL-17RA expression significantly repressed tumor growth and vascularity and reduced the population of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). CONCLUSION Reduced IL-17RA expression also suppressed cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion, and the expression of EMT genes. Knockdown of IL-17RA inhibited tumor growth and vascularity and decreased the population of Tregs and MDSCs in mouse tumors. Overall, IL-17RA expression was identified to be independently associated with the prognosis of patients with CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeng‐Kai Jiang
- School of MedicineNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of SurgeryTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chi‐Hung Lin
- Institute of Microbiology and ImmunologyNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Biological Science and TechnologyNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityHsinchuTaiwan
- Cancer Progression Research CenterNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Ting‐An Chang
- Department of Pathology, Ren‐Ai BranchTaipei City HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Liang‐Chuan Lo
- National Genomics Center for Clinical and Biotechnological Applications, Cancer and Immunology Research CenterNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chien‐Ping Lin
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of SurgeryTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Ruey‐Hwa Lu
- Department of Surgery, Zhongxing BranchTaipei City HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chih‐Yung Yang
- Commission for General EducationNational United UniversityMiaoliTaiwan
- General Education CenterUniversity of TaipeiTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Education and ResearchTaipei City HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Heregger R, Huemer F, Steiner M, Gonzalez-Martinez A, Greil R, Weiss L. Unraveling Resistance to Immunotherapy in MSI-High Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5090. [PMID: 37894457 PMCID: PMC10605634 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Incidences of early CRC cases are increasing annually in high-income countries, necessitating effective treatment strategies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown significant clinical efficacy in various cancers, including CRC. However, their effectiveness in CRC is limited to patients with mismatch-repair-deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) disease, which accounts for about 15% of all localized CRC cases and only 3% to 5% of metastatic CRC cases. However, the varied response among patients, with some showing resistance or primary tumor progression, highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Elements involved in shaping the response to ICIs, such as tumor microenvironment, immune cells, genetic changes, and the influence of gut microbiota, are not fully understood thus far. This review aims to explore potential resistance or immune-evasion mechanisms to ICIs in dMMR/MSI-H CRC and the cell types involved, as well as possible pitfalls in the diagnosis of this particular subtype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Heregger
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials (CCCIT), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria (F.H.); (M.S.)
| | - Florian Huemer
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials (CCCIT), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria (F.H.); (M.S.)
| | - Markus Steiner
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials (CCCIT), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria (F.H.); (M.S.)
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alejandra Gonzalez-Martinez
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials (CCCIT), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria (F.H.); (M.S.)
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Richard Greil
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials (CCCIT), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria (F.H.); (M.S.)
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Lukas Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials (CCCIT), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria (F.H.); (M.S.)
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Watanabe K, Gomez AM, Kuramitsu S, Siurala M, Da T, Agarwal S, Song D, Scholler J, Rotolo A, Posey AD, Rook AH, Haun PL, Ruella M, Young RM, June CH. Identifying highly active anti-CCR4 CAR T cells for the treatment of T-cell lymphoma. Blood Adv 2023; 7:3416-3430. [PMID: 37058474 PMCID: PMC10345856 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A challenge when targeting T-cell lymphoma with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is that target antigens are often shared between T cells and tumor cells, resulting in fratricide between CAR T cells and on-target cytotoxicity on normal T cells. CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is highly expressed in many mature T-cell malignancies, such as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), and has a unique expression profile in normal T cells. CCR4 is predominantly expressed by type-2 and type-17 helper T cells (Th2 and Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg), but it is rarely expressed by other T helper (Th) subsets and CD8+ cells. Although fratricide in CAR T cells is generally thought to be detrimental to anticancer functions, in this study, we demonstrated that anti-CCR4 CAR T cells specifically depleted Th2 and Tregs, while sparing CD8+ and Th1 T cells. Moreover, fratricide increased the percentage of CAR+ T cells in the final product. CCR4-CAR T cells were characterized by high transduction efficiency, robust T-cell expansion, and rapid fratricidal depletion of CCR4-positive T cells during CAR transduction and expansion. Furthermore, mogamulizumab-based CCR4-CAR T cells induced superior antitumor efficacy and long-term remission in mice engrafted with human T-cell lymphoma cells. In summary, CCR4-depleted anti-CCR4 CAR T cells are enriched in Th1 and CD8+ T cells and exhibit high antitumor efficacy against CCR4-expressing T-cell malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Watanabe
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Cancer Immunology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Angela M. Gomez
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Shunichiro Kuramitsu
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mikko Siurala
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Tong Da
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sangya Agarwal
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Decheng Song
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - John Scholler
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Antonia Rotolo
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Avery D. Posey
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Alain H. Rook
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Paul L. Haun
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Marco Ruella
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Regina M. Young
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Carl H. June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhuang Y, Wang L, Ji C, Sun Y, Shao F. Construction of a novel pyrotosis-related prognostic model of esophageal square cell carcinoma and determination of the anti-tumor effect of WFDC12. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:177. [PMID: 37225895 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01103-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a prevalent cancer type with a poor prognosis. As a form of programmed cell death, pyroptosis has been implicated in cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis. To investigate the relationship between pyroptosis and the prognosis of ESCC, we analyzed the expression profiles and clinical data of patients with ESCC, obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases, using bioinformatics analysis. Univariate Cox, multivariate Cox, and LASSO Cox regression analyses were conducted to develop a pyroptosis-related prognostic model (riskScore). CIBERSORT and MCPcounter algorithm evaluated the proportion of various immune infiltrating cells. Tissues from 16 patients were collected to verify the expression of key pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blot, and immunohistochemical assays. Additionally, functional assays were performed in ESCC cell lines KYSE-150 and ECA-109 to examine the role of key PRGs. Among 25 pyroptosis-related regulators, 12 genes exhibited differential expression between tumor and normal tissues. Based on the differential expression of PRGs, we identified two subgroups with distinct clinical and molecular features. We further established a pyroptosis-related model with high prognostic value. In addition, we found a significant association of PRGs and riskScore with immune cell infiltration and the response rate of immunotherapy. Furthermore, we confirmed the low expression of WFDC12 in ESCC. Cellular assays demonstrated that the knockdown of WFDC12 in ESCC cell lines promoted cell proliferation and migration. Collectively, our findings highlight the critical role of PRGs in the development and prognosis of ESCC, while our riskScore could accurately predict the prognosis and immunogenicity of ESCC. Finally, our preliminary evidence suggests a protective role of WFDC12 in ESCC in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhuang
- Department of thoracic surgery, Nanjing Chest Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Chengjian Ji
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210029, China
| | - Yungang Sun
- Department of thoracic surgery, Nanjing Chest Hospital, Nanjing, China.
- Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Feng Shao
- Department of thoracic surgery, Nanjing Chest Hospital, Nanjing, China.
- Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lin JC, Pan KL, Li CF, Lee KF, Lin KY, Lin KM, Lin CY. Altered subgroups of regulatory T cells in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15565. [PMID: 37153426 PMCID: PMC10160513 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease. Up to now, the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and their subgroups in pSS is still in controversial. In this study we tried to elucidate the roles of Tregs and its subgroups in pSS. Total 43 pSS patients and 23 health persons as control were enrolled in this study. We grouped the pSS patients according to the anti-SSa/SSb and the EULAR Sjögren's syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI). Among the 43 pSS patients, 14 patients were followed after treatment. The percentage of rTregs (resting Treg cells) among Tregs was increased in the pSS group, and decreased after treatment. In the high disease activity subpopulation (ESSDAI ≥ 5), the percentage of rTregs among Tregs decreased after treatment. On the contrary, the percentage of aTregs (activated Treg cells) increased after treatment. It was in an inverse correlation between the percentage of aTreg and rTreg in pSS patients. The Tregs are co-cultured with responder T cells. Tregs from pSS patients showed poorer proliferation inhibitory function. Our results show that the percentages of Tregs and their subgroups altered in pSS patients. The percentage of aTreg and the percentage of rTreg have an inverse correlation in pSS patients. Compared to the control group, the percentage of rTregs among Tregs was increased in the pSS patients and decreased after the treatment. Our study also showed that The Tregs from pSS patients may have poorer inhibitory functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Chi Lin
- Division of Allergy and Immunology and Rheumatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Li Pan
- Division of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Feng Li
- Division of Allergy and Immunology and Rheumatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Kam-Fai Lee
- Division of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yu Lin
- Division of Allergy and Immunology and Rheumatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Ko-Ming Lin
