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Zhang X, Cui X, Li P, Zhao Y, Ren Y, Zhang H, Zhang S, Li C, Wang X, Shi L, Sun T, Hao J, Yao Z, Chen J, Gao X, Yang J. EGC enhances tumor antigen presentation and CD8 + T cell-mediated antitumor immunity via targeting oncoprotein SND1. Cancer Lett 2024; 592:216934. [PMID: 38710299 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216934] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The Staphylococcal nuclease and Tudor domain containing 1 (SND1) has been identified as an oncoprotein. Our previous study demonstrated that SND1 impedes the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) assembly by hijacking the nascent heavy chain of MHC-I to endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation. Herein, we aimed to identify inhibitors to block SND1-MHC-I binding, to facilitate the MHC-I presentation and tumor immunotherapy. Our findings validated the importance of the K490-containing sites in SND1-MHC-I complex. Through structure-based virtual screening and docking analysis, (-)-Epigallocatechin (EGC) exhibited the highest docking score to prevent the binding of MHC-I to SND1 by altering the spatial conformation of SND1. Additionally, EGC treatment resulted in increased expression levels of membrane-presented MHC-I in tumor cells. The C57BL/6J murine orthotopic melanoma model validated that EGC increases infiltration and activity of CD8+ T cells in both the tumor and spleen. Furthermore, the combination of EGC with programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibody demonstrated a superior antitumor effect. In summary, we identified EGC as a novel inhibitor of SND1-MHC-I interaction, prompting MHC-I presentation to improve CD8+ T cell response within the tumor microenvironment. This discovery presents a promising immunotherapeutic candidate for tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin, China; The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoteng Cui
- Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Peiying Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin, China; The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin, China; The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ren
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin, China; The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shijie Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chufeng Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinting Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin, China; The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin, China; The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jihui Hao
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhi Yao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin, China; The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin, China.
| | - Xingjie Gao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin, China; The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Jie Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin, China; The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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Xu S, Ma B, Jian Y, Yao C, Wang Z, Fan Y, Ma J, Chen Y, Feng X, An J, Chen J, Wang K, Xie H, Gao Y, Li L. Development of a PAK4-targeting PROTAC for renal carcinoma therapy: concurrent inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and enhancement of immune cell response. EBioMedicine 2024; 104:105162. [PMID: 38810561 PMCID: PMC11154127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105162] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Finding the oncogene, which was able to inhibit tumor cells intrinsically and improve the immune answers, will be the future direction for renal cancer combined treatment. Following patient sample analysis and signaling pathway examination, we propose p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) as a potential target drug for kidney cancer. PAK4 exhibits high expression levels in patient samples and plays a regulatory role in the immune microenvironment. METHODS Utilizing AI software for peptide drug design, we have engineered a specialized peptide proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) drug with selectivity for PAK4. To address challenges related to drug delivery, we developed a nano-selenium delivery system for efficient transport of the peptide PROTAC drug, termed PpD (PAK4 peptide degrader). FINDINGS We successfully designed a peptide PROTAC drug targeting PAK4. PpD effectively degraded PAK4 with high selectivity, avoiding interference with other homologous proteins. PpD significantly attenuated renal carcinoma proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Notably, PpD demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on tumor proliferation in a fully immunocompetent mouse model, concomitantly enhancing the immune cell response. Moreover, PpD demonstrated promising tumor growth inhibitory effects in mini-PDX and PDO models, further underscoring its potential for clinical application. INTERPRETATION This PAK4-targeting peptide PROTAC drug not only curtails renal cancer cell proliferation but also improves the immune microenvironment and enhances immune response. Our study paves the way for innovative targeted therapies in the management of renal cancer. FUNDING This work is supported by Research grants from non-profit organizations, as stated in the Acknowledgments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Xu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Bohan Ma
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanlin Jian
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Yao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Zixi Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Yizeng Fan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Jian Ma
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Yule Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoyu Feng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiale An
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiani Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Hongjun Xie
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, #277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, China.
