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Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi A, Momeny M, Rezaei N, Fallah F, Bashash D. Immune landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma: From dysregulation of the immune responses to the potential immunotherapies. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e4098. [PMID: 39034646 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.4098] [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: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a considerable global health burden due to its late diagnosis and high morbidity. The liver's specific anatomical and physiological features expose it to various antigens, requiring precise immune regulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a comprehensive overview of the interactions between the immune system and gut microbiota in the development of HCC, as well as the relevant therapeutic approaches are discussed. Dysregulation of immune compartments within the liver microenvironment drives HCC pathogenesis, characterized by elevated regulatory cells such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and M2 macrophages as well as suppressive molecules, alongside reduced number of effector cells like T cells, natural killer cells, and M1 macrophages. Dysbiosis of gut microbiota also contributes to HCC by disrupting intestinal barrier integrity and triggering overactivated immune responses. Immunotherapy approaches, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, have exhibited promise in HCC management, yet adoptive cell therapy and cancer vaccination research are in the early steps with relatively less favorable outcomes. Further understanding of immune dysregulation, gut microbiota involvement, and therapeutic combination strategies are essential for advancing precision immunotherapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atieh Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi
- Pediatric Infections Research Center, Research Institute for Children's Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Momeny
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Fallah
- Pediatric Infections Research Center, Research Institute for Children's Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Deborah EA, Nabekura T, Shibuya K, Shibuya A. THEMIS2 Impairs Antitumor Activity of NK Cells by Suppressing Activating NK Receptor Signaling. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 212:1819-1828. [PMID: 38619282 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
NK cells are cytotoxic innate lymphocytes that play a critical role in antitumor immunity. NK cells recognize target cells by using a repertoire of activating NK receptors and exert the effector functions. Although the magnitude of activation signals through activating NK receptors controls NK cell function, it has not been fully understood how these activating signals are modulated in NK cells. In this study, we found that a scaffold protein, THEMIS2, inhibits activating NK receptor signaling. Overexpression of THEMIS2 attenuated the effector function of human NK cells, whereas knockdown of THEMIS2 enhanced it. Mechanistically, THEMIS2 binds to GRB2 and phosphorylated SHP-1 and SHP-2 at the proximity of activating NK receptors DNAM-1 and NKG2D. Knockdown of THEMIS2 in primary human NK cells promoted the effector functions. Furthermore, Themis2-deficient mice showed low metastatic burden in an NK cell-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate that THEMIS2 has an inhibitory role in the antitumor activity of NK cells, suggesting that THEMIS2 might be a potential therapeutic target for NK cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elfira Amalia Deborah
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Doctoral Program in Medical Science, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Nabekura
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- R&D Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazuko Shibuya
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- R&D Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Akira Shibuya
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- R&D Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Shen KY, Zhu Y, Xie SZ, Qin LX. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: current status and prospectives. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:25. [PMID: 38679698 PMCID: PMC11057182 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01549-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health concern worldwide, with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. In recent years, immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made great progress in the systemic treatment of HCC. The combination treatments based on ICIs have been the major trend in this area. Recently, dual immune checkpoint blockade with durvalumab plus tremelimumab has also emerged as an effective treatment for advanced HCC. However, the majority of HCC patients obtain limited benefits. Understanding the immunological rationale and exploring novel ways to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy has drawn much attention. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in this area, the ongoing clinical trials of immune-based combination therapies, as well as novel immunotherapy strategies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells, personalized neoantigen vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and bispecific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Yu Shen
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Sun-Zhe Xie
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lun-Xiu Qin
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China.
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Wei H, Dong C, Li X. Treatment Options for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Immunotherapy: Present and Future. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2024; 12:389-405. [PMID: 38638377 PMCID: PMC11022065 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2023.00462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer, and the body's immune responses greatly affect its progression and the prognosis of patients. Immunological suppression and the maintenance of self-tolerance in the tumor microenvironment are essential responses, and these form part of the theoretical foundations of immunotherapy. In this review, we first discuss the tumor microenvironment of HCC, describe immunosuppression in HCC, and review the major biomarkers used to track HCC progression and response to treatment. We then examine antibody-based therapies, with a focus on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), monoclonal antibodies that target key proteins in the immune response (programmed cell death protein 1, anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4, and programmed death-ligand 1) which have transformed the treatment of HCC and other cancers. ICIs may be used alone or in conjunction with various targeted therapies for patients with advanced HCC who are receiving first-line treatments or subsequent treatments. We also discuss the use of different cellular immunotherapies, including T cell receptor (TCR) T cell therapy and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. We then review the use of HCC vaccines, adjuvant immunotherapy, and oncolytic virotherapy, and describe the goals of future research in the development of treatments for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbin Wei
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Chunlu Dong
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xun Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Key Laboratory Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center of Lanzhou University School of Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Institute of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Clinical Research Center for General Surgery of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Darvishvand R, Rezaeifard S, Kiani R, Tahmasebi S, Faghih Z, Erfani N. Natural killer cell subsets and their functional molecules in peripheral blood of the patients with breast cancer. Immun Inflamm Dis 2024; 12:e1255. [PMID: 38652012 PMCID: PMC11037257 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells, CD3- lymphocytes, are critical players in cancer immune surveillance. This study aimed to assess two types of CD3- NK cell classifications (subsets), that is, convectional subsets (based on CD56 and CD16 expression) and new subsets (based on CD56, CD27, and CD11b expression), and their functional molecules in the peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer (BC) in comparison with healthy donors (HDs). METHODS Thirty untreated females with BC and 20 age-matched healthy women were enrolled. Peripheral blood samples were collected and directly incubated with fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies against CD3, CD56, CD16, CD27, CD11b, CD96, NKG2C, NKG2D, NKp44, CXCR3, perforin, and granzyme B. Red blood cells were then lysed using lysing solution, and the stained cells were acquired on four-color flow cytometer. RESULT Our results indicated 15% of lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with BC and HDs had NK cells phenotype. However, the frequency of total NK cells (CD3-CD56+), and NK subsets (based on conventional and new classifications) was not significantly different between patients and HDs. We observed mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of CXCR3 in total NK cells (p = .02) and the conventional cytotoxic (CD3-CD56dim CD16+) NK cells (p = .03) were significantly elevated in the patients with BC compared to HDs. Despite this, the MFI of granzyme B expression in conventional regulatory (CD3-CD56brightCD16- /+) NK cells and CD3-CD56-CD16+ NK cells (p = .03 and p = .004, respectively) in the patients was lower than healthy subjects. CONCLUSION The higher expression of chemokine receptor CXCR3 on total NK cells in patients with BC may be associated with increased chemotaxis-related NK cell infiltration. However, lower expression of granzyme B in conventional regulatory NK cells and CD3-CD56-CD16+ NK cells in the patients compared to HDs suggests reduced cytotoxic activity of the NK cells in BC. These results might demonstrate accumulating NK subsets with a dysfunctional phenotype in the peripheral blood of patients with BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Darvishvand
- Department of Immunology, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
- School of Medicine, Shiraz Institute for Cancer ResearchShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Somayeh Rezaeifard
- School of Medicine, Shiraz Institute for Cancer ResearchShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Razie Kiani
- School of Medicine, Shiraz Institute for Cancer ResearchShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Sedigheh Tahmasebi
- Breast Diseases Research CenterShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Zahra Faghih
- School of Medicine, Shiraz Institute for Cancer ResearchShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
| | - Nasrollah Erfani
- Department of Immunology, School of MedicineShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
- School of Medicine, Shiraz Institute for Cancer ResearchShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
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Rakké YS, Buschow SI, IJzermans JNM, Sprengers D. Engaging stimulatory immune checkpoint interactions in the tumour immune microenvironment of primary liver cancers - how to push the gas after having released the brake. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1357333. [PMID: 38440738 PMCID: PMC10910082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1357333] [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: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are the first and second most common primary liver cancer (PLC). For decades, systemic therapies consisting of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or chemotherapy have formed the cornerstone of treating advanced-stage HCC and CCA, respectively. More recently, immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has shown anti-tumour reactivity in some patients. The combination regimen of anti-PD-L1 and anti-VEGF antibodies has been approved as new first-line treatment of advanced-stage HCC. Furthermore, gemcibatine plus cisplatin (GEMCIS) with an anti-PD-L1 antibody is awaiting global approval for the treatment of advanced-stage CCA. As effective anti-tumour reactivity using ICI is achieved in a minor subset of both HCC and CCA patients only, alternative immune strategies to sensitise the tumour microenvironment of PLC are waited for. Here we discuss immune checkpoint stimulation (ICS) as additional tool to enhance anti-tumour reactivity. Up-to-date information on the clinical application of ICS in onco-immunology is provided. This review provides a rationale of the application of next-generation ICS either alone or in combination regimen to potentially enhance anti-tumour reactivity in PLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick S. Rakké
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC-Transplant Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sonja I. Buschow
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-Cancer Institute-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan N. M. IJzermans
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC-Transplant Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dave Sprengers