- Division of Allergy and Immunology and Rheumatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yen Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- Corresponding author. No.5, Fuxing St. Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 333 Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jiang M, Yang Y, Niu L, Li P, Chen Y, Liao P, Wang Y, Zheng J, Chen F, He H, Li H, Chen X. MiR-125b-5p modulates the function of regulatory T cells in tumor microenvironment by targeting TNFR2. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005241. [PMID: 36319063 PMCID: PMC9628696 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor necrosis factor receptor type 2 (TNFR2) is primarily expressed by CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), especially those present in tumor microenvironment. There is compelling evidence that TNFR2 plays a crucial role in the activation, expansion, and phenotypic stability of Tregs and promotes tumor immune evasion. Understanding of epigenetic regulation of TNFR2 expression in Tregs may help device a novel strategy in cancer immunotherapy. METHODS MiR-125b-5p-overexpressing or knockdown murine CD4 T cells and Tregs were constructed, and the effect of miR-125b-5p on Tregs proliferation, suppressive function and TNFR2 expression were examined. In vivo antitumor efficacy of Ago-125b-5p (miR-125b-5p agomir) was evaluated in MC38 tumor bearing mice, and tumor-infiltrating Tregs and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were analyzed. RNA-seq analysis was applied to reveal the genes and signaling pathways regulated by miR-125b-5p in Tregs. RESULTS In this study, we found that TNFR2 was a direct target of miR-125b-5p. Overexpression of miR-125b-5p decreased the proportion of Tregs and their expression of TNFR2 and consequently inhibited its proliferation and suppressive function by regulating the metabolism-related signaling pathways. Moreover, in colon cancer bearing mice, the administration of Ago-125b-5p markedly inhibited the tumor growth, which was associated with reduction of Tregs and increase of IFNγ+CD8+ T cells in tumor environment. Furthermore, in human colon adenocarcinoma patients, we verified that miR-125b-5p expression was downregulated, and low levels of miR-125b-5p were associated with poor prognosis. Interestingly, the expression of miR-125b-5p and TNFR2 were negatively correlated. CONCLUSIONS Our study for the first time found that the expression of TNFR2 by Tregs was regulated by miR-125b-5p. Our results showed that miR-125b-5p had the capacity to inhibit the expression of TNFR2 and immunosuppressive activity of Tregs and consequently enhanced the antitumor efficacy. This property of miR-125b-5p may be therapeutically harnessed in the treatment of human cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Jiang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Liling Niu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Ping Li
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yibo Chen
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Ping Liao
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Jingbin Zheng
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Fengyang Chen
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Huanhuan He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China,Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China,MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macau, China,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Macau, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Talaat IM, Elemam NM, Zaher S, Saber-Ayad M. Checkpoint molecules on infiltrating immune cells in colorectal tumor microenvironment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:955599. [PMID: 36072957 PMCID: PMC9441912 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.955599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancer types worldwide, with a high mortality rate due to metastasis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) contains multiple interactions between the tumor and the host, thus determining CRC initiation and progression. Various immune cells exist within the TME, such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs). The immunotherapy approach provides novel opportunities to treat solid tumors, especially toward immune checkpoints. Despite the advances in the immunotherapy of CRC, there are still obstacles to successful treatment. In this review, we highlighted the role of these immune cells in CRC, with a particular emphasis on immune checkpoint molecules involved in CRC pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iman M. Talaat
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Noha M. Elemam
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- *Correspondence: Noha M. Elemam,
| | - Shroque Zaher
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maha Saber-Ayad
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Maha Saber-Ayad,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Choi SH, Huang AY, Letterio JJ, Kim BG. Smad4-deficient T cells promote colitis-associated colon cancer via an IFN-γ-dependent suppression of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase. Front Immunol 2022; 13:932412. [PMID: 36045676 PMCID: PMC9420841 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.932412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune cells and the cytokines they produce are important mediators of the transition from colitis to colon cancer, but the mechanisms mediating this disease progression are poorly understood. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of colitis through immune modulatory mechanisms, and through direct effects on endothelial and epithelial homeostasis. Here we explore whether IFN-γ influences tumor progression by expanding the effector memory T cells (TEM) population and restricting the expression of tumor suppressors in a preclinical model of spontaneous colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). We show that IFN-γ expression is significantly increased both in the T cells and the colonic mucosal epithelia of mice with a T cell-restricted deletion of the TGF-β intermediate, SMAD4 (Smad4TKO). The increase of IFN-γ expression correlates with the onset of spontaneous CAC in Smad4TKO mice by 6 months of age. This phenotype is greatly ameliorated by the introduction of a germline deletion of IFN-γ in Smad4TKO mice (Smad4TKO/IFN-γKO, DKO). DKO mice had a significantly reduced incidence and progression of CAC, and a decrease in the number of mucosal CD4+ TEM cells, when compared to those of Smad4TKO mice. Similarly, the colon epithelia of DKO mice exhibited a non-oncogenic signature with a decrease in the expression of iNOS and p-STAT1, and a restoration of the tumor suppressor gene, 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). In vitro, treatment of human colon cancer cells with IFN-γ decreased the expression of 15-PGDH. Our data suggest that Smad4-deficient T cells promote CAC through mechanisms that include an IFN-γ-dependent suppression of the tumor suppressor 15-PGDH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hee Choi
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Alex Y. Huang
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- The Angie Fowler Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals (UH) Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - John J. Letterio
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- The Angie Fowler Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals (UH) Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Byung-Gyu Kim
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Byung-Gyu Kim,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yu ZL, Zhu ZM. Construction of an N6-methyladenosine lncRNA- and immune cell infiltration-related prognostic model in colorectal cancer. PROTOPLASMA 2022; 259:1029-1045. [PMID: 34734333 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-021-01718-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The present paper aims to shed light on the influence of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and immune cell infiltration on colorectal cancer (CRC). We downloaded workflow-type data and xml-format clinical data on CRC from The Cancer Genome Atlas project. The relationship between lncRNA and m6A was identified by using Perl and R software. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis was performed. Lasso regression was utilized to construct a prognostic model. Survival analysis was used to explore the relationship between clusters of m6A lncRNAs and clinical survival data. Differential analysis of the tumor microenvironment and an immune correlation analysis were used to determine immune cell infiltration levels in different clusters and their correlation with clinical prognosis. The expression of lncRNA was tightly associated with m6A. The univariate Cox regression analysis showed that lncRNA was a risk factor for the prognosis. Differential expression analysis demonstrated that m6A lncRNAs were partially highly expressed in tumor tissue. m6A lncRNA-related prognostic model could predict the prognosis of CRC independently. "ECM_RECEPTOR_INTERACTION" was the most significantly enriched gene set. PARP8 was overexpressed in tumor tissue and high-risk cluster. CD4 memory T cells, activated resting NK cells, and memory B cells were highly clustered in the high-risk cluster. All of the scores were higher in the low-risk group. m6A lncRNA is closely related to the occurrence and progression of CRC. The corresponding prognostic model can be utilized to evaluate the prognosis of CRC. m6A lncRNA and related immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment can provide novel therapeutic targets for further research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Lin Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zheng Ming Zhu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1 Minde Road, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
N6-methyladenosine-related lncRNAs identified as potential biomarkers for predicting the overall survival of Asian gastric cancer patients. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:721. [PMID: 35778697 PMCID: PMC9248105 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09801-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors in Asian countries. Studies have proposed that lncRNAs can be used as diagnostic and prognostic indicators of GC due to the high specificity of lncRNAs expression involvement in GC. Recently, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has also emerged as an important modulator of the expression of lncRNAs in GC. This study aimed at establishing a novel m6A-related lncRNAs prognostic signature that can be used to construct accurate models for predicting the prognosis of GC in the Asian population. Methods First, the levels of m6A modification and m6A methyltransferases expression in GC samples were determined using dot blot and western blot analyses. Next, we evaluated the lncRNAs expression profiles and the corresponding clinical data of 88 Asian GC patients retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differential expression of m6A-related lncRNAs between GC and normal tissues was investigated. The relationship between these target lncRNAs and potential immunotherapeutic signatures was also analyzed. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify the malignancy-associated pathways. Univariate Cox regression, LASSO regression, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to establish a novel prognostic m6A-related lncRNAs prognostic signature. Moreover, we constructed a predictive nomogram and determined the expression levels of nine m6A-related lncRNAs in 12 pairs of clinical samples. Results We found that m6A methylation levels were significantly increased in GC tumor samples compared to adjacent normal tissues, and the increase was positively correlated with tumor stage. Patients were then divided into two clusters (cluster 1 and cluster 2) based on the differential expression of the m6A-related lncRNAs. Results showed that there was a significant difference in survival probability between the two clusters (p = 0.018). Notably, the low survival rate in cluster 2 may be associated with high expression of immune cells (resting memory CD4+ T cells, p = 0.027; regulatory T cells, p = 0.0018; monocytes, p = 0.00095; and resting dendritic cells, p = 0.015), and low expression of immune cells (resting NK cells, p = 0.033; and macrophages M1, p = 0.045). Enrichment analysis indicated that malignancy-associated biological processes were more common in the cluster 2 subgroup. Finally, the risk model comprising of six m6A-related lncRNAs was identified as an independent predictor of prognoses, which could divide patients into high- or low-risk groups. Time-dependent ROC analysis suggested that the risk score could accurately predict the prognosis of GC patients. Patients in the high-risk group had worse outcomes compared to patients in the low-risk group, and the risk score showed a positive correlation with immune cells (resting memory CD4+ T cells, R = 0.31, P = 0.038; regulatory T cells, R = 0.42, P = 0.0042; monocytes, R = 0.42, P = 0.0043). However, M1 macrophages (R = -0.37, P = 0.012) and resting NK cells (R = -0.31, P = 0.043) had a negative correlation with risk scores. Furthermore, analysis of clinical samples validated the weak positive correlation between the risk score and tumor stage. Conclusions The risk model described here, based on the six m6A-related lncRNAs signature, and may predict the clinical prognoses and immunotherapeutic response in Asian GC patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09801-z.
