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Lam KC, Chen Q, Goldszmid RS. Use of optimized single-cell RNA flow cytometry protocol identifies monocytes as main producers of type I interferon in mouse syngeneic tumors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.23.604694. [PMID: 39372774 PMCID: PMC11451617 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.23.604694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of complex interactions between cellular and extracellular components, among which the immune system is known to play an integral role in disease progression and response to therapy. Cytokines and chemokines are cell signaling proteins used by immune cells to communicate with each other as well as with other cell types in the body. These proteins control systemic and local immune responses and levels of cytokines/chemokines in the TME have been associated with tumor outcomes. However, cytokines and chemokines have varied expression across cell types, tumors, and host conditions. Therefore, approaches to effectively study the production of these proteins at the single-cell level in the TME are needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms governing the anti-cancer immune response. Here, we detail a protocol to assess the production of cytokines/chemokines across leukocyte populations in mouse tumors using RNA flow cytometry. Importantly, this method can be adapted with minimal changes to study various mouse and human tumors, other RNA analytes, and non-tumor tissues. With this approach, we characterize single-cell production of Ifnb1, Xcl1 and Ccl5 in mouse tumors and identify monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages as the main producers of type I interferon transcript Ifnb1 consistent across 4 different syngeneic tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khiem C. Lam
- Inflammatory Cell Dynamics Section, Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology (LICI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Computational Biology, Bioinformatics and Genomics, Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Quanyi Chen
- Inflammatory Cell Dynamics Section, Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology (LICI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Kelly Government Solutions, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Romina S. Goldszmid
- Inflammatory Cell Dynamics Section, Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology (LICI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Ueyama A, Nogami W, Nashiki K, Haruna M, Miwa H, Hagiwara M, Nagira M, Wada H, Nagira Y. Immunotherapy Targeting CCR8+ Regulatory T Cells Induces Antitumor Effects via Dramatic Changes to the Intratumor CD8+ T Cell Profile. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:673-682. [PMID: 37350632 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) contribute to the formation of a tumor-immunosuppressive microenvironment. CCR8 is reportedly selectively expressed in tumor Tregs, and an anti-CCR8 Ab can exert potent antitumor effects by eliminating intratumor Tregs in murine tumor models. In this study, we analyzed changes to intratumor immunity after anti-CCR8 Ab administration, especially in CD8+ T cells, which are involved in cancer cell killing, using the CT26 colorectal carcinoma mouse model. Immunophenotyping of tumor-infiltrating cells by mass cytometry after Ab administration on day 5 of tumor inoculation revealed that CD8+ T cell subsets were dramatically altered in the CCR8 Ab-treated group, with an increase in naive cells and nonexhausted effector cells and a decrease in exhausted cells with high expression levels of TOX. These results were corroborated with flow cytometry analysis. Delayed administration of the anti-CCR8 Ab on day 9 or 12, when the amount of CCR8+ Tregs and CD8+ T cell exhaustion were more progressed, also resulted in a decrease in exhausted CD8+ T cells, leading to tumor regression. Finally, we confirmed that high CCR8+ Treg infiltration was associated with high TOX expression in CD8+ T cells in human cancer patients. In conclusion, administration of an anti-CCR8 Ab can dramatically alter the activation and exhaustion state of intratumor CD8+ T cells, resulting in strong antitumor effects. In cancer patients with an advanced tumor-immunosuppressive environment, CD8+ T cell exhaustion has progressed along with CCR8+ Treg induction. Therefore, targeted depletion of CCR8+ Tregs is expected to be effective in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azumi Ueyama
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Wataru Nogami
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Kunitaka Nashiki
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Miya Haruna
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Hiroto Miwa
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Masaki Hagiwara
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Morio Nagira
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Hisashi Wada
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoji Nagira
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
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The Cytokine Network in Colorectal Cancer: Implications for New Treatment Strategies. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010138. [PMID: 36611932 PMCID: PMC9818504 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent tumor entities worldwide with only limited therapeutic options. CRC is not only a genetic disease with several mutations in specific oncogenes and/or tumor suppressor genes such as APC, KRAS, PIC3CA, BRAF, SMAD4 or TP53 but also a multifactorial disease including environmental factors. Cancer cells communicate with their environment mostly via soluble factors such as cytokines, chemokines or growth factors to generate a favorable tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME, a heterogeneous population of differentiated and progenitor cells, plays a critical role in regulating tumor development, growth, invasion, metastasis and therapy resistance. In this context, cytokines from cancer cells and cells of the TME influence each other, eliciting an inflammatory milieu that can either enhance or suppress tumor growth and metastasis. Additionally, several lines of evidence exist that the composition of the microbiota regulates inflammatory processes, controlled by cytokine secretion, that play a role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. In this review, we discuss the cytokine networks between cancer cells and the TME and microbiome in colorectal cancer and the related treatment strategies, with the goal to discuss cytokine-mediated strategies that could overcome the common therapeutic resistance of CRC tumors.
