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Huang CG, Liu Q, Zheng ST, Liu T, Tan YY, Peng TY, Chen J, Lu XM. Chemokines and Their Receptors: Predictors of Therapeutic Potential in Tumor Microenvironment on Esophageal Cancer. Dig Dis Sci 2024; 69:1562-1570. [PMID: 38580886 PMCID: PMC11098888 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08392-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) is an aggressive solid tumor. The 5-year survival rate for patients with ESCA is estimated to be less than 20%, mainly due to tumor invasion and metastasis. Therefore, it is urgent to improve early diagnostic tools and effective treatments for ESCA patients. Tumor microenvironment (TME) enhances the ability of tumor cells to proliferate, migrate, and escape from the immune system, thus promoting the occurrence and development of tumor. TME contains chemokines. Chemokines consist of four major families, which are mainly composed of CC and CXC families. The main purpose of this review is to understand the CC and CXC chemokines and their receptors in ESCA, to improve the understanding of tumorigenesis of ESCA and determine new biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of ESCA. We reviewed the literature on CC and CXC chemokines and their receptors in ESCA identified by PubMed database. This article introduces the general structures and functions of CC, CXC chemokines and their receptors in TME, as well as their roles in the progress of ESCA. Chemokines are involved in the development of ESCA, such as cancer cell invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and radioresistance, and are key determinants of disease progression, which have a great impact on patient prognosis and treatment response. In addition, a full understanding of their mechanism of action is essential to further verify that these chemokines and their receptors may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets of ESCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Gai Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
- Precision Pathology Diagnosis for Serious Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Shu-Tao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Tao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yi-Yi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Tian-Yuan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xiao-Mei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
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Iwata M, Haraguchi R, Kitazawa R, Ito C, Ogawa K, Takada Y, Kitazawa S. Reduced chemokine C-C motif ligand 1 expression may negatively regulate colorectal cancer progression at liver metastatic sites. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18193. [PMID: 38506205 PMCID: PMC10952021 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18193] [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: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastasis, albeit a stage-IV disease, is completely curable by surgical resection in selected patients. In addressing the molecular basics of this phenomenon, differentially expressed genes at primary and liver metastatic sites were screened by RNA sequencing with the use of paraffin-embedded surgical specimens. Chemokine C-C motif ligand 1 (CCL1), a chemotactic factor for a ligand of the chemokine C-C motif receptor 8 (CCR8), was isolated as one of the differentially expressed genes. Histological analysis revealed that the number of CCL1-positive cells, mainly tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) located in the stroma of CRC, decreased significantly at liver metastatic sites, while the expression level of CCR8 on CRC remained unchanged. To explore the biological significance of the CCL1-CCR8 axis in CRC, CCR8-positive CRC cell line Colo320DM was used to assess the effect of the CCL1-CCR8 axis on major signalling pathways, epithelial mesenchymal transition induction and cell motility. Upon stimulation of recombinant CCL1 (rCCL1), phosphorylation of AKT was observed in Colo320DM cells; on the other hand, the corresponding significant increase in MMP-2 levels demonstrated by RT-qPCR was nullified by siRNA (siCCR8). In the scratch test, rCCL1 treatment significantly increased the motility of Colo320DM cells, which was similarly nullified by siCCR8. Thus, the activation of the CCL1-CCR8 axis is a positive regulator of CRC tumour progression. Reduced CCL1 expression of TAMs at liver metastatic sites may partly explain the unique slow tumour progression of CRC, thus providing for a grace period for radical resection of metastatic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miku Iwata
- Department of Molecular PathologyEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToon CityEhimeJapan
- Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic and Breast SurgeryEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToon CityEhimeJapan
| | - Ryuma Haraguchi
- Department of Molecular PathologyEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToon CityEhimeJapan
| | - Riko Kitazawa
- Division of Diagnostic PathologyEhime University HospitalToon CityEhimeJapan
| | - Chihiro Ito
- Department of Molecular PathologyEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToon CityEhimeJapan
- Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic and Breast SurgeryEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToon CityEhimeJapan
| | - Kohei Ogawa
- Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic and Breast SurgeryEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToon CityEhimeJapan
| | - Yasutsugu Takada
- Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic and Breast SurgeryEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToon CityEhimeJapan
| | - Sohei Kitazawa
- Department of Molecular PathologyEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToon CityEhimeJapan
