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Aubert A, Jung K, Hiroyasu S, Pardo J, Granville DJ. Granzyme serine proteases in inflammation and rheumatic diseases. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2024; 20:361-376. [PMID: 38689140 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-024-01109-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Granzymes (granule-secreted enzymes) are a family of serine proteases that have been viewed as redundant cytotoxic enzymes since their discovery more than 30 years ago. Predominantly produced by cytotoxic lymphocytes and natural killer cells, granzymes are delivered into the cytoplasm of target cells through immunological synapses in cooperation with the pore-forming protein perforin. After internalization, granzymes can initiate cell death through the cleavage of intracellular substrates. However, evidence now also demonstrates the existence of non-cytotoxic, pro-inflammatory, intracellular and extracellular functions that are granzyme specific. Under pathological conditions, granzymes can be produced and secreted extracellularly by immune cells as well as by non-immune cells. Depending on the granzyme, accumulation in the extracellular milieu might contribute to inflammation, tissue injury, impaired wound healing, barrier dysfunction, osteoclastogenesis and/or autoantigen generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Aubert
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre; British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Karen Jung
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre; British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sho Hiroyasu
- Department of Dermatology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Julian Pardo
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA); Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Paediatrics and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - David J Granville
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre; British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Providence Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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2
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Sun HW, Zhang X, Shen CC. The shared circulating diagnostic biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel disease. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1354348. [PMID: 38774864 PMCID: PMC11106441 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1354348] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-organ chronic autoimmune disease. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Previous studies have shown that SLE and IBD share common pathogenic pathways and genetic susceptibility, but the specific pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. Methods The datasets of SLE and IBD were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the Limma package. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to determine co-expression modules related to SLE and IBD. Pathway enrichment was performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis for co-driver genes. Using the Least AbsoluteShrinkage and Selection Operator (Lasso) regressionand Support Vector Machine-Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE), common diagnostic markers for both diseases were further evaluated. Then, we utilizedthe CIBERSORT method to assess the abundance of immune cell infiltration. Finally,we used the single-cell analysis to obtain the location of common diagnostic markers. Results 71 common driver genes were identified in the SLE and IBD cohorts based on the DEGs and module genes. KEGG and GO enrichment results showed that these genes were closely associated with positive regulation of programmed cell death and inflammatory responses. By using LASSO regression and SVM, five hub genes (KLRF1, GZMK, KLRB1, CD40LG, and IL-7R) were ultimately determined as common diagnostic markers for SLE and IBD. ROC curve analysis also showed good diagnostic performance. The outcomes of immune cell infiltration demonstrated that SLE and IBD shared almost identical immune infiltration patterns. Furthermore, the majority of the hub genes were commonly expressed in NK cells by single-cell analysis. Conclusion This study demonstrates that SLE and IBD share common diagnostic markers and pathogenic pathways. In addition, SLE and IBD show similar immune cellinfiltration microenvironments which provides newperspectives for future treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Wen Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Cong-Cong Shen
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Turner CT, Zeglinski MR, Boivin W, Zhao H, Pawluk MA, Richardson KC, Chandrabalan A, Bird P, Ramachandran R, Sehmi R, Lima H, Gauvreau G, Granville DJ. Granzyme K contributes to endothelial microvascular damage and leakage during skin inflammation. Br J Dermatol 2023; 189:279-291. [PMID: 36652225 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljac017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Granzyme K (GzmK) is a serine protease with minimal presence in healthy tissues while abundant in inflamed tissues. Initially thought to play an exclusive role in immune-mediated cell death, extracellular GzmK can also promote inflammation. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the role of GzmK in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common inflammatory skin disease. METHODS A panel of human AD and control samples was analysed to determine if GzmK is elevated. Next, to determine a pathological role for GzmK in AD-like skin inflammation, oxazolone-induced dermatitis was induced in GzmK-/- and wild-type (WT) mice. RESULTS In human lesional AD samples, there was an increase in the number of GzmK+ cells compared with healthy controls. GzmK-/- mice exhibited reduced overall disease severity characterized by reductions in scaling, erosions and erythema. Surprisingly, the presence of GzmK did not notably increase the overall pro-inflammatory response or epidermal barrier permeability in WT mice; rather, GzmK impaired angiogenesis, increased microvascular damage and microhaemorrhage. Mechanistically, GzmK contributed to vessel damage through cleavage of syndecan-1, a key structural component of the glycocalyx, which coats the luminal surface of vascular endothelia. CONCLUSIONS GzmK may provide a potential therapeutic target for skin conditions associated with persistent inflammation, vasculitis and pathological angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Turner
