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Thoma OM, Naschberger E, Kubánková M, Larafa I, Kramer V, Menchicchi B, Merkel S, Britzen-Laurent N, Jefremow A, Grützmann R, Koop K, Neufert C, Atreya R, Guck J, Stürzl M, Neurath MF, Waldner MJ. p21 Prevents the Exhaustion of CD4 + T Cells Within the Antitumor Immune Response Against Colorectal Cancer. Gastroenterology 2024; 166:284-297.e11. [PMID: 37734420 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS T cells are crucial for the antitumor response against colorectal cancer (CRC). T-cell reactivity to CRC is nevertheless limited by T-cell exhaustion. However, molecular mechanisms regulating T-cell exhaustion are only poorly understood. METHODS We investigated the functional role of cyclin-dependent kinase 1a (Cdkn1a or p21) in cluster of differentiation (CD) 4+ T cells using murine CRC models. Furthermore, we evaluated the expression of p21 in patients with stage I to IV CRC. In vitro coculture models were used to understand the effector function of p21-deficient CD4+ T cells. RESULTS We observed that the activation of cell cycle regulator p21 is crucial for CD4+ T-cell cytotoxic function and that p21 deficiency in type 1 helper T cells (Th1) leads to increased tumor growth in murine CRC. Similarly, low p21 expression in CD4+ T cells infiltrated into tumors of CRC patients is associated with reduced cancer-related survival. In mouse models of CRC, p21-deficient Th1 cells show signs of exhaustion, where an accumulation of effector/effector memory T cells and CD27/CD28 loss are predominant. Immune reconstitution of tumor-bearing Rag1-/- mice using ex vivo-treated p21-deficient T cells with palbociclib, an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6, restored cytotoxic function and prevented exhaustion of p21-deficient CD4+ T cells as a possible concept for future immunotherapy of human disease. CONCLUSIONS Our data reveal the importance of p21 in controlling the cell cycle and preventing exhaustion of Th1 cells. Furthermore, we unveil the therapeutic potential of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors such as palbociclib to reduce T-cell exhaustion for future treatment of patients with colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana-Maria Thoma
- Department of Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; German Center for Immunotherapy, Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Elisabeth Naschberger
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany; Division of Molecular and Experimental Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markéta Kubánková
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light & Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Imen Larafa
- Department of Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; German Center for Immunotherapy, Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Viktoria Kramer
- Department of Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; German Center for Immunotherapy, Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bianca Menchicchi
- Department of Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; German Center for Immunotherapy, Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Merkel
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany; Department of Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nathalie Britzen-Laurent
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany; Department of Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - André Jefremow
- Department of Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; German Center for Immunotherapy, Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Robert Grützmann
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany; Department of Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kristina Koop
- Department of Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; German Center for Immunotherapy, Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Clemens Neufert
- Department of Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; German Center for Immunotherapy, Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Raja Atreya
- Department of Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; German Center for Immunotherapy, Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jochen Guck
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light & Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Stürzl
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany; Division of Molecular and Experimental Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus F Neurath
- Department of Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; German Center for Immunotherapy, Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maximilian J Waldner
- Department of Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; German Center for Immunotherapy, Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany; Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Yao H, Sundar IK, Gorbunova V, Rahman I. P21-PARP-1 pathway is involved in cigarette smoke-induced lung DNA damage and cellular senescence. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80007. [PMID: 24244594 PMCID: PMC3823706 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent DNA damage triggers cellular senescence, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung diseases. Both p21CDKN1A (p21) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) are involved in DNA damage and repair. However, the role of p21-PARP-1 axis in regulating CS-induced lung DNA damage and cellular senescence remains unknown. We hypothesized that CS causes DNA damage and cellular senescence through a p21-PARP-1 axis. To test this hypothesis, we determined the levels of γH2AX (a marker for DNA double-strand breaks) as well as non-homologous end joining proteins (Ku70 and Ku80) in lungs of mice exposed to CS. We found that the level of γH2AX was increased, whereas the level of Ku70 was reduced in lungs of CS-exposed mice. Furthermore, p21 deletion reduced the level of γH2AX, but augmented the levels of Ku70, Ku80, and PAR in lungs by CS. Administration of PARP-1 inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide increased CS-induced DNA damage, but lowered the levels of Ku70 and Ku80, in lungs of p21 knockout mice. Moreover, 3-aminobenzamide increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, but decreased the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in mouse lungs in response to CS. Interestingly, 3-aminobenzamide treatment had no effect on neutrophil influx into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by CS. These results demonstrate that the p21-PARP-1 pathway is involved in CS-induced DNA damage and cellular senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Yao