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Okuno K, Ikemura K, Okamoto R, Oki K, Watanabe A, Kuroda Y, Kidachi M, Fujino S, Nie Y, Higuchi T, Chuman M, Washio M, Sakuraya M, Niihara M, Kumagai K, Sangai T, Kumamoto Y, Naitoh T, Hiki N, Yamashita K. CAF-associated genes putatively representing distinct prognosis by in silico landscape of stromal components of colon cancer. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299827. [PMID: 38557819 PMCID: PMC10984474 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive understanding prognostic relevance of distinct tumor microenvironment (TME) remained elusive in colon cancer. In this study, we performed in silico analysis of the stromal components of primary colon cancer, with a focus on the markers of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and tumor-associated endothelia (TAE), as well as immunological infiltrates like tumor-associated myeloid cells (TAMC) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The relevant CAF-associated genes (CAFG)(representing R index = 0.9 or beyond with SPARC) were selected based on stroma specificity (cancer stroma/epithelia, cS/E = 10 or beyond) and expression amounts, which were largely exhibited negative prognostic impacts. CAFG were partially shared with TAE-associated genes (TAEG)(PLAT, ANXA1, and PTRF) and TAMC-associated genes (TAMCG)(NNMT), but not with CTL-associated genes (CTLG). Intriguingly, CAFG were prognostically subclassified in order of fibrosis (representing COL5A2, COL5A1, and COL12A1) followed by exclusive TAEG and TAMCG. Prognosis was independently stratified by CD8A, a CTL marker, in the context of low expression of the strongest negative prognostic CAFG, COL8A1. CTLG were comprehensively identified as IFNG, B2M, and TLR4, in the group of low S/E, representing good prognosis. Our current in silico analysis of the micro-dissected stromal gene signatures with prognostic relevance clarified comprehensive understanding of clinical features of the TME and provides deep insights of the landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Okuno
- Division of Advanced Surgical Oncology, Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kyonosuke Ikemura
- Division of Advanced Surgical Oncology, Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Riku Okamoto
- Division of Advanced Surgical Oncology, Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Keiko Oki
- Division of Advanced Surgical Oncology, Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Akiko Watanabe
- Division of Advanced Surgical Oncology, Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Yu Kuroda
- Division of Advanced Surgical Oncology, Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Mikiko Kidachi
- Division of Advanced Surgical Oncology, Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Shiori Fujino
- Division of Advanced Surgical Oncology, Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Yusuke Nie
- Division of Advanced Surgical Oncology, Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Tadashi Higuchi
- Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Motohiro Chuman
- Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Marie Washio
- Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Mikiko Sakuraya
- Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Masahiro Niihara
- Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Koshi Kumagai
- Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Takafumi Sangai
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kumamoto
- Department of General-Pediatric-Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Takeshi Naitoh
- Department of Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Naoki Hiki
- Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Keishi Yamashita
- Division of Advanced Surgical Oncology, Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
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Azumi Y, Koma YI, Tsukamoto S, Kitamura Y, Ishihara N, Yamanaka K, Nakanishi T, Miyako S, Urakami S, Tanigawa K, Kodama T, Nishio M, Shigeoka M, Kakeji Y, Yokozaki H. IFI16 Induced by Direct Interaction between Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Macrophages Promotes Tumor Progression via Secretion of IL-1α. Cells 2023; 12:2603. [PMID: 37998338 PMCID: PMC10670642 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222603] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), one of the major components of the tumor microenvironment, contribute to the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We previously established a direct co-culture system of human ESCC cells and macrophages and reported the promotion of malignant phenotypes, such as survival, growth, and migration, in ESCC cells. These findings suggested that direct interactions between cancer cells and macrophages contribute to the malignancy of ESCC, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we compared the expression levels of the interferon-induced genes between mono- and co-cultured ESCC cells using a cDNA microarray and found that interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) was most significantly upregulated in co-cultured ESCC cells. IFI16 knockdown suppressed malignant phenotypes and also decreased the secretion of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) from ESCC cells. Additionally, recombinant IL-1α enhanced malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells through the Erk and NF-κB signaling. Immunohistochemistry revealed that high IFI16 expression in human ESCC tissues tended to be associated with disease-free survival and was significantly associated with tumor depth, lymph node metastasis, and macrophage infiltration. The results of this study reveal that IFI16 is involved in ESCC progression via IL-1α and imply the potential of IFI16 as a novel prognostic factor for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Azumi
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
- Division of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.K.); (K.T.); (Y.K.)
