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Chan KI, Zhang S, Li G, Xu Y, Cui L, Wang Y, Su H, Tan W, Zhong Z. MYC Oncogene: A Druggable Target for Treating Cancers with Natural Products. Aging Dis 2024; 15:640-697. [PMID: 37450923 PMCID: PMC10917530 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0520] [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: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Various diseases, including cancers, age-associated disorders, and acute liver failure, have been linked to the oncogene, MYC. Animal testing and clinical trials have shown that sustained tumor volume reduction can be achieved when MYC is inactivated, and different combinations of therapeutic agents including MYC inhibitors are currently being developed. In this review, we first provide a summary of the multiple biological functions of the MYC oncoprotein in cancer treatment, highlighting that the equilibrium points of the MYC/MAX, MIZ1/MYC/MAX, and MAD (MNT)/MAX complexes have further potential in cancer treatment that could be used to restrain MYC oncogene expression and its functions in tumorigenesis. We also discuss the multifunctional capacity of MYC in various cellular cancer processes, including its influences on immune response, metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, multidrug resistance, and intestinal flora. Moreover, we summarize the MYC therapy patent landscape and emphasize the potential of MYC as a druggable target, using herbal medicine modulators. Finally, we describe pending challenges and future perspectives in biomedical research, involving the development of therapeutic approaches to modulate MYC or its targeted genes. Patients with cancers driven by MYC signaling may benefit from therapies targeting these pathways, which could delay cancerous growth and recover antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Iong Chan
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Guodong Li
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Yida Xu
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Liao Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Huanxing Su
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Wen Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
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2
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Gill T, Wang H, Bandaru R, Lawlor M, Lu C, Nieman LT, Tao J, Zhang Y, Anderson DG, Ting DT, Chen X, Bradner JE, Ott CJ. Selective targeting of MYC mRNA by stabilized antisense oligonucleotides. Oncogene 2021; 40:6527-6539. [PMID: 34650218 PMCID: PMC8627489 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02053-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
MYC is a prolific proto-oncogene driving the malignant behaviors of numerous common cancers, yet potent and selective cell-permeable inhibitors of MYC remain elusive. In order to ultimately realize the goal of therapeutic MYC inhibition in cancer, we have initiated discovery chemistry efforts aimed at inhibiting MYC translation. Here we describe a series of conformationally stabilized synthetic antisense oligonucleotides designed to target MYC mRNA (MYCASOs). To support bioactivity, we designed and synthesized this focused library of MYCASOs incorporating locked nucleic acid (LNA) bases at the 5'- and 3'-ends, a phosphorothioate backbone, and internal DNA bases. Treatment of MYC-expressing cancer cells with MYCASOs leads to a potent decrease in MYC mRNA and protein levels. Cleaved MYC mRNA in MYCASO-treated cells is detected with a sensitive 5' Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) assay. MYCASO treatment of cancer cell lines leads to significant inhibition of cellular proliferation while specifically perturbing MYC-driven gene expression signatures. In a MYC-induced model of hepatocellular carcinoma, MYCASO treatment decreases MYC protein levels within tumors, decreases tumor burden, and improves overall survival. MYCASOs represent a new chemical tool for in vitro and in vivo modulation of MYC activity, and promising therapeutic agents for MYC-addicted tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Gill
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Haichuan Wang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Raj Bandaru
- ENZON Pharmaceuticals, Cranford, NJ, 07016, USA
| | - Matthew Lawlor
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Chenyue Lu
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Linda T Nieman
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Junyan Tao
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | | | - Daniel G Anderson
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - David T Ting
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - James E Bradner
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| | - Christopher J Ott
- Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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3
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de Jonge AV, Mutis T, Roemer MGM, Scheijen B, Chamuleau MED. Impact of MYC on Anti-Tumor Immune Responses in Aggressive B Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: Consequences for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12103052. [PMID: 33092116 PMCID: PMC7589056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12103052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The human immune system has several mechanisms to attack and eliminate lymphomas. However, the MYC oncogene is thought to facilitate escape from this anti-tumor immune response. Since patients with MYC overexpressing lymphomas face a significant dismal prognosis after treatment with standard immunochemotherapy, understanding the role of MYC in regulating the anti-tumor immune response is highly relevant. In this review, we describe the mechanisms by which MYC attenuates the anti-tumor immune responses in B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. We aim to implement this knowledge in the deployment of novel immunotherapeutic approaches. Therefore, we also provide a comprehensive overview of current immunotherapeutic options and we discuss potential future treatment strategies for MYC overexpressing lymphomas. Abstract Patients with MYC overexpressing high grade B cell lymphoma (HGBL) face significant dismal prognosis after treatment with standard immunochemotherapy regimens. Recent preclinical studies indicate that MYC not only contributes to tumorigenesis by its effects on cell proliferation and differentiation, but also plays an important role in promoting escape from anti-tumor immune responses. This is of specific interest, since reversing tumor immune inhibition with immunotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. In this review, we outline the current understanding of impaired immune responses in B cell lymphoid malignancies with MYC overexpression, with a particular emphasis on diffuse large B cell lymphoma. We also discuss clinical consequences of MYC overexpression in the treatment of HGBL with novel immunotherapeutic agents and potential future treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Vera de Jonge
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.M.); (M.E.D.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tuna Mutis
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.M.); (M.E.D.C.)