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-Cancer Institute-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Bourinet M, Anty R, Gual P, Luci C. Roles of innate lymphoid cells in metabolic and alcohol-associated liver diseases. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:100962. [PMID: 38304237 PMCID: PMC10831956 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have been identified as potent regulators of inflammation, cell death and wound healing, which are the main biological processes involved in the progression of chronic liver disease. Obesity and chronic alcohol consumption are the leading contributors to chronic liver diseases in developed countries, due to inappropriate lifestyles. In particular, inflammation is a key factor in these liver abnormalities and promotes the development of more severe lesions such as fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Opposite roles of ILC subsets have been described in the development of chronic liver disease, depending on the stage and aetiology of the disease. The heterogeneous family of ILCs encompasses cytotoxic natural killer cells, the cytokine-producing type 1, 2 and 3 ILCs and lymphoid tissue inducer cells. Dysfunction of these immune cells provokes uncontrolled inflammation and tissue damage, which are the basis for tumour development. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent and putative roles of ILC subsets in obesity and alcohol-associated liver diseases, which are currently the major contributors to end-stage liver complications such as fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Bourinet
- Université Côte d’Azur, INSERM, U1065, C3M, Nice, France
| | - Rodolphe Anty
- Université Côte d’Azur, CHU, INSERM, U1065, C3M, Nice, France
| | - Philippe Gual
- Université Côte d’Azur, INSERM, U1065, C3M, Nice, France
| | - Carmelo Luci
- Université Côte d’Azur, INSERM, U1065, C3M, Nice, France
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龙 世, 吴 翠, 曾 柱. [The Three-dimensional Environment of Type Ⅰ Collagen Gels With Varying Stiffness Modulates the Immunological Functions of NK Cells]. SICHUAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF SICHUAN UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCE EDITION 2024; 55:81-86. [PMID: 38322517 PMCID: PMC10839474 DOI: 10.12182/20240160401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Objective To construct type Ⅰ collagen gels with different stiffness and to investigate the effects of three-dimensional (3D) culture environments of the gels on the morphology, free migration ability, and cell killing function of natural killer (NK) cells. Methods Type Ⅰ collagen was isolated from the tails of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and collagen gels with different levels of stiffnesses were prepared accordingly. The microstructure of the collagen gels was observed by laser confocal microscopy. The stiffness of the collagen gels was assessed by measuring the plateau modulus with a rheometer. NK-92MI cells were cultured in collagen gels with different levels of stiffness. The morphology of NK-92MI cells was observed by inverted microscope. High content imaging system was used to record the free migration process of NK-92MI cells and analyze the migration speed and distance. NK-92MI cells were cultured with type Ⅰ collagen gels with different levels of stiffness for 24 h and 48 h and, then, co-cultured with human colorectal DLD-1, a human adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line. CCK8 assay was performed to determine the proliferation rate of DLD-1 cells and analyze the cell killing ability of NK-92MI cells. Results Low-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel and high-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel with the respective stiffness of (10.970±2.10) Pa and (114.50±3.40) Pa were successfully prepared. Compared with those cultured with the low-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel, the NK-92MI cells in the high-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel showed a more elongated shape (P<0.05), the mean area of the cells was reduced ([69.88±26.97] μm2 vs. [46.59±21.62] μm2, P<0.05), the roundness of the cells decreased (0.82±0.12 vs. 0.78±0.18, P<0.05), cell migration speed decreased ([2.50±0.91] μm/min vs. [1.70±0.72] μm/min, P<0.001) and the migration distance was shortened ([147.10±53.74] μm vs. [98.03± 40.95] μm, P<0.0001), with all the differences being statistically significant. Compared with those cultured with the low-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel, NK-92MI cells cultured with high-stiffness type Ⅰ collagen gel for 24 h could promote DLD-1 cell proliferation, with the proliferation rate being (46.39±12.79)% vs. (65.87±4.45)% (P<0.05) and reduce the cell killing ability. Comparison of the cells cultured for 48 h led to similar results, with the proliferation rates being (31.36±2.88)% vs. (74.57±2.16)% (P<0.05), and the differences were all statistically significant. Conclusion The 3D culture environment of type Ⅰ collagen gels with different levels of stiffness alters the morphology, migration ability, and killing function of NK-92MI cells. This study provides the research basis for exploring and understanding the mechanisms by which the biomechanical microenvironment affects the immune response of NK cells, as well as laying the theoretical foundation for optimizing immunotherapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- 世棋 龙
- 贵州医科大学基础医学院/生物与工程学院 免疫学教研室 (贵阳 550029)School of Basic Medicine/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550029, China
| | - 翠芳 吴
- 贵州医科大学基础医学院/生物与工程学院 免疫学教研室 (贵阳 550029)School of Basic Medicine/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550029, China
| | - 柱 曾
- 贵州医科大学基础医学院/生物与工程学院 免疫学教研室 (贵阳 550029)School of Basic Medicine/School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550029, China
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Wang J, Peng J, Chen Y, Nasser MI, Qin H. The role of stromal cells in epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and its therapeutic potential. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:13. [PMID: 38244071 PMCID: PMC10799841 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00867-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical tumor invasion and metastasis process. EMT enables tumor cells to migrate, detach from their original location, enter the circulation, circulate within it, and eventually exit from blood arteries to colonize in foreign sites, leading to the development of overt metastases, ultimately resulting in death. EMT is intimately tied to stromal cells around the tumor and is controlled by a range of cytokines secreted by stromal cells. This review summarizes recent research on stromal cell-mediated EMT in tumor invasion and metastasis. We also discuss the effects of various stromal cells on EMT induction and focus on the molecular mechanisms by which several significant stromal cells convert from foes to friends of cancer cells to fuel EMT processes via their secretions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). As a result, a better knowledge of the role of stromal cells in cancer cells' EMT may pave the path to cancer eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjing Wang
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Junmei Peng
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonglin Chen
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
- The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Critical Human Diseases Prevention of Hunan Province Department of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - M I Nasser
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510100, Guangdong, China.
| | - Hui Qin
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
- The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Critical Human Diseases Prevention of Hunan Province Department of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
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10
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Wang X, Huang L, Wen X, Li D, Yang G, Zheng J. Altered NCR3 Splice Variants May Result in Deficient NK Cell Function in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients. In Vivo 2024; 38:174-183. [PMID: 38148073 PMCID: PMC10756430 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13423] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM The natural killer (NK) cell function of patients with malignant tumours may be suppressed by deficiency, and the poor prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients may be due to escape from NK cell cytotoxicity, especially with respect to natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) on the NK cell surface. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we sought to explore the role of NCR, especially NCR3 splice variants, in the process of NK cell deficiency in RCC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used flow cytometry to analyse the phenotype of NK cells from the peripheral blood and kidney tumour tissue of RCC patients. The NKp30-mediated NK cell killing function was measured by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in NK and RCC cell coincubation. We extracted RNA from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of RCC patients and renal carcinoma tissue and carried out real-time quantitative PCR to detect the mRNA levels of NKp30a, NKp30b and NKp30c. mRNA expression levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18 and TGF-β) based on RNA extracted from renal carcinoma tissue and adjacent normal kidney tissues were also measured by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS Regarding the phenotype of NK cells in RCC patients, the proportion of NK cells in tumour tissue was significantly reduced, with changes in the NK cell proportion being most obvious in NKp30+ NK cells. Furthermore, the results of the ADCC function assay showed limited NKp30+ NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in RCC patients. Through real-time quantitative PCR, we found lower expression of NKp30a and NKp30b, the immunostimulatory splice variants of NCR3 encoding NKp30, in RCC patients. Moreover, expression of activating cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in renal cancer tissue was decreased, though inhibitory cytokine (TGF-β) expression remained unchanged, which may result in an immunosuppressive cytokine microenvironment. CONCLUSION Decreased expression of immunostimulatory NCR3 splice variants and the inhibitory cytokine microenvironment in RCC patients may contribute to deficient NK cell cytotoxicity and renal carcinoma cell immune escape from NK cell killing, which may provide a theoretical basis for finding new immunotherapeutic targets for RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelei Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Liqun Huang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofei Wen
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Dongyang Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Guosheng Yang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Junhua Zheng
- Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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Kare AJ, Nichols L, Zermeno R, Raie MN, Tumbale SK, Ferrara KW. OMIP-095: 40-Color spectral flow cytometry delineates all major leukocyte populations in murine lymphoid tissues. Cytometry A 2023; 103:839-850. [PMID: 37768325 PMCID: PMC10843696 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.24788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
High-dimensional immunoprofiling is essential for studying host response to immunotherapy, infection, and disease in murine model systems. However, the difficulty of multiparameter panel design combined with a lack of existing murine tools has prevented the comprehensive study of all major leukocyte phenotypes in a single assay. Herein, we present a 40-color flow cytometry panel for deep immunophenotyping of murine lymphoid tissues, including the spleen, blood, Peyer's patches, inguinal lymph nodes, bone marrow, and thymus. This panel uses a robust set of surface markers capable of differentiating leukocyte subsets without the use of intracellular staining, thus allowing for the use of cells in downstream functional experiments or multiomic analyses. Our panel classifies T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, progenitors, and their functional subsets by using a series of co-stimulatory, checkpoint, activation, migration, and maturation markers. This tool has a multitude of systems immunology applications ranging from serial monitoring of circulating blood signatures to complex endpoint analysis, especially in pre-clinical settings where treatments can modulate leukocyte abundance and/or function. Ultimately, this 40-color panel resolves a diverse array of immune cells on the axes of time, tissue, and treatment, filling the niche for a modern tool dedicated to murine immunophenotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aris J. Kare
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lisa Nichols
- Stanford Shared FACS Facility, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ricardo Zermeno
- Stanford Shared FACS Facility, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marina N. Raie
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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12
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Ashrafizadeh M, Mohan CD, Rangappa S, Zarrabi A, Hushmandi K, Kumar AP, Sethi G, Rangappa KS. Noncoding RNAs as regulators of STAT3 pathway in gastrointestinal cancers: Roles in cancer progression and therapeutic response. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:1263-1321. [PMID: 36951271 DOI: 10.1002/med.21950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) tumors (cancers of the esophagus, gastric, liver, pancreas, colon, and rectum) contribute to a large number of deaths worldwide. STAT3 is an oncogenic transcription factor that promotes the transcription of genes associated with proliferation, antiapoptosis, survival, and metastasis. STAT3 is overactivated in many human malignancies including GI tumors which accelerates tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Research in recent years demonstrated that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a major role in the regulation of many signaling pathways including the STAT3 pathway. The major types of endogenous ncRNAs that are being extensively studied in oncology are microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs. These ncRNAs can either be tumor-promoters or tumor-suppressors and each one of them imparts their activity via different mechanisms. The STAT3 pathway is also tightly modulated by ncRNAs. In this article, we have elaborated on the tumor-promoting role of STAT3 signaling in GI tumors. Subsequently, we have comprehensively discussed the oncogenic as well as tumor suppressor functions and mechanism of action of ncRNAs that are known to modulate STAT3 signaling in GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chakrabhavi D Mohan
