Human kallikrein 4 signal peptide induces cytotoxic T cell responses in healthy donors and prostate cancer patients

Tumor-derived KLK8 predicts inferior survival and promotes an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment in lung squamous cell carcinoma

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is the second most common lung cancer worldwide, leading to millions of deaths annually. Although immunotherapy has expanded the therapeutic choices for LUSC and achieved considerable efficacy in a subset of patients, many patients could not benefit, and resistance was pervasive. Therefore, it is significant to investigate the mechanisms leading to patients' poor response to immunotherapies and explore novel therapeutic targets. Using multiple public LUSC datasets, we found that Kallikrein-8 (KLK8) expression was higher in tumor samples and was correlated with inferior survival. Using a LUSC cohort (n = 190) from our center, we validated the bioinformatic findings about KLK8 and identified high KLK8 expression as an independent risk factor for LUSC. Function enrichment showed that several immune signaling pathways were upregulated in the KLK8 low-expression group and downregulated in the KLK8 high-expression group. For patients with low KLK8 expression, they were with a more active TME, which was both observed in the TCGA database and immune marker immunohistochemistry, and they had extensive positive relations with immune cells with tumor-eliminating functions. This study identified KLK8 as a risk factor in LUSC and illustrated the associations between KLK8 and cancer immunity, suggesting the potentiality of KLK8 as a novel immune target in LUSC.

Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines—Antigen Discovery and Adjuvant Delivery Platforms

For decades, vaccines have played a significant role in protecting public and personal health against infectious diseases and proved their great potential in battling cancers as well. This review focused on the current progress of therapeutic subunit vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. Antigens and adjuvants are key components of vaccine formulations. We summarized several classes of tumor antigens and bioinformatic approaches of identification of tumor neoantigens. Pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-targeting adjuvants and their targeted delivery platforms have been extensively discussed. In addition, we emphasized the interplay between multiple adjuvants and their combined delivery for cancer immunotherapy.

Plant Kunitz Inhibitors and Their Interaction with Proteases: Current and Potential Pharmacological Targets

The action of proteases can be controlled by several mechanisms, including regulation through gene expression; post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation; zymogen activation; targeting specific compartments, such as lysosomes and mitochondria; and blocking proteolysis using endogenous inhibitors. Protease inhibitors are important molecules to be explored for the control of proteolytic processes in organisms because of their ability to act on several proteases. In this context, plants synthesize numerous proteins that contribute to protection against attacks by microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) and/or invertebrates (insects and nematodes) through the inhibition of proteases in these organisms. These proteins are widely distributed in the plant kingdom, and are present in higher concentrations in legume seeds (compared to other organs and other botanical families), motivating studies on their inhibitory effects in various organisms, including humans. In most cases, the biological roles of these proteins have been assigned based mostly on their in vitro action, as is the case with enzyme inhibitors. This review highlights the structural evolution, function, and wide variety of effects of plant Kunitz protease inhibitors, and their potential for pharmaceutical application based on their interactions with different proteases.

Remodelling of the tumour microenvironment by the kallikrein-related peptidases

Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are critical regulators of the tumour microenvironment. KLKs are proteolytic enzymes regulating multiple functions of bioactive molecules including hormones and growth factors, membrane receptors and the extracellular matrix architecture involved in cancer progression and metastasis. Perturbations of the proteolytic cascade generated by these peptidases, and their downstream signalling actions, underlie tumour emergence or blockade of tumour growth. Recent studies have also revealed their role in tumour immune suppression and resistance to cancer therapy. Here, we present an overview of the complex biology of the KLK family and its context-dependent nature in cancer, and discuss the different therapeutic strategies available to potentially target these proteases.

Angiogenesis-related non-coding RNAs and gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are among the main reasons for cancer death globally. The deadliest types of GI cancer include colon, stomach, and liver cancers. Multiple lines of evidence have shown that angiogenesis has a key role in the growth and metastasis of all GI tumors. Abnormal angiogenesis also has a critical role in many non-malignant diseases. Therefore, angiogenesis is considered to be an important target for improved cancer treatment. Despite much research, the mechanisms governing angiogenesis are not completely understood. Recently, it has been shown that angiogenesis-related non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) could affect the development of angiogenesis in cancer cells and tumors. The broad family of ncRNAs, which include long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs, are related to the development, promotion, and metastasis of GI cancers, especially in angiogenesis. This review discusses the role of ncRNAs in mediating angiogenesis in various types of GI cancers and looks forward to the introduction of mimetics and antagonists as possible therapeutic agents.

