1
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Floerchinger A, Seiffert M. Lessons learned from the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model of CLL. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:194-200. [PMID: 38839457 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
The Eµ-TCL1 mouse model has been used for over 20 years to study the pathobiology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and for preclinical testing of novel therapies. A CLL-like disease develops with increasing age in these mice due to a B cell specific overexpression of human TCL1. The reliability of this model to mirror human CLL is controversially discussed, as none of the known driver mutations identified in patients are found in Eµ-TCL1 mice. It has to be acknowledged that this mouse model was key to develop targeted therapies that aim at inhibiting the constitutive B cell receptor (BCR) signaling, a main driver of CLL. Inhibitors of BCR signaling became standard-of-care for a large proportion of patients with CLL as they are highly effective. The Eµ-TCL1 model further advanced our understanding of CLL biology owed to studies that crossed this mouse line with various transgenic mouse models and demonstrated the relevance of CLL-cell intrinsic and -extrinsic drivers of disease. These studies were instrumental in showing the relevance of the tumor microenvironment in the lymphoid tissues for disease progression and immune escape in CLL. It became clear that CLL cells shape and rely on stromal and immune cells, and that immune suppressive mechanisms and T cell exhaustion contribute to CLL progression. Based on this knowledge, new immunotherapy strategies were clinically tested for CLL, but so far with disappointing results. As some of these therapies were effective in the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model, the question arose concerning the translatability of preclinical studies in these mice. The aim of this review is to summarize lessons we have learnt over the last decades by studying CLL-like disease in the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model. The article focuses on pitfalls and limitations of the model, as well as the gained knowledge and potential of using this model for the development of novel treatment strategies to achieve the goal of curing patients with CLL.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Mice
- Disease Models, Animal
- Humans
- Mice, Transgenic
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Floerchinger
- Department of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences of the University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Seiffert
- Department of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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Camerini E, Amsen D, Kater AP, Peters FS. The complexities of T-cell dysfunction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:163-171. [PMID: 38782635 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.04.001] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by profound alterations and defects in the T-cell compartment. This observation has gained renewed interest as T-cell treatment strategies, which are successfully applied in more aggressive B-cell malignancies, have yielded disappointing results in CLL. Despite ongoing efforts to understand and address the observed T-cell defects, the exact mechanisms and nature underlying this dysfunction remain largely unknown. In this review, we examine the supporting signals from T cells to CLL cells in the lymph node niche, summarize key findings on T-cell functional defects, delve into potential underlying causes, and explore novel strategies for reversing these deficiencies. Our goal is to identify strategies aimed at resolving CLL-induced T-cell dysfunction which, in the future, will enhance the efficacy of autologous T-cell-based therapies for CLL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Camerini
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Derk Amsen
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory for Blood Cell Research at Sanquin, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Fleur S Peters
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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3
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Koehrer S, Burger JA. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Disease Biology. Acta Haematol 2023; 147:8-21. [PMID: 37717577 DOI: 10.1159/000533610] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling is crucial for normal B-cell development and adaptive immunity. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the malignant B cells display many features of normal mature B lymphocytes, including the expression of functional B-cell receptors (BCRs). Cross talk between CLL cells and the microenvironment in secondary lymphatic organs results in BCR signaling and BCR-driven proliferation of the CLL cells. This critical pathomechanism can be targeted by blocking BCR-related kinases (BTK, PI3K, spleen tyrosine kinase) using small-molecule inhibitors. Among these targets, Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have the highest therapeutic efficacy; they effectively block leukemia cell proliferation and generally induce durable remissions in CLL patients, even in patients with high-risk disease. By disrupting tissue homing receptor (i.e., chemokine receptor and adhesion molecule) signaling, these kinase inhibitors also mobilize CLL cells from the lymphatic tissues into the peripheral blood (PB), causing a transient redistribution lymphocytosis, thereby depriving CLL cells from nurturing factors within the tissue niches. SUMMARY The clinical success of the BTK inhibitors in CLL underscores the central importance of the BCR in CLL pathogenesis. Here, we review CLL pathogenesis with a focus on the role of the BCR and other microenvironment cues. KEY MESSAGES (i) CLL cells rely on signals from their microenvironment for proliferation and survival. (ii) These signals are mediated by the BCR as well as chemokine and integrin receptors and their respective ligands. (iii) Targeting the CLL/microenvironment interaction with small-molecule inhibitors provides a highly effective treatment strategy, even in high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Koehrer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Klinik Donaustadt, Vienna, Austria
- Labdia Labordiagnostik, Clinical Genetics, Vienna, Austria
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan A Burger
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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4
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Coyne V, Mead HL, Mongini PKA, Barker BM. B Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Development in Mice with Chronic Lung Exposure to Coccidioides Fungal Arthroconidia. Immunohorizons 2023; 7:333-352. [PMID: 37195872 PMCID: PMC10579974 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2300013] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Links between repeated microbial infections and B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) have been proposed but not tested directly. This study examines how prolonged exposure to a human fungal pathogen impacts B-CLL development in Eµ-hTCL1-transgenic mice. Monthly lung exposure to inactivated Coccidioides arthroconidia, agents of Valley fever, altered leukemia development in a species-specific manner, with Coccidioides posadasii hastening B-CLL diagnosis/progression in a fraction of mice and Coccidioides immitis delaying aggressive B-CLL development, despite fostering more rapid monoclonal B cell lymphocytosis. Overall survival did not differ significantly between control and C. posadasii-treated cohorts but was significantly extended in C. immitis-exposed mice. In vivo doubling time analyses of pooled B-CLL showed no difference in growth rates of early and late leukemias. However, within C. immitis-treated mice, B-CLL manifests longer doubling times, as compared with B-CLL in control or C. posadasii-treated mice, and/or evidence of clonal contraction over time. Through linear regression, positive relationships were noted between circulating levels of CD5+/B220low B cells and hematopoietic cells previously linked to B-CLL growth, albeit in a cohort-specific manner. Neutrophils were positively linked to accelerated growth in mice exposed to either Coccidioides species, but not in control mice. Conversely, only C. posadasii-exposed and control cohorts displayed positive links between CD5+/B220low B cell frequency and abundance of M2 anti-inflammatory monocytes and T cells. The current study provides evidence that chronic lung exposure to fungal arthroconidia affects B-CLL development in a manner dependent on fungal genotype. Correlative studies suggest that fungal species differences in the modulation of nonleukemic hematopoietic cells are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Coyne
- Pathogen Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
| | - Heather L. Mead
- Pathogen Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
| | | | - Bridget M. Barker
- Pathogen Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
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5
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Reddi RN, Rogel A, Gabizon R, Rawale DG, Harish B, Marom S, Tivon B, Arbel YS, Gurwicz N, Oren R, David K, Liu J, Duberstein S, Itkin M, Malitsky S, Barr H, Katz BZ, Herishanu Y, Shachar I, Shulman Z, London N. Sulfamate Acetamides as Self-Immolative Electrophiles for Covalent Ligand-Directed Release Chemistry. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:3346-3360. [PMID: 36738297 PMCID: PMC9936582 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c08853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Electrophiles for covalent inhibitors that are suitable for in vivo administration are rare. While acrylamides are prevalent in FDA-approved covalent drugs, chloroacetamides are considered too reactive for such purposes. We report sulfamate-based electrophiles that maintain chloroacetamide-like geometry with tunable reactivity. In the context of the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib, sulfamate analogues showed low reactivity with comparable potency in protein labeling, in vitro, and cellular kinase activity assays and were effective in a mouse model of CLL. In a second example, we converted a chloroacetamide Pin1 inhibitor to a potent and selective sulfamate acetamide with improved buffer stability. Finally, we show that sulfamate acetamides can be used for covalent ligand-directed release (CoLDR) chemistry, both for the generation of "turn-on" probes as well as for traceless ligand-directed site-specific labeling of proteins. Taken together, this chemistry represents a promising addition to the list of electrophiles suitable for in vivo covalent targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rambabu N. Reddi
- Dept.
of Chemical and Structural Biology, The
Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel,
| | - Adi Rogel
- Dept.
of Chemical and Structural Biology, The
Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ronen Gabizon
- Dept.
of Chemical and Structural Biology, The
Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Dattatraya Gautam Rawale
- Dept.
of Chemical and Structural Biology, The
Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Battu Harish
- Dept.
of Chemical and Structural Biology, The
Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Shir Marom
- Dept.
of Chemical and Structural Biology, The
Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Barr Tivon
- Dept.
of Chemical and Structural Biology, The
Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yamit Shorer Arbel
- Sackler
Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Neta Gurwicz
- Dept.
of Systems Immunology, The Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Roni Oren
- Department
of Veterinary Resources, The Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Keren David
- Dept.
of Systems Immunology, The Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Dept.
of Systems Immunology, The Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Shirly Duberstein
- Wohl
Institute for Drug Discovery of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel
National Center for Personalized Medicine, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Maxim Itkin
- Life Sciences
Core Facilities, The Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Sergey Malitsky
- Life Sciences
Core Facilities, The Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Haim Barr
- Wohl
Institute for Drug Discovery of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel
National Center for Personalized Medicine, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ben-Zion Katz
- Sackler
Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel,Department
of Hematology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical
Center, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel
| | - Yair Herishanu
- Sackler
Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel,Department
of Hematology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical
Center, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel
| | - Idit Shachar
- Dept.
of Systems Immunology, The Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ziv Shulman
- Dept.
of Systems Immunology, The Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Nir London
- Dept.