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Matthew R Zeglinski
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wendy Boivin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hongyan Zhao
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Megan A Pawluk
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Katlyn C Richardson
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Arundhasa Chandrabalan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Phillip Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rithwik Ramachandran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Roma Sehmi
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Hermenio Lima
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Gail Gauvreau
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - David J Granville
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Duquette D, Harmon C, Zaborowski A, Michelet X, O'Farrelly C, Winter D, Koay HF, Lynch L. Human Granzyme K Is a Feature of Innate T Cells in Blood, Tissues, and Tumors, Responding to Cytokines Rather than TCR Stimulation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:633-647. [PMID: 37449888 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
NK cells and CD8 T cells use cytotoxic molecules to kill virally infected and tumor cell targets. While perforin and granzyme B (GzmB) are the most commonly studied lytic molecules, less is known about granzyme K (GzmK). However, this granzyme has been recently associated with improved prognosis in solid tumors. In this study, we show that, in humans, GzmK is predominantly expressed by innate-like lymphocytes, as well as a newly identified population of GzmK+CD8+ non- mucosal-associated invariant T cells with innate-like characteristics. We found that GzmK+ T cells are KLRG1+EOMES+IL-7R+CD62L-Tcf7int, suggesting that they are central memory T and effector memory T cells. Furthermore, GzmK+ cells are absent/low in cord blood, suggesting that GzmK is upregulated with immune experience. Surprisingly, GzmK+ cells respond to cytokine stimuli alone, whereas TCR stimulation downregulates GzmK expression, coinciding with GzmB upregulation. GzmK+ cells have reduced IFN-γ production compared with GzmB+ cells in each T cell lineage. Collectively, this suggests that GzmK+ cells are not naive, and they may be an intermediate memory-like or preterminally differentiated population. GzmK+ cells are enriched in nonlymphoid tissues such as the liver and adipose. In colorectal cancer, GzmK+ cells are enriched in the tumor and can produce IFN-γ, but GzmK+ expression is mutually exclusive with IL-17a production. Thus, in humans, GzmK+ cells are innate memory-like cells that respond to cytokine stimulation alone and may be important effector cells in the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Duquette
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Cathal Harmon
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Xavier Michelet
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Cliona O'Farrelly
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Des Winter
- St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hui-Fern Koay
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Austria
| | - Lydia Lynch
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Nüssing S, Sutton VR, Trapani JA, Parish IA. Beyond target cell death - Granzyme serine proteases in health and disease. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 88:101152. [PMID: 36368281 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Granzymes are a family of small (∼32 kDa) serine proteases with a range of substrate specificities that are stored in, and released from, the cytoplasmic secretory vesicles ('granules') of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Granzymes are not digestive proteases but finely tuned processing enzymes that target their substrates in specific ways to activate various signalling pathways, or to inactivate viral proteins and other targets. Great emphasis has been placed on studying the pro-apoptotic functions of granzymes, which largely depend on their synergy with the pore-forming protein perforin, on which they rely for penetration into the target cell cytosol to access their substrates. While a critical role for granzyme B in target cell apoptosis is undisputed, both it and the remaining granzymes also influence a variety of other biological processes (including important immunoregulatory functions), which are discussed in this review. This includes the targeting of many extracellular as well as intracellular substrates, and can also lead to deleterious outcomes for the host if granzyme expression or function are dysregulated or abrogated. A final important consideration is that granzyme repertoire, biochemistry and function vary considerably across species, probably resulting from the pressures applied by viruses and other pathogens across evolutionary time. This has implications for the interpretation of granzyme function in preclinical models of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Nüssing
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Vivien R Sutton
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Joseph A Trapani
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Ian A Parish
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU, ACT, Australia.
