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Ravindranath MH, Ravindranath NM, Amato-Menker CJ, Hilali FE, Filippone EJ. Conformational Alterations of the Cell Surface of Monomeric and Dimeric β2m-Free HLA-I (Proto-HLA) May Enable Novel Immune Functions in Health and Disease. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:6961-6985. [PMID: 39057057 PMCID: PMC11276036 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46070416] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are polymorphic glycoproteins expressed on the cell surface of nucleated cells and consist of two classes, HLA class I and HLA class II. In contrast, in mice, these molecules, known as H-2, are expressed on both nucleated cells and erythrocytes. HLA-I molecules (Face-1) are heterodimers consisting of a polypeptide heavy chain (HC) and a light chain, B2-microglobulin (B2m). The heterodimers bind to antigenic peptides and present them to the T-cell receptors of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The HCs can also independently emerge on the cell surface as B2m-free HC monomers without peptides (Face-2). Early investigators suggested that the occurrence of B2m-free HCs on the cell surface resulted from the dissociation of B2m from Face-1. However, others documented the independent emergence of B2m-free HCs (Face-2) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the cell surface. The clustering of such HC molecules on either the cell surface or on exosomes resulted in the dimerization of B2m-free HCs to form homodimers (if the same allele, designated as Face-3) or heterodimers (if different alleles, designated as Face-4). Face-2 occurs at low levels on the cell surface of several normal cells but is upregulated on immune cells upon activation by proinflammatory cytokines and other agents such as anti-CD3 antibodies, phytohemagglutinin, and phorbol myristate acetate. Their density on the cell surface remains high as long as the cells remain activated. After activation-induced upregulation, Face-2 molecules undergo homo- and heterodimerization (Face-3 and Face-4). Observations made on the structural patterns of HCs and their dimerization in sharks, fishes, and tetrapod species suggest that the formation of B2m-free HC monomers and dimers is a recapitalization of a phylogenetically conserved event, befitting the term Proto-HLA for the B2m-free HCs. Spontaneous arthritis occurs in HLA-B27+ mice lacking B2m (HLA-B27+ B2m-/-) but not in HLA-B27+ B2m+/+ mice. Anti-HC-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) delay disease development. Some HLA-I polyreactive mAbs (MEM series) used for immunostaining confirm the existence of B2m-free variants in several cancer cells. The conformational alterations that occur in the B2m-free HCs enable them to interact with several inhibitory and activating receptors of cellular components of the innate (natural killer (NK) cells) and adaptive (T and B cells) immune systems. The NK cells express killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), whereas leukocytes (T and B lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages, and dendritic cells) express leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILRs). The KIRs and LILRs include activating and inhibitory members within their respective groups. This review focuses on the interaction of KIRs and LILRs with B2m-free HC monomers and dimers in patients with spondylarthritis. Several investigations reveal that the conformational alterations occurring in the alpha-1 and alpha-2 domains of B2m-free HCs may facilitate immunomodulation by their interaction with KIR and LILR receptors. This opens new avenues to immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases and even human cancers that express B2m-free HCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mepur H. Ravindranath
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
- Terasaki Foundation Laboratory, Santa Monica, CA 90064, USA
| | - Narendranath M. Ravindranath
- Norris Dental Science Center, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
| | - Carly J. Amato-Menker
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA;
| | - Fatiha El Hilali
- Medico-Surgical, Biomedicine and Infectiology Research Laboratory, The Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Laayoune & Agadir, Ibnou Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco;
| | - Edward J. Filippone
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19145, USA;
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Wang S, Wang J, Xia Y, Zhang L, Jiang Y, Liu M, Gao Q, Zhang C. Harnessing the potential of HLA-G in cancer therapy: advances, challenges, and prospects. J Transl Med 2024; 22:130. [PMID: 38310272 PMCID: PMC10838004 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04938-w] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockades have been prized in circumventing and ablating the impediments posed by immunosuppressive receptors, reaching an exciting juncture to be an innovator in anticancer therapy beyond traditional therapeutics. Thus far, approved immune checkpoint blockades have principally targeted PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 with exciting success in a plethora of tumors and yet are still trapped in dilemmas of limited response rates and adverse effects. Hence, unveiling new immunotherapeutic targets has aroused immense scientific interest in the hope of expanding the clinical application of immune checkpoint blockades to scale new heights. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G), a non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule, is enriched on various malignant cells and is involved in the hindrance of immune effector cells and the facilitation of immunosuppressive cells. HLA-G stands out as a crucial next-generation immune checkpoint showing great promise for the benefit of cancer patients. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the expression pattern and immunological functions of HLA-G, as well as its interaction with well-characterized immune checkpoints. Since HLA-G can be shed from the cell surface or released by various cells as free soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) or as part of extracellular vesicles (EVs), namely HLA-G-bearing EVs (HLA-GEV), we discuss the potential of sHLA-G and HLA-GEV as predictive biomarkers. This review also addresses the advancement of HLA-G-based therapies in preclinical and clinical settings, with a focus on their clinical application in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yu Xia
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of Chinese Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Le Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yueqiang Jiang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of Chinese Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Cuntai Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Wu X, Li T, Jiang R, Yang X, Guo H, Yang R. Targeting MHC-I molecules for cancer: function, mechanism, and therapeutic prospects. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:194. [PMID: 38041084 PMCID: PMC10693139 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01899-4] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecules of Major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) load peptides and present them on the cell surface, which provided the immune system with the signal to detect and eliminate the infected or cancerous cells. In the context of cancer, owing to the crucial immune-regulatory roles played by MHC-I molecules, the abnormal modulation of MHC-I expression and function could be hijacked by tumor cells to escape the immune surveillance and attack, thereby promoting tumoral progression and impairing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Here we reviewed and discussed the recent studies and discoveries related to the MHC-I molecules and their multidirectional functions in the development of cancer, mainly focusing on the interactions between MHC-I and the multiple participators in the tumor microenvironment and highlighting the significance of targeting MHC-I for optimizing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy and a deeper understanding of the dynamic nature and functioning mechanism of MHC-I in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Wu
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tianhang Li
- Department of Urology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Surgical Research Center, Institute of Urology, Southeast University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Jiang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongqian Guo
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Rong Yang
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
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Nersesian S, Carter EB, Lee SN, Westhaver LP, Boudreau JE. Killer instincts: natural killer cells as multifactorial cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1269614. [PMID: 38090565 PMCID: PMC10715270 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1269614] [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: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells integrate heterogeneous signals for activation and inhibition using germline-encoded receptors. These receptors are stochastically co-expressed, and their concurrent engagement and signaling can adjust the sensitivity of individual cells to putative targets. Against cancers, which mutate and evolve under therapeutic and immunologic pressure, the diversity for recognition provided by NK cells may be key to comprehensive cancer control. NK cells are already being trialled as adoptive cell therapy and targets for immunotherapeutic agents. However, strategies to leverage their naturally occurring diversity and agility have not yet been developed. In this review, we discuss the receptors and signaling pathways through which signals for activation or inhibition are generated in NK cells, focusing on their roles in cancer and potential as targets for immunotherapies. Finally, we consider the impacts of receptor co-expression and the potential to engage multiple pathways of NK cell reactivity to maximize the scope and strength of antitumor activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nersesian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Emily B. Carter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stacey N. Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Jeanette E. Boudreau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Zhang Y, He S, Yu L, Shi C, Zhang Y, Tang S. Prognostic significance of HLA-G in patients with colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis and bioinformatics analysis. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1024. [PMID: 37875821 PMCID: PMC10594707 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11522-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, its prognostic value remains controversial. Hence, our meta-analysis aims to assess the prognostic value of HLA-G in CRC patients based on published literature and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets. METHODS A systematic search was conducted on relevant studies retrieved from four electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were recorded to be applied as effective values. Fixed-effects models or random-effects models were applied on the basis of the value of heterogeneity (I 2). Publication bias was analyzed by Begg's and Egger's tests. In addition, the results were validated by using TCGA datasets. RESULTS Thirteen studies comprising 3896 patients were incorporated into this meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that HLA-G expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) in both the univariate analysis (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.14-1.83, P = 0.002) and the multivariate analysis (HR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.23-1.95, P < 0.001). Nevertheless, the expression of HLA-G is not related to age, sex, tumor type, tumor differentiation, TNM stage, or distant metastasis but lymph node metastasis. Notably, the prognosis of colorectal cancer was not consistent with the analysis result from TCGA data. CONCLUSION HLA-G expression was significantly related to poor OS in CRC according to the results of our meta-analysis. However, we found that the prognostic significance was inconsistent with our results according to the TCGA data in CRC. Hence, more research is still needed to further illustrate the prognostic role of HLA-G in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhang
- Department of clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China.