| | - Yu-ichiro Koma
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
| | - Shuichi Tsukamoto
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
| | - Yu Kitamura
- Division of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.K.); (K.T.); (Y.K.)
| | - Nobuaki Ishihara
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Keitaro Yamanaka
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Surgery Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakanishi
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
- Division of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.K.); (K.T.); (Y.K.)
| | - Shoji Miyako
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
- Division of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.K.); (K.T.); (Y.K.)
| | - Satoshi Urakami
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Kohei Tanigawa
- Division of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.K.); (K.T.); (Y.K.)
| | - Takayuki Kodama
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
| | - Mari Nishio
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
| | - Manabu Shigeoka
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
| | - Yoshihiro Kakeji
- Division of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.K.); (K.T.); (Y.K.)
| | - Hiroshi Yokozaki
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (Y.A.); (S.T.); (N.I.); (K.Y.); (T.N.); (S.M.); (S.U.); (T.K.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (H.Y.)
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Zhang J, Dong Y, Di S, Xie S, Fan B, Gong T. Tumor associated macrophages in esophageal squamous carcinoma: Promising therapeutic implications. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115610. [PMID: 37783153 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115610] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC) is a prevalent and highly lethal malignant tumor, with a five-year survival rate of approximately 20 %. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most prominent immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), comprising over 50 % of the tumor volume. TAMs can be polarized into two distinct phenotypes, M1-type and M2-type, through interactions with cancer cells. M2-type TAMs are more abundant than M1-type TAMs in the TME, contributing to tumor progression, such as tumor cell survival and the construction of an immunosuppressive environment. This review focuses on the role of TAMs in ESCC, including their polarization, impact on tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, migration, therapy resistance, and immunosuppression. In addition, we discuss the potential of targeting TAMs for clinical therapy in ESCC. A thorough comprehension of the molecular biology about TAMs is essential for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to treat ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanxin Dong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shouyin Di
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shun Xie
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Boshi Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Taiqian Gong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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An L, Li M, Jia Q. Mechanisms of radiotherapy resistance and radiosensitization strategies for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:140. [PMID: 37598158 PMCID: PMC10439611 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01839-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with more than half of them occurred in China. Radiotherapy (RT) has been widely used for treating ESCC. However, radiation-induced DNA damage response (DDR) can promote the release of cytokines and chemokines, and triggers inflammatory reactions and changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby inhibiting the immune function and causing the invasion and metastasis of ESCC. Radioresistance is the major cause of disease progression and mortality in cancer, and it is associated with heterogeneity. Therefore, a better understanding of the radioresistance mechanisms may generate more reversal strategies to improve the cure rates and survival periods of ESCC patients. We mainly summarized the possible mechanisms of radioresistance in order to reveal new targets for ESCC therapy. Then we summarized and compared the current strategies to reverse radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingbo An
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
- College of Medical Technology, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mingyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Qingge Jia
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.
