1
|
Zhou S, Li T, Zhang W, Wu J, Hong H, Quan W, Qiao X, Cui C, Qiao C, Zhao W, Shen Y. The cGAS-STING-interferon regulatory factor 7 pathway regulates neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:2361-2372. [PMID: 39359093 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202508000-00026/figure1/v/2024-09-30T120553Z/r/image-tiff Interferon regulatory factor 7 plays a crucial role in the innate immune response. However, whether interferon regulatory factor 7-mediated signaling contributes to Parkinson's disease remains unknown. Here we report that interferon regulatory factor 7 is markedly up-regulated in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced mouse model of Parkinson's disease and co-localizes with microglial cells. Both the selective cyclic guanosine monophosphate adenosine monophosphate synthase inhibitor RU.521 and the stimulator of interferon genes inhibitor H151 effectively suppressed interferon regulatory factor 7 activation in BV2 microglia exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium and inhibited transformation of mouse BV2 microglia into the neurotoxic M1 phenotype. In addition, siRNA-mediated knockdown of interferon regulatory factor 7 expression in BV2 microglia reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor α, CD16, CD32, and CD86 and increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory markers ARG1 and YM1. Taken together, our findings indicate that the cyclic guanosine monophosphate adenosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes-interferon regulatory factor 7 pathway plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengyang Zhou
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative and Neuroinjury Diseases, Wuxi Medicine School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhao C, Guo S, Ge S. Epigenetic regulation of cGAS and STING expression in cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 138:112556. [PMID: 38936059 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112556] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Although cancer immunotherapy has become a successful therapeutic strategy in a certain range of solid cancer and hematological malignancies, this efficacy of immunotherapy is impeded by limited success rates due to an immunologically "cold" state. The cGAS-STING signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved system which can find cytoplasmic DNA to regulate the innate immune and adaptive immune response. Beyond the host defense and autoimmune disorders, recent advances have now expanded the roles of cGAS-STING that is precise activated and tight regulated to improve anticancer immunity. Mounting evidence now has shown the crucial role of epigenetic regulation in mediating the expression of key genes associated with the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. In this review, we highlight the structure and cellular localization of cGAS and STING as well as intracellular cascade reaction of cGAS-STING signal transduction. We further summarize recent findings of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that control the expression of cGAS and STING in cancer. The review aims to offer theoretical basis and reference for targeting the epigenetic mechanisms that control cGAS and STING gene expression to promote the development of more effective combination therapeutic regimens to enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy in clinical practice and cancer clinical and cancer research workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanxiang Zhao
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Reproductive Immunity, School of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai'an, China.
| | - Shuwei Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Shiyao Ge
- Reproductive Sciences Institute, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kanoda R, Nakajima S, Fukai S, Saito M, Saito K, Suzuki H, Kikuchi T, Nirei A, Okayama H, Mimura K, Hanayama H, Sakamoto W, Momma T, Saze Z, Kono K. High levels of tumor cell-intrinsic STING signaling are associated with increased infiltration of CD8 + T cells in dMMR/MSI-H gastric cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20859. [PMID: 39242811 PMCID: PMC11379867 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71974-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) gastric cancer (GC) exhibits an immune-active tumor microenvironment (TME) compared to MMR proficient (pMMR)/microsatellite stable/Epstein-Barr virus-negative [EBV (-)] GC. The tumor cell-intrinsic cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway has been considered a key regulator of immune cell activation in the TME. However, its significance in regulating the immune-active TME in dMMR/MSI-H GC remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that tumor cell-intrinsic cGAS-STING was highly expressed in dMMR GC compared to pMMR/EBV (-) GC. The expression of tumor cell-intrinsic STING was significantly and positively associated with the number of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in GC. Analysis of TCGA datasets revealed that the expression of interferon-stimulated genes and STING downstream T-cell attracting chemokines was significantly higher in MSI-H GC compared to other subtypes of GC with EBV (-). These results suggest that tumor cell-intrinsic STING signaling plays a key role in activating immune cells in the dMMR/MSI-H GC TME and might serve as a novel biomarker predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy for GC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Kanoda
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Shotaro Nakajima
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan.
- Department of Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer and Regional Medical Support, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikariga-Oka, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Fukai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Motonobu Saito
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Katsuharu Saito
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiroya Suzuki
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Kikuchi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Azuma Nirei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Okayama
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kosaku Mimura
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Blood Transfusion and Transplantation Immunology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Hanayama
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Wataru Sakamoto
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Momma
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Zenichiro Saze
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Koji Kono
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer and Regional Medical Support, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikariga-Oka, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Preeti K, Sood A, Fernandes V, Khan I, Khatri DK, Singh SB. Experimental Type 2 diabetes and lipotoxicity-associated neuroinflammation involve mitochondrial DNA-mediated cGAS/STING axis: implication of Type-1 interferon response in cognitive impairment. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:6217-6244. [PMID: 38285288 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-03933-y] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Type-1 IFN (interferon)-associated innate immune response is increasingly getting attention in neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, its significance in T2DM/lipotoxicity-induced neuroglia changes and cognitive impairment is missing. The present study aims to evaluate the involvement of cGAS (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase)-STING (stimulator of interferon gene), IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor-3), TBK (TANK binding kinase)-mediated Type-1 IFN response in the diabetic brain, and lipotoxicity (palmitate-bovine serum albumin conjugate/PA-BSA)-induced changes in cells (neuro2a and BV2). T2DM was induced in C57/BL6 mice by feeding on a high-fat diet (HFD, 60% Kcal) for 16 weeks and injecting a single dose of streptozotocin (100 mg/kg, i.p) in the 12th week. Plasma biochemical parameter analysis, neurobehavioral assessment, protein expression, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction study were carried out to decipher the hypothesis. T2DM-associated metabolic and lipotoxic stress led to mitochondrial impairment causing leakage of mtDNA to the cytoplasm further commencing cGAS activation and its downstream signaling. The diseased hippocampus and cortex showed decreased expression of synaptophysin (p < 0.01) and PSD-95 (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) with increased expression of cGAS (p < 0.001), p-STING (p < 0.001), p-STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription) (p < 0.01), and IFN-β (p < 0.001) compared to normal control. The IFN-β/p-STAT1-mediated microglia activation was executed employing a conditioned media approach. C-176, a selective STING inhibitor, alleviated cGAS/p-STING/IFN-β expression and proinflammatory microglia/M1-associated markers (CD16 expression, CXCL10, TNF-α, IL-1β mRNA fold change) in the diabetic brain. The present study suggests Type-1IFN response may result in neuroglia dyshomeostasis affecting normal brain function. Alleviating STING signaling has the potential to protect T2DM-associated central ailment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Preeti
- Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience Lab, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Anika Sood
- Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience Lab, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Valencia Fernandes
- Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience Lab, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Islauddin Khan
- Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience Lab, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Khatri
- Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience Lab, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India.
- Department of Pharmacology, Shobhaben Pratapbai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Deemed-to-University, Mumbai, 400056, India.
| | - Shashi Bala Singh
- Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience Lab, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yu L, Liu P. cGAS/STING signalling pathway in senescence and oncogenesis. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 106-107:87-102. [PMID: 39222763 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2024] [Revised: 08/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The cGAS/STING signaling pathway is a crucial component of the innate immune system, playing significant roles in sensing cytosolic DNA, regulating cellular senescence, and contributing to oncogenesis. Recent advances have shed new lights into the molecular mechanisms governing pathway activation in multiple pathophysiological settings, the indispensable roles of cGAS/STING signaling in cellular senescence, and its context-dependent roles in cancer development and suppression. This review summarizes current knowledge related to the biology of cGAS/STING signaling pathway and its participations into senescence and oncogenesis. We further explore the clinical implications and therapeutic potential for cGAS/STING targeted therapies, and faced challenges in the field. With a focus on molecular mechanisms and emerging pharmacological targets, this review underscores the importance of future studies to harness the therapeutic potential of the cGAS/STING pathway in treating senescence-related disorders and cancer. Advanced understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of cGAS/STING signaling, along with the associated deregulations in diseases, combined with the development of new classes of cGAS/STING modulators, hold great promises for creating novel and effective therapeutic strategies. These advancements could address current treatment challenges and unlock the full potential of cGAS/STING in treating senescence-related disorders and oncogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Le Yu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Pengda Liu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Monti M, Ferrari G, Gazzurelli L, Bugatti M, Facchetti F, Vermi W. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells at the forefront of anti-cancer immunity: rewiring strategies for tumor microenvironment remodeling. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:196. [PMID: 39020402 PMCID: PMC11253500 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03121-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are multifaceted immune cells executing various innate immunological functions. Their first line of defence consists in type I interferons (I-IFN) production upon nucleic acids sensing through endosomal Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7- and 9-dependent signalling pathways. Type I IFNs are a class of proinflammatory cytokines that have context-dependent functions on cancer immunosurveillance and immunoediting. In the last few years, different studies have reported that pDCs are also able to sense cytosolic DNA through cGAS-STING (stimulator of interferon genes) pathway eliciting a potent I-IFN production independently of TLR7/9. Human pDCs are also endowed with direct effector functions via the upregulation of TRAIL and production of granzyme B, the latter modulated by cytokines abundant in cancer tissues. pDCs have been detected in a wide variety of human malignant neoplasms, including virus-associated cancers, recruited by chemotactic stimuli. Although the role of pDCs in cancer immune surveillance is still uncompletely understood, their spontaneous activation has been rarely documented; moreover, their presence in the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been associated with a tolerogenic phenotype induced by immunosuppressive cytokines or oncometabolites. Currently tested treatment options can lead to pDCs activation and disruption of the immunosuppressive TME, providing a relevant clinical benefit. On the contrary, the antibody-drug conjugates targeting BDCA-2 on immunosuppressive tumor-associated pDCs (TA-pDCs) could be proposed as novel immunomodulatory therapies to achieve disease control in patients with advance stage hematologic malignancies or solid tumors. This Review integrate recent evidence on the biology of pDCs and their pharmacological modulation, suggesting their relevant role at the forefront of cancer immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Monti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pathology, University of Brescia, P.Le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giorgia Ferrari
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pathology, University of Brescia, P.Le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luisa Gazzurelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pathology, University of Brescia, P.Le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pathology, University of Brescia, P.Le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Fabio Facchetti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pathology, University of Brescia, P.Le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - William Vermi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pathology, University of Brescia, P.Le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
McPherson A, Vázquez-García I, Myers MA, Zatzman M, Al-Rawi D, Weiner A, Freeman S, Mohibullah N, Satas G, Williams MJ, Ceglia N, Zhang AW, Li J, Lim JLP, Wu M, Choi S, Havasov E, Grewal D, Shi H, Kim M, Schwarz R, Kaufmann T, Dinh KN, Uhlitz F, Tran J, Wu Y, Patel R, Ramakrishnan S, Kim D, Clarke J, Green H, Ali E, DiBona M, Varice N, Kundra R, Broach V, Gardner GJ, Roche KL, Sonoda Y, Zivanovic O, Kim SH, Grisham RN, Liu YL, Viale A, Rusk N, Lakhman Y, Ellenson LH, Tavaré S, Aparicio S, Chi DS, Aghajanian C, Abu-Rustum NR, Friedman CF, Zamarin D, Weigelt B, Bakhoum SF, Shah SP. Ongoing genome doubling promotes evolvability and immune dysregulation in ovarian cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.11.602772. [PMID: 39071261 PMCID: PMC11275742 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.11.602772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Whole-genome doubling (WGD) is a critical driver of tumor development and is linked to drug resistance and metastasis in solid malignancies. Here, we demonstrate that WGD is an ongoing mutational process in tumor evolution. Using single-cell whole-genome sequencing, we measured and modeled how WGD events are distributed across cellular populations within tumors and associated WGD dynamics with properties of genome diversification and phenotypic consequences of innate immunity. We studied WGD evolution in 65 high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) tissue samples from 40 patients, yielding 29,481 tumor cell genomes. We found near-ubiquitous evidence of WGD as an ongoing mutational process promoting cell-cell diversity, high rates of chromosomal missegregation, and consequent micronucleation. Using a novel mutation-based WGD timing method, doubleTime , we delineated specific modes by which WGD can drive tumor evolution: (i) unitary evolutionary origin followed by significant diversification, (ii) independent WGD events on a pre-existing background of copy number diversity, and (iii) evolutionarily late clonal expansions of WGD populations. Additionally, through integrated single-cell RNA sequencing and high-resolution immunofluorescence microscopy, we found that inflammatory signaling and cGAS-STING pathway activation result from ongoing chromosomal instability and are restricted to tumors that remain predominantly diploid. This contrasted with predominantly WGD tumors, which exhibited significant quiescent and immunosuppressive phenotypic states. Together, these findings establish WGD as an evolutionarily 'active' mutational process that promotes evolvability and dysregulated immunity in late stage ovarian cancer.
