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Li W, You J, Xue H, Liu Y, Chen J, Zheng X, Chen L, Wu C. Unlocking the potential of HHLA2: identifying functional immune infiltrating cells in the tumor microenvironment and predicting clinical outcomes in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:207. [PMID: 39105870 PMCID: PMC11303638 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03791-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HHLA2 (human endogenous retrovirus-H long terminal repeat-associating protein 2) represents a recently identified member of the B7 immune checkpoint family, characterized by limited expression in normal tissues but notable overexpression in various cancer types. Nevertheless, the precise function and interaction with immune cells remain poorly understood, particularly in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). This investigation endeavored to elucidate the biological significance of HHLA2 within the tumor microenvironment of human LSCC tissues and delineate the clinical relevance and functional roles of HHLA2 in LSCC pathogenesis. METHODS Through multiplexed immunohistochemistry analyses conducted on tissue microarrays sourced from LSCC patients (n = 72), the analysis was executed to assess the expression levels of HHLA2, density and spatial patterns of CD68+HLA-DR+CD163- (M1 macrophages), CTLA-4+CD4+FoxP3+ (CTLA-4+Treg cells), CTLA-4+CD4+FoxP3- (CTLA-4+Tcon cells), exhausted CD8+T cells, and terminally exhausted CD8+T cells in LSCC tissues. Survival analysis was conducted to evaluate the prognostic significance of HHLA2 and these immune checkpoints or immune cell populations, employing COX regression analysis to identify independent prognostic factors. RESULTS Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curves revealed a significant association between HHLA2 expression and overall survival (OS) in LSCC. Elevated levels of HHLA2 were linked to reduced patient survival, indicating its potential as a prognostic marker (HR: 3.230, 95%CI 0.9205-11.34, P = 0.0067). Notably, increased infiltration of CD68+ cells (total macrophages), STING+CD68+HLA-DR+CD163- (STING+M1 macrophages), CTLA-4+CD4+FoxP3+, CTLA-4+CD4+FoxP3-, PD-1+LAG-3+CD8+T cells, and PD-1+LAG-3+TIM-3+CD8+T cells strongly linked to poorer survival outcomes (P < 0.05). A discernible trend was observed between the levels of these immune cell populations, STING+CD68+ (STING+ total macrophages), CD68+HLA-DR+CD163-, STING+CD68+CD163+HLA-DR- (STING+M2 macrophages), PD-1+LAG-3-CD8+T cells, PD-1+TIM-3+CD8+T cells, and PD-1+LAG-3+TIM-3-CD8+T cells and prognosis. Importantly, multivariate COX analysis identified HHLA2 as an independent predictive factor for OS in LSCC patients (HR = 3.86, 95% CI 1.08-13.80, P = 0.038). This underscored the potential of HHLA2 as a critical marker for predicting patient outcomes in LSCC. CONCLUSIONS HHLA2 emerged as a detrimental prognostic biomarker for assessing OS in LSCC patients. Relative to other immune checkpoints, HHLA2 exhibited heightened predictive efficacy for the prognosis of LSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianqing You
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haixiang Xue
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Cell Therapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junjun Chen
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Cell Therapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao Zheng
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Cell Therapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lujun Chen
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Institute of Cell Therapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Changping Wu
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Institute of Cell Therapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Wang J, Yang K, Yang X, Jin T, Tian Y, Dai C, Xu F. HHLA2 promotes hepatoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via SPP1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:1275-1287. [PMID: 38578157 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23723] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as one of the most malignant tumors characterized by poor prognosis and high mortality rates. Emerging evidence underscores the crucial role of the B7 protein family in various cancers, including HCC. However, the involvement of the human endogenous retrovirus H long-terminal repeat-associated protein 2 (HHLA2, or B7-H5) in HCC remains unclear. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the differential expression of HHLA2 between HCC and normal liver tissues. A battery of assays, including CCK8, EdU, tablet clone-forming, Transwell, and wound healing assays, were conducted to elucidate the function and potential mechanisms of HHLA2 in the malignant biological behaviors of HCC. Additionally, a xenograft mouse model was established to evaluate the tumorigenicity of hepatoma cell lines exhibiting different HHLA2 expression levels in vivo. Western blot analysis was used to analyze HHLA2, secretory phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), and PI3K/AKT/mTOR levels. HHLA2 exhibited elevated expression in HCC tissues, correlating with poor tumor differentiation and shortened overall survival in HCC patients. In vitro experiments demonstrated that HHLA2 overexpression (OE) promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of hepatoma cells, while in vivo experiments revealed that HHLA2 OE enhanced HCC tumor growth. Conversely, inhibition of HHLA2 expression yielded the opposite effect. Downregulation of SPP1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion induced by HHLA2 OE, and this effect was linked to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Our findings indicate that HHLA2 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of hepatoma cells via the SPP1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, establishing it as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqi Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Department of Tradition Chinese Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Tianqiang Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Chaoliu Dai
