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Li L, He Y, Liu K, Liu L, Shan S, Liu H, Ren J, Sun S, Wang M, Jia J, Wang P. GITRL impairs hepatocyte repopulation by liver progenitor cells to aggravate inflammation and fibrosis by GITR +CD8 + T lymphocytes in CDE Mice. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:114. [PMID: 38321001 PMCID: PMC10847460 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06506-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
As an alternative pathway for liver regeneration, liver progenitor cells and their derived ductular reaction cells increase during the progression of many chronic liver diseases. However, the mechanism underlying their hepatocyte repopulation after liver injury remains unknown. Here, we conducted progenitor cell lineage tracing in mice and found that fewer than 2% of hepatocytes were derived from liver progenitor cells after 9 weeks of injury with a choline-deficient diet supplemented with ethionine (CDE), and this percentage increased approximately three-fold after 3 weeks of recovery. We also found that the proportion of liver progenitor cells double positive for the ligand of glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor (GITRL, also called Tnfsf18) and SRY-related HMG box transcription 9 (Sox9) among nonparenchymal cells increased time-dependently upon CDE injury and reduced after recovery. When GITRL was conditionally knocked out from hepatic progenitor cells, its expression in nonparenchymal cells was downregulated by approximately fifty percent, and hepatocyte repopulation increased by approximately three folds. Simultaneously, conditional knockout of GITRL reduced the proportion of liver-infiltrating CD8+ T lymphocytes and glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor (GITR)-positive CD8+ T lymphocytes. Mechanistically, GITRL stimulated cell proliferation but suppressed the differentiation of liver progenitor organoids into hepatocytes, and CD8+ T cells further reduced their hepatocyte differentiation by downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Therefore, GITRL expressed by liver progenitor cells impairs hepatocyte differentiation, thus hindering progenitor cell-mediated liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory on Translational Medicine on Cirrhosis, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yu He
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory on Translational Medicine on Cirrhosis, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory on Translational Medicine on Cirrhosis, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shan Shan
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory on Translational Medicine on Cirrhosis, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Helin Liu
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory on Translational Medicine on Cirrhosis, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jiangbo Ren
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory on Translational Medicine on Cirrhosis, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shujie Sun
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory on Translational Medicine on Cirrhosis, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Min Wang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory on Translational Medicine on Cirrhosis, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jidong Jia
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing, 100069, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory on Translational Medicine on Cirrhosis, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Ping Wang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing, 100069, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory on Translational Medicine on Cirrhosis, Beijing, 100050, China.
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Wright QG, Sinha D, Wells JW, Frazer IH, Gonzalez Cruz JL, Leggatt GR. Peritumoral administration of immunomodulatory antibodies as a triple combination suppresses skin tumor growth without systemic toxicity. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e007960. [PMID: 38296598 PMCID: PMC10831460 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007960] [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] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin cancers, particularly keratinocyte cancers, are the most commonly diagnosed tumors. Although surgery is often effective in early-stage disease, skin tumors are not always easily accessible, can reoccur and have the ability to metastasize. More recently, immunotherapies, including intravenously administered checkpoint inhibitors, have been shown to control some skin cancers, but with off-target toxicities when used in combination. Our study investigated whether peritumoral administration of an antibody combination targeting PD-1, 4-1BB (CD137) and VISTA might control skin tumors and lead to circulating antitumor immunity without off-target toxicity. METHODS The efficacy of combination immunotherapy administered peritumorally or intravenously was tested using transplantable tumor models injected into mouse ears (primary tumors) or subcutaneously in flank skin (secondary tumors). Changes to the tumor microenvironment were tracked using flow cytometry while tumor-specific, CD8 T cells were identified through enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays. Off-target toxicity of the combination immunotherapy was assessed via serum alanine aminotransferase ELISA and histological analysis of liver sections. RESULTS The data showed that local administration of antibody therapy eliminated syngeneic murine tumors transplanted in the ear skin at a lower dose than required intravenously, and without measured hepatic toxicity. Tumor elimination was dependent on CD8 T cells and was associated with an increased percentage of CD8 T cells expressing granzyme B, KLRG1 and Eomes, and a decreased population of CD4 T cells including CD4+FoxP3+ cells in the treated tumor microenvironment. Importantly, untreated, distal tumors regressed following antibody treatment of a primary tumor, and immune memory prevented growth of subcutaneous flank tumors administered 50 days after regression of a primary tumor. CONCLUSIONS Together, these data suggest that peritumoral immunotherapy for skin tumors offers advantages over conventional intravenous delivery, allowing antibody dose sparing, improved safety and inducing long-term systemic memory. Future clinical trials of immunotherapy for primary skin cancer should focus on peritumoral delivery of combinations of immune checkpoint antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin G Wright