Long non-coding RNA LINC01314 represses cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in gastric cancer via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by down-regulating KLK4

Background

In recent years, gastric cancer (GC) has become a major cause of mortality among various malignancies worldwide with high incidence rates. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) may serve as oncogenes and tumor suppressors in cancers. Therefore, we investigated the effect of LINC01314 on the development of GC cells in relation to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Methods

Microarray data analysis was conducted to screen GC-related differentially expressed lncRNAs, followed by determination of the binding interaction between LINC01314 and kallikrein 4 (KLK4). Human GC cell line SGC-7901 was treated with over-expressed or silenced LINC01314 or KLK4 to investigate the mechanism LINC01314 affecting GC cellular activities. The levels of KLK4, Wnt-1, β-catenin, cyclin D1, N-cadherin and E-cadherin were measured, and cell invasion and migration were evaluated. Next, the tumor weight, micro-vessel density (MVD) and the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in transplanted tumors were measured.

Results

LINC01314 was poorly expressed in GC cells and KLK4 was revealed to be a direct target gene of LINC01314. Overexpressed LINC01314 or silencing of KLK4 led to inhibited GC cell migration and invasion, corresponding to decreased Wnt-1, β-catenin, cyclin D1 and N-cadherin while increased E-cadherin. Also, in response to over-expression of LINC01314 or silencing of KLK4, tumor weight and the MVD of transplanted tumors were reduced and angiogenesis was suppressed, which was indicated by down-regulated positive expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3.

Conclusion

The findings indicated that over-expression of LINC01314 down-regulated KLK4 to inhibit the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus suppressing migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in GC cells, which provides new insight for the treatment of GC.

Autoantibody against new gene expressed in prostate protein is traceable in prostate cancer patients

Aim: We assessed an autoantibody against new gene expressed in prostate (NGEP) protein for prostate cancer (PCa) that may better diagnosis and prognosis approaches in the patients with PCa. Methods: Autoantibodies against NGEP were measured in sera of PCa patients by ELISA. Results: The autoantibody against NGEP is present in a significantly higher proportion in the sera of PCa patients as compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001). An inverse significant correlation was found between seropositive patients and Gleason score (p < 0.05) and serum prostate-specific antigen (recombinant NGEP; p < 0.05). Conclusion: The data showed that measurement of autoantibody against NGEP as a novel prostate-specific antigen in sera can be used as a potential biomarker to discriminate well-differentiated PCa patients from normal subjects.

CMRF-56(+) blood dendritic cells loaded with mRNA induce effective antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses

There are numerous transcriptional, proteomic and functional differences between monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DC) and primary blood dendritic cells (BDC). The CMRF-56 monoclonal antibody (mAb) recognizes a cell surface marker, which is upregulated on BDC following overnight culture. Given its unique ability to select a heterogeneous population of BDC, we engineered a human chimeric (h)CMRF-56 IgG4 mAb to isolate primary BDC for potential therapeutic vaccination. The ability to select multiple primary BDC subsets from patients and load them with in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA encoding tumor antigen might circumvent the issues limiting the efficacy of Mo-DC. After optimizing and validating the purification of hCMRF-56(+) BDC, we showed that transfection of hCMRF-56(+) BDC with mRNA resulted in efficient mRNA translation and antigen presentation by myeloid BDC subsets, while preserving superior DC functions compared to Mo-DC. Immune selected and transfected hCMRF-56(+) BDC migrated very efficiently in vitro and as effectively as cytokine matured Mo-DC in vivo. Compared to Mo-DC, hCMRF-56(+) BDC transfected with influenza matrix protein M1 displayed superior MHC peptide presentation and generated potent antigen specific CD8(+) T-cell recall responses, while Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) transfected CMRF-56(+) BDC generated effective primary autologous cytotoxic T-cell responses. The ability of the combined DC subsets within hCMRF-56(+) BDC to present mRNA delivered tumor antigens merits phase I evaluation as a reproducible generic platform for the next generation of active DC immune therapies.

Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and the hallmarks of cancer

The kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) represent the largest family of serine proteases within the human genome and are expressed in various tissues. Although they regulate several important physiological functions, KLKs have also been implicated in numerous pathophysiological processes, including cancer. Growing evidence describing the deregulation of KLK expression and secretion, as well as activation in various malignancies, has uncovered their potential as mediators of cancer progression, biomarkers of disease and as candidate therapeutic targets. The diversity of signalling pathways and proteolytic cascades involving KLKs and their downstream targets appears to affect cancer biology through multiple mechanisms, including those related to the hallmarks of cancer. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the importance of KLK-driven molecular pathways in relation to cancer cell traits associated with the hallmarks of cancer and to highlight their potential in personalized therapeutics.

Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) as emerging therapeutic targets: focus on prostate cancer and skin pathologies

INTRODUCTION

Tissue kallikrein and the kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) constitute a family of 15 homologous secreted serine proteases with trypsin- or chymotrypsin-like activities, which participate in a broad spectrum of physiological procedures. Deregulated expression and/or activation of the majority of the family members have been reported in several human diseases, thereby making KLKs ideal targets for therapeutic intervention.

AREAS COVERED

In the present review, we summarize the role of KLKs in normal human physiology and pathology, focusing on prostate cancer and skin diseases. Furthermore, we discuss the recent advances in the development of KLK-based therapies. A great number of diverse engineered KLKs inhibitors with improved potency, selectivity and immunogenicity have been synthesized by redesigning examples that are endogenous and naturally occurring. Moreover, encouraging results have been documented using KLKs-based vaccines and immunotherapies, as well as KLKs-mediated activation of pro-drugs. Finally, KLKs-targeting aptamers and KLKs-based imaging tools represent novel approaches towards the exploitation of KLKs' therapeutic value.

EXPERT OPINION

The central/critical roles of KLK family in several human pathologies highlight KLKs as attractive molecular targets for developing novel therapeutics.

Pronase E-Based Generation of Fluorescent Peptide Fragments: Tracking Intracellular Peptide Fate in Single Cells

The ability to track intracellular peptide proteolysis at the single cell level is of growing interest, particularly as short peptide sequences continue to play important roles as biosensors, therapeutics, and endogenous participants in antigen processing and intracellular signaling. We describe a rapid and inexpensive methodology to generate fluorescent peptide fragments from a parent sequence with diverse chemical properties, including aliphatic, nonpolar, basic, acidic, and non-native amino acids. Four peptide sequences with existing biochemical applications were fragmented using incubation with Pronase E and/or formic acid, and in each case a complete set of fluorescent fragments was generated for use as proteolysis standards in chemical cytometry. Fragment formation and identity was monitored with capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) to confirm the presence of all sequences and yield fragmentation profiles across Pronase E concentrations which can readily be used by others. As a pilot study, Pronase E-generated standards from an Abl kinase sensor and an ovalbumin antigenic peptide were then employed to identify proteolysis products arising from the metabolism of these sequences in single cells. The Abl kinase sensor fragmented at 4.2 ± 4.8 zmol μM(-1) s(-1) and the majority of cells possessed similar fragment identities. In contrast, an ovalbumin epitope peptide was degraded at 8.9 ± 0.1 zmol μM(-1) s(-1), but with differential fragment formation between individual cells. Overall, Pronase E-generated peptide standards were a rapid and efficient method to identify proteolysis products from cells.

Kallikrein-related peptidases targeted therapies in prostate cancer: perspectives and challenges

INTRODUCTION

Despite the emergence of several new effective treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients, disease progression inevitably occurs, leading scientific community to carefully look for novel therapeutic targets of prostate cancer. Kallikrein (KLK)-related peptidases have been demonstrated to facilitate prostate tumorigenesis and disease progression through the development of an oncogenic microenvironment for prostate cells.

AREAS COVERED

This review first summarizes the large amount of preclinical data showing the involvement of KLKs in prostate cancer pathobiology. In the second part, the authors assess the current status and future directions for KLK-targeted therapy and briefly describe the advances and challenges implicated in the design of effective manufactured drugs. The authors then focus on the preclinical data and on Phase I/II studies of the most promising KLK-targeted agents in prostate cancer. The drugs discussed here are divided on the basis of their mechanism of action: KLK-engineered inhibitors; KLK-activated pro-drugs; KLK-targeted microRNAs and small interfering RNAs(-/)small hairpin RNAs; KLK vaccines and antibodies.