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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Han C, Su J, Pei Y, Su X, Zheng D. LINC00665 promotes the progression and immune evasion of lung cancer by facilitating the translation of TCF7 protein through dependence on IRES. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:227. [PMID: 38951802 PMCID: PMC11218341 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03411-4] [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: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of LINC00665 on the development and immune evasion of lung cancer. METHODS Tumor tissues and corresponding adjacent tissues were collected from 84 lung cancer patients, categorized into non-metastatic (n = 58) and metastatic (n = 26) groups. LINC00665 expression in lung cancer and metastatic lung cancer tissues was assessed via qRT-PCR. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between LINC00665 and immune-modulating cytokines (TGF-β, IL-10, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α). A549 and H1299 cells, with relatively high LINC00665 expression, were used for in vitro studies. Cells were transfected with LINC00665-targeting shRNA, and changes in proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and NK cell cytotoxicity were assessed. Downstream molecular mechanisms of LINC00665 were investigated using GEO database analysis, highlighting the association with HHLA2. LINC00665's role in promoting HHLA2 expression via binding with TCF7 was explored. In low LINC00665-expressing A549/H1299 cells, overexpression of HHLA2 was performed to evaluate effects on malignant behavior and NK cell sensitivity. A xenograft model was established for in vivo validation through tumor volume and weight measurements, Ki-67 immunoreactivity analysis, and flow cytometry analysis of CD107a + NK cells. RESULTS LINC00665, TCF7 mRNA, and HHLA2 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in lung cancer tissues than adjacent tissues, with non-metastatic lung cancer showing higher expression than metastatic lung cancer. In metastatic lung cancer, LINC00665 positively correlated with immune-suppressive cytokines (TGF-β, IL-10, IL-1β) and negatively correlated with anti-tumor cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α). LINC00665 knockdown significantly inhibited lung cancer cell growth and metastasis, promoting sensitivity to NK cells. Further analysis revealed that LINC00665 recruits transcription factor TCF7 to upregulate HHLA2 expression in lung cancer cells, thereby facilitating lung cancer development and immune escape. CONCLUSION LINC00665, through recruitment of TCF7 and upregulation of HHLA2, inhibits NK cell cytotoxicity, promoting the development and immune evasion of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaonan Han
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China
| | - Jinchen Su
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yue Pei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yixing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.128 East Yangquan Road, Yicheng Subdistrict, Yixing, 214200, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiangyu Su
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Di Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China.
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Zeng C, Zhu X, Li H, Huang Z, Chen M. The Role of Interferon Regulatory Factors in Liver Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6874. [PMID: 38999981 PMCID: PMC11241258 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) family comprises 11 members that are involved in various biological processes such as antiviral defense, cell proliferation regulation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Recent studies have highlighted the roles of IRF1-9 in a range of liver diseases, including hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), alcohol-induced liver injury, Con A-induced liver injury, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). IRF1 is involved in the progression of hepatic IRI through signaling pathways such as PIAS1/NFATc1/HDAC1/IRF1/p38 MAPK and IRF1/JNK. The regulation of downstream IL-12, IL-15, p21, p38, HMGB1, JNK, Beclin1, β-catenin, caspase 3, caspase 8, IFN-γ, IFN-β and other genes are involved in the progression of hepatic IRI, and in the development of HCC through the regulation of PD-L1, IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, CXCL10, and CXCR3. In addition, IRF3-PPP2R1B and IRF4-FSTL1-DIP2A/CD14 pathways are involved in the development of NAFLD. Other members of the IRF family also play moderately important functions in different liver diseases. Therefore, given the significance of IRFs in liver diseases and the lack of a comprehensive compilation of their molecular mechanisms in different liver diseases, this review is dedicated to exploring the molecular mechanisms of IRFs in various liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanfei Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Xiaoqin Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Ziyin Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Mingkai Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan 430060, China