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The Prediction of Necroptosis-Related lncRNAs in Prognosis and Anticancer Therapy of Colorectal Cancer. Anal Cell Pathol 2022; 2022:7158684. [PMID: 36199434 PMCID: PMC9527116 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7158684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Colorectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies globally. Necroptosis has been proved to play a role in the occurrence and development of the tumor, which makes it a new target for molecular therapy. However, the role of necroptosis in colorectal cancer remains unknown yet. Our study aims to build a prognostic signature of necroptosis-related lncRNAs (nrlncRNAs) to predict the outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer and facilitate in anticancer therapy. Method We obtained RNA-seq and clinical data of colorectal adenocarcinoma from the TCGA database and got prognosis-related nrlncRNAs by univariate regression analysis. Then, we carried out the LASSO regression and multivariate regression analysis to build the prognostic signature, whose predictive ability was tested by the Kaplan-Meier as well as ROC curves and verified by the internal cohort. Moreover, we divided the cohort into 2 groups based on median of risk scores: high- and low-risk groups. By analyzing the difference in the tumor microenvironment, microsatellite instability, and tumor mutation burden between the two groups, we explored the potential chemotherapy and immunotherapy drugs. Results We screened out 9 nrlncRNAs and built a prognostic signature based on them. With its good prognostic ability, the risk scores can act as an independent prognostic factor for patients with colorectal cancer. The overall survival rate of patients in high-risk group was significantly higher than the low-risk one. Furthermore, risk scores can also give us hints about the tumor microenvironment and facilitate in predicting the response to the CTLA-4 blocker treatment and other chemotherapeutic agents with potential efficacy such as cisplatin and staurosporine. Conclusions In conclusion, our prognostic signature of necroptosis-related lncRNAs can facilitate in predicting the prognosis and response to the anticancer therapy of colorectal cancer patients.
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Zou Q, Lei X, Xu A, Li Z, He Q, Huang X, Xu G, Tian F, Ding Y, Zhu W. Chemokines in progression, chemoresistance, diagnosis, and prognosis of colorectal cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:724139. [PMID: 35935996 PMCID: PMC9353076 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.724139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Plenty of factors affect the oncogenesis and progression of colorectal cancer in the tumor microenvironment, including various immune cells, stromal cells, cytokines, and other factors. Chemokine is a member of the cytokine superfamily. It is an indispensable component in the tumor microenvironment. Chemokines play an antitumor or pro-tumor role by recruitment or polarization of recruiting immune cells. Meanwhile, chemokines, as signal molecules, participate in the formation of a cross talk among signaling pathways and non-coding RNAs, which may be involved in promoting tumor progression. In addition, they also function in immune escape. Chemokines are related to drug resistance of tumor cells and may even provide reference for the diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zou
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Xue Lei
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Aijing Xu
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziqi Li
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Qinglian He
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Xiujuan Huang
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
- Department of Hematology, Longgang District People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guangxian Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, School of Medical Technology, Institute of Clinical Laboratory, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Faqing Tian
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Faqing Tian, ; Yuanlin Ding, ; Wei Zhu,
| | - Yuanlin Ding
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
- *Correspondence: Faqing Tian, ; Yuanlin Ding, ; Wei Zhu,
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
- *Correspondence: Faqing Tian, ; Yuanlin Ding, ; Wei Zhu,
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Akeus P, Szeponik L, Langenes V, Karlsson V, Sundström P, Bexe-Lindskog E, Tallon C, Slusher BS, Quiding-Järbrink M. Regulatory T cells reduce endothelial neutral sphingomyelinase 2 to prevent T-cell migration into tumors. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:2317-2329. [PMID: 34272885 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149208] [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: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells are key regulators of transendothelial migration and their secretion of chemokines and expression of adhesion molecules facilitates lymphocyte entry into tissues. Previously, we demonstrated that Tregs can reduce transendothelial migration of T cells into tumors by decreasing endothelial CXCL10 secretion, but the mechanism by which this occurs is still not known. In this study, we aimed to define how Tregs decrease transendothelial migration into tumors. mRNA sequencing of intestinal tumor endothelial cells from Treg depleted mice identified neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2) as a gene downregulated in the presence of Tregs. nSMase2 is expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and was decreased after coculture with Tregs. Furthermore, blocking of nSMase2 activity in vitro decreased VCAM1, CX3CL1, and CXCL10 expression in HUVECs, mirroring the same decrease found in Treg cocultures. In the APCmin/+ mouse model of intestinal cancer, nSMase2 is lower in tumor endothelial cells than in unaffected small intestine and chronic treatment with a nSMase2 inhibitor suppressed the increased migration that is otherwise seen in the absence of Tregs. We conclude that nSMase2 is an important mediator in endothelial cells supporting transendothelial migration, which may be targeted by Tregs to reduce T-cell migration into tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Akeus
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Louis Szeponik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Veronica Langenes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Viktoria Karlsson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Patrik Sundström
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elinor Bexe-Lindskog
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Carolyn Tallon
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marianne Quiding-Järbrink
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Waldmann H. Regulatory T cells and transplantation tolerance: Emerging from the darkness? Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:1580-1591. [PMID: 33961297 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The field of tissue transplantation has revolutionized the treatment of patients with failing organs. Its success, thus far, has depended on combinations of immunosuppressive drugs that damp host immunity, while also imposing numerous unwanted side-effects. There is a longstanding recognition that better treatment outcomes, will come from replacing these drugs, fully or in part, by taking advantage of tractable physiological mechanisms of self-tolerance. The past 50 years have seen many advances in the field of self-tolerance, but perhaps, the most tractable of these has been the more recent discovery of a subset T-cells (Treg) whose role is to regulate or damp immunity. This article is intended to first provide the reader with some historical background to explain why we have been slow to identify these cells, despite numerous clues to their existence, and also to indicate how little we know about how they achieve their regulatory function in averting transplant rejection. However, as is often the case in immunology, the therapeutic needs often dictate that our advances move to translation even before detailed explanations of the science are available. The final part of the article will briefly summarize how Treg are being harnessed as agents to interface with or perhaps, replace current drug combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Waldmann
- Sir William Dunn School, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX13RE, UK
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Rossi A, Pacella I, Piconese S. RNA Flow Cytometry for the Study of T Cell Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083906. [PMID: 33918901 PMCID: PMC8069477 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells undergo activation and differentiation programs along a continuum of states that can be tracked through flow cytometry using a combination of surface and intracellular markers. Such dynamic behavior is the result of transcriptional and post-transcriptional events, initiated and sustained by the activation of specific transcription factors and by epigenetic remodeling. These signaling pathways are tightly integrated with metabolic routes in a bidirectional manner: on the one hand, T cell receptors and costimulatory molecules activate metabolic reprogramming; on the other hand, metabolites modify T cell transcriptional programs and functions. Flow cytometry represents an invaluable tool to analyze the integration of phenotypical, functional, metabolic and transcriptional features, at the single cell level in heterogeneous T cell populations, and from complex microenvironments, with potential clinical application in monitoring the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Here, we review the most recent advances in flow cytometry-based analysis of gene expression, in combination with indicators of mitochondrial activity, with the aim of revealing and characterizing major metabolic pathways in T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Rossi
- Department of Internal Clinical Sciences, Anaesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy; (A.R.); (I.P.)
| | - Ilenia Pacella
- Department of Internal Clinical Sciences, Anaesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy; (A.R.); (I.P.)
| | - Silvia Piconese
- Department of Internal Clinical Sciences, Anaesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy; (A.R.); (I.P.)
- Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00161 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Zhang Y, Rajput A, Jin N, Wang J. Mechanisms of Immunosuppression in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123850. [PMID: 33419310 PMCID: PMC7766388 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary More emerging studies are exploring immunotherapy for solid cancers, including colorectal cancer. Besides, checkpoint blockade immunotherapy and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) -based immune cell therapy have being examined in clinical trials for colorectal cancer patients. However, immunosuppression that leads to the blockage of normal immunosurveillance often leads to cancer development and relapse. In this study, we systematically reviewed the mechanism of immunosuppression, specifically in colorectal cancer, from different perspectives, including the natural or induced immunosuppressive cells, cell surface protein, cytokines/chemokines, transcriptional factors, metabolic alteration, phosphatase, and tissue hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment. We also discussed the progress of immunotherapies in clinical trials/studies for colorectal cancer and highlighted how different strategies for cancer therapy targeted the immunosuppression reviewed above. Our review provides some timely implications for restoring immunosurveillance to improve treatment efficacy in colorectal cancer (CRC). Abstract CRC is the third most diagnosed cancer in the US with the second-highest mortality rate. A multi-modality approach with surgery/chemotherapy is used in patients with early stages of colon cancer. Radiation therapy is added to the armamentarium in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. While some patients with metastatic CRC are cured, the majority remain incurable and receive palliative chemotherapy as the standard of care. Recently, immune checkpoint blockade has emerged as a promising treatment for many solid tumors, including CRC with microsatellite instability. However, it has not been effective for microsatellite stable CRC. Here, main mechanisms of immunosuppression in CRC will be discussed, aiming to provide some insights for restoring immunosurveillance to improve treatment efficacy in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Ashwani Rajput
- Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, National Capital Region, Sibley Memorial Hospital, 5255 Loughboro Road NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA;
| | - Ning Jin
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Correspondence: (N.J.); (J.W.); Tel.: +1-614-293-6529 (N.J.); +1-614-293-7733 (J.W.)
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Correspondence: (N.J.); (J.W.); Tel.: +1-614-293-6529 (N.J.); +1-614-293-7733 (J.W.)
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Nonhuman Primate Testing of the Impact of Different Regulatory T Cell Depletion Strategies on Reactivation and Clearance of Latent Simian Immunodeficiency Virus. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.00533-20. [PMID: 32669326 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00533-20] [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: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) may be key contributors to the HIV/SIV latent reservoir, since they harbor high levels of HIV/SIV; reverse CD4+ T cell immune activation status, increasing the pool of resting CD4+ T cells; and impair CD8+ T cell function, favoring HIV persistence. We tested the hypothesis that Treg depletion is a valid intervention toward an HIV cure by depleted Tregs in 14 rhesus macaque (RM) controllers infected with SIVsab, the virus that naturally infects sabaeus monkeys, through different strategies: administration of an anti-CCR4 immunotoxin, two doses of an anti-CD25 immunotoxin (interleukin-2 with diphtheria toxin [IL-2-DT]), or two combinations of both. All of these treatments resulted in significant depletion of the circulating Tregs (>70%) and their partial depletion in the gut (25%) and lymph nodes (>50%). The fractions of CD4+ T cells expressing Ki -67 increased up to 80% in experiments containing IL-2-DT and only 30% in anti-CCR4-treated RMs, paralleled by increases in the inflammatory cytokines. In the absence of ART, plasma virus rebounded to 103 vRNA copies/ml by day 10 after IL-2-DT administration. A large but transient boost of the SIV-specific CD8+ T cell responses occurred in IL-2-DT-treated RMs. Such increases were minimal in the RMs receiving anti-CCR4-based regimens. Five RMs received IL-2-DT on ART, but treatment was discontinued because of high toxicity and lymphopenia. As such, while all treatments depleted a significant proportion of Tregs, the side effects in the presence of ART prevent their clinical use and call for different Treg depletion approaches. Thus, based on our data, Treg targeting as a strategy for HIV cure cannot be discarded.IMPORTANCE Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can decisively contribute to the establishment and persistence of the HIV reservoir, since they harbor high levels of HIV/SIV, increase the pool of resting CD4+ T cells by reversing their immune activation status, and impair CD8+ T cell function, favoring HIV persistence. We tested multiple Treg depletion strategies and showed that all of them are at least partially successful in depleting Tregs. As such, Treg depletion appears to be a valid intervention toward an HIV cure, reducing the size of the reservoir, reactivating the virus, and boosting cell-mediated immune responses. Yet, when Treg depletion was attempted in ART-suppressed animals, the treatment had to be discontinued due to high toxicity and lymphopenia. Therefore, while Treg targeting as a strategy for HIV cure cannot be discarded, the methodology for Treg depletion has to be revisited.
