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Chen H, Wei J, Zhu Z, Hou Y. Multifaceted roles of PD-1 in tumorigenesis: From immune checkpoint to tumor cell-intrinsic function. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:1436-1448. [PMID: 38751009 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23740] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), a key immune checkpoint receptor, has been extensively studied for its role in regulating immune responses in cancer. However, recent research has unveiled a complex and dual role for PD-1 in tumorigenesis. While PD-1 is traditionally associated with immune cells, this article explores its expression in various cancer cells and its impact on cancer progression. PD-1's functions extend beyond immune regulation, as it has been found to both promote and suppress tumor growth, depending on the cancer type. These findings have significant implications for the future of cancer treatment and our understanding of the immune response in the context of cancer. This article calls for further research into the multifaceted roles of PD-1 to optimize its therapeutic potential and improve patient outcomes in the fight against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqing Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jiayu Wei
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Zhen Zhu
- Zhenjiang Stomatological Hospital, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yongzhong Hou
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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2
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Varzieva VG, Mesonzhnik NV, Ilgisonis IS, Belenkov YN, Kozhevnikova MV, Appolonova SA. Metabolomic biomarkers of multiple myeloma: A systematic review. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189151. [PMID: 38986721 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy of clonal plasma cells. Various diagnostic methods are used in parallel to accurately determine stage and severity of the disease. Identifying a biomarker or a panel of biomarkers could enhance the quality of medical care that patients receive by adopting a more personalized approach. Metabolomics utilizes high-throughput analytical platforms to examine the levels and quantities of biochemical compounds in biosamples. The aim of this review was to conduct a systematic literature search for potential metabolic biomarkers that may aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of MM. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA recommendations and was registered in PROSPERO. The systematic search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, SciFinder, Scopus, The Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. Studies were limited to those involving people with clinically diagnosed MM and healthy controls as comparators. Articles had to be published in English and had no restrictions on publication date or sample type. The quality of articles was assessed according to QUADOMICS criteria. A total of 709 articles were collected during the literature search. Of these, 436 were excluded based on their abstract, with 26 more removed after a thorough review of the full text. Finally, 16 articles were deemed relevant and were subjected to further analysis of their data. A number of promising candidate biomarkers was discovered. Follow-up studies with large sample sizes are needed to determine their suitability for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria G Varzieva
- Department of Pharmacology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Vernadskogo pr., 96, 119571 Moscow, Russia; Centre of Biopharmaceutical Analysis and Metabolomics, Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Nakhimovsky pr., 45, 117418 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Natalia V Mesonzhnik
- Centre of Biopharmaceutical Analysis and Metabolomics, Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Nakhimovsky pr., 45, 117418 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Irina S Ilgisonis
- Hospital Therapy No. 1 Department, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Bol'shaya Pirogovskaya st. 6/1, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yuri N Belenkov
- Hospital Therapy No. 1 Department, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Bol'shaya Pirogovskaya st. 6/1, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria V Kozhevnikova
- Hospital Therapy No. 1 Department, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Bol'shaya Pirogovskaya st. 6/1, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Svetlana A Appolonova
- Department of Pharmacology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Vernadskogo pr., 96, 119571 Moscow, Russia; Centre of Biopharmaceutical Analysis and Metabolomics, Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Nakhimovsky pr., 45, 117418 Moscow, Russia
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3
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Lee J, Mani A, Shin MJ, Krauss RM. Leveraging altered lipid metabolism in treating B cell malignancies. Prog Lipid Res 2024; 95:101288. [PMID: 38964473 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2024.101288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
B cell malignancies, comprising over 80 heterogeneous blood cancers, pose significant prognostic challenges due to intricate oncogenic signaling. Emerging evidence emphasizes the pivotal role of disrupted lipid metabolism in the development of these malignancies. Variations in lipid species, such as phospholipids, cholesterol, sphingolipids, and fatty acids, are widespread across B cell malignancies, contributing to uncontrolled cell proliferation and survival. Phospholipids play a crucial role in initial signaling cascades leading to B cell activation and malignant transformation through constitutive B cell receptor (BCR) signaling. Dysregulated cholesterol and sphingolipid homeostasis support lipid raft integrity, crucial for propagating oncogenic signals. Sphingolipids impact malignant B cell stemness, proliferation, and survival, while glycosphingolipids in lipid rafts modulate BCR activation. Additionally, cancer cells enhance fatty acid-related processes to meet heightened metabolic demands. In obese individuals, the obesity-derived lipids and adipokines surrounding adipocytes rewire lipid metabolism in malignant B cells, evading cytotoxic therapies. Genetic drivers such as MYC translocations also intrinsically alter lipid metabolism in malignant B cells. In summary, intrinsic and extrinsic factors converge to reprogram lipid metabolism, fostering aggressive phenotypes in B cell malignancies. Therefore, targeting altered lipid metabolism has translational potential for improving risk stratification and clinical management of diverse B cell malignancy subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewoong Lee
- School of Biosystems and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Center of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
| | - Arya Mani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Min-Jeong Shin
- School of Biosystems and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ronald M Krauss
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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4
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Zhang H, Zhu K, Zhang R, Guo Y, Wang J, Liu C, Lu X, Zhou Z, Wu W, Zhang F, Song Z, Lin S, Yang C, Li X, Liu Y, Tang Q, Yu X, Xu L, Liu C. Oleic acid-PPARγ-FABP4 loop fuels cholangiocarcinoma colonization in lymph node metastases microenvironment. Hepatology 2024; 80:69-86. [PMID: 38377465 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Lymph node metastasis is a significant risk factor for patients with cholangiocarcinoma, but the mechanisms underlying cholangiocarcinoma colonization in the lymph node microenvironment remain unclear. We aimed to determine whether metabolic reprogramming fueled the adaptation and remodeling of cholangiocarcinoma cells to the lymph node microenvironment. APPROACH AND RESULTS Here, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing of primary tumor lesions and paired lymph node metastases from patients with cholangiocarcinoma and revealed significantly reduced intertumor heterogeneity and syntropic lipid metabolic reprogramming of cholangiocarcinoma after metastasis to lymph nodes, which was verified by pan-cancer single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, highlighting the essential role of lipid metabolism in tumor colonization in lymph nodes. Metabolomics and in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 screening identified PPARγ as a crucial regulator in fueling cholangiocarcinoma colonization in lymph nodes through the oleic acid-PPARγ-fatty acid-binding protein 4 positive feedback loop by upregulating fatty acid uptake and oxidation. Patient-derived organoids and animal models have demonstrated that blocking this loop impairs cholangiocarcinoma proliferation and colonization in the lymph node microenvironment and is superior to systemic inhibition of fatty acid oxidation. PPARγ-regulated fatty acid metabolic reprogramming in cholangiocarcinoma also contributes to the immune-suppressive niche in lymph node metastases by producing kynurenine and was found to be associated with tumor relapse, immune-suppressive lymph node microenvironment, and poor immune checkpoint blockade response. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal the role of the oleic acid-PPARγ-fatty acid-binding protein 4 loop in fueling cholangiocarcinoma colonization in lymph nodes and demonstrate that PPARγ-regulated lipid metabolic reprogramming is a promising therapeutic target for relieving cholangiocarcinoma lymph node metastasis burden and reducing further progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghua Zhang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke Zhu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yabin Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chaoqun Liu
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinjun Lu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziyu Zhou
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenrui Wu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fapeng Zhang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhixiao Song
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shusheng Lin
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Caini Yang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiuxian Li
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qibin Tang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianhuan Yu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Leibo Xu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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5
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Moraly J, Kondo T, Benzaoui M, DuSold J, Talluri S, Pouzolles MC, Chien C, Dardalhon V, Taylor N. Metabolic dialogues: regulators of chimeric antigen receptor T cell function in the tumor microenvironment. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:1695-1718. [PMID: 38922759 PMCID: PMC11223614 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13691] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have demonstrated remarkable success in the treatment of relapsed/refractory melanoma and hematological malignancies, respectively. These treatments have marked a pivotal shift in cancer management. However, as "living drugs," their effectiveness is dependent on their ability to proliferate and persist in patients. Recent studies indicate that the mechanisms regulating these crucial functions, as well as the T cell's differentiation state, are conditioned by metabolic shifts and the distinct utilization of metabolic pathways. These metabolic shifts, conditioned by nutrient availability as well as cell surface expression of metabolite transporters, are coupled to signaling pathways and the epigenetic landscape of the cell, modulating transcriptional, translational, and post-translational profiles. In this review, we discuss the processes underlying the metabolic remodeling of activated T cells, the impact of a tumor metabolic environment on T cell function, and potential metabolic-based strategies to enhance T cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josquin Moraly
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
- Université Sorbonne Paris CitéParisFrance
| | - Taisuke Kondo
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Mehdi Benzaoui
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
- Université de Montpellier, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRSMontpellierFrance
| | - Justyn DuSold
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Sohan Talluri
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Marie C. Pouzolles
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Christopher Chien
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Valérie Dardalhon
- Université de Montpellier, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRSMontpellierFrance
| | - Naomi Taylor
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
- Université de Montpellier, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRSMontpellierFrance
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6
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Zhang J, Chen M, Yang Y, Liu Z, Guo W, Xiang P, Zeng Z, Wang D, Xiong W. Amino acid metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment and its implication for cancer therapy. J Cell Physiol 2024. [PMID: 38946173 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31349] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Amino acids are essential building blocks for proteins, crucial energy sources for cell survival, and key signaling molecules supporting the resistant growth of tumor cells. In tumor cells, amino acid metabolic reprogramming is characterized by the enhanced uptake of amino acids as well as their aberrant synthesis, breakdown, and transport, leading to immune evasion and malignant progression of tumor cells. This article reviews the altered amino acid metabolism in tumor cells and its impact on tumor microenvironment, and also provides an overview of the current clinical applications of amino acid metabolism. Innovative drugs targeting amino acid metabolism hold great promise for precision and personalized cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarong Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mingjian Chen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuxin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ziqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wanni Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pingjuan Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dan Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
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7
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Miao Y, Zhong C, Bao S, Wei K, Wang W, Li N, Bai C, Chen W, Tang H. Impaired tryptophan metabolism by type 2 inflammation in epithelium worsening asthma. iScience 2024; 27:109923. [PMID: 38799558 PMCID: PMC11126962 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous researches indicate that tryptophan metabolism is critical to allergic inflammation and that indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), as a key enzyme, is known for its immunosuppressive properties. Therefore, we are aimed to explore whether tryptophan metabolism, especially IDO1, influences allergic asthma and clarify specific mechanism. With the analysis of clinical data, exploration in cell experiments, and verifying in HDM-induced asthma mice models, we finally found that in allergic asthma, low level of T1 cytokines along with high level of T2 cytokines inhibited the expression of IDO1 in airway epithelium, hampering the kynurenine pathway in tryptophan metabolism and decreasing the level of intracellular kynurenine (Kyn). As an endogenous ligand of aryl hydrocarbon receptor, Kyn regulated the expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CTH). Notably, in asthma models, enhancing either IDO1 or H2S relieved asthma, while inhibiting the activity of CTH exacerbated it. IDO1-Kyn-CTH pathway could be a potential target for treatment for allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushan Miao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Caiming Zhong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shujun Bao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Kunchen Wei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Na Li
