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Sun D, Tan L, Chen Y, Yuan Q, Jiang K, Liu Y, Xue Y, Zhang J, Cao X, Xu M, Luo Y, Xu Z, Xu Z, Xu W, Shen M. CXCL5 impedes CD8 + T cell immunity by upregulating PD-L1 expression in lung cancer via PXN/AKT signaling phosphorylation and neutrophil chemotaxis. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:202. [PMID: 39034411 PMCID: PMC11264977 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03122-8] [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: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancer types worldwide, with a high mortality rate. Upregulation of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) may represent a key mechanism for evading immune surveillance. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibodies against PD-1 or PD-L1 are therefore widely used to treat patients with lung cancer. However, the mechanisms by which lung cancer and neutrophils in the microenvironment sustain PD-L1 expression and impart stronger inhibition of CD8+ T cell function remain unclear. METHODS We investigated the role and underlying mechanism by which PD-L1+ lung cancer and PD-L1+ neutrophils impede the function of CD8+ T cells through magnetic bead cell sorting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, confocal immunofluorescence, gene silencing, flow cytometry, etc. In vivo efficacy and safety studies were conducted using (Non-obeseDiabetes/severe combined immune deficiency) SCID/NOD mice. Additionally, we collected clinical and prognostic data from 208 patients who underwent curative lung cancer resection between 2017 and 2018. RESULTS We demonstrated that C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5) is markedly overexpressed in lung cancer cells and is positively correlated with a poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer. Mechanistically, CXCL5 activates the phosphorylation of the Paxillin/AKT signaling cascade, leading to upregulation of PD-L1 expression and the formation of a positive feedback loop. Moreover, CXCL5 attracts neutrophils, compromising CD8+ T cell-dependent antitumor immunity. These PD-L1+ neutrophils aggravate CD8+ T cell exhaustion following lung cancer domestication. Combined treatment with anti-CXCL5 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies significantly inhibits tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our findings collectively demonstrate that CXCL5 promotes immune escape through PD-L1 upregulation in lung cancer and neutrophils chemotaxis through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. CXCL5 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in synergy with ICBs in lung cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dantong Sun
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Lipin Tan
- Department of nursing administration, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Yongbing Chen
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Qiang Yuan
- Department of interventional medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Kanqiu Jiang
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Yangyang Liu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Hospital of Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China
| | - Yuhang Xue
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, 224000, China
| | - Jinzhi Zhang
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Xianbao Cao
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Minzhao Xu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Yang Luo
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Zhonghua Xu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Zhonghen Xu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Weihua Xu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Mingjing Shen
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China.
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Andrzejczak A, Karabon L. BTLA biology in cancer: from bench discoveries to clinical potentials. Biomark Res 2024; 12:8. [PMID: 38233898 PMCID: PMC10795259 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00556-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoints play a critical role in maintaining the delicate balance of immune activation in order to prevent potential harm caused by excessive activation, autoimmunity, or tissue damage. B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is one of crucial checkpoint, regulating stimulatory and inhibitory signals in immune responses. Its interaction with the herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) plays an essential role in negatively regulating immune responses, thereby preserving immune homeostasis. In cancer, abnormal cells evade immune surveillance by exploiting checkpoints like BTLA. Upregulated BTLA expression is linked to impaired anti-tumor immunity and unfavorable disease outcomes. In preclinical studies, BTLA-targeted therapies have shown improved treatment outcomes and enhanced antitumor immunity. This review aims to provide an in-depth understanding of BTLA's biology, its role in various cancers, and its potential as a prognostic factor. Additionally, it explores the latest research on BTLA blockade in cancer immunotherapy, offering hope for more effective cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Andrzejczak
- Laboratory of Genetics and Epigenetics of Human Diseases, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Lidia Karabon
- Laboratory of Genetics and Epigenetics of Human Diseases, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