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Zadka Ł, Grybowski DJ, Dzięgiel P. Modeling of the immune response in the pathogenesis of solid tumors and its prognostic significance. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2020; 43:539-575. [PMID: 32488850 PMCID: PMC7363737 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-020-00519-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor initiation and subsequent progression are usually long-term processes, spread over time and conditioned by diverse aspects. Many cancers develop on the basis of chronic inflammation; however, despite dozens of years of research, little is known about the factors triggering neoplastic transformation under these conditions. Molecular characterization of both pathogenetic states, i.e., similarities and differences between chronic inflammation and cancer, is also poorly defined. The secretory activity of tumor cells may change the immunophenotype of immune cells and modify the extracellular microenvironment, which allows the bypass of host defense mechanisms and seems to have diagnostic and prognostic value. The phenomenon of immunosuppression is also present during chronic inflammation, and the development of cancer, due to its duration, predisposes patients to the promotion of chronic inflammation. The aim of our work was to discuss the above issues based on the latest scientific insights. A theoretical mechanism of cancer immunosuppression is also proposed. CONCLUSIONS Development of solid tumors may occur both during acute and chronic phases of inflammation. Differences in the regulation of immune responses between precancerous states and the cancers resulting from them emphasize the importance of immunosuppressive factors in oncogenesis. Cancer cells may, through their secretory activity and extracellular transport mechanisms, enhance deterioration of the immune system which, in turn, may have prognostic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Zadka
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, ul. Chalubinskiego 6a, 50-368, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Damian J Grybowski
- Orthopedic Surgery, University of Illinois, 900 S. Ashland Avenue (MC944) Room 3356, Molecular Biology Research Building Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Piotr Dzięgiel
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, ul. Chalubinskiego 6a, 50-368, Wroclaw, Poland
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12
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Li C, Jiang P, Wei S, Xu X, Wang J. Regulatory T cells in tumor microenvironment: new mechanisms, potential therapeutic strategies and future prospects. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:116. [PMID: 32680511 PMCID: PMC7367382 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01234-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 408] [Impact Index Per Article: 102.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) characterized by the expression of the master transcription factor forkhead box protein p3 (Foxp3) suppress anticancer immunity, thereby hindering protective immunosurveillance of tumours and hampering effective antitumour immune responses in tumour-bearing hosts, constitute a current research hotspot in the field. However, Tregs are also essential for the maintenance of the immune tolerance of the body and share many molecular signalling pathways with conventional T cells, including cytotoxic T cells, the primary mediators of tumour immunity. Hence, the inability to specifically target and neutralize Tregs in the tumour microenvironment without globally compromising self-tolerance poses a significant challenge. Here, we review recent advances in characterizing tumour-infiltrating Tregs with a focus on the functional roles of costimulatory and inhibitory receptors in Tregs, evaluate their potential as clinical targets, and systematically summarize their roles in potential treatment strategies. Also, we propose modalities to integrate our increasing knowledge on Tregs phenotype and function for the rational design of checkpoint inhibitor-based combination therapies. Finally, we propose possible treatment strategies that can be used to develop Treg-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Ping Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shuhua Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiaofei Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Junjie Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Sui H, Zhang L, Gu K, Chai N, Ji Q, Zhou L, Wang Y, Ren J, Yang L, Zhang B, Hu J, Li Q. YYFZBJS ameliorates colorectal cancer progression in Apc Min/+ mice by remodeling gut microbiota and inhibiting regulatory T-cell generation. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:113. [PMID: 32677955 PMCID: PMC7367414 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00596-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progression of Colorectal cancer (CRC) is influenced by single or compounded environmental factors. Accumulating evidence shows that microbiota can influence the outcome of cancer immunotherapy. T cell, one of the main populations of effector immune cells in antitumor immunity, has been considered as a double-edged sword during the progression of CRC. Our previous studies indicate that traditional Chinese herbs (TCM) have potential anticancer effects in improving quality of life and therapeutic effect. However, little is known about the mechanism of TCM formula in cancer prevention. METHODS Here, we used C57BL/6 J ApcMin/+ mice, an animal model of human intestinal tumorigenesis, to investigate the gut bacterial diversity and their mechanisms of action in gastrointestinal adenomas, and to evaluate the effects of Yi-Yi-Fu-Zi-Bai-Jiang-San (YYFZBJS) on of colon carcinogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Through human-into-mice fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments from YYFZBJS volunteers or control donors, we were able to differentially modulate the tumor microbiome