of Chemical and Structural Biology, The
Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel,
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6
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David K, Friedlander G, Pellegrino B, Radomir L, Lewinsky H, Leng L, Bucala R, Becker-Herman S, Shachar I. CD74 as a regulator of transcription in normal B cells. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111572. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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7
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Shi J, Wang L, Yin X, Wang L, Bo L, Liu K, Feng K, Lin S, Xu Y, Ning S, Zhao H. Comprehensive characterization of clonality of driver genes revealing their clinical relevance in colorectal cancer. Lab Invest 2022; 20:362. [PMID: 35962343 PMCID: PMC9373375 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03529-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Genomic studies of colorectal cancer have revealed the complex genomic heterogeneity of the tumor. The acquisition and selection of genomic alterations may be critical to understanding the initiation and progression of this disease. Methods In this study, we have systematically characterized the clonal architecture of 97 driver genes in 536 colorectal cancer patients from TCGA. Results A high proportion of clonal mutations in 93 driver genes were observed. 40 genes showed significant associations between their clonality and multiple clinicopathologic factors. Kaplan–Meier analysis suggested that the mutation clonality of ANK1, CASP8, SMAD2, and ARID1A had a significant impact on the CRC patients' outcomes. Multivariable analysis revealed that subclonal ANK1 mutations, clonal CASP8 mutations, and clonal SMAD2 mutations independently predicted for shorter overall survival after adjusting for clinicopathological factors. The poor outcome of the subclonal ANK1 mutation may be caused by upregulation of IL4I1, IDO1, IFNG and MAPK12 which showed potential roles in tumor immune evasion through accumulation of immunosuppressive cells such as regulatory T cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells. Conclusion These results suggested that the clonality of driver genes could act as prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets in human colorectal cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03529-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Shi
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.,Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Xiangzhe Yin
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Lixia Wang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Lin Bo
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Kailai Liu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Ke Feng
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Shihua Lin
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yanjun Xu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Shangwei Ning
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Hongying Zhao
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
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8
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Ogran A, Havkin-Solomon T, Becker-Herman S, David K, Shachar I, Dikstein R. Polysome-CAGE of TCL1-driven chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed multiple N-terminally altered epigenetic regulators and a translation stress signature. eLife 2022; 11:77714. [PMID: 35939046 PMCID: PMC9359700 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77714] [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: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The transformation of normal to malignant cells is accompanied by substantial changes in gene expression programs through diverse mechanisms. Here, we examined the changes in the landscape of transcription start sites and alternative promoter (AP) usage and their impact on the translatome in TCL1-driven chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Our findings revealed a marked elevation of APs in CLL B cells from Eµ-Tcl1 transgenic mice, which are particularly enriched with intra-genic promoters that generate N-terminally truncated or modified proteins. Intra-genic promoter activation is mediated by (1) loss of function of ‘closed chromatin’ epigenetic regulators due to the generation of inactive N-terminally modified isoforms or reduced expression; (2) upregulation of transcription factors, including c-Myc, targeting the intra-genic promoters and their associated enhancers. Exogenous expression of Tcl1 in MEFs is sufficient to induce intra-genic promoters of epigenetic regulators and promote c-Myc expression. We further found a dramatic translation downregulation of transcripts bearing CNY cap-proximal trinucleotides, reminiscent of cells undergoing metabolic stress. These findings uncovered the role of Tcl1 oncogenic function in altering promoter usage and mRNA translation in leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Ogran
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tal Havkin-Solomon
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Keren David
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Idit Shachar
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Rivka Dikstein
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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9
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Integrin Signaling Shaping BTK-Inhibitor Resistance. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142235. [PMID: 35883678 PMCID: PMC9322986 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142235] [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: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrins are adhesion molecules that function as anchors in retaining tumor cells in supportive tissues and facilitating metastasis. Beta1 integrins are known to contribute to cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance in cancer. Very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), a CD49d/CD29 heterodimer, is a beta1 integrin implicated in therapy resistance in both solid tumors and haematological malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). A complex inside-out signaling mechanism activates VLA-4, which might include several therapeutic targets for CLL. Treatment regimens for this disease have recently shifted towards novel agents targeting BCR signaling. Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a component of B cell receptor signaling and BTK inhibitors such as ibrutinib are highly successful; however, their limitations include indefinite drug administration, the development of therapy resistance, and toxicities. VLA-4 might be activated independently of BTK, resulting in an ongoing interaction of CD49d-expressing leukemic cells with their surrounding tissue, which may reduce the success of therapy with BTK inhibitors and increases the need for alternative therapies. In this context, we discuss the inside-out signaling cascade culminating in VLA-4 activation, consider the advantages and disadvantages of BTK inhibitors in CLL and elucidate the mechanisms behind cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance.
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10
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Allard D, Chrobak P, Bareche Y, Allard B, Tessier P, Bergeron MA, Johnson NA, Stagg J. CD73 Promotes Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133130. [PMID: 35804900 PMCID: PMC9264813 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133130] [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: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Many patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) still fail current therapies. CD73 is a novel therapeutic target for solid tumors, but its role in CLL remains unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting CD73 in CLL. Using genetically engineered mice, our study reports a pro-leukemic role for CD73 in an autochthonous mouse model of CLL. Furthermore, we observed an association between PD-L1 expression on CLL cells and adenosine signaling according to sex. Our findings provide a rationale for targeting CD73 in CLL in combination with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies and suggest that sex may contribute to responses to adenosine-targeting agents. Abstract The ecto-nucleotidase CD73 is an important immune checkpoint in tumor immunity that cooperates with CD39 to hydrolyze pro-inflammatory extracellular ATP into immunosuppressive adenosine. While the role of CD73 in immune evasion of solid cancers is well established, its role in leukemia remains unclear. To investigate the role of CD73 in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Eµ-TCL1 transgenic mice that spontaneously develop CLL were crossed with CD73−/− mice. Disease progression in peripheral blood and spleen, and CLL markers were evaluated by flow cytometry and survival was compared to CD73-proficient Eµ-TCL1 transgenic mice. We observed that CD73 deficiency significantly delayed CLL progression and prolonged survival in Eµ-TCL1 transgenic mice, and was associated with increased accumulation of IFN-γ+ T cells and effector-memory CD8+ T cells. Neutralizing IFN-γ abrogated the survival advantage of CD73-deficient Eµ-TCL1 mice. Intriguingly, the beneficial effects of CD73 deletion were restricted to male mice. In females, CD73 deficiency was uniquely associated with the upregulation of CD39 in normal lymphocytes and sustained high PD-L1 expression on CLL cells. In vitro studies revealed that adenosine signaling via the A2a receptor enhanced PD-L1 expression on Eµ-TCL1-derived CLL cells, and a genomic analysis of human CLL samples found that PD-L1 correlated with adenosine signaling. Our study, thus, identified CD73 as a pro-leukemic immune checkpoint in CLL and uncovered a previously unknown sex bias for the CD73-adenosine pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Allard
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (D.A.); (P.C.); (Y.B.); (B.A.); (P.T.); (M.A.B.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Faculté de Pharmacie, l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Pavel Chrobak
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (D.A.); (P.C.); (Y.B.); (B.A.); (P.T.); (M.A.B.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Yacine Bareche
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (D.A.); (P.C.); (Y.B.); (B.A.); (P.T.); (M.A.B.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Faculté de Pharmacie, l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Bertrand Allard
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (D.A.); (P.C.); (Y.B.); (B.A.); (P.T.); (M.A.B.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Priscilla Tessier
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (D.A.); (P.C.); (Y.B.); (B.A.); (P.T.); (M.A.B.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Marjorie A. Bergeron
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (D.A.); (P.C.); (Y.B.); (B.A.); (P.T.); (M.A.B.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Faculté de Pharmacie, l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Nathalie A. Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada;
| | - John Stagg
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (D.A.); (P.C.); (Y.B.); (B.A.); (P.T.); (M.A.B.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Faculté de Pharmacie, l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Correspondence:
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11
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In Vitro and In Vivo Models of CLL–T Cell Interactions: Implications for Drug Testing. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133087. [PMID: 35804862 PMCID: PMC9264798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133087] [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: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells in the peripheral blood and lymphoid microenvironment display substantially different gene expression profiles and proliferative capaci-ty. It has been suggested that CLL–T-cell interactions are key pro-proliferative stimuli in immune niches. We review in vitro and in vivo model systems that mimic CLL-T-cell interactions to trigger CLL proliferation and study therapy resistance. We focus on studies describing the co-culture of leukemic cells with T cells, or supportive cell lines expressing T-cell factors, and simplified models of CLL cells’ stimulation with recombinant factors. In the second part, we summarize mouse models revealing the role of T cells in CLL biology and implications for generating patient-derived xenografts by co-transplanting leukemic cells with T cells. Abstract T cells are key components in environments that support chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), activating CLL-cell proliferation and survival. Here, we review in vitro and in vivo model systems that mimic CLL–T-cell interactions, since these are critical for CLL-cell division and resistance to some types of therapy (such as DNA-damaging drugs or BH3-mimetic venetoclax). We discuss approaches for direct CLL-cell co-culture with autologous T cells, models utilizing supportive cell lines engineered to express T-cell factors (such as CD40L) or stimulating CLL cells with combinations of recombinant factors (CD40L, interleukins IL4 or IL21, INFγ) and additional B-cell receptor (BCR) activation with anti-IgM antibody. We also summarize strategies for CLL co-transplantation with autologous T cells into immunodeficient mice (NOD/SCID, NSG, NOG) to generate patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and the role of T cells in transgenic CLL mouse models based on TCL1 overexpression (Eµ-TCL1). We further discuss how these in vitro and in vivo models could be used to test drugs to uncover the effects of targeted therapies (such as inhibitors of BTK, PI3K, SYK, AKT, MEK, CDKs, BCL2, and proteasome) or chemotherapy (fludarabine and bendamustine) on CLL–T-cell interactions and CLL proliferation.
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12
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Interleukin-10 receptor signaling promotes the maintenance of a PD-1 int TCF-1 + CD8 + T cell population that sustains anti-tumor immunity. Immunity 2021; 54:2825-2841.e10. [PMID: 34879221 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
T cell exhaustion limits anti-tumor immunity and responses to immunotherapy. Here, we explored the microenvironmental signals regulating T cell exhaustion using a model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Single-cell analyses identified a subset of PD-1hi, functionally impaired CD8+ T cells that accumulated in secondary lymphoid organs during disease progression and a functionally competent PD-1int subset. Frequencies of PD-1int TCF-1+ CD8+ T cells decreased upon Il10rb or Stat3 deletion, leading to accumulation of PD-1hi cells and accelerated tumor progression. Mechanistically, inhibition of IL-10R signaling altered chromatin accessibility and disrupted cooperativity between the transcription factors NFAT and AP-1, promoting a distinct NFAT-associated program. Low IL10 expression or loss of IL-10R-STAT3 signaling correlated with increased frequencies of exhausted CD8+ T cells and poor survival in CLL and in breast cancer patients. Thus, balance between PD-1hi, exhausted CD8+ T cells and functional PD-1int TCF-1+ CD8+ T cells is regulated by cell-intrinsic IL-10R signaling, with implications for immunotherapy.
