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Feng Q, Xu X, Zhang S. cGAS-STING pathway in systemic lupus erythematosus: biological implications and therapeutic opportunities. Immunol Res 2024:10.1007/s12026-024-09525-1. [PMID: 39096420 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-024-09525-1] [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: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway has been identified as a significant modulator of inflammation in various clinical contexts, including infection, cellular stress, and tissue injury. The extensive participation of the cGAS-STING pathway can be attributed to its ability to detect and control the cellular reaction to DNAs originating from both microorganisms and hosts. These DNAs are well recognized as molecules linked with potential risks. At physiological levels, the STING signaling system exhibits protective effects. However, prolonged stimulation of this pathway contributes to autoimmune disorder pathogenesis. The present paper provides an overview of the activation mechanism of the cGAS-STING signaling pathways and their associated significant functions, as well as therapeutic interventions in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The primary objective is to enhance our comprehension of SLE and facilitate more effective diagnosis and treatment strategies for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Feng
- College of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130017, China
| | - Xiaolin Xu
- Cardiology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Shoulin Zhang
- Nephropathy Department, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130021, China.
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2
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Nasar RT, Uche IK, Kousoulas KG. Targeting Cancers with oHSV-Based Oncolytic Viral Immunotherapy. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:5582-5594. [PMID: 38921005 PMCID: PMC11201976 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060334] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent success of cancer immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICIs), monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), cancer vaccines, and adoptive cellular therapies (ACTs), has revolutionized traditional cancer treatment. However, these immunotherapeutic modalities have variable efficacies, and many of them exhibit adverse effects. Oncolytic viral Immunotherapy (OViT), whereby viruses are used to directly or indirectly induce anti-cancer immune responses, is emerging as a novel immunotherapy for treating patients with different types of cancer. The herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) possesses many characteristics that inform its use as an effective OViT agents and remains a leading candidate. Its recent clinical success resulted in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Talimogene laherparevec (T-VEC or Imlygic) in 2015 for the treatment of advanced melanoma. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the development of oncolytic HSV-1-based OViTs, their anti-tumor mechanism of action, and efficacy data from recent clinical trials. We envision this knowledge may be used to inform the rational design and application of future oHSV in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakin Tammam Nasar
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Ifeanyi Kingsley Uche
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Konstantin G. Kousoulas
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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3
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Low JT, Brown MC, Reitman ZJ, Bernstock JD, Markert JM, Friedman GK, Waitkus MS, Bowie ML, Ashley DM. Understanding and therapeutically exploiting cGAS/STING signaling in glioblastoma. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e163452. [PMID: 38226619 PMCID: PMC10786687 DOI: 10.1172/jci163452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery that cGAS/STING recognizes endogenous DNA released from dying cancer cells and induces type I interferon and antitumor T cell responses, efforts to understand and therapeutically target the STING pathway in cancer have ensued. Relative to other cancer types, the glioma immune microenvironment harbors few infiltrating T cells, but abundant tumor-associated myeloid cells, possibly explaining disappointing responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapies in cohorts of patients with glioblastoma. Notably, unlike most extracranial tumors, STING expression is absent in the malignant compartment of gliomas, likely due to methylation of the STING promoter. Nonetheless, several preclinical studies suggest that inducing cGAS/STING signaling in the glioma immune microenvironment could be therapeutically beneficial, and cGAS/STING signaling has been shown to mediate inflammatory and antitumor effects of other modalities either in use or being developed for glioblastoma therapy, including radiation, tumor-treating fields, and oncolytic virotherapy. In this Review, we discuss cGAS/STING signaling in gliomas, its implications for glioma immunobiology, compartment-specific roles for STING signaling in influencing immune surveillance, and efforts to target STING signaling - either directly or indirectly - for antiglioma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zachary J. Reitman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joshua D. Bernstock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James M. Markert
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Gregory K. Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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4