and affect tumor growth as well as tumor immune infiltration. RESULTS We report herein, YYFZBJS treatment blocked tumor initiation and progression in ApcMin/+ mice with less change of body weight and increased immune function. Moreover, diversity analysis of fecal samples demonstrated that YYFZBJS regulated animal's natural gut flora, including Bacteroides fragilis, Lachnospiraceae and so on. Intestinal tumors from conventional and germ-free mice fed with stool from YYFZBJS volunteers had been decreased. Some inflammation' expression also have been regulated by the gut microbiota mediated immune cells. Intestinal lymphatic, and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), accumulated CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3 positive Treg cells were reduced by YYFZBJS treatment in ApcMin/+ mice. Although YYFZBJS had no inhibition on CRC cell proliferation by itself, the altered Tregs mediated by YYFZBJS repressed CRC cancer cell growth, along with reduction of the phosphorylation of β-catenin. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we demonstrated that gut microbiota and Treg were involved in CRC development and progression, and we propose YYFZBJS as a new potential drug option for the treatment of CRC. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Sui
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Rd, Shanghai, 201203, P.R. China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Rd, Shanghai, 201203, P.R. China
| | - Kaijuan Gu
- Preclinical Medicine College of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rd, Shanghai, 201203, P.R. China
| | - Ni Chai
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, P.R. China
| | - Qing Ji
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Rd, Shanghai, 201203, P.R. China
| | - Lihong Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Rd, Shanghai, 201203, P.R. China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Rd, Shanghai, 201203, P.R. China
| | - Junze Ren
- Changhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, P.R. China
| | - Limei Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Rd, Shanghai, 201203, P.R. China
| | - Bimeng Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 100 Haining Rd, Hongkou District, Shanghai, 200080, P.R. China.
| | - Jing Hu
- Preclinical Medicine College of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rd, Shanghai, 201203, P.R. China.
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Rd, Shanghai, 201203, P.R. China. .,Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, P.R. China.
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14
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Olguín JE, Medina-Andrade I, Rodríguez T, Rodríguez-Sosa M, Terrazas LI. Relevance of Regulatory T Cells during Colorectal Cancer Development. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1888. [PMID: 32674255 PMCID: PMC7409056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the study of own and foreign human factors favoring the development of different types of cancer, including genetic and environmental ones. However, the fact that the immune response plays a fundamental role in the development of immunity and susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) is much stronger. Among the many cell populations of the immune system that participate in restricting or favoring CRC development, regulatory T cells (Treg) play a major role in orchestrating immunomodulation during CRC. In this review, we established concrete evidence supporting the fact that Treg cells have an important role in the promotion of tumor development during CRC, mediating an increasing suppressive capacity which controls the effector immune response, and generating protection for tumors. Furthermore, Treg cells go through a process called "phenotypic plasticity", where they co-express transcription factors that promote an inflammatory profile. We reunited evidence that describes the interaction between the different effector populations of the immune response and its modulation by Treg cells adapted to the tumor microenvironment, including the mechanisms used by Treg cells to suppress the protective immune response, as well as the different subpopulations of Treg cells participating in tumor progression, generating susceptibility during CRC development. Finally, we discussed whether Treg cells might or might not be a therapeutic target for an effective reduction in the morbidity and mortality caused by CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonadab E. Olguín
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores (FES) Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Av. De los Barrios # 1, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (J.E.O.); (I.M.-A.); (T.R.); (M.R.-S.)
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, UNAM, Av. De los Barrios # 1, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Itzel Medina-Andrade
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores (FES) Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Av. De los Barrios # 1, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (J.E.O.); (I.M.-A.); (T.R.); (M.R.-S.)
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, UNAM, Av. De los Barrios # 1, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Tonathiu Rodríguez
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores (FES) Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Av. De los Barrios # 1, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (J.E.O.); (I.M.-A.); (T.R.); (M.R.-S.)
| | - Miriam Rodríguez-Sosa
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores (FES) Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Av. De los Barrios # 1, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (J.E.O.); (I.M.-A.); (T.R.); (M.R.-S.)
| | - Luis I. Terrazas
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores (FES) Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Av. De los Barrios # 1, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (J.E.O.); (I.M.-A.); (T.R.); (M.R.-S.)
