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Zhao Y, Bai Y, Li M, Nie X, Meng H, Shosei S, Liu L, Yang Q, Shen M, Li Y. A pH-triggered N-oxide polyzwitterionic nano-drug loaded system for the anti-tumor immunity activation research. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:420. [PMID: 39014462 PMCID: PMC11253471 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02677-0] [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: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the characteristics of low immune cell infiltration, high expression of tumor programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and abundant cancer stem cells. Systemic toxicity of traditional chemotherapy drugs due to poor drug selectivity, and chemotherapy failure due to tumor drug resistance and other problems, so it is particularly important to find new cancer treatment strategies for TNBC with limited treatment options. Both the anti-tumor natural drugs curcumin and ginsenoside Rg3 can exert anti-tumor effects by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) of tumor cells, reducing PD-L1 expression, and reducing cancer stem cells. However, they have the disadvantages of poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and weak anti-tumor effect of single agents. We used vinyl ether bonds to link curcumin (Cur) with N-O type zwitterionic polymers and at the same time encapsulated ginsenoside Rg3 to obtain hyperbranched zwitterionic drug-loaded micelles OPDEA-PGED-5HA@Cur@Rg3 (PPH@CR) with pH response. In vitro cell experiments and in vivo animal experiments have proved that PPH@CR could not only promote the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and increase the CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells by inducing ICD in tumor cells but also reduce the expression of PD-L1 in tumor tissues, and reduce cancer stem cells and showed better anti-tumor effects and good biological safety compared with free double drugs, which is a promising cancer treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130033, China
| | - Yuansong Bai
- Department of Medical Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130033, China.
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130033, China
| | - Xin Nie
- Stroke center, Jilin Provincial Electric Power Hospital, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Hao Meng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130033, China
| | - Shimizu Shosei
- Pediatric Radiation Therapy Center/Pediatric Proton Beam Therapy Center, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, 3050005, Japan
- Hebei Yizhou Cancer Hospital, Zhuozhou, Hebei, 072750, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130033, China
| | - Qingbiao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, China
| | - Meili Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130033, China.
| | - Yapeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130012, China.
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Sun J, Zhao Z, Lu J, An W, Zhang Y, Li W, Yang L. The Tumor Microenvironment Mediates the HIF-1α/PD-L1 Pathway to Promote Immune Escape in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3735. [PMID: 38612546 PMCID: PMC11011450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The unsatisfactory efficacy of immunotherapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major challenge for clinicians and patients. The tumor microenvironment may promote CRC progression by upregulating the expression of hypoxia-inducing factor (HIF) and PD-L1. Therefore, this study explored the expression and correlation of HIF-1α and PD-L1 in the CRC microenvironment. The expression and correlation of HIF-1α and PD-L1 in CRC were analyzed using bioinformatics and Western blotting (WB). The hypoxia and inflammation of the CRC microenvironment were established in the CT26 cell line. CT26 cells were stimulated with two hypoxia mimics, CoCl2 and DFO, which were used to induce the hypoxic environment. Western blotting was used to assess the expression and correlation of HIF-1α and PD-L1 in the hypoxic environment.LPS stimulated CT26 cells to induce the inflammatory environment. WB and bioinformatics were used to assess the expression and correlation of TLR4, HIF-1α, and PD-L1 in the inflammatory environment. Furthermore, the impact of curcumin on the inflammatory environment established by LPS-stimulated CT26 cells was demonstrated through MTT, Transwell, molecular docking, network pharmacology and Western blotting assays. In this study, we found that the HIF-1α/PD-L1 pathway was activated in the hypoxic and inflammatory environment and promoted immune escape in CRC. Meanwhile, curcumin suppressed tumor immune escape by inhibiting the TLR4/HIF-1α/PD-L1 pathway in the inflammatory environment of CRC. These results suggest that combination therapy based on the HIF-1α/PD-L1 pathway can be a promising therapeutic option and that curcumin can be used as a potent immunomodulatory agent in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116024, China; (J.S.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (W.A.); (Y.Z.); (W.L.)
- Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, No. 26, Yucai Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo 315016, China
| | - Zhengtian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116024, China; (J.S.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (W.A.); (Y.Z.); (W.L.)
| | - Jiaqi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116024, China; (J.S.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (W.A.); (Y.Z.); (W.L.)
| | - Wen An
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116024, China; (J.S.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (W.A.); (Y.Z.); (W.L.)
| | - Yiming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116024, China; (J.S.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (W.A.); (Y.Z.); (W.L.)