| | - Siying He
- Department of clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
| | - Lisha Yu
- Department of clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
| | - Chao Shi
- Department of clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
| | - Yanyue Zhang
- Department of clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
| | - Shiyue Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
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Ravindranath MH, Ravindranath NM, Selvan SR, Hilali FE, Amato-Menker CJ, Filippone EJ. Cell Surface B2m-Free Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Monomers and Dimers: Are They Neo-HLA Class and Proto-HLA? Biomolecules 2023; 13:1178. [PMID: 37627243 PMCID: PMC10452486 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081178] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell surface HLA-I molecules (Face-1) consist of a polypeptide heavy chain (HC) with two groove domains (G domain) and one constant domain (C-domain) as well as a light chain, B2-microglobulin (B2m). However, HCs can also independently emerge unfolded on the cell surface without peptides as B2m-free HC monomers (Face-2), B2m-free HC homodimers (Face 3), and B2m-free HC heterodimers (Face-4). The transport of these HLA variants from ER to the cell surface was confirmed by antiviral antibiotics that arrest the release of newly synthesized proteins from the ER. Face-2 occurs at low levels on the normal cell surface of the lung, bronchi, epidermis, esophagus, breast, stomach, ilium, colorectum, gall bladder, urinary bladder, seminal vesicles ovarian epithelia, endometrium, thymus, spleen, and lymphocytes. They are upregulated on immune cells upon activation by proinflammatory cytokines, anti-CD3 antibodies, antibiotics (e.g., ionomycin), phytohemagglutinin, retinoic acid, and phorbol myristate acetate. Their density on the cell surface remains high as long as the cells remain in an activated state. After activation-induced upregulation, the Face-2 molecules undergo homo- and hetero-dimerization (Face-3 and Face-4). Alterations in the redox environment promote dimerization. Heterodimerization can occur among and between the alleles of different haplotypes. The glycosylation of these variants differ from that of Face-1, and they may occur with bound exogenous peptides. Spontaneous arthritis occurs in HLA-B27+ mice lacking B2m (HLA-B27+ B2m-/-) but not in HLA-B27+ B2m+/- mice. The mice with HLA-B27 in Face-2 spontaneous configuration develop symptoms such as changes in nails and joints, hair loss, and swelling in paws, leading to ankyloses. Anti-HC-specific mAbs delay disease development. Some HLA-I polyreactive mAbs (MEM series) used for immunostaining confirm the existence of B2m-free variants in several cancer cells. The upregulation of Face-2 in human cancers occurs concomitantly with the downregulation of intact HLAs (Face-1). The HLA monomeric and dimeric variants interact with inhibitory and activating ligands (e.g., KIR), growth factors, cytokines, and neurotransmitters. Similarities in the amino acid sequences of the HLA-I variants and HLA-II β-chain suggest that Face-2 could be the progenitor of both HLA classes. These findings may support the recognition of these variants as a neo-HLA class and proto-HLA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mepur H. Ravindranath
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
- Terasaki Foundation Laboratory, Santa Monica, CA 90064, USA
| | - Narendranath M. Ravindranath
- Norris Dental Science Center, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
| | - Senthamil R. Selvan
- Division of Immunology and Hematology Devices, OHT 7: Office of In Vitro Diagnostics, Office of Product Evaluation and Quality, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA;
| | - Fatiha El Hilali
- Medico-Surgical, Biomedicine and Infectiology Research Laboratory, The Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Laayoune & Agadir, Ibnou Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco;
| | - Carly J. Amato-Menker
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA;
| | - Edward J. Filippone
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19145, USA;
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Behaeddin G, Abdelwaheb BO, Wided K, Sonia Y, Iheb T, Sonia Z, Khadija Z, Mohamed H, Sonia H. Association of HLA-G 3' untranslated region indel polymorphism and its serum expression with susceptibility to colorectal cancer. Biomark Med 2023; 17:541-552. [PMID: 37750737 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2023-0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health challenge with increasing incidence and mortality rates in developing countries. Genome-wide association studies have identified new low-penetrance genetic variants linked to CRC. This study aimed to explore the relationship between HLA-G polymorphism and serum expression with CRC. Methodology: In a case-control configuration, standard PCR was used for genotyping HLA-G 3' indel polymorphism and ELISA for quantifying soluble HLA-G in plasma. Results: The study revealed a significant association between the rs371194629 deletion allele and CRC, as well as higher soluble HLA-G levels in CRC patients. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HLA-G could be a promising biomarker for CRC, and further research could lead to improved screening and treatment for more personalized care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrach Behaeddin
- NAFS Research laboratory LR12ES05, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Ben Othmen Abdelwaheb
- NAFS Research laboratory LR12ES05, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Khamlaoui Wided
- NAFS Research laboratory LR12ES05, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Yatouji Sonia
- NAFS Research laboratory LR12ES05, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Toumi Iheb
- NAFS Research laboratory LR12ES05, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Zaied Sonia
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital Fattouma Bourguiba, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Zouari Khadija
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Fattouma Bourguiba, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Hammami Mohamed
- NAFS Research laboratory LR12ES05, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Hammami Sonia
- NAFS Research laboratory LR12ES05, Faculty of Medicine, University of Monastir, Tunisia
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Bartolome J, Molto C, Benitez-Fuentes JD, Fernandez-Hinojal G, Manzano A, Perez-Segura P, Mittal A, Tamimi F, Amir E, Ocana A. Prognostic value of human leukocyte antigen G expression in solid tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1165813. [PMID: 37275862 PMCID: PMC10232772 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1165813] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Identification of modulators of the immune response with inhibitory properties that could be susceptible for therapeutic intervention is a key goal in cancer research. An example is the human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), a nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule, involved in cancer progression. Methods In this article we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between HLA-G expression and outcome in solid tumors. This study was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO. Results A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies comprised data from 4871 patients reporting overall survival (OS), and 961 patients, reporting disease free survival (DFS). HLA-G expression was associated with worse OS (HR 2.09, 95% CI = 1.67 to 2.63; P < .001), that was higher in gastric (HR = 3.40; 95% CI = 1.64 to 7.03), pancreatic (HR = 1.72; 95% CI = 0.79 to 3.74) and colorectal (HR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.16 to 2.07) cancer. No significant differences were observed between the most commonly utilized antibody (4H84) and other methods of detection. HLA-G expression was associated with DFS which approached but did not meet statistical significance. Discussion In summary, we describe the first meta-analysis associating HLA-G expression and worse survival in a variety of solid tumors. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022311973.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Bartolome
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinico San Carlos and Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clinico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Consolacion Molto
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Aranzazu Manzano
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinico San Carlos and Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clinico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Perez-Segura
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinico San Carlos and Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clinico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Abhenil Mittal
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Faris Tamimi
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Eitan Amir
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alberto Ocana
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinico San Carlos and Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clinico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
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Xie Y, Gao Y, Liu W, Zou Y, Li C. Determination of soluble HLA-G serum levels in patients with adenomyosis and uterine fibroids before and after surgery. Hum Immunol 2023:S0198-8859(23)00060-5. [PMID: 37059598 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2023.03.006] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Adenomyosis is a benign gynaecological disease caused by the growth of endometrial tissue in the myometrium that affects approximately 30 % of child-bearing-age women. We evaluated the levels of soluble human leukocyte antigen G (sHLA-G) in the serum of patients with adenomyosis before and after treatment. Serum samples of 34 patients with adenomyosis and 31 patients with uterine fibroids were collected before and after the operation and were analysed for sHLA-G levels byELISAassay. The preoperative levels of serum sHLA-G in the adenomyosis group (28.05 ± 2.466 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those in the uterine fibroid group (18.53 ± 1.435 ng/ml) (P < 0.05). Serum sHLA-G levels in the adenomyosis group showed a decreasing trend at different time points after surgery (28.05 ± 14.38 ng/ml, 18.41 ± 8.34 ng/ml, and 14.45 ± 5.77 ng/ml). Adenomyosis patients who underwent total hysterectomy (n = 20) had a more significant decrease in sHLA-G levels in the early postoperative period (2 days post-operative) than those who underwent partial hysterectomy (n = 14). These results suggest that immunologic dysfunctions may be detected in patients with adenomyosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunkai Xie
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Yixuan Gao
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Yonghui Zou
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China.
| | - Changzhong Li
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
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Dutta S, Ganguly A, Chatterjee K, Spada S, Mukherjee S. Targets of Immune Escape Mechanisms in Cancer: Basis for Development and Evolution of Cancer Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020218. [PMID: 36829496 PMCID: PMC9952779 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has emerged as a novel therapeutic tool for cancer therapy in the last decade. Unfortunately, a small number of patients benefit from approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, multiple studies are being conducted to find new ICIs and combination strategies to improve the current ICIs. In this review, we discuss some approved immune checkpoints, such as PD-L1, PD-1, and CTLA-4, and also highlight newer emerging ICIs. For instance, HLA-E, overexpressed by tumor cells, represents an immune-suppressive feature by binding CD94/NKG2A, on NK and T cells. NKG2A blockade recruits CD8+ T cells and activates NK cells to decrease the tumor burden. NKG2D acts as an NK cell activating receptor that can also be a potential ICI. The adenosine A2A and A2B receptors, CD47-SIRPα, TIM-3, LAG-3, TIGIT, and VISTA are targets that also contribute to cancer immunoresistance and have been considered for clinical trials. Their antitumor immunosuppressive functions can be used to develop blocking antibodies. PARPs, mARTs, and B7-H3 are also other potential targets for immunosuppression. Additionally, miRNA, mRNA, and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated immunotherapeutic approaches are being investigated with great interest. Pre-clinical and clinical studies project these targets as potential immunotherapeutic candidates in different cancer types for their robust antitumor modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shovan Dutta
- The Center for Immunotherapy & Precision Immuno-Oncology (CITI), Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Anirban Ganguly
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar 814152, India
| | | | - Sheila Spada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Sumit Mukherjee
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.M.)