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Kaiserman D, Zhao P, Rowe CL, Leong A, Barlow N, Joeckel LT, Hitchen C, Stewart SE, Hollenberg MD, Bunnett N, Suhrbier A, Bird PI. Granzyme K initiates IL-6 and IL-8 release from epithelial cells by activating protease-activated receptor 2. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270584. [PMID: 35881628 PMCID: PMC9321427 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Granzyme K (GzmK) is a tryptic member of the granzyme family of chymotrypsin-like serine proteases produced by cells of the immune system. Previous studies have indicated that GzmK activates protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) enhancing activation of monocytes and wound healing in endothelial cells. Here, we show using peptides and full length proteins that GzmK and, to a lesser extent the related protease GzmA, are capable of activating PAR1 and PAR2. These cleavage events occur at the canonical arginine P1 residue and involve exosite interactions between protease and receptor. Despite cleaving PAR2 at the same point as trypsin, GzmK does not induce a classical Ca2+ flux but instead activates a distinct signalling cascade, involving recruitment of β-arrestin and phosphorylation of ERK. In epithelial A549 cells, PAR2 activation by GzmK results in the release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8. These data suggest that during an immune response GzmK acts as a pro-inflammatory regulator, rather than as a cytotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dion Kaiserman
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Peishen Zhao
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Caitlin Lorraine Rowe
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrea Leong
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas Barlow
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lars Thomas Joeckel
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Corinne Hitchen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah Elizabeth Stewart
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Morley D. Hollenberg
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary AB, Canada
| | - Nigel Bunnett
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Phillip Ian Bird
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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Ke J, Chen J, Liu X. Analyzing and validating the prognostic value and immune microenvironment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2022; 26:52-61. [PMID: 35479513 PMCID: PMC9037198 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2022.2056635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) plays an important role in tumor diagnosis, prevention, treatment and prognosis. However, the correlation and potential mechanism between clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and its TIME are not clear. Therefore, we aimed to identify potential prognostic biomarkers related to TIME of ccRCC. Unsupervised consensus clustering analysis was performed to divide patients into different immune subgroups according to their single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) scores. Then, we validated the differences in immune cell infiltration, prognosis, clinical characteristics and expression levels of HLA and immune checkpoint genes between different immune subgroups. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify the significant modules and hub genes that were related to the immune subgroups. A nomogram was established to predict the overall survival (OS) outcomes after independent prognostic factors were identified by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Five clusters (immune subgroups) were identified. There was no significant difference in age, sex or N stage. And there were significant differences in race, T stage, M stage, grade, prognosis and tumor microenvironment. WGCNA revealed that the red module has an important relationship with TIME, and obtained 14 hub genes. In addition, the nomogram containing LAG3 and GZMK accurately predicted OS outcomes of ccRCC patients. LAG3 and GZMK have a certain correlation with the prognosis of ccRCC patients, and play an important role in the TIME. These two hub genes deserve further study as biomarkers of the TIME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Ke
- Department of urology, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Chen
- Graduate School of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of urology, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Uranga-Murillo I, Tapia E, Garzón-Tituaña M, Ramirez-Labrada A, Santiago L, Pesini C, Esteban P, Roig FJ, Galvez EM, Bird PI, Pardo J, Arias M. Biological relevance of Granzymes A and K during E. coli sepsis. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:9873-9883. [PMID: 34815792 PMCID: PMC8581435 DOI: 10.7150/thno.59418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: Recent in vitro findings suggest that the serine protease Granzyme K (GzmK) may act as a proinflammatory mediator. However, its role in sepsis is unknown. Here we aim to understand the role of GzmK in a mouse model of bacterial sepsis and compare it to the biological relevance of Granzyme A (GzmA). Methods: Sepsis was induced in WT, GzmA-/- and GzmK-/- mice by an intraperitoneal injection of 2x108 CFU from E. coli. Mouse survival was monitored during 5 days. Levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, TNFα and IL-6 in plasma were measured and bacterial load in blood, liver and spleen was analyzed. Finally, profile of cellular expression of GzmA and GzmK was analyzed by FACS. Results: GzmA and GzmK are not involved in the control of bacterial infection. However, GzmA and GzmK deficient mice showed a lower sepsis score in comparison with WT mice, although only GzmA deficient mice exhibited increased survival. GzmA deficient mice also showed reduced expression of some proinflammatory cytokines like IL1-α, IL-β and IL-6. A similar result was found when extracellular GzmA was therapeutically inhibited in WT mice using serpinb6b, which improved survival and reduced IL-6 expression. Mechanistically, active extracellular GzmA induces the production of IL-6 in macrophages by a mechanism dependent on TLR4 and MyD88. Conclusions: These results suggest that although both proteases contribute to the clinical signs of E. coli-induced sepsis, inhibition of GzmA is sufficient to reduce inflammation and improve survival irrespectively of the presence of other inflammatory granzymes, like GzmK.
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de Jong LC, Crnko S, ten Broeke T, Bovenschen N. Noncytotoxic functions of killer cell granzymes in viral infections. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009818. [PMID: 34529743 PMCID: PMC8445437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic lymphocytes produce granules armed with a set of 5 serine proteases (granzymes (Gzms)), which, together with the pore-forming protein (perforin), serve as a major defense against viral infections in humans. This granule-exocytosis pathway subsumes a well-established mechanism in which target cell death is induced upon perforin-mediated entry of Gzms and subsequent activation of various (apoptosis) pathways. In the past decade, however, a growing body of evidence demonstrated that Gzms also inhibit viral replication and potential reactivation in cell death–independent manners. For example, Gzms can induce proteolysis of viral or host cell proteins necessary for the viral entry, release, or intracellular trafficking, as well as augment pro-inflammatory antiviral cytokine response. In this review, we summarize current evidence for the noncytotoxic mechanisms and roles by which killer cells can use Gzms to combat viral infections, and we discuss the potential thereof for the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne C. de Jong
- Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra Crnko
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Toine ten Broeke
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Niels Bovenschen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Li T, Yang C, Jing J, Sun L, Yuan Y. Granzyme K - A novel marker to identify the presence and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Int J Cardiol 2021; 338:242-247. [PMID: 34139229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2021.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune inflammatory dysfunction is a hallmark of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Granzyme K (GZMK) is involved in the regulation of inflammation. However, the correlation between GZMK expression and AAA risk remains unknown. METHODS This case-control study included 112 AAA patients and 112 controls. Serum GZMK levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry was utilized to determine GZMK expression in aortic tissues. RESULTS Compared with controls, AAA patients had higher levels of serum GZMK, and GZMK expression in AAA tissues was increased and positively associated with its serum levels (r = 0.688, P = 0.019). A positive association of serum GZMK levels with CRP or AAA diameter was confirmed, while there was a relationship between tissue GZMK expression and AAA diameter. The AUC of serum GZMK for AAA diagnosis was 0.78 with the sensitivity and specificity of 62.5% and 81.2%, whereas AUC for rupture detection was 0.76 with a sensitivity of 90.0% and specificity of 51.3%. A combination of clinically used inflammatory parameters with serum GZMK could enhance the accuracy of WBC or CRP alone in detecting AAA or rupture type. Multiple logistic analyses revealed an association of per unit increase of serum GZMK with AAA presence (OR = 1.046, P < 0.001) and its rupture risk (OR = 1.015, P = 0.048) after adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides proof that elevated GZMK expression both in serum and tissues is correlated with the presence of AAA, and serum GZMK may be a useful non-invasive marker that helps to identify AAA and its rupture risk in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Trauma Center and Department of Burns, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Jingjing Jing
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Liping Sun
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