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Karandikar PV, Suh L, Gerstl JVE, Blitz SE, Qu QR, Won SY, Gessler FA, Arnaout O, Smith TR, Peruzzi PP, Yang W, Friedman GK, Bernstock JD. Positioning SUMO as an immunological facilitator of oncolytic viruses for high-grade glioma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1271575. [PMID: 37860820 PMCID: PMC10582965 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1271575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viral (OV) therapies are promising novel treatment modalities for cancers refractory to conventional treatment, such as glioblastoma, within the central nervous system (CNS). Although OVs have received regulatory approval for use in the CNS, efficacy is hampered by obstacles related to delivery, under-/over-active immune responses, and the "immune-cold" nature of most CNS malignancies. SUMO, the Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier, is a family of proteins that serve as a high-level regulator of a large variety of key physiologic processes including the host immune response. The SUMO pathway has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of both wild-type viruses and CNS malignancies. As such, the intersection of OV biology with the SUMO pathway makes SUMOtherapeutics particularly interesting as adjuvant therapies for the enhancement of OV efficacy alone and in concert with other immunotherapeutic agents. Accordingly, the authors herein provide: 1) an overview of the SUMO pathway and its role in CNS malignancies; 2) describe the current state of CNS-targeted OVs; and 3) describe the interplay between the SUMO pathway and the viral lifecycle and host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paramesh V. Karandikar
- T. H. Chan School of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lyle Suh
- T. H. Chan School of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jakob V. E. Gerstl
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sarah E. Blitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Qing Rui Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sae-Yeon Won
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Omar Arnaout
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Timothy R. Smith
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Pier Paolo Peruzzi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Multidisciplinary Brain Protection Program, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Gregory K. Friedman
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Joshua D. Bernstock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
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5
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Pan X, Zhang W, Guo H, Wang L, Wu H, Ding L, Yang B. Strategies involving STING pathway activation for cancer immunotherapy: Mechanism and agonists. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 213:115596. [PMID: 37201875 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have expanded the known functions of cGAS-STING in inflammation to a role in cancer due to its participation in activating immune surveillance. In cancer cells, the cGAS-STING pathway can be activated by cytosolic dsDNA derived from genomic, mitochondrial and exogenous origins. The resulting immune-stimulatory factors from this cascade can either attenuate tumor growth or recruit immune cells for tumor clearance. Furthermore, STING-IRF3-induced type I interferon signaling can enforce tumor antigen presentation on dendritic cells and macrophages and thus cross-prime CD8+ T cells for antitumor immunity. Given the functions of the STING pathway in antitumor immunity, multiple strategies are being developed and tested with the rationale of activating STING in tumor cells or tumor-infiltrating immune cells to elicit immunostimulatory effects, either alone or in combination with a range of established chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic regimens. Based on the canonical molecular mechanism of STING activation, numerous strategies for inducing mitochondrial and nuclear dsDNA release have been used to activate the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Other noncanonical strategies that activate cGAS-STING signaling, including the use of direct STING agonists and STING trafficking facilitation, also show promise in type I interferon release and antitumor immunity priming. Here, we review the key roles of the STING pathway in different steps of the cancer-immunity cycle and characterize the canonical and noncanonical mechanisms of cGAS-STING pathway activation to understand the potential of cGAS-STING agonists for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Pan
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wenxin Zhang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hongjie Guo
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Longsheng Wang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Honghai Wu
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ling Ding
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Bo Yang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; The Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
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6
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Bots STF, Landman SL, Rabelink MJWE, van den Wollenberg DJM, Hoeben RC. Immunostimulatory Profile of Cancer Cell Death by the AdV-Lumc007-Derived Oncolytic Virus 'GoraVir' in Cultured Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020283. [PMID: 36851497 PMCID: PMC9959036 DOI: 10.3390/v15020283] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy which shows unparalleled therapeutic resistance. Oncolytic viruses have emerged as a new treatment approach and convey their antitumor activity through lysis of cancer cells. The therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic viruses is largely dependent on the induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD) and the subsequent antitumor immune responses. However, the concurrent generation of antiviral immune responses may also limit the a virus' therapeutic window. GoraVir is a new oncolytic adenovirus derived from the Human Adenovirus B (HAdV-B) isolate AdV-lumc007 which was isolated from a gorilla and has demonstrated excellent lytic activity in both in vitro and in vivo models of PDAC. In this study, we characterized the immunostimulatory profile of cancer cell death induced by GoraVir and the concerted cellular antiviral responses in three conventional pancreatic cancer cell lines. While GoraVir was shown to induce late apoptotic/necrotic cell death at earlier time points post infection than the human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV-C5), similar levels of ICD markers were expressed. Moreover, GoraVir was shown to induce ICD not dependent on STING expression and regardless of subsequent antiviral responses. Together, these data demonstrate that GoraVir is an excellent candidate for use in oncolytic virotherapy.