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Scarabel L, Polesel J, De Mattia E, Buonadonna A, D’Andrea MR, Cecchin E, Toffoli G. Association of HLA-G 3'UTR Polymorphisms with Response to First-Line FOLFIRI Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122737. [PMID: 36559230 PMCID: PMC9788252 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microenvironmental factors such as non-classical human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) have been associated with cancer invasiveness and metastatic progression. HLA-G expression has been associated with specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in HLA-G 3'untranslated region (UTR) in several diseases. The primary aim was to investigate the predictive role of HLA-G polymorphisms on treatment efficacy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients homogeneously treated with first-line FOLFIRI (irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin) and their association with soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) plasma concentration. HLA-G 3'UTR was sequenced in 248 patients. A set of eight polymorphisms and related haplotypes were analyzed for their association with best tumor response, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). sHLA-G was measured by immunoassay in 35 available plasma samples and correlated with HLA-G 3'UTR polymorphisms/haplotypes. Our results showed that carriers of rs371194629 (+2960)-Ins allele were at risk for lack of complete response (hazard ratio (HR):0.29, pBH = 0.0336), while carriers of rs1710 (+3010)-G allele (rs1063320 (+3142)-C allele in linkage-disequilibrium), and rs9380142 (+3187)-G allele had a higher chance of complete response according to additive models (HR:4.58, pBH = 0.0245; HR:3.18, pBH = 0.0336, respectively). The combination of rs371194629-Del, rs1710-G, and rs9380142-G alleles forms the UTR1 haplotype. Patients who were carriers of UTR1/UTR-1 diplotype had a greater chance of complete response to therapy (HR:10.59, pBH = 0.0294). The same three beneficial alleles showed a trend toward higher pre-treatment sHLA-G plasma levels, supporting a functional role for polymorphisms in protein secretion. In conclusion, genetic variants of HLA-G are associated with treatment efficacy in mCRC patients treated with first-line FOLFIRI. This finding shed light on the combined effect of this immune system factor and chemotherapy in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Scarabel
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini n. 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Jerry Polesel
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini n. 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Elena De Mattia
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini n. 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Angela Buonadonna
- Medical Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini n. 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | | | - Erika Cecchin
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini n. 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +39-(0)434-659799
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini n. 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
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12
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Chan C, Lustig M, Baumann N, Valerius T, van Tetering G, Leusen JHW. Targeting Myeloid Checkpoint Molecules in Combination With Antibody Therapy: A Novel Anti-Cancer Strategy With IgA Antibodies? Front Immunol 2022; 13:932155. [PMID: 35865547 PMCID: PMC9295600 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.932155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy with therapeutic antibodies has shown a lack of durable responses in some patients due to resistance mechanisms. Checkpoint molecules expressed by tumor cells have a deleterious impact on clinical responses to therapeutic antibodies. Myeloid checkpoints, which negatively regulate macrophage and neutrophil anti-tumor responses, are a novel type of checkpoint molecule. Myeloid checkpoint inhibition is currently being studied in combination with IgG-based immunotherapy. In contrast, the combination with IgA-based treatment has received minimal attention. IgA antibodies have been demonstrated to more effectively attract and activate neutrophils than their IgG counterparts. Therefore, myeloid checkpoint inhibition could be an interesting addition to IgA treatment and has the potential to significantly enhance IgA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chilam Chan
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marta Lustig
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian Albrechts University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Niklas Baumann
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian Albrechts University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Valerius
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian Albrechts University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Geert van Tetering
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jeanette H. W. Leusen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Jeanette H. W. Leusen,
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Emirzeoglu L, Olmez O, Mustafayev F, Berber U, Yilmaz I, Celik S, Oven B, Ozgun M. Prognostic value of expression levels of miR‑148a, miR‑152 and HLA‑G in colon cancer. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:226. [PMID: 35720471 PMCID: PMC9185158 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Levent Emirzeoglu
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozgur Olmez
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatma Mustafayev
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ufuk Berber
- Department of Pathology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ismail Yilmaz
- Department of Pathology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serkan Celik
- Department of Medical Oncology, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital, 34718 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bala Oven
- Department of Medical Oncology, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital, 34718 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ozgun
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
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14
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Bucova M, Kluckova K, Kozak J, Rychly B, Suchankova M, Svajdler M, Matejcik V, Steno J, Zsemlye E, Durmanova V. HLA-G 14bp Ins/Del Polymorphism, Plasma Level of Soluble HLA-G, and Association with IL-6/IL-10 Ratio and Survival of Glioma Patients. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051099. [PMID: 35626255 PMCID: PMC9139224 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
HLA-G is an immune checkpoint molecule with immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activities, and its expression and level of its soluble form (sHLA-G) may play an important role in tumor prognosis. The HLA-G 14bp ins/del polymorphism and the plasma level of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) were investigated by a polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, respectively, in 59 glioma patients. A significantly higher proportion of glioma patients had the 14 nt insert in both homozygous and heterozygous states compared to the control group. Glioma patients also had higher plasma levels of sHLA-G. Patients with methylated MGMT promoters had lower levels of sHLA-G than those with unmethylated MGMT promoters. The level of sHLA-G negatively correlated with the overall survival of patients. Glioblastoma patients who survived more than one year after diagnosis had lower levels of sHLA-G than those surviving less than one year. Patients with sHLA-G levels below the cut-off value of 40 U/mL survived significantly longer than patients with sHLA-G levels above 40 U/mL. The levels of sHLA-G were also negatively correlated with the level of IL-6 (p = 0.0004) and positively with IL-10/IL-6 (p = 0.046). Conclusion: The presence of the 14 nt insert in both homozygous and heterozygous states of the HLA-G 14bp ins/del polymorphism is more frequent in glioma patients and the elevated plasma levels of sHLA-G are negatively associated with their survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bucova
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.K.); (M.S.); (E.Z.); (V.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +421-59-357-351
| | - Kristina Kluckova
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.K.); (M.S.); (E.Z.); (V.D.)
| | - Jan Kozak
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital, 833 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (J.K.); (V.M.); (J.S.)
| | - Boris Rychly
- Alpha Medical, Ltd., 841 01 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Magda Suchankova
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.K.); (M.S.); (E.Z.); (V.D.)
| | - Marian Svajdler
- Cytopathos Ltd., 831 03 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Sikl’s Department of Pathology, the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty Hospital in Pilsen, Charles University, 306 05 Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Viktor Matejcik
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital, 833 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (J.K.); (V.M.); (J.S.)
| | - Juraj Steno
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital, 833 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (J.K.); (V.M.); (J.S.)
| | - Eszter Zsemlye
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.K.); (M.S.); (E.Z.); (V.D.)
| | - Vladimira Durmanova
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.K.); (M.S.); (E.Z.); (V.D.)
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15
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Ducoin K, Oger R, Bilonda Mutala L, Deleine C, Jouand N, Desfrançois J, Podevin J, Duchalais E, Cruard J, Benlalam H, Labarrière N, Bossard C, Jarry A, Gervois-Segain N. Targeting NKG2A to boost anti-tumor CD8 T-cell responses in human colorectal cancer. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2046931. [PMID: 35295095 PMCID: PMC8920231 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2046931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the inhibitory CD94/NKG2A receptor has joined the group of immune checkpoints (ICs) and its expression has been documented in NK cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes in several cancers and some infectious diseases. In colorectal cancer (CRC), we previously reported that NKG2A+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are predominantly CD8+ αβ T cells and that CD94 overexpression and/or its ligand HLA-E were associated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to thoroughly characterize the NKG2A+ CD8+ TIL subpopulation and document the impact of NKG2A on anti-tumor responses in CRC. Our findings highlight new features of this subpopulation: (i) enrichment in colorectal tumors compared to paired normal colonic mucosa, (ii) their character as tissue-resident T cells and their majority terminal exhaustion status, (iii) co-expression of other ICs delineating two subgroups differing mainly in the level of NKG2A expression and the presence of PD-1, (iv) high functional avidity despite reduced proliferative capacity and finally (v) inhibition of anti-tumor reactivity that is overcome by blocking NKG2A. From a clinical point of view, these results open a promising alternative for immunotherapies based on NKG2A blockade in CRC, which could be performed alone or in combination with other IC inhibitors, adoptive cell transfer or therapeutic vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Ducoin
- Nantes Université, Univ Angers, INSERM, Immunology and New Concepts in ImmunoTherapy, INCIT, UMR 1302. F-44000 Nantes, France
- LabEx IGO, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Romain Oger
- LabEx IGO, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CRCINA, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Linda Bilonda Mutala
- LabEx IGO, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CRCINA, F-44000 Nantes, France
- Institut Roche, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Cécile Deleine
- Nantes Université, Univ Angers, INSERM, Immunology and New Concepts in ImmunoTherapy, INCIT, UMR 1302. F-44000 Nantes, France
- LabEx IGO, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Nicolas Jouand
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, SFR Santé, Inserm UMS 016, CNRS UMS 3556, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Juliette Desfrançois
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, SFR Santé, Inserm UMS 016, CNRS UMS 3556, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Juliette Podevin
- CHU Nantes, Department of Digestive Surgery and IMAD, Nantes, France
| | - Emilie Duchalais
- CHU Nantes, Department of Digestive Surgery and IMAD, Nantes, France
| | - Jonathan Cruard
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CRCINA, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Houssem Benlalam
- Nantes Université, Univ Angers, INSERM, Immunology and New Concepts in ImmunoTherapy, INCIT, UMR 1302. F-44000 Nantes, France
- LabEx IGO, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Nathalie Labarrière
- Nantes Université, Univ Angers, INSERM, Immunology and New Concepts in ImmunoTherapy, INCIT, UMR 1302. F-44000 Nantes, France
- LabEx IGO, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Céline Bossard
- LabEx IGO, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CRCINA, F-44000 Nantes, France
- CHU Nantes, Department of Digestive Surgery and IMAD, Nantes, France
| | - Anne Jarry
- Nantes Université, Univ Angers, INSERM, Immunology and New Concepts in ImmunoTherapy, INCIT, UMR 1302. F-44000 Nantes, France
- LabEx IGO, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Nadine Gervois-Segain
- Nantes Université, Univ Angers, INSERM, Immunology and New Concepts in ImmunoTherapy, INCIT, UMR 1302. F-44000 Nantes, France
- LabEx IGO, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
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16
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Negrini S, Contini P, Murdaca G, Puppo F. HLA-G in Allergy: Does It Play an Immunoregulatory Role? Front Immunol 2022; 12:789684. [PMID: 35082780 PMCID: PMC8784385 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.789684] [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: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergy is an inflammatory process determined by a cascade of immune events characterized by T-helper 2 lymphocytes polarization leading to interleukin-4 upregulation, IgE secretion, and mast cell and eosinophil activation. HLA-G molecules, both in membrane-bound and in soluble forms, are known to play a key immunoregulatory role and their involvement in allergic diseases is supported by increasing literature data. HLA-G expression and secretion is specifically induced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of allergic patients after in vitro incubation with the causal allergen. Elevated levels of soluble HLA-G molecules are detected in serum of patients with allergic rhinitis correlating with allergen-specific IgE levels, clinical severity, drug consumption and response to allergen-specific immunotherapy. HLA-G genetic polymorphisms confer susceptibility to allergic asthma development and high levels of soluble HLA-G molecules are found in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with allergic asthma correlating with allergen-specific IgE levels. Interestingly, allergic pregnant women have lower plasma sHLA-G levels than non-allergic women during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and at delivery. Finally, in allergic patients with atopic dermatitis HLA-G molecules are expressed by T cells, monocytes-macrophages and Langerhans cells infiltrating the dermis. Although at present is difficult to completely define the role of HLA-G molecules in allergic diseases, it may be suggested that they are specifically expressed and secreted by immune cells during the allergic reaction in an attempt to suppress allergic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Negrini
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Contini
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Murdaca
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Puppo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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17
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Identification and Verification of Tumor Immune Microenvironment-Related Prognostic Genes in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:5563668. [PMID: 35127943 PMCID: PMC8813216 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5563668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background The tumor immune microenvironment is vital to kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) progression, and immunotherapies have been shown to be effective in the management of KIRC. However, the prognostic genes associated with the tumor immune microenvironment in KIRC have not been fully identified. We obtained the KIRC RNA sequencing data and the clinical characteristics from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) database. We screened the gene modules associated with the tumor immune microenvironment based on the ESTIMATE algorithm and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Univariate Cox analysis and the LASSO method were used to construct a prognostic model. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the accuracy of our risk model. TIMER and Single-Sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) were used to explore the correlation between prognostic genes and immune cell infiltration. Results Fifty-four genes in modules were significantly associated with the overall survival (OS) time of patients with KIRC. Furthermore, 12 hub genes were selected to construct the prognostic model. The prognostic model showed superior accuracy in both TCGA and ICGC cohorts using ROC curve analysis. Systematic analysis of immune cell infiltration revealed that nine genes were significantly correlated with levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Conclusions Our findings indicated that the tumor immune microenvironment was an important determinant of KIRC outcomes and revealed potential biomarkers for predicting patient OS and for targeted immunotherapies.