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Kusumah J, Castañeda-Reyes ED, Bringe NA, Gonzalez de Mejia E. Soybean ( Glycine max) INFOGEST Colonic Digests Attenuated Inflammatory Responses Based on Protein Profiles of Different Varieties. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12396. [PMID: 37569771 PMCID: PMC10418973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512396] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Soybean compounds have been established to modulate inflammation, but less is known about how whole soybean compositions work together after digestion. The objective was to evaluate and compare the anti-inflammatory responses of different soybean varieties under simulated gastrointestinal digestion, with additional consideration of the glycinin:β-conglycinin ratio (GBR). Soybean colonic digests (SCD) inhibited cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 (25-82%), 5-lipoxidase (LOX) (18-35%), and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) (8-61%). Varieties 88, GN3, and 93 were the most effective inhibitors. SCD (1 mg/mL) of varieties 81 and GN1 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced nitrite production by 44 and 47%, respectively, compared to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. SCD effectively reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 (50 and 80% for 96 and GN1, respectively). Western blot results showed a decrease in the expression of iNOS, p65, and p50. The GBR was in the range of 0.05-1.57. Higher ratio correlated with higher production of IL-1β (r = 0.44) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α, r = 0.56). Inflammatory microarray results showed a significant decrease in expression of markers granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-6 in cells treated with GN1 SCD compared to LPS. The results suggested that SCD exerted its anti-inflammatory potential through nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κΒ) pathway inhibition by decreasing the levels of NF-κB-dependent cytokines and subunits, and inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzyme activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kusumah
- 228 Edward R Madigan Lab, Department Food Science, and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (J.K.); (E.D.C.-R.)
| | - Erick Damian Castañeda-Reyes
- 228 Edward R Madigan Lab, Department Food Science, and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (J.K.); (E.D.C.-R.)
| | | | - Elvira Gonzalez de Mejia
- 228 Edward R Madigan Lab, Department Food Science, and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (J.K.); (E.D.C.-R.)
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Tsukamoto S, Koma YI, Kitamura Y, Tanigawa K, Azumi Y, Miyako S, Urakami S, Hosono M, Kodama T, Nishio M, Shigeoka M, Yokozaki H. Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Induced in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells via Close Contact with Tumor-Associated Macrophages Contributes to Cancer Progression and Poor Prognosis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15112987. [PMID: 37296952 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112987] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contribute to disease progression in various cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We have previously used an indirect co-culture system between ESCC cell lines and macrophages to analyze their interactions. Recently, we established a direct co-culture system to closely simulate actual ESCC cell-TAM contact. We found that matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) was induced in ESCC cells by direct co-culture with TAMs, not by indirect co-culture. MMP9 was associated with ESCC cell migration and invasion, and its expression was controlled by the Stat3 signaling pathway in vitro. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that MMP9 expression in cancer cells at the invasive front ("cancer cell MMP9") was related to high infiltration of CD204 positive M2-like TAMs (p < 0.001) and was associated with worse overall and disease-free survival of patients (p = 0.036 and p = 0.038, respectively). Furthermore, cancer cell MMP9 was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival. Notably, MMP9 expression in cancer stroma was not associated with any clinicopathological factors or patient prognoses. Our results suggest that close interaction with TAMs infiltrating in cancer stroma or cancer nests induces MMP9 expression in ESCC cells, equipping them with more malignant features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichi Tsukamoto
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yu-Ichiro Koma
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yu Kitamura
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
- Division of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Kohei Tanigawa
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
- Division of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yuki Azumi
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
- Division of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Shoji Miyako
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
- Division of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Satoshi Urakami
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Hosono
- Division of Gastro-Intestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kodama
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Mari Nishio
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Manabu Shigeoka
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yokozaki
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