- Department of Studies in Molecular Biology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, India
| | - Shobith Rangappa
- Adichunchanagiri Institute for Molecular Medicine, Adichunchanagiri University, Nagamangala Taluk, India
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istinye University, Istanbul, Sariyer, Turkey
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gautam Sethi
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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13
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Zhao M, Huang H, He F, Fu X. Current insights into the hepatic microenvironment and advances in immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1188277. [PMID: 37275909 PMCID: PMC10233045 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1188277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and shows high global incidence and mortality rates. The liver is an immune-tolerated organ with a specific immune microenvironment that causes traditional therapeutic approaches to HCC, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and molecular targeted therapy, to have limited efficacy. The dramatic advances in immuno-oncology in the past few decades have modified the paradigm of cancer therapy, ushering in the era of immunotherapy. Currently, despite the rapid integration of cancer immunotherapy into clinical practice, some patients still show no response to treatment. Therefore, a rational approach is to target the tumor microenvironment when developing the next generation of immunotherapy. This review aims to provide insights into the hepatic immune microenvironment in HCC and summarize the mechanisms of action and clinical usage of immunotherapeutic options for HCC, including immune checkpoint blockade, adoptive therapy, cytokine therapy, vaccine therapy, and oncolytic virus-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Feng He
- *Correspondence: Feng He, ; Xiangsheng Fu,
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14
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Liu K, Sadeghipour N, Hoover AR, Valero TI, Furrer C, Adams J, Naqash AR, Zhao M, Papin JF, Chen WR. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals that tumor-infiltrating natural killer cells are activated by localized ablative immunotherapy and share anti-tumor signatures induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.02.539163. [PMID: 37205468 PMCID: PMC10187236 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.02.539163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Rationale Natural killer (NK) cells provide protective anti-cancer immunity. However, the cancer therapy induced activation gene signatures and pathways in NK cells remain unclear. Methods We applied a novel localized ablative immunotherapy (LAIT) by synergizing photothermal therapy (PTT) with intra-tumor delivering of the immunostimulant N-dihydrogalactochitosan (GC), to treat breast cancer using a mammary tumor virus-polyoma middle tumor-antigen (MMTV-PyMT) mouse model. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) analysis to unveil the cellular heterogeneity and compare the transcriptional alterations induced by PTT, GC, and LAIT in NK cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Results ScRNAseq showed that NK subtypes, including cycling, activated, interferon-stimulated, and cytotoxic NK cells. Trajectory analysis revealed a route toward activation and cytotoxicity following pseudotime progression. Both GC and LAIT elevated gene expression associated with NK cell activation, cytolytic effectors, activating receptors, IFN pathway components, and cytokines/chemokines in NK subtypes. Single-cell transcriptomics analysis using immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-treated animal and human samples revealed that ICI-induced NK activation and cytotoxicity across several cancer types. Furthermore, ICI-induced NK gene signatures were also induced by LAIT treatment. We also discovered that several types of cancer patients had significantly longer overall survival when they had higher expression of genes in NK cells that were also specifically upregulated by LAIT. Conclusion Our findings show for the first time that LAIT activates cytotoxicity in NK cells and the upregulated genes positively correlate with beneficial clinical outcomes for cancer patients. More importantly, our results further establish the correlation between the effects of LAIT and ICI on NK cells, hence expanding our understanding of mechanism of LAIT in remodeling TME and shedding light on the potentials of NK cell activation and anti-tumor cytotoxic functions in clinical applications.
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15
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Han CL, Yan YC, Yan LJ, Meng GX, Yang CC, Liu H, Ding ZN, Dong ZR, Hong JG, Chen ZQ, Li T. Efficacy and security of tumor vaccines for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systemic review and meta-analysis of the last 2 decades. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:1425-1441. [PMID: 35482077 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04008-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor vaccines for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an area of intense interest. Tremendous clinical trials have been conducted globally, but the efficacy and security of tumor vaccines are elusive. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and security of tumor vaccines. METHODS All relevant studies were identified in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science and Cochrane Library databases. Objective response rate (ORR), median overall survival (OS), or median progression-free survival (PFS) and 95% CI were meta-analyzed based on the random-effects model. The individual-level data of OS, PFS were pooled by conducting survival analysis. All observed adverse events were collected. RESULTS 31 studies containing 35 eligible cohorts with 932 HCC patients were included. The pooled ORR were 7% (95% CI 3-14%), while ORR of dendritic cell (DC) vaccine (19%, 95% CI 11-29%) were highly significant than ORR of peptide vaccine (1%, 95% CI 0-5%). The pooled median OS and PFS were 13.67 months (95% CI 8.20-22.80) and 6.19 months (95% CI 2.97-12.91), respectively. The pooled median OS (DC vaccine: median OS = 21.77 months, 95% CI 18.33-25.86; Peptide vaccine: median OS = 10.08 months, 95% CI 5.23-19.44) and PFS (DC vaccine: median PFS = 11.01 months, 95% CI 5.25-23.09; Peptide vaccine: median PFS = 1.97 months, 95% CI 1.53-2.54) of DC vaccine were also longer than that of peptide vaccine. HBV-related HCC may acquire more benefits from tumor vaccines than HCV-related HCC. In almost all studies, the observed toxicities were moderate even tiny. CONCLUSIONS Tumor vaccines for HCC, especially DC vaccine, are safe and worth exploring. More high-quality prospective studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Long Han
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wen Hua Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Chuan Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wen Hua Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Lun-Jie Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wen Hua Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Xiao Meng
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wen Hua Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Cheng Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wen Hua Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wen Hua Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Niu Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wen Hua Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Ru Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wen Hua Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Guo Hong
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wen Hua Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wen Hua Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wen Hua Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China.
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Yu L, Ji T, Liao W, Xu Y, Fang Y, Zhu Q, Nie J, Yang D. H4-methylation regulators mediated epitranscriptome patterns and tumor microenvironment infiltration characterization in hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:43. [PMID: 36932439 PMCID: PMC10024435 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01460-6] [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: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are involved in the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the regulation of immune response. Nonetheless, the role of histone H4 methylation (H4M) modification in the TME and immune regulation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. As a result, the purpose of this research is to discover H4M-mediated modification patterns and their effects on TME and immunologic characteristics in HCC. A total of 2305 samples were enrolled from 13 different cohorts. With the help of consensus clustering analysis, three distinct H4M modification patterns were identified. The cell-infiltrating characteristics of TME under these three patterns were highly consistent with their enriched biological processes and clinical outcome. The H4Mscore was then created using principal component analysis algorithm to quantify the H4M modification pattern of each individual tumor and was systematically correlated with representative tumor characteristics. We found that analyzing H4M modification patterns within individual tumors could predict TME infiltration, homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), intratumor heterogeneity, proliferation activity, mRNA stemness index, and prognosis. The group with a low H4Mscore had an inflamed TME phenotype and a better immunotherapy response, as well as a better survival outcome. The prognostic value of H4Mscore was validated in three internal cohorts and five external cohorts, respectively. In external immunotherapy cohorts, the low H4Mscore was also linked to an enhanced response to anti-PD-1/L1 and anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy and a better prognosis. This study revealed that H4M modification played an important role in forming TME diversity and complexity. Evaluating the H4M modification pattern of individual tumors could help us learn more about TME and develop more effective immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyuan Yu
- grid.416466.70000 0004 1757 959XUnit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
| | - Tao Ji
- grid.416466.70000 0004 1757 959XUnit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
| | - Wei Liao
- grid.416466.70000 0004 1757 959XUnit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
| | - Yuyan Xu
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province China
| | - Yinghao Fang
- grid.416466.70000 0004 1757 959XUnit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
| | - Qing Zhu
- grid.416466.70000 0004 1757 959XUnit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
| | - Jianmin Nie
- grid.416466.70000 0004 1757 959XUnit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
| | - Dinghua Yang
- grid.416466.70000 0004 1757 959XUnit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong Province China
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17
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Thacker G, Henry S, Nandi A, Debnath R, Singh S, Nayak A, Susnik B, Boone MM, Zhang Q, Kesmodel SB, Gumber S, Das GM, Kambayashi T, Dos Santos CO, Chakrabarti R. Immature natural killer cells promote progression of triple-negative breast cancer. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabl4414. [PMID: 36888695 PMCID: PMC10875969 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abl4414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that accumulate within the tumor microenvironment and are generally considered to be antitumorigenic. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and functional analysis of multiple triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and basal tumor samples, we observed a unique subcluster of Socs3highCD11b-CD27- immature NK cells that were present only in TNBC samples. These tumor-infiltrating NK cells expressed a reduced cytotoxic granzyme signature and, in mice, were responsible for activating cancer stem cells through Wnt signaling. NK cell-mediated activation of these cancer stem cells subsequently enhanced tumor progression in mice, whereas depletion of NK cells or Wnt ligand secretion from NK cells by LGK-974 decreased tumor progression. In addition, NK cell depletion or inhibition of their function improved anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody or chemotherapy response in mice with TNBC. Furthermore, tumor samples from patients with TNBC and non-TNBC revealed that increased numbers of CD56bright NK cells were present in TNBC tumors and were correlated to poor overall survival in patients with TNBC. Together, our findings identify a population of protumorigenic NK cells that may be exploited for both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes for patients with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gatha Thacker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Samantha Henry
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Ajeya Nandi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rahul Debnath
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Snahlata Singh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anupma Nayak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Barbara Susnik
- Department of Pathology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Melinda M Boone
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Susan B Kesmodel
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Sanjeev Gumber
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Gokul M Das
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Taku Kambayashi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Camila O. Dos Santos
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Rumela Chakrabarti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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18