Collapse
|
8
|
Malli Cetinbas N, Monnell T, Soomer-James J, Shaw P, Lancaster K, Catcott KC, Dolan M, Mosher R, Routhier C, Chin CN, Toader D, Duvall J, Bukhalid R, Lowinger TB, Damelin M. Tumor cell-directed STING agonist antibody-drug conjugates induce type III interferons and anti-tumor innate immune responses. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5842. [PMID: 38992037 PMCID: PMC11239908 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49932-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Activating interferon responses with STING agonists (STINGa) is a current cancer immunotherapy strategy, and therapeutic modalities that enable tumor-targeted delivery via systemic administration could be beneficial. Here we demonstrate that tumor cell-directed STING agonist antibody-drug-conjugates (STINGa ADCs) activate STING in tumor cells and myeloid cells and induce anti-tumor innate immune responses in in vitro, in vivo (in female mice), and ex vivo tumor models. We show that the tumor cell-directed STINGa ADCs are internalized into myeloid cells by Fcγ-receptor-I in a tumor antigen-dependent manner. Systemic administration of STINGa ADCs in mice leads to STING activation in tumors, with increased anti-tumor activity and reduced serum cytokine elevations compared to a free STING agonist. Furthermore, STINGa ADCs induce type III interferons, which contribute to the anti-tumor activity by upregulating type I interferon and other key chemokines/cytokines. These findings reveal an important role for type III interferons in the anti-tumor activity elicited by STING agonism and provide rationale for the clinical development of tumor cell-directed STINGa ADCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pamela Shaw
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA
| | | | | | - Melissa Dolan
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA
| | | | | | - Chen-Ni Chin
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA
| | - Dorin Toader
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA
| | - Jeremy Duvall
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA
| | | | | | - Marc Damelin
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc. Cambridge MA, Cambridge, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lanng KRB, Lauridsen EL, Jakobsen MR. The balance of STING signaling orchestrates immunity in cancer. Nat Immunol 2024; 25:1144-1157. [PMID: 38918609 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-01872-3] [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: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decade, it has become clear that the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway is critical for a variety of immune responses. This endoplasmic reticulum-anchored adaptor protein has regulatory functions in host immunity across a spectrum of conditions, including infectious diseases, autoimmunity, neurobiology and cancer. In this Review, we outline the central importance of STING in immunological processes driven by expression of type I and III interferons, as well as inflammatory cytokines, and we look at therapeutic options for targeting STING. We also examine evidence that challenges the prevailing notion that STING activation is predominantly beneficial in combating cancer. Further exploration is imperative to discern whether STING activation in the tumor microenvironment confers true benefits or has detrimental effects. Research in this field is at a crossroads, as a clearer understanding of the nuanced functions of STING activation in cancer is required for the development of next-generation therapies.
Collapse
|
10
|
Bharti V, Kumar A, Wang Y, Roychowdhury N, de Lima Bellan D, Kassaye BB, Watkins R, Capece M, Chung CG, Hilinski G, Vilgelm AE. TTK inhibitor OSU13 promotes immunotherapy responses by activating tumor STING. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e177523. [PMID: 38900577 PMCID: PMC11383830 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.177523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
TTK spindle assembly checkpoint kinase is an emerging cancer target. This preclinical study explored the antitumor mechanism of TTK inhibitor OSU13 to define a strategy for clinical development. We observed prominent antitumor activity of OSU13 in melanoma, colon and breast cancer cells, organoids derived from patients with melanoma, and mice bearing colon tumors associated with G2 cell cycle arrest, senescence, and apoptosis. OSU13-treated cells displayed DNA damage and micronuclei that triggered the cytosolic DNA-sensing cGAS/STING pathway. STING was required for the induction of several proteins involved in T cell recruitment and activity. Tumors from OSU13-treated mice showed an increased proportion of T and NK cells and evidence of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint activation. Combining a low-toxicity dose of OSU13 with anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade resulted in prominent STING- and CD8+ T cell-dependent tumor inhibition and improved survival. These findings provide a rationale for utilizing TTK inhibitors in combination with immunotherapy in STING-proficient tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vijaya Bharti
- Department of Pathology
- Pelotonia Institute for Immunooncology, and
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Amrendra Kumar
- Department of Pathology
- Pelotonia Institute for Immunooncology, and
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Yinchong Wang
- Department of Pathology
- Pelotonia Institute for Immunooncology, and
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Nikhil Roychowdhury
- Department of Pathology
- Pelotonia Institute for Immunooncology, and
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel de Lima Bellan
- Department of Pathology
- Pelotonia Institute for Immunooncology, and
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Reese Watkins
- Department of Pathology
- Pelotonia Institute for Immunooncology, and
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Marina Capece
- Department of Pathology
- Pelotonia Institute for Immunooncology, and
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Gerard Hilinski
- Drug Development Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center and The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Anna E Vilgelm
- Department of Pathology
- Pelotonia Institute for Immunooncology, and
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Toufektchan E, Dananberg A, Striepen J, Hickling JH, Shim A, Chen Y, Nichols A, Duran Paez MA, Mohr L, Bakhoum SF, Maciejowski J. Intratumoral TREX1 Induction Promotes Immune Evasion by Limiting Type I IFN. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:673-686. [PMID: 38408184 PMCID: PMC11148545 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-1093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Chromosomal instability is a hallmark of human cancer that is associated with aggressive disease characteristics. Chromosome mis-segregations help fuel natural selection, but they risk provoking a cGAS-STING immune response through the accumulation of cytosolic DNA. The mechanisms of how tumors benefit from chromosomal instability while mitigating associated risks, such as enhanced immune surveillance, are poorly understood. Here, we identify cGAS-STING-dependent upregulation of the nuclease TREX1 as an adaptive, negative feedback mechanism that promotes immune evasion through digestion of cytosolic DNA. TREX1 loss diminishes tumor growth, prolongs survival of host animals, increases tumor immune infiltration, and potentiates response to immune checkpoint blockade selectively in tumors capable of mounting a type I IFN response downstream of STING. Together, these data demonstrate that TREX1 induction shields chromosomally unstable tumors from immune surveillance by dampening type I IFN production and suggest that TREX1 inhibitors might be used to selectively target tumors that have retained the inherent ability to mount an IFN response downstream of STING. See related article by Lim et al., p. 663.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eléonore Toufektchan
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Alexandra Dananberg
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Josefine Striepen
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - James H. Hickling
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Abraham Shim
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Yanyang Chen
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ashley Nichols
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Mercedes A. Duran Paez
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Lisa Mohr
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Samuel F. Bakhoum
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - John Maciejowski
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wang Y, Li S, Hu M, Yang Y, McCabe E, Zhang L, Withrow AM, Ting JPY, Liu R. Universal STING mimic boosts antitumour immunity via preferential activation of tumour control signalling pathways. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:856-866. [PMID: 38480836 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01624-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The efficacy of STING (stimulator of interferon genes) agonists is due to various factors, primarily inefficient intracellular delivery, low/lack of endogenous STING expression in many tumours, and a complex balance between tumour control and progression. Here we report a universal STING mimic (uniSTING) based on a polymeric architecture. UniSTING activates STING signalling in a range of mouse and human cell types, independent of endogenous STING expression, and selectively stimulates tumour control IRF3/IFN-I pathways, but not tumour progression NF-κB pathways. Intratumoural or systemic injection of uniSTING-mRNA via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) results in potent antitumour efficacy across established and advanced metastatic tumour models, including triple-negative breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma and orthotopic/metastatic liver malignancies. Furthermore, uniSTING displays an effective antitumour response superior to 2'3'-cGAMP and ADU-S100. By favouring IRF3/IFN-I activity over the proinflammatory NF-κB signalling pathway, uniSTING promotes dendritic cell maturation and antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell responses. Extracellular vesicles released from uniSTING-treated tumour cells further sensitize dendritic cells via exosome-containing miRNAs that reduced the immunosuppressive Wnt2b, and a combination of LNP-uniSTING-mRNA with α-Wnt2b antibodies synergistically inhibits tumour growth and prolongs animal survival. Collectively, these results demonstrate the LNP-mediated delivery of uniSTING-mRNA as a strategy to overcome the current STING therapeutic barriers, particularly for the treatment of multiple cancer types in which STING is downregulated or absent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sirui Li
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mengying Hu
- Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yuchen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ellie McCabe