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116024, China; (J.S.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (W.A.); (Y.Z.); (W.L.)
| | - Li Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2, Linggong Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116024, China; (J.S.); (Z.Z.); (J.L.); (W.A.); (Y.Z.); (W.L.)
- Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, No. 26, Yucai Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo 315016, China
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Zhang Q, Yang C, Gao X, Dong J, Zhong C. Phytochemicals in regulating PD-1/PD-L1 and immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Phytother Res 2024; 38:776-796. [PMID: 38050789 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Clinical treatment and preclinical studies have highlighted the role of immune checkpoint blockade in cancer treatment. Research has been devoted to developing immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with other drugs to achieve better efficacy or reduce adverse effects. Phytochemicals sourced from vegetables and fruits have demonstrated antiproliferative, proapoptotic, anti-migratory, and antiangiogenic effects against several cancers. Phytochemicals also modulate the tumor microenvironment such as T cells, regulatory T cells, and cytokines. Recently, several phytochemicals have been reported to modulate immune checkpoint proteins in in vivo or in vitro models. Phytochemicals decreased programmed cell death ligand-1 expression and synergized programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody to suppress tumor growth. Combined administration of phytochemicals and PD-1 monoclonal antibody enhanced the tumor growth inhibition as well as CD4+ /CD8+ T-cell infiltration. In this review, we discuss immune checkpoint molecules as potential therapeutic targets of cancers. We further assess the impact of phytochemicals including carotenoids, polyphenols, saponins, and organosulfur compounds on cancer PD-1/programmed cell death ligand-1 immune checkpoint molecules and document their combination effects with immune checkpoint inhibitors on various malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenying Yang
- Yinzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ningbo, China
| | - Xingsu Gao
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ju Dong
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Caiyun Zhong
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Wang X, Ye X, Chen Y, Lin J. Mechanism of M2 type macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles regulating PD-L1 expression via the MISP/IQGAP1 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma immunotherapy resistance. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110848. [PMID: 37633233 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevailing cancer affecting human health. M2 macrophages are essential in mediating immune responses in tumors. This study investigated the action of M2 macrophages in immune escape of HCC. METHODS Mitotic spindle positioning (MISP), IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) and programmed cell death-1 (PD-L1) levels in primary HCC/tumor-adjacent tissues were determined by Western blot, followed by correlation analysis. M2 macrophage and CD3+CD8+T cell percentages were estimated by flow cytometry. Hep3B and HepG2 cells were treated with M2 macrophage conditioned medium (M2-CM) and M2 macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles (M2-EVs) and/or co-cultured with CD8+T cells, followed by assessment of cell viability and apoptosis. TNF-α and INF-γ levels were measured by ELISA. MISP and IQGAP1 overexpression plasmids were transfected into HCC cells to explore their role in immune escape. The interactions among MISP, IQGAP1, STAT3, and PD-L1 were analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation. The mechanism of M2-EVs in HCC immune escape was verified in nude mice. RESULTS MISP/IQGAP1/PD-L1 were upregulated in HCC tissues. MISP negatively-correlated with IQGAP1/PD-L1 and IQGAP1 positively-correlated with PD-L1. M2 macrophages were reduced but CD8+T cells were increased in HCC tissues with high MISP expression. M2-CM or M2-EVs inhibited the killing ability of CD8+T cells, increased HCC cell viability, impeded HCC cell apoptosis, induced CD8+T cell apoptosis, downregulated TNF-α and INF-γ, and upregulated PD-L1. M2-EVs facilitated HCC cell immune escape by potentiating IQGAP1 nuclear translocation and activating STAT3 phosphorylation through MISP downregulation. In vivo experiments further verified the action of M2-EVs through MISP. CONCLUSION M2-EVs promote HCC cell immune escape by upregulating PD-L1 through the MISP/IQGAP1/STAT3 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Wang
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Xuxing Ye
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, 351 Mingyue Street, Wucheng District, Jinhua, 321001, China
| | - Yanping Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, 351 Mingyue Street, Wucheng District, Jinhua, 321001, China
| | - Junmei Lin
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital, 351 Mingyue Street, Wucheng District, Jinhua, 321001, China.