Collapse
|
12
|
Dworzański W, Cholewińska E, Fotschki B, Juśkiewicz J, Ognik K. Oxidative, epigenetic changes and fermentation processes in the intestine of rats fed high-fat diets supplemented with various chromium forms. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9817. [PMID: 35701510 PMCID: PMC9198011 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13328-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine how feeding rats a high-fat diet (F) supplemented with various forms of chromium affects the responses of the immune and redox systems, as well as epigenetic changes in the ileal tissue and the course of fermentation processes in the caecum. The rats received a pharmacologically relevant dose 0.3 mg Cr/kg body weight in form of chromium(III) picolinate (Cr-Pic), chromium (III)-methionine (Cr-Met), or chromium nanoparticles (Cr-NPs). The F increased DNA oxidation and raised the level of interleukin IL-6. The F was shown to reduce the intensity of fermentation processes in the caecum while increasing the activity of potentially harmful enzymes in the faeces. The addition of Cr in the form of Cr-NPs and Cr-Met in rats fed F beneficially increased mobilization of enzymes of the DNA repair pathway. All forms of Cr, but especially Cr-NPs, beneficially decreased the activity of caecal bacterial β-glucuronidase, faecal β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase. However, due to the increase in level of cytokine IL-2 in small intestinal wall, induced by all tested forms of chromium, it is difficult to state conclusively that this element can mitigate unfavourable pro-inflammatory and oxidative changes induced by a F in the small intestinal wall.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Dworzański
- Chair and Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 4, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewelina Cholewińska
- Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Bartosz Fotschki
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jerzy Juśkiewicz
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Ognik
- Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hung JT, Chen IJ, Ueng SH, Huang CS, Chen SC, Chen MY, Lin YC, Lin CY, Campbell MJ, Rugo HS, Yu AL. The clinical relevance of humoral immune responses to Globo H-KLH vaccine adagloxad simolenin (OBI-822)/OBI-821 and expression of Globo H in metastatic breast cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004312. [PMID: 35732348 PMCID: PMC9226869 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
An international randomized phase II trial of Globo H (GH) vaccine, adagloxad simolenin/OBI-821 in 349 patients with metastatic breast cancer showed longer progression-free survival (PFS) in vaccinated patients who developed anti-Globo H (anti-GH) IgG than those who did not and the placebo group. The impacts of anti-GH IgM and GH expression on peak anti-GH IgG and clinical outcome were further evaluated. The titers of anti-GH IgG and IgM were determined by ELISA. GH expression in tumor was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Immunophenotyping was conducted by flow cytometry. Adagloxad simolenin elicited anti-GH IgM which peaked at titers ≥1:80 between weeks 5 and 13. The mean anti-GH IgG titer peaked at week 41 and decreased thereafter on the completion of vaccination. One log increase in peak IgM was associated with 10.6% decrease in the HR of disease progression (HR: 0.894, 95% CI: 0.833 to 0.960, p=0.0019). Patients with anti-GH IgM ≥1:320 within first 4 weeks after vaccination had significantly higher maximum anti-GH IgM (p<0.0001) and IgG titers (p<0.0001) than those with <1:320. Moreover, the median PFS appears to be longer for patients with anti-GH IgM ≥1:320 within first 4 weeks than those with anti-GH IgM titer <1:320 (11.1 vs 7.3 months, p=0.164), but not statistically significant. Among patients with H score ≥80 for GH expression by immunohistochemistry, the vaccination group (n=42) seemed to have better PFS than the placebo group (n=23) (HR=0.59; 95% CI: 0.32 to 1.10, p=0.10), but the difference did not reach statistical significance. In addition, peak levels of anti-GH IgM were higher in patients who had lower percentage of activated regulatory T cells (Treg cells; CD4+CD45RA-Foxp3high) at baseline than those who had higher activated Treg cells (p=0.042). This study demonstrates that adagloxad simolenin induced both IgG and IgM antibodies against GH. Anti-GH IgM ≥1:320 within first 4 weeks or low activated Treg cells at baseline may help to select patients who are likely to produce a higher level of GH-specific IgM and IgG in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Tung Hung
- Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | | | - Shir-Hwa Ueng
- Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chiun-Sheng Huang
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Cheh Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | | | - Yung-Chang Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yen Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Michael J Campbell
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Hope S Rugo
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Alice L Yu
- Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan .,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sato S, Matsushita H, Shintani D, Kobayashi Y, Fujieda N, Yabuno A, Nishikawa T, Fujiwara K, Kakimi K, Hasegawa K. Association between effector-type regulatory T cells and immune checkpoint expression on CD8 + T cells in malignant ascites from epithelial ovarian cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:437. [PMID: 35449092 PMCID: PMC9026673 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09534-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in the antitumor immune response in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). To understand the immune-inhibitory networks of EOC, we addressed the association between Tregs and immune checkpoint expression on T cells in the tumor microenvironment of EOC. Methods A total of 41 patients with stage IIIC and IV EOC were included in the analysis. We harvested cells from malignant ascites and investigated them using multi-color flow cytometry. We categorized the Tregs into 3 groups: effector-type Tregs, naïve Tregs and non-Tregs, based on the expression patterns of CD45RA and Foxp3 in CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, the relationships between the expression of various immune checkpoint molecules, such as PD-1, on CD8+ T cells and each of the Treg subtypes was also evaluated. Results The median frequency of naïve Tregs, effector-type Tregs and non-Tregs were 0.2% (0–0.8), 2.0% (0–11.4) and 1.5% (0.1–6.3) in CD4+ T cells of malignant ascites from EOC patients, respectively. A high frequency of effector-type Tregs was associated with high-grade serous carcinoma compared with the other histotypes. Patients with higher proportions of effector-type Tregs showed a trend towards increased progression-free survival. We also demonstrated a correlation between a higher proportion of effector-type Tregs and increased PD-1 expression on CD8+ T cells. In addition, C–C chemokine receptor 4 expression was also observed in effector-type Tregs. Conclusion These data suggest that multiple immune-inhibitory networks exist in malignant ascites from EOC patients, suggesting an approach towards combinational immunotherapies for advanced EOC patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09534-z.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sho Sato
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Matsushita
- Department of Immunotherapeutics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan. .,Present Address: Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Aichi, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Shintani
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan
| | - Yukari Kobayashi
- Department of Immunotherapeutics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Nao Fujieda
- Department of Immunotherapeutics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Akira Yabuno
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan
| | - Tadaaki Nishikawa
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan
| | - Keiichi Fujiwara
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kakimi
- Department of Immunotherapeutics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.,Cancer Immunology Data Multi-Level Integration Unit, Medical Science Innovation Hub Program, RIKEN, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosei Hasegawa
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hu J, Chen Y, Gao L, Ge C, Xie X, Lei P, Zhang Y, Liang P. A Novel Pyroptosis-Related Gene Signature for Predicting Prognosis in Kidney Renal Papillary Cell Carcinoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:851384. [PMID: 35401700 PMCID: PMC8984942 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.851384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyroptosis is defined as an inflammatory form of programmed cell death. Increasing studies have demonstrated that pyroptosis is closely related to tumor development and antitumor process. However, the role of pyroptosis in kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP) remains obscure. In this study, we analyzed the expression of 52 pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in KIRP, of which 20 differentially expressed PRGs were identified between tumor and normal tissues. Consensus clustering analysis based on these PRGs was used to divided patients into two clusters, from which a significant difference in survival was found (p = 0.0041). The prognostic risk model based on six PRGs (CASP8, CASP9, CHMP2A, GPX4, IL6, and IRF1) was built using univariate Cox regression and LASSO–Cox regression analysis, with good performance in predicting one-, three-, and five-year overall survival. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the high-risk group had a poor survival outcome (p < 0.001) and risk score was an independent prognostic factor (HR: 2.655, 95% CI 1.192–5.911, p = 0.016). Immune profiling revealed differences in immune cell infiltration between the two groups, and the infiltration of M2 macrophages was significantly upregulated in the tumor immune microenvironment, implying that tumor immunity participated in the KIRP progression. Finally, we identified two hub genes in tumor tissues (IL6 and CASP9), which were validated in vitro. In conclusion, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of PRGs in KIRP and tried to provide a pyroptosis-related signature for predicting the prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Hu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yajun Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liang Gao
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chengguo Ge
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaodu Xie
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pan Lei
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanfeng Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peihe Liang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Peihe Liang,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yan B, Xiong J, Ye Q, Xue T, Xiang J, Xu M, Li F, Wen W. Correlation and prognostic implications of intratumor and tumor draining lymph node Foxp3 + T regulatory cells in colorectal cancer. BMC Gastroenterol 2022; 22:122. [PMID: 35296257 PMCID: PMC8925044 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-022-02205-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prognostic value of intratumor T regulatory cells (Tregs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) was previously reported, but the role of these cells in tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) was less addressed. METHODS A total of 150 CRC stages I-IV were retrospectively enrolled. Intratumor and TDLN Tregs were examined by immunohistochemical assay. The association of these cells was estimated by Pearson correlation. Survival analyses of subgroups were conducted by Kaplan-Meier curves, and the log-rank test and risk factors for survival were tested by the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS High accumulation of Tregs in tumors was significant in patients with younger age and good histological grade, where enrichment of these cells in TDLNs was more apparent in those with node-negative disease and early TNM stage disease, both of which were more common in early T stage cases. A significant correlation of intratumoral and TDLN Tregs was detected. Patients with higher intratumoral Tregs displayed significantly better PFS and OS than those with lower Tregs. However, no such differences were found, but a similar prognostic prediction trend was found for these cells in TDLNs. Finally, intratumoral Tregs were an independent prognostic factor for both PFS (HR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, P < 0.01) and OS (HR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.95-1.00, P = 0.04) in the patients. CONCLUSIONS Higher intratumor Tregs were associated with better survival in CRC. Although no such role was found for these cells in TDLNs, the positive correlation and similar prognostic prediction trend with their intratumoral counterparts may indicate a parallelized function of these cells in CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Yan
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District of Sanya City, Hainan province, 572000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianmei Xiong
- Department of Neurology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District of Sanya City, Hainan Province, 572000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianwen Ye
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District of Sanya City, Hainan province, 572000, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianhui Xue
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District of Sanya City, Hainan province, 572000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Xiang
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District of Sanya City, Hainan province, 572000, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyue Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District of Sanya City, Hainan Province, 572000, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District of Sanya City, Hainan province, 572000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wei Wen