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Bennedsen ALB, Cai L, Hasselager RP, Özcan AA, Mohamed KB, Eriksen JO, Eiholm S, Bzorek M, Fiehn AMK, Hviid TVF, Gögenur I. An exploration of immunohistochemistry-based prognostic markers in patients undergoing curative resections for colon cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:62. [PMID: 35027037 PMCID: PMC8759288 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09169-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The immune system recognizes and destroys cancer cells. However, cancer cells develop mechanisms to avoid detection by expressing cell surface proteins. Specific tumour cell surface proteins (e.g. HLA-G, PD-L1, CDX2) either alone or in combination with the relative presence of immune cells (CD3 and CD8 positive T-cells) in the tumour tissue may describe the cancer cells’ ability to escape eradication by the immune system. The aim was to investigate the prognostic value of immunohistochemical markers in patients with colon cancer. Methods We conducted a retrospective study including patients diagnosed with pT3 and pT4 colon cancers. Immunohistochemical staining with HLA-G, PD-L1, CDX2, CD3, and CD8 was performed on tissue samples with representation of the invasive margin. PD-L1 expression in tumour cells and immune cells was reported conjointly. The expression of CD3 and CD8 was reported as a merged score based on the expression of both markers in the invasive margin and the tumour centre. Subsequently, a combined marker score was established based on all of the markers. Each marker added one point to the score when unfavourable immunohistochemical features was present, and the score was categorized as low, intermediate or high depending on the number of unfavourable stains. Hazard ratios for recurrence, disease-free survival and mortality were calculated. Results We included 188 patients undergoing colon cancer resections in 2011–2012. The median follow-up was 41.7 months, during which 41 (21.8%) patients had recurrence and 74 (39.4%) died. In multivariable regression analysis positive HLA-G expression (HR = 3.37, 95%CI [1.64–6.93]) was associated with higher recurrence rates, while a preserved CDX2 expression (HR = 0.23, 95%CI [0.06–0.85]) was associated with a lower risk of recurrence. An intermediate or high combined marker score was associated with increased recurrence rates (HR = 20.53, 95%CI [2.68–157.32] and HR = 7.56, 95%CI [1.06–54.16], respectively). Neither high expression of PD-L1 nor high CD3-CD8 score was significantly associated with recurrence rates. Patients with a high CD3-CD8 score had a significantly longer DFS and OS. Conclusions In tumour cells, expression of HLA-G and loss of CDX2 expression were associated with cancer recurrence. In addition, a combination of certain tumour tissue biomarkers was associated with colorectal cancer recurrence. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09169-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Louise Bjørn Bennedsen
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark.
| | - Luyi Cai
- Cardiology department, Hospital Sønderjylland, Kresten Philipsens Vej 15, 6200, Aabenraa, Denmark
| | - Rune Petring Hasselager
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark
| | - Aysun Avci Özcan
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark
| | - Khadra Bashir Mohamed
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark
| | - Jens Ole Eriksen
- Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Susanne Eiholm
- Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Michael Bzorek
- Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Anne-Marie Kanstrup Fiehn
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark.,Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Vauvert F Hviid
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Immune Regulation and Reproductive Immunology (CIRRI), Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Zealand University Hospital, Sygehusvej 10, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Ismail Gögenur
- Center For Surgical Science (CSS), Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3b, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ray SK, Mukherjee S. Directing hypoxic tumor microenvironment and HIF to illuminate cancer immunotherapy's existing prospects and challenges in drug targets. Curr Drug Targets 2022; 23:471-485. [PMID: 35021970 DOI: 10.2174/1389450123666220111114649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is now also reflected as a disease of the tumor microenvironment, primarily supposed to be a decontrolled genetic and cellular expression disease. Over the past two decades, significant and rapid progress has been made in recognizing the dynamics of the tumor's microenvironment and its contribution to influencing the response to various anti-cancer therapies and drugs. Modulations in the tumor microenvironment and immune checkpoint blockade are interesting in cancer immunotherapy and drug targets. Simultaneously, the immunotherapeutic strategy can be done by modulating the immune regulatory pathway; however, the tumor microenvironment plays an essential role in suppressing the antitumor's immunity by its substantial heterogeneity. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is a significant contributor to solid tumor heterogeneity and a key stressor in the tumor microenvironment to drive adaptations to prevent immune surveillance. Checkpoint inhibitors here halt the ability of cancer cells to stop the immune system from activating, and in turn, amplify your body's immune system to help destroy cancer cells. Common checkpoints that these inhibitors affect are the PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 pathways and important drugs involved are Ipilimumab and Nivolumab, mainly along with other drugs in this group. Targeting the hypoxic tumor microenvironment may provide a novel immunotherapy strategy, break down traditional cancer therapy resistance, and build the framework for personalized precision medicine and cancer drug targets. We hope that this knowledge can provide insight into the therapeutic potential of targeting Hypoxia and help to develop novel combination approaches of cancer drugs to increase the effectiveness of existing cancer therapies, including immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sukhes Mukherjee
- Department of Biochemistry. All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Bhopal, Madhya pradesh-462020. India
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20
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HLA-G as a prognostic marker in stage II/III colorectal cancer: not quite there yet. Histochem Cell Biol 2022; 158:535-543. [PMID: 35902421 PMCID: PMC9726768 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02141-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Identifying innovative molecules involved in the tumor immune escape process could help refine the survival stratification of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. HLA-G, a non-classical HLA molecule, physiologically involved in tolerogenic mechanisms, has recently emerged as a relevant prognostic marker in other tumor types, but ambiguous data are reported in the CRC setting. This study aims to evaluate the HLA-G expression and prognostic potential in a series of stage II/III CRCs. HLA-G expression was evaluated in 100 pT3 CRC cases by means of immunohistochemistry using the 4H84 and MEM-G/2 monoclonal antibodies. We observed heterogeneous expression of HLA-G showing different ranges: 4H84 expression ranged from > 1 to 40%-median 7%; MEM-G/2 expression ranged from 20 to 90%-median 50%. HLA-G positivity (any intensity > 1%) varied according to the antibody employed, identifying: 8 4H84 positive, 34 MEM-G/2 positive, 6 double-positive and 52 negative cases. Correlation with clinico-pathologic data showed a significant association with a poor tumor differentiation in stage III right-sided CRC subgroup (p = 0.043), while no other pathologic variable was significantly associated. Survival analysis revealed a reduced disease-free survival rate (HR 4.304613; p = 0.031) in the subgroup of CRC-related death cases, while no correlations were observed considering the whole series and the overall survival. In conclusion, HLA-G is a promising CRC prognostic marker however much work is still required regarding technical aspects and evaluation of expression.
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21
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Xu YF, Du XF, Li ZY, Fang ZP, Zhang FB. Lesion human leukocyte antigen-E is associated with favourable prognosis for patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. J Int Med Res 2021; 49:3000605211047278. [PMID: 34617814 PMCID: PMC8504691 DOI: 10.1177/03000605211047278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the clinical significance of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E levels in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The levels of HLA-E immunostaining in ESCC lesions and 47 corresponding adjacent normal tissues were measured using immunohistochemistry. The correlation between the levels of immunostaining and clinical parameters was analysed. Results This study analysed 110 paraffin-embedded primary tumour lesions and 47 case–controlled paracancerous tissues that were surgically resected from 110 patients with ESCC. Positive immunostaining for HLA-E was observed in 88.2% (97 of 110) of ESCC lesions and 29.8% (14 of 47) of normal oesophageal tissues. There was no correlation between HLA-E immunostaining in ESCC lesions and clinicopathological characteristics such as lymph node metastasis, tumour–node–metastasis stage and differentiation grade. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed a significantly better prognosis in patients with higher levels of HLA-E immunostaining than in those with lower levels of HLA-E immunostaining; overall survival was 28.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.2, 34.0) versus 15.3 months (95% CI, 11.5, 19.1), respectively. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that the HLA-E level was an independent prognostic factor in patients with ESCC. Conclusion A higher level of HLA-E immunostaining was associated with favourable survival in patients with ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Fu Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xue-Feng Du
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhen-Yu Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhe-Ping Fang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Fa-Biao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
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22
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Hazini A, Fisher K, Seymour L. Deregulation of HLA-I in cancer and its central importance for immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e002899. [PMID: 34353849 PMCID: PMC8344275 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now well accepted that many tumors undergo a process of clonal selection which means that tumor antigens arising at various stages of tumor progression are likely to be represented in just a subset of tumor cells. This process is thought to be driven by constant immunosurveillance which applies selective pressure by eliminating tumor cells expressing antigens that are recognized by T cells. It is becoming increasingly clear that the same selective pressure may also select for tumor cells that evade immune detection by acquiring deficiencies in their human leucocyte antigen (HLA) presentation pathways, allowing important tumor antigens to persist within cells undetected by the immune system. Deficiencies in antigen presentation pathway can arise by a variety of mechanisms, including genetic and epigenetic changes, and functional antigen presentation is a hard phenomenon to assess using our standard analytical techniques. Nevertheless, it is likely to have profound clinical significance and could well define whether an individual patient will respond to a particular type of therapy or not. In this review we consider the mechanisms by which HLA function may be lost in clinical disease, we assess the implications for current immunotherapy approaches using checkpoint inhibitors and examine the prognostic impact of HLA loss demonstrated in clinical trials so far. Finally, we propose strategies that might be explored for possible patient stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Hazini
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Kerry Fisher
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Len Seymour
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
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23
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A Critical Assessment of the Association between HLA-G Expression by Carcinomas and Clinical Outcome. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158265. [PMID: 34361031 PMCID: PMC8347921 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) conveys immunological tolerance at the maternal-foetal interface. HLA-G expression by tumour cells may also play such a role, resulting in tumour immune evasion, making HLA-G a potential target for immunotherapies. The aim of this review was to determine to what extent it is justified that HLA-G expression is considered as a target for immune checkpoint inhibiting therapy by critically assessing the association between HLA-G expression by carcinomas and clinical outcome of patients. The used HLA-G-detecting mAb, HLA-G quantification methods and statistically significant HLA-G-associated clinicopathological parameters are discussed. Tumour HLA-G expression correlated with poor clinical outcome in breast, esophageal, gastric and hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Tumour HLA-G expression was not associated with clinical outcome in ovarian and oral carcinoma patients. Cervical, colorectal, lung, and pancreatic carcinoma patients presented discrepant and therefore inconclusive results regarding the association between tumour HLA-G expression and clinical outcome. These disparities might partly be the result of differences in the methodological approach to quantify HLA-G expression between studies. Therefore, implementation of universal methodological procedures is strongly advised. Overall, HLA-G expression did not univocally result in poor clinical outcome of carcinoma patients. This implies that tumour HLA-G expression is not necessarily part of an inhibited tumour-immune response and tumour progression. Consequently, it remains elusive whether HLA-G expression by carcinomas functions as an immune checkpoint molecule affecting a tumour-immune response. It may also reflect derailed control of gene expression in tumours, with no real functional consequences.