| | - Margaretha G. M. Roemer
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Blanca Scheijen
- Department of Pathology, Radboud UMC, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Martine E. D. Chamuleau
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.M.); (M.E.D.C.)
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4
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Bisso A, Sabò A, Amati B. MYC in Germinal Center-derived lymphomas: Mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities. Immunol Rev 2019; 288:178-197. [PMID: 30874346 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The rearrangement of immunoglobulin loci during the germinal center reaction is associated with an increased risk of chromosomal translocations that activate oncogenes such as MYC, BCL2 or BCL6, thus contributing to the development of B-cell lymphomas. MYC and BCL2 activation are initiating events in Burkitt's (BL) and Follicular Lymphoma (FL), respectively, but can occur at later stages in other subtypes such as Diffuse Large-B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). MYC can also be activated during the progression of FL to the transformed stage. Thus, either DLBCL or FL can give rise to aggressive double-hit lymphomas (DHL) with concurrent activation of MYC and BCL2. Research over the last three decades has improved our understanding of the functions of these oncogenes and the basis for their cooperative action in lymphomagenesis. MYC, in particular, is a transcription factor that contributes to cell activation, growth and proliferation, while concomitantly sensitizing cells to apoptosis, the latter being blocked by BCL2. Here, we review our current knowledge about the role of MYC in germinal center B-cells and lymphomas, discuss MYC-induced dependencies that can sensitize cancer cells to select pharmacological inhibitors, and illustrate their therapeutic potential in aggressive lymphomas-and in particular in DHL, in combination with BCL2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bisso
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Sabò
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruno Amati
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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5
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Di Giorgio E, Paluvai H, Picco R, Brancolini C. Genetic Programs Driving Oncogenic Transformation: Lessons from in Vitro Models. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20246283. [PMID: 31842516 PMCID: PMC6940909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20246283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer complexity relies on the intracellular pleiotropy of oncogenes/tumor suppressors and in the strong interplay between tumors and micro- and macro-environments. Here we followed a reductionist approach, by analyzing the transcriptional adaptations induced by three oncogenes (RAS, MYC, and HDAC4) in an isogenic transformation process. Common pathways, in place of common genes became dysregulated. From our analysis it emerges that, during the process of transformation, tumor cells cultured in vitro prime some signaling pathways suitable for coping with the blood supply restriction, metabolic adaptations, infiltration of immune cells, and for acquiring the morphological plasticity needed during the metastatic phase. Finally, we identified two signatures of genes commonly regulated by the three oncogenes that successfully predict the outcome of patients affected by different cancer types. These results emphasize that, in spite of the heterogeneous mutational burden among different cancers and even within the same tumor, some common hubs do exist. Their location, at the intersection of the various signaling pathways, makes a therapeutic approach exploitable.