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Bouwman AC, van Daalen KR, Crnko S, Ten Broeke T, Bovenschen N. Intracellular and Extracellular Roles of Granzyme K. Front Immunol 2021; 12:677707. [PMID: 34017346 PMCID: PMC8129556 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.677707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Granzymes are a family of serine proteases stored in granules inside cytotoxic cells of the immune system. Granzyme K (GrK) has been only limitedly characterized and knowledge on its molecular functions is emerging. Traditionally GrK is described as a granule-secreted, pro-apoptotic serine protease. However, accumulating evidence is redefining the functions of GrK by the discovery of novel intracellular (e.g. cytotoxicity, inhibition of viral replication) and extracellular roles (e.g. endothelial activation and modulation of a pro-inflammatory immune cytokine response). Moreover, elevated GrK levels are associated with disease, including viral and bacterial infections, airway inflammation and thermal injury. This review aims to summarize and discuss the current knowledge of i) intracellular and extracellular GrK activity, ii) cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic GrK functioning, iii) the role of GrK in disease, and iv) GrK as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemieke C Bouwman
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Kim R van Daalen
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Crnko
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Toine Ten Broeke
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Niels Bovenschen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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12
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Mogilenko DA, Shpynov O, Andhey PS, Arthur L, Swain A, Esaulova E, Brioschi S, Shchukina I, Kerndl M, Bambouskova M, Yao Z, Laha A, Zaitsev K, Burdess S, Gillfilan S, Stewart SA, Colonna M, Artyomov MN. Comprehensive Profiling of an Aging Immune System Reveals Clonal GZMK + CD8 + T Cells as Conserved Hallmark of Inflammaging. Immunity 2020; 54:99-115.e12. [PMID: 33271118 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Systematic understanding of immune aging on a whole-body scale is currently lacking. We characterized age-associated alterations in immune cells across multiple mouse organs using single-cell RNA and antigen receptor sequencing and flow cytometry-based validation. We defined organ-specific and common immune alterations and identified a subpopulation of age-associated granzyme K (GZMK)-expressing CD8+ T (Taa) cells that are distinct from T effector memory (Tem) cells. Taa cells were highly clonal, had specific epigenetic and transcriptional signatures, developed in response to an aged host environment, and expressed markers of exhaustion and tissue homing. Activated Taa cells were the primary source of GZMK, which enhanced inflammatory functions of non-immune cells. In humans, proportions of the circulating GZMK+CD8+ T cell population that shares transcriptional and epigenetic signatures with mouse Taa cells increased during healthy aging. These results identify GZMK+ Taa cells as a potential target to address age-associated dysfunctions of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis A Mogilenko
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Oleg Shpynov
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; JetBrains Research, Saint Petersburg 197374, Russia
| | - Prabhakar Sairam Andhey
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Laura Arthur
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Amanda Swain
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ekaterina Esaulova
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Simone Brioschi
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Irina Shchukina
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Martina Kerndl
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Institute for Vascular Biology, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology & Christian Doppler Laboratory for Arginine Metabolism in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Monika Bambouskova
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Zhangting Yao
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Anwesha Laha
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Konstantin Zaitsev
- Computer Technologies Department, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg 197101, Russia
| | - Samantha Burdess
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Susan Gillfilan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sheila A Stewart
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Maxim N Artyomov
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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13
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Garzón-Tituaña M, Arias MA, Sierra-Monzón JL, Morte-Romea E, Santiago L, Ramirez-Labrada A, Martinez-Lostao L, Paño-Pardo JR, Galvez EM, Pardo J. The Multifaceted Function of Granzymes in Sepsis: Some Facts and a Lot to Discover. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1054. [PMID: 32655547 PMCID: PMC7325996 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is a serious global health problem. In addition to a high incidence, this syndrome has a high mortality and is responsible for huge health expenditure. The pathophysiology of sepsis is very complex and it is not well-understood yet. However, it is widely accepted that the initial phase of sepsis is characterized by a hyperinflammatory response while the late phase is characterized by immunosuppression and immune anergy, increasing the risk of secondary infections. Granzymes (Gzms) are a family of serine proteases classified according to their cleavage specificity. Traditionally, it was assumed that all Gzms acted as cytotoxic proteases. However, recent evidence suggests that GzmB is the one with the greatest cytotoxic capacity, while the cytotoxicity of others such as GzmA and GzmK is not clear. Recent studies have found that GzmA, GzmB, GzmK, and GzmM act as pro-inflammatory mediators. Specially, solid evidences show that GzmA and GzmK function as extracellular proteases that regulate the inflammatory response irrespectively of its ability to induce cell death. Indeed, studies in animal models indicate that GzmA is involved in the cytokine release syndrome characteristic of sepsis. Moreover, the GZM family also could regulate other biological processes involved in sepsis pathophysiology like the coagulation cascade, platelet function, endothelial barrier permeability, and, in addition, could be involved in the immunosuppressive stage of sepsis. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on the contribution of these novel functions of Gzms to sepsis and the new therapeutic opportunities emerging from targeting these proteases for the treatment of this serious health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Garzón-Tituaña
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - José L Sierra-Monzón
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Elena Morte-Romea
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Llipsy Santiago
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ariel Ramirez-Labrada
- Nanotoxicology and Immunotoxicology Unit (UNATI), Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Luis Martinez-Lostao
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain.,Nanoscience Institute of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - José R Paño-Pardo
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Eva M Galvez
- Instituto de Carboquímica ICB-CSIC, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julián Pardo
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Nanoscience Institute of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Aragon I + D Foundation (ARAID), Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology and Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
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14
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Wang Q, Luo Q, Yang Z, Zhao YH, Li J, Wang J, Piao J, Chen X. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified six hub genes associated with rupture of intracranial aneurysms. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229308. [PMID: 32084215 PMCID: PMC7034829 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are characterized by localized dilation or ballooning of a cerebral artery. When IAs rupture, blood leaks into the space around the brain to create a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The latter is associated with a higher risk of disability and mortality. The aims of this study were to gain greater insight into the pathogenesis of ruptured IAs, and to clarify whether identified hub genes represent potential biological markers for assessing the likelihood of IA progression and rupture. Briefly, the GSE36791 and GSE73378 datasets from the National Center of Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus database were reanalyzed and subjected to a weighted gene co-expression network analysis to test the association between gene sets and clinical features. The clinical significance of these genes as potential biomarkers was also examined, with their expression validated by quantitative real-time PCR. A total of 14 co-expression modules and 238 hub genes were identified. In particular, three modules (labeled turquoise, blue, and brown) were found to highly correlate with IA rupture events. Additionally, six potential biomarkers were identified (BASP1, CEBPB, ECHDC2, GZMK, KLHL3, and SLC2A3), which are strongly associated with the progression and rupture of IAs. Taken together, these findings provide novel insights into potential molecular mechanisms responsible for IAs and they highlight the potential for these particular genes to serve as biomarkers for monitoring IA rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunhui Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Qi Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Zhongxi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Hao Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Jianmin Piao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (XC); (JP)
| | - Xuan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (XC); (JP)
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15
