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Shen KY, Zhu Y, Xie SZ, Qin LX. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: current status and prospectives. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:25. [PMID: 38679698 PMCID: PMC11057182 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01549-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health concern worldwide, with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. In recent years, immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made great progress in the systemic treatment of HCC. The combination treatments based on ICIs have been the major trend in this area. Recently, dual immune checkpoint blockade with durvalumab plus tremelimumab has also emerged as an effective treatment for advanced HCC. However, the majority of HCC patients obtain limited benefits. Understanding the immunological rationale and exploring novel ways to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy has drawn much attention. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in this area, the ongoing clinical trials of immune-based combination therapies, as well as novel immunotherapy strategies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells, personalized neoantigen vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and bispecific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Yu Shen
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Sun-Zhe Xie
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lun-Xiu Qin
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China.
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Uddin MJ, Thompson B, Leslie JL, Fishman C, Sol-Church K, Kumar P, Petri WA. Investigating the impact of antibiotic-induced dysbiosis on protection from Clostridium difficile colitis by mouse colonic innate lymphoid cells. mBio 2024; 15:e0333823. [PMID: 38376154 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03338-23] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) play a critical role in maintaining intestinal health in homeostatic and diseased conditions. During Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), IL-33 activates ILC2 to protect from colonic damage and mortality. The function of IL-33 and ILC is tightly regulated by the intestinal microbiota. We set out to determine the impact of antibiotic-induced disruption of the microbiome on ILC function. Our goal was to understand antibiotic-induced changes in ILC function on susceptibility to C. difficile colitis in a mouse model. We utilized high-throughput single-cell RNAseq to investigate the phenotypic features of colonic ILC at baseline, after antibiotic administration with or without IL-33 treatment. We identified a heterogeneous landscape of colonic ILCs with gene signatures of inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, migratory, progenitor, plastic, and antigen-presenting ILCs. Antibiotic treatment decreased ILC2 while coordinately increasing ILC1 and ILC3 phenotypes. Notably, Ifng+, Ccl5+, and Il23r+ ILC increased after antibiotics. IL-33 treatment counteracted the antibiotic effect by downregulating ILC1 and ILC3 and activating ILC2. In addition, IL-33 treatment markedly induced the expression of type 2 genes, including Areg and Il5. Finally, we identified amphiregulin, produced by ILC2, as protective during C. difficile infection. Together, our data expand our understanding of how antibiotics induce susceptibility to C. difficile colitis through their impact on ILC subsets and function.IMPORTANCEClostridium difficile infection (CDI) accounts for around 500,000 symptomatic cases and over 20,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. A major risk factor of CDI is antibiotic-induced dysbiosis of the gut. Microbiota-regulated IL-33 and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are important in determining the outcomes of C. difficile infection. Understanding how antibiotic and IL-33 treatment alter the phenotype of colon ILCs is important to identify potential therapeutics. Here, we performed single-cell RNAseq of mouse colon ILCs collected at baseline, after antibiotic treatment, and after IL-33 treatment. We identified heterogeneous subpopulations of all three ILC subtypes in the mouse colon. Our analysis revealed several potential pathways of antibiotic-mediated increased susceptibility to intestinal infection. Our discovery that Areg is abundantly expressed by ILCs, and the protection of mice from CDI by amphiregulin treatment, suggests that the amphiregulin-epidermal growth factor receptor pathway is a potential therapeutic target for treating intestinal colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Jashim Uddin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Brandon Thompson
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Jhansi L Leslie
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Arcus Biosciences, Hayward, California, USA
| | - Casey Fishman
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Katia Sol-Church
- Genome Analysis and Technology Core, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Pankaj Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - William A Petri