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9
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Zhang Z, Wang J, Han W, Zhao L. Novel chemokine related LncRNA signature correlates with the prognosis, immune landscape, and therapeutic sensitivity of esophageal squamous cell cancer. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:132. [PMID: 37081402 PMCID: PMC10120245 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02688-5] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is closely correlated with malignant biological characteristics and poor survival. Recently, chemokines have been reported to be involved in the progression of tumors, and they can also regulate the tumor microenvironment. However, it is unclear whether chemokine-related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) affect the prognosis of ESCC. METHODS We downloaded RNA-seq and clinical data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO database. Chemokine-related lncRNAs were screened by differential analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. Then, prognosis-related lncRNAs were screened by using univariate COX regression, and risk models were constructed after the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate COX regression. The predictive value of the signature was assessed using Kaplan-Meier test, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, decision curve analysis (DCA) and calibration curve. Moreover, a nomogram to predict patients' 1-year 3-year and 5-year prognosis was constructed. Gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA), Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (GO/KEGG), evaluation of immune cell infiltration, and estimation of drug sensitivity were also conducted. RESULTS In this study, 677 chemokine-related lncRNAs were first obtained by differential analysis and Pearson correlation. Then, six chemokine-related lncRNAs were obtained by using univariate COX, LASSO and multivariate COX to construct a novel chemokine-related lncRNAs risk model. The signature manifested favorable predictive validity and accuracy both in the testing and training cohorts. The chemokine-related signature could classify ESCC patients into two risk groups well, which indicated that high-risk group exhibited poor prognostic outcome. In addition, this risk model played an important role in predicting signaling pathways, immune cell infiltration, stromal score, and drug sensitivity in ESCC patients. CONCLUSIONS These findings elucidated the critical role of novel prognostic chemokine-related lncRNAs in prognosis, immune landscape, and drug therapy, thus throwing light on prognostic evaluation and therapeutic targets for ESCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, China.
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10
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Chabeli MS, Wang X, Yinghao L, Chen C, Yang C, Shou Y, Wang S, Chen K. Similarities between wound re-epithelialization and Metastasis in ESCC and the crucial involvement of macrophages: A review. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2022; 32:100621. [PMID: 36007473 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In cancer, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) possess crucial functions in facilitating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a crucial process in tumor metastasis. Tumor metastasis is one of the hallmarks of cancer and leads to patient mortality. Cancer cells often find ways to evade being detected and attacked by the immune system. This is achieved by cross-talk between cancer cells and the altered microenvironment. The accumulation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) creates an immunosuppressive and tumor-supportive environment. Circulating monocytes and macrophages which are recruited into tumors are defined as tumor-associated macrophages once in the TME. Based on the activated stimuli and function, macrophages can be divided into M1 macrophages and M2 macrophages. M1 macrophages, also known as classically activated macrophages, exhibit pro-inflammatory and antitumor activities. M2 macrophages, also known as alternatively activated macrophages, exhibit anti-inflammatory, pro-tumorigenic, and wound healing activities. TAMs are considered to be of the M2 phenotype. The TME polarizes recruited macrophages into M2 macrophages as they provide an immunosuppressive pro-tumoral environment. Accumulating studies show that the presence of TAMs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) leads to tumor progression. In this review, we discuss how EMT can be used by TAMs to cause tumor migration and metastasis in ESCC. We also discuss the potential therapies targeting TAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maletsooa Story Chabeli
- Academy of medical sciences, Department of Pathology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou, 450052, China,.
| | - Xiaoqian Wang
- BGI College and Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Liang Yinghao
- BGI College and Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Chao Chen
- Academy of medical sciences, Department of Pathology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Chenbo Yang
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yuwei Shou
- Academy of medical sciences, Department of Pathology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Shuaiyuan Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Kuisheng Chen
- Academy of medical sciences, Department of Pathology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan, China; Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou, 450052, China,.