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Chong Bai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hao Tang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
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8
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Jiang Y, Li H. The effect of smoking on tumor immunoediting: Friend or foe? Tob Induc Dis 2024; 22:TID-22-108. [PMID: 38887597 PMCID: PMC11181014 DOI: 10.18332/tid/189302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The recognition of smoking as an independent risk factor for lung cancer has become a widely accepted within the realm of respiratory medicine. The emergence of tumor immunotherapy has notably enhanced the prognosis for numerous late-stage cancer patients. Nevertheless, some studies have noted a tendency for lung cancer patients who smoke to derive greater benefit from immunotherapy. This observation has sparked increased interest in the interaction between smoking and the immune response to tumors in lung cancer. The concept of cancer immunoediting has shed light on the intricate and nuanced relationship between the immune system and tumors. Starting from the perspectives of immune surveillance, immune equilibrium, and immune evasion, this narrative review explores how smoking undermines the immune response against tumor cells and induces the generation of tumor neoantigens, and examines other behaviors that trigger tumor immune evasion. By elucidating these aspects, the review concludes that smoking is not conducive to tumor immunoediting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixia Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hequan Li
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Chen Z, Ding YH, Shao L, Ji XM, Qian X, Zhang AQ. Qingfei mixture mitigates immunosuppression of tumor microenvironment in non-small cell lung cancer by blocking stat1/Ido1-mediated tryptophan-kynurenine pathway. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32260. [PMID: 38882349 PMCID: PMC11176930 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Programmed death-1 (PD-1) acts as a T cell checkpoint and is important in controlling T cell exhaustion. Blocking the intercommunication across PD-1 and PD-L1 is promising for advanced lung cancer treatment. However, the response rate requires being strengthened. This study aimed to determine whether the combination treatment of Qingfei mixture (QFM) and PD-1 inhibitor could improve the sensitivity of monoclonal antibody by regulating STAT1/IDO1-mediated tryptophan (Trp)-kynurenine (Kyn) pathway. The in vivo imaging system, immunofluorescence, hematoxylin-eosin staining, TUNEL, flow cytometry, HPLC, and ELISA were used to estimate the anti-tumor effects in LLC-luc tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice treated with QFM, PD-1 inhibitor, 2-NP (enhancer of STAT1 transcription), and FICZ (AhR agonist) alone or in combination. IFN-γ-mediated A549 and LLC cells were treated with QFM-containing serum and fludarabine (FLU, STAT1 inhibitor), and cell viability, apoptosis, and Kyn content were then evaluated using CCK-8 assays, flow cytometry, and HPLC assays, respectively. Additionally, the expressions of STAT1, IDO1, AhR, NFATc1, TRIP12, PD-1, and PD-L1 were measured in vivo and in vitro. We found QFM increased the anti-cancer actions of PD-1 inhibitors by increasing the CD8+IFNγ+ T cells infiltration and decreasing the ratio of Kyn/Trp. Besides, QFM-containing serum suppressed the proliferation and promoted apoptosis in A549 and LLC cells, meanwhile, FLU boosted the effects of QFM-containing serum. Moreover, the suppression of tumor growth in the combination therapy was attenuated in the mice receiving 2-NP or FICZ. The occurrence of the above results was accompanied by a decrease in STAT1, IDO1, AhR, PD-1, and PD-L1 expressions. Collectively, the findings suggested that QFM may increase the influences of PD-1 inhibitors at least partially by blocking the STAT1/IDO1-mediated tryptophan-kynurenine pathway in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Chen
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu-Heng Ding
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lan Shao
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xu-Ming Ji
- School of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiang Qian
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ai-Qin Zhang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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10
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Jelača S, Jovanovic I, Bovan D, Pavlovic S, Gajovic N, Dunđerović D, Dajić-Stevanović Z, Acović A, Mijatović S, Maksimović-Ivanić D. Antimelanoma Effects of Alchemilla vulgaris: A Comprehensive In Vitro and In Vivo Study. Diseases 2024; 12:125. [PMID: 38920557 PMCID: PMC11202689 DOI: 10.3390/diseases12060125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the rich ethnobotanical and growing evidence-based medicine records, the Alchemillae herba, i.e., the upper parts of the Lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris L.), was used for the assessment of antimelanoma activity. The ethanolic extract of A. vulgaris strongly suppressed the viability of B16F1, B16F10, 518A2, and Fem-X cell lines. In contrast to the in vitro study, where the B16F1 cells were more sensitive to the treatment than the more aggressive counterpart B16F10, the results obtained in vivo using the corresponding syngeneic murine model were quite the opposite. The higher sensitivity of B16F10 tumors in vivo may be attributed to a more complex response to the extract compared to one triggered in vitro. In addition, the strong immunosuppressive microenvironment in the B16F1 model is impaired by the treatment, as evidenced by enhanced antigen-presenting potential of dendritic cells, influx and activity of CD4+ T and CD8+ T lymphocytes, decreased presence of T regulatory lymphocytes, and attenuation of anti-inflammatory cytokine production. All these effects are supported by the absence of systemic toxicity. A. vulgaris extract treatment results in a sustained and enhanced ability to reduce melanoma growth, followed by the restoration of innate and adopted antitumor immunity without affecting the overall physiology of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Jelača
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.J.); (D.B.)
| | - Ivan Jovanovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (I.J.); (S.P.); (N.G.)
| | - Dijana Bovan
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.J.); (D.B.)
| | - Sladjana Pavlovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (I.J.); (S.P.); (N.G.)
| | - Nevena Gajovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (I.J.); (S.P.); (N.G.)
| | - Duško Dunđerović
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 8, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Zora Dajić-Stevanović
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Aleksandar Acović
- Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Sanja Mijatović
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.J.); (D.B.)
| | - Danijela Maksimović-Ivanić
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11108 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.J.); (D.B.)
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11
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Ferrucci V, Lomada S, Wieland T, Zollo M. PRUNE1 and NME/NDPK family proteins influence energy metabolism and signaling in cancer metastases. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:755-775. [PMID: 38180572 PMCID: PMC11156750 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10165-4] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
We describe here the molecular basis of the complex formation of PRUNE1 with the tumor metastasis suppressors NME1 and NME2, two isoforms appertaining to the nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) enzyme family, and how this complex regulates signaling the immune system and energy metabolism, thereby shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). Disrupting the interaction between NME1/2 and PRUNE1, as suggested, holds the potential to be an excellent therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer and the inhibition of metastasis dissemination. Furthermore, we postulate an interaction and regulation of the other Class I NME proteins, NME3 and NME4 proteins, with PRUNE1 and discuss potential functions. Class I NME1-4 proteins are NTP/NDP transphosphorylases required for balancing the intracellular pools of nucleotide diphosphates and triphosphates. They regulate different cellular functions by interacting with a large variety of other proteins, and in cancer and metastasis processes, they can exert pro- and anti-oncogenic properties depending on the cellular context. In this review, we therefore additionally discuss general aspects of class1 NME and PRUNE1 molecular structures as well as their posttranslational modifications and subcellular localization. The current knowledge on the contributions of PRUNE1 as well as NME proteins to signaling cascades is summarized with a special regard to cancer and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Ferrucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, DMMBM, University of Naples, Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate "Franco Salvatore", Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Santosh Lomada
- Experimental Pharmacology Mannheim, European Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Thomas Wieland
- Experimental Pharmacology Mannheim, European Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167, Mannheim, Germany.
- DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167, Mannheim, Germany.
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ludolf Krehl-Str. 13-17, 68167, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Massimo Zollo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, DMMBM, University of Naples, Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate "Franco Salvatore", Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.
- DAI Medicina di Laboratorio e Trasfusionale, 'AOU' Federico II Policlinico, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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12
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Ngai D, Sukka SR, Tabas I. Crosstalk between efferocytic myeloid cells and T-cells and its relevance to atherosclerosis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1403150. [PMID: 38873597 PMCID: PMC11169609 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1403150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The interplay between myeloid cells and T-lymphocytes is critical to the regulation of host defense and inflammation resolution. Dysregulation of this interaction can contribute to the development of chronic inflammatory diseases. Important among these diseases is atherosclerosis, which refers to focal lesions in the arterial intima driven by elevated apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins, notably low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and characterized by the formation of a plaque composed of inflammatory immune cells, a collection of dead cells and lipids called the necrotic core, and a fibrous cap. As the disease progresses, the necrotic core expands, and the fibrous cap becomes thin, which increases the risk of plaque rupture or erosion. Plaque rupture leads to a rapid thrombotic response that can give rise to heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. With marked lowering of circulating LDL, however, plaques become more stable and cardiac risk is lowered-a process known as atherosclerosis regression. A critical aspect of both atherosclerosis progression and regression is the crosstalk between innate (myeloid cells) and adaptive (T-lymphocytes) immune cells. Myeloid cells are specialized at clearing apoptotic cells by a process called efferocytosis, which is necessary for inflammation resolution. In advanced disease, efferocytosis is impaired, leading to secondary necrosis of apoptotic cells, inflammation, and, most importantly, defective tissue resolution. In regression, efferocytosis is reawakened aiding in inflammation resolution and plaque stabilization. Here, we will explore how efferocytosing myeloid cells could affect T-cell function and vice versa through antigen presentation, secreted factors, and cell-cell contacts and how this cellular crosstalk may contribute to the progression or regression of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ngai
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Santosh R. Sukka
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ira Tabas
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Physiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
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13
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Venkateswaran N, Garcia R, Lafita-Navarro MC, Hao YH, Perez-Castro L, Nogueira PAS, Solmonson A, Mender I, Kilgore JA, Fang S, Brown IN, Li L, Parks E, Lopes Dos Santos I, Bhaskar M, Kim J, Jia Y, Lemoff A, Grishin NV, Kinch L, Xu L, Williams NS, Shay JW, DeBerardinis RJ, Zhu H, Conacci-Sorrell M. Tryptophan fuels MYC-dependent liver tumorigenesis through indole 3-pyruvate synthesis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4266. [PMID: 38769298 PMCID: PMC11106337 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47868-3] [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: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells exhibit distinct metabolic activities and nutritional dependencies compared to normal cells. Thus, characterization of nutrient demands by individual tumor types may identify specific vulnerabilities that can be manipulated to target the destruction of cancer cells. We find that MYC-driven liver tumors rely on augmented tryptophan (Trp) uptake, yet Trp utilization to generate metabolites in the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway is reduced. Depriving MYC-driven tumors of Trp through a No-Trp diet not only prevents tumor growth but also restores the transcriptional profile of normal liver cells. Despite Trp starvation, protein synthesis remains unhindered in liver cancer cells. We define a crucial role for the Trp-derived metabolite indole 3-pyruvate (I3P) in liver tumor growth. I3P supplementation effectively restores the growth of liver cancer cells starved of Trp. These findings suggest that I3P is a potential therapeutic target in MYC-driven cancers. Developing methods to target this metabolite represents a potential avenue for liver cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niranjan Venkateswaran
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Roy Garcia
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - M Carmen Lafita-Navarro
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Yi-Heng Hao
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Lizbeth Perez-Castro
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Pedro A S Nogueira
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Ashley Solmonson
- Children's Medical Center Research Institute at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Ilgen Mender
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jessica A Kilgore
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Shun Fang
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Isabella N Brown
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Li Li
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Emily Parks
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Igor Lopes Dos Santos
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Mahima Bhaskar
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jiwoong Kim
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yuemeng Jia
- Children's Medical Center Research Institute at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Andrew Lemoff
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Nick V Grishin
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Lisa Kinch
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Noelle S Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Ralph J DeBerardinis
- Children's Medical Center Research Institute at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Hao Zhu
- Children's Medical Center Research Institute at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Maralice Conacci-Sorrell
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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14