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Liu Y, Wu J, Hao H. Antitumor immunostimulatory activity of the traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharide on hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1369110. [PMID: 38455058 PMCID: PMC10917928 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1369110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignancy, often associated with compromised immune function in affected patients. This can be attributed to the secretion of specific factors by liver cancer cells, which hinder the immune response and lead to a state of immune suppression. Polysaccharides derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are valuable constituents known for their immunomodulatory properties. This review aims to look into the immunomodulatory effects of TCM polysaccharides on HCC. The immunomodulatory effects of TCM polysaccharides are primarily manifested through the activation of effector T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, NK cells, and macrophages against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) both in vivo and in vitro settings. Furthermore, TCM polysaccharides have demonstrated remarkable adjuvant antitumor immunomodulatory effects on HCC in clinical settings. Therefore, the utilization of TCM polysaccharides holds promising potential for the development of novel therapeutic agents or adjuvants with advantageous immunomodulatory properties for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Jiawen Wu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Huiqin Hao
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
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Lin Y, Li Q, Liang G, Xiao N, Yang J, Yang X, Zhang H, Zhang C, Liu A. Overview of Innate Immune Cell Landscape in Liver Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:181. [PMID: 38203352 PMCID: PMC10778796 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010181] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is a biological process with a gradual decline in functional capacity, and this process often enhances the risk of chronic disease morbidity and mortality. With advanced age, the immune system undergoes a process of remodeling that can lead to a chronic inflammatory state, termed immunosenescence and inflammaging, respectively. Immunosenescence is accompanied by changes in the number, proportion, and functional capacity of the innate immune cells. The accumulation of dysfunctional immune cells and the presence of low-grade inflammation can lead to organ damage and expedite the aging process. The liver, crucial in regulating the body's metabolism and immune function, is not exempt from these effects. Age-related modifications affect its immune function and regenerative abilities, potentially increasing the prevalence of age-related liver diseases. While aging's impact on the liver is relatively less severe compared to other organ systems, it still experiences an infiltration of innate immune cells and heightened inflammation levels. This review will elaborate on how aging affects the liver's innate immune cells, such as neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, mast cells, and innate lymphoid cells. It will also explore potential strategies for delaying immunosenescence to alleviate these age-related changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lin
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Qiao Li
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Guangyu Liang
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Nanyin Xiao
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jiankun Yang
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Cuntai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Anding Liu
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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Wang X, Chen X, Chen J, Liao C, Yang X, Zhou J, Liu S, Ye S, Zheng Y, Huang L, Zhao J, Ye L, Huang B, Cao Y. Dopamine Receptor 1 Impedes ILC2-Mediated Antitumor Immunity. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1418-1425. [PMID: 37728417 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Ever-growing evidence has revealed that group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) exhibit pleiotropic effects in antihelminth immunity, allergy, tissue protection, and cancer. Currently, the role of ILC2s in cancer is highly controversial regarding the intricate tumor microenvironment (TME), and the tumor-promoting or antitumor immunological mechanisms of ILC2s remain largely unknown. In this study, we report that dopamine receptor 1 (DRD1) restrains ILC2 activity in the TME. DRD1 deficiency promotes ILC2 activation, which irritates eosinophil recruitment and cytotoxic CD8+ T cell expansion during ongoing malignancy. Consequently, DRD1-deficient mice exhibit delayed tumor growth and reduced tumor progression. Furthermore, fenoldopam, a selective DRD1 agonist, restrains the ILC2 response in the TME and aggravates tumor burden in mice. Taken together, our data elaborate that the DRD1 signal acts as an excitatory rheostat in regulating ILC2-dependent antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyang Wang
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiangyu Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Immunotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jierong Chen
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunhui Liao
- Department of Orthodontics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofan Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Immunotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiasheng Zhou
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Immunotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shusen Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Immunotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Immunotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linzi Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Immunotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiacong Zhao
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lilin Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Immunotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Immunology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bihui Huang
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yingjiao Cao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Immunotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Abstract