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6
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Krug B, De Jay N, Harutyunyan AS, Deshmukh S, Marchione DM, Guilhamon P, Bertrand KC, Mikael LG, McConechy MK, Chen CCL, Khazaei S, Koncar RF, Agnihotri S, Faury D, Ellezam B, Weil AG, Ursini-Siegel J, De Carvalho DD, Dirks PB, Lewis PW, Salomoni P, Lupien M, Arrowsmith C, Lasko PF, Garcia BA, Kleinman CL, Jabado N, Mack SC. Pervasive H3K27 Acetylation Leads to ERV Expression and a Therapeutic Vulnerability in H3K27M Gliomas. Cancer Cell 2019; 35:782-797.e8. [PMID: 31085178 PMCID: PMC6521975 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
High-grade gliomas defined by histone 3 K27M driver mutations exhibit global loss of H3K27 trimethylation and reciprocal gain of H3K27 acetylation, respectively shaping repressive and active chromatin landscapes. We generated tumor-derived isogenic models bearing this mutation and show that it leads to pervasive H3K27ac deposition across the genome. In turn, active enhancers and promoters are not created de novo and instead reflect the epigenomic landscape of the cell of origin. H3K27ac is enriched at repeat elements, resulting in their increased expression, which in turn can be further amplified by DNA demethylation and histone deacetylase inhibitors providing an exquisite therapeutic vulnerability. These agents may therefore modulate anti-tumor immune responses as a therapeutic modality for this untreatable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Krug
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Nicolas De Jay
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada; Lady Davis Research Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Ashot S Harutyunyan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Shriya Deshmukh
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Dylan M Marchione
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Paul Guilhamon
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Kelsey C Bertrand
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, Dan L Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Leonie G Mikael
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Melissa K McConechy
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Carol C L Chen
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Sima Khazaei
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Robert F Koncar
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Children's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Sameer Agnihotri
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Children's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Damien Faury
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Benjamin Ellezam
- Department of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Alexander G Weil
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Josie Ursini-Siegel
- Lady Davis Research Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Daniel D De Carvalho
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Peter B Dirks
- Department of Surgery and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Peter W Lewis
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health and Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Paolo Salomoni
- Nuclear Function in CNS Pathophysiology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Mathieu Lupien
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Cheryl Arrowsmith
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Paul F Lasko
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Claudia L Kleinman
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada; Lady Davis Research Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
| | - Nada Jabado
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Stephen C Mack
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, Dan L Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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7
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Hilmenyuk T, Ruckstuhl CA, Hayoz M, Berchtold C, Nuoffer JM, Solanki S, Keun HC, Beavis PA, Riether C, Ochsenbein AF. T cell inhibitory mechanisms in a model of aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1365997. [PMID: 29296517 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1365997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A reduced immune surveillance due to immune deficiency or treatment with immunosuppressive drugs is associated with a higher risk to develop aggressive Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Nevertheless, NHL also develops in immunocompetent patients indicating an escape from the immune system. T cell function in advanced aggressive lymphoma is not well characterized and the molecular mechanisms how malignant B cells influence T cell function are ill-defined. We therefore studied T cell function in Eμ-myc transgenic mice that develop an aggressive B cell lymphoma with some similarities to human Burkitt-lymphoma (BL). In advanced lymphoma, the number of T cells was severely reduced and the remaining CD4+ and CD8+ T cells lost the capacity to produce effector cytokines and expand upon re-stimulation. T cells in lymphoma-bearing mice were characterized by the expression of the immune inhibitory molecules programmed death (PD)-1, 2B4 and lymphocyte activation protein (LAG)-3. The proto-oncogene c-Myc not only drives cell proliferation and disease progression but also induces apoptosis of the malignant cells. We found that apoptotic lymphoma cells release purine metabolites that inhibit T cell function. Taken together, our data document that the characteristic high cell turnover and apoptotic rate in aggressive NHL induce a severe T cell dysfunction mediated by several immune-inhibitory mechanisms including ligation of inhibitory ligands and purine metabolites. Blocking a single mechanism only partially restored T cell function and did not increase survival of lymphoma mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Hilmenyuk
- Tumor Immunology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carla A Ruckstuhl
- Tumor Immunology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Hayoz
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christian Berchtold
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Marc Nuoffer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Shyam Solanki
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - Hector C Keun
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - Paul A Beavis
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carsten Riether