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District of Sanya City, Hainan Province, 572000, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yue Y, Zhang Q, Sun Z. CX3CR1 Acts as a Protective Biomarker in the Tumor Microenvironment of Colorectal Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 12:758040. [PMID: 35140706 PMCID: PMC8818863 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.758040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many cancers. We aimed to screen the TME-related hub genes of colorectal adenoma (CRAD) and identify possible prognostic biomarkers. The gene expression profiles and clinical data of 464 CRAD patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were downloaded. The Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumours using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm was performed to calculate the ImmuneScore, StromalScore, and EstimateScore. Thereafter, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis were performed to explore the roles of DEGs. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were accomplished to identify independent prognostic factors of CRAD. CX3CR1 was selected as a hub gene, and the expression was confirmed in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and cell lines. The correlations between CX3CR1 and tumor-infiltrating immune cells were estimated by Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource database (TIMER) and CIBERSORT analysis. Besides, we investigated the effects of coculture with THP-1-derived macrophages with HCT8 cells with low CX3CR1 expression on immune marker expression, cell viability, and migration. There were significant differences in the ImmuneScore and EstimateScore among different stages. Patients with low scores presented significantly lower lifetimes than those in the high-score group. Moreover, we recognized 1,578 intersection genes in ImmuneScore and StromalScore, and these genes were mainly enriched in numerous immune-related biological processes. CX3CR1 was found to be associated with immune cell infiltration levels, immune marker expression, and macrophage polarization. Simultaneous silencing of CX3CR1 and coculture with THP-1 cells further regulated macrophage polarization and promoted the cell proliferation and migration of CRC cells. CX3CR1 was decreased in CRAD tissues and cell lines and was related to T and N stages, tumor differentiation, and prognosis. Our results suggest that CX3CR1 contributes to the recruitment and regulation of immune-infiltrating cells and macrophage polarization in CRC and TAM-induced CRC progression. CX3CR1 may act as a prognostic biomarker in CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyi Yue
- Department of Gastroenterology Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhengrong Sun
- BioBank, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhengrong Sun,
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhulai G, Oleinik E. Targeting regulatory T cells in anti-PD-1/PD-L1 cancer immunotherapy. Scand J Immunol 2021; 95:e13129. [PMID: 34936125 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The programmed death (PD)-1/PD-ligand (PD-L) pathway and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for the maintenance of immune tolerance. Their activation in the tumor microenvironment contributes to the evasion of the transformed cells from the immune surveillance and the suppression of an antitumor immune response. Therefore, PD-1/PD-L1 and Tregs are important targets for cancer immunotherapy. Our review focuses on the current role of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in Treg development and function in the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss combination therapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and Treg-modulating agents affecting the adenosinergic pathway, TGF-β signaling, immune checkpoints, and other approaches to downregulation of Tregs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Galina Zhulai
- Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation
| | - Eugenia Oleinik
- Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Liu L, Zhao Q, Cheng C, Yi J, Sun H, Wang Q, Quan W, Xue Y, Sun L, Cong X, Zhang Y. Analysis of Bulk RNA Sequencing Data Reveals Novel Transcription Factors Associated With Immune Infiltration Among Multiple Cancers. Front Immunol 2021; 12:644350. [PMID: 34489925 PMCID: PMC8417605 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.644350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating immune cells shape the tumor microenvironment and are closely related to clinical outcomes. Several transcription factors (TFs) have also been reported to regulate the antitumor activity and immune cell infiltration. This study aimed to quantify the populations of different immune cells infiltrated in tumor samples based on the bulk RNA sequencing data obtained from 50 cancer patients using the CIBERSORT and the EPIC algorithm. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) identified eigengene modules strongly associated with tumorigenesis and the activation of CD4+ memory T cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages. TF genes FOXM1, MYBL2, TAL1, and ERG are central in the subnetworks of the eigengene modules associated with immune-related genes. The analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cancer data confirmed these findings and further showed that the expression of these potential TF genes regulating immune infiltration, and the immune-related genes that they regulated, was associated with the survival of patients within multiple cancers. Exome-seq was performed on 24 paired samples that also had RNA-seq data. The expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis showed that mutations were significantly more frequent in the regions flanking the TF genes compared with those of non-TF genes, suggesting a driver role of these TF genes regulating immune infiltration. Taken together, this study presented a practical method for identifying genes that regulate immune infiltration. These genes could be potential biomarkers for cancer prognosis and possible therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Qiuchen Zhao
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China.,College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao Cheng
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingwen Yi
- Research Center of Agriculture and Medicine Gene Engineering of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongyan Sun
- Tissue Bank, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Weili Quan
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaqiang Xue
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Luguo Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,Research Center of Agriculture and Medicine Gene Engineering of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Xianling Cong
- Tissue Bank, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Center of Genome Analysis, ABLife BioBigData Institute, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Watanabe K, Nishikawa H. Engineering strategies for broad application of TCR-T and CAR-T cell therapies. Int Immunol 2021; 33:551-562. [PMID: 34374779 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy, including the transfer of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes after in vitro expansion or T cells redirected to tumor antigens using antigen-specific transgenic T cell receptor T cells (TCR-T cells) or chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells), has shown a significant clinical impact. Particularly, several types of CAR-T cell therapies have been approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies. The striking success of CAR-T cell therapies in hematological malignancies motivates their further expansion to a wide range of solid tumors, yet multiple obstacles, including the lack of proper target antigens exhibiting a tumor-specific expression pattern and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) impairing the effector functions of adoptively transferred T cells, have prevented clinical application. Gene engineering technologies such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system have enabled flexible reprograming of TCR/CAR-T cell signaling or loading genes that are targets of the tumor immunosuppression as a payload to overcome the difficulties. Here, we discuss recent advances in TCR/CAR-T cell engineering: various promising approaches to enhance the antitumor activity of adoptively transferred T cells in the TME for maximizing the efficacy and the safety of adoptive cell therapy are now being tested in the clinic, especially targeting solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Watanabe
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.,Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Dehbashi M, Hojati Z, Motovali-Bashi M, Ganjalikhany MR, Cho WC, Shimosaka A, Navabi P, Ganjalikhani-Hakemi M. A Novel CAR Expressing NK Cell Targeting CD25 With the Prospect of Overcoming Immune Escape Mechanism in Cancers. Front Oncol 2021; 11:649710. [PMID: 34055618 PMCID: PMC8160382 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.649710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
For many years, high-affinity subunit of IL-2 receptor (CD25) has been considered as a promising therapeutic target for different pathologic conditions like allograft rejection, autoimmunity, and cancers. Although CD25 is transiently expressed by newly-activated T cells, it is the hallmark of regulatory T (Treg) cells which are the most important immunosuppressive elements in tumor microenvironment. Thus, Tregs can be considered as a potential target for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based therapeutic approaches. On the other hand, due to some profound adverse effects pertaining to the use of CAR T cells, CAR NK cells have caught researchers’ attention as a safer choice. Based on these, the aim of this study was to design and develop a CAR NK cell against CD25 as the most prominent biomarker of Tregs with the prospect of overcoming immune escape mechanism in solid and liquid cancers. In the current study, an anti-CD25 CAR was designed and evaluated by comprehensive in silico analyses. Then, using lentiviral transduction system, NK-92 cell line was engineered to express this anti-CD25 CAR construct. In vitro functional analyses of anti-CD25 CAR for its reactivity against CD25 antigen as well as for cytotoxicity and cytokine production assays against CD25 bearing Jurkat cell line were done. In silico analyses demonstrated that the anti-CD25 CAR transcript and scFv protein structures were stable and had proper interaction with the target. Also, in vitro analyses showed that the anti-CD25 CAR-engineered NK-92 cells were able to specifically detect and lyse target cells with an appropriate cytokine production and cytotoxic activity. To conclude, the results showed that this novel CAR NK cell is functional and warrant further investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moein Dehbashi
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zohreh Hojati
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Majid Motovali-Bashi
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohamad Reza Ganjalikhany
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - William C Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Akihiro Shimosaka
- Institute of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Parnian Navabi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mazdak Ganjalikhani-Hakemi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.,Acquired Immunodeficiency Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Toor SM, Sasidharan Nair V, Saleh R, Taha RZ, Murshed K, Al-Dhaheri M, Khawar M, Ahmed AA, Kurer MA, Abu Nada M, Elkord E. Transcriptome of Tumor-Infiltrating T Cells in Colorectal Cancer Patients Uncovered a Unique Gene Signature in CD4 + T Cells Associated with Poor Disease-Specific Survival. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9040334. [PMID: 33916009 PMCID: PMC8065799 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9040334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is influenced by infiltration of immune cell populations in the tumor microenvironment. While elevated levels of cytotoxic T cells are associated with improved prognosis, limited studies have reported associations between CD4+ T cells and disease outcomes. We recently performed transcriptomic profiling and comparative analyses of sorted CD4+ and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from bulk tumors of CRC patients with varying disease stages. In this study, we compared the transcriptomes of CD4+ with CD8+ TILs. Functional annotation pathway analyses revealed the downregulation of inflammatory response-related genes, while T cell activation and angiogenesis-related genes were upregulated in CD4+ TILs. The top 200 deregulated genes in CD4+ TILs were aligned with the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) CRC dataset to identify a unique gene signature associated with poor prognosis. Moreover, 69 upregulated and 20 downregulated genes showed similar trends of up/downregulation in the TCGA dataset and were used to calculate "poor prognosis score" (ppScore), which was significantly associated with disease-specific survival. High ppScore patients showed lower expression of Treg-, Th1-, and Th17-related genes, and higher expression of Th2-related genes. Our data highlight the significance of T cells within the TME and identify a unique candidate prognostic gene signature for CD4+ TILs in CRC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salman M. Toor
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), P.O. Box 34110 Doha, Qatar; (S.M.T.); (V.S.N.); (R.S.); (R.Z.T.)
| | - Varun Sasidharan Nair
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), P.O. Box 34110 Doha, Qatar; (S.M.T.); (V.S.N.); (R.S.); (R.Z.T.)
| | - Reem Saleh
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), P.O. Box 34110 Doha, Qatar; (S.M.T.); (V.S.N.); (R.S.); (R.Z.T.)
| | - Rowaida Z. Taha
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), P.O. Box 34110 Doha, Qatar; (S.M.T.); (V.S.N.); (R.S.); (R.Z.T.)
| | - Khaled Murshed
- Department of Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050 Doha, Qatar;
| | - Mahmood Al-Dhaheri
- Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050 Doha, Qatar; (M.A.-D.); (M.K.); (A.A.A.); (M.A.K.); (M.A.N.)
| | - Mahwish Khawar
- Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050 Doha, Qatar; (M.A.-D.); (M.K.); (A.A.A.); (M.A.K.); (M.A.N.)
| | - Ayman A. Ahmed
- Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050 Doha, Qatar; (M.A.-D.); (M.K.); (A.A.A.); (M.A.K.); (M.A.N.)
| | - Mohamed A. Kurer
- Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050 Doha, Qatar; (M.A.-D.); (M.K.); (A.A.A.); (M.A.K.); (M.A.N.)
| | - Mohamed Abu Nada
- Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050 Doha, Qatar; (M.A.-D.); (M.K.); (A.A.A.); (M.A.K.); (M.A.N.)