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Peng Z, Zhang J, Zhang M, Yin L, Zhou Z, Lv C, Wang Z, Tang J. Tryptophan metabolites relieve intestinal Candida albicans infection by altering the gut microbiota to reduce IL-22 release from group 3 innate lymphoid cells of the colon lamina propria. Food Funct 2024; 15:5364-5381. [PMID: 38639049 DOI: 10.1039/d4fo00432a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Invasive candidiasis may be caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans) colonization of the intestinal tract. Preventing intestinal damage caused by Candida albicans infection and protecting intestinal barrier function have become a critical issue. Integrated analyses of the microbiome with metabolome revealed a remarkable shift of the gut microbiota and tryptophan metabolites, kynurenic acid (KynA), and indolacrylic acid (IA) in mice infected with C. albicans. The transcriptome sequencing indicated that differentially expressed genes were significantly associated with innate immune responses and inflammatory responses. The results of this study suggest that KynA and IA (KI) can alleviate intestinal damage caused by Candida albicans infection in mice by reducing intestinal permeability, increasing intestinal firmness, alleviating intestinal inflammation, and reducing the secretion of interleukin-22 (IL-22) in the 3 groups of colon innate lymphoid cells (ILC3). We performed a fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment and found that the intestinal barrier function, inflammation, and IL-22 secretion of ILC3 in the colon lamina propria of the recipient mice subjected to C. albicans infection and KI treatment were consistent with the trends of the donor mice. Our results suggest that tryptophan metabolites may directly regulate colon lamina ILC3 to promote intestinal resistance to C. albicans invasion, or indirectly regulate the ILC3 secretion of IL-22 to play a protective role in the intestinal barrier by affecting intestinal microorganisms, which may become a potential target for alleviating intestine borne C. albicans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyao Peng
- Department of Trauma-Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiali Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Yin
- Department of Trauma-Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziyang Zhou
- Department of Trauma-Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuiting Lv
- Central Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zetian Wang
- Department of Trauma-Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianguo Tang
- Department of Trauma-Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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15
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Ho M, Bonavida B. Cross-Talks between Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein and Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Expressions in Cancer: Role in Immune Evasion and Therapeutic Implications. Cells 2024; 13:864. [PMID: 38786085 PMCID: PMC11119125 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100864] [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: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Innovations in cancer immunotherapy have resulted in the development of several novel immunotherapeutic strategies that can disrupt immunosuppression. One key advancement lies in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which have shown significant clinical efficacy and increased survival rates in patients with various therapy-resistant cancers. This immune intervention consists of monoclonal antibodies directed against inhibitory receptors (e.g., PD-1) on cytotoxic CD8 T cells or against corresponding ligands (e.g., PD-L1/PD-L2) overexpressed on cancer cells and other cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, not all cancer cells respond-there are still poor clinical responses, immune-related adverse effects, adaptive resistance, and vulnerability to ICIs in a subset of patients with cancer. This challenge showcases the heterogeneity of cancer, emphasizing the existence of additional immunoregulatory mechanisms in many patients. Therefore, it is essential to investigate PD-L1's interaction with other oncogenic genes and pathways to further advance targeted therapies and address resistance mechanisms. Accordingly, our aim was to investigate the mechanisms governing PD-L1 expression in tumor cells, given its correlation with immune evasion, to uncover novel mechanisms for decreasing PD-L1 expression and restoring anti-tumor immune responses. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the upregulation of Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein (RKIP) in many cancers contributes to the suppression of key hyperactive pathways observed in malignant cells, alongside its broadening involvement in immune responses and the modulation of the TME. We, therefore, hypothesized that the role of PD-L1 in cancer immune surveillance may be inversely correlated with the low expression level of the tumor suppressor Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein (RKIP) expression in cancer cells. This hypothesis was investigated and we found several signaling cross-talk pathways between the regulations of both RKIP and PD-L1 expressions. These pathways and regulatory factors include the MAPK and JAK/STAT pathways, GSK3β, cytokines IFN-γ and IL-1β, Sox2, and transcription factors YY1 and NFκB. The pathways that upregulated PD-L1 were inhibitory for RKIP expression and vice versa. Bioinformatic analyses in various human cancers demonstrated the inverse relationship between PD-L1 and RKIP expressions and their prognostic roles. Therefore, we suspect that the direct upregulation of RKIP and/or the use of targeted RKIP inducers in combination with ICIs could result in a more targeted anti-tumor immune response-addressing the therapeutic challenges related to PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy alone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Bonavida
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
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16
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Summers BS, Thomas Broome S, Pang TWR, Mundell HD, Koh Belic N, Tom NC, Ng ML, Yap M, Sen MK, Sedaghat S, Weible MW, Castorina A, Lim CK, Lovelace MD, Brew BJ. A Review of the Evidence for Tryptophan and the Kynurenine Pathway as a Regulator of Stem Cell Niches in Health and Disease. Int J Tryptophan Res 2024; 17:11786469241248287. [PMID: 38757094 PMCID: PMC11097742 DOI: 10.1177/11786469241248287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem cells are ubiquitously found in various tissues and organs in the body, and underpin the body's ability to repair itself following injury or disease initiation, though repair can sometimes be compromised. Understanding how stem cells are produced, and functional signaling systems between different niches is critical to understanding the potential use of stem cells in regenerative medicine. In this context, this review considers kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolism in multipotent adult progenitor cells, embryonic, haematopoietic, neural, cancer, cardiac and induced pluripotent stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and mesenchymal stromal cells. The KP is the major enzymatic pathway for sequentially catabolising the essential amino acid tryptophan (TRP), resulting in key metabolites including kynurenine, kynurenic acid, and quinolinic acid (QUIN). QUIN metabolism transitions into the adjoining de novo pathway for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) production, a critical cofactor in many fundamental cellular biochemical pathways. How stem cells uptake and utilise TRP varies between different species and stem cell types, because of their expression of transporters and responses to inflammatory cytokines. Several KP metabolites are physiologically active, with either beneficial or detrimental outcomes, and evidence of this is presented relating to several stem cell types, which is important as they may exert a significant impact on surrounding differentiated cells, particularly if they metabolise or secrete metabolites differently. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in mesenchymal stromal cells, for instance, highly upregulates rate-limiting enzyme indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO-1), initiating TRP depletion and production of metabolites including kynurenine/kynurenic acid, known agonists of the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transcription factor. AhR transcriptionally regulates an immunosuppressive phenotype, making them attractive for regenerative therapy. We also draw attention to important gaps in knowledge for future studies, which will underpin future application for stem cell-based cellular therapies or optimising drugs which can modulate the KP in innate stem cell populations, for disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Sebastian Summers
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St. Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah Thomas Broome
- Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Hamish D Mundell
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales Brain Tissue Resource Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Naomi Koh Belic
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole C Tom
- Formerly of the Department of Physiology, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mei Li Ng
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maylin Yap
- Formerly of the Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Monokesh K Sen
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St. Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sara Sedaghat
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael W Weible
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alessandro Castorina
- Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chai K Lim
- Faculty of Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael D Lovelace
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St. Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bruce J Brew
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St. Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Departments of Neurology and Immunology, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of Notre Dame, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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17
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Shu G, Chen M, Liao W, Fu L, Lin M, Gui C, Cen J, Lu J, Chen Z, Wei J, Chen W, Wang Y, Zhu J, Zhao T, Liu X, Jing J, Liu GC, Pan Y, Luo J, Zhang J. PABPC1L Induces IDO1 to Promote Tryptophan Metabolism and Immune Suppression in Renal Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1659-1679. [PMID: 38382068 PMCID: PMC11094425 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) in renal cell carcinomas (RCC) is marked by substantial immunosuppression and immune resistance despite having extensive T-cell infiltration. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying immune evasion could help identify therapeutic strategies to boost the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in RCC. This study uncovered a mechanism wherein the polyadenylate-binding protein PABPC1L modulates indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), a prospective target for immunotherapy. PABPC1L was markedly upregulated in RCC, and high PABPC1L expression correlated with unfavorable prognosis and resistance to ICB. PABPC1L bolstered tryptophan metabolism by upregulating IDO1, inducing T-cell dysfunction and Treg infiltration. PABPC1L enhanced the stability of JAK2 mRNA, leading to increased JAK2-STAT1 signaling that induced IDO1 expression. Additionally, PABPC1L-induced activation of the JAK2-STAT1 axis created a positive feedback loop to promote PABPC1L transcription. Conversely, loss of PABPC1L diminished IDO1 expression, mitigated cytotoxic T-cell suppression, and enhanced responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapy in patient-derived xenograft models. These findings reveal the crucial role of PABPC1L in facilitating immune evasion in RCC and indicate that inhibiting PABPC1L could be a potential immunotherapeutic approach in combination with ICB to improve patient outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE PABPC1L functions as a key factor in renal cell carcinoma immune evasion, enhancing IDO1 and impeding T-cell function, and represents a potential target to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Mice
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell/immunology
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell/drug therapy
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/metabolism
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/genetics
- Janus Kinase 2/metabolism
- Kidney Neoplasms/immunology
- Kidney Neoplasms/metabolism
- Kidney Neoplasms/pathology
- Kidney Neoplasms/genetics
- Kidney Neoplasms/drug therapy
- STAT1 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- STAT1 Transcription Factor/genetics
- Tryptophan/metabolism
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Shu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Department of Urology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Minyu Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wuyuan Liao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Liangmin Fu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Mingjie Lin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Chengpeng Gui
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Junjie Cen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zhenhua Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jinhuan Wei
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yinghan Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jiangquan Zhu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Tianxin Zhao
- Department of Urology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Xiaonan Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jiajia Jing
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Guo-chang Liu
- Department of Urology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yihui Pan
- Department of Urology, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Junhang Luo
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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18
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Ma S, Ming Y, Wu J, Cui G. Cellular metabolism regulates the differentiation and function of T-cell subsets. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:419-435. [PMID: 38565887 PMCID: PMC11061161 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01148-8] [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: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
T cells are an important component of adaptive immunity and protect the host from infectious diseases and cancers. However, uncontrolled T cell immunity may cause autoimmune disorders. In both situations, antigen-specific T cells undergo clonal expansion upon the engagement and activation of antigens. Cellular metabolism is reprogrammed to meet the increase in bioenergetic and biosynthetic demands associated with effector T cell expansion. Metabolites not only serve as building blocks or energy sources to fuel cell growth and expansion but also regulate a broad spectrum of cellular signals that instruct the differentiation of multiple T cell subsets. The realm of immunometabolism research is undergoing swift advancements. Encapsulating all the recent progress within this concise review in not possible. Instead, our objective is to provide a succinct introduction to this swiftly progressing research, concentrating on the metabolic intricacies of three pivotal nutrient classes-lipids, glucose, and amino acids-in T cells. We shed light on recent investigations elucidating the roles of these three groups of metabolites in mediating the metabolic and immune functions of T cells. Moreover, we delve into the prospect of "editing" metabolic pathways within T cells using pharmacological or genetic approaches, with the aim of synergizing this approach with existing immunotherapies and enhancing the efficacy of antitumor and antiinfection immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Yanan Ming
- Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Jingxia Wu
- Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230601, China.
| | - Guoliang Cui
- Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230601, China.