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Jiang K, Liu S, Chen Y, Xu Z, Xu Z, Qian B, Ding Q, Cui H, Sui Y, Cao D, Xu W, Shen M. Characterization of TCF-1 and its relationship between CD8+ TIL densities and immune checkpoints and their joint influences on prognoses of lung adenocarcinoma patients. Thorac Cancer 2023; 14:2745-2753. [PMID: 37536668 PMCID: PMC10518226 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.15058] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND T cell factor-1 (TCF-1) + stem-like tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (stem-like TILs) are important memory cells in the tumor microenvironment. However, their relationship with clinicopathological features, CD8+ TIL densities, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICs), and prognostic values remain unknown for lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs). In this study, we aimed to characterize TCF-1+ TILs and their prognostic significance in patients with surgically resected LUADs. METHODS Expression of TCF-1, CD8, and ICs including programmed death-1 (PD-1), lymphocyte activating-3 (LAG-3), and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) in TILs were estimated using immunohistochemistry of resected LUADs. The association between TCF-1 expressions and clinicopathological characteristics of patient prognoses were analyzed. RESULTS Positive TCF-1 expression significantly correlated with advanced pathological stage, tumor grade, CD8+ TILs density, TIM-3 expression, LAG-3 expression, and PD-1 expression. TCF-1 positivity was significantly associated with a better recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS). Subgroup analysis revealed that the TCF-1+/CD8+ group had the best RFS and OS, while the TCF-1-/CD8- group had the worst RFS and OS. Similarly, patients with TCF-1 + PD-1- had the best prognoses and patients with TCF-1-PD-1+ had the worst prognoses. CONCLUSION TCF-1 had relatively high positive expression and special clinicopathological features in patients with LUAD. TCF-1+ TILs were related to CD8 density, TIM-3 expression, LAG-3 expression, and PD-1 expression, and were associated with better prognoses in LUAD patients. A combination of TCF-1 and CD8 densities or PD-1 expression further stratified patients into different groups with distinct prognoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanqiu Jiang
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Shasha Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Yongbing Chen
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Zhonghen Xu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Zhonghua Xu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Bo Qian
- Gerontology DepartmentHuadong SanatoriumWuxiChina
| | - Qifeng Ding
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Hongxia Cui
- Department of PathologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Yiqun Sui
- Department of PathologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Defu Cao
- Department of Rehabilitation MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Weihua Xu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Mingjing Shen
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
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Karamitopoulou E, Wenning AS, Acharjee A, Zlobec I, Aeschbacher P, Perren A, Gloor B. Spatially restricted tumour-associated and host-associated immune drivers correlate with the recurrence sites of pancreatic cancer. Gut 2023; 72:1523-1533. [PMID: 36792355 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-329371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Most patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) will experience recurrence after resection. Here, we investigate spatially organised immune determinants of PDAC recurrence. DESIGN PDACs (n=284; discovery cohort) were classified according to recurrence site as liver (n=93/33%), lung (n=49/17%), local (n=31/11%), peritoneal (n=38/13%) and no-recurrence (n=73/26%). Spatial compartments were identified by fluorescent imaging as: pancytokeratin (PanCK)+CD45- (tumour cells); CD45+PanCK- (leucocytes) and PanCK-CD45- (stromal cells), followed by transcriptomic (72 genes) and proteomic analysis (51 proteins) for immune pathway targets. Results from next-generation sequencing (n=194) were integrated. Finally, 10 tumours from each group underwent immunophenotypic analysis by multiplex immunofluorescence. A validation cohort (n=109) was examined in parallel. RESULTS No-recurrent PDACs show high immunogenicity, adaptive immune responses and are rich in pro-inflammatory chemokines, granzyme B and alpha-smooth muscle actin+ fibroblasts. PDACs with liver and/or peritoneal recurrences display low immunogenicity, stemness phenotype and innate immune responses, whereas those with peritoneal metastases are additionally rich in FAP+ fibroblasts. PDACs with local and/or lung recurrences display interferon-gamma signalling and mixed adaptive and innate immune responses, but with different leading immune cell population. Tumours with local recurrences overexpress dendritic cell markers whereas those with lung recurrences neutrophilic markers. Except the exclusive presence of RNF43 mutations in the no-recurrence group, no genetic differences were seen. The no-recurrence group exhibited the best, whereas liver and peritoneal recurrences the poorest prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate distinct inflammatory/stromal responses in each recurrence group, which might affect dissemination patterns and patient outcomes. These findings may help to inform personalised adjuvant/neoadjuvant and surveillance strategies in PDAC, including immunotherapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Karamitopoulou
- Institute for Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Silvia Wenning
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Insel University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Animesh Acharjee
- University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Birmingham, UK
| | - Inti Zlobec
- Institute for Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pauline Aeschbacher
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Insel University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aurel Perren
- Institute for Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Beat Gloor
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Insel University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Pescia C, Pini G, Olmeda E, Ferrero S, Lopez G. TIGIT in Lung Cancer: Potential Theranostic Implications. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041050. [PMID: 37109579 PMCID: PMC10145071 DOI: 10.3390/life13041050] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