| | - Eyad Elkord
- Biomedical Research Center, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-161-295-5736
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Emerging Trends for Radio-Immunotherapy in Rectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061374. [PMID: 33803620 PMCID: PMC8003099 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rectal cancer is a heterogeneous disease at the genetic and molecular levels, both aspects having major repercussions on the tumor immune contexture. Whilst microsatellite status and tumor mutational load have been associated with response to immunotherapy, presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is one of the most powerful prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Yet, the majority of rectal cancers are characterized by microsatellite stability, low tumor mutational burden and poor T cell infiltration. Consequently, these tumors do not respond to immunotherapy and treatment largely relies on radiotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy followed by radical surgery. Importantly, pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest that radiotherapy can induce a complete reprograming of the tumor microenvironment, potentially sensitizing it for immune checkpoint inhibition. Nonetheless, growing evidence suggest that this synergistic effect strongly depends on radiotherapy dosing, fractionation and timing. Despite ongoing work, information about the radiotherapy regimen required to yield optimal clinical outcome when combined to checkpoint blockade remains largely unavailable. In this review, we describe the molecular and immune heterogeneity of rectal cancer and outline its prognostic value. In addition, we discuss the effect of radiotherapy on the tumor microenvironment, focusing on the mechanisms and benefits of its combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Collapse
|
24
|
Gaete D, Rodriguez D, Watts D, Sormendi S, Chavakis T, Wielockx B. HIF-Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain Proteins (PHDs) in Cancer-Potential Targets for Anti-Tumor Therapy? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:988. [PMID: 33673417 PMCID: PMC7956578 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13050988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Solid tumors are typically associated with unbridled proliferation of malignant cells, accompanied by an immature and dysfunctional tumor-associated vascular network. Consequent impairment in transport of nutrients and oxygen eventually leads to a hypoxic environment wherein cells must adapt to survive and overcome these stresses. Hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) are central transcription factors in the hypoxia response and drive the expression of a vast number of survival genes in cancer cells and in cells in the tumor microenvironment. HIFs are tightly controlled by a class of oxygen sensors, the HIF-prolyl hydroxylase domain proteins (PHDs), which hydroxylate HIFs, thereby marking them for proteasomal degradation. Remarkable and intense research during the past decade has revealed that, contrary to expectations, PHDs are often overexpressed in many tumor types, and that inhibition of PHDs can lead to decreased tumor growth, impaired metastasis, and diminished tumor-associated immune-tolerance. Therefore, PHDs represent an attractive therapeutic target in cancer research. Multiple PHD inhibitors have been developed that were either recently accepted in China as erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) or are currently in phase III trials. We review here the function of HIFs and PHDs in cancer and related therapeutic opportunities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ben Wielockx
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (D.G.); (D.R.); (D.W.); (S.S.); (T.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Khan A, Dias F, Neekhra S, Singh B, Srivastava R. Designing and Immunomodulating Multiresponsive Nanomaterial for Cancer Theranostics. Front Chem 2021; 8:631351. [PMID: 33585406 PMCID: PMC7878384 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.631351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer has been widely investigated yet limited in its manifestation. Cancer treatment holds innovative and futuristic strategies considering high disease heterogeneity. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most explored pillars; however optimal therapeutic window and patient compliance recruit constraints. Recently evolved immunotherapy demonstrates a vital role of the host immune system to prevent metastasis recurrence, still undesirable clinical response and autoimmune adverse effects remain unresolved. Overcoming these challenges, tunable biomaterials could effectively control the co-delivery of anticancer drugs and immunomodulators. Current status demands a potentially new approach for minimally invasive, synergistic, and combinatorial nano-biomaterial assisted targeted immune-based treatment including therapeutics, diagnosis and imaging. This review discusses the latest findings of engineering biomaterial with immunomodulating properties and implementing novel developments in designing versatile nanosystems for cancer theranostics. We explore the functionalization of nanoparticle for delivering antitumor therapeutic and diagnostic agents promoting immune response. Through understanding the efficacy of delivery system, we have enlightened the applicability of nanomaterials as immunomodulatory nanomedicine further advancing to preclinical and clinical trials. Future and present ongoing improvements in engineering biomaterial could result in generating better insight to deal with cancer through easily accessible immunological interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amreen Khan
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
- Centre for Research in Nanotechnology and Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Faith Dias
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Thadomal Shahani Engineering College, Mumbai, India
| | - Suditi Neekhra
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Barkha Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
- Centre for Research in Nanotechnology and Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Rohit Srivastava
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Dehbashi M, Hojati Z, Motovali-Bashi M, Ganjalikhani-Hakemi M, Shimosaka A, Cho WC. Computational study for suppression of CD25/IL-2 interaction. Biol Chem 2021; 402:167-178. [PMID: 33544473 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2020-0326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer recurrence presents a huge challenge in cancer patient management. Immune escape is a key mechanism of cancer progression and metastatic dissemination. CD25 is expressed in regulatory T (Treg) cells including tumor-infiltrating Treg cells (TI-Tregs). These cells specially activate and reinforce immune escape mechanism of cancers. The suppression of CD25/IL-2 interaction would be useful against Treg cells activation and ultimately immune escape of cancer. Here, software, web servers and databases were used, at which in silico designed small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), de novo designed peptides and virtual screened small molecules against CD25 were introduced for the prospect of eliminating cancer immune escape and obtaining successful treatment. We obtained siRNAs with low off-target effects. Further, small molecules based on the binding homology search in ligand and receptor similarity were introduced. Finally, the critical amino acids on CD25 were targeted by a de novo designed peptide with disulfide bond. Hence we introduced computational-based antagonists to lay a foundation for further in vitro and in vivo studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moein Dehbashi
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746-73441, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Zohreh Hojati
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746-73441, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Majid Motovali-Bashi
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746-73441, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mazdak Ganjalikhani-Hakemi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 81746-73461, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran.,Acquired Immunodeficiency Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | | | - William C Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, HKSAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Zeng R, Huang S, Qiu X, Zhuo Z, Wu H, Jiang L, Sha W, Chen H. Predicting the Prognosis of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma by a Pyroptosis-Related Gene Signature. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:767187. [PMID: 34867395 PMCID: PMC8637127 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.767187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a highly malignant type of digestive tract cancers with a poor prognosis despite therapeutic advances. Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed cell death, whereas the role of pyroptosis in EAC remains largely unknown. Herein, we identified a pyroptosis-related five-gene signature that was significantly correlated with the survival of EAC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort and an independent validation dataset. In addition, a nomogram based on the signature was constructed with novel prognostic values. Moreover, the downregulation of GSDMB within the signature is notably correlated with enhanced DNA methylation. The pyroptosis-related signature might be related to the immune response and regulation of the tumor microenvironment. Several inhibitors including GDC-0879 and PD-0325901 are promising in reversing the altered differentially expressed genes in high-risk patients. Our findings provide insights into the involvement of pyroptosis in EAC progression and are promising in the risk assessment as well as the prognosis for EAC patients in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruijie Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Shujie Huang
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinqi Qiu
- Zhuguang Community Healthcare Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zewei Zhuo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huihuan Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Geriatrics Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Jiang, ; Weihong Sha, ; Hao Chen,
| | - Weihong Sha
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Jiang, ; Weihong Sha, ; Hao Chen,
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Jiang, ; Weihong Sha, ; Hao Chen,
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sarkar T, Dhar S, Sa G. Tumor-infiltrating T-regulatory cells adapt to altered metabolism to promote tumor-immune escape. CURRENT RESEARCH IN IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 2:132-141. [PMID: 35492399 PMCID: PMC9040151 DOI: 10.1016/j.crimmu.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor mass and its microenvironment alter host immune system in various ways to promote tumor growth. One of the modifications is evasion of immune surveillance by augmenting the number of Tregs in tumor vicinity. Elevated levels of Tregs are seen in peripheral circulation and tumor tissue of cancer patients. Cancer cells release several chemokines to attract Tregs in tumor-site. Infiltration of Tregs has clinical significance because being immunosuppressive infiltrating Tregs suppress other immune cells making the tumor microenvironment favorable for tumor growth. On the other hand, infiltrating Tregs show metabolic alteration in tumor microenvironment which allows their selective survival over the others. Persistence of Tregs in the tumor microenvironment and subsequent immunosuppression makes Tregs a potential therapeutic obstacle and the reason behind the failure of immunotherapy. In this review, we emphasize the recent development in the metabolic adaptation of tumor-infiltrating Tregs and the therapeutic approaches to boost immunity against cancer.
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
Mucosal surfaces are distinctive sites exposed to environmental, dietary, and microbial antigens. Particularly in the gut, the host continuously actively adapts via complex interactions between the microbiota and dietary compounds and immune and other tissue cells. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical for tuning the intestinal immune response to self- and non-self-antigens in the intestine. Its importance in intestinal homeostasis is illustrated by the onset of overt inflammation caused by deficiency in Treg generation, function, or stability in the gut. A substantial imbalance in Tregs has been observed in intestinal tissue during pathogenic conditions, when a tightly regulated and equilibrated system becomes dysregulated and leads to unimpeded and chronic immune responses. In this chapter, we compile and critically discuss the current knowledge on the key factors that promote Treg-mediated tolerance in the gut, such as those involved in intestinal Treg differentiation, specificity and suppressive function, and their immunophenotype during health and disease. We also discuss the current state of knowledge on Treg dysregulation in human intestine during pathological states such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and colorectal cancer (CRC), and how that knowledge is guiding development of Treg-targeted therapies to treat or prevent intestinal disorders.