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Zhao JZ, Xu LM, Ren GM, Shao YZ, Liu Q, Teng CB, Lu TY. Comparative transcriptome analysis of rainbow trout gonadal cells (RTG-2) infected with U and J genogroup infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1109606. [PMID: 36733771 PMCID: PMC9887044 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1109606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is the causative pathogen of infectious hematopoietic necrosis, outbreaks of which are responsible for significant losses in rainbow trout aquaculture. Strains of IHNV isolated worldwide have been classified into five major genogroups, J, E, L, M, and U. To date, comparative transcriptomic analysis has only been conducted individually for the J and M genogroups. In this study, we compared the transcriptome profiles in U genogroup and J genogroup IHNV-infected RTG-2 cells with mock-infected RTG-2 cells. The RNA-seq results revealed 17,064 new genes, of which 7,390 genes were functionally annotated. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis between U and J IHNV-infected cells revealed 2,238 DEGs, including 1,011 downregulated genes and 1,227 upregulated genes. Among the 2,238 DEGs, 345 new genes were discovered. The DEGs related to immune responses, cellular signal transduction, and viral diseases were further analyzed. RT-qPCR validation confirmed that the changes in expression of the immune response-related genes trpm2, sting, itgb7, ripk2, and irf1, cellular signal transduction-related genes irl, cacnb2, bmp2l, gadd45α, and plk2, and viral disease-related genes mlf1, mtor, armc5, pik3r1, and c-myc were consistent with the results of transcriptome analysis. Taken together, our findings provide a comprehensive transcriptional analysis of the differential virulence of the U and J genogroups of IHNV, and shed new light on the pathogenic mechanisms of IHNV strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Zhuang Zhao
- Cell Biology Laboratory, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China,Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, China,Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Immune Technology of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China
| | - Li-Ming Xu
- Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Guang-Ming Ren
- Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Yi-Zhi Shao
- Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Chun-Bo Teng
- Cell Biology Laboratory, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Tong-Yan Lu
- Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, China,*Correspondence: Tong-Yan Lu, ✉
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8
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Mendonça SA, Antunes F, Cerqueira OLD, Del Valle PR, Hunger A, Oliveira PVSD, Brito B, Costanzi-Strauss E, Strauss BE. Induction of Immune-Stimulating Factors and Oncolysis Upon p14 ARF Gene Transfer in Melanoma Cell Lines. DNA Cell Biol 2022. [PMID: 36576491 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2022.0115] [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: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Together with an anti-tumor immune response, oncolysis using a recombinant viral vector promises to eliminate cancer cells by both gene transfer and host-mediated functions. In this study we explore oncolysis induced by nonreplicating adenoviral vectors used for p14ARF and interferon-β (hIFNβ) gene transfer in human melanoma cell lines, revealing an unexpected role for p14ARF in promoting cellular responses predictive of immune stimulation. Oncolysis was confirmed when UACC-62 (p53 wild-type) cells succumbed upon p14ARF gene transfer in vitro, whereas SK-Mel-29 (p53-mutant) benefitted from its combination with hIFNβ. In the case of UACC-62, in situ gene therapy in nude mice yielded reduced tumor progression in response to the p14ARF and hIFNβ combination. Potential for immune stimulation was revealed where p14ARF gene transfer in vitro was sufficient to induce emission of immunogenic cell death factors in UACC-62 and upregulate pro-immune genes, including IRF1, IRF7, IRF9, ISG15, TAP-1, and B2M. In SK-Mel-29, p14ARF gene transfer induced a subset of these factors. hIFNβ was, as expected, sufficient to induce these immune-stimulating genes in both cell lines. This work is a significant advancement for our melanoma gene therapy strategy because we revealed not only the induction of oncolysis, but also the potential contribution of p14ARF to immune stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Andrade Mendonça
- Laboratório de Vetores Virais, Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia/LIM24, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Antunes
- Laboratório de Vetores Virais, Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia/LIM24, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Otto L D Cerqueira
- Laboratório de Vetores Virais, Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia/LIM24, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paulo Roberto Del Valle
- Laboratório de Vetores Virais, Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia/LIM24, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline Hunger
- Laboratório de Vetores Virais, Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia/LIM24, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Percíllia V S de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biologia Vascular, Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Barbara Brito
- Laboratório de Terapia Gênica, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eugenia Costanzi-Strauss
- Laboratório de Terapia Gênica, Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bryan E Strauss