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19
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Chauhan SK, Dunn C, Andresen NK, Røssevold AH, Skorstad G, Sike A, Gilje B, Raj SX, Huse K, Naume B, Kyte JA. Peripheral immune cells in metastatic breast cancer patients display a systemic immunosuppressed signature consistent with chronic inflammation. NPJ Breast Cancer 2024; 10:30. [PMID: 38653982 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-024-00638-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint show some efficacy in metastatic breast cancer (mBC) but are often hindered by immunosuppressive mechanisms. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for personalized treatments, with peripheral blood monitoring representing a practical alternative to repeated biopsies. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive mass cytometry analysis of peripheral blood immune cells in 104 patients with HER2 negative mBC and 20 healthy donors (HD). We found that mBC patients had significantly elevated monocyte levels and reduced levels of CD4+ T cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, when compared to HD. Furthermore, mBC patients had more effector T cells and regulatory T cells, increased expression of immune checkpoints and other activation/exhaustion markers, and a shift to a Th2/Th17 phenotype. Furthermore, T-cell phenotypes identified by mass cytometry correlated with functionality as assessed by IFN-γ production. Additional analysis indicated that previous chemotherapy and CDK4/6 inhibition impacted the numbers and phenotype of immune cells. From 63 of the patients, fresh tumor samples were analyzed by flow cytometry. Paired PBMC-tumor analysis showed moderate correlations between peripheral CD4+ T and NK cells with their counterparts in tumors. Further, a CD4+ T cell cluster in PBMCs, that co-expressed multiple checkpoint receptors, was negatively associated with CD4+ T cell tumor infiltration. In conclusion, the identified systemic immune signatures indicate an immune-suppressed environment in mBC patients who had progressed/relapsed on standard treatments, and is consistent with ongoing chronic inflammation. These activated immuno-suppressive mechanisms may be investigated as therapeutic targets, and for use as biomarkers of response or treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir Kumar Chauhan
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Claire Dunn
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nikolai Kragøe Andresen
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andreas Hagen Røssevold
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gjertrud Skorstad
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Adam Sike
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørnar Gilje
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Sunil Xavier Raj
- Department of Oncology, St Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kanutte Huse
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørn Naume
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon Amund Kyte
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.
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20
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Fujiwara Y, Kato S, Nishizaki D, Miyashita H, Lee S, Nesline MK, Conroy JM, DePietro P, Pabla S, Lippman SM, Kurzrock R. High indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase transcript levels predict better outcome after front-line cancer immunotherapy. iScience 2024; 27:109632. [PMID: 38632994 PMCID: PMC11022045 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), which catabolizes tryptophan, is a potential target to unlock the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Correlations between IDO1 and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy remain unclear. Herein, we investigated IDO1 transcript expression across cancers and clinical outcome correlations. High IDO1 transcripts were more frequent in uterine (54.2%) and ovarian cancer (37.2%) but varied between and within malignancies. High IDO1 RNA expression was associated with high expression of PD-L1 (immune checkpoint ligand), CXCL10 (an effector T cell recruitment chemokine), and STAT1 (a component of the JAK-STAT pathway) (all multivariable p < 0.05). PIK3CA and CTCF alterations were more frequent in the high IDO1 group. High IDO1 expression was an independent predictor of progression-free survival (adjusted HR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.20-0.99, p = 0.049) and overall survival (adjusted HR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.11-0.87, p = 0.026) after front-line ICIs. IDO1 expression warrants further exploration as a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy. Moreover, co-expressed immunoregulatory molecules merit exploration for co-targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Fujiwara
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Shumei Kato
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of California, San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Daisuke Nishizaki
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of California, San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hirotaka Miyashita
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Dartmouth Cancer Center. One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA
| | - Suzanna Lee
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of California, San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Scott M. Lippman
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of California, San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Razelle Kurzrock
- MCW Cancer Center and Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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21
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Pan X, Wang J, Zhang L, Li G, Huang B. Metabolic plasticity of T cell fate decision. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:762-775. [PMID: 38086394 PMCID: PMC10997312 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002989] [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: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT The efficacy of adaptive immune responses in cancer treatment relies heavily on the state of the T cells. Upon antigen exposure, T cells undergo metabolic reprogramming, leading to the development of functional effectors or memory populations. However, within the tumor microenvironment (TME), metabolic stress impairs CD8 + T cell anti-tumor immunity, resulting in exhausted differentiation. Recent studies suggested that targeting T cell metabolism could offer promising therapeutic opportunities to enhance T cell immunotherapy. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors necessary for metabolic reprogramming during the development of effector and memory T cells in response to acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, we delved into the different metabolic switches that occur during T cell exhaustion, exploring how prolonged metabolic stress within the TME triggers alterations in cellular metabolism and the epigenetic landscape that contribute to T cell exhaustion, ultimately leading to a persistently exhausted state. Understanding the intricate relationship between T cell metabolism and cancer immunotherapy can lead to the development of novel approaches to improve the efficacy of T cell-based treatments against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Pan
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Jiajia Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Lianjun Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Guideng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Element, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
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22
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Hu A, Sun L, Lin H, Liao Y, Yang H, Mao Y. Harnessing innate immune pathways for therapeutic advancement in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:68. [PMID: 38523155 PMCID: PMC10961329 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01765-9] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The innate immune pathway is receiving increasing attention in cancer therapy. This pathway is ubiquitous across various cell types, not only in innate immune cells but also in adaptive immune cells, tumor cells, and stromal cells. Agonists targeting the innate immune pathway have shown profound changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and improved tumor prognosis in preclinical studies. However, to date, the clinical success of drugs targeting the innate immune pathway remains limited. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that activation of the innate immune pathway can paradoxically promote tumor progression. The uncertainty surrounding the therapeutic effectiveness of targeted drugs for the innate immune pathway is a critical issue that needs immediate investigation. In this review, we observe that the role of the innate immune pathway demonstrates heterogeneity, linked to the tumor development stage, pathway status, and specific cell types. We propose that within the TME, the innate immune pathway exhibits multidimensional diversity. This diversity is fundamentally rooted in cellular heterogeneity and is manifested as a variety of signaling networks. The pro-tumor effect of innate immune pathway activation essentially reflects the suppression of classical pathways and the activation of potential pro-tumor alternative pathways. Refining our understanding of the tumor's innate immune pathway network and employing appropriate targeting strategies can enhance our ability to harness the anti-tumor potential of the innate immune pathway and ultimately bridge the gap from preclinical to clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hao Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yuheng Liao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), and Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine (Ministry of Education), and Molecular and Cell Biology Lab, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
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23
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Zhang H, Yang Z, Yuan W, Liu J, Luo X, Zhang Q, Li Y, Chen J, Zhou Y, Lv J, Zhou N, Ma J, Tang K, Huang B. Sustained AhR activity programs memory fate of early effector CD8 + T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2317658121. [PMID: 38437537 PMCID: PMC10945852 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317658121] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Identification of mechanisms that program early effector T cells to either terminal effector T (Teff) or memory T (Tm) cells has important implications for protective immunity against infections and cancers. Here, we show that the cytosolic transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is used by early Teff cells to program memory fate. Upon antigen engagement, AhR is rapidly up-regulated via reactive oxygen species signaling in early CD8+ Teff cells, which does not affect the effector response, but is required for memory formation. Mechanistically, activated CD8+ T cells up-regulate HIF-1α to compete with AhR for HIF-1β, leading to the loss of AhR activity in HIF-1αhigh short-lived effector cells, but sustained in HIF-1αlow memory precursor effector cells (MPECs) with the help of autocrine IL-2. AhR then licenses CD8+ MPECs in a quiescent state for memory formation. These findings partially resolve the long-standing issue of how Teff cells are regulated to differentiate into memory cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huafeng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430030, China
- Institute of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430030, China
| | - Zhuoshun Yang
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Regulatory Mechanism and Targeted Therapy for Liver Cancer Shiyan Key Laboratory, Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cancer, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei442000, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430030, China
| | - Wu Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430030, China
| | - Jincheng Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430030, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430030, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430030, China
| | - Yonggang Li
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan430079, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing100005, China
| | - Yabo Zhou
- Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing100005, China
| | - Jiadi Lv
- Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing100005, China
| | - Nannan Zhou
- Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing100005, China
| | - Jingwei Ma
- Department of Immunology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430030, China
| | - Ke Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430030, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430030, China
- Department of Immunology and National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing100005, China
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24
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Xia R, Peng HF, Zhang X, Zhang HS. Comprehensive review of amino acid transporters as therapeutic targets. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129646. [PMID: 38272411 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129646] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The solute carrier (SLC) family, with more than 400 membrane-bound proteins, facilitates the transport of a wide array of substrates such as nutrients, ions, metabolites, and drugs across biological membranes. Amino acid transporters (AATs) are membrane transport proteins that mediate transfer of amino acids into and out of cells or cellular organelles. AATs participate in many important physiological functions including nutrient supply, metabolic transformation, energy homeostasis, redox regulation, and neurological regulation. Several AATs have been found to significantly impact the progression of human malignancies, and dysregulation of AATs results in metabolic reprogramming affecting tumor growth and progression. However, current clinical therapies that directly target AATs have not been developed. The purpose of this review is to highlight the structural and functional diversity of AATs, the molecular mechanisms in human diseases such as tumors, kidney diseases, and emerging therapeutic strategies for targeting AATs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xia
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Hai-Feng Peng
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China.