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Bogolitsyn K, Dobrodeeva L, Samodova A, Parshina A. In vitro Immunostimulant Activity of the Polyphenolic Extract from the Arctic Brown Algae Fucus vesiculosus. PLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 79:511-517. [PMID: 38613704 DOI: 10.1007/s11130-024-01174-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Polyphenols (PP) found in brown algae are known for their wide range of biological activities including noteworthy antitumor properties. This article presents a method for obtaining an active polyphenolic extract from the Arctic alga Fucus vesiculosus with 98% purity and radical scavenging activity equivalent to 862 mg of ascorbic acid per gram of extract. Immunostimulant effects of polyphenols were assessed in vitro using venous blood from two groups of people: healthy people (HP) and people with chronic undifferentiated lymphocytic leukemia (LP). Polyphenols activated the surface properties of immunocompetent cells. Specifically, polyphenols dose-dependently increased the percentage of cells' spreading and adhesion by 2-3 times. Additionally, polyphenols increased the number of activated lymphocytes in the LP blood to levels characteristic of HP. Given their natural origin, high activity, non-toxicity, and straightforward production process, these studied polyphenols exhibit immense potential for use as new pharmaceuticals or as active components with immunostimulatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Bogolitsyn
- Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, 17, Northern Dvina Emb, Arkhangelsk, Russian Federation
- N.P. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 20, Nikolskiy Ave, Arkhangelsk, Russian Federation
| | - Liliya Dobrodeeva
- N.P. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 20, Nikolskiy Ave, Arkhangelsk, Russian Federation
| | - Anna Samodova
- N.P. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 20, Nikolskiy Ave, Arkhangelsk, Russian Federation
| | - Anastasia Parshina
- Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, 17, Northern Dvina Emb, Arkhangelsk, Russian Federation.
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Xu J, Liu M, Xue J, Lu P. Deciphering fatty acid biosynthesis-driven molecular subtypes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with prognostic insights. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00953-7. [PMID: 38753153 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00953-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses a significant challenge due to its high heterogeneity and aggressiveness. Recognizing the urgency to delineate molecular subtypes, our study focused on the emerging field of lipid metabolism remodeling in PDAC, particularly exploring the prognostic potential and molecular classification associated with fatty acid biosynthesis. METHODS Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were performed to evaluate the dysregulation of lipid metabolism in PDAC. Univariate cox analysis and the LASSO module were used to build a prognostic risk score signature. The distinction of gene expression in different risk groups was explored by the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). The biological function of Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long Chain Family Member 5 (ACSL5), a pivotal gene within 7-hub gene signature panel, was validated through in vitro assays. RESULTS Our study identified a 7-hub gene signature associated with fatty acid biosynthesis-related genes (FRGs), providing a robust tool for prognosis prediction. The high-FRGs score group displayed a poorer prognosis, decreased immune cell infiltration, and a higher tumor mutation burden. Interestingly, this group exhibited enhanced responsiveness to various compounds according to the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) database. Notably, ACSL5 was upregulated in PDAC and essential for tumor progression. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our research defined two novel fatty acid biosynthesis-based subtypes in PDAC, characterized by distinct transcriptional profiles. These subtypes not only served as prognostic indicator, but also offered valuable insights into their metastatic propensity and therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Mingzhu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jing Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| | - Ping Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China.
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Kula A, Koszewska D, Kot A, Dawidowicz M, Mielcarska S, Waniczek D, Świętochowska E. The Importance of HHLA2 in Solid Tumors-A Review of the Literature. Cells 2024; 13:794. [PMID: 38786018 PMCID: PMC11119147 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a rapidly developing field of medicine that aims to use the host's immune mechanisms to inhibit and eliminate cancer cells. Antibodies targeting CTLA-4, PD-1, and its ligand PD-L1 are used in various cancer therapies. However, the most thoroughly researched pathway targeting PD-1/PD-L1 has many limitations, and multiple malignancies resist its effects. Human endogenous retrovirus-H Long repeat-associating 2 (HHLA2, known as B7H5/B7H7/B7y) is the youngest known molecule from the B7 family. HHLA2/TMIGD2/KIRD3DL3 is one of the critical pathways in modulating the immune response. Recent studies have demonstrated that HHLA2 has a double effect in modulating the immune system. The connection of HHLA2 with TMIGD2 induces T cell growth and cytokine production via an AKT-dependent signaling cascade. On the other hand, the binding of HHLA2 and KIR3DL3 leads to the inhibition of T cells and mediates tumor resistance against NK cells. This review aimed to summarize novel information about HHLA2, focusing on immunological mechanisms and clinical features of the HHLA2/KIR3DL3/TMIGD2 pathway in the context of potential strategies for malignancy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Kula
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland; (M.D.); (D.W.)