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Chaicharoenaudomrung N, Kunhorm P, Noisa P. Cordycepin Enhances the Cytotoxicity of Human Natural Killer Cells against Cancerous Cells. Biol Pharm Bull 2023; 46:1260-1268. [PMID: 37661405 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00221] [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] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer treatment with natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy is promising. NK cells can recognize and kill cancer cells without sensitization, making them a potential cancer treatment alternative. To improve clinical efficacy and safety, more research is needed. Enhancing NK cell function improves therapeutic efficacy. Due to its potent apoptosis induction, Cordycepin, a bioactive compound from Cordyceps spp., inhibits cancer cell growth. Cordycepin has immunoregulatory properties, making it a promising candidate for combination therapy with NK cell-based immunotherapy. Cordycepin may enhance NK cell function and have clinical applications, but more research is needed. In this study, cordycepin treatment of NK-92 MI cells increased THP-1 and U-251 cell cytotoxicity. Cordycepin also significantly increased the mRNA expression of cytokine-encoding genes, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interferon gamma (IFNG), and interleukin 2 (IL2). NK-92 MI cells notably secreted more IFNG and granzyme B. Cordycepin also decreased CD27 and increased CD11b, CD16, and NKG2D in NK-92 MI cells, which improved its anti-cancer ability. In conclusion, cordycepin could enhance NK cell cytotoxicity against cancerous cells for the first time, supporting its use as an alternative immunoactivity agent against cancer cells. Further studies are needed to investigate its efficacy and safety in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nipha Chaicharoenaudomrung
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology
| | - Phongsakorn Kunhorm
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology
| | - Parinya Noisa
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology
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19
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Cassese G, Han HS, Lee B, Lee HW, Cho JY, Panaro F, Troisi RI. Immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A promising therapeutic option for advanced disease. World J Hepatol 2022; 14:1862-1874. [PMID: 36340753 PMCID: PMC9627435 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i10.1862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and its incidence continues to increase. Despite improvements in both medical and surgical therapies, HCC remains associated with poor outcomes due to its high rates of recurrence and mortality. Approximately 50% of patients require systemic therapies that traditionally consist of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Recently, however, immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized HCC management, providing new therapeutic options. Despite these major advances, the different factors involved in poor clinical responses and molecular pathways leading to resistance following use of these therapies remain unclear. Alternative strategies, such as adoptive T cell transfer, vaccination, and virotherapy, are currently under evaluation. Combinations of immunotherapies with other systemic or local treatments are also being investigated and may be the most promising opportunities for HCC treatment. The aim of this review is to provide updated information on currently available immunotherapies for HCC as well as future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Cassese
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Division of Minimally Invasive and Robotic HPB Surgery, Federico II University, Naples 80131, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, South Korea
| | - Ho-Seong Han
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, South Korea
| | - Boram Lee
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, South Korea
| | - Hae Won Lee
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, South Korea
| | - Jai Young Cho
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, South Korea
| | - Fabrizio Panaro
- Department of Surgery, Division of HBP Surgery and Transplantation, Montpellier University Hospital - School of Medicine, Montpellier 34000, France
| | - Roberto Ivan Troisi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Division of Minimally Invasive and Robotic HPB Surgery, Federico II University, Naples 80131, Italy
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20
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Wang YY, Li SY, Chen SQ, Wang LL, Han ZQ. Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells Activate Liver Natural Killer Cells in a Murine Model in Uveal Melanoma. Curr Med Sci 2022; 42:1071-1078. [PMID: 36245024 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-022-2623-3] [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: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Elevated myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in many malignancies are associated with the increased risk for metastases and poor prognosis. Therefore, a mouse model of intraocular melanoma was established to explore how MDSCs influence liver metastases. METHODS In this study, murine B16LS melanoma cells were transplanted into the posterior compartment (PC) of the eye of C57BL/6 mice. Leucocytes from the liver of naive mice and mice bearing melanoma liver metastasis were isolated using isotonic Percoll centrifugation, examined by flow cytometry for their expression of Gr1, CD11b, F4/80, RAE-1, and Mult-1, and further isolated for MDSCs and natural killer (NK) cells. The effects of MDSCs on NK cells were tested by coculturing and assessing the ability of NK cells to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) by ELISA and NK cell cytotoxicity by 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. The impact of IFN-γ on liver metastases was examined via selectively depleting IFN-γ in vivo. RESULTS The results showed that mice with liver metastases had increased levels of CD11b+Gr1+F4/80+ as well as CD11b+Gr1+F4/80- MDSCs. MDSCs significantly enhanced the generation of IFN-γ together with the cytotoxicity of the NK cells. Furthermore, these effects were cell-cell contact-dependent. Although IFN-γ was not of a toxic nature to the melanoma cells, it profoundly inhibited B16LS cell proliferation. Depleting IFN-γ in vivo led to increased liver metastases. CONCLUSION All these findings first revealed that MDSCs accumulated in liver metastasis of intraocular melanoma could activate the NK cells to produce an effective anti-tumor immune response. Thus, the MDSCs' performance in different tumor models would need more investigation to boost current immunotherapy modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shuang-Ying Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - San-Qian Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chibi People's Hospital, Chibi, 437300, China
| | - Liang-Liang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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21
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Identification of Key Genes in the HBV-Related HCC Immune Microenvironment Using Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:2797033. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/2797033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Purpose. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has poor prognosis and high mortality among gastrointestinal tumors because of its insidious onset and strong invasiveness. However, there was little understanding of their pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to use bioinformatics analysis to identify genes associated with the immune microenvironment in HBV-related HCC and to develop new therapeutic targets to prevent and treat cancer. Methods. RNA-seq data of HBV-related HCC cases were downloaded from TCGA-LIHC database. ESTIMATE and Deseq2 algorithms were used to screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs). WGCNA was used to construct gene coexpression networks. In key modules, functional enrichment analysis was performed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) was used to screen hub genes, and survival analysis was conducted to assess their prognostic significance. Following, we search for key genes differentially expressed between cancerous and paracancerous tissues in GSE136247 and GSE121248 datasets. Reveal the potential links between key genes in immune infiltration by using TIMER. Finally, in TCGA-LIHC database, integration of key genes with clinical data were used to further validate their correlation with prognosis. Results. In the cohort of HBV-related HCC patients, immune/stromal/ESTIMATE scores were not significantly associated with patient prognosis. After bioinformatics analysis, screening out five key genes was significantly related to the prognosis of HBV-related HCC. Downregulation of SLAMF1 and TRAF3IP3 suggested poor prognosis and was related to a variety of immune cell infiltration. Furthermore, compared with adjacent nontumor tissues, TRAF3IP3 and SLAMF1 were highly expressed in tumor tissues and were linked to tumor recurrences. Conclusion. In conclusion, SLAMF1 and TRAF3IP3 were identified with higher expression in tumor tissues and associated with tumor recurrence. It will be a new research direction of tumor progress and treatment.
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22
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Yaping W, Zhe W, Zhuling C, Ruolei L, Pengyu F, Lili G, Cheng J, Bo Z, Liuyin L, Guangdong H, Yaoling W, Niuniu H, Rui L. The soldiers needed to be awakened: Tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Front Genet 2022; 13:988703. [PMID: 36246629 PMCID: PMC9558824 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.988703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the tumor microenvironment, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) are a key component. Different types of TIICs play distinct roles. CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells could secrete soluble factors to hinder tumor cell growth, whereas regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) release inhibitory factors to promote tumor growth and progression. In the meantime, a growing body of evidence illustrates that the balance between pro- and anti-tumor responses of TIICs is associated with the prognosis in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, in order to boost anti-tumor response and improve the clinical outcome of tumor patients, a variety of anti-tumor strategies for targeting TIICs based on their respective functions have been developed and obtained good treatment benefits, including mainly immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), adoptive cell therapies (ACT), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and various monoclonal antibodies. In recent years, the tumor-specific features of immune cells are further investigated by various methods, such as using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and the results indicate that these cells have diverse phenotypes in different types of tumors and emerge inconsistent therapeutic responses. Hence, we concluded the recent advances in tumor-infiltrating immune cells, including functions, prognostic values, and various immunotherapy strategies for each immune cell in different tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Yaping
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wang Zhe
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chu Zhuling
- Department of General Surgery, Eastern Theater Air Force Hospital of PLA, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Ruolei
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Fan Pengyu
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Guo Lili
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ji Cheng
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhang Bo
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Liu Liuyin
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hou Guangdong
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wang Yaoling
- Department of Geriatrics, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hou Niuniu
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of General Surgery, Eastern Theater Air Force Hospital of PLA, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Hou Niuniu, ; Ling Rui,
| | - Ling Rui
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Hou Niuniu, ; Ling Rui,
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23
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The unique role of innate lymphoid cells in cancer and the hepatic microenvironment. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:1012-1029. [PMID: 35962192 PMCID: PMC9424527 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-022-00901-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease, and despite incredible progress over the last decade, it remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Liver cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver metastases are distinct from other cancers in that they typically emerge as a consequence of long-term low-grade inflammation. Understanding the mechanisms that underpin inflammation-driven tissue remodeling of the hepatic immune environment is likely to provide new insights into much needed treatments for this devastating disease. Group 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), which include natural killer (NK) cells and ILC1s, are particularly enriched in the liver and thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of a number of liver diseases, including cancer. NK cells are an attractive, but underexplored, therapeutic target in hepatic disease due to their role in immunosurveillance and their ability to recognize and eliminate malignant cells. ILC1s are closely related to and share many phenotypic features with NK cells but are less well studied. Thus, their utility in immunotherapeutic approaches is not yet well understood. Here, we review our current understanding of ILCs in cancer with a particular focus on liver and liver-related diseases.