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lillian Zhang
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Andrew M Withrow
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jenny P-Y Ting
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Rihe Liu
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Carolina Center for Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Delaunay T, Son S, Park S, Kaur B, Ahn J, Barber GN. Exogenous non-coding dsDNA-dependent trans-activation of phagocytes augments anti-tumor immunity. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101528. [PMID: 38677283 PMCID: PMC11148645 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101528] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-dependent signaling is requisite for effective anti-microbial and anti-tumor activity. STING signaling is commonly defective in cancer cells, which enables tumor cells to evade the immunosurveillance system. We evaluate here whether intrinsic STING signaling in such tumor cells could be reconstituted by creating recombinant herpes simplex viruses (rHSVs) that express components of the STING signaling pathway. We observe that rHSVs expressing STING and/or cGAS replicate inefficiently yet retain in vivo anti-tumor activity, independent of oncolytic activity requisite on the trans-activation of extrinsic STING signaling in phagocytes by engulfed microbial dsDNA species. Accordingly, the in vivo effects of virotherapy could be simulated by nanoparticles incorporating non-coding dsDNA species, which comparably elicit the trans-activation of phagocytes and augment the efficacy of established cancer treatments including checkpoint inhibition and radiation therapy. Our results help elucidate mechanisms of virotherapeutic anti-tumor activity as well as provide alternate strategies to treat cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiphaine Delaunay
- Department of Cell Biology, Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sehee Son
- Department of Cell Biology, Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Seongji Park
- Department of Cell Biology, Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Balveen Kaur
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University Medical Center, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Jeonghyun Ahn
- Department of Cell Biology, Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Glen N Barber
- Department of Cell Biology, Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Huang KCY, Chiang SF, Chang HY, Hong WZ, Chen JY, Lee PC, Liang JA, Ke TW, Peng SL, Shiau AC, Chen TW, Yang PC, Chen WTL, Chao KSC. Colorectal cancer-specific IFNβ delivery overcomes dysfunctional dsRNA-mediated type I interferon signaling to increase the abscopal effect of radiotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008515. [PMID: 38749537 PMCID: PMC11097864 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-intrinsic type I interferon (IFN-I) production triggered by radiotherapy (RT) is mainly dependent on cytosolic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)-mediated cGAS/STING signaling and increases cancer immunogenicity and enhances the antitumor immune response to increase therapeutic efficacy. However, cGAS/STING deficiency in colorectal cancer (CRC) may suppress the RT-induced antitumor immunity. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the importance of the dsRNA-mediated antitumor immune response induced by RT in patients with CRC. METHODS Cytosolic dsRNA level and its sensors were evaluated via cell-based assays (co-culture assay, confocal microscopy, pharmacological inhibition and immunofluorescent staining) and in vivo experiments. Biopsies and surgical tissues from patients with CRC who received preoperative chemoradiotherapy (neoCRT) were collected for multiplex cytokine assays, immunohistochemical analysis and SNP genotyping. We also generated a cancer-specific adenovirus-associated virus (AAV)-IFNβ1 construct to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in combination with RT, and the immune profiles were analyzed by flow cytometry and RNA-seq. RESULTS Our studies revealed that RT stimulates the autonomous release of dsRNA from cancer cells to activate TLR3-mediated IFN-I signatures to facilitate antitumor immune responses. Patients harboring a dysfunctional TLR3 variant had reduced serum levels of IFN-I-related cytokines and intratumoral CD8+ immune cells and shorter disease-free survival following neoCRT treatment. The engineered cancer-targeted construct AAV-IFNβ1 significantly improved the response to RT, leading to systematic eradication of distant tumors and prolonged survival in defective TLR3 preclinical models. CONCLUSION Our results support that increasing cancer-intrinsic IFNβ1 expression is an immunotherapeutic strategy that enhances the RT-induced antitumor immune response in locally patients with advanced CRC with dysfunctional TLR3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fen Chiang
- Lab of Precision Medicine, Feng-Yuan Hospital Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Chang
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Proton Cancer, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ze Hong
- Proton Cancer, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jhen-Yu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Proton Cancer, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chih Lee
- Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ji-An Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- Department of Colorectal Cancer, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Lei Peng
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - An-Cheng Shiau
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Proton Cancer, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Wei Chen
- Department of Pathology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Proton Cancer, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Colorectal Cancer, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University Hospital, HsinChu, Taiwan
| | - K S Clifford Chao
- Proton Cancer, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tani T, Mathsyaraja H, Campisi M, Li ZH, Haratani K, Fahey CG, Ota K, Mahadevan NR, Shi Y, Saito S, Mizuno K, Thai TC, Sasaki N, Homme M, Yusuf CFB, Kashishian A, Panchal J, Wang M, Wolf BJ, Barbie TU, Paweletz CP, Gokhale PC, Liu D, Uppaluri R, Kitajima S, Cain J, Barbie DA. TREX1 Inactivation Unleashes Cancer Cell STING-Interferon Signaling and Promotes Antitumor Immunity. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:752-765. [PMID: 38227896 PMCID: PMC11062818 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
A substantial fraction of cancers evade immune detection by silencing Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING)-Interferon (IFN) signaling. Therapeutic reactivation of this program via STING agonists, epigenetic, or DNA-damaging therapies can restore antitumor immunity in multiple preclinical models. Here we show that adaptive induction of three prime exonuclease 1 (TREX1) restrains STING-dependent nucleic acid sensing in cancer cells via its catalytic function in degrading cytosolic DNA. Cancer cell TREX1 expression is coordinately induced with STING by autocrine IFN and downstream STAT1, preventing signal amplification. TREX1 inactivation in cancer cells thus unleashes STING-IFN signaling, recruiting T and natural killer (NK) cells, sensitizing to NK cell-derived IFNγ, and cooperating with programmed cell death protein 1 blockade in multiple mouse tumor models to enhance immunogenicity. Targeting TREX1 may represent a complementary strategy to induce cytosolic DNA and amplify cancer cell STING-IFN signaling as a means to sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and/or cell therapies. SIGNIFICANCE STING-IFN signaling in cancer cells promotes tumor cell immunogenicity. Inactivation of the DNA exonuclease TREX1, which is adaptively upregulated to limit pathway activation in cancer cells, recruits immune effector cells and primes NK cell-mediated killing. Targeting TREX1 has substantial therapeutic potential to amplify cancer cell immunogenicity and overcome ICB resistance. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 695.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuo Tani
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Contributed equally
| | | | - Marco Campisi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ze-Hua Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Koji Haratani
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline G. Fahey
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keiichi Ota
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Navin R. Mahadevan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yingxiao Shi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shin Saito
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kei Mizuno
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tran C. Thai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nobunari Sasaki
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mizuki Homme
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Choudhury Fabliha B. Yusuf
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Min Wang
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA, USA
| | | | - Thanh U. Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cloud P. Paweletz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Prafulla C Gokhale
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ravindra Uppaluri
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shunsuke Kitajima
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - David A. Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Liu D, He W, Yang LL. Revitalizing antitumor immunity: Leveraging nucleic acid sensors as therapeutic targets. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216729. [PMID: 38387757 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216729] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Nucleic acid sensors play a critical role in recognizing and responding to pathogenic nucleic acids as danger signals. Upon activation, these sensors initiate downstream signaling cascades that lead to the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and type I interferons. These immune mediators orchestrate diverse effector responses, including the activation of immune cells and the modulation of the tumor microenvironment. However, careful consideration must be given to balancing the activation of nucleic acid sensors to avoid unwanted autoimmune or inflammatory responses. In this review, we provide an overview of nucleic acid sensors and their role in combating cancer through the perception of various aberrant nucleic acids and activation of the immune system. We discuss the connections between different programmed cell death modes and nucleic acid sensors. Finally, we outline the development of nucleic acid sensor agonists, highlighting how their potential as therapeutic targets opens up new avenues for cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danfeng Liu
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, PR China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, PR China.