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11
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Kacher J, Manches O, Aspord C, Sartelet H, Chaperot L. Impaired Antitumor Immune Response in MYCN-amplified Neuroblastoma Is Associated with Lack of CCL2 Secretion and Poor Dendritic Cell Recruitment. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:577-589. [PMID: 36923280 PMCID: PMC10010397 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In neuroblastoma, MYCN amplification is associated with sparse immune infiltrate and poor prognosis. Dendritic cells (DC) are crucial immune sentinels but their involvement in neuroblastoma pathogenesis is poorly understood. We observed that the migration of monocytes, myeloid and plasmacytoid DC induced by MYCN-nonamplified neuroblastoma supernatants was abrogated by the addition of anti-CCL2 antibodies, demonstrating the involvement of the CCR2/CCL2 axis in their recruitment by these tumors. Using public RNA sequencing and microarray datasets, we describe lower level of expression of CCL2 in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma tumors, and we propose a working model for T-cell recruitment in neuroblastoma tumors in which CCL2 produced by neuroblastoma cells initiates the recruitment of monocytes, myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs. Among these cells, the CD1c+ subset may recruit T cells by means of CCL19/CCL22 secretion. In vitro, supernatants from DCs cocultured with neuroblastoma cell lines and activated contain CCL22 and CCL19, and are chemotactic for both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. We also looked at immunomodulation induced by neuroblastoma cell lines, and found MYCN-nonamplified neuroblastoma cell lines were able to create a microenvironment where DC activation is enhanced. Overall, our findings highlight a major role for CCL2/CCR2 axis in monocytes, myeloid and plasmacytoid cells recruitment toward MYCN-nonamplified neuroblastoma, allowing further immune cell recruitment, and show that these tumors present a microenvironment that can favor DC responses. Significance In MYCN-nonamplified neuroblastoma, CCL2 produced by neuroblastoma cells induces the recruitment of antigen-presenting cells (DCs and monocytes/macrophages), allowing infiltration by T cells, in link with CCL19 and CCL22 production, hence favoring immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamila Kacher
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Olivier Manches
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Caroline Aspord
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Hervé Sartelet
- Laboratoire de Biopathologie, CHRU de Nancy, Nancy, France.,Inserm U1256, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Laurence Chaperot
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Grenoble, France
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12
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Tanigawa K, Tsukamoto S, Koma YI, Kitamura Y, Urakami S, Shimizu M, Fujikawa M, Kodama T, Nishio M, Shigeoka M, Kakeji Y, Yokozaki H. S100A8/A9 Induced by Interaction with Macrophages in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Promotes the Migration and Invasion of Cancer Cells via Akt and p38 MAPK Pathways. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2022; 192:536-552. [PMID: 34954212 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages are associated with more malignant phenotypes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. Previously, an indirect co-culture assay of ESCC cells and macrophages was used to identify several factors associated with ESCC progression. Herein, a direct co-culture assay of ESCC cells and macrophages was established, which more closely simulated the actual cancer microenvironment. Direct co-cultured ESCC cells had significantly increased migration and invasion abilities, and phosphorylation levels of Akt and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) compared with monocultured ESCC cells. According to a cDNA microarray analysis between monocultured and co-cultured ESCC cells, both the expression and release of S100 calcium binding protein A8 and A9 (S100A8 and S100A9), which commonly exist and function as a heterodimer (herein, S100A8/A9), were significantly enhanced in co-cultured ESCC cells. The addition of recombinant human S100A8/A9 protein induced migration and invasion of ESCC cells via Akt and p38 MAPK signaling. Both S100A8 and S100A9 silencing suppressed migration, invasion, and phosphorylation of Akt and p38 MAPK in co-cultured ESCC cells. Moreover, ESCC patients with high S100A8/A9 expression exhibited significantly shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.005) and cause-specific survival (P = 0.038). These results suggest that S100A8/A9 expression and release in ESCC cells are enhanced by direct co-culture with macrophages and that S100A8/A9 promotes ESCC progression via Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Tanigawa
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan; Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shuichi Tsukamoto
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yu-Ichiro Koma
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
| | - Yu Kitamura
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan; Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Satoshi Urakami
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masaki Shimizu
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan; Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masataka Fujikawa
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan; Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kodama