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24
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Microenvironment in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders: Multi-Dimensional Characteristics and Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168940. [PMID: 36012205 PMCID: PMC9409092 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are a group of diseases involving the oral mucosa and that have a risk of carcinogenesis. The microenvironment is closely related to carcinogenesis and cancer progression by regulating the immune response, cell metabolic activities, and mechanical characteristics. Meanwhile, there are extensive interactions between the microenvironments that remodel and provide favorable conditions for cancer initiation. However, the changes, exact roles, and interactions of microenvironments during the carcinogenesis of OPMDs have not been fully elucidated. Here, we present an updated landscape of the microenvironments in OPMDs, emphasizing the changes in the immune microenvironment, metabolic microenvironment, mechanical microenvironment, and neural microenvironment during carcinogenesis and their carcinogenic mechanisms. We then propose an immuno–metabolic–mechanical–neural interaction network to describe their close relationships. Lastly, we summarize the therapeutic strategies for targeting microenvironments, and provide an outlook on future research directions and clinical applications. This review depicts a vivid microenvironment landscape and sheds light on new strategies to prevent the carcinogenesis of OPMDs.
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25
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Wang K, Gu C, Yu G, Lin J, Wang Z, Lu Q, Xu Y, Zhao D, Jiang X, Mai W, Liu S, Yang H. Berberine enhances the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect of NK92-MI cells through inhibiting IFN-gamma-mediated PD-L1 expression. LIVER RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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26
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Functional crosstalk and regulation of natural killer cells in tumor microenvironment: Significance and potential therapeutic strategies. Genes Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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27
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Foerster F, Gairing SJ, Ilyas SI, Galle PR. Emerging immunotherapy for HCC: A guide for hepatologists. Hepatology 2022; 75:1604-1626. [PMID: 35253934 PMCID: PMC9117522 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
HCC is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and the third leading cause of cancer-related death globally. HCC comprises nearly 90% of all cases of primary liver cancer. Approximately half of all patients with HCC receive systemic therapy during their disease course, particularly in the advanced stages of disease. Immuno-oncology has been paradigm shifting for the treatment of human cancers, with strong and durable antitumor activity in a subset of patients across a variety of malignancies including HCC. Immune checkpoint inhibition with atezolizumab and bevacizumab, an antivascular endothelial growth factor neutralizing antibody, has become first-line therapy for patients with advanced HCC. Beyond immune checkpoint inhibition, immunotherapeutic strategies such as oncolytic viroimmunotherapy and adoptive T-cell transfer are currently under investigation. The tumor immune microenvironment of HCC has significant immunosuppressive elements that may affect response to immunotherapy. Major unmet challenges include defining the role of immunotherapy in earlier stages of HCC, evaluating combinatorial strategies that use targeting of the immune microenvironment plus immune checkpoint inhibition, and identifying treatment strategies for patients who do not respond to the currently available immunotherapies. Herein, we review the rationale, mechanistic basis and supporting preclinical evidence, and available clinical evidence for immunotherapies in HCC as well as ongoing clinical trials of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Foerster
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Simon Johannes Gairing
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sumera Irie Ilyas
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Peter Robert Galle
- Department of Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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28
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Gemelli M, Noonan DM, Carlini V, Pelosi G, Barberis M, Ricotta R, Albini A. Overcoming Resistance to Checkpoint Inhibitors: Natural Killer Cells in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:886440. [PMID: 35712510 PMCID: PMC9194506 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.886440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatments over the last 10 years, with even increasing indications in many neoplasms. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is considered highly immunogenic, and ICIs have found a wide set of applications in this area, in both early and advanced lines of treatment, significantly changing the prognosis of these patients. Unfortunately, not all patients can benefit from the treatment, and resistance to ICIs can develop at any time. In addition to T lymphocytes, which are the major target, a variety of other cells present in the tumor microenvironment (TME) act in a complex cross-talk between tumor, stromal, and immune cells. An imbalance between activating and inhibitory signals can shift TME from an “anti-” to a “pro-tumorigenic” phenotype and vice versa. Natural killer cells (NKs) are able to recognize cancer cells, based on MHC I (self and non-self) and independently from antigen presentation. They represent an important link between innate and adaptive immune responses. Little data are available about the role of pro-inflammatory NKs in NSCLC and how they can influence the response to ICIs. NKs express several ligands of the checkpoint family, such as PD-1, TIGIT, TIM-3, LAG3, CD96, IL1R8, and NKG2A. We and others have shown that TME can also shape NKs, converting them into a pro-tumoral, pro-angiogenic “nurturing” phenotype through “decidualization.” The features of these NKs include expression of CD56, CD9, CD49a, and CXCR3; low CD16; and poor cytotoxicity. During ICI therapy, tumor-infiltrating or associated NKs can respond to the inhibitors or counteract the effect by acting as pro-inflammatory. There is a growing interest in NKs as a promising therapeutic target, as a basis for adoptive therapy and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK technology. In this review, we analyzed current evidence on NK function in NSCLC, focusing on their possible influence in response to ICI treatment and resistance development, addressing their prognostic and predictive roles and the rationale for exploiting NKs as a tool to overcome resistance in NSCLC, and envisaging a way to repolarize decidual NK (dNK)-like cells in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gemelli
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Douglas M. Noonan
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica Science and Technology Park, Milan, Italy
- Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Valentina Carlini
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica Science and Technology Park, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pelosi
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica Science and Technology Park, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Barberis
- Department of Pathology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO) Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ricotta
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Adriana Albini, ; Riccardo Ricotta,
| | - Adriana Albini
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Adriana Albini, ; Riccardo Ricotta,
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29
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Busà R, Bulati M, Badami E, Zito G, Maresca DC, Conaldi PG, Ercolano G, Ianaro A. Tissue-Resident Innate Immune Cell-Based Therapy: A Cornerstone of Immunotherapy Strategies for Cancer Treatment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:907572. [PMID: 35757002 PMCID: PMC9221069 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.907572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has led to impressive advances in cancer treatment. Unfortunately, in a high percentage of patients is difficult to consistently restore immune responses to eradicate established tumors. It is well accepted that adaptive immune cells, such as B lymphocytes, CD4+ helper T lymphocytes, and CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs), are the most effective cells able to eliminate tumors. However, it has been recently reported that innate immune cells, including natural killer cells (NK), dendritic cells (DC), macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), represent important contributors to modulating the tumor microenvironment and shaping the adaptive tumor response. In fact, their role as a bridge to adaptive immunity, make them an attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the pleiotropic role of tissue-resident innate immune cells in different tumor contexts. In addition, we discuss how current and future therapeutic approaches targeting innate immune cells sustain the adaptive immune system in order to improve the efficacy of current tumor immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalia Busà
- Research Department, Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (IRCCS ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
| | - Matteo Bulati
- Research Department, Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (IRCCS ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
| | - Ester Badami
- Research Department, Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (IRCCS ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
- Ri.MED Foundation, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Zito
- Research Department, Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (IRCCS ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Pier Giulio Conaldi
- Research Department, Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (IRCCS ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ercolano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giuseppe Ercolano,
| | - Angela Ianaro
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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30
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Zecca A, Barili V, Olivani A, Biasini E, Boni C, Fisicaro P, Montali I, Tiezzi C, Dalla Valle R, Ferrari C, Cariani E, Missale G. Targeting Stress Sensor Kinases in Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Infiltrating Human NK Cells as a Novel Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Liver Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:875072. [PMID: 35677052 PMCID: PMC9168800 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.875072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells may become functionally exhausted entering hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and this has been associated with tumor progression and poor clinical outcome. Hypoxia, low nutrients, immunosuppressive cells, and soluble mediators characterize the intratumor microenvironment responsible for the metabolic deregulation of infiltrating immune cells such as NK cells. HCC-infiltrating NK cells from patients undergoing liver resection for HCC were sorted, and genome-wide transcriptome profiling was performed. We have identified a marked general upregulation of gene expression profile along with metabolic impairment of glycolysis, OXPHOS, and autophagy as well as functional defects of NK cells. Targeting p38 kinase, a stress-responsive mitogen-activated protein kinase, we could positively modify the metabolic profile of NK cells with functional restoration in terms of TNF-α production and cytotoxicity. We found a metabolic and functional derangement of HCC-infiltrating NK cells that is part of the immune defects associated with tumor progression and recurrence. NK cell exhaustion due to the hostile tumor microenvironment may be restored with p38 inhibitors with a selective mechanism that is specific for tumor-infiltrating-not affecting liver-infiltrating-NK cells. These results may represent the basis for the development of a new immunotherapeutic strategy to integrate and improve the available treatments for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Zecca
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Valeria Barili
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Olivani
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Biasini
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Carolina Boni
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Paola Fisicaro
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Ilaria Montali
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Camilla Tiezzi
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Ferrari
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Missale
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Azienda Ospedaliero–Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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31