| | - Lei-Lei Yang
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Colangelo NW, Gerber NK, Vatner RE, Cooper BT. Harnessing the cGAS-STING pathway to potentiate radiation therapy: current approaches and future directions. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1383000. [PMID: 38659582 PMCID: PMC11039815 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1383000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In this review, we cover the current understanding of how radiation therapy, which uses ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells, mediates an anti-tumor immune response through the cGAS-STING pathway, and how STING agonists might potentiate this. We examine how cGAS-STING signaling mediates the release of inflammatory cytokines in response to nuclear and mitochondrial DNA entering the cytoplasm. The significance of this in the context of cancer is explored, such as in response to cell-damaging therapies and genomic instability. The contribution of the immune and non-immune cells in the tumor microenvironment is considered. This review also discusses the burgeoning understanding of STING signaling that is independent of inflammatory cytokine release and the various mechanisms by which cancer cells can evade STING signaling. We review the available data on how ionizing radiation stimulates cGAS-STING signaling as well as how STING agonists may potentiate the anti-tumor immune response induced by ionizing radiation. There is also discussion of how novel radiation modalities may affect cGAS-STING signaling. We conclude with a discussion of ongoing and planned clinical trials combining radiation therapy with STING agonists, and provide insights to consider when planning future clinical trials combining these treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W. Colangelo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Naamit K. Gerber
- Department of Radiation Oncology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ralph E. Vatner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Benjamin T. Cooper
- Department of Radiation Oncology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lei X, de Groot DC, Welters MJP, de Wit T, Schrama E, van Eenennaam H, Santegoets SJ, Oosenbrug T, van der Veen A, Vos JL, Zuur CL, de Miranda NFCC, Jacobs H, van der Burg SH, Borst J, Xiao Y. CD4 + T cells produce IFN-I to license cDC1s for induction of cytotoxic T-cell activity in human tumors. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:374-392. [PMID: 38383773 PMCID: PMC10978876 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01133-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells can "help" or "license" conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) to induce CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) anticancer responses, as proven in mouse models. We recently identified cDC1s with a transcriptomic imprint of CD4+ T-cell help, specifically in T-cell-infiltrated human cancers, and these cells were associated with a good prognosis and response to PD-1-targeting immunotherapy. Here, we delineate the mechanism of cDC1 licensing by CD4+ T cells in humans. Activated CD4+ T cells produce IFNβ via the STING pathway, which promotes MHC-I antigen (cross-)presentation by cDC1s and thereby improves their ability to induce CTL anticancer responses. In cooperation with CD40 ligand (L), IFNβ also optimizes the costimulatory and other functions of cDC1s required for CTL response induction. IFN-I-producing CD4+ T cells are present in diverse T-cell-infiltrated cancers and likely deliver "help" signals to CTLs locally, according to their transcriptomic profile and colocalization with "helped/licensed" cDCs and tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells. In agreement with this scenario, the presence of IFN-I-producing CD4+ T cells in the TME is associated with overall survival and the response to PD-1 checkpoint blockade in cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lei
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daniël C de Groot
- Department of Tumor Biology and Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marij J P Welters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tom de Wit
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Schrama
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Saskia J Santegoets
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Timo Oosenbrug
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Joris L Vos
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte L Zuur
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Heinz Jacobs
- Department of Tumor Biology and Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jannie Borst
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Yanling Xiao
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Li Q, Wu P, Du Q, Hanif U, Hu H, Li K. cGAS-STING, an important signaling pathway in diseases and their therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e511. [PMID: 38525112 PMCID: PMC10960729 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Since cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway was discovered in 2013, great progress has been made to elucidate the origin, function, and regulating mechanism of cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the past decade. Meanwhile, the triggering and transduction mechanisms have been continuously illuminated. cGAS-STING plays a key role in human diseases, particularly DNA-triggered inflammatory diseases, making it a potentially effective therapeutic target for inflammation-related diseases. Here, we aim to summarize the ancient origin of the cGAS-STING defense mechanism, as well as the triggers, transduction, and regulating mechanisms of the cGAS-STING. We will also focus on the important roles of cGAS-STING signal under pathological conditions, such as infections, cancers, autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, and visceral inflammations, and review the progress in drug development targeting cGAS-STING signaling pathway. The main directions and potential obstacles in the regulating mechanism research and therapeutic drug development of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway for inflammatory diseases and cancers will be discussed. These research advancements expand our understanding of cGAS-STING, provide a theoretical basis for further exploration of the roles of cGAS-STING in diseases, and open up new strategies for targeting cGAS-STING as a promising therapeutic intervention in multiple diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qijie Li
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ping Wu
- Department of Occupational DiseasesThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College (China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital)ChengduSichuanChina
| | - Qiujing Du
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ullah Hanif
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Hongbo Hu
- Center for Immunology and HematologyState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ka Li
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wisdom AJ, Barker CA, Chang JY, Demaria S, Formenti S, Grassberger C, Gregucci F, Hoppe BS, Kirsch DG, Marciscano AE, Mayadev J, Mouw KW, Palta M, Wu CC, Jabbour SK, Schoenfeld JD. The Next Chapter in Immunotherapy and Radiation Combination Therapy: Cancer-Specific Perspectives. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 118:1404-1421. [PMID: 38184173 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapeutic agents have revolutionized cancer treatment over the past decade. However, most patients fail to respond to immunotherapy alone. A growing body of preclinical studies highlights the potential for synergy between radiation therapy and immunotherapy, but the outcomes of clinical studies have been mixed. This review summarizes the current state of immunotherapy and radiation combination therapy across cancers, highlighting existing challenges and promising areas for future investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy J Wisdom
- Harvard Radiation Oncology Program, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christopher A Barker
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Joe Y Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sandra Demaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Silvia Formenti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Clemens Grassberger
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Fabiana Gregucci
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Bradford S Hoppe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - David G Kirsch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ariel E Marciscano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jyoti Mayadev
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California
| | - Kent W Mouw
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Manisha Palta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke Cancer Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Cheng-Chia Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Salma K Jabbour
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
| | - Jonathan D Schoenfeld
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hu A, Sun L, Lin H, Liao Y, Yang H, Mao Y. Harnessing innate immune pathways for therapeutic advancement in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:68. [PMID: 38523155 PMCID: PMC10961329 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01765-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The innate immune pathway is receiving increasing attention in cancer therapy. This pathway is ubiquitous across various cell types, not only in innate immune cells but also in adaptive immune cells, tumor cells, and stromal cells. Agonists targeting the innate immune pathway have shown profound changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and improved tumor prognosis in preclinical studies. However, to date, the clinical success of drugs targeting the innate immune pathway remains limited. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that activation of the innate immune pathway can paradoxically promote tumor progression. The uncertainty surrounding the therapeutic effectiveness of targeted drugs for the innate immune pathway is a critical issue that needs immediate investigation. In this review, we observe that the role of the innate immune pathway demonstrates heterogeneity, linked to the tumor development stage, pathway status, and specific cell types. We propose that within the TME, the innate immune pathway exhibits multidimensional diversity. This diversity is fundamentally rooted in cellular heterogeneity and is manifested as a variety of signaling networks. The pro-tumor effect of innate immune pathway activation essentially reflects the suppression of classical pathways and the activation of potential pro-tumor alternative pathways. Refining our understanding of the tumor's innate immune pathway network and employing appropriate targeting strategies can enhance our ability to harness the anti-tumor potential of the innate immune pathway and ultimately bridge the gap from preclinical to clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hao Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yuheng Liao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), and Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine (Ministry of Education), and Molecular and Cell Biology Lab, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Luteijn RD, van Terwisga SR, Ver Eecke JE, Onia L, Zaver SA, Woodward JJ, Wubbolts RW, Raulet DH, van Kuppeveld FJM. The activation of the adaptor protein STING depends on its interactions with the phospholipid PI4P. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eade3643. [PMID: 38470955 PMCID: PMC11003704 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.ade3643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Activation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident adaptor protein STING, a component of a cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway, induces the transcription of genes encoding type I interferons (IFNs) and other proinflammatory factors. Because STING is activated at the Golgi apparatus, control of the localization and activation of STING is important in stimulating antiviral and antitumor immune responses. Through a genome-wide CRISPR interference screen, we found that STING activation required the Golgi-resident protein ACBD3, which promotes the generation of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) at the trans-Golgi network, as well as other PI4P-associated proteins. Appropriate localization and activation of STING at the Golgi apparatus required ACBD3 and the PI4P-generating kinase PI4KB. In contrast, STING activation was enhanced when the lipid-shuttling protein OSBP, which removes PI4P from the Golgi apparatus, was inhibited by the US Food and Drug Administration-approved antifungal itraconazole. The increase in the abundance of STING-activating phospholipids at the trans-Golgi network resulted in the increased production of IFN-β and other cytokines in THP-1 cells. Furthermore, a mutant STING that could not bind to PI4P failed to traffic from the ER to the Golgi apparatus in response to a STING agonist, whereas forced relocalization of STING to PI4P-enriched areas elicited STING activation in the absence of stimulation with a STING agonist. Thus, PI4P is critical for STING activation, and manipulating PI4P abundance may therapeutically modulate STING-dependent immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rutger D Luteijn
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sypke R van Terwisga
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jill E Ver Eecke
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Liberty Onia
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Cancer Research Laboratory, Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Shivam A Zaver
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Joshua J Woodward
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Richard W Wubbolts
- Centre for Cell Imaging, Division of Cell Biology, Metabolism and Cancer, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - David H Raulet
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Cancer Research Laboratory, Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Frank J M van Kuppeveld
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Moshnikova A, DuPont M, Iraca M, Klumpp C, Visca H, Allababidi D, Pelzer P, Engelman DM, Andreev OA, Reshetnyak YK. Targeted intracellular delivery of dimeric STINGa by two pHLIP peptides for treatment of solid tumors. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1346756. [PMID: 38495104 PMCID: PMC10940318 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1346756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: We have developed a delivery approach that uses two pHLIP peptides that collaborate in the targeted intracellular delivery of a single payload, dimeric STINGa (dMSA). Methods: dMSA was conjugated with two pHLIP peptides via S-S cleavable self-immolating linkers to form 2pHLIP-dMSA. Results: Biophysical studies were carried out to confirm pH-triggered interactions of the 2pHLIP-dMSA with membrane lipid bilayers. The kinetics of linker self-immolation and dMSA release, the pharmacokinetics, the binding to plasma proteins, the stability of the agent in plasma, the targeting and resulting cytokine activation in tumors, and the biodistribution of the construct was investigated. This is the first study demonstrating that combining the energy of the membrane-associated folding of two pHLIPs can be utilized to enhance the targeted intracellular delivery of large therapeutic cargo payloads. Discussion: Linking two pHLIPs to the cargo extends blood half-life, and targeted delivery of dimeric STINGa induces tumor eradication and the development of robust anti-cancer immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Moshnikova
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Michael DuPont
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Marissa Iraca
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Craig Klumpp
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Hannah Visca
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Dana Allababidi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Phoebe Pelzer
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Donald M. Engelman
- Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry Department, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Oleg A. Andreev
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Yana K. Reshetnyak
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Low JT, Brown MC, Reitman ZJ, Bernstock JD, Markert JM, Friedman GK, Waitkus MS, Bowie ML, Ashley DM. Understanding and therapeutically exploiting cGAS/STING signaling in glioblastoma. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e163452. [PMID: 38226619 PMCID: PMC10786687 DOI: 10.1172/jci163452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery that cGAS/STING recognizes endogenous DNA released from dying cancer cells and induces type I interferon and antitumor T cell responses, efforts to understand and therapeutically target the STING pathway in cancer have ensued. Relative to other cancer types, the glioma immune microenvironment harbors few infiltrating T cells, but abundant tumor-associated myeloid cells, possibly explaining disappointing responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapies in cohorts of patients with glioblastoma. Notably, unlike most extracranial tumors, STING expression is absent in the malignant compartment of gliomas, likely due to methylation of the STING promoter. Nonetheless, several preclinical studies suggest that inducing cGAS/STING signaling in the glioma immune microenvironment could be therapeutically beneficial, and cGAS/STING signaling has been shown to mediate inflammatory and antitumor effects of other modalities either in use or being developed for glioblastoma therapy, including radiation, tumor-treating fields, and oncolytic virotherapy. In this Review, we discuss cGAS/STING signaling in gliomas, its implications for glioma immunobiology, compartment-specific roles for STING signaling in influencing immune surveillance, and efforts to target STING signaling - either directly or indirectly - for antiglioma therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zachary J. Reitman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Joshua D. Bernstock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James M. Markert
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Gregory K. Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Lv H, Zong Q, Chen C, Lv G, Xiang W, Xing F, Jiang G, Yan B, Sun X, Ma Y, Wang L, Wu Z, Cui X, Wang H, Yang W. TET2-mediated tumor cGAS triggers endothelial STING activation to regulate vasculature remodeling and anti-tumor immunity in liver cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6. [PMID: 38177099 PMCID: PMC10766952 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43743-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Induction of tumor vascular normalization is a crucial measure to enhance immunotherapy efficacy. cGAS-STING pathway is vital for anti-tumor immunity, but its role in tumor vasculature is unclear. Herein, using preclinical liver cancer models in Cgas/Sting-deficient male mice, we report that the interdependence between tumor cGAS and host STING mediates vascular normalization and anti-tumor immune response. Mechanistically, TET2 mediated IL-2/STAT5A signaling epigenetically upregulates tumor cGAS expression and produces cGAMP. Subsequently, cGAMP is transported via LRRC8C channels to activate STING in endothelial cells, enhancing recruitment and transendothelial migration of lymphocytes. In vivo studies in male mice also reveal that administration of vitamin C, a promising anti-cancer agent, stimulates TET2 activity, induces tumor vascular normalization and enhances the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 therapy alone or in combination with IL-2. Our findings elucidate a crosstalk between tumor and vascular endothelial cells in the tumor immune microenvironment, providing strategies to enhance the efficacy of combinational immunotherapy for liver cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Lv
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Qianni Zong
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
| | - Cian Chen
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
| | - Guishuai Lv
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
| | - Wei Xiang
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Fuxue Xing
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Guoqing Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225000, China
| | - Bing Yan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225000, China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450000, China
| | - Yue Ma
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Liang Wang
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
| | - Zixin Wu
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Xiuliang Cui
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
| | - Hongyang Wang
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China.