| | - Dominika Koszewska
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland; (D.K.); (A.K.); (S.M.); (E.Ś.)
| | - Anna Kot
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland; (D.K.); (A.K.); (S.M.); (E.Ś.)
| | - Miriam Dawidowicz
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland; (M.D.); (D.W.)
| | - Sylwia Mielcarska
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland; (D.K.); (A.K.); (S.M.); (E.Ś.)
| | - Dariusz Waniczek
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Katowice, Poland; (M.D.); (D.W.)
| | - Elżbieta Świętochowska
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 19 Jordana, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland; (D.K.); (A.K.); (S.M.); (E.Ś.)
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Patwekar M, Sehar N, Patwekar F, Medikeri A, Ali S, Aldossri RM, Rehman MU. Novel immune checkpoint targets: A promising therapy for cancer treatments. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 126:111186. [PMID: 37979454 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
The immune system frequently comprises immunological checkpoints. They serve as a barrier to keep the immune system from overreacting and damaging cells that are robust. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are utilized in immunotherapy to prevent the synergy of partner proteins of checkpoint proteins with auxiliary proteins. Moreover, the T cells may target malignant cells since the "off" signal cannot be conveyed. ICIs, which are mostly composed of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and anti- programmed death-1/programmed ligand 1 (anti-PD-1/PD-L1), might transform the context of cancer therapy. Further, more patients continued to exhibit adaptive resistance, even though several ICIs demonstrated convincing therapeutic benefits in selective tumor types. Immune checkpoint therapy's overall effectiveness is still lacking at this time. A popular area of study involves investigating additional immune checkpoint molecules. Recent research has found a number of fresh immune checkpoint targets, including NKG2A ligands, TIGIT, B7-H6 ligands, Galectin 3, TIM3, and so on. These targets have been focus of the study, and recent investigational approaches have shown encouraging outcomes. In this review article, we covered the development and present level understanding of these recently identified immune checkpoint molecules, its effectiveness and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nouroz Sehar
- Centre for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Faheem Patwekar
- Luqman College of Pharmacy, Gulbarga, 585102, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Shafat Ali
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
| | - Rana M Aldossri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muneeb U Rehman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Zhang X, Yu C, Zhao S, Wang M, Shang L, Zhou J, Ma Y. The role of tumor-associated macrophages in hepatocellular carcinoma progression: A narrative review. Cancer Med 2023; 12:22109-22129. [PMID: 38098217 PMCID: PMC10757104 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6717] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world, with complex etiology and mechanism, and a high mortality rate. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important part of the HCC tumor microenvironment. Studies in recent years have shown that TAMs are involved in multiple stages of HCC and are related to treatment and prognosis in HCC. The specific mechanisms between TAMs and HCC are gradually being revealed. This paper reviews recent advances in the mechanisms associated with TAMs in HCC, concentrating on an overview of effects of TAMs on drug resistance in HCC and the signaling pathways linked with HCC, providing clues for the treatment and prognosis determination of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Chao Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Siqi Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Min Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Longcheng Shang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jin Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yong Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
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Shigemura T, Perrot N, Huang Z, Bhatt RS, Sheshdeh AB, Ahmar NE, Ghandour F, Signoretti S, McDermott DF, Freeman GJ, Mahoney KM. Regulation of HHLA2 expression in kidney cancer and myeloid cells. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1039. [PMID: 37891555 PMCID: PMC10605970 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11496-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immune checkpoint HERV-H LTR-associating 2 (HHLA2) is expressed in kidney cancer and various other tumor types. Therapeutics targeting HHLA2 or its inhibitory receptor KIR3DL3 are being developed for solid tumors, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the regulation of HHLA2 expression remains poorly understood. A better understanding of HHLA2 regulation in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment is crucial for the successful translation of these therapeutic agents into clinical applications. METHODS Flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR were used to analyze HHLA2 expression in primary kidney tumors ex vivo and during in vitro culture. HHLA2 expression in A498 and 786-O ccRCC cell lines was examined in vitro and in subcutaneous tumor xenografts in NSG mice. Monocytes and dendritic cells were analyzed for HHLA2 expression. We tested a range of cytokines and culture conditions, including hypoxia, to induce HHLA2 expression. RESULTS Analysis of HHLA2 expression revealed that HHLA2 is expressed on tumor cells in primary kidney tumors ex vivo; however, its