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Ma Y, Dumesny C, Dong L, Ang CS, Asadi K, Zhan Y, Nikfarjam M, He H. Inhibition of P21-activated kinases 1 and 4 synergistically suppresses the growth of pancreatic cancer by stimulating anti-tumour immunity. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:287. [PMID: 38797819 PMCID: PMC11129409 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01670-2] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is one of the most lethal types of cancer, and KRAS oncogene occurs in over 90% of cases. P21-activated kinases (PAK), containing six members (PAK1 to 6), function downstream of KRAS. PAK1 and PAK4 play important roles in carcinogenesis, but their combinational effect remains unknown. In this study, we have determined the effect of dual inhibition of PAK1 and PAK4 in PDA progression using knockout (KO) cancer cell lines. METHODS Murine wild-type (WT) and PAK1KO pancreatic cancer cell lines were isolated from PAK1+/+ and PAK1-/- KPC (LSL-KrasG12D/+; LSL-Trp53 R172H/+; Pdx-1-Cre) mice. KPC PAK4KO and KPC PAK1&4 KO cell lines were generated from KPC WT and KPC PAK1KO cell lines respectively using the CRISPR-CAS9 gene knockout technique. PAK WT and KO cell lines were used in mouse models of pancreatic tumours. Cells and tumour tissue were also used in flow cytometry and proteomic studies. A human PDA tissue microarray was stained by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Double knock out of PAK1 and PAK4 caused complete regression of tumour in a syngeneic mouse model. PAK4KO inhibited tumour growth by stimulating a rapid increase of cytotoxic CD8+ T cell infiltration. PAK1KO synergistically with PAK4KO increased cytotoxic CD8+ T cell infiltration and stimulated a sustained infiltration of CD8+ T cells at a later phase to overcome the immune evasion in the PAK4KO tumour. The human PDA tissue microarray study showed the important role of PAK1 and PAK4 in intra-tumoral T-cell function. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that dual inhibition of PAK1 and PAK4 synergistically suppressed PDA progression by stimulating cytotoxic CD8 + T cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ma
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, University of Melbourne, Level 8, Lance Townsend Building, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Department of General Surgery, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Chelsea Dumesny
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, University of Melbourne, Level 8, Lance Townsend Building, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Li Dong
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, University of Melbourne, Level 8, Lance Townsend Building, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Khashayar Asadi
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Yifan Zhan
- Drug Discovery, Shanghai Huaota Biopharm, Shanghai, China
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, University of Melbourne, Level 8, Lance Townsend Building, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, University of Melbourne, Level 8, Lance Townsend Building, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.
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Cleveland AH, Fan Y. Reprogramming endothelial cells to empower cancer immunotherapy. Trends Mol Med 2024; 30:126-135. [PMID: 38040601 PMCID: PMC10922198 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.11.002] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunity is subject to spatiotemporal regulation by leukocyte interaction with the tumor microenvironment. Growing evidence suggests an emerging role for the vasculature in tumor immune evasion and immunotherapy resistance. Beyond the conventional functions of the tumor vasculature, such as providing oxygen and nutrients to support tumor progression, we propose multiplex mechanisms for vascular regulation of tumor immunity: The immunosuppressive vascular niche locoregionally educates circulation-derived immune cells by angiocrines, aberrant endothelial metabolism induces T cell exclusion and inactivation, and topologically and biochemically abnormal vascularity forms a pathophysiological barrier that hampers lymphocyte infiltration. We postulate that genetic and metabolic reprogramming of endothelial cells may rewire the immunosuppressive vascular microenvironment to overcome immunotherapy resistance, serving as a next-generation vascular targeting strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail H Cleveland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yi Fan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Ansardamavandi A, Nikfarjam M, He H. PAK in Pancreatic Cancer-Associated Vasculature: Implications for Therapeutic Response. Cells 2023; 12:2692. [PMID: 38067120 PMCID: PMC10705971 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis has been associated with numbers of solid tumours. Anti-angiogenesis drugs starve tumours of nutrients and oxygen but also make it difficult for a chemo reagent to distribute into a tumour, leading to aggressive tumour growth. Anti-angiogenesis drugs do not appear to improve the overall survival rate of pancreatic cancer. Vessel normalisation is merging as one of the new approaches for halting tumour progression by facilitating the tumour infiltration of immune cells and the delivery of chemo reagents. Targeting p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in cancer has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth and improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. Inhibition of PAK enhances anti-tumour immunity and stimulates the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades. Inhibition of PAK also improves Car-T immunotherapy by reprogramming the vascular microenvironment. This review summarizes current research on PAK's role in tumour vasculature and therapeutical response, with a focus on pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arian Ansardamavandi
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (A.A.); (M.N.)
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (A.A.); (M.N.)
- Department of Hepatopancreatic-Biliary Surgery, Austin Health, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (A.A.); (M.N.)
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Burgermeister E. Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Nuclear Hormone Receptor Crosstalk in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13661. [PMID: 37686465 PMCID: PMC10488039 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713661] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The three major MAP-kinase (MAPK) pathways, ERK1/2, p38 and JNK/SAPK, are upstream regulators of the nuclear "hormone" receptor superfamily (NHRSF), with a prime example given by the estrogen receptor in breast cancer. These ligand-activated transcription factors exert non-genomic and genomic functions, where they are either post-translationally modified by phosphorylation or directly interact with components of the MAPK pathways, events that govern their transcriptional activity towards target genes involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, metabolism and host immunity. This molecular crosstalk takes place not only in normal epithelial or tumor cells, but also in a plethora of immune cells from the adaptive and innate immune system in the tumor-stroma tissue microenvironment. Thus, the drugability of both the MAPK and the NHRSF pathways suggests potential for intervention therapies, especially for cancer immunotherapy. This review summarizes the existing literature covering the expression and function of NHRSF subclasses in human tumors, both solid and leukemias, and their effects in combination with current clinically approved therapeutics against immune checkpoint molecules (e.g., PD1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Burgermeister
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
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