- Laboratório de Vetores Virais, Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia/LIM24, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zhu Z, McGray AJR, Jiang W, Lu B, Kalinski P, Guo ZS. Improving cancer immunotherapy by rationally combining oncolytic virus with modulators targeting key signaling pathways. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:196. [PMID: 36221123 PMCID: PMC9554963 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01664-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent a new class of multi-modal immunotherapies for cancer, with OV-elicited antitumor immunity being key to their overall therapeutic efficacy. Currently, the clinical effectiveness of OV as monotherapy remains limited, and thus investigators have been exploring various combinations with other anti-cancer agents and demonstrated improved therapeutic efficacy. As cancer cells have evolved to alter key signaling pathways for enhanced cell proliferation, cancer progression and metastasis, these cellular and molecular changes offer promising targets for rational cancer therapy design. In this regard, key molecules in relevant signaling pathways for cancer cells or/and immune cells, such as EGFR-KRAS (e.g., KRASG12C), PI3K-AKT-mTOR, ERK-MEK, JAK-STAT, p53, PD-1-PD-L1, and epigenetic, or immune pathways (e.g., histone deacetylases, cGAS-STING) are currently under investigation and have the potential to synergize with OV to modulate the immune milieu of the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby improving and sustaining antitumor immunity. As many small molecule modulators of these signaling pathways have been developed and have shown strong therapeutic potential, here we review key findings related to both OV-mediated immunotherapy and the utility of small molecule modulators of signaling pathways in immuno-oncology. Then, we focus on discussion of the rationales and potential strategies for combining OV with selected modulators targeting key cellular signaling pathways in cancer or/and immune cells to modulate the TME and enhance antitumor immunity and therapeutic efficacy. Finally, we provide perspectives and viewpoints on the application of novel experimental systems and technologies that can propel this exciting branch of medicine into a bright future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zhu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - A J Robert McGray
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Weijian Jiang
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Binfeng Lu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Pawel Kalinski
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Zong Sheng Guo
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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10
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Du JM, Qian MJ, Yuan T, Chen RH, He QJ, Yang B, Ling Q, Zhu H. cGAS and cancer therapy: a double-edged sword. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:2202-2211. [PMID: 35042992 PMCID: PMC9433456 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00839-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate adenosine synthetase (cGAS) is a DNA sensor that detects and binds to cytosolic DNA to generate cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP). As a second messenger, cGAMP mainly activates the adapter protein STING, which induces the production of type I interferons (IFNs) and inflammatory cytokines. Mounting evidence shows that cGAS is extensively involved in the innate immune response, senescence, and tumor immunity, thereby exhibiting a tumor-suppressive function, most of which is mediated by the STING pathway. In contrast, cGAS can also act as an oncogenic factor, mostly by increasing genomic instability through inhibitory effects on DNA repair, suggesting its utility as an antitumor target. This article reviews the roles and the underlying mechanisms of cGAS in cancer, particularly focusing on its dual roles in carcinogenesis and tumor progression, which are probably attributable to its classical and nonclassical functions, as well as approaches targeting cGAS for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Min Du
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Mei-Jia Qian
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Tao Yuan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Rui-Han Chen
- Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Qiao-Jun He
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- The Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Bo Yang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qi Ling
- Department of Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
| | - Hong Zhu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- The Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
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11
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Thornton J, Chhabra G, Singh CK, Guzmán-Pérez G, Shirley CA, Ahmad N. Mechanisms of Immunotherapy Resistance in Cutaneous Melanoma: Recognizing a Shapeshifter. Front Oncol 2022; 12:880876. [PMID: 35515106 PMCID: PMC9066268 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.880876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the seven most common cancers in the United States, and its incidence is still increasing. Since 2011, developments in targeted therapies and immunotherapies have been essential for significantly improving overall survival rates. Prior to the advent of targeted and immunotherapies, metastatic melanoma was considered a death sentence, with less than 5% of patients surviving more than 5 years. With the implementation of immunotherapies, approximately half of patients with metastatic melanoma now survive more than 5 years. Unfortunately, this also means that half of the patients with melanoma do not respond to current therapies and live less than 5 years after diagnosis. One major factor that contributes to lower response in this population is acquired or primary resistance to immunotherapies via tumor immune evasion. To improve the overall survival of melanoma patients new treatment strategies must be designed to minimize the risk of acquired resistance and overcome existing primary resistance. In recent years, many advances have been made in identifying and understanding the pathways that contribute to tumor immune evasion throughout the course of immunotherapy treatment. In addition, results from clinical trials focusing on treating patients with immunotherapy-resistant melanoma have reported some initial findings. In this review, we summarize important mechanisms that drive resistance to immunotherapies in patients with cutaneous melanoma. We have focused on tumor intrinsic characteristics of resistance, altered immune function, and systemic factors that contribute to immunotherapy resistance in melanoma. Exploring these pathways will hopefully yield novel strategies to prevent acquired resistance and overcome existing resistance to immunotherapy treatment in patients with cutaneous melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Thornton