Collapse
|
30
|
Choi SH, Barker EC, Gerber KJ, Letterio JJ, Kim BG. Loss of p27Kip1 leads to expansion of CD4+ effector memory T cells and accelerates colitis-associated colon cancer in mice with a T cell lineage restricted deletion of Smad4. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1847832. [PMID: 33329939 PMCID: PMC7722707 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1847832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 is a tumor suppressor whose intrinsic activity in cancer cells correlates with tumor aggressiveness, invasiveness, and impaired tumor cell differentiation. Here we explore whether p27Kip1 indirectly influences tumor progression by restricting expansion and survival of effector memory T cell (TEM) populations in a preclinical model of spontaneous colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). We show mRNA and protein expression of p27Kip1 to be significantly decreased in the colons of mice with a T cell-restricted deletion of the TGF-β intermediate, SMAD4 (Smad4TKO). Loss of p27Kip1 expression in T cells correlates with the onset of spontaneous CAC in Smad4TKO mice by 8 months of age. This phenotype is greatly accelerated by the introduction of a germline deletion of CDKN1b (the gene encoding p27Kip1) in Smad4TKO mice (Smad4TKO/p27Kip1-/-, DKO). DKO mice display colon carcinoma by 3 months of age and increased mortality compared to Smad4TKO. Importantly, the phenotype in DKO mice is associated with a significant increase in the frequency of effector CD4 T cells expressing abundant IFN-γ and with a concomitant decrease in Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, both in the intestinal mucosa and in the periphery. In addition, induction of inflammatory mediators (IFN-γ, TNF-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, iNOS) and activation of Stat1, Stat3, and IκB is also observed in the colon as early as 1–2 months of age. Our data suggest that genomic alterations known to influence p27Kip1 abundance in gastrointestinal cancers may indirectly promote epithelial malignancy by augmenting the production of inflammatory mediators from a spontaneously expanding pool of TEM cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hee Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Emily C Barker
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kyle J Gerber
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - John J Letterio
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,The Angie Fowler Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Byung-Gyu Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Ye LL, Peng WB, Niu YR, Xiang X, Wei XS, Wang ZH, Wang X, Zhang SY, Chen X, Zhou Q. Accumulation of TNFR2-expressing regulatory T cells in malignant pleural effusion of lung cancer patients is associated with poor prognosis. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:1647. [PMID: 33490159 PMCID: PMC7812164 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-7181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Regulatory T cells (Tregs) may represent a major cellular mechanism in immune suppression by dampening the anti-tumor response in malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFR2) has emerged as a novel identification for the maximally suppressive subset of Tregs in the tumor environment. At present, the significance of TNFR2 expression on Tregs in MPE remains unclear. Methods The distribution of TNFR2+cells in Tregs and effector T cells (Teffs) in MPE, peripheral blood (PB), and tuberculosis pleural effusion (TPE) were determined. The associations between TNFR2+Tregs frequencies present in MPE and the clinical and laboratorial characteristics of patients with lung cancer were investigated. The immunosuppressive phenotype of TNFR2+Tregs in MPE was analyzed. The effects of the TNF-TNFR2 interaction on the immunosuppressive function of Tregs was explored. The efficacy of targeting TNFR2 for MPE therapy was examined. The source of TNF in MPE was identified. Results We observed that markedly higher levels of TNFR2 were expressed in MPE Tregs compared with the levels expressed in MPE Teffs, PB Tregs, or in TPE Tregs. The frequencies of TNFR2+Tregs were positively correlated with the number of tumor cells in MPE, as well as the volume of MPE. High frequencies of TNFR2+Tregs in MPE indicated short survival time and poor performance status for MPE patients. Compared to TNFR2-Tregs, TNFR2+Tregs expressed higher levels of immunosuppressive molecules cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and replicating marker Ki-67. Consequently, the proportions of interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-producing cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were significantly increased after TNFR2 blockade. Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), through interaction with TNFR2, enhanced the suppressive capacity of Tregs by up-regulating CTLA-4 and PD-L1 expression. Interestingly, T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells are the major source of TNF in MPE, suggesting that MPE Teffs may paradoxically promote tumor growth by boosting MPE Treg activity via the TNF-TNFR2 pathway. Conclusions Our data expanded the immunosuppressive mechanism present in MPE induced by Tregs, and provides novel insight for the diagnosis, disease evaluation, and treatment of MPE patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Lin Ye
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen-Bei Peng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Ran Niu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuan Xiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Shan Wei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zi-Hao Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Si-Yu Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Qiong Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Galgani M, Bruzzaniti S, La Rocca C, Micillo T, de Candia P, Bifulco M, Matarese G. Immunometabolism of regulatory T cells in cancer. Mol Aspects Med 2020; 77:100936. [PMID: 33250195 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2020.100936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are known to orchestrate the regulatory mechanisms aimed at suppressing pathological auto-reactive immune responses and are thus key in ensuring the maintenance of immune homeostasis. On the other hand, the presence of Treg cells with enhanced suppressive capability in a plethora of human cancers represents a major obstacle to an effective anti-cancer immune response. A relevant research effort has thus been dedicated to comprehend Treg cell biology, leading to a continuously refining characterization of their phenotype and function and unveiling the central role of metabolism in ensuring Treg cell fitness in cancer. Here we focus on how the peculiar biochemical characteristics of the tumor microenvironment actually support Treg cell metabolic activation and favor their selective survival and proliferation. Moreover, we examine the key metabolic pathways that may become useful targets of novel treatments directed at hampering tumor resident Treg cell proficiency, thus representing the next research frontier in cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Galgani
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy; Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Sara Bruzzaniti
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), 80131, Napoli, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudia La Rocca
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Teresa Micillo
- Unità di Neuroimmunologia, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, 00179, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Matarese
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy; Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), 80131, Napoli, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Forster S, Radpour R. Molecular Immunotherapy: Promising Approach to Treat Metastatic Colorectal Cancer by Targeting Resistant Cancer Cells or Cancer Stem Cells. Front Oncol 2020; 10:569017. [PMID: 33240813 PMCID: PMC7680905 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.569017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system is able to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. Some tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC), induce immune tolerance via different mechanisms of “immunoediting” and “immune evasion” and can thus escape immune surveillance. The impact of immunotherapy on cancer has been investigated for many years, but so far, the application was limited to few cancer types. Immuno-oncological therapeutic strategies against metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), the adaptive immune system activating approaches, offer a high potential for adaptation to the great heterogeneity of CRC. Moreover, novel treatment approaches are currently being tested that might specifically target the disease initiating and maintaining population of colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this review, we aim to summarize the current state of immune-oncology and tumor immunotherapy of patients with mCRC and discuss different therapeutic modalities that focus on the activation of tumor-specific T-cells and their perspectives such as tumor vaccination, checkpoint inhibition, and adoptive T-cell transfer or on the eradication of colorectal CSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Forster
- Tumor Immunology, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ramin Radpour
- Tumor Immunology, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Jin K, Ren C, Liu Y, Lan H, Wang Z. An update on colorectal cancer microenvironment, epigenetic and immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 89:107041. [PMID: 33045561 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered as the second most common cancer worldwide. For the past few years, the role of immunotherapy has been extensively studied and it has been demonstrated that its related approaches, such as programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors, are promising. In addition to identifying molecular characteristics of tumor cells, recent studies are mainly focused on the profiling of tumor microenvironment. Dissecting immune status of a tumor is interesting, since development of a tumor is associated with deficiencies relate to immune defense, immune surveillance and immune hemostasis. In this review, we discuss main obstacles of immunotherapy including immunosuppressive niche and low immunogenicity of CRC as well as reviewing current achievements in immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ketao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321000, China
| | - Chengcheng Ren
- Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Yuyao Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Huanrong Lan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
NKG2D-Fc fusion protein promotes antitumor immunity through the depletion of immunosuppressive cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:2147-2155. [PMID: 32468232 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02615-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A major factor impeding the success of numerous therapeutic approaches in cancer is the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Hence, methods capable of reverting tumor immunosuppression through depletion or reprogramming of myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are of great clinical need. Here, we explore NKG2D-Fc as a modality to modulate antitumor immunity through the depletion of immunosuppressive MDSCs and Tregs in the TME. We have generated the NKG2D-Fc fusion protein and characterized its potential to mediate tumor control and overall survival in LL2 and MC38 murine models. Upon treatment of LL2 or MC38 tumor-bearing mice with NKG2D-Fc, we observe significant tumor control and enhanced survival compared to Fc control. When characterizing MDCSs and Tregs from tumor-bearing mice, we observe clear expression of NKG2D-ligand RAE1γ and subsequent binding of NKG2D-Fc fusion protein to both MDSCs and Tregs. Examining the immune profile of mice treated with NKG2D-Fc reveals significant depletion of MDSCs and Tregs in the TME, as well as an increase in NK cells likely due to the reversed suppressive TME. In conclusion, NKG2D-Fc induces antitumor immunity and tumor control through the depletion of MDSCs and Tregs, subsequently providing a niche for the infiltration and expansion of proinflammatory cells, such as NK cells. Strategies capable of modulating the immunosuppressive state in cancer are in high clinical demand. NKG2D-Fc is a simple, single tool capable of depleting both MDSCs and Tregs and should be further investigated as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
|
36
|
Case K, Tran L, Yang M, Zheng H, Kuhtreiber WM, Faustman DL. TNFR2 blockade alone or in combination with PD-1 blockade shows therapeutic efficacy in murine cancer models. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 107:981-991. [PMID: 32449229 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5ma0420-375rrrrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are profoundly transforming cancer therapy, but response rates vary widely. The efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-programmed death receptor-1 (anti-PD-1), might be increased by combination therapies. TNFR2 has emerged as a new target due to its massive expression on highly immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the microenvironment and on certain tumor cells. In murine colon cancer models CT26 and MC38, we evaluated the efficacy of a new anti-TNFR2 antibody alone or in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy. Tumor-bearing mice were treated with placebo, anti-PD-1 alone, anti-TNFR2 alone, or combination anti-PD-1 and anti-TNFR2. We found that combination therapy had the greatest efficacy by complete tumor regression and elimination (cure) in 65-70% of animals. The next most effective therapy was anti-TNFR2 alone (20-50% cured), whereas the least effective was anti-PD-1 alone (10-25% cured). The mode of action, according to in vivo and in vitro methods including FACS analysis, was by killing immunosuppressive Tregs in the tumor microenvironment and increasing the ratio of CD8+ T effectors (Teffs) to Tregs. We also found that sequence of antibody delivery altered outcome. The two most effective sequences were simultaneous delivery (70% cured) followed by anti-TNFR2 preceding anti-PD-1 (40% cured), and the least effective was by anti-PD-1 preceding anti-TNFR2 (10% cured). We conclude that anti-PD-1 is best enhanced by simultaneous administration with anti-TNFR2, and anti-TNFR2 alone may be potentially useful strategy for those do not respond to, or cannot tolerate, anti-PD-1 or other checkpoint inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Case
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lisa Tran
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Yang
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hui Zheng
- Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Willem M Kuhtreiber
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Denise L Faustman
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
de Wolf ACMT, Herberts CA, Hoefnagel MHN. Dawn of Monitoring Regulatory T Cells in (Pre-)clinical Studies: Their Relevance Is Slowly Recognised. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:91. [PMID: 32300597 PMCID: PMC7142310 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have a prominent role in the control of immune homeostasis. Pharmacological impact on their activity or balance with effector T cells could contribute to (impaired) clinical responses or adverse events. Monitoring treatment-related effects on T cell subsets may therefore be part of (pre-)clinical studies for medicinal products. However, the extent of immune monitoring performed in studies for marketing authorisation and the degree of correspondence with data available in the public domain is not known. We evaluated the presence of T cell immunomonitoring in 46 registration dossiers of monoclonal antibodies indicated for immune-related disorders and published scientific papers. We found that the depth of Treg analysis in registration dossiers was rather small. Nevertheless, data on treatment-related Treg effects are available in public academia-driven studies (post-registration) and suggest that Tregs may act as a biomarker for clinical responses. However, public data are fragmented and obtained with heterogeneity of experimental approaches from a diversity of species and tissues. To reveal the potential added value of T cell (and particular Treg) evaluation in (pre-)clinical studies, more cell-specific data should be acquired, at least for medicinal products with an immunomodulatory mechanism. Therefore, extensive analysis of T cell subset contribution to clinical responses and the relevance of treatment-induced changes in their levels is needed. Preferably, industry and academia should work together to obtain these data in a standardised manner and to enrich our knowledge about T cell activity in disease pathogenesis and therapies. This will ultimately elucidate the necessity of T cell subset monitoring in the therapeutic benefit-risk assessment.