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Ruan H, Zhang J, Wang Y, Huang Y, Wu J, He C, Ke T, Luo J, Yang M. 27-Hydroxycholesterol/liver X receptor/apolipoprotein E mediates zearalenone-induced intestinal immunosuppression: A key target potentially linking zearalenone and cancer. J Pharm Anal 2024; 14:371-388. [PMID: 38618245 PMCID: PMC11010457 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin that extensively contaminates food and feed, posing a significant threat to public health. However, the mechanisms behind ZEN-induced intestinal immunotoxicity remain unclear. In this study, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to ZEN at a dosage of 5 mg/kg/day b.w. for a duration of 14 days. The results demonstrated that ZEN exposure led to notable pathological alterations and immunosuppression within the intestine. Furthermore, ZEN exposure caused a significant reduction in the levels of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and liver X receptor (LXR) (P < 0.05). Conversely, it upregulated the levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) markers (P < 0.05) and decreased the presence of 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) in the intestine (P < 0.05). It was observed that ApoE or LXR agonists were able to mitigate the immunosuppressive effects induced by ZEN. Additionally, a bioinformatics analysis highlighted that the downregulation of ApoE might elevate the susceptibility to colorectal, breast, and lung cancers. These findings underscore the crucial role of the 27-HC/LXR/ApoE axis disruption in ZEN-induced MDSCs proliferation and subsequent inhibition of T lymphocyte activation within the rat intestine. Notably, ApoE may emerge as a pivotal target linking ZEN exposure to cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haonan Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yunyun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jiashuo Wu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Chunjiao He
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Tongwei Ke
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jiaoyang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Meihua Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
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McPhedran SJ, Carleton GA, Lum JJ. Metabolic engineering for optimized CAR-T cell therapy. Nat Metab 2024; 6:396-408. [PMID: 38388705 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-00976-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The broad effectiveness of T cell-based therapy for treating solid tumour cancers remains limited. This is partly due to the growing appreciation that immune cells must inhabit and traverse a metabolically demanding tumour environment. Accordingly, recent efforts have centred on using genome-editing technologies to augment T cell-mediated cytotoxicity by manipulating specific metabolic genes. However, solid tumours exhibit numerous characteristics restricting immune cell-mediated cytotoxicity, implying a need for metabolic engineering at the pathway level rather than single gene targets. This emerging concept has yet to be put into clinical practice as many questions concerning the complex interplay between metabolic networks and T cell function remain unsolved. This Perspective will highlight key foundational studies that examine the relevant metabolic pathways required for effective T cell cytotoxicity and persistence in the human tumour microenvironment, feasible strategies for metabolic engineering to increase the efficiency of chimeric antigen receptor T cell-based approaches, and the challenges lying ahead for clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J McPhedran
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gillian A Carleton
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Julian J Lum
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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27
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Banerjee S, Ansari AA, Upadhyay SP, Mettman DJ, Hibdon JR, Quadir M, Ghosh P, Kambhampati A, Banerjee SK. Benefits and Pitfalls of a Glycosylation Inhibitor Tunicamycin in the Therapeutic Implication of Cancers. Cells 2024; 13:395. [PMID: 38474359 PMCID: PMC10930662 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050395] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The aberrant glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer progression and chemoresistance. It is also an immune therapeutic target for various cancers. Tunicamycin (TM) is one of the potent nucleoside antibiotics and an inhibitor of aberrant glycosylation in various cancer cells, including breast cancer, gastric cancer, and pancreatic cancer, parallel with the inhibition of cancer cell growth and progression of tumors. Like chemotherapies such as doxorubicin (DOX), 5'fluorouracil, etoposide, and cisplatin, TM induces the unfolded protein response (UPR) by blocking aberrant glycosylation. Consequently, stress is induced in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that promotes apoptosis. TM can thus be considered a potent antitumor drug in various cancers and may promote chemosensitivity. However, its lack of cell-type-specific cytotoxicity impedes its anticancer efficacy. In this review, we focus on recent advances in our understanding of the benefits and pitfalls of TM therapies in various cancers, including breast, colon, and pancreatic cancers, and discuss the mechanisms identified by which TM functions. Finally, we discuss the potential use of nano-based drug delivery systems to overcome non-specific toxicity and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of TM as a targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha Banerjee
- Cancer Research Unit, VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA; (A.A.A.); (S.P.U.); (D.J.M.); (J.R.H.); (A.K.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Affan A. Ansari
- Cancer Research Unit, VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA; (A.A.A.); (S.P.U.); (D.J.M.); (J.R.H.); (A.K.)
| | - Sunil P. Upadhyay
- Cancer Research Unit, VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA; (A.A.A.); (S.P.U.); (D.J.M.); (J.R.H.); (A.K.)
| | - Daniel J. Mettman
- Cancer Research Unit, VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA; (A.A.A.); (S.P.U.); (D.J.M.); (J.R.H.); (A.K.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Pathology Department, City VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA
| | - Jamie R. Hibdon
- Cancer Research Unit, VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA; (A.A.A.); (S.P.U.); (D.J.M.); (J.R.H.); (A.K.)
| | - Mohiuddin Quadir
- Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (M.Q.); (P.G.)
| | - Pratyusha Ghosh
- Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (M.Q.); (P.G.)
| | - Anjali Kambhampati
- Cancer Research Unit, VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA; (A.A.A.); (S.P.U.); (D.J.M.); (J.R.H.); (A.K.)
| | - Sushanta K. Banerjee
- Cancer Research Unit, VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA; (A.A.A.); (S.P.U.); (D.J.M.); (J.R.H.); (A.K.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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Obrador E, Moreno-Murciano P, Oriol-Caballo M, López-Blanch R, Pineda B, Gutiérrez-Arroyo JL, Loras A, Gonzalez-Bonet LG, Martinez-Cadenas C, Estrela JM, Marqués-Torrejón MÁ. Glioblastoma Therapy: Past, Present and Future. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2529. [PMID: 38473776 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052529] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) stands out as the most prevalent and lethal form of brain cancer. Although great efforts have been made by clinicians and researchers, no significant improvement in survival has been achieved since the Stupp protocol became the standard of care (SOC) in 2005. Despite multimodality treatments, recurrence is almost universal with survival rates under 2 years after diagnosis. Here, we discuss the recent progress in our understanding of GB pathophysiology, in particular, the importance of glioma stem cells (GSCs), the tumor microenvironment conditions, and epigenetic mechanisms involved in GB growth, aggressiveness and recurrence. The discussion on therapeutic strategies first covers the SOC treatment and targeted therapies that have been shown to interfere with different signaling pathways (pRB/CDK4/RB1/P16ink4, TP53/MDM2/P14arf, PI3k/Akt-PTEN, RAS/RAF/MEK, PARP) involved in GB tumorigenesis, pathophysiology, and treatment resistance acquisition. Below, we analyze several immunotherapeutic approaches (i.e., checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, CAR-modified NK or T cells, oncolytic virotherapy) that have been used in an attempt to enhance the immune response against GB, and thereby avoid recidivism or increase survival of GB patients. Finally, we present treatment attempts made using nanotherapies (nanometric structures having active anti-GB agents such as antibodies, chemotherapeutic/anti-angiogenic drugs or sensitizers, radionuclides, and molecules that target GB cellular receptors or open the blood-brain barrier) and non-ionizing energies (laser interstitial thermal therapy, high/low intensity focused ultrasounds, photodynamic/sonodynamic therapies and electroporation). The aim of this review is to discuss the advances and limitations of the current therapies and to present novel approaches that are under development or following clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Obrador
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - María Oriol-Caballo
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael López-Blanch
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Begoña Pineda
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Alba Loras
- Department of Medicine, Jaume I University of Castellon, 12071 Castellon, Spain
| | - Luis G Gonzalez-Bonet
- Department of Neurosurgery, Castellon General University Hospital, 12004 Castellon, Spain
| | | | - José M Estrela
- Scientia BioTech S.L., 46002 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
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Wang Z, Zhang Y, Liao Z, Huang M, Shui X. The potential of aryl hydrocarbon receptor as receptors for metabolic changes in tumors. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1328606. [PMID: 38434684 PMCID: PMC10904539 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1328606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells can alter their metabolism to meet energy and molecular requirements due to unfavorable environments with oxygen and nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, metabolic reprogramming is common in a tumor microenvironment (TME). Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated nuclear transcription factor, which can be activated by many exogenous and endogenous ligands. Multiple AhR ligands can be produced by both TME and tumor cells. By attaching to various ligands, AhR regulates cancer metabolic reprogramming by dysregulating various metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, lipid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. These regulated pathways greatly contribute to cancer cell growth, metastasis, and evading cancer therapies; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we review the relationship between TME and metabolism and describe the important role of AhR in cancer regulation. We also focus on recent findings to discuss the idea that AhR acts as a receptor for metabolic changes in tumors, which may provide new perspectives on the direction of AhR research in tumor metabolic reprogramming and future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiying Wang
- Laboratory of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuanqi Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhihong Liao
- Laboratory of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingzhang Huang
- Laboratory of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaorong Shui
- Laboratory of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
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30
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Liu N, Yan X, Lv B, Wu Y, Hu X, Zheng C, Tao S, Deng R, Dou J, Zeng B, Jiang G. A study on the association between gut microbiota, inflammation, and type 2 diabetes. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:213. [PMID: 38358546 PMCID: PMC10869376 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13041-5] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was reported to be associated with impaired immune response and alterations in microbial composition and function. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. To investigate the association among retinoic acid-inducible gene-I-like receptors (RLRs) signaling pathway, intestinal bacterial microbiome, microbial tryptophan metabolites, inflammation, and a longer course of T2DM, 14 patients with T2DM and 7 healthy controls were enrolled. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were utilized to analyze the stool samples. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was carried out on the peripheral blood samples. Additionally, C57BL/6J specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice were used. It was found that the longer course of T2DM could lead to a decrease in the abundance of probiotics in the intestinal microbiome. In addition, the production of microbial tryptophan derivative skatole declined as a consequence of the reduced abundance of related intestinal microbes. Furthermore, low abundances of probiotics, such as Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium, could trigger the inflammatory response by activating the RLRs signaling pathway. The increased level of the member of TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAF) family, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activator (TANK), in the animal colon activated nuclear factor kappa B subunit 2 (NFκB2), resulting in inflammatory damage. In summary, it was revealed that the low abundances of probiotics could activate the RLR signaling pathway, which could in turn activate its downstream signaling pathway, NF-κB, highlighting a relationship among gut microbes, inflammation, and a longer course of T2DM. KEY POINTS: Hyperglycemia may suppress tryptophanase activity. The low abundance of Bacteroides combined with the decrease of Dopa decarboxylase (DDC) activity may lead to the decrease of the production of tryptophan microbial derivative skatole, and the low abundance of Bacteroides or reduced skatole may further lead to the increase of blood glucose by downregulating the expression of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1). A low abundance of anti-inflammatory bacteria may induce an inflammatory response by triggering the RLR signaling pathway and then activating its downstream NF-κB signaling pathway in prolonged T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Liu
- Laboratory of Diabetes Research Center, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, Chaoyang District, China
| | - Xuehua Yan
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University, No.393 Xin Medical Road, Urumqi, 830011, Xinjiang, China
| | - Bohan Lv
- Laboratory of Diabetes Research Center, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, Chaoyang District, China
| | - Yanxiang Wu
- Laboratory of Diabetes Research Center, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, Chaoyang District, China
| | - Xuehong Hu
- Laboratory of Diabetes Research Center, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, Chaoyang District, China
| | - Chunyan Zheng
- Laboratory of Diabetes Research Center, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, Chaoyang District, China
| | - Siyu Tao
- Laboratory of Diabetes Research Center, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, Chaoyang District, China
| | - Ruxue Deng
- Laboratory of Diabetes Research Center, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, Chaoyang District, China
| | - Jinfang Dou
- Laboratory of Diabetes Research Center, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, Chaoyang District, China
| | - Binfang Zeng
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University, No.393 Xin Medical Road, Urumqi, 830011, Xinjiang, China
| | - Guangjian Jiang
- Laboratory of Diabetes Research Center, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, Chaoyang District, China.