EXPERT OPINION

Targeting KLK expression and/or activity could be a promising direction in prostate cancer treatment. Future human clinical trials will help us to evaluate the real benefits, toxicities and the consequent optimal use of KLK-targeted drugs, as mono-therapy or in combination regimens.

The use of signal peptide domains as vaccine candidates

Signal peptide (SP) domains have a common motif but also sequence specific features. This knowledge was mainly ignored by immunologists who considered SP as generic, short-lived, targeting sequences. Consequently, while SP-derived MHC class I, class II and HLA-E epitopes have been isolated, their use as antigen-specific vaccine candidates (VCs) was mostly neglected. Recently we demonstrated the rational of selecting entire SP domains as multi-epitope long peptide VCs based on their high T and B-cell epitope densities. This review summarizes preclinical and clinical results demonstrating the various advantages of human SP domain VCs derived from both bacterial and tumor antigens. Such vaccine design provides for a straightforward, yet unique immunotherapeutic means of generating robust, non-toxic, diversified, combined antigen-specific CD4+/CD8+ T/B-cell immunity, irrespective of patient HLA repertoire also in disease associated transporter-associated with antigen processing (TAP) deficiencies. Subsequent clinical trials will further assess the full potential of this approach.

The impaired viability of prostate cancer cell lines by the recombinant plant kallikrein inhibitor

BACKGROUND

Kallikreins play a pivotal role in establishing prostate cancer.

RESULTS

In contrast to the classical Kunitz plant inhibitor SbTI, the recombinant kallikrein inhibitor (rBbKIm) led to prostate cancer cell death, whereas fibroblast viability was not affected.

CONCLUSION

rBbKIm shows selective cytotoxic effect and angiogenesis inhibition against prostate cancer cells.

SIGNIFICANCE

New actions of rBbKIm may contribute to understanding the mechanisms of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer, and kallikreins play an important role in the establishment of this disease. rBbKIm is the recombinant Bauhinia bauhinioides kallikreins inhibitor that was modified to include the RGD/RGE motifs of the inhibitor BrTI from Bauhinia rufa. This work reports the effects of rBbKIm on DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cell lines. rBbKIm inhibited the cell viability of DU145 and PC3 cells but did not affect the viability of fibroblasts. rBbKIm caused an arrest of the PC3 cell cycle at the G0/G1 and G2/M phases but did not affect the DU145 cell cycle, although rBbKIm triggers apoptosis and cytochrome c release into the cytosol of both cell types. The differences in caspase activation were observed because rBbKIm treatment promoted activation of caspase-3 in DU145 cells, whereas caspase-9 but not caspase-3 was activated in PC3 cells. Because angiogenesis is important to the development of a tumor, the effect of rBbKIm in this process was also analyzed, and an inhibition of 49% was observed in in vitro endothelial cell capillary-like tube network formation. In summary, we demonstrated that different properties of the protease inhibitor rBbKIm may be explored for investigating the androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU145.

Genetic association of the KLK4 locus with risk of prostate cancer

The Kallikrein-related peptidase, KLK4, has been shown to be significantly overexpressed in prostate tumours in numerous studies and is suggested to be a potential biomarker for prostate cancer. KLK4 may also play a role in prostate cancer progression through its involvement in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a more aggressive phenotype, and metastases to bone. It is well known that genetic variation has the potential to affect gene expression and/or various protein characteristics and hence we sought to investigate the possible role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the KLK4 gene in prostate cancer. Assessment of 61 SNPs in the KLK4 locus (± 10 kb) in approximately 1300 prostate cancer cases and 1300 male controls for associations with prostate cancer risk and/or prostate tumour aggressiveness (Gleason score <7 versus ≥ 7) revealed 7 SNPs to be associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer at the P(trend)<0.05 significance level. Three of these SNPs, rs268923, rs56112930 and the HapMap tagSNP rs7248321, are located several kb upstream of KLK4; rs1654551 encodes a non-synonymous serine to alanine substitution at position 22 of the long isoform of the KLK4 protein, and the remaining 3 risk-associated SNPs, rs1701927, rs1090649 and rs806019, are located downstream of KLK4 and are in high linkage disequilibrium with each other (r(2) ≥ 0.98). Our findings provide suggestive evidence of a role for genetic variation in the KLK4 locus in prostate cancer predisposition.