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Debottam Sinha
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - James W Wells
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ian H Frazer
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Abstract
Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer that originates from the malignant transformation of melanocytes. Although melanoma has long been regarded as a cancerous malignancy with few therapeutic options, increased biological understanding and unprecedented innovations in therapies targeting mutated driver genes and immune checkpoints have substantially improved the prognosis of patients. However, the low response rate and inevitable occurrence of resistance to currently available targeted therapies have posed the obstacle in the path of melanoma management to obtain further amelioration. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying melanoma pathogenesis more comprehensively, which might lead to more substantial progress in therapeutic approaches and expand clinical options for melanoma therapy. In this review, we firstly make a brief introduction to melanoma epidemiology, clinical subtypes, risk factors, and current therapies. Then, the signal pathways orchestrating melanoma pathogenesis, including genetic mutations, key transcriptional regulators, epigenetic dysregulations, metabolic reprogramming, crucial metastasis-related signals, tumor-promoting inflammatory pathways, and pro-angiogenic factors, have been systemically reviewed and discussed. Subsequently, we outline current progresses in therapies targeting mutated driver genes and immune checkpoints, as well as the mechanisms underlying the treatment resistance. Finally, the prospects and challenges in the development of melanoma therapy, especially immunotherapy and related ongoing clinical trials, are summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weinan Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 127 of West Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Huina Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 127 of West Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 127 of West Changle Road, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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Zeng H, Liu F, Zhou H, Zeng C. Individualized Treatment Strategy for Cutaneous Melanoma: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going? Front Oncol 2021; 11:775100. [PMID: 34804979 PMCID: PMC8599821 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.775100] [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] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past several decades, innovative research in cancer biology and immunology has contributed to novel therapeutics, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which have transformed the management of patients with melanoma. Despite the remarkable therapeutic outcomes of targeted treatments targeting MAPK signaling and immunotherapy that suppresses immune checkpoints, some individuals acquire therapeutic resistance and disease recurrence. This review summarizes the current understanding of melanoma genetic variations and discusses individualized melanoma therapy options, particularly for advanced or metastatic melanoma, as well as potential drug resistance mechanisms. A deeper understanding of individualized treatment will assist in improving clinical outcomes for patients with cutaneous melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihua Zeng
- Department of General Medicine, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fen Liu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hairong Zhou
- Department of General Medicine, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Changchun Zeng
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen, China
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Wright Q, Gonzalez Cruz JL, Wells JW, Leggatt GR. PD-1 and beyond to Activate T Cells in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Cancers: The Case for 4-1BB and VISTA Antibodies in Combination Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3310. [PMID: 34282763 PMCID: PMC8269268 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) have a higher incidence than all other cancers combined with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), capable of metastasis, representing approximately 20% of NMSCs. Given the accessibility of the skin, surgery is frequently employed to treat localized disease, although certain localities, the delineation of clear margins, frequency and recurrence of tumors can make these cancers inoperable in a subset of patients. Other treatment modalities, including cryotherapy, are commonly used for individual lesions, with varying success. Immunotherapy, particularly with checkpoint antibodies, is increasingly a promising therapeutic approach in many cancers, offering the potential advantage of immune memory for protection against lesion recurrence. This review addresses a role for PD-1, 4-1BB and VISTA checkpoint antibodies as monotherapies, or in combination as a therapeutic treatment for both early and late-stage cSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Graham R. Leggatt
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia; (Q.W.); (J.L.G.C.); (J.W.W.)
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