- Tumor Immunology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Adrian F Ochsenbein
- Tumor Immunology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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8
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Topper MJ, Vaz M, Chiappinelli KB, DeStefano Shields CE, Niknafs N, Yen RWC, Wenzel A, Hicks J, Ballew M, Stone M, Tran PT, Zahnow CA, Hellmann MD, Anagnostou V, Strissel PL, Strick R, Velculescu VE, Baylin SB. Epigenetic Therapy Ties MYC Depletion to Reversing Immune Evasion and Treating Lung Cancer. Cell 2017; 171:1284-1300.e21. [PMID: 29195073 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 311] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Combining DNA-demethylating agents (DNA methyltransferase inhibitors [DNMTis]) with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) holds promise for enhancing cancer immune therapy. Herein, pharmacologic and isoform specificity of HDACis are investigated to guide their addition to a DNMTi, thus devising a new, low-dose, sequential regimen that imparts a robust anti-tumor effect for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Using in-vitro-treated NSCLC cell lines, we elucidate an interferon α/β-based transcriptional program with accompanying upregulation of antigen presentation machinery, mediated in part through double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) induction. This is accompanied by suppression of MYC signaling and an increase in the T cell chemoattractant CCL5. Use of this combination treatment schema in mouse models of NSCLC reverses tumor immune evasion and modulates T cell exhaustion state towards memory and effector T cell phenotypes. Key correlative science metrics emerge for an upcoming clinical trial, testing enhancement of immune checkpoint therapy for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Topper
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; The Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Michelle Vaz
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Christina E DeStefano Shields
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Noushin Niknafs
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ray-Whay Chiu Yen
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Alyssa Wenzel
- The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jessica Hicks
- Department of Urologic Pathology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Matthew Ballew
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Molecular Radiation Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Meredith Stone
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; The Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Phuoc T Tran
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Molecular Radiation Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Cynthia A Zahnow
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Matthew D Hellmann
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Valsamo Anagnostou
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Pamela L Strissel
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Reiner Strick
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Victor E Velculescu
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Stephen B Baylin
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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9
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God JM, Cameron C, Figueroa J, Amria S, Hossain A, Kempkes B, Bornkamm GW, Stuart RK, Blum JS, Haque A. Elevation of c-MYC disrupts HLA class II-mediated immune recognition of human B cell tumors. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:1434-45. [PMID: 25595783 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1402382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Elevated levels of the transcription factor c-myc are strongly associated with various cancers, and in particular B cell lymphomas. Although many of c-MYC's functions have been elucidated, its effect on the presentation of Ag through the HLA class II pathway has not been reported previously. This is an issue of considerable importance, given the low immunogenicity of many c-MYC-positive tumors. We report in this paper that increased c-MYC expression has a negative effect on the ability of B cell lymphomas to functionally present Ags/peptides to CD4(+) T cells. This defect was associated with alterations in the expression of distinct cofactors as well as interactions of antigenic peptides with class II molecules required for the presentation of class II-peptide complexes and T cell engagement. Using early passage Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) tumors and transformed cells, we show that compared with B lymphoblasts, BL cells express decreased levels of the class II editor HLA-DM, lysosomal thiol-reductase GILT, and a 47-kDa enolase-like protein. Functional Ag presentation was partially restored in BL cells treated with a c-MYC inhibitor, demonstrating the impact of this oncogene on Ag recognition. This restoration of HLA class II-mediated Ag presentation in early passage BL tumors/cells was linked to enhanced HLA-DM expression and a concurrent decrease in HLA-DO in BL cells. Taken together, these results reveal c-MYC exerts suppressive effects at several critical checkpoints in Ag presentation, which contribute to the immunoevasive properties of BL tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M God
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center and Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Christine Cameron
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center and Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Janette Figueroa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center and Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Shereen Amria
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center and Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Azim Hossain
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center and Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Bettina Kempkes
- Department of Gene Vectors, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Georg W Bornkamm
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Robert K Stuart
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425; and
| | - Janice S Blum
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Azizul Haque
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hollings Cancer Center and Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425;