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China.
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hepato-biliary Tumor Biology, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Key Laboratory of Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Wen Yang
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China.
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China.
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hepato-biliary Tumor Biology, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Key Laboratory of Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Reghu G, Vemula PK, Bhat SG, Narayanan S. Harnessing the innate immune system by revolutionizing macrophage-mediated cancer immunotherapy. J Biosci 2024; 49:63. [PMID: 38864238 PMCID: PMC11286319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a promising and safer alternative to conventional cancer therapies. It involves adaptive T-cell therapy, cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) based therapies. However, most of these modalities encounter restrictions in solid tumours owing to a dense, highly hypoxic and immune-suppressive microenvironment as well as the heterogeneity of tumour antigens. The elevated intra-tumoural pressure and mutational rates within fastgrowing solid tumours present challenges in efficient drug targeting and delivery. The tumour microenvironment is a dynamic niche infiltrated by a variety of immune cells, most of which are macrophages. Since they form a part of the innate immune system, targeting macrophages has become a plausible immunotherapeutic approach. In this review, we discuss several versatile approaches (both at pre-clinical and clinical stages) such as the direct killing of tumour-associated macrophages, reprogramming pro-tumour macrophages to anti-tumour phenotypes, inhibition of macrophage recruitment into the tumour microenvironment, novel CAR macrophages, and genetically engineered macrophages that have been devised thus far. These strategies comprise a strong and adaptable macrophage-toolkit in the ongoing fight against cancer and by understanding their significance, we may unlock the full potential of these immune cells in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gayatri Reghu
- Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi 682 022, India
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Gregorczyk M, Parkes EE. Targeting mitotic regulators in cancer as a strategy to enhance immune recognition. DNA Repair (Amst) 2023; 132:103583. [PMID: 37871511 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2023.103583] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic DNA has evolved to be enclosed within the nucleus to protect the cellular genome from autoinflammatory responses driven by the immunogenic nature of cytoplasmic DNA. Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase (cGAS) is the cytoplasmic dsDNA sensor, which upon activation of Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING), mediates production of pro-inflammatory interferons (IFNs) and interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). However, although this pathway is crucial in detection of viral and microbial genetic material, cytoplasmic DNA is not always of foreign origin. It is now recognised that specifically in genomic instability, a hallmark of cancer, extranuclear material in the form of micronuclei (MN) can be generated as a result of unresolved DNA lesions during mitosis. Activation of cGAS-STING in cancer has been shown to regulate numerous tumour-immune interactions such as acquisition of 'immunologically hot' phenotype which stimulates immune-mediated elimination of transformed cells. Nonetheless, a significant percentage of poorly prognostic cancers is 'immunologically cold'. As this state has been linked with low proportion of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), improving immunogenicity of cold tumours could be clinically relevant by exhibiting synergy with immunotherapy. This review aims to present how inhibition of vital mitotic regulators could provoke cGAS-STING response in cancer and improve the efficacy of current immunotherapy regimens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Gregorczyk
- Oxford Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Eileen E Parkes
- Oxford Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Classen S, Petersen C, Borgmann K. Crosstalk between immune checkpoint and DNA damage response inhibitors for radiosensitization of tumors. Strahlenther Onkol 2023; 199:1152-1163. [PMID: 37420037 PMCID: PMC10674014 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-023-02103-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This review article is intended to provide a perspective overview of potential strategies to overcome radiation resistance of tumors through the combined use of immune checkpoint and DNA repair inhibitors. METHODS A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the terms ("DNA repair* and DNA damage response* and intracellular immune response* and immune checkpoint inhibition* and radio*") until January 31, 2023. Articles were manually selected based on their relevance to the topics analyzed. RESULTS Modern radiotherapy offers a wide range of options for tumor treatment. Radiation-resistant subpopulations of the tumor pose a particular challenge for complete cure. This is due to the enhanced activation of molecular defense mechanisms that prevent cell death because of DNA damage. Novel approaches to enhance tumor cure are provided by immune checkpoint inhibitors, but their effectiveness, especially in tumors without increased mutational burden, also remains limited. Combining inhibitors of both immune checkpoints and DNA damage response with radiation may be an attractive option to augment existing therapies and is the subject of the data summarized here. CONCLUSION The combination of tested inhibitors of DNA damage and immune responses in preclinical models opens additional attractive options for the radiosensitization of tumors and represents a promising application for future therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Classen
- Laboratory of Radiobiology and Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Center of Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cordula Petersen
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Borgmann
- Laboratory of Radiobiology and Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Center of Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Liu J, Deng Y, Wang A, Liu B, Zhou X, Yin T, Wang Y, Tang T, Qiu Y, Chen J, Yang J. Investigation into the role of the MITA-TRIM38 interaction in regulating pyroptosis and maintaining immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:780. [PMID: 38012139 PMCID: PMC10682411 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06314-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The maternal-fetal interface shares similarities with tumor tissues in terms of the immune microenvironment. Normal pregnancy is maintained due to the immunosuppressed state, but pyroptosis induced by MITA can trigger the body's immune response and disrupt the immunosuppressed state of the maternal-fetal interface, leading to abortion. In this study, we explored the role of MITA and TRIM38 in regulating pyroptosis and maintaining the immune tolerance of the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy. Our findings show that the interaction between MITA and TRIM38 plays a crucial role in maintaining the immunosuppressed state of the maternal-fetal interface. Specifically, we observed that TRIM38-mediated K48 ubiquitination of MITA was higher in M2 macrophages, leading to low expression levels of MITA and thus inhibiting pyroptosis. Conversely, in M1 macrophages, the ubiquitination of K48 was lower, resulting in higher expression levels of MITA and promoting pyroptosis. Our results also indicated that pyroptosis played an important role in hindering the transformation of M1 to M2 and maintaining the immunosuppressed state of the maternal-fetal interface. These discoveries help elucidate the mechanisms that support the preservation of the immune tolerance microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface, playing a vital role in ensuring successful pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Deng
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - An Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, China
| | - Bowen Liu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, China
| | - Tailang Yin
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Tang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
| | - Yang Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, China.
| | - Jiao Chen
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jing Yang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Froechlich G, Finizio A, Napolano A, Amiranda S, De Chiara A, Pagano P, Mallardo M, Leoni G, Zambrano N, Sasso E. The common H232 STING allele shows impaired activities in DNA sensing, susceptibility to viral infection, and in monocyte cell function, while the HAQ variant possesses wild-type properties. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19541. [PMID: 37945588 PMCID: PMC10636114 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46830-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Different innate immune pathways converge to Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and trigger type I interferon responses after recognition of abnormal nucleic acids in the cells. This non-redundant function renders STING a major player in immunosurveillance, and an emerging target for cancer and infectious diseases therapeutics. Beyond somatic mutations that often occur in cancer, the human gene encoding STING protein, TMEM173 (STING1), holds great genetic heterogeneity; R232, HAQ (R71H-G230A-R293Q) and H232 are the most common alleles. Although some of these alleles are likely to be hypomorphic, their function is still debated, due to the available functional assessments, which have been performed in biased biological systems. Here, by using genetic background-matched models, we report on the functional evaluation of R232, HAQ and H232 variants on STING function, and on how these genotypes affect the susceptibility to clinically relevant viruses, thus supporting a potential contributing cause to differences in inter-individual responses to infections. Our findings also demonstrate a novel toll-like receptor-independent role of STING in modulating monocytic cell function and differentiation into macrophages. We further supported the interplay of STING1 variants and human biology by demonstrating how monocytes bearing the H232 allele were impaired in M1/M2 differentiation, interferon response and antigen presentation. Finally, we assessed the response to PD-1 inhibitor in a small cohort of melanoma patients stratified according to STING genotype. Given the contribution of the STING protein in sensing DNA viruses, bacterial pathogens and misplaced cancer DNA, these data may support the development of novel therapeutic options for infectious diseases and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guendalina Froechlich
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Arianna Finizio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Napolano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Amiranda
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Arianna De Chiara
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasqualina Pagano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Mallardo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Zambrano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.
| | - Emanuele Sasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.C.aR.L., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.