Collapse
|
38
|
Picard E, Verschoor CP, Ma GW, Pawelec G. Relationships Between Immune Landscapes, Genetic Subtypes and Responses to Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:369. [PMID: 32210966 PMCID: PMC7068608 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 273] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly heterogeneous at the genetic and molecular level, which has major repercussions on the efficacy of immunotherapy. A small subset of CRCs exhibit microsatellite instability (MSI), a molecular indicator of defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR), but the majority are microsatellite-stable (MSS). The high tumor mutational burden (TMB) and neoantigen load in MSI tumors favors the infiltration of immune effector cells, and antitumor immune responses within these tumors are strong relative to their MSS counterparts. MSI has emerged as a major predictive marker for the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade over the last few years and nivolumab or pembrolizumab targeting PD-1 has been approved for patients with MSI refractory or metastatic CRC. However, some MSS tumors show DNA polymerase epsilon (POLE) mutations that also confer a very high TMB and may also be heavily infiltrated by immune cells making them amenable to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). In this review we discuss the role of the different immune landscapes in CRC and their relationships with defined CRC genetic subtypes. We discuss potential reasons why immune checkpoint blockade has met with limited success for the majority of CRC patients, despite the finding that immune cell infiltration of primary non-metastatic tumors is a strong predictive, and prognostic factor for relapse and survival. We then consider in which ways CRC cells develop mechanisms to resist ICI. Finally, we address the latest advances in CRC vaccination and how a personalized neoantigen vaccine strategy might overcome the resistance of MSI and MSS tumors in patients for whom immune checkpoint blockade is not a treatment option.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Picard
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | | | - Grace W Ma
- Department of Surgery, Health Sciences North, Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | - Graham Pawelec
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, ON, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Gauthier JM, Harrison MS, Krupnick AS, Gelman AE, Kreisel D. The emerging role of regulatory T cells following lung transplantation. Immunol Rev 2019; 292:194-208. [PMID: 31536165 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg) have proven to be a powerful immunologic force in nearly every organ system and hold therapeutic potential for a wide range of diseases. Insights gained from non-transplant pathologies, such as infection, cancer, and autoimmunity, are now being translated to the field of solid organ transplantation, particularly for livers and kidneys. Recent insights from animal models of lung transplantation have established that Tregs play a vital role in suppressing rejection and facilitating tolerance of lung allografts, and such discoveries are being validated in human studies and preclinical trials. Given that long-term outcomes following lung transplantation remain profoundly limited by chronic rejection, Treg therapy holds the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and should be aggressively investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Gauthier
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - M Shea Harrison
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alexander S Krupnick
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Andrew E Gelman
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel Kreisel
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Kalathil SG, Hutson A, Barbi J, Iyer R, Thanavala Y. Augmentation of IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cell responses correlates with survival of HCC patients on sorafenib therapy. JCI Insight 2019; 4:130116. [PMID: 31391334 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.130116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDSorafenib has been shown to reduce the extent of immunosuppression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The rationale of this investigation was to identify biomarkers that can predict treatment efficacy of sorafenib in HCC patients and to unravel the mechanism by which sorafenib impedes immune suppression mediated by distinct immunosuppressive cell subsets.METHODSWith informed consent, blood samples were collected from 30 patients with advanced HCC, at baseline and 2 time points after initiation of sorafenib treatment. The frequency of PD-1+ T cells, ERK2 phosphorylation on flt-3+ Tregs and MDSCs, and T effector cell function were quantified by using flow cytometry.RESULTSElevated levels of CD8+Ki67+ T cells producing IFN-γ were associated with improved progression-free survival and overall survival (OS). High frequencies of these T cells were correlated with significantly reduced risk of death over time. Patients with an increased pretreatment T effector/Treg ratio showed significant improvement in OS. ERK+flt-3+ Tregs and MDSCs were significantly decreased after sorafenib therapy. Increased numbers of baseline flt-3+p-ERK+ MDSCs were associated with survival benefit of patients.CONCLUSIONA high baseline CD4+ T effector/Treg ratio is a potential biomarker of prognostic significance in HCC. CD8+Ki67+ T cells producing IFN-γ are a key biomarker of response to sorafenib therapy resulting in survival benefit. The immune modulation resulted from sorafenib-mediated blockade of signaling through the VEGF/VEGFR/flt-3 pathway, affecting ERK phosphorylation. These insights may help identify patients who likely would benefit from VEGFR antagonism and inform efforts to improve the efficacy of sorafenib in combination with immunotherapy.TRIAL REGISTRATIONNCT02072486.FUNDINGNational Comprehensive Cancer Network Oncology Research Program from general research support provided by Bayer US LLC (NCCNSORA0002), National Cancer Institute grant P30CA016056, and pilot funds from Roswell Park Alliance Foundation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan Hutson
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, and
| | | | - Renuka Iyer
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Characterization of circulating T-, NK-, and NKT cell subsets in patients with colorectal cancer: the peripheral blood immune cell profile. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:1011-1024. [PMID: 31053876 PMCID: PMC6529387 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02343-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective As the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) are known to be affected by the immune system, cell subsets such as T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and natural killer T (NKT) cells are considered interesting targets for immunotherapy and clinical biomarker research. Until now, the role of systemic immune profiles in tumor progression remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to characterize the immunophenotype of circulating T cells, NK cells, and NKT-like cells in patients with CRC, and to subsequently correlate these immunophenotypes to clinical follow-up data. Methods Using multiparameter flow cytometry, the subset distribution and immunophenotype of T cells (CD3+CD56−), CD56dim NK cells (CD3−CD56dim), CD56bright NK cells (CD3−CD56bright), and NKT-like (CD3+CD56+) cells were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from 71 CRC patients and 19 healthy donors. Results CRC patients showed profound differences in immune cell subset distribution and their immunophenotype compared to healthy donors, as characterized by increased percentage of regulatory T cells, and reduced expression level of the natural cytotoxicity receptors NKp44 and NKp46 on both CD56dim NK cells and NKT-like cells. Finally, we showed in a multivariate analysis that above-median percentage of CD16+ NKT-like cells was independently associated with shorter disease-free survival in CRC patients. Conclusion The altered phenotype of circulating immune cell subsets in CRC and its association with clinical outcome highlight the potential use of PBMC subsets as prognostic biomarkers in CRC, thereby contributing to better insight into the role of systemic immune profiles in tumor progression. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00262-019-02343-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
42
|
Zappasodi R, Sirard C, Li Y, Budhu S, Abu-Akeel M, Liu C, Yang X, Zhong H, Newman W, Qi J, Wong P, Schaer D, Koon H, Velcheti V, Hellmann MD, Postow MA, Callahan MK, Wolchok JD, Merghoub T. Rational design of anti-GITR-based combination immunotherapy. Nat Med 2019; 25:759-766. [PMID: 31036879 PMCID: PMC7457830 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-019-0420-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Modulating T cell homeostatic mechanisms with checkpoint blockade can efficiently promote endogenous anti-tumor T cell responses1-11. However, many patients still do not benefit from checkpoint blockade12, highlighting the need for targeting of alternative immune pathways13. Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR) is an attractive target for immunotherapy, owing to its capacity to promote effector T cell (Teff) functions14,15 and hamper regulatory T cell (Treg) suppression16-20. On the basis of the potent preclinical anti-tumor activity of agonist anti-GITR antibodies, reported by us and others16,21,22, we initiated the first in-human phase 1 trial of GITR agonism with the anti-GITR antibody TRX518 ( NCT01239134 ). Here, we report the safety profile and immune effects of TRX518 monotherapy in patients with advanced cancer and provide mechanistic preclinical evidence to rationally combine GITR agonism with checkpoint blockade in future clinical trials. We demonstrate that TRX518 reduces circulating and intratumoral Treg cells to similar extents, providing an easily assessable biomarker of anti-GITR activity. Despite Treg reductions and increased Teff:Treg ratios, substantial clinical responses were not seen. Similarly, in mice with advanced tumors, GITR agonism was not sufficient to activate cytolytic T cells due to persistent exhaustion. We demonstrate that T cell reinvigoration with PD-1 blockade can overcome resistance of advanced tumors to anti-GITR monotherapy. These findings led us to start investigating TRX518 with PD-1 pathway blockade in patients with advanced refractory tumors ( NCT02628574 ).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Zappasodi
- Ludwig Collaborative and Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Yanyun Li
- Ludwig Collaborative and Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sadna Budhu
- Ludwig Collaborative and Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mohsen Abu-Akeel
- Ludwig Collaborative and Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cailian Liu
- Ludwig Collaborative and Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xia Yang
- Ludwig Collaborative and Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hong Zhong
- Ludwig Collaborative and Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Jingjing Qi
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Immune Monitoring Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Phillip Wong
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Immune Monitoring Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Schaer
- Ludwig Collaborative and Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Henry Koon
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Vamsidhar Velcheti
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew D Hellmann
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael A Postow
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret K Callahan
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jedd D Wolchok
- Ludwig Collaborative and Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Taha Merghoub
- Ludwig Collaborative and Swim Across America Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
He J, Li R, Chen Y, Hu Y, Chen X. TNFR2-expressing CD4 +Foxp3 + regulatory T cells in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2019; 164:101-117. [PMID: 31383403 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent a major cellular mechanism in tumor immune evasion. Elimination of Treg activity has become a strategy to devise an effective tumor immunotherapy. We reported that TNF receptor type II (TNFR2), one of two receptors transducing TNF biological activity, is preferentially expressed by the most suppressive subset of Tregs. By interaction with TNFR2, TNF plays a decisive role in the activation, expansion and phenotype stability of Tregs. We also found that highly suppressive TNFR2-expressing Tregs appear to be tumor-associated Tregs. This finding has been supported by recent studies in mouse tumor models and in cancer patients. In this chapter, published data revealing the important role of TNFR2+ Tregs in tumor development and metastasis in different tumor types are reviewed and analyzed. The therapeutic potential of targeting TNF-TNFR2 interaction as means to eliminate Treg activity, and consequently to enhance anti-tumor immune responses, also is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiang He
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China; Investment Banking, Shenzhen Rhino Star Information Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Ruixin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yibo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yuanjia Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Norton SE, Ward-Hartstonge KA, McCall JL, Leman JKH, Taylor ES, Munro F, Black MA, Fazekas de St. Groth B, McGuire HM, Kemp RA. High-Dimensional Mass Cytometric Analysis Reveals an Increase in Effector Regulatory T Cells as a Distinguishing Feature of Colorectal Tumors. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 202:1871-1884. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
45
|
CD39 + regulatory T cells accumulate in colon adenocarcinomas and display markers of increased suppressive function. Oncotarget 2018; 9:36993-37007. [PMID: 30651930 PMCID: PMC6319332 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing knowledge of the function and regulation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has led to new insights in cancer immunotherapy. Regulatory T cells (Treg) accumulate in colon tumors, and we recently showed that CD39+ Treg from cancer patients inhibit transendothelial migration of conventional T cells. CD39 mediates the hydrolysis of ATP to immunosuppressive adenosine and adds to the immunosuppressive effects of Treg. Here, we further investigated the regulatory features of intratumoral CD39+ Treg in colon cancer. Using flow cytometry analyses of cells from 46 colon cancer patients, we confirm the accumulation of CD39+ Treg in the tumor tissue compared to unaffected colon tissue, and also show that tumor-infiltrating Treg express more CD39 and Foxp3 on a per cell basis. Furthermore, CD39+ Treg in tumors express markers indicating increased turnover and suppressive ability. In particular, tumor-infiltrating CD39+ Treg have high expression of surface molecules related to immunosuppression, such as ICOS, PD-L1 and CTLA-4. Functional suppression assays also indicate potent suppressive capacity of CD39+ Treg on proliferation and IFN-γ secretion by conventional T cells. In conclusion, our results identify tumor-infiltrating CD39+ Treg as a numerous and potentially important immunosuppressive subset, and suggest that immunotherapy aimed at reducing the activity of CD39+ Treg may be particularly useful in the setting of colon cancer.