TIGIT (T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains) is a co-inhibitory receptor expressed on various immune cells, including T cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells. TIGIT interacts with different ligands, such as CD155 and CD112, which are highly expressed on cancer cells, leading to the suppression of immune responses. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of TIGIT in regulating immune cell function in the tumor microenvironment and its role as a potential therapeutic target, especially in the field of lung cancer. However, the role of TIGIT in cancer development and progression remains controversial, particularly regarding the relevance of its expression both in the tumor microenvironment and on tumor cells, with prognostic and predictive implications that remain to date essentially undisclosed. Here, we provide a review of the recent advances in TIGIT-blockade in lung cancer, and also insights on TIGIT relevance as an immunohistochemical biomarker and its possible theranostic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Pescia
- Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuditta Pini
- Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Edoardo Olmeda
- Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferrero
- Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Lopez
- Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
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Sandström Gerdtsson A, Knulst M, Botling J, Mezheyeuski A, Micke P, Ek S. Phenotypic characterization of spatial immune infiltration niches in non-small cell lung cancer. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2206725. [PMID: 37139184 PMCID: PMC10150622 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2206725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune microenvironment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is heterogeneous, which impedes the prediction of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We have mapped the expression of 49 proteins to spatial immune niches in 33 NSCLC tumors and report key differences in phenotype and function associated with the spatial context of immune infiltration. Tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TIL), identified in 42% of tumors, had a similar proportion of lymphocyte antigens compared to stromal leukocytes (SL) but displayed significantly higher levels of functional, mainly immune suppressive, markers including PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA-4, B7-H3, OX40L, and IDO1. In contrast, SL expressed higher levels of the targetable T-cell activation marker CD27, which increased with a longer distance to the tumor. Correlation analysis confirmed that metabolic-driven immune regulatory mechanisms, including ARG1 and IDO1, are present in the TIL. Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) were identified in 30% of patients. They displayed less variation in the expression profile and with significantly higher levels of pan lymphocyte and activation markers, dendritic cells, and antigen presentation compared to other immune niches. TLS also had higher CTLA-4 expression than non-structured SL, which may indicate immune dysfunction. Neither the presence of TIL nor TLS was associated with improved clinical outcomes. The apparent discrimination in functional profiles of distinct immune niches, independent of the overall level of leukocytes, illustrates the importance of spatial profiling to deconvolute how the immune microenvironment can dictate a therapeutic response and to identify biomarkers in the context of immunomodulatory treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sandström Gerdtsson
- Department of Immunotechnology, CREATE Health, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- CONTACT Anna Sandström Gerdtsson Department of Immunotechnology, CREATE Health, Lund University, Medicon Village 406, Scheelevägen 8, Lund223 87, Sweden
| | - Mattis Knulst
- Department of Immunotechnology, CREATE Health, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johan Botling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Artur Mezheyeuski
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Molecular Oncology Group, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patrick Micke
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Ek
- Department of Immunotechnology, CREATE Health, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Hadjigol S, Shah BA, O’Brien-Simpson NM. The ‘Danse Macabre’—Neutrophils the Interactive Partner Affecting Oral Cancer Outcomes. Front Immunol 2022; 13:894021. [PMID: 35784290 PMCID: PMC9243430 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.894021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, tremendous advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer have taken place. However for head and neck cancers, including oral cancer, the overall survival rate is below 50% and they remain the seventh most common malignancy worldwide. These cancers are, commonly, aggressive, genetically complex, and difficult to treat and the delay, which often occurs between early recognition of symptoms and diagnosis, and the start of treatment of these cancers, is associated with poor prognosis. Cancer development and progression occurs in concert with alterations in the surrounding stroma, with the immune system being an essential element in this process. Despite neutrophils having major roles in the pathology of many diseases, they were thought to have little impact on cancer development and progression. Recent studies are now challenging this notion and placing neutrophils as central interactive players with other immune and tumor cells in affecting cancer pathology. This review focuses on how neutrophils and their sub-phenotypes, N1, N2, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, both directly and indirectly affect the anti-tumor and pro-tumor immune responses. Emphasis is placed on what is currently known about the interaction of neutrophils with myeloid innate immune cells (such as dendritic cells and macrophages), innate lymphoid cells, natural killer cells, and fibroblasts to affect the tumor microenvironment and progression of oral cancer. A better understanding of this dialog will allow for improved therapeutics that concurrently target several components of the tumor microenvironment, increasing the possibility of constructive and positive outcomes for oral cancer patients. For this review, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for manuscripts using keywords and combinations thereof of “oral cancer, OSCC, neutrophils, TANs, MDSC, immune cells, head and neck cancer, and tumor microenvironment” with a focus on publications from 2018 to 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hadjigol
- *Correspondence: Neil M. O’Brien-Simpson, ; Sara Hadjigol,
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