- ImGen-T Srl, Viale del Parco Carelli, Napoli, NA, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Meibers HE, Warrick KA, VonHandorf A, Vallez CN, Kawarizadeh K, Saha I, Donmez O, Jain VG, Kottyan LC, Weirauch MT, Pasare C. Effector memory T cells induce innate inflammation by triggering DNA damage and a non-canonical STING pathway in dendritic cells. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113180. [PMID: 37794597 PMCID: PMC10654673 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognate interaction between CD4+ effector memory T (TEM) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) induces innate inflammatory cytokine production, resulting in detrimental autoimmune pathology and cytokine storms. While TEM cells use tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily ligands to activate DCs, whether TEM cells prompt other DC-intrinsic changes that influence the innate inflammatory response has never been investigated. We report the surprising discovery that TEM cells trigger double-strand DNA breaks via mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in interacting DCs. Initiation of the DNA damage response in DCs induces activation of a cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-AMP synthase (cGAS)-independent, non-canonical stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)-nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling axis. Consequently, STING-deficient DCs display reduced NF-κB activation and subsequent defects in transcriptional induction and functional production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 following their interaction with TEM cells. The discovery of TEM cell-induced innate inflammation through DNA damage and a non-canonical STING-NF-κB pathway presents this pathway as a potential target to alleviate T cell-driven inflammation in autoimmunity and cytokine storms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Meibers
- Immunology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Kathrynne A Warrick
- Immunology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Andrew VonHandorf
- Center for Autoimmune Genetics and Etiology and Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Charles N Vallez
- Immunology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Kiana Kawarizadeh
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Irene Saha
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Omer Donmez
- Center for Autoimmune Genetics and Etiology and Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Viral G Jain
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Leah C Kottyan
- Center for Autoimmune Genetics and Etiology and Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Matthew T Weirauch
- Center for Autoimmune Genetics and Etiology and Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Chandrashekhar Pasare
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Yang J, Yang M, Wang Y, Sun J, Liu Y, Zhang L, Guo B. STING in tumors: a focus on non-innate immune pathways. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1278461. [PMID: 37965570 PMCID: PMC10642211 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1278461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and downstream stimulator of interferon genes (STING) are involved in mediating innate immunity by promoting the release of interferon and other inflammatory factors. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) with a double-stranded structure has greater efficiency and sensitivity in being detected by DNA sensors and thus has an important role in the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. Many previous findings suggest that the cGAS-STING pathway-mediated innate immune regulation is the most important aspect affecting tumor survival, not only in its anti-tumor role but also in shaping the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) through a variety of pathways. However, recent studies have shown that STING regulation of non-immune pathways is equally profound and also involved in tumor cell progression. In this paper, we will focus on the non-innate immune system pathways, in which the cGAS-STING pathway also plays an important role in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Yang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Biomedical Science, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Biomedical Science, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yingtong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Biomedical Science, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jicheng Sun
- Department of Plastic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yiran Liu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Biomedical Science, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Baofeng Guo
- Department of Plastic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates formed by phase separation are widespread and play critical roles in many physiological and pathological processes. cGAS-STING signaling functions to detect aberrant DNA signals to initiate anti-infection defense and antitumor immunity. At the same time, cGAS-STING signaling must be carefully regulated to maintain immune homeostasis. Interestingly, exciting recent studies have reported that biomolecular phase separation exists and plays important roles in different steps of cGAS-STING signaling, including cGAS condensates, STING condensates, and IRF3 condensates. In addition, several intracellular and extracellular factors have been proposed to modulate the condensates in cGAS-STING signaling. These studies reveal novel activation and regulation mechanisms of cGAS-STING signaling and provide new opportunities for drug discovery. Here, we summarize recent advances in the phase separation of cGAS-STING signaling and the development of potential drugs targeting these innate immune condensates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quanjin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Pu Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Sasaki N, Homme M, Kitajima S. Targeting the loss of cGAS/STING signaling in cancer. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:3806-3815. [PMID: 37475576 PMCID: PMC10551601 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The cGAS/STING pathway provides a key host defense mechanism by detecting the accumulation of cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and mediating innate and adaptive immune signaling. In addition to detecting pathogen-derived dsDNA, cGAS senses intrinsic dsDNA, such as those associated with defective cell cycle progression and mitophagy that has leaked from the nucleus or mitochondria, and subsequently evokes host immunity to eliminate pathogenic cells. In cancer cells, dysregulation of DNA repair and cell cycle caused at the DNA replication checkpoint and spindle assembly checkpoint results in aberrant cytoplasmic dsDNA accumulation, stimulating anti-tumor immunity. Therefore, the suppression of cGAS/STING signaling is beneficial for survival and frequently observed in cancer cells as a way to evade detection by the immune system, and is likely to be related to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) resistance. Indeed, the mechanisms of ICB resistance overlap with those acquired in cancers during immunoediting to evade immune surveillance. This review highlights the current understanding of cGAS/STING suppression in cancer cells and discusses how to establish effective strategies to regenerate effective anti-tumor immunity through reactivation of the cGAS/STING pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nobunari Sasaki
- Department of Cell BiologyCancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| | - Mizuki Homme
- Department of Cell BiologyCancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| | - Shunsuke Kitajima
- Department of Cell BiologyCancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Wheeler OPG, Unterholzner L. DNA sensing in cancer: Pro-tumour and anti-tumour functions of cGAS-STING signalling. Essays Biochem 2023; 67:905-918. [PMID: 37534795 PMCID: PMC10539950 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The DNA sensor cGAS (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase) and its adaptor protein STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) detect the presence of cytosolic DNA as a sign of infection or damage. In cancer cells, this pathway can be activated through persistent DNA damage and chromosomal instability, which results in the formation of micronuclei and the exposure of DNA fragments to the cytosol. DNA damage from radio- or chemotherapy can further activate DNA sensing responses, which may occur in the cancer cells themselves or in stromal and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment (TME). cGAS-STING signalling results in the production of type I interferons, which have been linked to immune cell infiltration in 'hot' tumours that are susceptible to immunosurveillance and immunotherapy approaches. However, recent research has highlighted the complex nature of STING signalling, with tumours having developed mechanisms to evade and hijack this signalling pathway for their own benefit. In this mini-review we will explore how cGAS-STING signalling in different cells in the TME can promote both anti-tumour and pro-tumour responses. This includes the role of type I interferons and the second messenger cGAMP in the TME, and the influence of STING signalling on local immune cell populations. We examine how alternative signalling cascades downstream of STING can promote chronic interferon signalling, the activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and the production of inflammatory cytokines, which can have pro-tumour functions. An in-depth understanding of DNA sensing in different cell contexts will be required to harness the anti-tumour functions of STING signalling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Otto P G Wheeler
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, U.K
| | - Leonie Unterholzner
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kumar V, Bauer C, Stewart JH. Cancer cell-specific cGAS/STING Signaling pathway in the era of advancing cancer cell biology. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151338. [PMID: 37423035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) are critical to recognizing endogenous and exogenous threats to mount a protective proinflammatory innate immune response. PRRs may be located on the outer cell membrane, cytosol, and nucleus. The cGAS/STING signaling pathway is a cytosolic PRR system. Notably, cGAS is also present in the nucleus. The cGAS-mediated recognition of cytosolic dsDNA and its cleavage into cGAMP activates STING. Furthermore, STING activation through its downstream signaling triggers different interferon-stimulating genes (ISGs), initiating the release of type 1 interferons (IFNs) and NF-κB-mediated release of proinflammatory cytokines and molecules. Activating cGAS/STING generates type 1 IFN, which may prevent cellular transformation and cancer development, growth, and metastasis. The current article delineates the impact of the cancer cell-specific cGAS/STING signaling pathway alteration in tumors and its impact on tumor growth and metastasis. This article further discusses different approaches to specifically target cGAS/STING signaling in cancer cells to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in conjunction with existing anticancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70012, USA.
| | - Caitlin Bauer
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70012, USA
| | - John H Stewart
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70012, USA; Louisiana Children's Medical Center Cancer Center, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70012, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Zhou J, Zhuang Z, Li J, Feng Z. Significance of the cGAS-STING Pathway in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13316. [PMID: 37686127 PMCID: PMC10487967 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway plays a significant role in health and disease. In this pathway, cGAS, one of the major cytosolic DNA sensors in mammalian cells, regulates innate immunity and the STING-dependent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including type-I interferon. Moreover, the cGAS-STING pathway is integral to other cellular processes, such as cell death, cell senescence, and autophagy. Activation of the cGAS-STING pathway by "self" DNA is also attributed to various infectious diseases and autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. In addition, the cGAS-STING pathway activation functions as a link between innate and adaptive immunity, leading to the inhibition or facilitation of tumorigenesis; therefore, research targeting this pathway can provide novel clues for clinical applications to treat infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases and even cancer. In this review, we focus on the cGAS-STING pathway and its corresponding cellular and molecular mechanisms in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinglin Zhou
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Zhan Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Jiamian Li
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Zhihua Feng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Czapla J, Drzyzga A, Matuszczak S, Cichoń T, Rusin M, Jarosz-Biej M, Pilny E, Smolarczyk R. Antitumor effect of anti-vascular therapy with STING agonist depends on the tumor microenvironment context. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1249524. [PMID: 37655095 PMCID: PMC10465696 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1249524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Targeting tumor vasculature is an efficient weapon to fight against cancer; however, activation of alternative pathways to rebuild the disrupted vasculature leads to rapid tumor regrowth. Immunotherapy that exploits host immune cells to elicit and sustain potent antitumor response has emerged as one of the most promising tools for cancer treatment, yet many treatments fail due to developed resistance mechanisms. Therefore, our aim was to examine whether combination of immunotherapy and anti-vascular treatment will succeed in poorly immunogenic, difficult-to-treat melanoma and triple-negative breast tumor models. Methods Our study was performed on B16-F10 melanoma and 4T1 breast tumor murine models. Mice were treated with the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway agonist (cGAMP) and vascular disrupting agent combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P). Tumor growth was monitored. The tumor microenvironment (TME) was comprehensively investigated using multiplex immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. We also examined if such designed therapy sensitizes investigated tumor models to an immune checkpoint inhibitor (anti-PD-1). Results The use of STING agonist cGAMP as monotherapy was insufficient to effectively inhibit tumor growth due to low levels of STING protein in 4T1 tumors. However, when additionally combined with an anti-vascular agent, a significant therapeutic effect was obtained. In this model, the obtained effect was related to the TME polarization and the stimulation of the innate immune response, especially activation of NK cells. Combination therapy was unable to activate CD8+ T cells. Due to the lack of PD-1 upregulation, no improved therapeutic effect was observed when additionally combined with the anti-PD-1 inhibitor. In B16-F10 tumors, highly abundant in STING protein, cGAMP as monotherapy was sufficient to induce potent antitumor response. In this model, the therapeutic effect was due to the infiltration of the TME with activated NK cells. cGAMP also caused the infiltration of CD8+PD-1+ T cells into the TME; hence, additional benefits of using the PD-1 inhibitor were observed. Conclusion The study provides preclinical evidence for a great influence of the TME on the outcome of applied therapy, including immune cell contribution and ICI responsiveness. We pointed the need of careful TME screening prior to antitumor treatments to achieve satisfactory results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Czapla