- Unidad de Biomedicina, FES Iztacala, UNAM, Av. De los Barrios # 1, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
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Waldmann H, Graca L. Infectious tolerance. What are we missing? Cell Immunol 2020; 354:104152. [PMID: 32585469 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2020.104152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Herman Waldmann
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, South Parks Road, Oxford OX13RE, UK.
| | - Luis Graca
- Instituto de Medecina Molecular, Faculdade de medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
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Szeponik L, Akeus P, Rodin W, Raghavan S, Quiding-Järbrink M. Regulatory T cells specifically suppress conventional CD8αβ T cells in intestinal tumors of APC Min/+ mice. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:1279-1292. [PMID: 32185408 PMCID: PMC7303072 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02540-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The presence of activated T cells in colorectal cancer tissues is a strong predictor of patient survival. Our previous studies have shown that regulatory T cells (Treg) are able to reduce T cell transendothelial migration in vitro and accumulation of effector T cells in intestinal tumors in vivo in the murine APCMin/+ model for microsatellite stable intestinal tumors. In this study, we investigated the effect of Treg depletion on the density and effector functions of different TCRαβ+ and TCRγδ+ T cell populations in intestinal tumors. We used the APCMin/+\DEREG mouse model, which harbor a diphtheria toxin receptor under the control of the FOXP3 promoter, to deplete Treg in tumor bearing mice. We found that the density of conventional TCRαβ+CD8αβ+ T cells was significantly increased in Treg-depleted tumors in comparison with Treg-proficient tumors. Furthermore, TCRαβ+CD8αβ+ T cells showed increased proliferation and activation as well as increased Granzyme B and IFN-γ production in Treg-depleted tumors. In sharp contrast, the densities and effector functions of TCRαβ+CD8αα+ T cells and TCRγδ+ T cells remained unchanged by Treg depletion. We also documented a distinct population of IL-17A+TNF+ TCRγδ+CD8− T cells in tumors, which were not affected by Treg depletion. We conclude that Treg depletion affects only conventional TCRαβ+CD8αβ+ T cells in intestinal tumors, while unconventional T cells and T cells in unaffected tissue are not altered. Immunotherapies aimed at depleting Treg from tumors may thus be a viable option for reinvigoration of conventional cytotoxic T cells with a Th1 cytokine profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Szeponik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Paulina Akeus
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - William Rodin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sukanya Raghavan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marianne Quiding-Järbrink
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Metzger R, Maruskova M, Krebs S, Janssen KP, Krug AB. Increased Incidence of Colon Tumors in AOM-Treated Apc 1638N/+ Mice Reveals Higher Frequency of Tumor Associated Neutrophils in Colon Than Small Intestine. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1001. [PMID: 31681563 PMCID: PMC6797844 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers and a major cause of mortality. Mice with truncating Apc germline mutations have been used as a standard model of CRC, but most of the Apc-mutated lines develop multiple tumors in the proximal small intestine and rarely in the colon precluding detailed analysis of colon tumor microenvironment. Our aim was to develop a model with higher resemblance to human CRC and to characterize tumor infiltrating immune cells in spontaneously developing colon tumors compared to small intestinal tumors. Therefore, the Apc1638N/+ line was treated repeatedly with azoxymethane (AOM) and 90% colon tumor incidence and 4 to 5 colon tumors per mouse were achieved. Of note, AOM treatment specifically increased the tumor burden in the colon, but not in the small intestine. Histological grading and WNT-signaling activity did not differ significantly between small intestinal and colon tumors with some lesions progressing to invasive adenocarcinoma in both locations. However, characterization of the intratumoral myeloid cell compartment revealed a massive infiltration of colon tumors with neutrophils − 6-fold higher than in small intestinal tumors. Moreover, CCL17-expressing macrophages and dendritic cells accumulated in the tumors indicating the establishment of a tumor-promoting immunosuppressive environment. Thus, Apc1638N/+ mice treated with AOM are a suitable and straightforward model to study the influence of immune cells and chemokines on colon carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Metzger
- Biomedical Center, Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mahulena Maruskova
- Biomedical Center, Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabrina Krebs
- Biomedical Center, Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Janssen
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anne B Krug
- Biomedical Center, Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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