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24
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Lin A, Yan WH. HLA-G/ILTs Targeted Solid Cancer Immunotherapy: Opportunities and Challenges. Front Immunol 2021; 12:698677. [PMID: 34276691 PMCID: PMC8278316 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.698677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become a promising immunotherapy for cancers. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G), a neoantigen, its biological functions and clinical relevance have been extensively investigated in malignancies, and early clinical trials with “anti-HLA-G strategy” are being launched for advance solid cancer immunotherapy. The mechanism of HLA-G as a new ICI is that HLA-G can bind immune cell bearing inhibitory receptors, the immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)-2 and ILT-4. HLA-G/ILT-2/-4 (HLA-G/ILTs) signaling can drive comprehensive immune suppression, promote tumor growth and disease progression. Though clinical benefits could be expected with application of HLA-G antibodies to blockade the HLA-G/ILTs signaling in solid cancer immunotherapy, major challenges with the diversity of HLA-G isoforms, HLA-G/ILTs binding specificity, intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity of HLA-G, lack of isoform-specific antibodies and validated assay protocols, which could dramatically affect the clinical efficacy. Clinical benefits of HLA-G-targeted solid cancer immunotherapy may be fluctuated or even premature unless major challenges are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifen Lin
- Biological Resource Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Linhai, China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Linhai, China.,Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
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25
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Kaprio T, Sariola H, Linder N, Lundin J, Kere J, Haglund C, Wedenoja S. HLA-G expression correlates with histological grade but not with prognosis in colorectal carcinoma. HLA 2021; 98:213-217. [PMID: 34050622 DOI: 10.1111/tan.14334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Trophoblast-specific expression of HLA-G induces immune tolerance for the developing fetus. Pathological HLA-G expression later in life might contribute to immune escape of various cancers. We studied the still controversial role of HLA-G in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) using the MEM-G/1 antibody and a tissue microarray series of CRC tumors (n = 317). HLA-G expression appeared in 20% of the tumors and showed high intratumoral heterogeneity. HLA-G positivity was associated with better differentiation (p = 0.002) and non-mucinous histology (p = 0.008). However, HLA-G expression alone showed no prognostic value: 5-years disease-specific survival among patients with HLA-G expression was 68.9% (95% CI: 62.7%-75.0%) compared to 74.8% (95% CI: 63.2%-86.3%) among those without expression. These results support a modulatory role of HLA-G in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuomas Kaprio
- Department of Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannu Sariola
- HUSLAB Pediatric Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nina Linder
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Lundin
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Juha Kere
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden.,Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, and Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Caj Haglund
- Department of Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Satu Wedenoja
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, and Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland.,Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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26
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Peng Y, Xiao J, Li W, Li S, Xie B, He J, Liu C. Prognostic and Clinicopathological Value of Human Leukocyte Antigen G in Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Meta-Analysis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:642902. [PMID: 34055611 PMCID: PMC8149900 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.642902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prognostic value of human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) expression in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remains controversial. Thus, this meta-analysis aimed to summarize available evidence from case-control or cohort studies that evaluated this association. METHODS The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify relevant studies written in English published up to April 1, 2021, and with no initial date. Furthermore, the Google Scholar and Google databases were also searched manually for gray literature. The protocol for this meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020213411). Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for end points using fixed- and random-effects statistical models to account for heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot, Begg's and Egger's tests, and the "trim and fill" method. RESULTS A total of 30 eligible articles with 5737 unique patients, including 12 studies on colorectal cancer (CRC), 6 on gastric cancer (GC), 5 on esophageal cancer (ESCC), 5 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and 2 on pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC), were retrieved. Both univariate (HR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.48 ~ 2.72) and multivariate (HR = 2.69, 95% CI: 2.03 ~ 3.55) analyses revealed that HLA-G expression was significantly correlated with poor overall survival (OS), regardless of the cancer type or antibody used. Subgroup analysis stratified by antibody showed that the 4H84 (I2 = 45.8%, P = 0.101) antibodies could be trustworthy and reliable for detecting HLA-G expression in GI cancers. In addition, HLA-G expression was found to be correlated with adverse clinicopathological parameters such as clinical stage, nodal status, metastasis, and histological grade but not tumor status. CONCLUSION Elevated HLA-G expression indicates a poor prognosis for GI cancer patients, and screening for this marker could allow for the early diagnosis and treatment of GI cancers to improve survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjia Peng
- Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Xiao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenyun Li
- Department of Statistics, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuna Li
- Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Binbin Xie
- Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiang He
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chaoqun Liu
- Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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27
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Zhang X, Lin A, Han QY, Zhang JG, Chen QY, Ye YH, Zhou WJ, Xu HH, Gan J, Yan WH. Intratumor Heterogeneity of HLA-G Expression in Cancer Lesions. Front Immunol 2020; 11:565759. [PMID: 33329527 PMCID: PMC7717930 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.565759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Signaling pathway between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G and immune inhibitory receptors immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)-2/4 has been acknowledged as one of immune checkpoints, and as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. Like other immune checkpoints, inter- and even intratumor heterogeneity of HLA-G could render a rather complexity for HLA-G-target immunotherapy. However, little information for intratumor heterogeneity of HLA-G is available. In this study, HLA-G expression in a serial section of colorectal cancer (CRC) lesions from three CRC patients (each sample with serial section of 50 slides, 10 randomized slides for each antibody), three different locations within a same sample (five CRC), and three case-matched blocks that each includes 36 esophageal cancer samples, were evaluated with immunohistochemistry using anti-HLA-G antibodies (mAbs 4H84, MEM-G/1 and MEM-G/2 probing for all denatured HLA-G isoforms, 5A6G7, and 2A12 probing for denatured HLA-G5 and HLA-G6 isoforms). Our results revealed that, in addition to the frequently observed inter-tumor heterogeneity, intratumor heterogeneous expression of HLA-G is common in different areas within a tumor in CRC and esophageal cancer samples included in this study. Moreover, percentage of HLA-G expression probed with different anti-HLA-G antibodies also varies dramatically within a tumor. Given HLA-G has been considered as an important immune checkpoint, intratumor heterogeneity of HLA-G expression, and different specificity of anti-HLA-G antibodies being used among studies, interpretation and clinical significance of HLA-G expression in cancers should be with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhang
- Biological Resource Center, TaiZhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), LinHai, China
| | - Aifen Lin
- Biological Resource Center, TaiZhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), LinHai, China
| | - Qiu-Yue Han
- Biological Resource Center, TaiZhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), LinHai, China
| | - Jian-Gang Zhang
- Biological Resource Center, TaiZhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), LinHai, China
| | - Qiong-Yuan Chen
- Biological Resource Center, TaiZhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), LinHai, China
| | - Yao-Han Ye
- Biological Resource Center, TaiZhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), LinHai, China
| | - Wen-Jun Zhou
- Biological Resource Center, TaiZhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), LinHai, China
| | - Hui-Hui Xu
- Medical Research Center, TaiZhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), LinHai, China
| | - Jun Gan
- Medical Research Center, TaiZhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), LinHai, China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, TaiZhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), LinHai, China
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28
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Attia JVD, Dessens CE, van de Water R, Houvast RD, Kuppen PJK, Krijgsman D. The Molecular and Functional Characteristics of HLA-G and the Interaction with Its Receptors: Where to Intervene for Cancer Immunotherapy? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228678. [PMID: 33213057 PMCID: PMC7698525 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) mediates maternal-fetal immune tolerance. It is also considered an immune checkpoint in cancer since it may mediate immune evasion and thus promote tumor growth. HLA-G is, therefore, a potential target for immunotherapy. However, existing monoclonal antibodies directed against HLA-G lack sufficient specificity and are not suitable for immune checkpoint inhibition in a clinical setting. For this reason, it is essential that alternative approaches are explored to block the interaction between HLA-G and its receptors. In this review, we discuss the structure and peptide presentation of HLA-G, and its interaction with the receptors Ig-like transcript (ILT) 2, ILT4, and Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DL4 (KIR2DL4). Based on our findings, we propose three alternative strategies to block the interaction between HLA-G and its receptors in cancer immunotherapy: (1) prevention of HLA-G dimerization, (2) targeting the peptide-binding groove of HLA-G, and (3) targeting the HLA-G receptors. These strategies should be an important focus of future studies that aim to develop immune checkpoint inhibitors to block the interaction between HLA-G and its receptors for the treatment of cancer.