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ryszard Smolarczyk
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Ghukasyan R, Liang K, Chau K, Li L, Chan C, Abt ER, Le T, Park JY, Wu N, Premji A, Damoiseaux R, Luu T, Labora A, Rashid K, Link JM, Radu CG, Donahue TR. MEK Inhibition Sensitizes Pancreatic Cancer to STING Agonism by Tumor Cell-intrinsic Amplification of Type I IFN Signaling. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:3130-3141. [PMID: 37195712 PMCID: PMC10865884 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-3322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonists are currently in development for treatment of solid tumors, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Response rates to STING agonists alone have been promising yet modest, and combination therapies will likely be required to elicit their full potency. We sought to identify combination therapies and mechanisms that augment the tumor cell-intrinsic effect of therapeutically relevant STING agonists apart from their known effects on tumor immunity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We screened 430 kinase inhibitors to identify synergistic effectors of tumor cell death with diABZI, an intravenously administered and systemically available STING agonist. We deciphered the mechanisms of synergy with STING agonism that cause tumor cell death in vitro and tumor regression in vivo. RESULTS We found that MEK inhibitors caused the greatest synergy with diABZI and that this effect was most pronounced in cells with high STING expression. MEK inhibition enhanced the ability of STING agonism to induce type I IFN-dependent cell death in vitro and tumor regression in vivo. We parsed NFκB-dependent and NFκB-independent mechanisms that mediate STING-driven type I IFN production and show that MEK signaling inhibits this effect by suppressing NFκB activation. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the cytotoxic effects of STING agonism on PDAC cells that are independent of tumor immunity and that these therapeutic benefits of STING agonism can be synergistically enhanced by MEK inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Razmik Ghukasyan
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Keke Liang
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of General Surgery/Pancreatic and Thyroid Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Kevin Chau
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Luyi Li
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Charlotte Chan
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Evan R. Abt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Thuc Le
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Joon Y. Park
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nanping Wu
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Alykhan Premji
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Robert Damoiseaux
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tony Luu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Amanda Labora
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Khalid Rashid
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jason M. Link
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Caius G. Radu
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Timothy R. Donahue
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
van den Brink A, Suárez Peredo Rodríguez MF, Foijer F. Chromosomal instability and inflammation: a catch-22 for cancer cells. Chromosome Res 2023; 31:19. [PMID: 37561163 PMCID: PMC10415485 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-023-09730-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal instability (CIN), an increased rate of chromosomal segregation abnormalities, drives intratumor heterogeneity and affects most human cancers. In addition to chromosome copy number alterations, CIN results in chromosome(s) (fragments) being mislocalized into the cytoplasm in the form of micronuclei. Micronuclei can be detected by cGAS, a double-strand nucleic acid sensor, which will lead to the production of the second messenger 2'3'-cGAMP, activation of an inflammatory response, and downstream immune cell activation. However, the molecular network underlying the CIN-induced inflammatory response is still poorly understood. Furthermore, there is emerging evidence that cancers that display CIN circumvent this CIN-induced inflammatory response, and thus immune surveillance. The STAT1, STAT3, and NF-κB signaling cascades appear to play an important role in the CIN-induced inflammatory response. In this review, we discuss how these pathways are involved in signaling CIN in cells and how they are intertwined. A better understanding of how CIN is being signaled in cells and how cancer cells circumvent this is of the utmost importance for better and more selective cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anouk van den Brink
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713, AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maria F Suárez Peredo Rodríguez
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713, AV, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Floris Foijer
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713, AV, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Kornepati AVR, Rogers CM, Sung P, Curiel TJ. The complementarity of DDR, nucleic acids and anti-tumour immunity. Nature 2023; 619:475-486. [PMID: 37468584 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06069-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy is a first-line treatment for selected cancers, yet the mechanisms of its efficacy remain incompletely understood. Furthermore, only a minority of patients with cancer benefit from ICB, and there is a lack of fully informative treatment response biomarkers. Selectively exploiting defects in DNA damage repair is also a standard treatment for cancer, spurred by enhanced understanding of the DNA damage response (DDR). DDR and ICB are closely linked-faulty DDR produces immunogenic cancer neoantigens that can increase the efficacy of ICB therapy, and tumour mutational burden is a good but imperfect biomarker for the response to ICB. DDR studies in ICB efficacy initially focused on contributions to neoantigen burden. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that ICB efficacy is complicated by the immunogenic effects of nucleic acids generated from exogenous DNA damage or endogenous processes such as DNA replication. Chemotherapy, radiation, or selective DDR inhibitors (such as PARP inhibitors) can generate aberrant nucleic acids to induce tumour immunogenicity independently of neoantigens. Independent of their functions in immunity, targets of immunotherapy such as cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) or PD-L1 can crosstalk with DDR or the DNA repair machinery to influence the response to DNA-damaging agents. Here we review the rapidly evolving, multifaceted interfaces between DDR, nucleic acid immunogenicity and immunotherapy efficacy, focusing on ICB. Understanding these interrelated processes could explain ICB treatment failures and reveal novel exploitable therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancers. We conclude by addressing major unanswered questions and new research directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anand V R Kornepati
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Cody M Rogers
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Patrick Sung
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
- University of Texas Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Tyler J Curiel
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- University of Texas Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Dartmouth Health, Dartmouth Cancer Center and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Ying-Rui M, Bu-Fan B, Deng L, Rong S, Qian-Mei Z. Targeting the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in breast cancer. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1199152. [PMID: 37448962 PMCID: PMC10338072 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1199152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has a high occurrence rate globally and its treatment has demonstrated clinical efficacy with the use of systemic chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade. Insufficient cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration and the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells within tumours are the primary factors responsible for the inadequate clinical effectiveness of breast cancer treatment. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) represents a pivotal protein in the innate immune response. Upon activation, STING triggers the activation and enhancement of innate and adaptive immune functions, resulting in therapeutic benefits for malignant tumours. The STING signalling pathway in breast cancer is influenced by various factors such as deoxyribonucleic acid damage response, tumour immune microenvironment, and mitochondrial function. The use of STING agonists is gaining momentum in breast cancer research. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase-STING pathway, its agonists, and the latest findings related to their application in breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ma Ying-Rui
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bai Bu-Fan
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liu Deng
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi Rong
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhou Qian-Mei
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Dunker W, Zaver SA, Pineda JMB, Howard CJ, Bradley RK, Woodward JJ. The proto-oncogene SRC phosphorylates cGAS to inhibit an antitumor immune response. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e167270. [PMID: 37166992 PMCID: PMC10371251 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.167270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a DNA sensor and responsible for inducing an antitumor immune response. Recent studies reveal that cGAS is frequently inhibited in cancer, and therapeutic targets to promote antitumor cGAS function remain elusive. SRC is a proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase and is expressed at elevated levels in numerous cancers. Here, we demonstrate that SRC expression in primary and metastatic bladder cancer negatively correlates with innate immune gene expression and immune cell infiltration. We determine that SRC restricts cGAS signaling in human cell lines through SRC small molecule inhibitors, depletion, and overexpression. cGAS and SRC interact in cells and in vitro, while SRC directly inhibits cGAS enzymatic activity and DNA binding in a kinase-dependent manner. SRC phosphorylates cGAS, and inhibition of cGAS Y248 phosphorylation partially reduces SRC inhibition. Collectively, our study demonstrates that cGAS antitumor signaling is hindered by the proto-oncogene SRC and describes how cancer-associated proteins can regulate the innate immune system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Shivam A. Zaver
- Department of Microbiology and
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jose Mario Bello Pineda
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Public Health Sciences and Basic Sciences Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Robert K. Bradley
- Public Health Sciences and Basic Sciences Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Nakajima S, Kaneta A, Okayama H, Saito K, Kikuchi T, Endo E, Matsumoto T, Fukai S, Sakuma M, Sato T, Mimura K, Saito M, Saze Z, Sakamoto W, Onozawa H, Momma T, Kono K. The Impact of Tumor Cell-Intrinsic Expression of Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase (cGAS)-Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) on the Infiltration of CD8 + T Cells and Clinical Outcomes in Mismatch Repair Proficient/Microsatellite Stable Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2826. [PMID: 37345163 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway plays a crucial role in activating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, thereby contributing to a more favorable response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the impact of the expression of cGAS-STING in tumor cells on the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and clinical outcomes in mismatch repair proficient/microsatellite stable (pMMR/MSS) CRC remains largely unknown. Our findings reveal that 56.8% of all pMMR CRC cases were cGAS-negative/STING-negative expressions (cGAS-/STING-) in tumor cells, whereas only 9.9% of all pMMR CRC showed cGAS-positive/STING-positive expression (cGAS+/STING+) in tumor cells. The frequency of cGAS+/STING+ cases was reduced in the advanced stages of pMMR/MSS CRC, and histone methylation might be involved in the down-regulation of STING expression in tumor cells. Since the expression level of cGAS-STING in tumor cells has been associated with the infiltration of CD8+ and/or CD4+ T cells and the frequency of recurrence in pMMR/MSS CRC, decreased expression of cGAS-STING in tumor cells might lead to poor immune cell infiltration and worse prognosis in most pMMR/MSS CRC patients. Our current findings provide a novel insight for the treatment of patients with pMMR/MSS CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shotaro Nakajima
- Department of Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer and Regional Medical Support, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Akinao Kaneta
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Okayama
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Katsuharu Saito
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Kikuchi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Eisei Endo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Takuro Matsumoto
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fukai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Mei Sakuma
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Takahiro Sato
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Kosaku Mimura
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Blood Transfusion and Transplantation Immunology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Motonobu Saito
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Zenichiro Saze
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Wataru Sakamoto
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Hisashi Onozawa
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Momma
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Koji Kono
- Department of Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer and Regional Medical Support, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Zhu Z, Johnson RL, Zhang Z, Herring LE, Jiang G, Damania B, James LI, Liu P. Development of VHL-recruiting STING PROTACs that suppress innate immunity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:149. [PMID: 37183204 PMCID: PMC11072333 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04796-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
STING acts as a cytosolic nucleotide sensor to trigger host defense upon viral or bacterial infection. While STING hyperactivation can exert anti-tumor effects by increasing T cell filtrates, in other contexts hyperactivation of STING can contribute to autoimmune and neuroinflammatory diseases. Several STING targeting agonists and a smaller subset of antagonists have been developed, yet STING targeted degraders, or PROTACs, remain largely underexplored. Here, we report a series of STING-agonist derived PROTACs that promote STING degradation in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells. We show that our STING PROTACs activate STING and target activated/phospho-STING for degradation. Locking STING on the endoplasmic reticulum via site-directed mutagenesis disables STING translocation to the proteasome and resultingly blocks STING degradation. We also demonstrate that PROTAC treatment blocks downstream innate immune signaling events and attenuates the anti-viral response. Interestingly, we find that VHL acts as a bona fide E3 ligase for STING in RCC; thus, VHL-recruiting STING PROTACs further promote VHL-dependent STING degradation. Our study reveals the design and biological assessment of VHL-recruiting agonist-derived STING PROTACs, as well as demonstrates an example of hijacking a physiological E3 ligase to enhance target protein degradation via distinct mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhichuan Zhu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Rebecca L Johnson