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10
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Rehm A, Gätjen M, Gerlach K, Scholz F, Mensen A, Gloger M, Heinig K, Lamprecht B, Mathas S, Bégay V, Leutz A, Lipp M, Dörken B, Höpken UE. Dendritic cell-mediated survival signals in Eμ-Myc B-cell lymphoma depend on the transcription factor C/EBPβ. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5057. [PMID: 25266931 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The capacity of dendritic cells (DCs) to regulate tumour-specific adaptive immune responses depends on their proper differentiation and homing status. Whereas DC-associated tumour-promoting functions are linked to T-cell tolerance and formation of an inflammatory milieu, DC-mediated direct effects on tumour growth have remained unexplored. Here we show that deletion of DCs substantially delays progression of Myc-driven lymphomas. Lymphoma-exposed DCs upregulate immunomodulatory cytokines, growth factors and the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ). Moreover, Eμ-Myc lymphomas induce the preferential translation of the LAP/LAP* isoforms of C/EBPβ. C/EBPβ(-/-) DCs are unresponsive to lymphoma-associated cytokine changes and in contrast to wild-type DCs, they are unable to mediate enhanced Eμ-Myc lymphoma cell survival. Antigen-specific T-cell proliferation in lymphoma-bearing mice is impaired; however, this immune suppression is reverted by the DC-restricted deletion of C/EBPβ. Thus, we show that C/EBPβ-controlled DC functions are critical steps for the creation of a lymphoma growth-promoting and -immunosuppressive niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Rehm
- 1] Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany [2] Department of Hematology and Oncology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcel Gätjen
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Gerlach
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Scholz
- Department of Tumor Genetics and Immunogenetics, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Angela Mensen
- 1] Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany [2]
| | - Marleen Gloger
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristina Heinig
- Department of Tumor Genetics and Immunogenetics, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Björn Lamprecht
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Mathas
- 1] Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany [2] Department of Hematology and Oncology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Valérie Bégay
- Department of Cell Differentiation and Tumorigenesis, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Achim Leutz
- Department of Cell Differentiation and Tumorigenesis, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Lipp
- Department of Tumor Genetics and Immunogenetics, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Dörken
- 1] Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany [2] Department of Hematology and Oncology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Uta E Höpken
- Department of Tumor Genetics and Immunogenetics, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, 13125 Berlin, Germany
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11
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Xu G, Strong MJ, Lacey MR, Baribault C, Flemington EK, Taylor CM. RNA CoMPASS: a dual approach for pathogen and host transcriptome analysis of RNA-seq datasets. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89445. [PMID: 24586784 PMCID: PMC3934900 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has become an instrumental assay for the analysis of multiple aspects of an organism's transcriptome. Further, the analysis of a biological specimen's associated microbiome can also be performed using RNA-seq data and this application is gaining interest in the scientific community. There are many existing bioinformatics tools designed for analysis and visualization of transcriptome data. Despite the availability of an array of next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis tools, the analysis of RNA-seq data sets poses a challenge for many biomedical researchers who are not familiar with command-line tools. Here we present RNA CoMPASS, a comprehensive RNA-seq analysis pipeline for the simultaneous analysis of transcriptomes and metatranscriptomes from diverse biological specimens. RNA CoMPASS leverages existing tools and parallel computing technology to facilitate the analysis of even very large datasets. RNA CoMPASS has a web-based graphical user interface with intrinsic queuing to control a distributed computational pipeline. RNA CoMPASS was evaluated by analyzing RNA-seq data sets from 45 B-cell samples. Twenty-two of these samples were derived from lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) generated by the infection of naïve B-cells with the Epstein Barr virus (EBV), while another 23 samples were derived from Burkitt's lymphomas (BL), some of which arose in part through infection with EBV. Appropriately, RNA CoMPASS identified EBV in all LCLs and in a fraction of the BLs. Cluster analysis of the human transcriptome component of the RNA CoMPASS output clearly separated the BLs (which have a germinal center-like phenotype) from the LCLs (which have a blast-like phenotype) with evidence of activated MYC signaling and lower interferon and NF-kB signaling in the BLs. Together, this analysis illustrates the utility of RNA CoMPASS in the simultaneous analysis of transcriptome and metatranscriptome data. RNA CoMPASS is freely available at http://rnacompass.sourceforge.net/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guorong Xu
- Department of Computer Science, University of New Orleans Lakefront, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Strong
- Department of Pathology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Michelle R. Lacey
- Department of Mathematics, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Carl Baribault
- Department of Mathematics, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Erik K. Flemington
- Department of Pathology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Christopher M. Taylor
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
- Research Institute for Children, Children's Hospital of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Saha A, Robertson ES. Impact of EBV essential nuclear protein EBNA-3C on B-cell proliferation and apoptosis. Future Microbiol 2013; 8:323-52. [PMID: 23464371 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.12.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
