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Basu A, Ramamoorthi G, Albert G, Gallen C, Beyer A, Snyder C, Koski G, Disis ML, Czerniecki BJ, Kodumudi K. Differentiation and Regulation of T H Cells: A Balancing Act for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:669474. [PMID: 34012451 PMCID: PMC8126720 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.669474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Current success of immunotherapy in cancer has drawn attention to the subsets of TH cells in the tumor which are critical for activation of anti-tumor response either directly by themselves or by stimulating cytotoxic T cell activity. However, presence of immunosuppressive pro-tumorigenic TH subsets in the tumor milieu further contributes to the complexity of regulation of TH cell-mediated immune response. In this review, we present an overview of the multifaceted positive and negative effects of TH cells, with an emphasis on regulation of different TH cell subtypes by various immune cells, and how a delicate balance of contradictory signals can influence overall success of cancer immunotherapy. We focus on the regulatory network that encompasses dendritic cell-induced activation of CD4+ TH1 cells and subsequent priming of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, along with intersecting anti-inflammatory and pro-tumorigenic TH2 cell activity. We further discuss how other tumor infiltrating immune cells such as immunostimulatory TH9 and Tfh cells, immunosuppressive Treg cells, and the duality of TH17 function contribute to tip the balance of anti- vs pro-tumorigenic TH responses in the tumor. We highlight the developing knowledge of CD4+ TH1 immune response against neoantigens/oncodrivers, impact of current immunotherapy strategies on CD4+ TH1 immunity, and how opposing action of TH cell subtypes can be explored further to amplify immunotherapy success in patients. Understanding the nuances of CD4+ TH cells regulation and the molecular framework undergirding the balancing act between anti- vs pro-tumorigenic TH subtypes is critical for rational designing of immunotherapies that can bypass therapeutic escape to maximize the potential of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Basu
- Clinical Science Division, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | | | - Gabriella Albert
- Clinical Science Division, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Corey Gallen
- Clinical Science Division, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Amber Beyer
- Clinical Science Division, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Colin Snyder
- Clinical Science Division, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Gary Koski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Mary L Disis
- UW Medicine Cancer Vaccine Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Brian J Czerniecki
- Clinical Science Division, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States.,Department of Oncological Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States.,Department of Breast Cancer Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Krithika Kodumudi
- Clinical Science Division, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States.,Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
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Qiu X, Shi Q, Huang Y, Jiang H, Qin S. miR-143/145 inhibits Th9 cell differentiation by targeting NFATc1. Mol Immunol 2021; 132:184-191. [PMID: 33446394 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Th9 cells are a defined CD4+ helper T cell subgroup found to promote or suppress oncogenesis in a context-dependent manner. How microRNAs (miRNAs) shape Th9 cell functionality, however, remains to be studied. Herein, we determined that miR-143/145 is downregulated during Th9 differentiation. When these miRNAs were upregulated, this inhibited Th9 differentiation, proliferation, and IL-9 production. Overexpressing miR-143/145 in Th9 cells further suppressed NFATc1 expression at the protein and mRNA level, whereas the opposite phenotype was observed when miR-143/145 was downregulated in these cells. NFATc1 silencing markedly inhibited Th9 cell differentiation, whereas overexpressing this transcription factor was sufficient to reverse miR-143/145-associated phenotypes in these cells. These findings thus indicate that the ability of miR-143/145 to inhibit Th9 cell differentiation is attributable to their ability to target and suppress NFATc1 expression. Overall, our results highlight a novel mode of action whereby miR-143/145 controls Th9 differentiation, suggesting that this pathway may be amenable to therapeutic targeting in the context of anti-cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Qiu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Qiuyue Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Youyi Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Haixing Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shanyu Qin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
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Huang YY, Jiang HX, Shi QY, Qiu X, Wei X, Zhang XL, Qin SY. miR-145 Inhibits Th9 Cell Differentiation by Suppressing Activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/HIF-1α Pathway in Malignant Ascites from Liver Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:3789-3800. [PMID: 32440147 PMCID: PMC7211301 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s245346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Our previous experiments confirmed that T helper type 9 (Th9) cells were involved in the occurrence and development of malignant ascites caused by liver cancer. The current study investigated the mechanism underlying microRNA (miR-145)-mediated inhibition of Th9 cells in an malignant ascites model with liver cancer. Materials and Methods CD4+ T cells were induced to differentiate Th9 cells after transfection with miR-145 mimics or negative control. A malignant ascites mouse model was transfected with miR-145agomir or negative control. Th9 cells were detected by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect the interleukin 9 (IL-9) cytokine and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α). RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-145 and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin/p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase/HIF-1α (PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/HIF-1α) mRNA. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/HIF-1α-related proteins. Results In vitro experiments showed that miR-145 inhibited Th9 cell polarization, HIF-1α expression, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway activation. In the malignant ascites mouse model, miR-145 also demonstrated inhibitory effects on Th9 cell differentiation through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/HIF-1α pathway. Conclusion miR-145 may inhibit Th9 cell differentiation through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/HIF-1α pathway. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic target for malignant ascites from liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Yi Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Xing Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiu-Yue Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Qiu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Lian Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan-Yu Qin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, People's Republic of China
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Ali ME, El-Badawy O, Afifi NA, Eldin AS, Hassan EA, Halby HM, El-Mokhtar MA. Role of T-Helper 9 Cells in Chronic Hepatitis C-Infected Patients. Viruses 2018; 10:E341. [PMID: 29937515 PMCID: PMC6071239 DOI: 10.3390/v10070341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus is a hepatotropic virus that is transmitted parenterally. Viral infections are usually associated with modulations of the immune cells, leading to enhanced viral survival and spreading, and accordingly, life-threatening complications. Recently, it has been proposed that a new subset of T-helper, named T-helper 9, is involved in the pathogenesis of different immunopathological conditions, such as allergies, tumors, and viral infections. Some studies reported a protective role, and others described a pathogenic potential for the T-helper 9 cells. Here, we present evidence that T-helper 9 cells are dynamically increased with increasing the pathogenic strategy for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Furthermore, viral clearance is associated with a decrease in T-helper 9. The increase in T-helper 9 was paralleled with an increase in its receptor expression. Taken together, our data suggest that T-helper 9 cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCV, and is directly associated with HCV-related complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed E Ali
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt.
| | - Omnia El-Badawy
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt.
| | - Noha A Afifi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt.
| | - Abeer Sharaf Eldin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt.
| | - Elham Ahmed Hassan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt.
| | - Hamada M Halby
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Ahmed El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt.
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