expression gradually diminishes during a 4-week in vitro culture period. A498 and 786-O ccRCC tumor cell lines do not express HHLA2 in vitro, but HHLA2 expression was observed when grown as subcutaneous xenografts in NSG immunodeficient mice. Induction experiments using various cytokines and culture conditions failed to induce HHLA2 expression in A498 and 786-O tumor cell lines in vitro. Analysis of HHLA2 expression in monocytes and dendritic cells demonstrated that only IL-10 and BMP4, along with IL-1β and IL-6 to a lesser extent, modestly enhanced HHLA2 protein and mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS HHLA2 expression is induced on kidney cancer cells in vivo by a tumor microenvironmental signal that is not present in vitro. HHLA2 expression is differentially regulated in kidney cancer epithelial cells and monocytes. Cytokines, particularly IL10, that induce HHLA2 expression in monocytes fail to upregulate HHLA2 expression in tumor cell lines in vitro. These findings underscore the importance of the interplay between tumor cell and tumor microenvironmental signals in the regulation of HHLA2. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms involved in HHLA2 regulation and its implications for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonari Shigemura
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Nahuel Perrot
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Zimo Huang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Rupal S Bhatt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Aseman Bagheri Sheshdeh
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Nourhan El Ahmar
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Fatme Ghandour
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sabina Signoretti
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - David F McDermott
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Gordon J Freeman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Kathleen M Mahoney
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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11
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Mozooni Z, Golestani N, Bahadorizadeh L, Yarmohammadi R, Jabalameli M, Amiri BS. The role of interferon-gamma and its receptors in gastrointestinal cancers. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154636. [PMID: 37390758 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal malignancies are the most prevalent type of cancer around the world. Even though numerous studies have evaluated gastrointestinal malignancies, the actual underlying mechanism is still unknown. These tumors have a poor prognosis and are frequently discovered at an advanced stage. Globally, there is an increase in the incidence and mortality of gastrointestinal malignancies, including those of the stomach, esophagus, colon, liver, and pancreas. Growth factors and cytokines are signaling molecules that are part of the tumor microenvironment and play a significant role in the development and spread of malignancies. IFN-γ induce its effects by activation of intracellular molecular networks. The main pathway involved in IFN-γ signaling is the JAK/STAT pathway, which regulates the transcription of hundreds of genes and mediates various biological responses. IFN-γ receptor is composed of two IFN-γR1 chains and two IFN-γR2 chains. Binding to IFN-γ, causes the intracellular domains of IFN-γR2 to oligomerize and transphosphorylate with IFN-γR1 which activates downstream signaling components: JAK1 and JAK2. These activated JAKs phosphorylate the receptor, creating binding sites for STAT1. STAT1 is then phosphorylated by JAK, resulting in the formation of STAT1 homodimers (gamma activated factors or GAFs) that translocate to the nucleus and regulate gene expression. The balance between positive and negative regulation of this pathway is crucial for immune responses and tumorigenesis. In this paper, we evaluate the dynamic roles of IFN- γ and its receptors in gastrointestinal cancers and present evidence that inhibiting IFN- γ signaling may be an effective treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Mozooni
- Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Golestani
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leyla Bahadorizadeh
- Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Internal Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reyhaneh Yarmohammadi
- Doctoral Student Carolina University Winston, Salem, NC, USA; Skin and Stem Cell Research Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Bahareh Shateri Amiri
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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12
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Stricker E, Peckham-Gregory EC, Scheurer ME. CancerHERVdb: Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV) Expression Database for Human Cancer Accelerates Studies of the Retrovirome and Predictions for HERV-Based Therapies. J Virol 2023; 97:e0005923. [PMID: 37255431 PMCID: PMC10308937 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00059-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we sought to create a database summarizing the expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in various human cancers. HERVs are suitable therapeutic targets due to their abundance in the human genome, overexpression in various malignancies, and involvement in various cancer pathways. We identified articles on HERVs from PubMed and then prescreened and automatically categorized them using the portable document format (PDF) data extractor (PDE) R package. We discovered 196 primary research articles with HERV expression data from cancer tissues or cancer cell lines. HERV RNA and protein expression was reported in