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29
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Yang Y, Sun M, Yu Z, Liu J, Yan W, Liu Z, Wei M, Wang H. Designing high affinity target-binding peptides to HLA-E: a key membrane antigen of multiple myeloma. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:20457-20470. [PMID: 33115963 PMCID: PMC7655190 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy that is currently incurable. Finding new targets and designing drugs are crucial for the treatment of MM. The two datasets (GSE6691 and GSE39754) are used to screen highly expressed antigen on MM cells. HLA-E was an ideal target for it was a hub gene, and also located in one of the key clusters. Highly expression of HLA-E mRNA on MM cells was also confirmed by real-time qPCR testing the MM patients' samples in Shengjing hospital. Crystal structure of HLA-E was obtained from Protein Data Bank (PDB ID: 3CDG) which was used to design targeting peptides with Molecular Operating Environment software. By analyzing interaction between CD94/NKG2A and HLA-E, a peptide with twelve amino acids was screened as a model peptide. Peptides library was constructed by randomly replaced non-key amino acid. Peptide-protein docking method was used to identify high affinity peptides. PEPTIDE 1-3 and model peptide were synthesized and identified the affinity to HLA-E by flow cytometer and confocal laser microscopy. At last, PEPTIDE3 (NALDEYCEDKNR) was found with the highest affinity. Taking all, HLA-E is a new treatment target, and PEPTIDE 3 is an ideal high affinity target-binding peptide candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yang
- Department of Hematology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Mingli Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhaojin Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jinwei Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Chifeng Municipal Hospital, Chifeng Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Hematology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhuogang Liu
- Department of Hematology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Minjie Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Hongtao Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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30
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Hiraoka N, Ino Y, Hori S, Yamazaki‐Itoh R, Naito C, Shimasaki M, Esaki M, Nara S, Kishi Y, Shimada K, Nakamura N, Torigoe T, Heike Y. Expression of classical human leukocyte antigen class I antigens, HLA-E and HLA-G, is adversely prognostic in pancreatic cancer patients. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:3057-3070. [PMID: 32495519 PMCID: PMC7419048 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of classical human leukocyte antigen class I antigens (HLA-I) on the surfaces of cancer cells allows cytotoxic T cells to recognize and eliminate these cells. Reduction or loss of HLA-I is a mechanism of escape from antitumor immunity. The present study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological impacts of HLA-I and non-classical HLA-I antigens expressed on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. We performed immunohistochemistry to detect expression of HLA-I antigens in PDAC using 243 PDAC cases and examined their clinicopathological influences. We also investigated the expression of immune-related genes to characterize PDAC tumor microenvironments. Lower expression of HLA-I, found in 33% of PDAC cases, was significantly associated with longer overall survival. Higher expression of both HLA-E and HLA-G was significantly associated with shorter survival. Multivariate analyses revealed that higher expression of these three HLA-I antigens was significantly correlated with shorter survival. Higher HLA-I expression on PDAC cells was significantly correlated with higher expression of IFNG, which also correlated with PD1, PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression. In vitro assay revealed that interferon gamma (IFNγ) stimulation increased surface expression of HLA-I in three PDAC cell lines. It also upregulated surface expression of HLA-E, HLA-G and immune checkpoint molecules, including PD-L1 and PD-L2. These results suggest that the higher expression of HLA-I, HLA-E and HLA-G on PDAC cells is an unfavorable prognosticator. It is possible that IFNγ promotes a tolerant microenvironment by inducing immune checkpoint molecules in PDAC tissues with higher HLA-I expression on PDAC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyoshi Hiraoka
- Division of Molecular PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
- Department of Analytical PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
- Division of Pathology and Clinical LaboratoriesNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Yoshinori Ino
- Division of Molecular PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
- Department of Analytical PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
| | - Shutaro Hori
- Division of Molecular PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
- Division of Pathology and Clinical LaboratoriesNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
- Department of PathologyTokai University School of MedicineIseharaJapan
| | - Rie Yamazaki‐Itoh
- Division of Molecular PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
| | - Chie Naito
- Division of Molecular PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
| | - Mari Shimasaki
- Division of Molecular PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
| | - Minoru Esaki
- Hepato‐Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery DivisionNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Satoshi Nara
- Hepato‐Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery DivisionNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Yoji Kishi
- Hepato‐Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery DivisionNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Kazuaki Shimada
- Hepato‐Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery DivisionNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Naoya Nakamura
- Department of PathologyTokai University School of MedicineIseharaJapan
| | | | - Yuji Heike
- Division of Biomedical SciencesSt. Luke’s International University Graduate School of Public HealthTokyoJapan
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Krijgsman D, Roelands J, Hendrickx W, Bedognetti D, Kuppen PJK. HLA-G: A New Immune Checkpoint in Cancer? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124528. [PMID: 32630545 PMCID: PMC7350262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), known as a central protein in providing immune tolerance to the fetus in pregnant women, is also studied for a possible role in tumor development. Many studies have claimed HLA-G as a new immune checkpoint in cancer. Therefore, HLA-G and its receptors might be targets for immune checkpoint blockade in cancer immunotherapy. In order to substantiate that HLA-G is indeed an immune checkpoint in cancer, two important questions need to be answered: (1) To what extent is HLA-G expressed in the tumor by cancer cells? and (2) What is the function of HLA-G in cancer immune evasion? In this review, we discuss these questions. We agree that HLA-G is a potentially new immune checkpoint in cancer, but additional evidence is required to show the extent of intra-tumor and inter-tumor expression. These studies should focus on tumor expression patterns of the seven different HLA-G isoforms and of the receptors for HLA-G. Furthermore, specific roles for the different HLA-G isoforms should be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniëlle Krijgsman
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
| | - Jessica Roelands
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Wouter Hendrickx
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Peter J. K. Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-5264569
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Characterization of HLA-G Regulation and HLA Expression in Breast Cancer and Malignant Melanoma Cell Lines upon IFN-γ Stimulation and Inhibition of DNA Methylation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124307. [PMID: 32560316 PMCID: PMC7352735 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G as a target for new cancer immunotherapy drugs has increased the interest in the analysis of mechanisms by which HLA-G expression is regulated, and how the expression can be manipulated. We characterized HLA expression in breast cancer and malignant melanoma cell lines and investigated the induction of HLA-G expression by two distinct mechanisms: stimulation with interferon (IFN)-γ or inhibition of methylation by treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC). The effect of IFN-γ and 5-aza-dC on HLA expression was dependent on the cancer cell lines studied. However, in general, surface expression of HLA class Ia was induced on all cell lines. Surface expression of HLA-G was inconclusive but induction of HLA-G mRNA was prevalent upon treatment with 5-aza-dC and a combination of IFN-γ and 5-aza-dC. IFN-γ alone failed to induce HLA-G expression in the HLA-G-negative cell lines. The results support that HLA-G expression is regulated partly by DNA methylation. Furthermore, IFN-γ may play a role in the maintenance of HLA-G expression rather than inducing expression. The study demonstrates the feasibility of manipulating HLA expression and contributes to the exploration of mechanisms that can be potential targets for immunotherapy in breast cancer and malignant melanoma.
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Ben Yahia H, Boujelbene N, Babay W, Ben Safta I, Dhouioui S, Zemni I, Ali Ayadi M, Charfi L, Ouzari HI, Rebmann V, Rizzo R, Mrad K, Driss M, Zidi I. Expression analysis of immune-regulatory molecules HLA-G, HLA-E and IDO in endometrial cancer. Hum Immunol 2020; 81:305-313. [PMID: 32273131 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2020.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
HLA-G has been widely implicated in advanced cancers through different pathways of immunosuppression allowing tumor escape. Contrarily, HLA-E has a controversial role in the tumor escape from the immune system. IDO catabolic enzyme is known to be up-regulated in many tumors types allowing their immune escape. Based on these considerations, we investigated the expression of HLA-G, HLA-E and IDO molecules in endometrial cancer (EC) and their association with prognostic clinicopathologic parameters. Their expression were checked in tumoral and adjacent endometrial tissues. Both HLA-G and IDO immunostaining were significantly increased in EC tissues compared to normal residual endometrial glands (Mann Whitney U-test, p = 0.0001 and p = 0,020 respectively). However, HLA-E was highly expressed in tumoral tissues as well as in normal residual endometrial glands (respectively, 100% and 81.8%). Increased HLA-G expression levels were observed in high histological grade (grade 3), and in the non-endometrioid type 2 EC. Unexpectedly, patients with IDO Low expression had significantly impaired overall survival compared to patients with IDO High (log-rank p = 0.021). Conversely, HLA-E low expression was associated to an improved overall survival EC (log-rank p = 0.004). We concluded that, HLA-G and IDO are highly expressed in EC compared to adjacent normal endometrial tissues, that might be interesting for the EC outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Ben Yahia
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nadia Boujelbene
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; Department of Anatomopathology, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wafa Babay
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Inès Ben Safta
- Surgical Oncology Department, Salah Azaiz Institute of Cancer, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sabrine Dhouioui
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Inès Zemni
- Surgical Oncology Department, Salah Azaiz Institute of Cancer, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Ali Ayadi
- Surgical Oncology Department, Salah Azaiz Institute of Cancer, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Lamia Charfi
- Department of Anatomopathology, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hadda Imene Ouzari
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Vera Rebmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Virchowstr. 179, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Roberta Rizzo
- Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Section Microbiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Karima Mrad
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; Department of Anatomopathology, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Maha Driss
- Department of Anatomopathology, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Inès Zidi
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
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Scarabel L, Garziera M, Fortuna S, Asaro F, Toffoli G, Geremia S. Soluble HLA-G expression levels and HLA-G/irinotecan association in metastatic colorectal cancer treated with irinotecan-based strategy. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8773. [PMID: 32471996 PMCID: PMC7260212 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65424-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We here explore the soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (sHLA-G) expression level as clinical biomarker in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). To this aim the sHLA-G protein was measured in plasma samples of 40 patients with mCRC treated with the FOLFIRI (irinotecan (CPT-11) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV)) regimen. The results suggest a link between HLA-G levels and irinotecan (CPT-11) pharmacokinetic, leading to hypothesize a molecular interaction between sHLA-G and CPT-11. This interaction was confirmed experimentally by fluorescence spectroscopy. HLA-G is known to exist in a number of polymorphs that affect both the protein expression levels and its peptide-binding cleft. The interaction between HLA-G polymorphs and CPT-11 was explored by means of computational modelling, confirming the hypothesis that CPT-11 could actually target the peptide binding cleft of the most common HLA-G polymorphs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Scarabel
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO), IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Marica Garziera
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO), IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Sara Fortuna
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Fioretta Asaro
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO), IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Silvano Geremia
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