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13
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Alankus B, Ecker V, Vahl N, Braun M, Weichert W, Macher-Göppinger S, Gehring T, Neumayer T, Zenz T, Buchner M, Ruland J. Pathological RANK signaling in B cells drives autoimmunity and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. J Exp Med 2021; 218:211464. [PMID: 33075129 PMCID: PMC7868734 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical evidence suggests alterations in receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) signaling are key contributors to B cell autoimmunity and malignancy, but the pathophysiological consequences of aberrant B cell–intrinsic RANK signaling remain unknown. We generated mice that express a human lymphoma–derived, hyperactive RANKK240E variant in B lymphocytes in vivo. Forced RANK signaling disrupted B cell tolerance and induced a fully penetrant systemic lupus erythematosus–like disease in addition to the development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Importantly, RANKK240E transgenic CLL cells as well as CLL cells of independent murine and of human origin depend on microenvironmental RANK ligand (RANKL) for tumor cell survival. Consequently, inhibition of the RANKL–RANK axis with anti-RANKL antibodies killed murine and human CLL cells in vitro and in vivo. These results establish pathological B cell–intrinsic RANK signaling as a potential driver of autoimmunity and B cell malignancy, and they suggest the exploitation of clinically available anti-RANKL compounds for CLL treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begüm Alankus
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Veronika Ecker
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nathalie Vahl
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martina Braun
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wilko Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Torben Gehring
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tanja Neumayer
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thorsten Zenz
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maike Buchner
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Ruland
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Munich, Germany
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14
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Parigger T, Gassner FJ, Scherhäufl C, Bakar AA, Höpner JP, Hödlmoser A, Steiner M, Catakovic K, Geisberger R, Greil R, Zaborsky N. Evidence for Non-Cancer-Specific T Cell Exhaustion in the Tcl1 Mouse Model for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136648. [PMID: 34206229 PMCID: PMC8268419 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The reinvigoration of anti-cancer immunity by immune checkpoint therapies has greatly improved cancer treatment. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), patients as well as in the Tcl1 mouse model for CLL, PD1-expressing, exhausted T cells significantly expand alongside CLL development; nevertheless, PD1 inhibition has no clinical benefit. Hence, exhausted T cells are either not activatable by simple PD1 blocking in CLL and/or only an insufficient number of exhausted T cells are CLL-specific. In this study, we examined the latter hypothesis by exploiting the Tcl1 transgenic CLL mouse model in combination with TCR transgene expression specific for a non-cancer antigen. Following CLL tumor development, increased PD1 levels were detected on non-CLL specific T cells that seem dependent on the presence of (tumor-) antigen-specific T cells. Transcriptome analysis confirmed a similar exhaustion phenotype of non-CLL specific and endogenous PD1pos T cells. Our results indicate that in the CLL mouse model, a substantial fraction of non-CLL specific T cells becomes exhausted during disease progression in a bystander effect. These findings have important implications for the general efficacy assessment of immune checkpoint therapies in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Parigger
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute—Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.P.); (F.J.G.); (C.S.); (A.A.B.); (J.P.H.); (A.H.); (M.S.); (K.C.); (R.G.)
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron-University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Franz Josef Gassner
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute—Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.P.); (F.J.G.); (C.S.); (A.A.B.); (J.P.H.); (A.H.); (M.S.); (K.C.); (R.G.)
| | - Christian Scherhäufl
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute—Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.P.); (F.J.G.); (C.S.); (A.A.B.); (J.P.H.); (A.H.); (M.S.); (K.C.); (R.G.)
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron-University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Aryunni Abu Bakar
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute—Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.P.); (F.J.G.); (C.S.); (A.A.B.); (J.P.H.); (A.H.); (M.S.); (K.C.); (R.G.)
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron-University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jan Philip Höpner
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute—Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.P.); (F.J.G.); (C.S.); (A.A.B.); (J.P.H.); (A.H.); (M.S.); (K.C.); (R.G.)
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron-University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alexandra Hödlmoser
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute—Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.P.); (F.J.G.); (C.S.); (A.A.B.); (J.P.H.); (A.H.); (M.S.); (K.C.); (R.G.)
| | - Markus Steiner
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute—Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.P.); (F.J.G.); (C.S.); (A.A.B.); (J.P.H.); (A.H.); (M.S.); (K.C.); (R.G.)
| | - Kemal Catakovic
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute—Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.P.); (F.J.G.); (C.S.); (A.A.B.); (J.P.H.); (A.H.); (M.S.); (K.C.); (R.G.)
| | - Roland Geisberger
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute—Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.P.); (F.J.G.); (C.S.); (A.A.B.); (J.P.H.); (A.H.); (M.S.); (K.C.); (R.G.)
- Correspondence: (R.G.); (N.Z.)
| | - Richard Greil
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute—Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.P.); (F.J.G.); (C.S.); (A.A.B.); (J.P.H.); (A.H.); (M.S.); (K.C.); (R.G.)
| | - Nadja Zaborsky
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute—Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.P.); (F.J.G.); (C.S.); (A.A.B.); (J.P.H.); (A.H.); (M.S.); (K.C.); (R.G.)
- Correspondence: (R.G.); (N.Z.)
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Schubert M, Gassner FJ, Huemer M, Höpner JP, Akimova E, Steiner M, Egle A, Greil R, Zaborsky N, Geisberger R. AID Contributes to Accelerated Disease Progression in the TCL1 Mouse Transplant Model for CLL. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112619. [PMID: 34073525 PMCID: PMC8198502 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112619] [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: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancers, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, frequently acquire consecutive somatic mutations in the genome, which contribute to disease progression and treatment resistance. Activation-induced deaminase is an enzyme responsible for generating the highly diverse B cell repertoire but it can also induce substantial collateral damage within the genome of cells. Hence, it is important to assess whether AID contributes to cancer mutations and to the course of disease. This research shows that AID contributes to the acquisition of somatic cancer-specific mutations in a mouse model for chronic lymphocytic leukemia reflected in prolonged overall survival of leukemic mice lacking AID expression. These data should initiate future studies to assess the effect of AID inhibition on the occurrence of drug resistance. Abstract Adaptive somatic mutations conferring treatment resistance and accelerated disease progression is still a major problem in cancer therapy. Additionally in CLL, patients receiving novel, efficient drugs frequently become treatment refractory and eventually relapse. Activation-induced deaminase (AID) is a cytosine deaminase that catalyzes somatic hypermutation of genomic DNA at the immunoglobulin locus in activated B cells. As considerable off-target mutations by AID have been discerned in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, it is essential to investigate to which extent these mutations contribute to disease progression to estimate whether AID inhibition could counteract drug resistance mechanisms. In this study, we examined the TCL1 mouse model for CLL on an AID pro- and deficient background by comparing disease development and mutational landscapes. We provide evidence that AID contributes to the acquisition of somatic cancer-specific mutations also in the TCL1 model and accelerates CLL development particularly in the transplant setting. We conclude that AID is directly determining the fitness of the CLL clone, which prompts further studies to assess the effect of AID inhibition on the occurrence of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Schubert
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.S.); (F.J.G.); (M.H.); (J.P.H.); (E.A.); (M.S.); (A.E.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
| | - Franz Josef Gassner
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.S.); (F.J.G.); (M.H.); (J.P.H.); (E.A.); (M.S.); (A.E.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
| | - Michael Huemer
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.S.); (F.J.G.); (M.H.); (J.P.H.); (E.A.); (M.S.); (A.E.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Biosciences, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jan Philip Höpner
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.S.); (F.J.G.); (M.H.); (J.P.H.); (E.A.); (M.S.); (A.E.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Biosciences, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ekaterina Akimova
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.S.); (F.J.G.); (M.H.); (J.P.H.); (E.A.); (M.S.); (A.E.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Biosciences, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Markus Steiner
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.S.); (F.J.G.); (M.H.); (J.P.H.); (E.A.); (M.S.); (A.E.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
| | - Alexander Egle
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.S.); (F.J.G.); (M.H.); (J.P.H.); (E.A.); (M.S.); (A.E.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
| | - Richard Greil
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.S.); (F.J.G.); (M.H.); (J.P.H.); (E.A.); (M.S.); (A.E.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
| | - Nadja Zaborsky
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.S.); (F.J.G.); (M.H.); (J.P.H.); (E.A.); (M.S.); (A.E.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
| | - Roland Geisberger
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.S.); (F.J.G.); (M.H.); (J.P.H.); (E.A.); (M.S.); (A.E.); (R.G.); (N.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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16
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Lemasson Q, Akil H, Feuillard J, Vincent-Fabert C. Genetically Engineered Mouse Models Support a Major Role of Immune Checkpoint-Dependent Immunosurveillance Escape in B-Cell Lymphomas. Front Immunol 2021; 12:669964. [PMID: 34113345 PMCID: PMC8186831 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.669964] [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: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
These last 20 years, research on immune tumor microenvironment led to identify some critical recurrent mechanisms used in cancer to escape immune response. Through immune checkpoints, which are cell surface molecules involved in the immune system control, it is now established that tumor cells are able to shutdown the immune response. Due to the complexity and heterogeneity of Non Hodgkin B-cell Lymphomas (NHBLs), it is difficult to understand the precise mechanisms of immune escape and to explain the mitigated effect of immune checkpoints blockade for their treatment. Because genetically engineered mouse models are very reliable tools to improve our understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in B-cell transformation and, at the same time, can be useful preclinical models to predict immune response, we reviewed hereafter some of these models that highlight the immune escape mechanisms of NHBLs and open perspectives on future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Lemasson
- UMR CNRS 7276/INSERM U1262 CRIBL, University of Limoges, Limoges, France.,Hematology Laboratory of Dupuytren Hospital University Center (CHU) of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Hussein Akil
- UMR CNRS 7276/INSERM U1262 CRIBL, University of Limoges, Limoges, France.,Hematology Laboratory of Dupuytren Hospital University Center (CHU) of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Jean Feuillard
- UMR CNRS 7276/INSERM U1262 CRIBL, University of Limoges, Limoges, France.,Hematology Laboratory of Dupuytren Hospital University Center (CHU) of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Christelle Vincent-Fabert
- UMR CNRS 7276/INSERM U1262 CRIBL, University of Limoges, Limoges, France.,Hematology Laboratory of Dupuytren Hospital University Center (CHU) of Limoges, Limoges, France
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17
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Arruga F, Serra S, Vitale N, Guerra G, Papait A, Baffour Gyau B, Tito F, Efremov D, Vaisitti T, Deaglio S. Targeting of the A2A adenosine receptor counteracts immunosuppression in vivo in a mouse model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Haematologica 2021; 106:1343-1353. [PMID: 32299906 PMCID: PMC8094100 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.242016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor immunosuppression is a major cause for treatment failure and disease relapse, both in solid tumors and leukemia. Local hypoxia is among the conditions that cause immunosuppression, acting at least in part through the upregulation of extracellular adenosine levels, which potently suppress T cell responses and skew macrophages towards an M2 phenotype. Hence, there is intense investigation to identify drugs that target this axis. By using the TCL1 adoptive transfer CLL mouse model, we show that adenosine production and signaling are upregulated in the hypoxic lymphoid niches, where intense colonization of leukemic cells occurs. This leads to a progressive remodeling of the immune system towards tolerance, with expansion of T regulatory cells (Tregs), loss of CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity and differentiation of murine macrophages towards the patrolling (M2-like) subset. In vivo administration of SCH58261, an inhibitor the A2A adenosine receptor, re-awakens T cell responses, while limiting Tregs expansion, and re-polarizes monocytes towards the inflammatory (M1-like) phenotype. These results show for the first time the in vivo contribution of adenosine signaling to immune tolerance in CLL, and the translational implication of drugs interrupting this pathway. Although the effects of SCH58261 on leukemic cells are limited, interfering with adenosine signaling may represent an appealing strategy for combination-based therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Arruga
- Lab of Cancer Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sara Serra
- Lab of Cancer Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Vitale
- Lab of Cancer Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Guerra
- Lab of Cancer Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Papait
- Lab of Cancer Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Benjamin Baffour Gyau
- Lab of Cancer Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Tito
- Lab of Cancer Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Tiziana Vaisitti
- Lab of Cancer Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Deaglio
- Lab of Cancer Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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18
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Peters FS, Strefford JC, Eldering E, Kater AP. T-cell dysfunction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia from an epigenetic perspective. Haematologica 2021; 106:1234-1243. [PMID: 33691381 PMCID: PMC8586819 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.267914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [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: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapeutic approaches such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) thus far have not met the high expectations. Therefore it is essential to better understand the molecular mechanisms of CLLinduced T-cell dysfunction. Even though a significant number of studies are available on T-cell function and dysfunction in CLL patients, none examine dysfunction at the epigenomic level. In non-malignant T-cell research, epigenomics is widely employed to define the differentiation pathway into T-cell exhaustion. Additionally, metabolic restrictions in the tumor microenvironment that cause T-cell dysfunction are often mediated by epigenetic changes. With this review paper we argue that understanding the epigenetic (dys)regulation in T cells of CLL patients should be leveled to the knowledge we currently have of the neoplastic B cells themselves. This will permit a complete understanding of how these immune cell interactions regulate T- and B-cell function. Here we relate the cellular and phenotypic characteristics of CLL-induced T-cell dysfunction to epigenetic studies of T-cell regulation emerging from chronic viral infection and tumor models. This paper proposes a framework for future studies into the epigenetic regulation of CLL-induced Tcell dysfunction, knowledge that will help to guide improvements in the utility of autologous T-cell based therapies in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur S Peters
- Experimental Immunology; Departments of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Amsterdam Institute of Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands and.