For over 40 years, EBV infection has been implicated in the etiology of a variety of lymphoid malignancies with the exceptional ability to drive resting B cells to continuously proliferate by successfully overriding cellular apoptotic stimuli. EBV utilizes the normal physiology of B-cell differentiation to persist within the memory B-cell pool of the immunocompetent host and subsequently establishes a life-long latent infection. During latency, out of a subset of viral genes expressed, EBNA-3C is one of the essential antigens required for in vitro primary B-cell transformation. EBNA-3C acts as a transcriptional coregulator by interacting with various cellular and viral factors. For the last 10 years, we have been actively engaged in discerning the biological significance of these interactions and revealed that EBNA-3C primarily targets two important cellular pathways - cell cycle and apoptosis. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge on EBNA-3C-mediated functions and describe how EBNA-3C seizes these cellular pathways that eventually promote B-cell lymphomagenesis. A scrupulous understanding of the critical relationship between EBNA-3C and these cellular machineries will not only aid in elucidating EBV pathogenesis, but also largely facilitate the development of novel diagnostic, as well as therapeutic, strategies against a vast range of EBV-associated B-cell lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhik Saha
- Presidency University, Department of Biotechnology, 86/1, College Street, Kolkata-700073, West Bengal, India
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13
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Song A, Ye J, Zhang K, Sun L, Zhao Y, Yu H. Lentiviral vector-mediated siRNA knockdown of c-MYC: cell growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in Jijoye cells. Biochem Genet 2013; 51:603-17. [PMID: 23657834 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-013-9590-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of c-MYC has been considered as a potential therapy for lymphoma treatment. We explored a lentiviral vector-mediated small interfering RNA (siRNA) expression vector to stably reduce c-MYC expression in B cell line Jijoye cells and investigated the effects of c-MYC downregulation on cell growth, cell cycle, and apoptosis in vitro. The expression of c-MYC mRNA and protein levels were inhibited significantly by c-MYC siRNA. The c-MYC downregulation resulted in the inhibition of cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, which was associated with decreased expression of cyclin B and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and increased expression of CDK inhibitor p21 proteins. In addition, downregulation of c-MYC induced cell apoptosis characterized by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation. Taken together, these results suggest that lentiviral vector-mediated siRNA for c-MYC may be a promising approach for targeting c-MYC in the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiqin Song
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266001 Shandong, China.
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14
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Immune regulation and evasion of Mammalian host cell immunity during viral infection. INDIAN JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY : AN OFFICIAL ORGAN OF INDIAN VIROLOGICAL SOCIETY 2013; 24:1-15. [PMID: 24426252 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-013-0130-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian host immune system has wide array of defence mechanisms against viral infections. Depending on host immunity and the extent of viral persistence, either the host immune cells might clear/restrict the viral load and disease progression or the virus might evade host immunity by down regulating host immune effector response(s). Viral antigen processing and presentation in the host cells through major histocompatibility complex (MHC) elicit subsequent anti-viral effector T cell response(s). However, modulation of such response(s) might generate one of the important viral immune evasion strategies. Viral peptides are mostly generated by proteolytic cleavage in the cytosol of the infected host cells. CD8(+) T lymphocytes play critical role in the detection of viral infection by recognizing these peptides displayed at the plasma membrane by MHC-I molecules. The present review summarises the current knowledge on the regulation of mammalian host innate and adaptive immune components, which are operative in defence mechanisms against viral infections and the variety of strategies that viruses have evolved to escape host cell immunity. The understanding of viral immune evasion strategies is important for designing anti-viral immunotherapies.
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15
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Abstract
The two major epidemiological clues to the pathogenesis of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) are the geographical association with malaria--BL incidence relates to the malaria transmission rate--and early infection by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Both agents cause B cell hyperplasia, which is almost certainly an essential component of lymphomagenesis in BL. The critical event in lymphomagenesis is the creation of a MYC translocation, bringing the MYC gene into juxtaposition with immunoglobulin genes and causing its ectopic expression, thereby driving the proliferation of BL cells. It is highly likely that such translocations are mediated by the activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) gene, which is responsible for hypervariable region mutations as well as class switching. Stimulation of the Toll-like receptor 9 by malaria-associated agonists induces AID, providing a mechanism whereby malaria could directly influence BL pathogenesis. EBV-containing cells must reach the memory cell compartment in order to survive throughout the life of the individual, which probably requires traversal of the germinal centre. Normally, cells that do not produce high affinity antibodies do not survive this passage, and are induced to undergo apoptosis. EBV, however, prevents this, and in doing so may also enhance the likelihood of survival of rare translocation-containing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Magrath
- International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research, Rue Engeland 642, Brussels, Belgium.