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Gagan Chhabra
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Chandra K Singh
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | | | - Carl A Shirley
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nihal Ahmad
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, United States
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12
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Gusev E, Sarapultsev A, Solomatina L, Chereshnev V. SARS-CoV-2-Specific Immune Response and the Pathogenesis of COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1716. [PMID: 35163638 PMCID: PMC8835786 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The review aims to consolidate research findings on the molecular mechanisms and virulence and pathogenicity characteristics of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and their relevance to four typical stages in the development of acute viral infection. These four stages are invasion; primary blockade of antiviral innate immunity; engagement of the virus's protection mechanisms against the factors of adaptive immunity; and acute, long-term complications of COVID-19. The invasion stage entails the recognition of the spike protein (S) of SARS-CoV-2 target cell receptors, namely, the main receptor (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, ACE2), its coreceptors, and potential alternative receptors. The presence of a diverse repertoire of receptors allows SARS-CoV-2 to infect various types of cells, including those not expressing ACE2. During the second stage, the majority of the polyfunctional structural, non-structural, and extra proteins SARS-CoV-2 synthesizes in infected cells are involved in the primary blockage of antiviral innate immunity. A high degree of redundancy and systemic action characterizing these pathogenic factors allows SARS-CoV-2 to overcome antiviral mechanisms at the initial stages of invasion. The third stage includes passive and active protection of the virus from factors of adaptive immunity, overcoming of the barrier function at the focus of inflammation, and generalization of SARS-CoV-2 in the body. The fourth stage is associated with the deployment of variants of acute and long-term complications of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2's ability to induce autoimmune and autoinflammatory pathways of tissue invasion and development of both immunosuppressive and hyperergic mechanisms of systemic inflammation is critical at this stage of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii Gusev
- Laboratory of Immunology of Inflammation, Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 620049 Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Alexey Sarapultsev
- Laboratory of Immunology of Inflammation, Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 620049 Ekaterinburg, Russia
- Russian-Chinese Education and Research Center of System Pathology, South Ural State University, 454080 Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | - Liliya Solomatina
- Laboratory of Immunology of Inflammation, Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 620049 Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Valeriy Chereshnev
- Laboratory of Immunology of Inflammation, Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 620049 Ekaterinburg, Russia
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13
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Huvila J, Cochrane DR, Ta M, Chow C, Greening K, Leung S, Karnezis AN, DiFeo A, Huntsman DG. STING pathway expression in low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary: an unexpected therapeutic opportunity? J Pathol Clin Res 2021; 7:548-555. [PMID: 34138519 PMCID: PMC8503889 DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian carcinoma histotypes are distinct diseases with variable clinical outcomes and response to treatment. There is a need for new subtype-specific treatment modalities, especially for women with widespread and chemo-resistant disease. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a part of the cGAS-STING pathway that mediates innate immune defence against infectious DNA-containing pathogens and also detects tumour-derived DNA and generates intrinsic antitumour immunity. The STING signalling pathway is suppressed by several mechanisms in a variety of malignant diseases and, in some cancers that may be a requirement for cellular transformation. The aim of this study was to use immunohistochemistry to evaluate STING protein expression across normal tissue, paratubal and ovarian cysts, and ovarian tumour histotypes including ovarian carcinomas. Herein, we show that the fallopian tube ciliated cells express STING protein, whereas the secretory cells are negative. STING expression differs among ovarian cancer histotypes; low-grade serous ovarian carcinomas and serous borderline tumours have uniform high STING expression, while high-grade serous and endometrioid carcinomas have heterogeneous expression, and clear cell and mucinous carcinomas show low expression. As low-grade serous carcinomas are known to be genomically stable and typically lack a prominent host immune response, the consistently high STING expression is unexpected. High STING expression may reflect pathway activation or histogenesis and the mechanisms may be different in different ovarian carcinoma histotypes. Further studies are needed to determine whether the STING signalling pathway is active and whether these tumours would be candidates for therapeutic interventions that trigger innate immunity activation.