| | - Jonathan C Strefford
- Departments of Academic Unit of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Eric Eldering
- Experimental Immunology; Departments of Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Amsterdam Institute of Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Departments of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Amsterdam Institute of Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands and
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19
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Puzzolo MC, Del Giudice I, Peragine N, Mariglia P, De Propris MS, Cappelli LV, Trentin L, Reda G, Cuneo A, Molica S, Piciocchi A, Arena V, Mauro FR, Guarini A, Foà R. TH2/TH1 Shift Under Ibrutinib Treatment in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Front Oncol 2021; 11:637186. [PMID: 33937038 PMCID: PMC8082026 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.637186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ibrutinib may revert the T-helper (Th)2 polarization observed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by targeting the IL-2-inducible kinase, that shows a significant homology with the Bruton tyrosine kinase. In the front-line GIMEMA LLC1114 trial (ibrutinib+rituximab for 6 months, followed by ibrutinib maintenance), we investigated the modulation of T-cell cytokine production in 208 peripheral blood paired samples from 71 CLL patients: 71 samples prior to treatment (Day 0, D0) and at day +14 (D14; n=50), at month +8 (M8; 30), +12 (M12; 25), +18 (M18; 22) and +24 (M24; 10) of treatment. We documented a progressive decrease of CD3+CD4+IL-4+ T cells (Th2), that was significant at M8 and at M12 (p=0.019, p=0.002), a relative increase in the CD3+CD4+IFNγ+ T cells (Th1) and a decrease of CD3+CD4+IL-17+ (Th17) cells that was maintained up to M18 (M8 vs D0 p=0.003, M12 vs D0 p=0.003, M18 vs D0 p=0.004) of ibrutinib treatment. The Th2/Th1 ratio significantly decreased already after 14 days of treatment and was maintained thereafter (D14 vs D0 p=0.037, M8 vs D0 p=0.001, M12 vs D0 p=0.005, M18 vs D0 p=0.002). The Th2/Th1 modulation over time was significant only among patients with unmutated IGHV. The Th2/Th1 ratio below a cut-off of 0.088 at M8 was associated with the achievement of a complete response (CR) (p=0.016). Ibrutinib may shape the CLL T-cell profile, limiting Th2 activation and inducing a shift in the Th2/Th1 ratio. The association between the Th2/Th1 ratio decrease and the CR achievement suggests the in vivo generation of a potential host anti-tumor immune activation induced by ibrutinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Puzzolo
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Del Giudice
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Peragine
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Mariglia
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luca Vincenzo Cappelli
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gianluigi Reda
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Cuneo
- Hematology Section, Department of Medical Science, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Arcispedale S. Anna, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefano Molica
- Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera "Pugliese Ciaccio", Presidio Ospedaliero A. Pugliese - Unità Operativa di Ematologia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesca Romana Mauro
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Guarini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Robin Foà
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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20
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Hanna BS, Yazdanparast H, Demerdash Y, Roessner PM, Schulz R, Lichter P, Stilgenbauer S, Seiffert M. Combining ibrutinib and checkpoint blockade improves CD8+ T-cell function and control of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Em-TCL1 mice. Haematologica 2021; 106:968-977. [PMID: 32139435 PMCID: PMC8017821 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.238154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ibrutinib is a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor approved for the treatment of multiple B-cell malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In addition to blocking B-cell receptor signaling and chemokine receptor-mediated pathways in CLL cells, that are known drivers of disease, ibrutinib also affects the microenvironment in CLL via targeting BTK in myeloid cells and IL-2–inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) in T cells. These non-BTK effects were suggested to contribute to the success of ibrutinib in CLL. By using the Eμ-TCL1 adoptive transfer mouse model of CLL, we observed that ibrutinib effectively controls leukemia development, but also results in significantly lower numbers of CD8+ effector T cells, with lower expression of activation markers, as well as impaired proliferation and effector function. Using CD8+ T cells from a T-cell receptor (TCR) reporter mouse, we verified that this is due to a direct effect of ibrutinib on TCR activity, and demonstrate that co-stimulation via CD28 overcomes these effects. Most interestingly, combination of ibrutinib with blocking antibodies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 axis in vivo improved CD8+ T-cell effector function and control of CLL. In summary, these data emphasize the strong immunomodulatory effects of ibrutinib and the therapeutic potential of its combination with immune checkpoint blockade in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bola S Hanna
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Yasmin Demerdash
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp M Roessner
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralph Schulz
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Lichter
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Martina Seiffert
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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21
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IL4I1-driven AHR signature: a new avenue for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:118. [PMID: 33692337 PMCID: PMC7946875 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00529-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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22
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Vlachonikola E, Stamatopoulos K, Chatzidimitriou A. T Cells in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Two-Edged Sword. Front Immunol 2021; 11:612244. [PMID: 33552073 PMCID: PMC7857025 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.612244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a malignancy of mature, antigen-experienced B lymphocytes. Despite great progress recently achieved in the management of CLL, the disease remains incurable, underscoring the need for further investigation into the underlying pathophysiology. Microenvironmental crosstalk has an established role in CLL pathogenesis and progression. Indeed, the malignant CLL cells are strongly dependent on interactions with other immune and non-immune cell populations that shape a highly orchestrated network, the tumor microenvironment (TME). The composition of the TME, as well as the bidirectional interactions between the malignant clone and the microenvironmental elements have been linked to disease heterogeneity. Mounting evidence implicates T cells present in the TME in the natural history of the CLL as well as in the establishment of certain CLL hallmarks e.g. tumor evasion and immune suppression. CLL is characterized by restrictions in the T cell receptor gene repertoire, T cell oligoclonal expansions, as well as shared T cell receptor clonotypes amongst patients, strongly alluding to selection by restricted antigenic elements of as yet undisclosed identity. Further, the T cells in CLL exhibit a distinctive phenotype with features of “exhaustion” likely as a result of chronic antigenic stimulation. This might be relevant to the fact that, despite increased numbers of oligoclonal T cells in the periphery, these cells are incapable of mounting effective anti-tumor immune responses, a feature perhaps also linked with the elevated numbers of T regulatory subpopulations. Alterations of T cell gene expression profile are associated with defects in both the cytoskeleton and immune synapse formation, and are generally induced by direct contact with the malignant clone. That said, these abnormalities appear to be reversible, which is why therapies targeting the T cell compartment represent a reasonable therapeutic option in CLL. Indeed, novel strategies, including CAR T cell immunotherapy, immune checkpoint blockade and immunomodulation, have come to the spotlight in an attempt to restore the functionality of T cells and enhance targeted cytotoxic activity against the malignant clone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisavet Vlachonikola
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kostas Stamatopoulos
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anastasia Chatzidimitriou
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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23
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Augé H, Notarantonio AB, Morizot R, Quinquenel A, Fornecker LM, Hergalant S, Feugier P, Broséus J. Microenvironment Remodeling and Subsequent Clinical Implications in Diffuse Large B-Cell Histologic Variant of Richter Syndrome. Front Immunol 2020; 11:594841. [PMID: 33381116 PMCID: PMC7767850 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.594841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Richter Syndrome (RS) is defined as the development of an aggressive lymphoma in the context of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), with a Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) histology in 95% cases. RS genomic landscape shares only a few features with de novo DLBCLs and is marked by a wide spectrum of cytogenetic abnormalities. Little is known about RS microenvironment. Therapeutic options and efficacy are limited, leading to a 12 months median overall survival. The new targeted treatments usually effective in CLL fail to obtain long-term remissions in RS. Methods We reviewed available PubMed literature about RS genomics, PD-1/PD-L1 (Programmed Death 1/Programmed Death Ligand 1) pathway triggering and subsequent new therapeutic options. Results Data from about 207 patients from four landmark papers were compiled to build an overview of RS genomic lesions and point mutations. A number of these abnormalities may be involved in tumor microenvironment reshaping. T lymphocyte exhaustion through PD-L1 overexpression by tumor cells and subsequent PD-1/PD-L1 pathway triggering is frequently reported in solid cancers. This immune checkpoint inhibitor is also described in B lymphoid malignancies, particularly CLL: PD-1 expression is reported in a subset of prolymphocytes from the CLL lymph node proliferation centers. However, there is only few data about PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in RS. In RS, PD-1 expression is a hallmark of recently described « Regulatory B-cells », which interact with tumor microenvironment by producing inhibiting cytokines such as TGF-β and IL-10, impairing T lymphocytes anti-tumoral function. Based upon the discovery of high PD-1 expression on tumoral B lymphocyte from RS, immune checkpoint blockade therapies such as anti-PD-1 antibodies have been tested on small RS cohorts and provided heterogeneous but encouraging results. Conclusion RS genetic landscape and immune evasion mechanisms are being progressively unraveled. New protocols using targeted treatments such as checkpoint inhibitors as single agents or in combination with immunochemotherapy are currently being evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Augé
- Inserm UMRS1256 Nutrition-Génétique et Exposition aux Risque Environnementaux (N-GERE), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.,Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, service d'hématologie clinique, pôle spécialités médicales, Nancy, France
| | - Anne-Béatrice Notarantonio
- Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, service d'hématologie clinique, pôle spécialités médicales, Nancy, France.,UMR7365 Ingénierie Moléculaire et Physiopathologie Articulaire (IMOPA), CNRS, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Romain Morizot
- Inserm UMRS1256 Nutrition-Génétique et Exposition aux Risque Environnementaux (N-GERE), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.,Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, service d'hématologie clinique, pôle spécialités médicales, Nancy, France
| | - Anne Quinquenel
- Département d'hématologie, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France.,Département d'hématologie clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Luc-Matthieu Fornecker
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, IRFAC/UMR-S1113, Strasbourg, France.,Département d'hématologie clinique, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sébastien Hergalant
- Inserm UMRS1256 Nutrition-Génétique et Exposition aux Risque Environnementaux (N-GERE), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Pierre Feugier
- Inserm UMRS1256 Nutrition-Génétique et Exposition aux Risque Environnementaux (N-GERE), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.,Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, service d'hématologie clinique, pôle spécialités médicales, Nancy, France
| | - Julien Broséus
- Inserm UMRS1256 Nutrition-Génétique et Exposition aux Risque Environnementaux (N-GERE), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.,Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, service d'hématologie biologique, pôle laboratoires, Nancy, France
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24