brain, breast, cervical, colorectal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, kidney/renal/pelvis, liver, lung, genital, oral cavity, pharynx, ovary, pancreas, prostate, skin, testicular, urinary/bladder, and uterus cancers, leukemias, lymphomas, and myelomas. Additionally, we discovered reports of HERV RNA-only overexpression in soft tissue cancers including heart, thyroid, bone, and joint cancers. The CancerHERVdb database is hosted in the form of interactive visualizations of the expression data and a summary data table at https://erikstricker.shinyapps.io/cancerHERVdb/. The user can filter the findings according to cancer type, HERV family, HERV gene, or a combination thereof and easily export the results with the corresponding reference list. In our report, we provide examples of potential uses of the CancerHERVdb, such as identification of cancers suitable for off-target treatment with the multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus (MSRV)-Env-targeting antibody GNbAC1 (now named temelimab) currently in phase 2b clinical trials for multiple sclerosis or the discovery of cancers overexpressing HERV-H long terminal repeat-associating 2 (HHLA2), a newly emerging immune checkpoint. In summary, the CancerHERVdb allows cross-study comparisons, encourages data exploration, and informs about potential off-target effects of HERV-targeting treatments. IMPORTANCE Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), which in the past have inserted themselves in various regions of the human genome, are to various degrees activated in virtually every cancer type. While a centralized naming system and resources summarizing HERV levels in cancers are lacking, the CancerHERVdb database provides a consolidated resource for cross-study comparisons, data exploration, and targeted searches of HERV activation. The user can access data extracted from hundreds of articles spanning 25 human cancer categories. Therefore, the CancerHERVdb database can aid in the identification of prognostic and risk markers, drivers of cancer, tumor-specific targets, multicancer spanning signals, and targets for immune therapies. Consequently, the CancerHERVdb database is of direct relevance for clinical as well as basic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Stricker
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Houston, Texas, USA
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Houston, Texas, USA
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13
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Su Q, Du J, Xiong X, Xie X, Wang L. B7-H7: A potential target for cancer immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 121:110403. [PMID: 37290327 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy enhances the body's immunity against tumors by mitigating immune escape. Compared with traditional chemotherapy, immunotherapy has the advantages of fewer drugs, a wider range of action and fewer side effects. B7-H7 (also known as HHLA2, B7y) is a member of the B7 family of costimulatory molecules that was discovered more than 20 years ago. B7-H7 is mostly expressed in organs such as the breast, intestine, gallbladder and placenta and is detected predominantly in monocytes/macrophages in the immune system. Its expression is upregulated after stimulation by inflammatory factors such as lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ. B7-H7/transmembrane and immunoglobulin domain containing 2 (TMIGD2) and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor, three Ig domains and long cytoplasmic tail 3 (KIR3DL3)-B7-H7 are the two currently confirmed signaling pathways for B7-H7. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that B7-H7 is widely present in a variety of human tumor tissues, especially in programmed cell death-1 (PD-L1)-negative human tumors. B7-H7 promotes tumor progression, disrupts T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity, and inhibits immune surveillance. B7-H7 also triggers tumor immune escape and is associated with clinical stage, depth of tumor infiltration, metastasis, prognosis, and survival related to different tumor types. Multiple studies have shown that B7-H7 is a promising immunotherapeutic target. Herein, review the current literature on the expression, regulation, receptors and function of B7-H7 and its regulation/function in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanping Su
- Central Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Health Commission of Shandong Province, Linyi, Shandong Province, China; Linyi Key Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Linyi, Shandong Province, China; Key Laboratory for Translational Oncology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jingyi Du
- Central Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong Province, China; School of Cinical Medicine, Shandong First Medical Universiy & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xingfang Xiong
- Central Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong Province, China; Institute of Clinical Medicine College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaoli Xie
- Central Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Health Commission of Shandong Province, Linyi, Shandong Province, China; Linyi Key Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Linyi, Shandong Province, China; Key Laboratory for Translational Oncology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Central Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Health Commission of Shandong Province, Linyi, Shandong Province, China; Linyi Key Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Linyi, Shandong Province, China; Key Laboratory for Translational Oncology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Hematology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong Province, China.
