1
|
Ishikawa C, Mori N. Pivotal role of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase as a therapeutic target in adult T-cell leukemia. Eur J Haematol 2024; 113:99-109. [PMID: 38558052 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14209] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine the role of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) in pathogenesis of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and the effects of its inhibition on the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. METHODS Cell proliferation, viability, cycle, and apoptosis were analyzed using WST-8 assays, flow cytometry, and Hoechst 33342 staining. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the anti-ATL effects of DHODH knockdown and inhibition, RT-PCR and immunoblotting were conducted. RESULTS HTLV-1-infected T-cell lines aberrantly expressed DHODH. Viral infection and the oncoprotein, Tax, enhanced DHODH expression, while knockdown of DHODH decreased HTLV-1-infected T-cell growth. In addition, BAY2402234, a DHODH inhibitor, exerted an anti-proliferative effect, which was reversed by uridine supplementation. BAY2402234 induced DNA damage and S phase arrest by downregulating c-Myc, CDK2, and cyclin A and upregulating p53 and cyclin E. It also induced caspase-mediated apoptosis by the upregulation of pro-apoptotic and downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins. Furthermore, BAY2402234 induced caspase-independent ferroptosis and necroptosis. It decreased phosphorylation of IKK, IκBα, PTEN, Akt, and its downstream targets, suggesting that inhibition of NF-κB and Akt signaling is involved in its anti-ATL action. CONCLUSION These findings highlight DHODH as a potential therapeutic target for treating ATL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chie Ishikawa
- Department of Microbiology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
- Division of Health Sciences, Transdisciplinary Research Organization for Subtropics and Island Studies, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
| | - Naoki Mori
- Department of Microbiology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Marçais A. Targeting PD-L1 to treat ATLL? Blood 2024; 143:1320-1322. [PMID: 38573604 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023023714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
|
3
|
Andreescu M. Epigenetic Alterations That Are the Backbone of Immune Evasion in T-cell Malignancies. Cureus 2024; 16:e51662. [PMID: 38179322 PMCID: PMC10766007 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations are heritable and enduring modifications in gene expression that play a pivotal role in immune evasion. These include alterations to noncoding RNA, DNA methylation, and histone modifications. DNA methylation plays a crucial role in normal cell growth and development but alterations in methylation patterns such as hypermethylation or hypomethylation can enable tumor and viral cells to evade host immune responses. Histone modifications can also inhibit immune responses by promoting the expression of genes involved in suppressing normal immune function. In the case of T-cell lymphoma, adult T-cell lymphomas (ATL) also undergo immune evasion through the exceptional function of its accessory and regulatory genes. Epigenetic therapies are emerging as a promising adjunct to traditional immunotherapy and chemotherapy regimens. Clinical trials are currently investigating the use of epigenetic therapies in combination with immunotherapies and chemotherapies for more effective treatment of ATL and other cancers. This review highlights epigenetic alterations that are widely found in T-cell malignancies.
Collapse
|
4
|
de Mendoza C, Rando A, Miró E, Pena MJ, Rodríguez-Avial I, Ortega D, González-Praetorius A, Reina G, Pintos I, Pozuelo MJ, Soriano V. Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma in HTLV-1 non-endemic regions. J Clin Virol 2023; 167:105578. [PMID: 37660433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105578] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HTLV-1 infection is a neglected disease, despite producing neurological and lymphoproliferative severe illnesses and affect over 10 million people worldwide. Roughly 5% of HTLV-1 carriers develop Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), one of the most aggressive hematological malignancies. METHODS A national HTLV-1 register exists since 1989 in Spain, a non-endemic country with a large migrant flow from Latin America and Equatorial Africa, where HTLV-1 is endemic. The main features of all patients diagnosed with ATLL in Spain up to date are reported. RESULTS A total of 451 cases of HTLV-1 infection had been reported in Spain until the end of year 2022. ATLL had been diagnosed in 35 (7.8%). The current average incidence of ATLL in Spain is of two cases per year. Women represent 57% of ATLL patients. Mean age at diagnosis was 47 years-old. Roughly 57% were Latin Americans and 26% Africans. At diagnosis, the majority presented with acute or lymphoma clinical forms. Survival was shorter than one year in most of them. Mean HTLV-1 proviral load was significantly greater in ATLL patients than in asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers (2,305 vs 104 copies/104 PBMC). HTLV-1 subtyping in 6 ATLL patients found the 1a transcontinental variant (n = 4) and the Japanese variant (n = 2). All ATLL patients were negative for HIV-1, did not develop HTLV-1-associated myelopathy and were not transplant recipients. CONCLUSION The rate of ATLL is very low in Spain and mostly associated to migrants from HTLV-1 endemic regions. Given the poor clinical outcome of ATLL, HTLV-1 testing should be performed at least once in all migrants coming from HTLV-1 endemic countries and in natives who have lived in or had sex partners from such regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen de Mendoza
- Puerta de Hierro University Hospital & Research Foundation-IDIPHISA, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Elisenda Miró
- Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María José Pena
- Hospital Universitario Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Ilduara Pintos
- Puerta de Hierro University Hospital & Research Foundation-IDIPHISA, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Vicente Soriano