Collapse
|
46
|
Zhang S, Bai W, Tong X, Bu P, Xu J, Xi Y. Correlation between tumor microenvironment-associated factors and the efficacy and prognosis of neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer. Oncol Lett 2018; 17:1062-1070. [PMID: 30655866 PMCID: PMC6313063 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment contributes to the survival and development of tumor cells and is therefore a key target for cancer therapy. The tumor microenvironment has unique physical and chemical properties and is associated with inflammation and immunity. To examine the correlation between tumor microenvironment-associated factors and the efficacy and prognosis of neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer, and to compare the differences between two treatments [neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) vs. neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACR)], an immunohistochemical method was used to measure the expression levels of CD4+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), cluster of differentiation (CD)8+TILs, forkhead box P3 (FOXP3)+TILs, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4+TILs and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1)+TILs in 109 patients with rectal cancer, pre- and post-neoadjuvant therapy. The significance of these protein expression patterns was also analyzed using tissue microarrays, and the prognostic significance of these findings evaluated. The results indicated that high levels of CD4+TILs, CD8+TILs and PD-L1+TILs may be associated with favorable responses to neoadjuvant therapy, whereas high levels of FOXP3+TILs were associated with poor therapeutic responses. Expression levels of CD8+TILs and FOXP3+TILs following neoadjuvant therapy were independent prognostic factors and affected the total survival of patients subjected to neoadjuvant therapy for the treatment of rectal cancer. Moreover, the effects of NAC and NACR on the tumor microenvironment may be different.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, P.R. China
| | - Wenqi Bai
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030013, P.R. China
| | - Xunan Tong
- Departent of Surgery, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, P.R. China
| | - Peng Bu
- Department of Pathology, Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030013, P.R. China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Pathology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, P.R. China
| | - Yanfeng Xi
- Department of Pathology, Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030013, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Arenas-Ramirez N, Sahin D, Boyman O. Epigenetic mechanisms of tumor resistance to immunotherapy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:4163-4176. [PMID: 30140960 PMCID: PMC11105392 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2908-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The recent impact of cancer immunotherapies has firmly established the ability and importance of the immune system to fight malignancies. However, the intimate interaction between the highly dynamic tumor and immune cells leads to a selection process driven by genetic and epigenetic processes. As the molecular pathways of cancer resistance mechanisms to immunotherapy become increasingly known, novel therapeutic targets are being tested in combination with immune-stimulating approaches. We here review recent insights into the molecular mechanisms of tumor resistance with particular emphasis on epigenetic processes and place these in the context of previous models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dilara Sahin
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Onur Boyman
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Block KI, Block PB, Gyllenhaal C. Integrative Treatment for Colorectal Cancer: A Comprehensive Approach. J Altern Complement Med 2018; 24:890-901. [PMID: 30247965 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2018.0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive approach to integrative treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients involves three spheres of intervention: lifestyle, biology, and conventional treatment. Individualization of treatment is emphasized. The lifestyle sphere includes nutritional therapies, biobehavioral strategies with circadian interventions, and physical care modalities. The biology sphere comprises six host factors in the patient's internal biochemical environment or "terrain": inflammation, glycemia, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, coagulopathy, and stress chemistries. Laboratory testing of these factors guides integrative lifestyle and supplement recommendations. The conventional treatment sphere includes individualized lifestyle recommendations, and supplements or drugs used to enhance tolerability or effectiveness of conventional treatments. Innovative strategies are implemented, including chronomodulated chemotherapy, chemosensitivity testing, and using results of molecular genomic testing to guide nutritional infusions and supplement recommendations. In the lifestyle sphere, substantial evidence from cohort studies supports recommendations for a diet that emphasizes plant and fish proteins, healthful fats in amounts that are tailored to the clinical circumstance of the patient, and carbohydrates based on unrefined whole grains, vegetables and whole fruits. High glycemic diets and refined carbohydrates, especially sugar-sweetened beverages, should be avoided. Biobehavioral strategies include practice of the relaxation response and related approaches. In addition, specific strategies to promote robust circadian organization (CO) are used to combat quality of life concerns and worsened survival that accompany disrupted CO. Physical activity, including aerobic activity and muscle strengthening, is recommended at all disease stages. In the biology sphere, supplements and lifestyle recommendations for inflammation and glycemia are discussed. In the conventional treatment sphere, supplements and innovative and complementary therapies that may remedy treatment toxicities are reviewed. Approaching CRC treatment with a comprehensive, individualized intervention enables safe and beneficial outcomes in this patient population, which can vary widely in individual biology, treatment toxicities, and disease complications. Further research in integrative therapies for CRC patients is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keith I Block
- Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment , Skokie, IL
| | - Penny B Block
- Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment , Skokie, IL
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Jacobs J, Deschoolmeester V, Zwaenepoel K, Flieswasser T, Deben C, Van den Bossche J, Hermans C, Rolfo C, Peeters M, De Wever O, Lardon F, Siozopoulou V, Smits E, Pauwels P. Unveiling a CD70-positive subset of cancer-associated fibroblasts marked by pro-migratory activity and thriving regulatory T cell accumulation. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1440167. [PMID: 29900042 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1440167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are involved in the proliferative and invasive behavior of colorectal cancer (CRC). Nonetheless, CAFs represent a heterogeneous population with both cancer-promoting and cancer-restraining actions, lacking specific markers to target them. Expression of the immune checkpoint molecule CD70 is normally limited to cells of the lymphoid lineage. Instead, tumor cells hijack CD70 to facilitate immune evasion by increasing the amount of suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). The aim of this study was to explore CD70 expression patterns in CRC, not merely focusing on the tumor cells, but also taking the tumor stromal cells into account. We have analyzed the prognostic value of CD70 expression by immunohistochemistry in CRC specimens and its relationship with well-known fibroblast markers and Tregs. In addition, in vitro experiments were conducted to unravel the role of CD70-positive CAFs on migration and immune escape. We reveal prominent expression of CD70 on a specific subset of CAFs in invasive CRC specimens. Cancer cells show almost no expression of CD70. The presence of CD70-positive CAFs proved to be an independent adverse prognostic marker. Functionally, CD70-positive CAFs stimulated migration and significantly increased the frequency of naturally occurring Tregs. In conclusion, we have identified the expression of CD70 on CAFs as a novel prognostic marker for CRC. We have found evidence of a cross talk between CD70+ CAFs and naturally occurring Tregs, paving the way towards immune escape. As such, this study provides a strong rationale for the exploration of CD70-targeting antibodies in CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Jacobs
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Deschoolmeester
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Karen Zwaenepoel
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Tal Flieswasser
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Christophe Deben
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Jolien Van den Bossche
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Christophe Hermans
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Christian Rolfo
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.,Phase 1-Early Clinical Trials Unit, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Marc Peeters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Olivier De Wever
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Radiation Oncology and Experimental Cancer Research, De Pintelaan 185, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Filip Lardon
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Vasiliki Siozopoulou
- Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Patrick Pauwels
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Nie Y, He J, Shirota H, Trivett AL, Yang D, Klinman DM, Oppenheim JJ, Chen X. Blockade of TNFR2 signaling enhances the immunotherapeutic effect of CpG ODN in a mouse model of colon cancer. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/511/eaan0790. [PMID: 29295954 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aan0790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Through the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor type II (TNFR2), TNF preferentially activates, expands, and promotes the phenotypic stability of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. Those Treg cells that have a high abundance of TNFR2 have the maximal immunosuppressive capacity. We investigated whether targeting TNFR2 could effectively suppress the activity of Treg cells and consequently enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. We found that, relative to a suboptimal dose of the immunostimulatory Toll-like receptor 9 ligand CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), the combination of the suboptimal dose of CpG ODN with the TNFR2-blocking antibody M861 more markedly inhibited the growth of subcutaneously grafted mouse CT26 colon tumor cells. This resulted in markedly fewer TNFR2+ Treg cells and more interferon-γ-positive (IFN-γ+) CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes infiltrating the tumor and improved long-term tumor-free survival in the mouse cohort. Tumor-free mice were resistant to rechallenge by the same but not unrelated (4T1 breast cancer) cells. Treatment with the combination of TNFR2-blocking antibody and a CD25-targeted antibody also resulted in enhanced inhibition of tumor growth in a syngeneic 4T1 mouse model of breast cancer. Thus, the combination of a TNFR2 inhibitor and an immunotherapeutic stimulant may represent a more effective treatment strategy for various cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Nie
- Cancer Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.,Department of Research, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou 550002, China
| | - Jiang He
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Hidekazu Shirota
- Cancer Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Anna L Trivett
- Cancer Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - De Yang
- Cancer Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Dennis M Klinman
- Cancer Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Joost J Oppenheim
- Cancer Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China. .,Cancer Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| |
Collapse
|