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El-Kenawi A, Hänggi K, Ruffell B. The Immune Microenvironment and Cancer Metastasis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:a037424. [PMID: 31501262 PMCID: PMC7117953 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a037424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic interplay between neoplastic cells and the immune microenvironment regulates every step of the metastatic process. Immune cells contribute to invasion by secreting a cornucopia of inflammatory factors that promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and remodeling of the stroma. Cancer cells then intravasate to the circulatory system assisted by macrophages and use several pathways to avoid recognition by cytotoxtic lymphocytes and phagocytes. Circulating tumor cells that manage to adhere to the vasculature and encounter premetastic niches are able to use the associated myeloid cells to extravasate into ectopic organs and establish a dormant microscopic colony. If successful at avoiding repetitive immune attack, dormant cells can subsequently grow into overt, clinically detectable metastatic lesions, which ultimately account to most cancer-related deaths. Understanding how disseminated tumor cells evade and corrupt the immune system during the final stages of metastasis will be pivotal in developing new therapeutic modalities that combat metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa El-Kenawi
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
| | - Kay Hänggi
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
| | - Brian Ruffell
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
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Wu Z, Liang J, Wang Z, Li A, Fan X, Jiang T. HLA-E expression in diffuse glioma: relationship with clinicopathological features and patient survival. BMC Neurol 2020; 20:59. [PMID: 32066399 PMCID: PMC7025409 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-020-01640-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human leukocyte antigen-E (HLA-E) has been extensively investigated in various human cancers including glioma. However, the clinical significance of HLA-E expression in glioma patients has not been elucidated. The current study aimed to investigate the association of HLA-E expression with clinicopathological features and survival in patients with diffuse glioma. METHODS A total of 261 glioma patients were enrolled, subsequently, mRNA microarray analysis was conducted to identify the relationship of HLA-E with clinicopathological features and patient survival. RESULTS HLA-E was significantly overexpressed in high-grade gliomas compared to low-grade gliomas (LGGs). Moreover, HLA-E expression was significantly higher in diffuse astrocytomas than oligodendrogliomas (p = 0.032, t-test). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly better in LGG patients with low HLA-E expression (p = 0.018 for PFS and p = 0.020 for OS, Log-rank test). Furthermore, HLA-E expression was identified to be an independent prognostic factor by Cox analysis (p = 0.020 for PFS and p = 0.024 for OS). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study which identified the clinical significance of HLA-E in diffuse glioma. HLA-E expression was correlated with more aggressive tumor grade and histological type and was identified as an independent prognostic biomarker in LGG patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifeng Wu
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingshan Liang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lianyungang First People's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Aimin Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lianyungang First People's Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xing Fan
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Tao Jiang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Zhong X, Zhang H, Zhu Y, Liang Y, Yuan Z, Li J, Li J, Li X, Jia Y, He T, Zhu J, Sun Y, Jiang W, Zhang H, Wang C, Ke Z. Circulating tumor cells in cancer patients: developments and clinical applications for immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:15. [PMID: 31980023 PMCID: PMC6982393 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-1141-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are shed into the bloodstream from either primary or metastatic tumors during an intermediate stage of metastasis. In recent years, immunotherapy has also become an important focus of cancer research. Thus, to study the relationship between CTCs and immunotherapy is extremely necessary and valuable to improve the treatment of cancer. In this review, based on the advancements of CTC isolation technologies, we mainly discuss the clinical applications of CTCs in cancer immunotherapy and the related immune mechanisms of CTC formation. In order to fully understand CTC formation, sufficiently and completely understood molecular mechanism based on the different immune cells is critical. This understanding is a promising avenue for the development of effective immunotherapeutic strategies targeting CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Zhong
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hangtian Zhang
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuqing Liang
- The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zhuolin Yuan
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiachen Li
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Li
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yifan Jia
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tian He
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiangyuan Zhu
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wengting Jiang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Cheng Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of medicine, The Fifth Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zunfu Ke
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Kanevskiy L, Erokhina S, Kobyzeva P, Streltsova M, Sapozhnikov A, Kovalenko E. Dimorphism of HLA-E and its Disease Association. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215496. [PMID: 31690066 PMCID: PMC6862560 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
HLA-E is a nonclassical member of the major histocompatibility complex class I gene locus. HLA-E protein shares a high level of homology with MHC Ia classical proteins: it has similar tertiary structure, associates with β2-microglobulin, and is able to present peptides to cytotoxic lymphocytes. The main function of HLA-E under normal conditions is to present peptides derived from the leader sequences of classical HLA class I proteins, thus serving for monitoring of expression of these molecules performed by cytotoxic lymphocytes. However, opposite to multiallelic classical MHC I genes, HLA-E in fact has only two alleles—HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03—which differ by one nonsynonymous amino acid substitution at position 107, resulting in an arginine in HLA-E*01:01 (HLA-ER) and glycine in HLA-E*01:03 (HLA-EG). In contrast to HLA-ER,HLA-EG has higher affinity to peptide, higher surface expression, and higher thermal stability of the corresponding protein, and it is more ancient than HLA-ER, though both alleles are presented in human populations in nearly equal frequencies. In the current review, we aimed to uncover the reason of the expansion of the younger allele, HLA-ER, by analysis of associations of both HLA-E alleles with a number of diseases, including viral and bacterial infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid Kanevskiy
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Sofya Erokhina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Polina Kobyzeva
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Maria Streltsova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Alexander Sapozhnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Elena Kovalenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
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Riera-Domingo C, Audigé A, Granja S, Cheng WC, Ho PC, Baltazar F, Stockmann C, Mazzone M. Immunity, Hypoxia, and Metabolism-the Ménage à Trois of Cancer: Implications for Immunotherapy. Physiol Rev 2019; 100:1-102. [PMID: 31414610 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00018.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It is generally accepted that metabolism is able to shape the immune response. Only recently we are gaining awareness that the metabolic crosstalk between different tumor compartments strongly contributes to the harsh tumor microenvironment (TME) and ultimately impairs immune cell fitness and effector functions. The major aims of this review are to provide an overview on the immune system in cancer; to position oxygen shortage and metabolic competition as the ground of a restrictive TME and as important players in the anti-tumor immune response; to define how immunotherapies affect hypoxia/oxygen delivery and the metabolic landscape of the tumor; and vice versa, how oxygen and metabolites within the TME impinge on the success of immunotherapies. By analyzing preclinical and clinical endeavors, we will discuss how a metabolic characterization of the TME can identify novel targets and signatures that could be exploited in combination with standard immunotherapies and can help to predict the benefit of new and traditional immunotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Riera-Domingo
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; and Ludwig Cancer Research Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Annette Audigé
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; and Ludwig Cancer Research Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Sara Granja
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; and Ludwig Cancer Research Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Wan-Chen Cheng
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; and Ludwig Cancer Research Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Ping-Chih Ho
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; and Ludwig Cancer Research Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Fátima Baltazar
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; and Ludwig Cancer Research Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Christian Stockmann
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; and Ludwig Cancer Research Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; and Ludwig Cancer Research Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
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Toni Ho GG, Heinen F, Stieglitz F, Blasczyk R, Bade-Döding C. Dynamic Interaction between Immune Escape Mechanism and HLA-Ib Regulation. Immunogenetics 2019. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.80731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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41
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Kamiya T, Seow SV, Wong D, Robinson M, Campana D. Blocking expression of inhibitory receptor NKG2A overcomes tumor resistance to NK cells. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:2094-2106. [PMID: 30860984 PMCID: PMC6486333 DOI: 10.1172/jci123955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A key mechanism of tumor resistance to immune cells is mediated by expression of peptide-loaded HLA-E in tumor cells, which suppresses natural killer (NK) cell activity via ligation of the NK inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A. Gene expression data from approximately 10,000 tumor samples showed widespread HLAE expression, with levels correlating with those of KLRC1 (NKG2A) and KLRD1 (CD94). To bypass HLA-E inhibition, we developed a way to generate highly functional NK cells lacking NKG2A. Constructs containing a single-chain variable fragment derived from an anti-NKG2A antibody were linked to endoplasmic reticulum-retention domains. After retroviral transduction in human peripheral blood NK cells, these NKG2A Protein Expression Blockers (PEBLs) abrogated NKG2A expression. The resulting NKG2Anull NK cells had higher cytotoxicity against HLA-E-expressing tumor cells. Transduction of anti-NKG2A PEBL produced more potent cytotoxicity than interference with an anti-NKG2A antibody and prevented de novo NKG2A expression, without affecting NK cell proliferation. In immunodeficient mice, NKG2Anull NK cells were significantly more powerful than NKG2A+ NK cells against HLA-E-expressing tumors. Thus, NKG2A downregulation evades the HLA-E cancer immune-checkpoint, and increases the anti-tumor activity of NK cell infusions. Because this strategy is easily adaptable to current protocols for clinical-grade immune cell processing, its clinical testing is feasible and warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Kamiya
- Department of Pediatrics and National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - See Voon Seow
- Department of Pediatrics and National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Desmond Wong
- Department of Pediatrics and National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Dario Campana
- Department of Pediatrics and National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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42
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Würfel FM, Winterhalter C, Trenkwalder P, Wirtz RM, Würfel W. European Patent in Immunoncology: From Immunological Principles of Implantation to Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20081830. [PMID: 31013867 PMCID: PMC6514949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The granted European patent EP 2 561 890 describes a procedure for an immunological treatment of cancer. It is based on the principles of the HLA-supported communication of implantation and pregnancy. These principles ensure that the embryo is not rejected by the mother. In pregnancy, the placenta, more specifically the trophoblast, creates an “interface” between the embryo/fetus and the maternal immune system. Trophoblasts do not express the “original” HLA identification of the embryo/fetus (HLA-A to -DQ), but instead show the non-classical HLA groups E, F, and G. During interaction with specific receptors of NK cells (e.g., killer-immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR)) and lymphocytes (lymphocyte-immunoglobulin-like receptors (LIL-R)), the non-classical HLA groups inhibit these immunocompetent cells outside pregnancy. However, tumors are known to be able to express these non-classical HLA groups and thus make use of an immuno-communication as in pregnancies. If this occurs, the prognosis usually worsens. This patent describes, in a first step, the profiling of the non-classical HLA groups in primary tumor tissue as well as metastases and recurrent tumors. The second step comprises tailored antibody therapies, which is the subject of this patent. In this review, we analyze the underlying mechanisms and describe the currently known differences between HLA-supported communication of implantation and that of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska M Würfel
- STRATIFYER Molecular Pathology GmbH, D-50935 Cologne, Werthmannstrasse 1c, 50935 Cologne, Germany.
| | | | | | - Ralph M Wirtz
- STRATIFYER Molecular Pathology GmbH, D-50935 Cologne, Werthmannstrasse 1c, 50935 Cologne, Germany.