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Marino-Merlo F, Grelli S, Mastino A, Lai M, Ferrari P, Nicolini A, Pistello M, Macchi B. Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Oncogenesis between Active Expression and Latency: A Possible Source for the Development of Therapeutic Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14807. [PMID: 37834255 PMCID: PMC10572738 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914807] [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: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the only known human oncogenic retrovirus. HTLV-1 can cause a type of cancer called adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). The virus is transmitted through the body fluids of infected individuals, primarily breast milk, blood, and semen. At least 5-10 million people in the world are infected with HTLV-1. In addition to ATL, HTLV-1 infection can also cause HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP). ATL is characterized by a low viral expression and poor prognosis. The oncogenic mechanism triggered by HTLV-1 is extremely complex and the molecular pathways are not fully understood. However, viral regulatory proteins Tax and HTLV-1 bZIP factor (HBZ) have been shown to play key roles in the transformation of HTLV-1-infected T cells. Moreover, several studies have shown that the final fate of HTLV-1-infected transformed Tcell clones is the result of a complex interplay of HTLV-1 oncogenic protein expression with cellular transcription factors that subvert the cell cycle and disrupt regulated cell death, thereby exerting their transforming effects. This review provides updated information on the mechanisms underlying the transforming action of HTLV-1 and highlights potential therapeutic targets to combat ATL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Marino-Merlo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy;
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonio Mastino
- The Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Michele Lai
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (M.L.); (M.P.)
| | - Paola Ferrari
- Unit of Oncology, Department of Medical and Oncological Area, Azienda Ospedaliera—Universitaria Pisana, 56125 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Andrea Nicolini
- Department of Oncology, Transplantations and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (M.L.); (M.P.)
| | - Beatrice Macchi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kendle W, Hoang K, Korleski E, Panfil AR, Polakowski N, Lemasson I. Upregulation of Neuropilin-1 Inhibits HTLV-1 Infection. Pathogens 2023; 12:831. [PMID: 37375521 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060831] [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] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can produce a spectrum of pathological effects ranging from inflammatory disorders to leukemia. In vivo, HTLV-1 predominantly infects CD4+ T-cells. Infectious spread within this population involves the transfer of HTLV-1 virus particles from infected cells to target cells only upon cell-to-cell contact. The viral protein, HBZ, was found to enhance HTLV-1 infection through transcriptional activation of ICAM1 and MYOF, two genes that facilitate viral infection. In this study, we found that HBZ upregulates the transcription of COL4A1, GEM, and NRP1. COL4A1 and GEM are genes involved in viral infection, while NRP1, which encodes neuropilin 1 (Nrp1), serves as an HTLV-1 receptor on target cells but has no reported function on HTLV-1-infected cells. With a focus on Nrp1, cumulative results from chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and analyses of HBZ mutants support a model in which HBZ upregulates NRP1 transcription by augmenting recruitment of Jun proteins to an enhancer downstream of the gene. Results from in vitro infection assays demonstrate that Nrp1 expressed on HTLV-1-infected cells inhibits viral infection. Nrp1 was found to be incorporated into HTLV-1 virions, and deletion of its ectodomain removed the inhibitory effect. These results suggest that inhibition of HTLV-1 infection by Nrp1 is caused by the ectodomain of Nrp1 extended from virus particles, which may inhibit the binding of virus particles to target cells. While HBZ has been found to enhance HTLV-1 infection using cell-based models, there may be certain circumstances in which activation of Nrp1 expression negatively impacts viral infection, which is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Kendle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Kimson Hoang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Erica Korleski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Amanda R Panfil
- Center for Retrovirus Research, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Nicholas Polakowski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Isabelle Lemasson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li Pomi F, Papa V, Borgia F, Vaccaro M, Allegra A, Cicero N, Gangemi S. Rosmarinus officinalis and Skin: Antioxidant Activity and Possible Therapeutical Role in Cutaneous Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12030680. [PMID: 36978928 PMCID: PMC10045493 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12030680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The rosemary plant, Rosmarinus officinalis L., one of the main members of the Lamiaceae family, is currently one of the most promising herbal medicines due to its pharmaceutical properties. This research aimed to evaluate the antioxidant role of Rosmarinus officinalis and its bioactive compounds on the skin, with a focus on the newly emerging molecular mechanisms involved, providing extensive scientific evidence of its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound-healing and anticancer activity in dermatological practice. The search was conducted on articles concerning in vitro and in vivo studies in both animals and humans. The results obtained confirm the antioxidant role of R. officinalis. This assumption derives the possibility of using R. officinalis or its bioactive elements for the treatment of inflammatory and infectious skin pathologies. However, although the use of rosemary in the treatment of skin diseases represents a fascinating line of research, future perspectives still require large and controlled clinical trials in order to definitively elucidate the real impact of this plant and its components in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Li Pomi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Papa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Borgia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Mario Vaccaro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandro Allegra
- Division of Haematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Nicola Cicero
- Departement of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| |
Collapse
|