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Rovida A, Maccalli C, Scarfò L, Dellabona P, Stamatopoulos K, Ghia P. Exploiting B-cell Receptor Stereotypy to Design Tailored Immunotherapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 27:729-739. [PMID: 33051305 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-1632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Approximately 30% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can be grouped into subsets with stereotyped B-cell receptor immunoglobulin (BcR IG) displaying remarkable similarity in the heavy complementarity-determining region 3 (VH CDR3). Here, we investigated whether the consensus VH CDR3 sequences from CLL stereotyped subsets can be exploited for immunotherapy approaches. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Immunogenic epitopes from the consensus VH CDR3 sequence of the clinically aggressive subsets #1 and #2 and from Eμ-TCL1 mice, which spontaneously develop CLL with BcR IG stereotypy, were identified and used to generate specific HLA class I- and II-restricted T cells in vitro. T-cell reactivity was assayed in vitro as IFNγ production. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells loaded with the peptides were used as vaccination strategy to restrain leukemia development in the Eμ-TCL1 mouse model. RESULTS These stereotyped epitopes were naturally processed and presented by CLL cells to the VH CDR3-specific T cells. Furthermore, we validated the efficacy of VH CDR3 peptide-based immunotherapy in the Eμ-TCL1 transplantable mouse model. Immunization of mice against defined VH CDR3 peptide epitopes, prior to the challenge with the corresponding leukemia cells, resulted in the control of CLL development in a significant fraction of mice, and increased overall survival. CONCLUSIONS Our data highlight the immunogenicity of stereotyped VH CDR3 sequences and support the feasibility and efficacy of their use for novel cancer vaccine in CLL. Such approach has the advantage to generate "off-the-shelf" therapeutic vaccines for relevant groups of patients belonging to stereotyped subsets.See related commentary by Seiffert, p. 659.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Rovida
- Unit of B Cell Neoplasia, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Cristina Maccalli
- Unit of Immuno-biotherapy of melanoma and solid tumors, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Lydia Scarfò
- Unit of B Cell Neoplasia, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.,Strategic Research Program on CLL, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Dellabona
- Unit of Experimental Immunology, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Kostas Stamatopoulos
- Hematology Department and HCT Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. .,Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paolo Ghia
- Unit of B Cell Neoplasia, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy. .,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.,Strategic Research Program on CLL, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
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25
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Hosseini-Valiki F, Taghiloo S, Tavakolian G, Amjadi O, Tehrani M, Hedayatizadeh-Omran A, Alizadeh-Navaei R, Zaboli E, Shekarriz R, Asgarian-Omran H. Expression Analysis of Fyn and Bat3 Signal Transduction Molecules in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2020; 21:2615-2621. [PMID: 32986360 PMCID: PMC7779459 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2020.21.9.2615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is correlated with defects in T-cell function resulting imparity in antitumor immune responses. Tim-3 is a co-inhibitory immune checkpoint receptor expressed on exhausted T-cells during tumor progression. Fyn and Bat3 are two important adaptor molecules involved in inhibition and activation of Tim-3 downstream signaling, respectively. In this study, the expression of Tim-3, Fyn, and Bat3 mRNA was evaluated in CLL patients. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 54 patients with CLL and 34 healthy controls. Total RNA was extracted from all samples and applied for cDNA synthesis. The relative expression of Tim-3, Fyn, and Bat3 mRNA was determined by TaqMan Real-Time PCR using GAPDH as an internal control. RESULTS Tim-3 mRNA expression was not significantly different between CLL patients and healthy controls. Fyn mRNA expression was significantly lower in CLL patients and conversely, Bat3 mRNA expression was higher in CLL patients compared to healthy controls. Interestingly, the mRNA expression of Fyn inhibitory adaptor molecule was remarkably associated with expression of Tim-3 in CLL patients. CONCLUSION We have highlighted for the first time the expression of Fyn and Bat3 adaptor molecules in CLL patients. Our data demonstrated the strong correlation between the expression of Tim-3 and Fyn inhibitory molecules in CLL implying an important role for Tim-3-Fyn cooperation in induction of T-cell exhaustion.
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MESH Headings
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Case-Control Studies
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/pathology
- Male
- Molecular Chaperones/genetics
- Molecular Chaperones/metabolism
- Prognosis
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Hosseini-Valiki
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Saeid Taghiloo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Golvash Tavakolian
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Omolbanin Amjadi
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Tehrani
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Akbar Hedayatizadeh-Omran
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Reza Alizadeh-Navaei
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Ehsan Zaboli
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Ramin Shekarriz
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Hossein Asgarian-Omran
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- For Correspondence:
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26
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IL4I1 Is a Metabolic Immune Checkpoint that Activates the AHR and Promotes Tumor Progression. Cell 2020; 182:1252-1270.e34. [PMID: 32818467 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) activation by tryptophan (Trp) catabolites enhances tumor malignancy and suppresses anti-tumor immunity. The context specificity of AHR target genes has so far impeded systematic investigation of AHR activity and its upstream enzymes across human cancers. A pan-tissue AHR signature, derived by natural language processing, revealed that across 32 tumor entities, interleukin-4-induced-1 (IL4I1) associates more frequently with AHR activity than IDO1 or TDO2, hitherto recognized as the main Trp-catabolic enzymes. IL4I1 activates the AHR through the generation of indole metabolites and kynurenic acid. It associates with reduced survival in glioma patients, promotes cancer cell motility, and suppresses adaptive immunity, thereby enhancing the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in mice. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) induces IDO1 and IL4I1. As IDO1 inhibitors do not block IL4I1, IL4I1 may explain the failure of clinical studies combining ICB with IDO1 inhibition. Taken together, IL4I1 blockade opens new avenues for cancer therapy.
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27
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Roessner PM, Seiffert M. T-cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Guardians or drivers of disease? Leukemia 2020; 34:2012-2024. [PMID: 32457353 PMCID: PMC8318881 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-0873-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell malignancy, which is associated with profound alterations and defects in the immune system and a prevalent dependency on the microenvironmental niche. An abnormal T-cell compartment in the blood of CLL patients was already reported 40 years ago. Since then, our knowledge of T-cell characteristics in CLL has grown steadily, but the question of whether T-cells act as pro-tumoral bystander cells or possess anti-tumoral activity is still under debate. Increased numbers of CD4+ T-helper cell subsets are present in the blood of CLL patients, and T-helper cell cytokines have been shown to stimulate CLL cell survival and proliferation in vitro. In line with this, survival and growth of CLL cells in murine xenograft models have been shown to rely on activated CD4+ T-cells. This led to the hypothesis that T-cells are tumor-supportive in CLL. In recent years, evidence for an enrichment of antigen-experienced CD8+ T-cells in CLL has accumulated, and these cells have been shown to control leukemia in a CLL mouse model. Based on this, it was suggested that CD8+ T-cells recognize CLL-specific antigens and exert an anti-leukemia function. As described for other cancer entities, T-cells in CLL express multiple inhibitory receptors, such as PD-1, and lose their functional capacity, leading to an exhaustion phenotype which has been shown to be more severe in T-cells from secondary lymphoid organs compared with peripheral blood. This exhausted phenotype has been suggested to be causative for the poor response of CLL patients to CAR T-cell therapies. In addition, T-cells have been shown to be affected by drugs that are used to treat CLL, which likely impacts therapy response. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge about alterations of T-cells in CLL, including their distribution, function, and exhaustion state in blood and lymphoid organs, and touches also on the topic of how CLL drugs impact on the T-cell compartment and recent results of T-cell-based immunotherapy. We will discuss potential pathological roles of T-cell subsets in CLL and address the question of whether they foster progression or control of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp M Roessner
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Seiffert
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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28
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Barthel R, Fedorchenko O, Velmans T, Rosen N, Nguyen PH, Reinart N, Florin A, Herling M, Hallek M, Fingerle-Rowson G. CD74 is dispensable for development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Eµ-TCL1 transgenic mice. Leuk Lymphoma 2020; 61:2799-2810. [PMID: 32667245 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2020.1791851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
CD74 is a surface protein expressed on immune cells, which acts as receptor for the chemokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Signaling via the MIF/CD74-axis has been reported to be important for the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We wanted to clarify the role of CD74 in MIF-induced signaling/leukemic development. In Eμ-TCL1 transgenic mice, occurrence of the leukemic phenotype was associated with increased surface CD74 expression. Eμ-TCL1+/+Cd74-/- mice showed similar kinetics and clinical features of CLL development as Eμ-TCL1+/+ mice. MIF stimulation of leukemic splenocytes led to AKT activation in a CD74-dependent manner. AKT activation was reduced in Cd74-deficient splenocytes in the presence of the oncogenic TCL1-transgene. Tumor cell apoptosis/proliferation were unaffected in Eμ-TCL1+/+Cd74-/- mice. Our data suggest that the need for active CD74 signaling is overcome in the leukemic context of TCL1-driven CLL, and that CD74 may have a dispensable role for CLL pathogenesis in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romy Barthel
- University of Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Germany.,CECAD Center of Excellence on 'Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases', Cologne, Germany.,CMMC Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Oleg Fedorchenko
- University of Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Germany.,CECAD Center of Excellence on 'Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases', Cologne, Germany.,CMMC Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tanja Velmans
- University of Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Germany.,CECAD Center of Excellence on 'Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases', Cologne, Germany.,CMMC Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Natascha Rosen
- University of Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Germany.,CECAD Center of Excellence on 'Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases', Cologne, Germany.,CMMC Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Phuong-Hien Nguyen
- University of Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Germany.,CECAD Center of Excellence on 'Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases', Cologne, Germany.,CMMC Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nina Reinart
- University of Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Germany.,CECAD Center of Excellence on 'Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases', Cologne, Germany.,CMMC Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexandra Florin
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marco Herling
- University of Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Germany.,CECAD Center of Excellence on 'Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases', Cologne, Germany.,CMMC Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Hallek
- University of Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Germany.,CECAD Center of Excellence on 'Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases', Cologne, Germany.,CMMC Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Günter Fingerle-Rowson
- University of Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Germany.,CECAD Center of Excellence on 'Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases', Cologne, Germany.,CMMC Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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29
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B-cell-specific IRF4 deletion accelerates chronic lymphocytic leukemia development by enhanced tumor immune evasion. Blood 2020; 134:1717-1729. [PMID: 31537531 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019000973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogenous disease that is highly dependent on a cross talk of CLL cells with the microenvironment, in particular with T cells. T cells derived from CLL patients or murine CLL models are skewed to an antigen-experienced T-cell subset, indicating a certain degree of antitumor recognition, but they are also exhausted, preventing an effective antitumor immune response. Here we describe a novel mechanism of CLL tumor immune evasion that is independent of T-cell exhaustion, using B-cell-specific deletion of the transcription factor IRF4 (interferon regulatory factor 4) in Tcl-1 transgenic mice developing a murine CLL highly similar to the human disease. We show enhanced CLL disease progression in IRF4-deficient Tcl-1 tg mice, associated with a severe downregulation of genes involved in T-cell activation, including genes involved in antigen processing/presentation and T-cell costimulation, which massively reduced T-cell subset skewing and exhaustion. We found a strong analogy in the human disease, with inferior prognosis of CLL patients with low IRF4 expression in independent CLL patient cohorts, failed T-cell skewing to antigen-experienced subsets, decreased costimulation capacity, and downregulation of genes involved in T-cell activation. These results have therapeutic relevance because our findings on molecular mechanisms of immune privilege may be responsible for the failure of immune-therapeutic strategies in CLL and may lead to improved targeting in the future.