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Mari Nishio
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Manabu Shigeoka
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kakeji
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yokozaki
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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13
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CCR8-targeted specific depletion of clonally expanded Treg cells in tumor tissues evokes potent tumor immunity with long-lasting memory. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2114282119. [PMID: 35140181 PMCID: PMC8851483 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114282119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppressive Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) in tumor tissues are assumed to be clonally expanding via recognizing tumor-associated antigens. By single-cell RNA sequencing, we have searched for the molecules that are specifically expressed by such multiclonal tumor Tregs, but not by tumor-infiltrating effector T cells or natural Tregs in other tissues. The search revealed the chemokine receptor CCR8 as a candidate. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with cell-depleting anti-CCR8 antibody indeed selectively removed multiclonal tumor Tregs without affecting effector T cells or tissue Tregs, eradicating established tumors with induction of potent tumor-specific effector/memory T cells and without activating autoimmune T cells. Thus, specific depletion of clonally expanding tumor Tregs is clinically instrumental for evoking effective tumor immunity without autoimmune adverse effects. Foxp3-expressing CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are abundant in tumor tissues. Here, hypothesizing that tumor Tregs would clonally expand after they are activated by tumor-associated antigens to suppress antitumor immune responses, we performed single-cell analysis on tumor Tregs to characterize them by T cell receptor clonotype and gene-expression profiles. We found that multiclonal Tregs present in tumor tissues predominantly expressed the chemokine receptor CCR8. In mice and humans, CCR8+ Tregs constituted 30 to 80% of tumor Tregs in various cancers and less than 10% of Tregs in other tissues, whereas most tumor-infiltrating conventional T cells (Tconvs) were CCR8–. CCR8+ tumor Tregs were highly differentiated and functionally stable. Administration of cell-depleting anti-CCR8 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) indeed selectively eliminated multiclonal tumor Tregs, leading to cure of established tumors in mice. The treatment resulted in the expansion of CD8+ effector Tconvs, including tumor antigen-specific ones, that were more activated and less exhausted than those induced by PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade. Anti-CCR8 mAb treatment also evoked strong secondary immune responses against the same tumor cell line inoculated several months after tumor eradication, indicating that elimination of tumor-reactive multiclonal Tregs was sufficient to induce memory-type tumor-specific effector Tconvs. Despite induction of such potent tumor immunity, anti-CCR8 mAb treatment elicited minimal autoimmunity in mice, contrasting with systemic Treg depletion, which eradicated tumors but induced severe autoimmune disease. Thus, specific removal of clonally expanding Tregs in tumor tissues for a limited period by cell-depleting anti-CCR8 mAb treatment can generate potent tumor immunity with long-lasting memory and without deleterious autoimmunity.
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14
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Moser B. Chemokine Receptor-Targeted Therapies: Special Case for CCR8. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:511. [PMID: 35158783 PMCID: PMC8833710 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade inhibitors (CBIs) targeting cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) and program death receptor-1 (PD-1) or its ligand-1 (PD-L1) have transformed the outlook of many patients with cancer. This remarkable progress has highlighted, from the translational point of view, the importance of immune cells in the control of tumor progression. There is still room for improvement, since current CBI therapies benefit a minority of patients. Moreover, interference with immune checkpoint receptors frequently causes immune related adverse events (irAEs) with life-threatening consequences in some of the patients. Immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including intratumoral regulatory T (Treg) cells, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), contribute to tumor progression and correlate with a negative disease outlook. Recent reports revealed the selective expression of the chemokine receptor CCR8 on tumor Treg cells, making CCR8 a promising target in translational research. In this review, I summarize our current knowledge about the cellular distribution and function of CCR8 in physiological and pathophysiological processes. The discussion includes an assessment of how the removal of CCR8-expressing cells might affect both anti-tumor immunity as well as immune homeostasis at remote sites. Based on these considerations, CCR8 appears to be a promising novel target to be considered in future translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Moser
- Division of Infection & Immunity, Henry Wellcome Building, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
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