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Lung Biology and Disease Program, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (HY); (IR)
| | - Isaac K. Sundar
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Lung Biology and Disease Program, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Vera Gorbunova
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Irfan Rahman
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Lung Biology and Disease Program, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (HY); (IR)
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Cmielová J, Rezáčová M. p21Cip1/Waf1 protein and its function based on a subcellular localization [corrected]. J Cell Biochem 2012; 112:3502-6. [PMID: 21815189 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.23296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Protein p21(Cip1/Waf1) is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, which is important in the response of cells to genotoxic stress and a major transcriptional target of p53 protein. Based on the localization, p21(Cip1/Waf1) protein executes various functions in the cell. In the nucleus p21(Cip1/Waf1) binds to and inhibits the activity of cyclin dependent kinases Cdk1 and Cdk2 and blocks the transition from G1 phase into S phase or from G2 phase into mitosis after DNA damage. This enables the repair of damaged DNA. p21(Cip1/Waf1) was also found as an important protein for the induction of replication senescence as well as stress-induced premature senescence. In the cytoplasm, p21(Cip1/Waf1) protein has an anti-apoptotic effect. It is able to bind to and inhibit caspase 3, as well as the apoptotic kinases ASK1 and JNK. The function of p21(Cip1/Waf1) in response to a DNA damage probably depends on the extent of the damage. In the case of low-level DNA damage, the expression of p21(Cip1/Waf1) is increased, it induces cell cycle arrest, and performs also anti-apoptotic activities. However, after extensive DNA damage the amount of p21(Cip1/Waf1) protein is decreased and the cell undergoes apoptosis. Dual function of p21(Cip1/Waf1) was also observed in cancerogenesis. On the one hand, p21(Cip1/Waf1) acts as a tumor suppressor; on the other hand it prevents apoptosis and acts as an oncogene. Better understanding of the role of p21(Cip1/Waf1) in various conditions would help to develop better cancer-treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Cmielová
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Charles University in Prague, Medical Faculty in Hradec Králové, Šimkova 870, 500 38 Hradec Králové 1, Czech Republic.
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Sand JM, Bin Hafeez B, Aziz MH, Siebers EM, Dreckschmidt NE, Verma AK. Ultraviolet radiation and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced interaction of mouse epidermal protein kinase Cε with Stat3 involve integration with ERK1/2. Mol Carcinog 2011; 51:291-302. [PMID: 21480396 DOI: 10.1002/mc.20776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2010] [Revised: 02/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
We have reported that protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) expression level in epidermis dictates the susceptibility of mice to the development of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) elicited either by repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) or by the DMBA-TPA tumor promotion protocol. To find clues about the mechanism by which PKCε mediates susceptibility to UVR-induced development of SCC, we found that PKCε-over-expressing transgenic mice, as compared to their wild-type littermates, when exposed to UVR, elicit enhanced phosphorylation of Stat3 at Ser727 residues. Stat3 is constitutively activated in SCC and UVR fails to induce SCC in Stat3 mutant mice. Stat3Ser727 phosphorylation is essential for Stat3 transcriptional activity (Cancer Res. 67: 1385, 2007). We now present several novel findings including that PKCε integrates with its downstream partner ERK1/2 to phosphorylate Stat3Ser727. In these experiments, mice were either exposed to UVR (2 kJ/m(2)/dose) emitted by Kodacel-filtered FS-40 sun lamps or treated with TPA (5 nmol). Both UVR and TPA treatment stimulated PKCε-Stat3 interaction, Stat3Ser727 phosphorylation and Stat3-regulated gene COX-2 expression. PKCε-Stat3 interaction and Stat3Ser727 phosphorylation was also observed in SCC elicited by repeated UVR exposures of mice. PKCε-Stat3 interaction was PKCε specific. UVR or TPA-stimulated Stat3Ser727 phosphorylation accompanied interaction of PKCε with ERK1/2 in intact mouse skin in vivo. Deletion of PKCε in wild-type mice attenuated both TPA and UVR-induced expression of phosphoforms of ERK1/2 and Stat3Ser727. These results indicate that PKCε integrates with ERK1/2 to mediate both TPA and UVR-induced epidermal Stat3Ser727 phosphorylation. PKCε and Stat3 may be potential molecular targets for SCC prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Marshall Sand
- Department of Human Oncology, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53705; Department of Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53705
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