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30
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Szenes E, Härzschel A, Decker S, Tissino E, Pischeli J, Gutjahr JC, Kissel S, Pennisi S, Höpner JP, Egle A, Zaborsky N, Dierks C, Follo M, Chigaev A, Zucchetto A, Greil R, Gattei V, Hartmann TN. TCL1 transgenic mice as a model for CD49d-high chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia 2020; 34:2498-2502. [PMID: 32086446 PMCID: PMC7449868 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-0759-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Szenes
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Andrea Härzschel
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Decker
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Erika Tissino
- Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Justine Pischeli
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Julia Christine Gutjahr
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sandra Kissel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Pennisi
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Philip Höpner
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alexander Egle
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Nadja Zaborsky
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christine Dierks
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marie Follo
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexandre Chigaev
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Antonella Zucchetto
- Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Richard Greil
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Valter Gattei
- Clinical and Experimental Onco-Hematology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Tanja Nicole Hartmann
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. .,Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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31
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Barak AF, Lewinsky H, Perpinial M, Huber V, Radomir L, Kramer MP, Sever L, Wolf Y, Shapiro M, Herishanu Y, Jung S, Becker-Herman S, Shachar I. Bone marrow dendritic cells support the survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells in a CD84 dependent manner. Oncogene 2019; 39:1997-2008. [PMID: 31772329 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-1121-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a malignancy of mature B lymphocytes. The microenvironment of the CLL cells is a vital element in the regulation of the survival of these malignant cells. CLL cell longevity is dependent on external signals, originating from cells in their microenvironment including secreted and surface-bound factors. Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important part in tumor microenvironment, but their role in the CLL bone marrow (BM) niche has not been studied. We show here that CLL cells induce accumulation of bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs). Depletion of this population attenuates disease expansion. Our results show that the support of the microenvironment is partly dependent on CD84, a cell surface molecule belonging to the Signaling Lymphocyte Activating Molecule (SLAM) family of immunoreceptors. Our results suggest a novel therapeutic strategy whereby eliminating BMDCs or blocking the CD84 expressed on these cells may reduce the tumor load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avital F Barak
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Hadas Lewinsky
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Michal Perpinial
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Victoria Huber
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Lihi Radomir
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Mattias P Kramer
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Lital Sever
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Yochai Wolf
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Mika Shapiro
- Department of Hematology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yair Herishanu
- Department of Hematology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Steffen Jung
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | | | - Idit Shachar
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
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32
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Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) has long been thought to be an immunosuppressive disease and abnormalities in T-cell subset distribution and function have been observed in many studies. However, the role of T cells (if any) in disease progression remains unclear and has not been directly studied. This has changed with the advent of new therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor-T cells, which actively use retargeted patient-derived T cells as "living drugs" for CLL. However complete responses are relatively low (~26%) and recent studies have suggested the differentiation status of patient T cells before therapy may influence efficacy. Non-chemotherapeutic drugs, such as idelalisib and ibrutinib, also have an impact on T cell populations in CLL patients. This review will highlight what is known about T cells in CLL during disease progression and after treatment, and discuss the prospects of using T cells as predictive biomarkers for immune status and response to therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Adenine/analogs & derivatives
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- B-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/therapy
- Piperidines
- Purines/therapeutic use
- Pyrazoles/therapeutic use
- Pyrimidines/therapeutic use
- Quinazolinones/therapeutic use
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Man
- Section of Haematology, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Peter Henley
- Section of Haematology, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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33
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Schulze-Edinghausen L, Dürr C, Öztürk S, Zucknick M, Benner A, Kalter V, Ohl S, Close V, Wuchter P, Stilgenbauer S, Lichter P, Seiffert M. Dissecting the Prognostic Significance and Functional Role of Progranulin in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E822. [PMID: 31200555 PMCID: PMC6627891 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is known for its strong dependency on the tumor microenvironment. We found progranulin (GRN), a protein that has been linked to inflammation and cancer, to be upregulated in the serum of CLL patients compared to healthy controls, and increased GRN levels to be associated with an increased hazard for disease progression and death. This raised the question of whether GRN is a functional driver of CLL. We observed that recombinant GRN did not directly affect viability, activation, or proliferation of primary CLL cells in vitro. However, GRN secretion was induced in co-cultures of CLL cells with stromal cells that enhanced CLL cell survival. Gene expression profiling and protein analyses revealed that primary mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in co-culture with CLL cells acquire a cancer-associated fibroblast-like phenotype. Despite its upregulation in the co-cultures, GRN treatment of MSCs did not mimic this effect. To test the relevance of GRN for CLL in vivo, we made use of the Eμ-TCL1 CLL mouse model. As we detected strong GRN expression in myeloid cells, we performed adoptive transfer of Eμ-TCL1 leukemia cells to bone marrow chimeric Grn-/- mice that lack GRN in hematopoietic cells. Thereby, we observed that CLL-like disease developed comparable in Grn-/- chimeras and respective control mice. In conclusion, serum GRN is found to be strongly upregulated in CLL, which indicates potential use as a prognostic marker, but there is no evidence that elevated GRN functionally drives the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Schulze-Edinghausen
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Claudia Dürr
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Selcen Öztürk
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Manuela Zucknick
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Axel Benner
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Verena Kalter
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Sibylle Ohl
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Viola Close
- Internal Medicine III, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany, and Cooperation Unit Mechanisms of Leukemogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Patrick Wuchter
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Stephan Stilgenbauer
- Internal Medicine III, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany, and Department of Internal Medicine I, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany.
| | - Peter Lichter
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Martina Seiffert
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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34
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Hanna BS, Öztürk S, Seiffert M. Beyond bystanders: Myeloid cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Mol Immunol 2019; 110:77-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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35
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Zaborsky N, Gassner FJ, Höpner JP, Schubert M, Hebenstreit D, Stark R, Asslaber D, Steiner M, Geisberger R, Greil R, Egle A. Exome sequencing of the TCL1 mouse model for CLL reveals genetic heterogeneity and dynamics during disease development. Leukemia 2019; 33:957-968. [PMID: 30262843 PMCID: PMC6477797 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-018-0260-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The TCL1 mouse model is widely used to study pathophysiology, clonal evolution, and drug sensitivity or resistance of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). By performing whole exome sequencing, we present the genetic landscape of primary tumors from TCL1 mice and of TCL1 tumors serially transplanted into wild-type recipients to mimic clonal evolution. We show that similar to CLL patients, mutations in mice are frequently subclonal and heterogenous among different primary TCL1 mice. We further describe that this molecular heterogeneity mirrors heterogenous disease characteristics such as organ infiltration or CLL dependent T cell skewing. Similar to human CLL, we further observed the occurrence of novel mutations and structural variations during clonal evolution and found plasticity in the expansion of B cell receptor specific subclones. Thus, our results uncover that the genetic complexity, pathway dependence and clonal dynamics in mouse CLL are in relevant agreement to human CLL, and they are important to consider in future research using the TCL1 mouse for studying CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Zaborsky
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Salzburg, Austria.