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Tao X, Zhang R, Du R, Yu T, Yang H, Li J, Wang Y, Liu Q, Zuo S, Wang X, Lazarus M, Zhou L, Wang B, Yu Y, Shen Y. EP3 enhances adhesion and cytotoxicity of NK cells toward hepatic stellate cells in a murine liver fibrosis model. J Exp Med 2022; 219:213141. [PMID: 35420633 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20212414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells exhibit antifibrotic properties in liver fibrosis (LF) by suppressing activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC) populations. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a dual role in innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we found that E-prostanoid 3 receptor (EP3) was markedly downregulated in NK cells from liver fibrosis mice and patients with liver cirrhosis. NK cell-specific deletion of EP3 aggravated hepatic fibrogenesis in mouse models of LF. Loss of EP3 selectively reduced the cytotoxicity of the CD27+CD11b+ double positive (DP) NK subset against activated HSCs. Mechanistically, deletion of EP3 impaired the adhesion and cytotoxicity of DP NK cells toward HSCs through modulation of Itga4-VCAM1 binding. EP3 upregulated Itga4 expression in NK cells through promoting Spic nuclear translocation via PKC-mediated phosphorylation of Spic at T191. Activation of EP3 by sulprostone alleviated CCL4-induced liver fibrosis in mice. Thus, EP3 is required for adhesion and cytotoxicity of NK cells toward HSCs and may serve as a therapeutic target for the management of LF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xixi Tao
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammatory Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammatory Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ronglu Du
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammatory Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tingting Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammatory Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiwen Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuhong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammatory Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammatory Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shengkai Zuo
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammatory Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Michael Lazarus
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Lu Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Bangmao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammatory Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yujun Shen
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammatory Biology, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Xue JS, Ding ZN, Meng GX, Yan LJ, Liu H, Li HC, Yao SY, Tian BW, Dong ZR, Chen ZQ, Hong JG, Wang DX, Li T. The Prognostic Value of Natural Killer Cells and Their Receptors/Ligands in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:872353. [PMID: 35464489 PMCID: PMC9021421 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.872353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Natural killer (NK) cells play major roles in eliminating tumor cells. Preliminary studies have shown that NK cells and their receptors/ligands have prognostic value in malignant tumors. However, the relevance of NK cells and their receptors/ligands level to the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Methods Several electronic databases were searched from database inception to November 8, 2021. Random effects were introduced to this meta-analysis. The relevance of NK cells and their receptors/ligands level to the prognosis of HCC was evaluated using hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Results 26 studies were included in the analysis. The pooled results showed that high NK cells levels were associated with better overall survival (HR=0.70, 95%CI 0.57–0.86, P=0.001) and disease-free survival (HR=0.61, 95%CI 0.40-0.93, P=0.022) of HCC patients. In subgroup analysis for overall survival, CD57+ NK cells (HR=0.70, 95%CI 0.55-0.89, P=0.004) had better prognostic value over CD56+ NK cells (HR=0.69, 95%CI 0.38-1.25, P=0.224), and intratumor NK cells had better prognostic value (HR=0.71, 95%CI 0.55-0.90, P=0.005) over peripheral NK cells (HR=0.66, 95%CI 0.41-1.06, P=0.088). In addition, high level of NK cell inhibitory receptors predicted increased recurrence of HCC, while the prognostic role of NK cell activating receptors remained unclear. Conclusion NK cells and their inhibitory receptors have prognostic value for HCC. The prognostic role of NK cell activating receptors is unclear and more high-quality prospective studies are essential to evaluate the prognostic value of NK cells and their receptors/ligands for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Shuai Xue
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zi-Niu Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guang-Xiao Meng
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lun-Jie Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hai-Chao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Sheng-Yu Yao
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bao-Wen Tian
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhao-Ru Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jian-Guo Hong
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dong-Xu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Nomogram for prediction of long-term survival with hepatocellular carcinoma based on NK cell counts. Ann Hepatol 2022; 27:100672. [PMID: 35065261 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2022.100672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Among all immune cells, natural killer (NK) cells play an important role as the first line of defense against tumor. The purpose of our study is to observe whether the NK cell counts can predict the overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS To develop a novel model, from January 2010 to June 2015, HCC patients enrolled in Beijing Ditan hospital were divided into training and validation cohort. Cox multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors for 1-year, 3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) of patients with HCC, and the nomogram was used to establish the prediction model. In addition, the decision tree was established to verify the contribution of NK cell counts to the survival of patients with HCC. RESULTS The model used in predicting overall survival of HCC included six variables (namely, NK cell counts, albumin (ALB) level, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), tumor number and treatment). The C-index of nomogram model in HCC patients predicting 1-year, 3-year and 5-year overall survival was 0.858, 0.788 and 0.782 respectively, which was higher than tumor-lymph node-metastasis (TNM) staging system, Okuda, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), MELD-Na, the Chinese University Prognostic Index (CUPI) and Japan Integrated Staging (JIS) scores (p < 0.001). The decision tree showed the specific 5-year OS probability of HCC patients under different risk factors, and found that NK cell counts were the third in the column contribution. CONCLUSIONS Our study emphasizes the utility of NK cell counts for exploring interactions between long-term survival of HCC patients and predictor variables.
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Wu X, Xiao Y, Guo D, Zhang Z, Liu M. Reduced NK Cell Cytotoxicity by Papillomatosis-Derived TGF-β Contributing to Low-Risk HPV Persistence in JORRP Patients. Front Immunol 2022; 13:849493. [PMID: 35350785 PMCID: PMC8957810 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.849493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of natural killer (NK) cells in juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP) patients remains elusive. In this study, we find increased NK cell percentage, particularly CD11b-CD27- (DN) subsets in peripheral blood of JORRP patients and associated with disease activity. RNA sequencing shows a downregulated "natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity" feature in JORRP tumors. We also find impaired cytotoxic capacity and lower expression of NK cell-activating receptors including NKp30 and NKp46. Higher transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) is found both in plasma and tumor tissues of JORRP, and anti-TGF-β1 antibody could restore NK cell cytolytic activity and upregulate NKp30 and NKG2D expression. Also, we find a significantly higher Chemokine receptor type 6 (CXCR6) on NK cells in tumors compared with that in peripheral blood. Finally, RT-PCR analysis show that both HPV6-E6-E7 and HPV11-E6-E7 overexpression leads to higher TGFB1 expression compared with control SNU-1076 cell line, and higher CXCR6 expression is detected on NK coculture with HPV11-E6-E7-overexpressing cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate that TGF-β1 by papillomatosis leads to decreased NK cell cytotoxicity through downregulating NK cell-activating receptors in JORRP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunyao Wu
- Clinical Biobank, Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Guo
- Clinical Biobank, Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zixin Zhang
- Clinical Biobank, Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Meiyu Liu
- Clinical Biobank, Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Zhang W, Zhao Z, Li F. Natural killer cell dysfunction in cancer and new strategies to utilize NK cell potential for cancer immunotherapy. Mol Immunol 2022; 144:58-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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36
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Ding C, Zheng Y, Li D, Zhu M, Zhu Y. Up-Regulation of miR-1925 by Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell (BMSC) Inhibits the Growth of Liver Cancer by Promoting the Anti-Tumor Activity of Natural Killer (NK) Cells. J BIOMATER TISS ENG 2022. [DOI: 10.1166/jbt.2022.2920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) seriously threatens human health and life quality. Natural killer (NK) cells play important roles in liver immune function. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) exosomes (Exo) participate in tissue damage. This study explored BMSC-Exo’s effect
on NK cells’ anti-tumor activity. NK cells were isolated from the livers of mice with liver cancer. NK cells with or without BMSC-Exo treatment were co-cultured with liver cancer cells to assess cell proliferation. Administration of BMSC-Exo into mice with liver cancer significantly
suppressed liver cancer cell growth. In addition, BMSC-Exo treatment significantly improved NK cells’ anti-tumor effect whic was related to BMSC-Exo-induced up-regulation of miR-1925. Implantation of BMSC-Exo into mice with liver cancer at different time periods can significantly suppress
liver cancer cell growth. At the same time, BMSC-Exo implantation inhibited the expression of cell proliferation marker protein(Ki67). In vitro study found that BMSC-Exo treatment significantly increased miR-1925 level and the toxicity of NK cells to HCC cells. In addition, miR-1925
overexpression in NK cells significantly increased NK cells’ anti-tumor activity. In conclusion, this study proved that up-regulation of miR-1925 by BMSC can inhibit the growth of liver cancer by promoting the anti-tumor activity of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chencheng Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and SPLENIC Surgery, Changxing County People’s Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang, 313199, China
| | - Yunjie Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and SPLENIC Surgery, Changxing County People’s Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang, 313199, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and SPLENIC Surgery, Changxing County People’s Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang, 313199, China
| | - Min Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and SPLENIC Surgery, Changxing County People’s Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang, 313199, China
| | - Yong Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oncology, Changxing County People’s Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang, 313199, China
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Therapeutic Vaccines against Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Era: Time for Neoantigens? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042022. [PMID: 35216137 PMCID: PMC8875127 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have been used as immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with promising but still limited results. Identification of immune elements in the tumor microenvironment of individual HCC patients may help to understand the correlations of responses, as well as to design personalized therapies for non-responder patients. Immune-enhancing strategies, such as vaccination, would complement ICI in those individuals with poorly infiltrated tumors. The prominent role of responses against mutated tumor antigens (neoAgs) in ICI-based therapies suggests that boosting responses against these epitopes may specifically target tumor cells. In this review we summarize clinical vaccination trials carried out in HCC, the available information on potentially immunogenic neoAgs in HCC patients, and the most recent results of neoAg-based vaccines in other tumors. Despite the low/intermediate mutational burden observed in HCC, data obtained from neoAg-based vaccines in other tumors indicate that vaccines directed against these tumor-specific antigens would complement ICI in a subset of HCC patients.