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31
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Kondo M, Kumagai S, Nishikawa H. Metabolic advantages of regulatory T cells dictated by cancer cells. Int Immunol 2024; 36:75-86. [PMID: 37837615 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxad035] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells employ glycolysis for their survival and growth (the "Warburg effect"). Consequently, surrounding cells including immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are exposed to hypoglycemic, hypoxic, and low pH circumstances. Since effector T cells depend on the glycolysis for their survival and functions, the metabolically harsh TME established by cancer cells is unfavorable, resulting in the impairment of effective antitumor immune responses. By contrast, immunosuppressive cells such as regulatory T (Treg) cells can infiltrate, proliferate, survive, and exert immunosuppressive functions in the metabolically harsh TME, indicating the different metabolic dependance between effector T cells and Treg cells. Indeed, some metabolites that are harmful for effector T cells can be utilized by Treg cells; lactic acid, a harmful metabolite for effector T cells, is available for Treg cell proliferation and functions. Deficiency of amino acids such as tryptophan and glutamine in the TME impairs effector T cell activation but increases Treg cell populations. Furthermore, hypoxia upregulates fatty acid oxidation via hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and promotes Treg cell migration. Adenosine is induced by the ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73, which are strongly induced by HIF-1α, and reportedly accelerates Treg cell development by upregulating Foxp3 expression in T cells via A2AR-mediated signals. Therefore, this review focuses on the current views of the unique metabolism of Treg cells dictated by cancer cells. In addition, potential cancer combination therapies with immunotherapy and metabolic molecularly targeted reagents that modulate Treg cells in the TME are discussed to develop "immune metabolism-based precision medicine".
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Kondo
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba 277-8577, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Shogo Kumagai
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba 277-8577, Japan
- Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba 277-8577, Japan
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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32
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Xuekai L, Yan S, Jian C, Yifei S, Xinyue W, Wenyuan Z, Shuwen H, Xi Y. Advances in reprogramming of energy metabolism in tumor T cells. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1347181. [PMID: 38415258 PMCID: PMC10897011 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1347181] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of human death worldwide, and the modulation of the metabolic properties of T cells employed in cancer immunotherapy holds great promise for combating cancer. As a crucial factor, energy metabolism influences the activation, proliferation, and function of T cells, and thus metabolic reprogramming of T cells is a unique research perspective in cancer immunology. Special conditions within the tumor microenvironment and high-energy demands lead to alterations in the energy metabolism of T cells. In-depth research on the reprogramming of energy metabolism in T cells can reveal the mechanisms underlying tumor immune tolerance and provide important clues for the development of new tumor immunotherapy strategies as well. Therefore, the study of T cell energy metabolism has important clinical significance and potential applications. In the study, the current achievements in the reprogramming of T cell energy metabolism were reviewed. Then, the influencing factors associated with T cell energy metabolism were introduced. In addition, T cell energy metabolism in cancer immunotherapy was summarized, which highlighted its potential significance in enhancing T cell function and therapeutic outcomes. In summary, energy exhaustion of T cells leads to functional exhaustion, thus resulting in immune evasion by cancer cells. A better understanding of reprogramming of T cell energy metabolism may enable immunotherapy to combat cancer and holds promise for optimizing and enhancing existing therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Xuekai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Song Yan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chu Jian
- Department of Medical Oncology, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fifth School of Clinical Medicine of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Huzhou Central Hospital), Huzhou, China
- Department of Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer, Huzhou, China
| | - Song Yifei
- Department of Medical Oncology, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fifth School of Clinical Medicine of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Huzhou Central Hospital), Huzhou, China
- Department of Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer, Huzhou, China
| | - Wu Xinyue
- Department of Medical Oncology, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fifth School of Clinical Medicine of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Huzhou Central Hospital), Huzhou, China
- Department of Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer, Huzhou, China
| | - Zhang Wenyuan
- Department of Gynecology, Heyuan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heyuan, China
| | - Han Shuwen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fifth School of Clinical Medicine of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Huzhou Central Hospital), Huzhou, China
- Department of Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer, Huzhou, China
| | - Yang Xi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fifth School of Clinical Medicine of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Huzhou Central Hospital), Huzhou, China
- Department of Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer, Huzhou, China
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Yang Q, Zaongo SD, Zhu L, Yan J, Yang J, Ouyang J. The Potential of Clostridium butyricum to Preserve Gut Health, and to Mitigate Non-AIDS Comorbidities in People Living with HIV. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024:10.1007/s12602-024-10227-1. [PMID: 38336953 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-024-10227-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
A dramatic reduction in mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH) has been achieved during the modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) era. However, ART does not restore gut barrier function even after long-term viral suppression, allowing microbial products to enter the systemic blood circulation and induce chronic immune activation. In PLWH, a chronic state of systemic inflammation exists and persists, which increases the risk of development of inflammation-associated non-AIDS comorbidities such as metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Clostridium butyricum is a human butyrate-producing symbiont present in the gut microbiome. Convergent evidence has demonstrated favorable effects of C. butyricum for gastrointestinal health, including maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of the gut barrier, inhibition of pathogenic bacteria within the intestine, and reduction of microbial translocation. Moreover, C. butyricum supplementation has been observed to have a positive effect on various inflammation-related diseases such as diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and cancer, which are also recognized as non-AIDS comorbidities associated with epithelial gut damage. There is currently scant published research in the literature, focusing on the influence of C. butyricum in the gut of PLWH. In this hypothesis review, we speculate the use of C. butyricum as a probiotic oral supplementation may well emerge as a potential future synergistic adjunctive strategy in PLWH, in tandem with ART, to restore and consolidate intestinal barrier integrity, repair the leaky gut, prevent microbial translocation from the gut, and reduce both gut and systemic inflammation, with the ultimate objective of decreasing the risk for development of non-AIDS comorbidities in PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyu Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital & Chongqing Cancer Institute & Chongqing Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Silvere D Zaongo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Lijiao Zhu
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiangyu Yan
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiadan Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Jing Ouyang
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China.
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Li Y, Zeng Y, Chen Z, Tan X, Mei X, Wu Z. The role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in vitiligo: a review. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1291556. [PMID: 38361944 PMCID: PMC10867127 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1291556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune dermatosis characterized by patchy skin depigmentation, causing significant psychological distress to the patients. Genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers, oxidative stress, and autoimmunity contribute to melanocyte destruction in vitiligo. Due to the diversity and complexity of pathogenesis, the combination of inhibiting melanocyte destruction and stimulating melanogenesis gives the best results in treating vitiligo. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that can regulate the expression of various downstream genes and play roles in cell differentiation, immune response, and physiological homeostasis maintenance. Recent studies suggested that AhR signaling pathway was downregulated in vitiligo. Activation of AhR pathway helps to activate antioxidant pathways, inhibit abnormal immunity response, and upregulate the melanogenesis gene, thereby protecting melanocytes from oxidative stress damage, controlling disease progression, and promoting lesion repigmentation. Here, we review the relevant literature and summarize the possible roles of the AhR signaling pathway in vitiligo pathogenesis and treatment, to further understand the links between the AhR and vitiligo, and provide new potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Li
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yibin Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zile Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Tan
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingyu Mei
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhouwei Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Jiang L, Xu X, Yan G, Wu Y, Xi N, Lai Y, Zhang G, Liu Y. Untargeted metabolomics yields insight into extramammary Paget's disease mechanisms. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1319819. [PMID: 38347841 PMCID: PMC10859479 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1319819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare cutaneous malignancy, commonly affecting the external genitalia and perianal area of the elderly with unclear pathogenesis. Metabolomics provides a novel perspective for uncovering the metabolic mechanisms of a verity of cancers. Materials and methods Here, we explored the metabolome of EMPD using an untargeted strategy. In order to further investigate the potential relationship between metabolites and gene expression, we re-analyzed the gene expression microarray data (GSE117285) using differential expression analysis and functional enrichment analyses. Results Results showed that a total of 896 metabolites were identified and 87 metabolites including 37 upregulated and 50 downregulated significantly in EMPD were sought out. In the following feature selection analyses, four metabolites, namely, cyclopentyl fentanyl-d5, LPI 17:0, guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, kynurenine (KYN, high in EMPD) were identified by both random forest and support vector machine analyses. We then identified 1,079 dysfunctional genes: 646 upregulated and 433 downregulated in EMPD. Specifically, the tryptophan-degrading enzyme including indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) were also increased. Generally, cancers exhibit a high expression of IDO1 and TDO2 to catabolize tryptophan, generating abundant KYN. Moreover, we also noticed the abnormal activation of sustaining proliferative signaling in EMPD. Conclusion In conclusion, this study was the first to reveal the metabolome profile of EMPD. Our results demonstrate that IDO1/TDO2-initialized KYN metabolic pathway may play a vital role in the development and progression of EMPD, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target for treating EMPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Jiang
- Department of Dermatologic Surgery, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Skin Cancer Center, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Xu
- Skin Cancer Center, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guorong Yan
- Skin Cancer Center, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Phototherapy, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Photomedicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhao Wu
- Skin Cancer Center, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Phototherapy, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Photomedicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ningyuan Xi
- Skin Cancer Center, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongxian Lai
- Department of Dermatologic Surgery, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Skin Cancer Center, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guolong Zhang
- Skin Cancer Center, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Phototherapy, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Photomedicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yeqiang Liu
- Skin Cancer Center, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Li Z, Li S, Xing Z, Gu Q, Du R, Jiang J, Yuan X, Zhang X, Chen X, Xue N, Zhang P, Jin J, Yang Y. Discovery of Natural Ah Receptor Antagonists from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and Synthesis of Analogs for Tumor Immunotherapy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1243-1261. [PMID: 38176026 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
IDO/TDO/Kyn/AhR signaling plays a crucial role in regulating innate and adaptive immunity, and targeting Ah receptor (AhR) inhibition can potentially redirect immune cells toward an antitumoral phenotype. Therefore, AhR is an attractive drug target for novel small molecule cancer immunotherapies. In this study, natural products tanshinolic A-D (1-4), the first adducts composed of ortho-naphthoquinone-type tanshinone and phenolic acid featuring a unique 1,4-benzodioxan hemiacetal structure, were isolated and characterized from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that these adducts exhibited significant AhR inhibitory activity. A linear strategy was developed to construct a cis-3,4-disubstituted 1,4-benzodioxan hemiacetal structure. Encouragingly, in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, (±)-13e demonstrated the ability to inhibit tumor cell proliferation, promote INF-γ secretion in CD8+ T cells, and inhibit PD-1/PD-L1 signal transduction, which could exert tumor inhibition properties by inhibiting AhR activity, positioning it as a promising candidate for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Shuying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zeyu Xing
- Department of Breast Cancer, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Quanchang Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Rongrong Du
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jianshuang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xiang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xiaoguang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Nina Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Peicheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jing Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yanan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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Griffith BD, Frankel TL. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor: Impact on the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Modulation as a Potential Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:472. [PMID: 38339226 PMCID: PMC10854841 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030472] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ubiquitous nuclear receptor with a broad range of functions, both in tumor cells and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Activation of AhR has been shown to have a carcinogenic effect in a variety of organs, through induction of cellular proliferation and migration, promotion of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and inhibition of apoptosis, among other functions. However, the impact on immune cell function is more complicated, with both pro- and anti-tumorigenic roles identified. Although targeting AhR in cancer has shown significant promise in pre-clinical studies, there has been limited efficacy in phase III clinical trials to date. With the contrasting roles of AhR activation on immune cell polarization, understanding the impact of AhR activation on the tumor immune microenvironment is necessary to guide therapies targeting the AhR. This review article summarizes the state of knowledge of AhR activation on the TME, limitations of current findings, and the potential for modulation of the AhR as a cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D. Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Timothy L. Frankel
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Kou Z, Tran F, Dai W. Heavy metals, oxidative stress, and the role of AhR signaling. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 482:116769. [PMID: 38007072 PMCID: PMC10988536 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116769] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor pivotal in responding to environmental stress and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Exposure to specific xenobiotics or industrial compounds in the environment activates AhR and its subsequent signaling, inducing oxidative stress and related toxicity. Past research has also identified and characterized several classes of endogenous ligands, particularly some tryptophan (Trp) metabolic/catabolic products, that act as AhR agonists, influencing a variety of physiological and pathological states, including the modulation of immune responses and cell death. Heavy metals, being non-essential elements in the human body, are generally perceived as toxic and hazardous, originating either naturally or from industrial activities. Emerging evidence indicates that heavy metals significantly influence AhR activation and its downstream signaling. This review consolidates current knowledge on the modulation of the AhR signaling pathway by heavy metals, explores the consequences of co-exposure to AhR ligands and heavy metals, and investigates the interplay between oxidative stress and AhR activation, focusing on the regulation of immune responses and ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyue Kou
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, 341 East 25(th) Street, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Franklin Tran
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, 341 East 25(th) Street, New York, NY 10010, United States of America
| | - Wei Dai
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, 341 East 25(th) Street, New York, NY 10010, United States of America.