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Zhigang Zhang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Laura E Herring
- UNC Proteomics Core Facility, Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Guochun Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- UNC HIV Cure Center, Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Blossom Damania
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- University of North Carolina Center for AIDS Research, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Lindsey I James
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Pengda Liu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Vaios EJ, Winter SF, Shih HA, Dietrich J, Peters KB, Floyd SR, Kirkpatrick JP, Reitman ZJ. Novel Mechanisms and Future Opportunities for the Management of Radiation Necrosis in Patients Treated for Brain Metastases in the Era of Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2432. [PMID: 37173897 PMCID: PMC10177360 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiation necrosis, also known as treatment-induced necrosis, has emerged as an important adverse effect following stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS) for brain metastases. The improved survival of patients with brain metastases and increased use of combined systemic therapy and SRS have contributed to a growing incidence of necrosis. The cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway (cGAS-STING) represents a key biological mechanism linking radiation-induced DNA damage to pro-inflammatory effects and innate immunity. By recognizing cytosolic double-stranded DNA, cGAS induces a signaling cascade that results in the upregulation of type 1 interferons and dendritic cell activation. This pathway could play a key role in the pathogenesis of necrosis and provides attractive targets for therapeutic development. Immunotherapy and other novel systemic agents may potentiate activation of cGAS-STING signaling following radiotherapy and increase necrosis risk. Advancements in dosimetric strategies, novel imaging modalities, artificial intelligence, and circulating biomarkers could improve the management of necrosis. This review provides new insights into the pathophysiology of necrosis and synthesizes our current understanding regarding the diagnosis, risk factors, and management options of necrosis while highlighting novel avenues for discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugene J. Vaios
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sebastian F. Winter
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Helen A. Shih
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jorg Dietrich
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Katherine B. Peters
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Scott R. Floyd
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - John P. Kirkpatrick
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Zachary J. Reitman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Huang L, Sun F, Liu Z, Jin W, Zhang Y, Chen J, Zhong C, Liang W, Peng H. Probing the Potential of Defense Response-Associated Genes for Predicting the Progression, Prognosis, and Immune Microenvironment of Osteosarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082405. [PMID: 37190333 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The defense response is a type of self-protective response of the body that protects it from damage by pathogenic factors. Although these reactions make important contributions to the occurrence and development of tumors, the role they play in osteosarcoma (OS), particularly in the immune microenvironment, remains unpredictable. METHODS This study included the clinical information and transcriptomic data of 84 osteosarcoma samples and the microarray data of 12 mesenchymal stem cell samples and 84 osteosarcoma samples. We obtained 129 differentially expressed genes related to the defense response (DRGs) by taking the intersection of differentially expressed genes with genes involved in the defense response pathway, and prognostic genes were screened using univariate Cox regression. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalized Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression were then used to establish a DRG prognostic signature (DGPS) via the stepwise method. DGPS performance was examined using independent prognostic analysis, survival curves, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. In addition, the molecular and immune mechanisms of adverse prognosis in high-risk populations identified by DGPS were elucidated. The results were well verified by experiments. RESULT BNIP3, PTGIS, and ZYX were identified as the most important DRGs for OS progression (hazard ratios of 2.044, 1.485, and 0.189, respectively). DGPS demonstrated outstanding performance in the prediction of OS prognosis (area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.842 and 0.787 in the training and test sets, respectively, adj-p < 0.05 in the survival curve). DGPS also performed better than a recent clinical prognostic approach with an AUC value of only 0.674 [metastasis], which was certified in the subsequent experimental results. These three genes regulate several key biological processes, including immune receptor activity and T cell activation, and they also reduce the infiltration of some immune cells, such as B cells, CD8+ T cells, and macrophages. Encouragingly, we found that DGPS was associated with sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs including JNK Inhibitor VIII, TGX221, MP470, and SB52334. Finally, we verified the effect of BNIP3 on apoptosis, proliferation, and migration of osteosarcoma cells through experiments. CONCLUSIONS This study elucidated the role and mechanism of BNIP3, PTGIS, and ZYX in OS progression and was well verified by the experimental results, enabling reliable prognostic means and treatment strategies to be proposed for OS patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liangkun Huang
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Zilin Liu
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Wenyi Jin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yubiao Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Junwen Chen
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Changheng Zhong
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Wanting Liang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Xianyue Hospital of Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 310058, China
| | - Hao Peng
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Zhou Y, He G, Jiang H, Pan K, Liu W. Nanoplastics induces oxidative stress and triggers lysosome-associated immune-defensive cell death in the earthworm Eisenia fetida. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107899. [PMID: 37054650 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPs) are increasingly perceived as an emerging threat to terrestrial environments, but the adverse impacts of NPs on soil fauna and the mechanisms behind these negative outcomes remain elusive. Here, a risk assessment of NPs was conducted on model organism (earthworm) from tissue to cell. Using palladium-doped polystyrene NPs, we quantitatively measured nanoplastic accumulation in earthworm and investigated its toxic effects by combining physiological assessment with RNA-Seq transcriptomic analyses. After a 42-day exposure, earthworm accumulated up to 15.9 and 143.3 mg kg-1 of NPs for the low (0.3 mg kg-1) and high (3 mg kg-1) dose groups, respectively. NPs retention led to the decrease of antioxidant enzyme activity and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (O2- and H2O2), which reduced growth rate by 21.3 %-50.8 % and caused pathological abnormalities. These adverse effects were enhanced by the positively charged NPs. Furthermore, we observed that irrespective of surface charge, after 2 h of exposure, NPs were gradually internalized by earthworm coelomocytes (∼0.12 μg per cell) and mainly amassed at lysosomes. Those agglomerations stimulated lysosomal membranes to lose stability and even rupture, resulting in impeded autophagy process and cellular clearance, and eventually coelomocyte death. In comparison with negatively charged nanoplastics, the positively charged NPs exerted 83 % higher cytotoxicity. Our findings provide a better understanding of how NPs posed harmful effects on soil fauna and have important implications for evaluating the ecological risk of NPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanfei Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Wetland Evolution and Ecological Restoration, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Gang He
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wetland Evolution and Ecological Restoration, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wetland Evolution and Ecological Restoration, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Ke Pan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Wenzhi Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wetland Evolution and Ecological Restoration, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Center of Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Vornholz L, Isay SE, Kurgyis Z, Strobl DC, Loll P, Mosa MH, Luecken MD, Sterr M, Lickert H, Winter C, Greten FR, Farin HF, Theis FJ, Ruland J. Synthetic enforcement of STING signaling in cancer cells appropriates the immune microenvironment for checkpoint inhibitor therapy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd8564. [PMID: 36921054 PMCID: PMC10017047 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add8564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) enhance anticancer immunity by releasing repressive signals into tumor microenvironments (TMEs). To be effective, ICIs require preexisting immunologically "hot" niches for tumor antigen presentation and lymphocyte recruitment. How the mutational landscape of cancer cells shapes these immunological niches remains poorly defined. We found in human and murine colorectal cancer (CRC) models that the superior antitumor immune response of mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient CRC required tumor cell-intrinsic activation of cGAS-STING signaling triggered by genomic instability. Subsequently, we synthetically enforced STING signaling in CRC cells with intact MMR signaling using constitutively active STING variants. Even in MMR-proficient CRC, genetically encoded gain-of-function STING was sufficient to induce cancer cell-intrinsic interferon signaling, local activation of antigen-presenting cells, recruitment of effector lymphocytes, and sensitization of previously "cold" TMEs to ICI therapy in vivo. Thus, our results introduce a rational strategy for modulating cancer cell-intrinsic programs via engineered STING enforcement to sensitize resistant tumors to ICI responsiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larsen Vornholz
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophie E. Isay
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Kurgyis
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel C. Strobl
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Computational Biology, Department of Computational Health, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Patricia Loll
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mohammed H. Mosa
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Malte D. Luecken
- Institute of Computational Biology, Department of Computational Health, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Lung Health and Immunity (LHI), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Sterr
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Heiko Lickert
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christof Winter
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Munich partner site, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt/Mainz partner site, Germany
| | - Florian R. Greten
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt/Mainz partner site, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Henner F. Farin
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt/Mainz partner site, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabian J. Theis
- Institute of Computational Biology, Department of Computational Health, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Mathematics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jürgen Ruland
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Munich partner site, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt/Mainz partner site, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Nakajima S, Mimura K, Kaneta A, Saito K, Katagata M, Okayama H, Saito M, Saze Z, Watanabe Y, Hanayama H, Tada T, Sakamoto W, Momma T, Ohira H, Kono K. Radiation-Induced Remodeling of the Tumor Microenvironment Through Tumor Cell-Intrinsic Expression of cGAS-STING in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 115:957-971. [PMID: 36368436 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiation therapy (RT) has the potential to activate the tumor-microenvironment (TME) and promote the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Tumor cell-intrinsic expression of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) plays an important role in regulations of radiation-induced activation of immune cells in the TME. However, the role of tumor cell-intrinsic cGAS-STING in radiation-mediated remodeling of the TME in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is not completely understood; thus, we investigated its effect on the radiation-mediated remodeling of the TME in ESCC. METHODS We assessed the effect of tumor cell-intrinsic cGAS-STING on the expression of mediators of the immune system, including type I interferon, T-cell chemo-attractants, colony-stimulating factor-1, and interleukin 34 (IL-34), induced by radiation in ESCC cell lines. We also quantified the association between tumor cell-intrinsic expression of cGAS-STING and infiltrations of immune cells, including CD8+ T cells and CD163+ M2-tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), in ESCC tissues before and after neoadjuvant chemo-RT (n = 47). RESULTS We found that tumor cell-intrinsic expression of cGAS-STING was involved in radiation-induced infiltration of CD8+ T cells and expression of type I interferon and T-cell chemo-attractants in ESCC cells. Surprisingly, tumor cell-intrinsic cGAS-STING was also involved in radiation-triggered infiltration and/or M2-polarization of CD163+ TAMs and expression of IL-34, an important cytokine for recruitment and M2-polarization of TAMs, in ESCC cells. The number of CD163+ M2-TAMs was significantly associated with IL-34 expression in tumor cells in irradiated ESCC tissues. CONCLUSIONS The tumor cell-intrinsic expression of cGAS-STING is essential for radiation-induced activation of immune cells in the TME, but it is also involved in the recruitment of tumor-promoting M2-TAMs in ESCC. Therefore, blocking of M2-TAM infiltration by targeting IL-34 might improve the efficacy of RT and combination therapy of RT with immune checkpoint inhibitors in ESCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shotaro Nakajima
- Departments of Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer and Regional Medical Support; Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery
| | - Kosaku Mimura
- Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery; Blood Transfusion and Transplantation Immunology
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hiromasa Ohira
- Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Koji Kono
- Departments of Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer and Regional Medical Support; Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery.
| |
Collapse
|