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16
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Bheda A, Yue W, Gullapalli A, Shackelford J, Pagano JS. PU.1-dependent regulation of UCH L1 expression in B-lymphoma cells. Leuk Lymphoma 2011; 52:1336-47. [PMID: 21504384 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2011.562571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Elevated levels of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH L1) have been detected in a variety of malignancies, and recent studies show the oncogenic capacity of overexpressed UCH L1 in vivo in animal models. Here we demonstrate that expression of endogenous UCH L1 is significantly higher in B-lymphoma cells than in transformed cells of epithelial and fibroblastic origin. The specific hematopoietic transcription factor PU.1 induces UCH L1 expression through direct activation of the uch l1 promoter. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays and direct mutagenesis we identified PU.1 binding sites on the uch l1 promoter, at least three of which are involved in this activation. We also show that the viral transcriptional co-activator EBNA2 dramatically increases PU.1-dependent up-regulation of endogenous UCH L1 expression. Finally, inhibition of PU.1 expression with specific shRNA resulted in reduction of UCH L1 mRNA and protein levels in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-cells. We propose that the ubiquitin-editing enzyme UCH L1 is a multifunctional pro-oncogenic factor involved in development and progression of certain lymphoid malignancies, including EBV-associated lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Bheda
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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17
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Saha A, Robertson ES. Epstein-Barr virus-associated B-cell lymphomas: pathogenesis and clinical outcomes. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 17:3056-63. [PMID: 21372216 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-2578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human γ-herpesvirus that establishes a life-long asymptomatic infection in immunocompetent hosts. It is also found to be frequently associated with a broad spectrum of B-cell lymphomas predominantly seen in immunodeficient patients. Despite many resemblances, these EBV-linked lymphoproliferative disorders display heterogeneity at the clinical and the molecular level. Moreover, EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases differ in their differential expression patterns of the EBV-encoded latent antigens, which are directly related to their interactions with the host. EBV-driven primary B-cell immortalization is linked to the cooperative functions of these latent proteins, which are critical for perturbing many important cell-signaling pathways maintaining B-cell proliferation. Additionally, it is used as a surrogate model to explore the underlying mechanisms involved in the development of B-cell neoplasms. Recent discoveries have revealed that a number of sophisticated mechanisms are exploited by EBV during cancer progression. This finding will be instrumental in the design of novel approaches for therapeutic interventions against EBV-associated B-cell lymphomas. This review limits the discussion to the biology and pathogenesis of EBV-associated B-cell lymphomas and the related clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhik Saha
- Department of Microbiology and Tumor Virology Program, Abramson, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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18
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Ablasser A, Bauernfeind F, Hartmann G, Latz E, Fitzgerald KA, Hornung V. RIG-I-dependent sensing of poly(dA:dT) through the induction of an RNA polymerase III-transcribed RNA intermediate. Nat Immunol 2009; 10:1065-72. [PMID: 19609254 PMCID: PMC3878616 DOI: 10.1038/ni.1779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 669] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2009] [Accepted: 07/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
RNA is sensed by Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and TLR8 or by the RNA helicases LGP2, Mda5 and RIG-I to trigger antiviral responses. Much less is known about sensors for DNA. Here we identify a novel DNA-sensing pathway involving RNA polymerase III and RIG-I. In this pathway, AT-rich double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) served as a template for RNA polymerase III and was transcribed into double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) containing a 5'-triphosphate moiety. Activation of RIG-I by this dsRNA induced production of type I interferon and activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. This pathway was important in the sensing of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs, which were transcribed by RNA polymerase III and then triggered RIG-I activation. Thus, RNA polymerase III and RIG-I are pivotal in sensing viral DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ablasser
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Franz Bauernfeind
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Gunther Hartmann
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Eicke Latz
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Veit Hornung
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Epstein-Barr virus and its role in the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma: an unresolved issue. Semin Cancer Biol 2009; 19:351-65. [PMID: 19619654 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2009.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2009] [Accepted: 07/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
For several reasons Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) has become a paradigm in cancer research: for its particular geographical distribution, the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the cases in high incidence areas, and for the activation of the proto-oncogene c-myc by chromosomal translocation in one of the immunoglobulin gene loci. As c-MYC activates both, proliferation and apoptosis, at least two events have to cooperate in lymphomagenesis: activation of c-MYC and a shift in the balance from apoptosis towards survival. Antigenic and/or polyclonal stimulation of the B cell receptor, genetic instability imposed by activation induced deaminase (AID), as well as the viral gene products EBNA1 and several small non-coding non-polyadenylated RNAs are the main factors suspected to play an important role in the pathogenesis of BL. Despite intensive research, the role of the virus has remained largely elusive in the past decades, but the discovery of two viral microRNA clusters that are expressed in EBV associated tumors including BL has raised new hopes and expectations that EBV is going to reveal its mystery. This review focuses on the interplay between cellular and viral factors and puts special emphasis on mouse models and experimental cell culture systems that address these points.