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Franz J Gassner
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jan P Höpner
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Maria Schubert
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Richard Stark
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Daniela Asslaber
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Markus Steiner
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Roland Geisberger
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Richard Greil
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alexander Egle
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Salzburg Cancer Research Institute - Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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36
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Lee-Vergés E, Hanna BS, Yazdanparast H, Rodríguez V, Rodríguez ML, Giró A, Vidal-Crespo A, Rosich L, Amador V, Aymerich M, Villamor N, Delgado J, Lichter P, Pérez-Galán P, López-Guerra M, Campo E, Seiffert M, Colomer D. Selective BTK inhibition improves bendamustine therapy response and normalizes immune effector functions in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Int J Cancer 2019; 144:2762-2773. [PMID: 30468254 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib has been shown to be highly effective in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is approved for CLL treatment. Unfortunately, resistance and intolerance to ibrutinib has been observed in several studies, opening the door for more specific BTK inhibitors. CC-292 (spebrutinib) is a BTK inhibitor with increased specificity for BTK and less inhibition of other kinases. Our in vitro studies showed that CC-292 potently inhibited B-cell receptor signaling, activation, proliferation and chemotaxis of CLL cells. In in vivo studies using the adoptive transfer TCL1 mouse model of CLL, CC-292 reduced tumor load and normalized tumor-associated expansion of T cells and monocytes, while not affecting T cell function. Importantly, the combination of CC-292 and bendamustine impaired CLL cell proliferation in vivo and enhanced the control of CLL progression. Our results demonstrate that CC-292 is a specific BTK inhibitor with promising performance in combination with bendamustine in CLL. Further clinical trials are warranted to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of this combination regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriong Lee-Vergés
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bola S Hanna
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Vanina Rodríguez
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ariadna Giró
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Vidal-Crespo
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Rosich
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Virginia Amador
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Aymerich
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.,Hematopathology Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Villamor
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.,Hematopathology Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Delgado
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.,Hematology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter Lichter
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patricia Pérez-Galán
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica López-Guerra
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.,Hematopathology Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elías Campo
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.,Hematopathology Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martina Seiffert
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolors Colomer
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.,Hematopathology Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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37
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BIRC3 Expression Predicts CLL Progression and Defines Treatment Sensitivity via Enhanced NF-κB Nuclear Translocation. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 25:1901-1912. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-1548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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38
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Dong S, Harrington BK, Hu EY, Greene JT, Lehman AM, Tran M, Wasmuth RL, Long M, Muthusamy N, Brown JR, Johnson AJ, Byrd JC. PI3K p110δ inactivation antagonizes chronic lymphocytic leukemia and reverses T cell immune suppression. J Clin Invest 2018; 129:122-136. [PMID: 30457982 DOI: 10.1172/jci99386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapy with small molecules directed at essential survival pathways in leukemia represents a major advance, including the phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinase (PI3K) p110δ inhibitor idelalisib. Here, we found that genetic inactivation of p110δ (p110δD910A/D910A) in the Eμ-TCL1 murine chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) model impaired B cell receptor signaling and B cell migration, and significantly delayed leukemia pathogenesis. Regardless of TCL1 expression, p110δ inactivation led to rectal prolapse in mice resembling autoimmune colitis in patients receiving idelalisib. Moreover, we showed that p110δ inactivation in the microenvironment protected against CLL and acute myeloid leukemia. After receiving higher numbers of TCL1 leukemia cells, half of p110δD910A/D910A mice spontaneously recovered from high disease burden and resisted leukemia rechallenge. Despite disease resistance, p110δD910A/D910A mice exhibited compromised CD4+ and CD8+ T cell response, and depletion of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells restored leukemia. Interestingly, p110δD910A/D910A mice showed significantly impaired Treg expansion that associated with disease clearance. Reconstitution of p110δD910A/D910A mice with p110δWT/WT Tregs reversed leukemia resistance. Our findings suggest that p110δ inhibitors may have direct antileukemic and indirect immune-activating effects, further supporting that p110δ blockade may have a broader immune-modulatory role in types of leukemia that are not sensitive to p110δ inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Dong
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy.,Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Bonnie K Harrington
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center.,College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - Eileen Y Hu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Medical Scientist Training Program
| | - Joseph T Greene
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, and
| | - Amy M Lehman
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Minh Tran
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Ronni L Wasmuth
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Meixiao Long
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Natarajan Muthusamy
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Jennifer R Brown
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amy J Johnson
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Janssen Research and Development LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John C Byrd
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy.,Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center
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39
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Correia RP, Matos E Silva FA, Bacal NS, Campregher PV, Hamerschlak N, Amarante-Mendes GP. ZAP-70 expression is associated with increased CD4 central memory T cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: cross-sectional study. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2018; 40:317-325. [PMID: 30370409 PMCID: PMC6200686 DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although chronic lymphocytic leukemia is basically a B cell disease, its pathophysiology and evolution are thought to be significantly influenced by T cells, as these are probably the most important interaction partner of neoplastic B cells, participating in their expansion, differentiation and survival. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells may also drive functional and phenotypic changes of non-malignant T cells. There are few data about the association between memory T cells and prognosis, especially related to ZAP-70, a common reliable surrogate of the gold standard chronic lymphocytic leukemia prognostic markers. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate whether the expression of ZAP-70 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients is associated with abnormal patterns of the distribution of naïve and memory T cells related to crosstalk between these cells. Methods In this cross-sectional, controlled study, patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were compared with healthy blood donors regarding the expression of ZAP-70 and the distribution of naïve and memory T cell subsets in peripheral blood as measured by flow cytometry. Results ZAP-70 positive patients presented an increased frequency and absolute number of central memory CD4+ T cells, but not CD8+ T cells, compared to ZAP-70 negative patients and age-matched apparently healthy donors. Conclusions Because central memory CD4+ T cells are located in lymph nodes and express CD40L, we consider that malignant ZAP-70-positive B cells may receive beneficial signals from central memory CD4+ T cells as they accumulate, which could contribute to more aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Patussi Correia
- Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Nydia Strachman Bacal
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Centro de Hematologia de São Paulo (CHSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Vidal Campregher
- Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Nelson Hamerschlak
- Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Pessini Amarante-Mendes
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo (ICB USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCT), Brazil
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40
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Badmazhapova DS, Gal’tseva IV, Zvonkov EE. Immunological Synapse in the Biology of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.21320/2500-2139-2018-11-4-313-318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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41
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Hanna BS, Roessner PM, Yazdanparast H, Colomer D, Campo E, Kugler S, Yosifov D, Stilgenbauer S, Schmidt M, Gabriel R, Lichter P, Seiffert M. Control of chronic lymphocytic leukemia development by clonally-expanded CD8 + T-cells that undergo functional exhaustion in secondary lymphoid tissues. Leukemia 2018; 33:625-637. [PMID: 30267008 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-018-0250-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with substantial alterations in T-cell composition and function. However, the role of T-cells in CLL remains largely controversial. Here, we utilized the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model of CLL as well as blood and lymph node samples of CLL patients to investigate the existence of anti-tumoral immune responses in CLL, and to characterize involved immune cell populations. Thereby, we identified an oligoclonal CD8+ effector T-cell population that expands along with CLL progression and controls disease development. We further show that a higher percentage of CD8+ effector T-cells produces IFNγ, and demonstrate that neutralization of IFNγ results in faster CLL progression in mice. Phenotypical and functional analyses of expanded CD8+ effector T-cells show significant differences in disease-affected tissues in mice, with cells in secondary lymphoid organs harboring hallmarks of activation-induced T-cell exhaustion. Notably, we further describe a respective population of exhausted CD8+ T-cells that specifically accumulate in lymph nodes, but not in peripheral blood of CLL patients. Collectively, these data emphasize the non-redundant role of CD8+ T-cells in suppressing CLL progression and highlight their dysfunction that can be exploited as target of immunotherapy in this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bola S Hanna
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Philipp M Roessner
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Dolors Colomer
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hematopathology Unit, Hospital Clinic, CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elias Campo
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hematopathology Unit, Hospital Clinic, CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Deyan Yosifov
- Internal Medicine III, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Manfred Schmidt
- Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard Gabriel
- Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Lichter
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Seiffert
- Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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42
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Göthert JR, Imsak R, Möllmann M, Kesper S, Göbel M, Dührsen U, Scholz A, Lücking U, Baumann M, Unger A, Schultz-Fademrecht C, Klebl B, Eickhoff J, Choidas A, Dürig J. Potent anti-leukemic activity of a specific cyclin-dependent kinase 9 inhibitor in mouse models of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Oncotarget 2018; 9:26353-26369. [PMID: 29899864 PMCID: PMC5995184 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Onset of progression even during therapy with novel drugs remains an issue in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Thus, there is ongoing demand for novel agents. Approaches targeting cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) have reached the clinical trial stage. CDK9 mediating RNA transcriptional elongation is the evolving pivotal CLL CDK inhibitor target. However, more CDK9 selective compounds are desirable. Here, we describe the CDK9 inhibitor LDC526 displaying a low nanomolar biochemical activity against CDK9 and an at least 50-fold selectivity against other CDKs. After demonstrating in vitro MEC-1 cell line and primary human CLL cell cytotoxicity we evaluated the LDC526 in vivo effect on human CLL cells transplanted into NOD/scid/γcnull (NSG) mice. LDC526 administration (75 mg/kg) for 5 days resulted in a 77% reduction of human CLL cells in NSG spleens compared to carrier control treatment. Next, we longitudinally studied the LDC526 impact on circulating CLL cells in the TCL1 transgenic mouse model. LDC526 (50 mg/kg) administration for two days led to a 16-fold reduction of blood CLL cell numbers. Remarkably, residual CLL cells exhibited significantly increased intracellular BCL-2 levels. However, the LDC526 cytotoxic effect was not restricted to CLL cells as also declining numbers of normal B and T lymphocytes were observed in LDC526 treated TCL1 mice. Taken together, our in vivo data provide a strong rational for continued LDC526 development in CLL therapy and argue for the combination with BCL-2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim R Göthert
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Roze Imsak
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Michael Möllmann
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Kesper
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Maria Göbel
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dührsen
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Arne Scholz
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Drug Discovery, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Lücking
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Drug Discovery, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Anke Unger
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC), Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Bert Klebl
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jan Eickhoff
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Axel Choidas
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jan Dürig
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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43
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Zaborsky N, Gassner FJ, Asslaber D, Reinthaler P, Denk U, Flenady S, Hofbauer JP, Danner B, Rebhandl S, Harrer A, Geisberger R, Greil R, Egle A. CD1d expression on chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells affects disease progression and induces T cell skewing in CD8 positive and CD4CD8 double negative T cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:49459-49469. [PMID: 27385215 PMCID: PMC5226521 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia develops within a complex network driven by genetic mutations and microenvironmental interactions. Among the latter a complex interplay with the immune system is established by the clone. Next to a proposed recruitment of support from T and myeloid cells, potential anti-CLL immune reactions need to be subverted. By using TCL1 mice as a CLL model, we show that TCR-Vβ7+ NK1.1+ T cells are overrepresented in this disease model and constitute a main subset of peripheral CD3+ cells with biased TCR usage, showing that these cells account for a major part for T cell skewing in TCL1 mice. Moreover, we show that overrepresentation is dependent on CD1d expression in TCL1 mice, implicating that these cells belong to a NKT-like cell fraction which are restricted to antigen presented by the MHC-like surface marker CD1d. Accordingly, we observed a high fraction of CD161+ cells within overrepresented T cells in CLL patients and we found downregulation of CD1d on the surface of CLL cells, both in TCL1 mice and patients. Finally, we show that in TCL1 mice, CD1d deficiency resulted in shortened overall survival. Our results point to an interaction between CLL and CD161+ T cells that may represent a novel therapeutic target for immune modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Zaborsky