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Ravindranath MH, Filippone EJ, Devarajan A, Asgharzadeh S. Enhancing Natural Killer and CD8 + T Cell-Mediated Anticancer Cytotoxicity and Proliferation of CD8 + T Cells with HLA-E Monospecific Monoclonal Antibodies. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2019; 38:38-59. [PMID: 31009335 PMCID: PMC6634170 DOI: 10.1089/mab.2018.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic NK/CD8+ T cells interact with MHC-I ligands on tumor cells through either activating or inhibiting receptors. One of the inhibitory receptors is CD94/NKG2A. The NK/CD8+ T cell cytotoxic capability is lost when tumor-associated human leukocyte antigen, HLA-E, binds the CD94/NKG2A receptor, resulting in tumor progression and reduced survival. Failure of cancer patients to respond to natural killer (NK) cell therapies could be due to HLA-E overexpression in tumor tissues. Preventing the inhibitory receptor-ligand interaction by either receptor- or ligand-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is an innovative passive immunotherapeutic strategy for cancer. Since receptors and ligands can be monomeric or homo- or heterodimeric proteins, the efficacy of mAbs may rely on their ability to distinguish monospecific (private) functional epitopes from nonfunctional common (public) epitopes. We developed monospecific anti-HLA-E mAbs (e.g., TFL-033) that recognize only HLA-E-specific epitopes, but not epitopes shared with other HLA class-I loci as occurs with currently available polyreactive anti-HLA-E mAbs. Interestingly the amino acid sequences in the α1 and α2 helices of HLA-E, critical for the recognition of the mAb TFL-033, are strikingly the same sequences recognized by the CD94/NKG2A inhibitory receptors on NK/CD8+ cells. Such monospecific mAbs can block the CD94/NKG2A interaction with HLA-E to restore NK cell and CD8+ anticancer cell cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the HLA-E monospecific mAbs significantly promoted the proliferation of the CD4-/CD8+ T cells. These monospecific mAbs are also invaluable for the specific demonstration of HLA-E on tumor biopsies, potentially indicating those tumors most likely to respond to such therapy. Thus, they can be used to enhance passive immunotherapy once phased preclinical studies and clinical trials are completed. On principle, we postulate that NK cell passive immunotherapy should capitalize on both of these features of monospecific HLA-E mAbs, that is, the specific determination HLA-E expression on a particular tumor and the enhancement of NK cell/CD8+ cytotoxicity if HLA-E positive.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward J Filippone
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Asokan Devarajan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Department of Pediatrics and Pathology, Children's Hospital, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, California
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Cai Z, Wang L, Han Y, Gao W, Wei X, Gong R, Zhu M, Sun Y, Yu S. Immunoglobulin‑like transcript 4 and human leukocyte antigen‑G interaction promotes the progression of human colorectal cancer. Int J Oncol 2019; 54:1943-1954. [PMID: 30942436 PMCID: PMC6521940 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2019.4761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin‑like transcript (ILT) 4, a negative regulator of immune response in allograft rejection, autoimmunity and infectious diseases, has recently been determined to serve important roles in tumor development. In the present study, the co‑expression of ILT4 and human leukocyte antigen‑G (HLA‑G) in tissues of human primary colorectal cancer (CRC) was revealed, and its association with older age, advanced stage, regional lymph node involvement and poor overall survival time was identified. In CRC cell lines, ILT4 and HLA‑G co‑expression and their autocrine regulation was demonstrated. ILT4 interference affected HLA‑G expression and regulated the cell proliferation, invasion and migration of CRC. HLA‑G fusion protein treatment also increased ILT4 expression in a dose‑dependent manner, thereby activating protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal‑regulated kinase (ERK) signaling, and facilitating the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells. Additionally, the AKT and ERK activation, and CRC cell malignant characteristics induced by HLA‑G may be suppressed by blocking ILT4. The present results indicated that the interaction of ILT4 and its ligand HLA‑G promotes CRC progression through AKT and ERK signal activation, providing a novel strategy of blocking ILT4/HLA‑G for the treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyang Cai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Yali Han
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shan‑dong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Wenwen Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojuan Wei
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Rumei Gong
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Mingliang Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Yuping Sun
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Shuwen Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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45
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Lin A, Yan WH. Heterogeneity of HLA-G Expression in Cancers: Facing the Challenges. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2164. [PMID: 30319626 PMCID: PMC6170620 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity has been observed in most malignancies, which represents a considerable challenge for tumor therapy. In recent decades, the biological function and clinical significance of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G have been intensively explored. It is now widely accepted that HLA-G is a critical marker of immunotolerance in cancer cell immune evasion and is strongly associated with disease progress and prognosis for cancer patients. Moreover, it has recently been emphasized that the signaling pathway linking HLA-G and immunoglobulin-like transcripts (ILTs) is considered an immune checkpoint. In addition, HLA-G itself can generate at least seven distinct isoforms, and intertumor and intratumor heterogeneity of HLA-G expression is common across different tumor types. Furthermore, HLA-G heterogeneity in cancers has been related to disease stage and outcomes, metastatic status and response to different therapies. This review focuses on the heterogeneity of HLA-G expression in malignant lesions, and clinical implications of this heterogeneity that might be relevant to personalized treatments are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifen Lin
- Biological Resource Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
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Li Y, Patel SP, Roszik J, Qin Y. Hypoxia-Driven Immunosuppressive Metabolites in the Tumor Microenvironment: New Approaches for Combinational Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1591. [PMID: 30061885 PMCID: PMC6054965 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is not only a prominent contributor to the heterogeneity of solid tumors but also a crucial stressor in the microenvironment to drive adaptations for tumors to evade immunosurveillance. Herein, we discuss the potential role of hypoxia within the microenvironment contributing to immune resistance and immune suppression of tumor cells. We outline recent discoveries of hypoxia-driven adaptive mechanisms that diminish immune cell response via skewing the expression of important immune checkpoint molecules (e.g., cluster of differentiation 47, programmed death ligand 1, and human leukocyte antigen G), altered metabolism and metabolites, and pH regulation. Importantly, inhibition of hypoxic stress-relevant pathways can collectively enhance T-cell-mediated tumor cell killing. Furthermore, we discuss how manipulation of hypoxia stress may pose a promising new strategy for a combinational therapeutic intervention to enhance immunotherapy of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiliang Li
- Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Sapna Pradyuman Patel
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jason Roszik
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yong Qin
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Swets M, Wouters A, Krijgsman D, van Vlierberghe RLP, Boot A, van Eendenburg JD, van Wezel T, Gelderblom H, van de Velde CJH, van den Elsen PJ, Kuppen PJK. HLA-G protein expression in colorectal cancer evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis: Its expression characteristics remain enigmatic. Clin Immunol 2018; 194:80-86. [PMID: 30006120 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
HLA-G protein expression could play a role in evasion of tumor immune surveillance. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that HLA-G is expressed in different types of malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of the current study was to further unravel whether HLA-G protein expression could play a role in immune evasion of CRC. Therefore, to firmly establish HLA-G protein expression, eight early passage human CRC cell lines and five human rectal cancer tissues were analyzed by western blot analysis. The results obtained by western blot analysis were compared with immunohistochemistry on tumor tissue sections of the same patient. Furthermore, multiple monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), 4H84, MEM-G/1 and 5A6G7, targeting HLA-G were used to unravel staining patterns. We showed that results obtained with immunohistochemistry did not correlate with protein expression detected by western blot analysis, using three different HLA-G targeting mAbs. Furthermore, with respect to the specificity of the mAbs employed, additional immune reactivity was detected using the mAbs MEM-G/1 and 5A6G7 in western blot analysis with K562 control cell lines overexpressing HLA-A2 or HLA-G, all tumor tissues and in two out of eight CRC cell lines. Based on the current study and our previously reported results, we conclude that claiming HLA-G plays a role in immune modulation of CRC seems premature, as results from anti-body based detection of HLA-G protein remain inconclusive. Until the time that detection of HLA-G is sensitive enough to detect all aspects of HLA-G expression in biological samples, rather than transfected cells or long time cultured cell lines, conclusions should be drawn with great care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes Swets
- Dept. of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Dept. of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Wouters
- Dept. of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle Krijgsman
- Dept. of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Arnoud Boot
- Dept. of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tom van Wezel
- Dept. of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Gelderblom
- Dept. of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Peter J van den Elsen
- Dept. of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J K Kuppen
- Dept. of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Gomes RG, Brito CAAD, Martinelli VF, Santos RND, Gomes FODS, Peixoto CA, Crispim JO, Diniz GTN, Donadi EA, Lucena-Silva N. HLA-G is expressed in intestinal samples of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease patients and HLA-G5 expression is differentially correlated with TNF and IL-10 cytokine expression. Hum Immunol 2018; 79:477-484. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Predictive value of different proportion of lesion HLA-G expression in colorectal cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:107441-107451. [PMID: 29296176 PMCID: PMC5746078 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Differential expression of HLA-G has been observed among cancer types and tumors from individuals with the same type of cancer; however, its clinical significance is rather limited. In this study, expression and predictive relevance of HLA-G expression in 457 primary colorectal cancer (CRC, ncolon = 232, nrectal = 225) patients was investigated. Data showed 70.7% (323/457) of the CRC were HLA-G expression when the above 5% (HLA-GLow) was considered as positive, which wasn't associated with patient survival (p = 0.109). However, HLA-G expression above 55% (HLA-GHigh) was associated with a worse prognosis of CRC patients (p = 0.042). Furthermore, a shorter survival was found for the female (p = 0.042) and elder (p = 0.037) patients whose HLA-G expression was above HLA-GLow level. HLA-G expression above HLA-GHigh level showed a worse prognosis for female (p = 0.013), elder (p = 0.023), colon cancer (p = 0.016), advanced tumor burden (T3+4, p = 0.018), regional lymph node status (N1+2, p = 0.044), and advanced clinical stage patients (AJCC III+IV, p = 0.037). In conclusion, our results demonstrated for the first time that combination of differential lesion HLA-G expression notably improved the value of traditional survival prediction for CRC patients.
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Zhang Y, Yu S, Han Y, Wang Y, Sun Y. Human leukocyte antigen-G expression and polymorphisms promote cancer development and guide cancer diagnosis/treatment. Oncol Lett 2017; 15:699-709. [PMID: 29399142 PMCID: PMC5772757 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a non-classical HLA molecule, predominantly expressed in cytotrophoblast cells to protect the fetus during pregnancy. Notably, a high frequency of HLA-G expression has been observed in a wide variety of cancer types in previous studies. Furthermore, HLA-G expression in cancer has been considered to be detrimental, since it can protect cancer cells from natural killer cell cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated destruction, promote tumor spreading and shorten the survival time of patients by facilitating tumor immune evasion. In addition, HLA-G polymorphisms have been investigated in numerous types of cancer and are considered as risk factors and predictive markers of cancer. This review focuses on HLA-G expression and its polymorphisms in cancer, analyzing the mechanisms of HLA-G in promoting cancer development, and evaluating the potential and value of its clinical application as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, or even as a prospective therapeutic target in certain types of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwen Zhang
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China.,Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Shuwen Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Yali Han
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Yunshan Wang
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Yuping Sun
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
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