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14
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Yang L, Wang YR, Mou ZQ, Xiong PF, Deng K, Wen J, Li J. A new prediction model of hepatocellular carcinoma based on N7-methylguanosine modification. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:131. [PMID: 37081394 PMCID: PMC10120187 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02757-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a kind of primary liver cancer. It is a common malignant tumor of digestive system that is difficult to predict the prognosis of patients. As an important epigenetic modification, N7 methyl guanosine (m7G) is indispensable in gene regulation. This regulation may affect the development and occurrence of cancer. However, the prognosis of long non coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in HCC is limited, especially how m7G-related lncRNAs regulate the development of HCC has not been reported. METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) provides us with the expression data and corresponding clinical information of HCC patients we need. We used a series of statistical methods to screen four kinds of m7G-related lncRNAs related to HCC prognosis and through a series of verifications, the results were in line with our expectations. Finally, we also explored the IC50 difference and correlation analysis of various common chemotherapy drugs. RESULT Our study identified four differentially expressed m7g-related lncRNAs associated with HCC prognosis. Survival curve analysis showed that high risk lncRNAs would lead to poor prognosis of HCC patients. M7G signature's AUC was 0.789, which shows that the prognosis model we studied has certain significance in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients. Moreover, our study found that different risk groups have different immune and tumor related pathways through gene set enrichment analysis. In addition, many immune cell functions are significantly different among different risk groups, such as T cell functions, including coordination of type I INF response and coordination of type II INF response. The expression of PDCD1, HHLA2, CTLA-4 and many other immune checkpoints in different risk groups is also different. Additionally, we analyzed the differences of IC50 and risk correlation of 15 chemotherapeutic drugs among different risk groups. CONCLUSION A novel lncRNAs associated with m7G predicts the prognosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Department of General Surgery (Hepatobiliary Surgery), The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Yi-Ran Wang
- Department of General Surgery (Hepatobiliary Surgery), The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Mou
- Department of General Surgery (Hepatobiliary Surgery), The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Ping-Fu Xiong
- Department of General Surgery (Hepatobiliary Surgery), The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Kun Deng
- Department of General Surgery (Gastrointestinal Surgery), The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Jian Wen
- Department of General Surgery (Hepatobiliary Surgery), The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of General Surgery (Hepatobiliary Surgery), The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China.
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China.
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, 646000, China.
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15
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Wang Z, Dai Z, Zhang H, Liang X, Zhang X, Wen Z, Luo P, Zhang J, Liu Z, Zhang M, Cheng Q. Tumor-secreted lactate contributes to an immunosuppressive microenvironment and affects CD8 T-cell infiltration in glioblastoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:894853. [PMID: 37122693 PMCID: PMC10130393 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.894853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumor with poor prognosis. Lactate is the main product of tumor cells, and its secretion may relate to immunocytes' activation. However, its role in glioblastoma is poorly understood. Methods This work performed bulk RNA-seq analysis and single cell RNA-seq analysis to explore the role of lactate in glioblastoma progression. Over 1400 glioblastoma samples were grouped into different clusters according to their expression and the results were validated with our own data, the xiangya cohort. Immunocytes infiltration analysis, immunogram and the map of immune checkpoint genes' expression were applied to analyze the potential connection between the lactate level with tumor immune microenvironment. Furthermore, machine learning algorithms and cell-cell interaction algorithm were introduced to reveal the connection of tumor cells with immunocytes. By co-culturing CD8 T cells with tumor cells, and performing immunohistochemistry on Xiangya cohort samples further validated results from previous analysis. Discussion In this work, lactate is proved that contributes to glioblastoma immune suppressive microenvironment. High level of lactate in tumor microenvironment can affect CD8 T cells' migration and infiltration ratio in glioblastoma. To step further, potential compounds that targets to samples from different groups were also predicted for future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ziyu Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xisong Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhipeng Wen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Mingyu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy Center for Gliomas of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy Center for Gliomas of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Human endogenous retrovirus-H long terminal repeat-associating 2: The next immune checkpoint for antitumour therapy. EBioMedicine 2022; 79:103987. [PMID: 35439678 PMCID: PMC9035628 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retrovirus-H long terminal repeat-associating 2 (HHLA2) is a newly emerging immune checkpoint that belongs to B7 family. HHLA2 has a co-stimulatory receptor transmembrane and immunoglobulin domain containing 2 (TMIGD2) and a newly discovered co-inhibitory receptor killer cell Ig-like receptor, three Ig domains, and long cytoplasmic tail (KIR3DL3), which endows it with both immunostimulant and immunosuppression functions in cancer development. In this review, we summarize the HHLA2 expression profile in human cancers, its association with cancer prognosis and clinical features, and its dual roles in regulating cancer immune response through up-to-date literatures. Furthermore, we highlight that precision cancer immunotherapy through manipulating HHLA2-KIR3DL3/TMIGD2 interaction is a promising antitumour strategy.