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Terrén I, Borrego F. Role of NK Cells in Tumor Progression. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 113:169-187. [PMID: 35165864 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-91311-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are effector lymphocytes with the ability to generate an antitumor response. NK cells encompass a diverse group of subsets with different properties and have the capacity to kill cancer cells by different means. However, tumor cells have developed several mechanisms to evade NK cell-mediated killing. In this chapter, we summarize some aspects of NK cell biology with the aim to understand the competence of these cells and explore some of the challenges that NK cells have to face in different malignancies. Moreover, we will review the current knowledge about the role of NK cells in tumor progression and describe their phenotype and effector functions in tumor tissues and peripheral blood from cancer patients. Finally, we will recapitulate several findings from different studies focused on determining the prognostic value of NK cells in distinct cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Terrén
- Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Francisco Borrego
- Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
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Argemi J, Ponz-Sarvise M, Sangro B. Immunotherapies for hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Current and developing strategies. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 156:367-413. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Vitale G, Gitto S, Campani C, Turco L, Baldan A, Marra F, Morelli MC. Biological therapies in patients with liver disease: are they really lifesavers? Expert Opin Biol Ther 2021; 22:473-490. [PMID: 34860629 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2013799] [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: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The liver plays a key role in the setting of immune tolerance. Targeting antigens for presentation by antigen-presenting cells in the liver can induce immune tolerance to either autoantigens from the liver itself or organs outside of the liver. Despite its non-conventional capacity for tolerance induction, the liver remains a target organ for autoimmune diseases. Whereas chronic inflammation and intra-hepatic immuno-suppressive microenvironment occurring during liver fibrosis lead to hepatocellular carcinoma. Monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the therapeutic strategies of many autoimmune diseases and some cancers. AREAS COVERED We review data from literature regarding the safety and efficacy of biologics in treating hepatobiliary autoimmune diseases and primary liver cancers. Furthermore, we describe their potential use in the setting of liver transplants and their main immune-related liver adverse events. EXPERT OPINION Biological therapies have changed the natural history of main autoimmune diseases and solid cancers. Compared to other organs and disease settings, the liver lags behind in biologics and their applications. The development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on the immunological and antigenic characteristics of the hepatobiliary system could reduce mortality and transplant rates linked to chronic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Vitale
- Division of Internal Medicine for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Gitto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Campani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Turco
- Division of Internal Medicine for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Baldan
- Division of Internal Medicine for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Marra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Morelli
- Division of Internal Medicine for the Treatment of Severe Organ Failure, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Tan AT, Bertoletti A. HBV-HCC treatment with mRNA electroporated HBV-TCR T cells. IMMUNOTHERAPY ADVANCES 2021; 2:ltab026. [PMID: 35919490 PMCID: PMC9327102 DOI: 10.1093/immadv/ltab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a significant global health challenge with steadily increasing incidence in the East Asia region. While both Hepatitis C and B virus infections account for the majority of HCC cases, the advent of potent antivirals against HCV infection has biased the aetiology towards chronic HBV infection that at the moment remains without an effective cure. For this reason, HBV-HCC remains a persistent global problem. Treatment options for intermediate to advanced stages of HBV-HCC remain limited, hence novel therapeutic strategies are required to fulfil this medical need. Following the considerable success of adoptive T-cell immunotherapy against B-cell malignancies, it is conceivable to envision whether the same could be achieved against HBV-HCC. In this review, we describe the development of T-cell therapy strategies for HBV-HCC and discuss the safety and the efficacy of the strategies in terms of the direct killing of tumour cells and the other alterations possibly induced by the action of the T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony T Tan
- Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Antonio Bertoletti
- Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science and Technology (A∗STAR), Singapore
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Zheng B, Xie F, Cheng F, Wang J, Yao Z, He W, Niu Z. Integrative Analysis of Immune-Related Genes in the Tumor Microenvironment of Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma and Renal Papillary Cell Carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:760031. [PMID: 34888353 PMCID: PMC8650138 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.760031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney cancer encompasses a range of primary cancers, such as clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC). Our knowledge about the tumor microenvironment (TME) of kidney cancer is still limited. Therefore, we comprehensively assessed the TME of kidney cancers (including ccRCC and pRCC) using the ESTIAMTE, and CIBERSORT algorithms, and conducted distinct functional and correlation analyses with data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Connectivity map and CellMiner database. Next, we identified two immune-related hub genes, IGLL5 and IL2RA, which play essential roles in the TME as well as on survival in ccRCC and pRCC. Furthermore, ccRCC and pRCC samples from our medical center were collected to verify the clinical application value of these two immune-related genes. A specific enrichment analysis of immune cells related to IGLL5 and IL2RA was also conducted in two types of renal cell cancer. Based on selected genes, we predicted the drug response and uncovered novel drug candidate for RCC treatment. Considering the unfavorable outcomes of kidney cancer and emerging interest in TME-targeted treatments, our results may offer insights into immune-related molecular mechanisms and possible targets to control the kidney cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zheng
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fang Xie
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Urology, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Weihai, China
| | - Fajuan Cheng
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jianwei Wang
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhongshun Yao
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wei He
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhihong Niu
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Zhang Y, Shi N, He L, Wang S, Li X, Lu S, Zhang Q, Niu H. Silk Sericin Activates Mild Immune Response and Increases Antibody Production. J Biomed Nanotechnol 2021; 17:2433-2443. [PMID: 34974866 DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2021.3206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
To clarify whether nanoparticles of silk sericin (SS) and silk fibroin (SF) can induce inflammation and immune responses, we analyzed splenocyte proliferation, apoptosis and cytokine release to identify the effects of SS and SF on mouse splenocytes in vitro. We implanted mice with SS and SF through intraperitoneal, intramuscular, and subcutaneous routes to evaluate the innate and adaptive immune response to SS and SF in vivo. Cytokines in the serum and spleen were analyzed by Luminex and antibody array. Antigen-specific antibodies were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at week 1 and 5 after implantation. Distinct cell populations in the spleen and bone marrow were analyzed by flow cytometry. SS suppressed the proliferation of splenocytes and CD11b+CD27- NK cells, induced splenocyte apoptosis, and increased interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the culture supernatant. SF suppressed splenocyte proliferation, induced splenocyte apoptosis, and increased the titer of TNF-α in culture supernatants. At both week 1 and 5 after implantation with SS, mouse serum interleukin-1 α (IL-1 α) and keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) were decreased, SS-specific antibody was increased, the proportion of bone marrow CD4+ T cells was increased, and the proportion of splenic neutrophils was decreased. At week 5 after subcutaneous implantation with SF, mouse serum IL-1α, and splenic IL-6, TIMP-1, IL-4, MCP-1, IFN-γ, TCA-3, TNF-α, and IL-17 were decreased. SS was able to induce a mild immune response, as evidenced by CD4+ T cell activation, splenocyte apoptosis, and antigen-specific antibody secretion. Comparatively, SF had low immunogenicity and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- School of Medicine and Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Na Shi
- School of Medicine and Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Lun He
- School of Medicine and Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- School of Medicine and Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xin Li
- School of Medicine and Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Shenzhou Lu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Qiqing Zhang
- Fujian Bote Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Fuzhou, 350013, Fujian, China
| | - Haitao Niu
- School of Medicine and Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
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Liu W, Deng Y, Li Z, Chen Y, Zhu X, Tan X, Cao G. Cancer Evo-Dev: A Theory of Inflammation-Induced Oncogenesis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:768098. [PMID: 34880864 PMCID: PMC8645856 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.768098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a prerequisite for the development of cancers. Here, we present the framework of a novel theory termed as Cancer Evolution-Development (Cancer Evo-Dev) based on the current understanding of inflammation-related carcinogenesis, especially hepatocarcinogenesis induced by chronic infection with hepatitis B virus. The interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental exposures, such as viral infection, maintains chronic non-resolving inflammation. Pollution, metabolic syndrome, physical inactivity, ageing, and adverse psychosocial exposure also increase the risk of cancer via inducing chronic low-grade smoldering inflammation. Under the microenvironment of non-resolving inflammation, pro-inflammatory factors facilitate the generation of somatic mutations and viral mutations by inducing the imbalance between the mutagenic forces such as cytidine deaminases and mutation-correcting forces including uracil-DNA glycosylase. Most cells with somatic mutations and mutated viruses are eliminated in survival competition. Only a small percentage of mutated cells survive, adapt to the hostile environment, retro-differentiate, and function as cancer-initiating cells via altering signaling pathways. These cancer-initiating cells acquire stem-ness, reprogram metabolic patterns, and affect the microenvironment. The carcinogenic process follows the law of "mutation-selection-adaptation". Chronic physical activity reduces the levels of inflammation via upregulating the activity and numbers of NK cells and lymphocytes and lengthening leukocyte telomere; downregulating proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 and senescent lymphocytes especially in aged population. Anti-inflammation medication reduces the occurrence and recurrence of cancers. Targeting cancer stemness signaling pathways might lead to cancer eradication. Cancer Evo-Dev not only helps understand the mechanisms by which inflammation promotes the development of cancers, but also lays the foundation for effective prophylaxis and targeted therapy of various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Deng
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an, China
| | - Zishuai Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifan Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Zhu
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaojie Tan
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangwen Cao
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Schoenberg MB, Li X, Li X, Han Y, Börner N, Koch D, Guba MO, Werner J, Bazhin AV. The interactions between major immune effector cells and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A systematic review. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 101:108220. [PMID: 34673334 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108220] [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: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver neoplasm with high morbidity and mortality. Tumor immunotherapy might be promising adjuvant therapy for HCC after surgery. To better develop HCC immunotherapy, comprehensive understanding of cell-cell interactions between immune effector cells and HCC cells remains crucial. AIM To review the existing studies to summarize the cell-cell interactions between major immune effector cells and HCC cells providing new data for HCC immunotherapy. METHODS A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed database covering all papers published in recent five years up to January 2020. The guidelines of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews were firmly followed. RESULTS There are 9 studies researching the interactions between CD8+ T lymphocytes and HCC cells and 22 studies researching that between natural killer (NK) cells and HCC cells. Among the 9 studies, 6 studies reported that CD8+ T lymphocytes showed cytotoxicity towards HCC cells while 3 studies found CD8+ T lymphocytes were impaired by HCC cells. Among the 22 studies, 20 studies presented that NK cells could inhibit HCC cells. Two studies were found to report NK cell dysfunction in HCC. CONCLUSION Based on the systematic analysis, we concluded that CD8+ T lymphocytes and NK cells can inhibit HCC cells. While in turn, HCC cells can also result in the dysfunction of those effector cells through various mechanisms. Organoids and direct contact cell co-culture with primary HCC cells and TILs should be the most innovative way to investigate the interactions and develop novel immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Bo Schoenberg
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Xiaokang Li
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yongsheng Han
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Börner
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik Koch
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Otto Guba
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; Transplantation Center Munich, Hospital of the LMU, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - Jens Werner
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany; Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandr V Bazhin
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany.