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20
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Bornkamm GW. Epstein-Barr virus and the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma: more questions than answers. Int J Cancer 2009; 124:1745-55. [PMID: 19165855 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) was first described as a clinical entity in children in Central Africa by Denis Burkitt in 1958. The particular epidemiological features of this tumor initiated the search for a virus as the causative agent and led to the discovery of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by Epstein and coworkers in 1964. It became apparent in the seventies and eighties that the tumor is not restricted to Central Africa, but occurs with lesser incidence all over the world (sporadic BL) and is also particularly frequent in HIV infected individuals, and that not all BL cases are associated with EBV: about 95% of the cases in Central Africa, 40 to 50% of the cases in HIV-infected individuals and 10 to 20% of the sporadic cases harbour the viral information and express at least one viral antigen (EBNA1) and a number of non-coding viral RNAs. In contrast, all BL cases regardless of their geographical origin exhibit one of three c-myc/Ig chromosomal translocations leading to the activation of the c-myc gene as a crucial event in the development of this disease. Although epidemiological evidence clearly points to a role of the virus in the African cases, the role of EBV in the pathogenesis of BL has remained largely elusive. This review summarizes current concepts and ideas how EBV might contribute to the development of BL in the light of the progress made in the last decade and discusses the problems of the experimental systems available to test such hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg W Bornkamm
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, München, Germany.
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21
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c-Myc and Rel/NF-kappaB are the two master transcriptional systems activated in the latency III program of Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B cells. J Virol 2009; 83:5014-27. [PMID: 19264782 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02264-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency III program imposed by EBNA2 and LMP1 is directly responsible for immortalization of B cells in vitro and is thought to mediate most immunodeficiency-related posttransplant lymphoproliferative diseases in vivo. To answer the question whether and how this proliferation program is related to c-Myc, we have established the transcriptome of both c-Myc and EBV latency III proliferation programs using a Lymphochip specialized microarray. In addition to EBV-positive latency I Burkitt lymphoma lines and lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), we used an LCL expressing an estrogen-regulatable EBNA2 fusion protein (EREB2-5) and derivative B-cell lines expressing a constitutively active or tetracycline-regulatable c-myc gene. A total of 897 genes were found to be fourfold or more up- or downregulated in either one or both proliferation programs compared to the expression profile of resting EREB2-5 cells. A total of 661 (74%) of these were regulated similarly in both programs. Numerous repressed genes were known targets of STAT1, and most induced genes were known to be upregulated by c-Myc and to be involved in cell proliferation. In keeping with the gene expression patterns, inactivation of c-Myc by a chemical inhibitor or by conditional expression of dominant-negative c-Myc and Max mutants led to proliferation arrest of LCLs. Most genes differently regulated in both proliferation programs corresponded to genes induced by NF-kappaB in LCLs, and many of them coded for immunoregulatory and/or antiapoptotic molecules. Thus, c-Myc and NF-kappaB are the two main transcription factors responsible for the phenotype, growth pattern, and biological properties of cells driven into proliferation by EBV.
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22
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Prendergast GC. Immune escape as a fundamental trait of cancer: focus on IDO. Oncogene 2008; 27:3889-900. [PMID: 18317452 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2008.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immune escape is a critical gateway to malignancy. The emergence of this fundamental trait of cancer represents the defeat of immune surveillance, a potent, multi-armed and essential mode of cancer suppression that may influence the ultimate clinical impact of an early stage tumor. Indeed, immune escape may be a central modifier of clinical outcomes, by affecting tumor dormancy versus progression, licensing invasion and metastasis and impacting therapeutic response. Although relatively little studied until recently, immune suppression and escape in tumors are now hot areas with clinical translation of several new therapeutic agents already under way. The interconnections between signaling pathways that control immune escape and those that control proliferation, senescence, apoptosis, metabolic alterations, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis remain virtually unexplored, offering rich new areas for investigation. Here, an overview of this area is provided with a focus on the tryptophan catabolic enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and its recently discovered relative IDO2 that are implicated in suppressing T-cell immunity in normal and pathological settings including cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that during cancer progression activation of the IDO pathway might act as a preferred nodal modifier pathway for immune escape, for example analogous to the PI3K pathway for survival or the VEGF pathway for angiogenesis. Small molecule inhibitors of IDO and IDO2 heighten chemotherapeutic efficacy in mouse models of cancer in a nontoxic fashion and an initial lead compound entered phase I clinical trials in late 2007. New modalities in this area offer promising ways to broaden the combinatorial attack on advanced cancers, where immune escape mechanisms likely provide pivotal support.
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Affiliation(s)
- G C Prendergast
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA.
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