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MESH Headings
- Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis
- Female
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate
- Immunotherapy
- Membrane Proteins/analysis
- Neoplasm Grading
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/chemistry
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/immunology
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/pathology
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/therapy
- Ovarian Neoplasms/chemistry
- Ovarian Neoplasms/immunology
- Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology
- Ovarian Neoplasms/therapy
- Signal Transduction
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutta Huvila
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
- Department of Molecular OncologyBC Cancer Research CenterVancouverBCCanada
| | - Dawn R Cochrane
- Department of Molecular OncologyBC Cancer Research CenterVancouverBCCanada
| | - Monica Ta
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation CentreVancouver General HospitalVancouverBCCanada
| | - Christine Chow
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation CentreVancouver General HospitalVancouverBCCanada
| | - Kendall Greening
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Samuel Leung
- Department of Molecular OncologyBC Cancer Research CenterVancouverBCCanada
| | - Anthony N Karnezis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of California Davis Medical CenterSacramentoCAUSA
| | - Analisa DiFeo
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - David G Huntsman
- Department of Molecular OncologyBC Cancer Research CenterVancouverBCCanada
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation CentreVancouver General HospitalVancouverBCCanada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
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14
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Appleton E, Hassan J, Chan Wah Hak C, Sivamanoharan N, Wilkins A, Samson A, Ono M, Harrington KJ, Melcher A, Wennerberg E. Kickstarting Immunity in Cold Tumours: Localised Tumour Therapy Combinations With Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Front Immunol 2021; 12:754436. [PMID: 34733287 PMCID: PMC8558396 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.754436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer patients with low or absent pre-existing anti-tumour immunity ("cold" tumours) respond poorly to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPI). In order to render these patients susceptible to ICPI, initiation of de novo tumour-targeted immune responses is required. This involves triggering of inflammatory signalling, innate immune activation including recruitment and stimulation of dendritic cells (DCs), and ultimately priming of tumour-specific T cells. The ability of tumour localised therapies to trigger these pathways and act as in situ tumour vaccines is being increasingly explored, with the aspiration of developing combination strategies with ICPI that could generate long-lasting responses. In this effort, it is crucial to consider how therapy-induced changes in the tumour microenvironment (TME) act both as immune stimulants but also, in some cases, exacerbate immune resistance mechanisms. Increasingly refined immune monitoring in pre-clinical studies and analysis of on-treatment biopsies from clinical trials have provided insight into therapy-induced biomarkers of response, as well as actionable targets for optimal synergy between localised therapies and ICB. Here, we review studies on the immunomodulatory effects of novel and experimental localised therapies, as well as the re-evaluation of established therapies, such as radiotherapy, as immune adjuvants with a focus on ICPI combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Appleton
- Department of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, United Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jehanne Hassan
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charleen Chan Wah Hak
- Department of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Nanna Sivamanoharan
- Department of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Wilkins
- Department of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Adel Samson
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Masahiro Ono
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin J. Harrington
- Department of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Melcher
- Department of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Erik Wennerberg
- Department of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, United Kingdom
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15
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Guo Z, Zhuo Y, Li K, Niu S, Dai H. Recent advances in cell homeostasis by African swine fever virus-host interactions. Res Vet Sci 2021; 141:4-13. [PMID: 34634684 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.10.003] [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: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is an acute hemorrhagic disease caused by the infection of domestic swine and wild boar by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), with a mortality rate close to 90-100%. ASFV has been spreading in the world and poses a severe economic threat to the swine industry. There is no high effective vaccine commercially available or drug for this disease. However, attenuated ASFV isolates may infect pigs by chronic infection, and the infected pigs will not be lethal, which may indicate that pigs can produce protective immunity to resistant ASFV. Immunity acquisition and virus clearances are the central pillars to maintain the host normal cell activities and animal survival dependent on virus-host interactions, which has offered insights into the biology of ASFV. This review is organized around general themes including native immunity, endoplasmic reticulum stress, cell apoptosis, ubiquitination, autophagy regarding the intricate relationship between ASFV protein-host. Elucidating the multifunctional role of ASFV proteins in virus-host interactions can provide more new insights on the initial virus sensing, clearance, and cell homeostasis, and contribute to understanding viral pathogenesis and developing novel antiviral therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeheng Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, No.1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Yisha Zhuo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, No.1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Keke Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, No.1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Sai Niu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, No.1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Hanchuan Dai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, No.1 Shizishan Street, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
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16
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Mdkhana B, Saheb Sharif-Askari N, Ramakrishnan RK, Goel S, Hamid Q, Halwani R. Nucleic Acid-Sensing Pathways During SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Expectations versus Reality. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:199-216. [PMID: 33531826 PMCID: PMC7847386 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s277716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected millions of people and crippled economies worldwide. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for this pandemic has triggered avid research on its pathobiology to better understand the pathophysiology of COVID-19. In the absence of approved antiviral therapeutic strategies or vaccine platforms capable of effectively targeting this global threat, the hunt for effective therapeutics has led to many candidates being actively evaluated for their efficacy in controlling or preventing COVID-19. In this review, we gathered current evidence on the innate nucleic acid-sensing pathways expected to be elicited by SARS-CoV-2 and the immune evasion mechanisms they have developed to promote viral replication and infection. Within the nucleic acid-sensing pathways, SARS-CoV-2 infection and evasion mechanisms trigger the activation of NOD-signaling and NLRP3 pathways leading to the production of inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-6, while muting or blocking cGAS-STING and interferon type I and III pathways, resulting in decreased production of antiviral interferons and delayed innate response. Therefore, blocking the inflammatory arm and boosting the interferon production arm of nucleic acid-sensing pathways could facilitate early control of viral replication and dissemination, prevent disease progression, and cytokine storm development. We also discuss the rationale behind therapeutic modalities targeting these sensing pathways and their implications in the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bushra Mdkhana
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Narjes Saheb Sharif-Askari
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rakhee K Ramakrishnan
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Swati Goel
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Qutayba Hamid
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.,Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rabih Halwani
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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17
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Chen M, Hu S, Li Y, Jiang TT, Jin H, Feng L. Targeting nuclear acid-mediated immunity in cancer immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:270. [PMID: 33214545 PMCID: PMC7677403 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00347-9] [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: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy especially immune checkpoint inhibition has achieved unprecedented successes in cancer treatment. However, there are many patients who failed to benefit from these therapies, highlighting the need for new combinations to increase the clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this review, we summarized the latest discoveries on the combination of nucleic acid-sensing immunity and immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy. Given the critical role of nuclear acid-mediated immunity in maintaining the activation of T cell function, it seems that harnessing the nuclear acid-mediated immunity opens up new strategies to enhance the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors for tumor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoqin Chen
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang Province, Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Shiman Hu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang Province, Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Yiling Li
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang Province, Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Ting Ting Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Hongchuan Jin
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang Province, Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Lifeng Feng
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang Province, Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China.