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Roma S, Carpen L, Raveane A, Bertolini F. The Dual Role of Innate Lymphoid and Natural Killer Cells in Cancer. from Phenotype to Single-Cell Transcriptomics, Functions and Clinical Uses. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205042. [PMID: 34680190 PMCID: PMC8533946 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), a family of innate immune cells including natural killers (NKs), play a multitude of roles in first-line cancer control, in escape from immunity and in cancer progression. In this review, we summarize preclinical and clinical data on ILCs and NK cells concerning their phenotype, function and clinical applications in cellular therapy trials. We also describe how single-cell transcriptome sequencing has been used and forecast how it will be used to better understand ILC and NK involvement in cancer control and progression as well as their therapeutic potential. Abstract The role of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), including natural killer (NK) cells, is pivotal in inflammatory modulation and cancer. Natural killer cell activity and count have been demonstrated to be regulated by the expression of activating and inhibitory receptors together with and as a consequence of different stimuli. The great majority of NK cell populations have an anti-tumor activity due to their cytotoxicity, and for this reason have been used for cellular therapies in cancer patients. On the other hand, the recently classified helper ILCs are fundamentally involved in inflammation and they can be either helpful or harmful in cancer development and progression. Tissue niche seems to play an important role in modulating ILC function and conversion, as observed at the transcriptional level. In the past, these cell populations have been classified by the presence of specific cellular receptor markers; more recently, due to the advent of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), it has been possible to also explore them at the transcriptomic level. In this article we review studies on ILC (and NK cell) classification, function and their involvement in cancer. We also summarize the potential application of NK cells in cancer therapy and give an overview of the most recent studies involving ILCs and NKs at scRNA-seq, focusing on cancer. Finally, we provide a resource for those who wish to start single-cell transcriptomic analysis on the context of these innate lymphoid cell populations.
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Li Z, Gao Y, He C, Wei H, Zhang J, Zhang H, Hu L, Jiang W. Purinergic Receptor P2Y 6 Is a Negative Regulator of NK Cell Maturation and Function. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 207:1555-1565. [PMID: 34426542 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
NK cells are critical innate immune cells that target the tumor cells and cancer-initiating cells and clear viruses by producing cytokines and cytotoxic granules. However, the role of the purinergic receptor P2Y6 in the NK cells remains largely unknown. In this study, we discovered that the expression of P2Y6 was decreased upon the activation of the NK cells. Moreover, in the P2Y6-deficient mice, we found that the deficiency of P2Y6 promoted the development of the NK precursor cells into immature NK and mature NK cells. We also found that the P2Y6 deficiency increased, but the P2Y6 receptor agonist UDP or UDP analog 5-OMe-UDP decreased the production of IFN-γ in the activated NK cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the P2Y6-deficient NK cells exhibited stronger cytotoxicity in vitro and antimetastatic effects in vivo. Mechanistically, P2Y6 deletion promoted the expression of T-bet (encoded by Tbx21), with or without the stimulation of IL-15. In the absence of P2Y6, the levels of phospho-serine/threonine kinase and pS6 in the NK cells were significantly increased upon the stimulation of IL-15. Collectively, we demonstrated that the P2Y6 receptor acted as a negative regulator of the NK cell function and inhibited the maturation and antitumor activities of the NK cells. Therefore, inhibition of the P2Y6 receptor increases the antitumor activities of the NK cells, which may aid in the design of innovative strategies to improve NK cell-based cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlong Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaoxin Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Wei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lulu Hu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenzheng Jiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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Sim T, Choi B, Kwon SW, Kim KS, Choi H, Ross A, Kim DH. Magneto-Activation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Natural Killer Cells Labeled with Magnetic Nanocomplexes for the Treatment of Solid Tumors. ACS NANO 2021; 15:12780-12793. [PMID: 34165964 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c01889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy has been considered a promising cell-based cancer treatment strategy with low side effects for early tumors and metastasis. However, the therapeutic efficacy is generally low in established solid tumors. Ex vivo activation of NK cells with exogenous cytokines is often essential but ineffective to generate high doses of functional NK cells for cancer treatment. Image-guided local delivery of NK cells is also suggested for the therapy. However, there is a lack of noninvasive tools for monitoring NK cells. Herein, magnetic nanocomplexes are fabricated with clinically available materials (hyaluronic acid, protamine, and ferumoxytol; HAPF) for labeling NK cells. The prepared HAPF-nanocomplexes effectively attach to the NK cells (HAPF-NK). An exogenous magnetic field application effectively achieves magneto-activation of NK cells, promoting the generation and secretion of lytic granules of NK cells. The magneto-activated HAPF-NK cells also allow an MR image-guided NK cell therapy to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) solid tumors via transcatheter intra-arterial infusion. Suppressed tumor growth after the treatment of IA infused magneto-activated NK cells demonstrated a potential enhanced therapeutic efficacy of image guided local delivery of magneto-activated HAPF-NK cells. Given the potential challenges of NK cell cancer immunotherapy against established solid tumors, the effective NK cell labeling with HAPF, magneto-activation, and MRI contrast effect of NK cells will be beneficial to enhance the NK cell-therapeutic efficacy in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taehoon Sim
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Bongseo Choi
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Soon Woo Kwon
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Kwang-Soo Kim
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Hyunjun Choi
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Alexander Ross
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Dong-Hyun Kim
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
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Yu M, Su Z, Huang X, Zhou Y, Zhang X, Wang B, Wang Z, Liu Y, Xing N, Xia M, Wang X. Histone methyltransferase Ezh2 negatively regulates NK cell terminal maturation and function. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 110:1033-1045. [PMID: 34425630 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.1ma0321-155rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are innate lymphoid cells that play important roles in tumor eradication and viral clearance. We previously found that deletion or inhibition of the histone methyltransferase Ezh2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from both mice and humans enhanced the commitment and cytotoxicity of NK cells to tumor cells. This study tested the hypothesis that inhibiting Ezh2, especially in NK lineage cells, could also affect NK cell development and function. We crossed Ezh2fl/fl mice with Ncr1iCre mice to delete the Ezh2 gene in immature NK cells and downstream progeny. Ezh2 deficiency increased the total number of NK cells and promoted NK cell terminal differentiation, as the percentages of the most mature CD27- CD11b+ subsets were increased. The NK cell cytotoxicity against tumor cells in vitro was enhanced, with increased degranulation and IFN-γ production. In addition, during the process of human NK cells differentiating from HSPCs , inhibiting EZH2 catalytic activity at day 14 (when NK lineage commitment began) also resulted in increased proportions of mature NK cells and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, RNA-seq and CUT&RUN-qPCR assays showed that the effects of Ezh2 may be based on its direct modulation of the expression of the transcription factor Pbx1 (pre-B-cell leukemia transcription factor 1), which has been reported to promote NK cell development. In summary, we demonstrate that Ezh2 is a negative regulator of NK cell terminal maturation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghang Yu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyang Su
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefeng Huang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yujie Zhou
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xulong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bingbing Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Nianzeng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Urology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Miaoran Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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50
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Zheng Y, Li Y, Feng J, Li J, Ji J, Wu L, Yu Q, Dai W, Wu J, Zhou Y, Guo C. Cellular based immunotherapy for primary liver cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:250. [PMID: 34372912 PMCID: PMC8351445 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02030-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC) is a common malignancy with high morbidity and mortality. Poor prognosis and easy recurrence on PLC patients calls for optimizations of the current conventional treatments and the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. For most malignancies, including PLC, immune cells play crucial roles in regulating tumor microenvironments and specifically recognizing tumor cells. Therefore, cellular based immunotherapy has its instinctive advantages in PLC therapy as a novel therapeutic strategy. From the active and passive immune perspectives, we introduced the cellular based immunotherapies for PLC in this review, covering both the lymphoid and myeloid cells. Then we briefly review the combined cellular immunotherapeutic approaches and the existing obstacles for PLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200060, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jiao Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200060, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jie Ji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Liwei Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Qiang Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Weiqi Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200060, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jianye Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200060, China.
| | - Yingqun Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Chuanyong Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200060, China.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
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