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Prager I, Watzl C. Mechanisms of natural killer cell-mediated cellular cytotoxicity. J Leukoc Biol 2019; 105:1319-1329. [PMID: 31107565 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.mr0718-269r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular cytotoxicity, the ability to kill other cells, is an important effector mechanism of the immune system to combat viral infections and cancer. Cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells are the major mediators of this activity. Here, we summarize the cytotoxic mechanisms of NK cells. NK cells can kill virally infected of transformed cells via the directed release of lytic granules or by inducing death receptor-mediated apoptosis via the expression of Fas ligand or TRAIL. The biogenesis of perforin and granzymes, the major components of lytic granules, is a highly regulated process to prevent damage during the synthesis of these cytotoxic molecules. Additionally, NK cells have developed several strategies to protect themselves from the cytotoxic activity of granular content upon degranulation. While granule-mediated apoptosis is a fast process, death receptor-mediated cytotoxicity requires more time. Current data suggest that these 2 cytotoxic mechanisms are regulated during the serial killing activity of NK cells. As many modern approaches of cancer immunotherapy rely on cellular cytotoxicity for their effectiveness, unraveling these pathways will be important to further progress these therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Prager
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Carsten Watzl
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
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16
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Turner CT, Zeglinski MR, Richardson KC, Zhao H, Shen Y, Papp A, Bird PI, Granville DJ. Granzyme K Expressed by Classically Activated Macrophages Contributes to Inflammation and Impaired Remodeling. J Invest Dermatol 2019; 139:930-939. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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17
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Jaime-Sánchez P, Catalán E, Uranga-Murillo I, Aguiló N, Santiago L, M Lanuza P, de Miguel D, A Arias M, Pardo J. Antigen-specific primed cytotoxic T cells eliminate tumour cells in vivo and prevent tumour development, regardless of the presence of anti-apoptotic mutations conferring drug resistance. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:1536-1548. [PMID: 29743559 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0112-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic CD8+ T (Tc) cells are the main executors of transformed and cancer cells during cancer immunotherapy. The latest clinical results evidence a high efficacy of novel immunotherapy agents that modulate Tc cell activity against bad prognosis cancers. However, it has not been determined yet whether the efficacy of these treatments can be affected by selection of tumoural cells with mutations in the cell death machinery, known to promote drug resistance and cancer recurrence. Here, using a model of prophylactic tumour vaccination based on the LCMV-gp33 antigen and the mouse EL4 T lymphoma, we analysed the molecular mechanism employed by Tc cells to eliminate cancer cells in vivo and the impact of mutations in the apoptotic machinery on tumour development. First of all, we found that Tc cells, and perf and gzmB are required to efficiently eliminate EL4.gp33 cells after LCMV immunisation during short-term assays (1-4 h), and to prevent tumour development in the long term. Furthermore, we show that antigen-pulsed chemoresistant EL4 cells overexpressing Bcl-XL or a dominant negative form of caspase-3 are specifically eliminated from the peritoneum of infected animals, as fast as parental EL4 cells. Notably, antigen-specific Tc cells control the tumour growth of the mutated cells, as efficiently as in the case of parental cells. Altogether, expression of the anti-apoptotic mutations does not confer any advantage for tumour cells neither in the short-term survival nor in long-term tumour formation. Although the mechanism involved in the elimination of the apoptosis-resistant tumour cells is not completely elucidated, neither necroptosis nor pyroptosis seem to be involved. Our results provide the first experimental proof that chemoresistant cancer cells with mutations in the main cell death pathways are efficiently eliminated by Ag-specific Tc cells in vivo during immunotherapy and, thus, provide the molecular basis to treat chemoresistant cancer cells with CD8 Tc-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Jaime-Sánchez
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), IIS Aragon/University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Elena Catalán
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Iratxe Uranga-Murillo
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), IIS Aragon/University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Nacho Aguiló
- Dept. Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Llipsy Santiago
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), IIS Aragon/University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar M Lanuza
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), IIS Aragon/University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Diego de Miguel
- Centre for Cell Death, Cancer, and Inflammation (CCCI), UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Maykel A Arias
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), IIS Aragon/University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Julián Pardo
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), IIS Aragon/University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. .,Dept. Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. .,Nanoscience Institute of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. .,Aragon I+D Foundation, Zaragoza, Spain.
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