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Hu A, Sun L, Lin H, Liao Y, Yang H, Mao Y. Harnessing the innate immune system by revolutionizing macrophage-mediated cancer immunotherapy. J Biosci 2024; 49:63. [PMID: 38864238 PMCID: PMC10961329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a promising and safer alternative to conventional cancer therapies. It involves adaptive T-cell therapy, cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) based therapies. However, most of these modalities encounter restrictions in solid tumours owing to a dense, highly hypoxic and immune-suppressive microenvironment as well as the heterogeneity of tumour antigens. The elevated intra-tumoural pressure and mutational rates within fastgrowing solid tumours present challenges in efficient drug targeting and delivery. The tumour microenvironment is a dynamic niche infiltrated by a variety of immune cells, most of which are macrophages. Since they form a part of the innate immune system, targeting macrophages has become a plausible immunotherapeutic approach. In this review, we discuss several versatile approaches (both at pre-clinical and clinical stages) such as the direct killing of tumour-associated macrophages, reprogramming pro-tumour macrophages to anti-tumour phenotypes, inhibition of macrophage recruitment into the tumour microenvironment, novel CAR macrophages, and genetically engineered macrophages that have been devised thus far. These strategies comprise a strong and adaptable macrophage-toolkit in the ongoing fight against cancer and by understanding their significance, we may unlock the full potential of these immune cells in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hao Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yuheng Liao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), and Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine (Ministry of Education), and Molecular and Cell Biology Lab, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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Youssef R, Maniar R, Khan J, Mesa H. Metabolic Interplay in the Tumor Microenvironment: Implications for Immune Function and Anticancer Response. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:9753-9767. [PMID: 38132455 PMCID: PMC10742411 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45120609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant tumors exhibit rapid growth and high metabolic rates, similar to embryonic stem cells, and depend on aerobic glycolysis, known as the "Warburg effect". This understanding has enabled the use of radiolabeled glucose analogs in tumor staging and therapeutic response assessment via PET scans. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy target rapidly dividing cells, causing significant toxicity. Despite immunotherapy's impact on solid tumor treatment, gaps remain, leading to research on cancer cell evasion of immune response and immune tolerance induction via interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME, consisting of immune cells, fibroblasts, vessels, and the extracellular matrix, regulates tumor progression and therapy responses. TME-targeted therapies aim to transform this environment from supporting tumor growth to impeding it and fostering an effective immune response. This review examines the metabolic disparities between immune cells and cancer cells, their impact on immune function and therapeutic targeting, the TME components, and the complex interplay between cancer cells and nontumoral cells. The success of TME-targeted therapies highlights their potential to achieve better cancer control or even a cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Youssef
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Rohan Maniar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jaffar Khan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Hector Mesa
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Hu Z, Feng L, Jiang Q, Wang W, Tan B, Tang X, Yin Y. Intestinal tryptophan metabolism in disease prevention and swine production. ANIMAL NUTRITION (ZHONGGUO XU MU SHOU YI XUE HUI) 2023; 15:364-374. [PMID: 38058568 PMCID: PMC10695851 DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid that cannot be synthesized by animals. It has been characterized into two different isomers, levorotation-Trp (L-Trp) and dextrorotation-Trp (D-Trp), based on their distinct molecule orientation. Intestinal epithelial cells and gut microbiota are involved in metabolizing L-Trp in the gut via the activation of the kynurenine, serotonin, and indole pathways. However, knowledge regarding D-Trp metabolism in the gut remains unclear. In this review, we briefly update the current understanding of intestinal L/D-Trp metabolism and the function of their metabolites in modulating the gut physiology and diseases. Finally, we summarize the effects of Trp nutrition on swine production at different stages, including growth performance in weaned piglets and growing pigs, as well as the reproduction performance in sows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenguo Hu
- Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Physiology and Metabolic Process, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Science, Changsha, Hunan 410125, China
| | - Luya Feng
- Animal Nutritional Genome and Germplasm Innovation Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Qian Jiang
- Animal Nutritional Genome and Germplasm Innovation Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Wenliang Wang
- Animal Nutritional Genome and Germplasm Innovation Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Bi'e Tan
- Animal Nutritional Genome and Germplasm Innovation Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Xiongzhuo Tang
- Animal Nutritional Genome and Germplasm Innovation Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Yulong Yin
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
- Animal Nutritional Genome and Germplasm Innovation Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, China
- Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Physiology and Metabolic Process, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Science, Changsha, Hunan 410125, China
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Wang A, Guan B, Zhang H, Xu H. Danger-associated metabolites trigger metaflammation: A crowbar in cardiometabolic diseases. Pharmacol Res 2023; 198:106983. [PMID: 37931790 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106983] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are characterized by a series of metabolic disorders and chronic low-grade inflammation. CMDs contribute to a high burden of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Host-microbial metabolic regulation that triggers metaflammation is an emerging field of study that promotes a new perspective for perceiving cardiovascular risks. The term metaflammation denotes the entire cascade of immune responses activated by a new class of metabolites known as "danger-associated metabolites" (DAMs). It is being proposed by the present review for the first time. We summarize current studies covering bench to bedside aspects of DAMs to better understand CMDs in the context of DAMs. We have focused on the involvement of DAMs in the pathophysiological development of CMDs, including the disruption of immune homeostasis and chronic inflammation-triggered damage leading to CMD-related adverse events, as well as emerging therapeutic approaches for targeting DAM metabolism in CMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anlu Wang
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Baoyi Guan
- Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiovascular, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - He Zhang
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing 100091, China.
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Zhou L, Wu D, Zhou Y, Wang D, Fu H, Huang Q, Qin G, Chen J, Lv J, Lai S, Zhang H, Tang K, Ma J, Fiskesund R, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Huang B. Tumor cell-released kynurenine biases MEP differentiation into megakaryocytes in individuals with cancer by activating AhR-RUNX1. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:2042-2052. [PMID: 37919525 PMCID: PMC10681900 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01662-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-derived factors are thought to regulate thrombocytosis and erythrocytopenia in individuals with cancer; however, such factors have not yet been identified. Here we show that tumor cell-released kynurenine (Kyn) biases megakaryocytic-erythroid progenitor cell (MEP) differentiation into megakaryocytes in individuals with cancer by activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-Runt-related transcription factor 1 (AhR-RUNX1) axis. During tumor growth, large amounts of Kyn from tumor cells are released into the periphery, where they are taken up by MEPs via the transporter SLC7A8. In the cytosol, Kyn binds to and activates AhR, leading to its translocation into the nucleus where AhR transactivates RUNX1, thus regulating MEP differentiation into megakaryocytes. In addition, activated AhR upregulates SLC7A8 in MEPs to induce positive feedback. Importantly, Kyn-AhR-RUNX1-regulated MEP differentiation was demonstrated in both humanized mice and individuals with cancer, providing potential strategies for the prevention of thrombocytosis and erythrocytopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhou
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dongxiao Wu
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yabo Zhou
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dianheng Wang
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haixia Fu
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Qiusha Huang
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Guohui Qin
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiadi Lv
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shaoyang Lai
- The Department of Obstetrics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Huafeng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ke Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingwei Ma
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Roland Fiskesund
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China.