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Franz Josef Gassner
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniela Asslaber
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Petra Reinthaler
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ursula Denk
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sabine Flenady
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Josefina Piñón Hofbauer
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Barbara Danner
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Stefan Rebhandl
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Andrea Harrer
- Department of Neurology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Roland Geisberger
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Richard Greil
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alexander Egle
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Salzburg, Austria
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44
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Wu J, Xu X, Lee EJ, Shull AY, Pei L, Awan F, Wang X, Choi JH, Deng L, Xin HB, Zhong W, Liang J, Miao Y, Wu Y, Fan L, Li J, Xu W, Shi H. Phenotypic alteration of CD8+ T cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia is associated with epigenetic reprogramming. Oncotarget 2018; 7:40558-40570. [PMID: 27302925 PMCID: PMC5130028 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppression is a prevalent clinical feature in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, with many patients demonstrating increased susceptibility to infections as well as increased failure of an antitumor immune response. However, much is currently not understood regarding the precise mechanisms that attribute to this immunosuppressive phenotype in CLL. To provide further clarity to this particular phenomenon, we analyzed the T-cell profile of CLL patient samples within a large cohort and observed that patients with an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio had a shorter time to first treatment as well as overall survival. These observations coincided with higher expression of the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 in CLL patient CD8+ T cells when compared to age-matched healthy donors. Interestingly, we discovered that increased PD-1 expression in CD8+ T cells corresponds with decreased DNA methylation levels in a distal upstream locus of the PD-1 gene PDCD1. Further analysis using luciferase reporter assays suggests that the identified PDCD1 distal upstream region acts as an enhancer for PDCD1 transcription and this region becomes demethylated during activation of naïve CD8+ T cells by anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies and IL2. Finally, we conducted a genome-wide DNA methylation analysis comparing CD8+ T cells from CLL patients against healthy donors and identified additional differentially methylated genes with known immune regulatory functions including CCR6 and KLRG1. Taken together, our findings reveal the occurrence of epigenetic reprogramming taking place within CLL patient CD8+ T cells and highlight the potential mechanism of how immunosuppression is accomplished in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazhu Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Xiaojing Xu
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Eun-Joon Lee
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Austin Y Shull
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Lirong Pei
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Farrukh Awan
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Jeong-Hyeon Choi
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Libin Deng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Hong-Bo Xin
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Wenxun Zhong
- Department of Statistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jinhua Liang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Yi Miao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Yujie Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Lei Fan
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Jianyong Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Huidong Shi
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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45
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Dürr C, Hanna BS, Schulz A, Lucas F, Zucknick M, Benner A, Clear A, Ohl S, Öztürk S, Zenz T, Stilgenbauer S, Li-Weber M, Krammer PH, Gribben JG, Lichter P, Seiffert M. Tumor necrosis factor receptor signaling is a driver of chronic lymphocytic leukemia that can be therapeutically targeted by the flavonoid wogonin. Haematologica 2018; 103:688-697. [PMID: 29326123 PMCID: PMC5865430 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2017.177808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a malignancy of mature B cells that strongly depend on microenvironmental factors, and their deprivation has been identified as a promising treatment approach for this incurable disease. Cytokine array screening of 247 chronic lymphocytic leukemia serum samples revealed elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-1 which were associated with poor clinical outcome. We detected a microenvironment-induced expression of TNF receptor-1 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells in vitro, and an aberrantly high expression of this receptor in the proliferation centers of patients’ lymph nodes. Stimulation of TNF receptor-1 with TNF-α enhanced nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) activity and viability of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, which was inhibited by wogonin. The therapeutic effects of wogonin were analyzed in mice after adoptive transfer of Eμ-T-cell leukemia 1 (TCL1) leukemic cells. Wogonin treatment prevented leukemia development when given early after transplantation. The treatment of full-blown leukemia resulted in the loss of the TNF receptor-1 on chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells and their mobilization to blood. Targeting TNF receptor-1 signaling is therefore proposed for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Dürr
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bola S Hanna
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angela Schulz
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabienne Lucas
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | - Manuela Zucknick
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Oslo Center for Biostatistics and Epidemiology; Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Axel Benner
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrew Clear
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | - Sibylle Ohl
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Selcen Öztürk
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Zenz
- Molecular Therapy in Haematology and Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), and Department of Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Min Li-Weber
- Division of Immunogenetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter H Krammer
- Division of Immunogenetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John G Gribben
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | - Peter Lichter
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Seiffert
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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46
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Till KJ, Allen JC, Talab F, Lin K, Allsup D, Cawkwell L, Bentley A, Ringshausen I, Duckworth AD, Pettitt AR, Kalakonda N, Slupsky JR. Lck is a relevant target in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells whose expression variance is unrelated to disease outcome. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16784. [PMID: 29196709 PMCID: PMC5711840 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17021-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is contingent upon antigen receptor (BCR) expressed by malignant cells of this disease. Studies on somatic hypermutation of the antigen binding region, receptor expression levels and signal capacity have all linked BCR on CLL cells to disease prognosis. Our previous work showed that the src-family kinase Lck is a targetable mediator of BCR signalling in CLL cells, and that variance in Lck expression associated with ability of BCR to induce signal upon engagement. This latter finding makes Lck similar to ZAP70, another T-cell kinase whose aberrant expression in CLL cells also associates with BCR signalling capacity, but also different because ZAP70 is not easily pharmacologically targetable. Here we describe a robust method of measuring Lck expression in CLL cells using flow cytometry. However, unlike ZAP70 whose expression in CLL cells predicts prognosis, we find Lck expression and disease outcome in CLL are unrelated despite observations that its inhibition produces effects that biologically resemble the egress phenotype taken on by CLL cells treated with idelalisib. Taken together, our findings provide insight into the pathobiology of CLL to suggest a more complex relationship between expression of molecules within the BCR signalling pathway and disease outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen J Till
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - John C Allen
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Fatima Talab
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ke Lin
- Department of Haematology, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - David Allsup
- Department of Haematology, Queens Centre for Oncology and Haematology, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Yorkshire, UK
| | - Lynn Cawkwell
- School of Life Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, UK
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | | | - Ingo Ringshausen
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew D Duckworth
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew R Pettitt
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Nagesh Kalakonda
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joseph R Slupsky
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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47
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BRAF V600E accelerates disease progression and enhances immune suppression in a mouse model of B-cell leukemia. Blood Adv 2017; 1:2147-2160. [PMID: 29296862 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017006593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway components promote tumor survival, proliferation, and immune evasion in solid tumors. MAPK mutations occur in hematologic cancers as well, but their role is less clear and few models are available to study this. We developed an in vivo model of disseminated BRAFV600E B-cell leukemia to determine the effects of this mutation on tumor development and immune evasion. Mice with B-cell-restricted BRAFV600E expression crossed with the Eµ-TCL1 model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) developed leukemia significantly earlier (median, 4.9 vs 8.1 months; P < .001) and had significantly shorter lifespan (median, 7.3 vs 12.1 months; P < .001) versus BRAF wild-type counterparts. BRAFV600E expression did not affect B-cell proliferation but reduced spontaneous apoptosis. BRAFV600E-mutant leukemia produced greater T-cell effects, evidenced by exhaustion immunophenotype and CD44+ T-cell percentage, as well as increased expression of PD-L1 on CD11b+ cells. Results were confirmed in syngeneic mice engrafted with BRAFV600E leukemia cells. Furthermore, a BRAFV600E-expressing CLL cell line more strongly inhibited anti-CD3/CD28-induced T-cell proliferation, which was reversed by BRAFV600E inhibition. These results demonstrate the immune-suppressive impact of BRAFV600E in B-cell leukemias and introduce a new model to develop rational combination strategies targeting both tumor cells and tumor-mediated immune evasion.
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48
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Emerging role of BCR signaling inhibitors in immunomodulation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood Adv 2017; 1:1867-1875. [PMID: 29296833 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017006809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Approved therapies that target the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway, such as ibrutinib and idelalisib, are known to show activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) via their direct effects on crucial survival pathways in malignant B cells. However, these therapies also have effects on T cells in CLL by mediating toxicity and possibly controlling disease. By focusing on the effects of BCR signaling inhibitors on the T-cell compartment, we may gain new insights into the comprehensive biological outcomes of systemic treatment to further understand mechanisms of drug efficacy, predict the toxicity or adverse events, and identify novel combinatorial therapies. Here, we review T-cell abnormalities in preclinical models and patient samples, finding that CLL T cells orchestrate immune dysfunction and immune-related complications. We then continue to address the effects of clinically available small molecule BCR signaling inhibitors on the immune cells, especially T cells, in the context of concomitant immune-mediated adverse events and implications for future treatment strategies. Our review suggests potentially novel mechanisms of action related to BCR inhibitors, providing a rationale to extend their use to other cancers and autoimmune disorders.
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49
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van Attekum MH, Eldering E, Kater AP. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells are active participants in microenvironmental cross-talk. Haematologica 2017; 102:1469-1476. [PMID: 28775118 PMCID: PMC5685246 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2016.142679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of the tumor microenvironment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia is
widely accepted. Nevertheless, the understanding of the complex interplay
between the various types of bystander cells and chronic lymphocytic leukemia
cells is incomplete. Numerous studies have indicated that bystander cells
provide chronic lymphocytic leukemia-supportive functions, but it has also
become clear that chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells actively engage in the
formation of a supportive tumor microenvironment through several cross-talk
mechanisms. In this review, we describe how chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells
participate in this interplay by inducing migration and tumor-supportive
differentiation of bystander cells. Furthermore, chronic lymphocytic
leukemia-mediated alterations in the interactions between bystander cells are
discussed. Upon bystander cell interaction, chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells
secrete cytokines and chemokines such as migratory factors [chemokine
(C-C motif) ligand 22 and chemokine (CC motif) ligand 2], which result
in further recruitment of T cells but also of monocyte-derived cells. Within the
tumor microenvironment, chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells induce
differentiation towards a tumor-supportive M2 phenotype of monocyte-derived
cells and suppress phagocytosis, but also induce increased numbers of supportive
regulatory T cells. Like other tumor types, the differentiation of stromal cells
towards supportive cancer-associated fibroblasts is critically dependent on
chronic lymphocytic leukemia-derived factors such as exosomes and
platelet-derived growth factor. Lastly, both chronic lymphocytic leukemia and
bystander cells induce a tolerogenic tumor microenvironment; chronic lymphocytic
leukemia-secreted cytokines, such as interleukin-10, suppress cytotoxic T-cell
functions, while chronic lymphocytic leukemia-associated monocyte-derived cells
contribute to suppression of T-cell function by producing the immune checkpoint
factor, programmed cell death-ligand 1. Deeper understanding of the active
involvement and cross-talk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells in shaping the
tumor microenvironment may offer novel clues for designing therapeutic
strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn Ha van Attekum
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Hematology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam (LYMMCARE), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Department of Hematology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands .,Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam (LYMMCARE), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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50
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Herek TA, Cutucache CE. Using Murine Models to Investigate Tumor-Lymphoid Interactions: Spotlight on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma. Front Oncol 2017; 7:86. [PMID: 28512625 PMCID: PMC5411430 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the tumor microenvironment in leukemias and lymphomas is well established, yet the intricacies of how the malignant cells regulate and influence their non-malignant counterparts remain elusive. For example, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an expansion of malignant CD5+CD19+ B cells, yet the non-malignant T cells play just as large of a role in disease presentation and etiology. Herein, we review the dynamic tumor cell to lymphoid repertoire interactions found in two non-Hodgkin's lymphoma subtypes: CLL and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. We aim to highlight the pivot work done in the murine models which recapitulate these diseases and explore the insights that can be gained from studying the immuno-oncological regulation of non-malignant lymphoid counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler A Herek
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
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