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Ding L, Yu Q, Yang S, Yang WJ, Liu T, Xian JR, Tian TT, Li T, Chen W, Wang BL, Pan BS, Zhou J, Fan J, Yang XR, Guo W. Comprehensive Analysis of HHLA2 as a Prognostic Biomarker and Its Association With Immune Infiltrates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:831101. [PMID: 35371079 PMCID: PMC8968642 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.831101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inhibitory immune checkpoint proteins promote tumor immune escape and are associated with inferior patient outcome. However, the biological functions and regulatory roles of one of its members, HHLA2, in the tumor immune microenvironment have not been explored. Methods RandomForest analyses (371 cases), qRT-PCR (15 cases), and immunohistochemical staining (189 cases) were used to validate the prognostic value of HHLA2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Bioinformatic analyses were further performed to explore the biological functions and potential signaling pathways affected by HHLA2. Moreover, ESTIMATE, single sample gene set enrichment analysis, CIBERSORT, TIMER, and other deconvolution methods were used to analyze the composition and infiltration level of immune cells. Multiplex immunofluorescence assays were employed to validate the fractions of suppressive immune cells, and HHLA2-related molecular alterations were investigated. Finally, the clinical response to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade was predicted by TIDE, Submap, and several other in silico analyses. Results RandomForest analysis revealed that HHLA2 was the most important inhibitory immune checkpoint associated with HCC patient prognosis (relative importance = 1). Our HCC cohorts further revealed that high HHLA2 expression was an independent prognostic biomarker of shorter overall survival (P<0.01) and time to recurrence (P<0.001) for HCC patients. Bioinformatics experiments revealed that HHLA2 may accelerate the cell cycle of cancer cells. Additionally, we found that high expression of HHLA2 was associated with immune infiltrates, including some immunosuppressive cells, cytokines, chemokines, and corresponding receptors, resulting in an immunosuppressive environment. Notably, HHLA2 expression was positively correlated with the infiltration of exhausted CD8+ T cells, which was validated by immunofluorescence. Genomic alteration analyses revealed that promoter hypermethylation of HHLA2 may be associated with its low expression. More importantly, patients with high HHLA2 expression may be more sensitive to chemotherapy and have better responses to immunotherapy. Conclusions High expression of HHLA2 is an independent prognostic biomarker for HCC patients. It can activate the cell cycle and foster an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by enriching exhausted CD8+ T cells. Promoter hypermethylation might lead to low expression of HHLA2 in HCC. Thus, targeting HHLA2 may be a practical therapeutic strategy for HCC patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ding
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wusong Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Te Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing-Rong Xian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong-Tong Tian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bei-Li Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiamen Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Xiamen, China
| | - Bai-Shen Pan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Rong Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wusong Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiamen Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Xiamen, China.,Cancer Center, Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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18
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Guo H, Zhang C, Tang X, Zhang T, Liu Y, Yu H, Li Y, Wang R. HHLA2 Activates the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway by Binding to TMIGD2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Inflammation 2022; 45:1585-1599. [PMID: 35175496 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-022-01644-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
HHLA2, a member of the B7 family of immune checkpoint players, has been implicated in various cancers. The study set to determine the expression and biological function of HHLA2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its connection to TMIGD2. First, after HHLA2 knockdown or overexpression in Huh-7 or HepG2 cells, we co-cultured T cells with HCC cells after transfection for 48 h. T cell proliferation and cytokine release were detected using flow cytometry and the FlowCytomix assay kit. Subsequently, we screened differentially expressed genes in cells overexpressing or under-expressing HHLA2 using GSEA database and analyzed the pathways enriched by them. We further detected the nuclear translocation of STAT3 and STAT2 using immunofluorescence. After that, we observed the subcellular localization of HHLA2 and TMIGD2 in HCC cells by laser confocal microscopy, followed by RIP and rescue experiments. We found that the proliferation of T cells and the release of cytokines were significantly reduced after co-culture with HCC cells overexpressing HHLA2, while co-culture with cells low in HHLA2 expression had the opposite results. HHLA2 bound to TMIGD2, thus inhibiting T cell proliferation and activation. Overexpression of HHLA2 significantly promoted the nuclear translocation of STAT2 and STAT3, thereby activating the JAK/STAT pathway. Subsequently, we showed that the immune tolerance of HCC cells was significantly attenuated after using a JAK/STAT signaling pathway antagonist. Aberrant overexpression of HHLA2 activates the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by binding to TMIGD2, thereby promoting immune tolerance in HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287, Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287, Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaotong Tang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287, Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287, Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287, Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanbing Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287, Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Yumei Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287, Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287, Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, People's Republic of China. .,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
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