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Hou Y, Li J, Ying S. Tryptophan Metabolism and Gut Microbiota: A Novel Regulatory Axis Integrating the Microbiome, Immunity, and Cancer. Metabolites 2023; 13:1166. [PMID: 37999261 PMCID: PMC10673612 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13111166] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan metabolism and gut microbiota form an integrated regulatory axis that impacts immunity, metabolism, and cancer. This review consolidated current knowledge on the bidirectional interactions between microbial tryptophan processing and the host. We focused on how the gut microbiome controls tryptophan breakdown via the indole, kynurenine, and serotonin pathways. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota induces disruptions in tryptophan catabolism which contribute to disorders like inflammatory conditions, neuropsychiatric diseases, metabolic syndromes, and cancer. These disruptions affect immune homeostasis, neurotransmission, and gut-brain communication. Elucidating the mechanisms of microbial tryptophan modulation could enable novel therapeutic approaches like psychobiotics and microbiome-targeted dietary interventions. Overall, further research on the microbiota-tryptophan axis has the potential to revolutionize personalized diagnostics and treatments for improving human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjian Hou
- Target Discovery Center, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China;
| | - Jing Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory for Bioanalysis of Complex Matrix Samples, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Shuhuan Ying
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Shanghai Bocimed Pharmaceutical Research Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201203, China
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Nawas AF, Solmonson A, Gao B, DeBerardinis RJ, Minna JD, Conacci-Sorrell M, Mendelson CR. IL-1β mediates the induction of immune checkpoint regulators IDO1 and PD-L1 in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:331. [PMID: 37985999 PMCID: PMC10658741 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01348-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inflammation plays a significant role in various cancers, including lung cancer, where the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β is often elevated in the tumor microenvironment. Patients with lung adenocarcinoma show higher levels of serum IL-1β compared to healthy individual. Moreover, IL-1β blockade reduces the incidence and mortality of lung cancer. Our prior studies revealed that alveolar type-II cells, the precursors for lung adenocarcinoma, display an induction in the expression of the enzyme tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) during normal lung development. This induction of TDO2 coincides with an increase in IL-1β levels and is likely caused by IL-1β. Given that cancer cells can co-opt developmentally regulated pathways, we hypothesized that IL-1β may exert its pro-tumoral function by stimulating TDO2 and indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1), parallel enzymes involved in the conversion of tryptophan (Trp) into the immune-suppressive oncometabolite kynurenine (Kyn). Our goal was to determine whether IL-1β is a common upstream regulator of immune checkpoint regulators. METHODS To determine whether IL-1β regulates IDO1, TDO2, PD-L1, and PD-L2, we measured mRNA and protein levels in lung adenocarcinoma cells lines (A549, H1792, H1838, H2347, H2228, HCC364 and HCC827) grown in 2D or 3D and in immortalized normal lung epithelial cells (HBEC3-KT and HSAEC1-KT). To determine the importance of the NFκB pathway in mediating IL-1β -regulated cellular effects, we used siRNA to knockdown RelA/p65 in IL-1β treated cells. The levels of Trp and Kyn in the IL-1β-treated cells and media were measured by mass spectrometry. RESULTS Upon IL-1β stimulation, lung adenocarcinoma cells exhibited significant increases in IDO1 mRNA and protein levels, a response that depended on the NFκB pathway. Interestingly, this induction was more pronounced in 3D spheroid cultures compared to monolayer cultures and was not observed in normal immortalized lung epithelial cells. Furthermore, the conversion of Trp to Kyn increased in cells exposed to IL-1β, aligning with the heightened IDO1 expression. Remarkably, IL-1β also upregulated the expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and PD-L2 in multiple cell lines, indicating that IL-1β triggers parallel immune-suppressive mechanisms in lung adenocarcinoma cells. CONCLUSIONS Our studies demonstrate that lung adenocarcinoma cells, but not normal immortalized lung epithelial cells, respond to IL-1β signaling by inducing the expression of parallel immune checkpoint proteins that have the potential to promote immune evasion. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshan Fathima Nawas
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Ashley Solmonson
- Children's Medical Center Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Boning Gao
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Ralph J DeBerardinis
- Children's Medical Center Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - John D Minna
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Maralice Conacci-Sorrell
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Carole R Mendelson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and North Texas March of Dimes Birth Defects Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
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Shorer O, Yizhak K. Metabolic predictors of response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. iScience 2023; 26:108188. [PMID: 37965137 PMCID: PMC10641254 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolism of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in cancer patient response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Yet, a metabolic characterization of immune cells in the TME of patients treated with ICI is lacking. To bridge this gap we performed a semi-supervised analysis of ∼1700 metabolic genes using single-cell RNA-seq data of > 1 million immune cells from ∼230 samples of cancer patients treated with ICI. When clustering cells based on their metabolic gene expression, we found that similar immunological cellular states are found in different metabolic states. Most importantly, we found metabolic states that are significantly associated with patient response. We then built a metabolic predictor based on a dozen gene signature, which significantly differentiates between responding and non-responding patients across different cancer types (AUC = 0.8-0.92). Taken together, our results demonstrate the power of metabolism in predicting patient response to ICI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofir Shorer
- Department of Cell Biology and Cancer Science, The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3525422, Israel
| | - Keren Yizhak
- Department of Cell Biology and Cancer Science, The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3525422, Israel
- The Taub Faculty of Computer Science, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
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Kimura K, Jackson TLB, Huang RCC. Interaction and Collaboration of SP1, HIF-1, and MYC in Regulating the Expression of Cancer-Related Genes to Further Enhance Anticancer Drug Development. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:9262-9283. [PMID: 37998757 PMCID: PMC10670631 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45110580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Specificity protein 1 (SP1), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), and MYC are important transcription factors (TFs). SP1, a constitutively expressed housekeeping gene, regulates diverse yet distinct biological activities; MYC is a master regulator of all key cellular activities including cell metabolism and proliferation; and HIF-1, whose protein level is rapidly increased when the local tissue oxygen concentration decreases, functions as a mediator of hypoxic signals. Systems analyses of the regulatory networks in cancer have shown that SP1, HIF-1, and MYC belong to a group of TFs that function as master regulators of cancer. Therefore, the contributions of these TFs are crucial to the development of cancer. SP1, HIF-1, and MYC are often overexpressed in tumors, which indicates the importance of their roles in the development of cancer. Thus, proper manipulation of SP1, HIF-1, and MYC by appropriate agents could have a strong negative impact on cancer development. Under these circumstances, these TFs have naturally become major targets for anticancer drug development. Accordingly, there are currently many SP1 or HIF-1 inhibitors available; however, designing efficient MYC inhibitors has been extremely difficult. Studies have shown that SP1, HIF-1, and MYC modulate the expression of each other and collaborate to regulate the expression of numerous genes. In this review, we provide an overview of the interactions and collaborations of SP1, HIF1A, and MYC in the regulation of various cancer-related genes, and their potential implications in the development of anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ru Chih C. Huang
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-2685, USA
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Zheng Y, Yao Y, Ge T, Ge S, Jia R, Song X, Zhuang A. Amino acid metabolism reprogramming: shedding new light on T cell anti-tumor immunity. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:291. [PMID: 37924140 PMCID: PMC10623764 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02845-4] [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: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming of amino acids has been increasingly recognized to initiate and fuel tumorigenesis and survival. Therefore, there is emerging interest in the application of amino acid metabolic strategies in antitumor therapy. Tremendous efforts have been made to develop amino acid metabolic node interventions such as amino acid antagonists and targeting amino acid transporters, key enzymes of amino acid metabolism, and common downstream pathways of amino acid metabolism. In addition to playing an essential role in sustaining tumor growth, new technologies and studies has revealed amino acid metabolic reprograming to have wide implications in the regulation of antitumor immune responses. Specifically, extensive crosstalk between amino acid metabolism and T cell immunity has been reported. Tumor cells can inhibit T cell immunity by depleting amino acids in the microenvironment through nutrient competition, and toxic metabolites of amino acids can also inhibit T cell function. In addition, amino acids can interfere with T cells by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. This crucial crosstalk inspires the exploitation of novel strategies of immunotherapy enhancement and combination, owing to the unprecedented benefits of immunotherapy and the limited population it can benefit. Herein, we review recent findings related to the crosstalk between amino acid metabolism and T cell immunity. We also describe possible approaches to intervene in amino acid metabolic pathways by targeting various signaling nodes. Novel efforts to combine with and unleash potential immunotherapy are also discussed. Hopefully, some strategies that take the lead in the pipeline may soon be used for the common good.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
| | - Yiran Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
| | - Tongxin Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
| | - Xin Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
| | - Ai Zhuang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 20025, P. R. China.
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Wojciech L, Png CW, Koh EY, Kioh DYQ, Deng L, Wang Z, Wu L, Hamidinia M, Tung DWH, Zhang W, Pettersson S, Chan ECY, Zhang Y, Tan KSW, Gascoigne NRJ. A tryptophan metabolite made by a gut microbiome eukaryote induces pro-inflammatory T cells. EMBO J 2023; 42:e112963. [PMID: 37743772 PMCID: PMC10620759 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022112963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The large intestine harbors microorganisms playing unique roles in host physiology. The beneficial or detrimental outcome of host-microbiome coexistence depends largely on the balance between regulators and responder intestinal CD4+ T cells. We found that ulcerative colitis-like changes in the large intestine after infection with the protist Blastocystis ST7 in a mouse model are associated with reduction of anti-inflammatory Treg cells and simultaneous expansion of pro-inflammatory Th17 responders. These alterations in CD4+ T cells depended on the tryptophan metabolite indole-3-acetaldehyde (I3AA) produced by this single-cell eukaryote. I3AA reduced the Treg subset in vivo and iTreg development in vitro by modifying their sensing of TGFβ, concomitantly affecting recognition of self-flora antigens by conventional CD4+ T cells. Parasite-derived I3AA also induces over-exuberant TCR signaling, manifested by increased CD69 expression and downregulation of co-inhibitor PD-1. We have thus identified a new mechanism dictating CD4+ fate decisions. The findings thus shine a new light on the ability of the protist microbiome and tryptophan metabolites, derived from them or other sources, to modulate the adaptive immune compartment, particularly in the context of gut inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Wojciech
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Chin Wen Png
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Immunology Programme, Life Sciences InstituteNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Eileen Y Koh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Dorinda Yan Qin Kioh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of ScienceNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Lei Deng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Ziteng Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of ScienceNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Liang‐zhe Wu
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Maryam Hamidinia
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Desmond WH Tung
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Wei Zhang
- ASEAN Microbiome Nutrition CentreNational Neuroscience InstituteSingaporeSingapore
| | - Sven Pettersson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- ASEAN Microbiome Nutrition CentreNational Neuroscience InstituteSingaporeSingapore
- Faculty of Medical SciencesSunway UniversitySubang JayaMalaysia
- Department of OdontologyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Eric Chun Yong Chan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of ScienceNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Yongliang Zhang
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Immunology Programme, Life Sciences InstituteNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Kevin SW Tan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Nicholas RJ Gascoigne
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- ASEAN Microbiome Nutrition CentreNational Neuroscience InstituteSingaporeSingapore
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50
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Shen K, Chen B, Yang L, Gao W. KYNU as a Biomarker of Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Correlates with Immunosuppressive Microenvironment and Poor Prognosis in Gastric Cancer. Int J Genomics 2023; 2023:4662480. [PMID: 37954130 PMCID: PMC10635752 DOI: 10.1155/2023/4662480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Kynureninase (KYNU) is a potential prognostic marker for various tumor types. However, no reports on the biological effects and prognostic value of KYNU in gastric cancer (GC) exist. Methods GC-associated single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing (bulk-seq) data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases, respectively. The differential expression of KYNU between GC and normal gastric tissues was first analyzed based on the bulk-seq data, followed by an exploration of the relationship between KYNU and various clinicopathological features. The Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the prognostic value of KYNU. The relationship between KYNU expression and immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints was also explored. The biological function of KYNU was further examined at the single-cell level, and in vitro experiments were performed to examine the effect of KYNU on GC cell proliferation and invasion. Results KYNU expression was significantly elevated in GC samples. Clinical features and survival analysis indicated that high KYNU expression was associated with poor clinical phenotypes and prognosis, whereas Cox analysis showed that KYNU was an independent risk factor for patients with GC. Notably, high expression of KYNU induced a poor immune microenvironment and contributed to the upregulation of immune checkpoints. KYNU-overexpressing macrophages drove GC progression through unique ligand-receptor pairs and transcription factors and were associated with adverse clinical phenotypes in GC. KYNU was overexpressed in GC cells in vitro, and KYNU knockout significantly inhibited GC cell proliferation and invasion. Conclusion High KYNU expression promotes an adverse immune microenvironment and low survival rates in GC. KYNU and KYNU-related macrophages may serve as novel molecular targets in the treatment of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyu Shen
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Binyu Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Liu Yang
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Wencang Gao
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310005, China
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