1
|
Jiang Z, Jiang C, Teng X, Hou Y, Dai S, Liu C, Tuo Z, Bi L, Yang C, Wang J. Exploring the crosstalk of immune cells: The impact of dysregulated RUNX family genes in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29870. [PMID: 38707395 PMCID: PMC11066633 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29870] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Abnormally expressed Runt-associated transcription factor (RUNX) family has been reported in multiple tumors. Nevertheless, the immunological role of RUNX family in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) remains unknown. Methods We studied the RNA-seq data regarding tumor and healthy subjects from several public databases in detail for evaluating the prognostic and immunological functions owned by three RUNX genes in cancer patients. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining served for detecting their expressions in tumor and normal samples. Results We observed that KIRC patients presented high expressions of RUNX1, RUNX2, and RUNX3. The expressions of three genes were validated by qRT-PCR, which was same as bioinformatical results. Prognostic analysis indicated that the overexpression of RUNX1 and RUNX2 negatively affects the outcomes in patients with KIRC. Related functional predictions indicated that the RUNXs and co-expression genes were significantly related to the immune response pathway. Moreover, three RUNX members were associated with immune infiltration cells and their related gene markers. The expression of RUNX family in several immune cells is positively or negatively correlated, and its dysregulation is obviously associated with the differential distribution of immune cells. RUNX family genes were abnormally expressed in KIRC patients, and were closely related to the crosstalk of immune cells. Conclusions Our findings may help to understand the pathogenesis and immunologic roles of the RUNX family in KIRC patients from new perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Jiang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Xiangyu Teng
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Yidong Hou
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Shuxin Dai
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Zhouting Tuo
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Liangkuan Bi
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
- Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Jinyou Wang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liang Y, Wang L, Ma P, Ju D, Zhao M, Shi Y. Enhancing anti-tumor immune responses through combination therapies: epigenetic drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1308264. [PMID: 38077327 PMCID: PMC10704038 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1308264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are processes that affect gene expression and cellular functions without involving changes in the DNA sequence. This abnormal or unstable expression of genes regulated by epigenetics can trigger cancer and other various diseases. The immune cells involved in anti-tumor responses and the immunogenicity of tumors may also be affected by epigenomic changes. This holds significant implications for the development and application of cancer immunotherapy, epigenetic therapy, and their combined treatments in the fight against cancer. We provide an overview of recent research literature focusing on how epigenomic changes in immune cells influence immune cell behavior and function, as well as the immunogenicity of cancer cells. And the combined utilization of epigenetic medications with immune checkpoint inhibitors that focus on immune checkpoint molecules [e.g., Programmed Death 1 (PD-1), Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4), T cell Immunoglobulin and Mucin Domain (TIM-3), Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3)] present in immune cells and stromal cells associated with tumors. We highlight the potential of small-molecule inhibitors targeting epigenetic regulators to amplify anti-tumor immune responses. Moreover, we discuss how to leverage the intricate relationship between cancer epigenetics and cancer immunology to create treatment regimens that integrate epigenetic therapies with immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liang
- Precision Pharmacy and Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Wuchang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Wuchang Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Peijun Ma
- Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongen Ju
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Minggao Zhao
- Precision Pharmacy and Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yun Shi
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tan D, Yin W, Guan F, Zeng W, Lee P, Candotti F, James LK, Saraiva Camara NO, Haeryfar SM, Chen Y, Benlagha K, Shi LZ, Lei J, Gong Q, Liu Z, Liu C. B cell-T cell interplay in immune regulation: A focus on follicular regulatory T and regulatory B cell functions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:991840. [PMID: 36211467 PMCID: PMC9537379 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.991840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
B cells are the core components of humoral immunity. A mature B cell can serve in multiple capacities, including antibody production, antigen presentation, and regulatory functions. Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key players in sustaining immune tolerance and keeping inflammation in check. Mounting evidence suggests complex communications between B cells and Tregs. In this review, we summarize the yin-yang regulatory relationships between B cells and Tregs mainly from the perspectives of T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells and regulatory B cells (Bregs). We discuss the regulatory effects of Tfr cells on B cell proliferation and the germinal center response. Additionally, we review the indispensable role of B cells in ensuring homeostatic Treg survival and describe the function of Bregs in promoting Treg responses. Finally, we introduce a new subset of Tregs, termed Treg-of-B cells, which are induced by B cells, lake the expression of FoxP3 but still own immunomodulatory effects. In this article, we also enumerate a sequence of research from clinical patients and experimental models to clarify the role of Tfr cells in germinal centers and the role of convention B cells and Bregs to Tregs in the context of different diseases. This review offers an updated overview of immunoregulatory networks and unveils potential targets for therapeutic interventions against cancer, autoimmune diseases and allograft rejection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diaoyi Tan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Yin
- Wuhan Children’s Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Guan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wanjiang Zeng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Pamela Lee
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Fabio Candotti
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Louisa K James
- Centre for Immunobiology, Bizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Niels Olsen Saraiva Camara
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Yan Chen
- The Second Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Kamel Benlagha
- Université de Paris, Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, EMiLy, Paris, France
| | - Lewis Zhichang Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine (UAB-SOM) UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jinzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Lei
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Quan Gong
- Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jinzhou, China
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Zheng Liu, ; Chaohong Liu,
| | - Chaohong Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Zheng Liu, ; Chaohong Liu,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ramdas B, Yuen LD, Palam LR, Patel R, Pasupuleti SK, Jideonwo V, Zhang J, Maguire C, Wong E, Kanumuri R, Zhang C, Sandusky G, Chan RJ, Zhang C, Stieglitz E, Haneline L, Kapur R. Inhibition of BTK and PI3Kδ impairs the development of human JMML stem and progenitor cells. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2505-2521. [PMID: 35443935 PMCID: PMC9263321 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.04.009] [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: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is an aggressive myeloproliferative neoplasia that lacks effective targeted chemotherapies. Clinically, JMML manifests as monocytic leukocytosis, splenomegaly with consequential thrombocytopenia. Most commonly, patients have gain-of-function (GOF) oncogenic mutations in PTPN11 (SHP2), leading to Erk and Akt hyperactivation. Mechanism(s) involved in co-regulation of Erk and Akt in the context of GOF SHP2 are poorly understood. Here, we show that Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is hyperphosphorylated in GOF Shp2-bearing cells and utilizes B cell adaptor for PI3K to cooperate with p110δ, the catalytic subunit of PI3K. Dual inhibition of BTK and p110δ reduces the activation of both Erk and Akt. In vivo, individual targeting of BTK or p110δ in a mouse model of human JMML equally reduces monocytosis and splenomegaly; however, the combined treatment results in a more robust inhibition and uniquely rescues anemia and thrombocytopenia. RNA-seq analysis of drug-treated mice showed a profound reduction in the expression of genes associated with leukemic cell migration and inflammation, leading to correction in the infiltration of leukemic cells in the lung, liver, and spleen. Remarkably, in a patient derived xenograft model of JMML, leukemia-initiating stem and progenitor cells were potently inhibited in response to the dual drug treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baskar Ramdas
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Lisa Deng Yuen
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lakshmi Reddy Palam
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Roshini Patel
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Santhosh Kumar Pasupuleti
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Victoria Jideonwo
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ji Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Callista Maguire
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Eric Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rahul Kanumuri
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Chujing Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - George Sandusky
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Rebecca J Chan
- Senior Director, Oncology, U.S. Medical Affairs, Gilead Sciences, Inc., 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Elliot Stieglitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura Haneline
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Reuben Kapur
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Le Menn G, Jabłońska A, Chen Z. The effects of post-translational modifications on Th17/Treg cell differentiation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2022; 1869:119223. [PMID: 35120998 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells and Th17 cells are subsets of CD4+ T cells which play an essential role in immune homeostasis and infection. Dysregulation of the Th17/Treg cell balance was shown to be implicated in the development and progression of several disorders such as autoimmune disease, inflammatory disease, and cancer. Multiple factors, including T cell receptor (TCR) signals, cytokines, metabolic and epigenetic regulators can influence the differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells and affect their balance. Accumulating evidence indicates that the activity of key molecules such as forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), the retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt), and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)s are modulated by the number of post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, methylation, nitrosylation, acetylation, glycosylation, lipidation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation. PTMs might affect the protein folding efficiency and protein conformational stability, and consequently determine protein structure, localization, and function. Here, we review the recent progress in our understanding of how PTMs modify the key molecules involved in the Th17/Treg cell differentiation, regulate the Th17/Treg balance, and initiate autoimmune diseases caused by dysregulation of the Th17/Treg balance. A better understanding of Th17/Treg regulation may help to develop novel potential therapeutics to treat immune-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gwenaëlle Le Menn
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Agnieszka Jabłońska
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, University of Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Zhi Chen
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, University of Gdańsk, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yao Q, Song Z, Wang B, Jia X, Song R, Zhang J. Identification of lncRNA and mRNA Expression Profile in Relapsed Graves' Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:756560. [PMID: 34926448 PMCID: PMC8673561 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.756560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Graves’ disease (GD) is a common autoimmune disease, and its pathogenesis is unclear. Studies have found that the occurrence of GD is related to the immune disorder caused by the interaction of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. The CD4+ T cell subset is closely related to the immune disorder of GD. LncRNAs are RNA molecules with a length of more than 200 nt and are involved in a variety of autoimmune diseases. However, the roles of lncRNAs in recurrent GD are still elusive. The purpose of this study is to identify lncRNA and mRNA expression profile in relapsed Graves’ disease. Method: CD4+ T cells from 12 recurrent GD and 8 healthy controls were collected for high-throughput sequencing. The gene-weighted co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct the co-expression module relevant to recurrent GD, and the key genes in the module were verified by RT-PCR. Results: There are 602 upregulated lncRNAs and 734 downregulated lncRNAs in CD4+ T cells in recurrent GD patients compared with the healthy controls. The module most relevant to GD recurrence was constructed using WGCNA, and the key genes in the module were verified by RT-PCR. We found that the expression of RPL8, OAS2, NFAT5, DROSHA, NONHSAT093153.2, NONHSAT118924.2, and NONHSAT209004.1 was significantly decreased in GD group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: LncRNAs are closely related to the recurrence of GD. For the first time, we constructed the expression profile of lncRNAs and mRNAs in CD4+ T cells in recurrent GD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuming Yao
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyu Song
- Ovarian Cancer Program, Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Jia
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Ronghua Song
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinan Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|