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18
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Froechlich G, Caiazza C, Gentile C, D’Alise AM, De Lucia M, Langone F, Leoni G, Cotugno G, Scisciola V, Nicosia A, Scarselli E, Mallardo M, Sasso E, Zambrano N. Integrity of the Antiviral STING-mediated DNA Sensing in Tumor Cells Is Required to Sustain the Immunotherapeutic Efficacy of Herpes Simplex Oncolytic Virus. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113407. [PMID: 33213060 PMCID: PMC7698602 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Oncolytic viruses are emerging immunotherapeutics in cancer treatments. The conflicting role of innate immunity in the antitumor activity of oncolytic viruses is still a matter of debate. The STING-dependent DNA sensing axis is considered detrimental for viral replication and cancer cell clearance. Accordingly, we observed that STING loss in tumor cells was associated with improved lytic potential by a herpes-based oncolytic virus. However, STING-knockout cancer cells infected with the oncolytic virus showed impaired immunogenicity, as immunogenic cell death was improperly triggered. In agreement with these observations, STING-knockout tumors raised in a murine syngeneic model were more resistant to a combined treatment of the oncolytic virus with PD-1 blockade. The present study demonstrates the antitumor benefit of antiviral immunity and sheds lights on the mechanisms of immune resistance to oncovirotherapy exerted by STING-loss in tumor cells. Abstract The dichotomic contribution of cancer cell lysis and tumor immunogenicity is considered essential for effective oncovirotherapy, suggesting that the innate antiviral immune response is a hurdle for efficacy of oncolytic viruses. However, emerging evidence is resizing this view. By sensing cytosolic DNA, the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) axis can both counteract viral spread and contribute to the elicitation of adaptive immunity via type I interferon responses. In this paper, we analyzed the tumor-resident function of Sting-mediated DNA sensing in a combined approach of oncovirotherapy and PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade, in an immunocompetent murine model. While supporting increased lytic potential by oncolytic HER2-retargeted HSV-1 in vitro and in vivo, Sting-knockout tumors showed molecular signatures of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. These signatures were correspondingly associated with ineffectiveness of the combination therapy in a model of established tumors. Results suggest that the impairment in antiviral response of Sting-knockout tumors, while favoring viral replication, is not able to elicit an adequate immunotherapeutic effect, due to lack of immunogenic cell death and the inability of Sting-knockout cancer cells to promote anti-tumor adaptive immune responses. Accordingly, we propose that antiviral, tumor-resident Sting provides fundamental contributions to immunotherapeutic efficacy of oncolytic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guendalina Froechlich
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C.aR.L., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (G.F.); (C.G.); (V.S.); (A.N.); (N.Z.)
| | - Carmen Caiazza
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Chiara Gentile
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C.aR.L., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (G.F.); (C.G.); (V.S.); (A.N.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Anna Morena D’Alise
- Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.D.); (M.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.L.); (G.C.); (E.S.)
| | - Maria De Lucia
- Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.D.); (M.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.L.); (G.C.); (E.S.)
| | - Francesca Langone
- Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.D.); (M.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.L.); (G.C.); (E.S.)
| | - Guido Leoni
- Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.D.); (M.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.L.); (G.C.); (E.S.)
| | - Gabriella Cotugno
- Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.D.); (M.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.L.); (G.C.); (E.S.)
| | - Vittorio Scisciola
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C.aR.L., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (G.F.); (C.G.); (V.S.); (A.N.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Alfredo Nicosia
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C.aR.L., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (G.F.); (C.G.); (V.S.); (A.N.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.C.); (M.M.)
- Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.D.); (M.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.L.); (G.C.); (E.S.)
| | - Elisa Scarselli
- Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.D.); (M.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.L.); (G.C.); (E.S.)
| | - Massimo Mallardo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Emanuele Sasso
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C.aR.L., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (G.F.); (C.G.); (V.S.); (A.N.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.C.); (M.M.)
- Nouscom S.R.L., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.D.); (M.D.L.); (F.L.); (G.L.); (G.C.); (E.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Nicola Zambrano
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C.aR.L., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (G.F.); (C.G.); (V.S.); (A.N.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (C.C.); (M.M.)
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19
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Abstract
New immuno-oncology therapies are improving cancer treatments beyond the former standard of care, as evidenced by the recent and continuing clinical approvals for immunotherapies in a broad range of indications. However, a majority of patients (particularly those with immunologically cold tumors) still do not benefit, highlighting the need for rational combination approaches. Oncolytic viruses (OV) both directly kill tumor cells and inflame the tumor microenvironment. While OV spread can be limited by the generation of antiviral immune responses, the initial local tumor cell killing can reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, resulting in more effective release of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), cross-presentation, and antitumoral effector T cell recruitment. Moreover, many OVs can be engineered to express immunomodulatory genes. Rational combination approaches to cancer immunotherapy include the use of OVs in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) or adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) to promote sustained antitumoral immune responses. OV combinations have additive or synergistic efficacy in preclinical tumor models with ICIs or ACT. Several preclinical studies have confirmed systemic reactivation and proliferation of adoptively transferred antitumoral T cells in conjunction with oncolytic OVs (expressing cytokines or TAAs) resulting from the specific tumor cell killing and immunostimulation of the tumor microenvironment which leads to increased tumor trafficking, activity, and survival. Recent clinical trials combining OVs with ICIs have shown additive effects in melanoma. Additional clinical data in an expanded range of patient indications are eagerly awaited. The relative timings of OV and ICI combination remains under-studied and is an area for continued exploration. Studies systematically exploring the effects of systemic ICIs prior to, concomitantly with, or following OV therapy will aid in the future design of clinical trials to enhance efficacy and increase patient response rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Russell
- Vyriad Inc., 3605 US Highway 52 N, Building 110, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA
| | - Kah Whye Peng
- Vyriad Inc., 3605 US Highway 52 N, Building 110, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Stephen J Russell
- Vyriad Inc., 3605 US Highway 52 N, Building 110, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Rosa Maria Diaz
- Vyriad Inc., 3605 US Highway 52 N, Building 110, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA.
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20
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Tharuka MDN, Yang H, Lee J. Expression, subcellular localization, and potential antiviral function of three interferon regulatory factors in the big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 96:297-310. [PMID: 31811886 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are among the most important transcription mediators and have multiple biological functions, such as antiviral and antimicrobial defense, cell differentiation, immune modulation, and apoptosis. Three IRF family members (HaIRF4-like, HaIRF6, and HaIRF8) of the big belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) were molecularly and functionally characterized at the sequence and transcriptional level. The coding sequences of HaIRF4-like, HaIRF6, and HaIRF8 were 1214, 1485, and 1266 bp in length, encoding proteins of size 46.21, 55.32, and 47.56 kDa, respectively. Potential viral transcription and replication was detected against VHSV infection using qPCR in HaIRFs-transfected FHM cells. IRFs significantly reduced viral gene expression at 24 h and 48 h post infection and the expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was modulated at transcriptional level upon HaIRF overexpression in FHM cells. Subcellular HaIRF localization was observed using GFP-tagged expression vectors in FHM cells. HaIRF4-like and HaIRF8 were localized to the nucleus, whereas HaIRF6 was observed in the cytoplasm. All three IRFs were ubiquitously expressed in all analyzed tissues of the big belly seahorse. The mRNA expression of IRF4-like, IRF6, and IRF8 increased significantly post injection in the blood and gills following LPS, poly (I:C), and Streptococcus iniae challenge. These findings demonstrate that seahorse IRFs are involved in host defense mechanisms against immune stimulants and HaIRFs induce interferon and ISGs which trigger antiviral activity against viral infections in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Neranjan Tharuka
- Department of Marine Life Sciences & Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63243, Republic of Korea; Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63333, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyerim Yang
- Department of Marine Life Sciences & Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63243, Republic of Korea; Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63333, Republic of Korea
| | - Jehee Lee
- Department of Marine Life Sciences & Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63243, Republic of Korea; Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63333, Republic of Korea.
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