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Zhao N, Chen C, Guo Y, Liu T, Che N, Zhang D, Liang X, Zhang Y, Zhao X. LOXL2 serves as a prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma by mediating immune infiltration and vasculogenic mimicry. Dig Liver Dis 2023; 55:661-672. [PMID: 36192339 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multistep process that is accompanied by progressive changes in the liver microenvironment, including immune evasion and angiogenesis. Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) has been suggested to contribute to tumour progression and metastasis; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between LOXL2 and immune infiltration and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and to identify the role of LOXL2 in HCC diagnosis prognosis evaluation. METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), UALCAN, GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases were used to analyse LOXL2 expression and perform survival analysis. The Tumour Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) was used to analyse immune cell infiltration, immune cell biomarkers and immune checkpoints. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of 201 HCC samples was used to confirm the expression of LOXL2 and its relationship with VM. Coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) and gain- and loss-of-function studies were performed to confirm the molecular mechanism of LOXL2 in VM. RESULTS The expression of LOXL2 in HCC was higher than that in normal tissues at both the mRNA and protein levels. High expression of LOXL2 was associated with a poorer prognosis of HCC. The genetic alteration rate of LOXL2 was 5%. LOXL2 was positively related to immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints (PD-1 and CTLA-4) in HCC. Co-IP showed that LOXL2 can interact directly with IQGAP1. Both gain- and loss-of-function studies showed that LOXL2 significantly induced cell migration, invasion and VM formation when IQGAP1 was upregulated. CONCLUSIONS LOXL2 is involved in immune cell infiltration and promotes VM by upregulating IQGAP1. LOXL2 can be used as a novel biomarker for HCC diagnosis and prognosis prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yuhong Guo
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Tieju Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Na Che
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Danfang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Xiaohui Liang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Yanhui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Xiulan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China.
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IQGAP1 Is a Phosphotyrosine-Regulated Scaffold for SH2-Containing Proteins. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030483. [PMID: 36766826 PMCID: PMC9913818 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030483] [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: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The scaffold protein IQGAP1 associates with over 150 interactors to influence multiple biological processes. The molecular mechanisms that underly spatial and temporal regulation of these interactions, which are crucial for proper cell functions, remain poorly understood. The receptor tyrosine kinase MET phosphorylates IQGAP1 on Tyr1510. Separately, Src homology 2 (SH2) domains mediate protein-protein interactions by binding specific phosphotyrosine residues. Here, we investigate whether MET-catalyzed phosphorylation of Tyr1510 of IQGAP1 regulates the docking of SH2-containing proteins. Using a peptide array, we identified SH2 domains from several proteins, including the non-receptor tyrosine kinases Abl1 and Abl2, that bind to the Tyr1510 of IQGAP1 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Using pure proteins, we validated that full-length Abl1 and Abl2 bind directly to phosphorylated Tyr1510 of IQGAP1. In cells, MET inhibition decreases endogenous IQGAP1 phosphorylation and interaction with endogenous Abl1 and Abl2, indicating that binding is regulated by MET-catalyzed phosphorylation of IQGAP1. Functionally, IQGAP1 modulates basal and HGF-stimulated Abl signaling. Moreover, IQGAP1 binds directly to MET, inhibiting its activation and signaling. Collectively, our study demonstrates that IQGAP1 is a phosphotyrosine-regulated scaffold for SH2-containing proteins, thereby uncovering a previously unidentified mechanism by which IQGAP1 coordinates intracellular signaling.
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Jo H, Shim K, Jeoung D. Targeting HDAC6 to Overcome Autophagy-Promoted Anti-Cancer Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179592. [PMID: 36076996 PMCID: PMC9455701 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate gene expression through the epigenetic modification of chromatin structure. HDAC6, unlike many other HDACs, is present in the cytoplasm. Its deacetylates non-histone proteins and plays diverse roles in cancer cell initiation, proliferation, autophagy, and anti-cancer drug resistance. The development of HDAC6-specific inhibitors has been relatively successful. Mechanisms of HDAC6-promoted anti-cancer drug resistance, cancer cell proliferation, and autophagy are discussed. The relationship between autophagy and anti-cancer drug resistance is discussed. The effects of combination therapy, which includes HDAC6 inhibitors, on the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutics and immune checkpoint blockade are presented. A summary of clinical trials involving HDAC6-specific inhibitors is also presented. This review presents HDAC6 as a valuable target for developing anti-cancer drugs.
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