Chronic liver diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or viral hepatitis are characterized by persistent inflammation and subsequent liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis critically determines long-term morbidity (for example, cirrhosis or liver cancer) and mortality in NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Inflammation represents the concerted response of various hepatic cell types to hepatocellular death and inflammatory signals, which are related to intrahepatic injury pathways or extrahepatic mediators from the gut-liver axis and the circulation. Single-cell technologies have revealed the heterogeneity of immune cell activation concerning disease states and the spatial organization within the liver, including resident and recruited macrophages, neutrophils as mediators of tissue repair, auto-aggressive features of T cells as well as various innate lymphoid cell and unconventional T cell populations. Inflammatory responses drive the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and HSC subsets, in turn, modulate immune mechanisms via chemokines and cytokines or transdifferentiate into matrix-producing myofibroblasts. Current advances in understanding the pathogenesis of inflammation and fibrosis in the liver, mainly focused on NAFLD or NASH owing to the high unmet medical need, have led to the identification of several therapeutic targets. In this Review, we summarize the inflammatory mediators and cells in the diseased liver, fibrogenic pathways and their therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hammerich
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Sankar K, Pearson AN, Worlikar T, Perricone MD, Holcomb EA, Mendiratta-Lala M, Xu Z, Bhowmick N, Green MD. Impact of immune tolerance mechanisms on the efficacy of immunotherapy in primary and secondary liver cancers. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 8:29. [PMID: 37601739 PMCID: PMC10432235 DOI: 10.21037/tgh-23-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is a functionally unique organ with an immunosuppressive microenvironment. The liver is the sixth most common site of primary cancer in humans and is a frequent site of metastasis from other solid tumors. The development of effective therapies for primary and metastatic liver cancer has been challenging due to the complex metabolic and immune microenvironment of the liver. The liver tumor microenvironment (TME) in primary and secondary (metastatic) liver cancers is heterogenous and consists of unique immune and stromal cell populations. Crosstalk between these cell populations and tumor cells creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment within the liver which potentiates cancer progression. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are now clinically approved for the management of primary and secondary liver cancer and can partially overcome liver immune tolerance, but their efficacy is limited. In this review, we describe the liver microenvironment and the use of immunotherapy in primary and secondary liver cancer. We discuss emerging combination strategies utilizing locoregional and systemic therapy approaches which may enhance efficacy of immunotherapy in primary and secondary liver cancer. A deeper understanding of the immunosuppressive microenvironment of the liver will inform novel therapies and therapeutic combinations in order to improve outcomes of patients with primary and secondary liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamya Sankar
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ashley N. Pearson
- Graduate Program in Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tejaswi Worlikar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Matthew D. Perricone
- Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Erin A. Holcomb
- Graduate Program in Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Zhen Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Neil Bhowmick
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael D. Green
- Graduate Program in Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Li J, Li Y, Li F, Xu L. NK cell marker gene-based model shows good predictive ability in prognosis and response to immunotherapies in hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7294. [PMID: 37147523 PMCID: PMC10163253 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34602-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of malignancy worldwide, and its progression is influenced by the immune microenvironment. Natural killer (NK) cells are essential in the anti-tumor response and have been linked to immunotherapies for cancers. Therefore, it is important to unify and validate the role of NK cell-related gene signatures in HCC. In this study, we used RNA-seq analysis on HCC samples from public databases. We applied the ConsensusClusterPlus tool to construct the consensus matrix and cluster the samples based on their NK cell-related expression profile data. We employed the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis to identify the hub genes. Additionally, we utilized the CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE web-based methods to perform immune-related evaluations. Our results showed that the NK cell-related gene-based classification divided HCC patients into three clusters. The C3 cluster was activated in immune activation signaling pathways and showed better prognosis and good clinical features. In contrast, the C1 cluster was remarkably enriched in cell cycle pathways. The stromal score, immune score, and ESTIMATE score in C3 were much higher than those in C2 and C1. Furthermore, we identified six hub genes: CDC20, HMOX1, S100A9, CFHR3, PCN1, and GZMA. The NK cell-related genes-based risk score subgroups demonstrated that a higher risk score subgroup showed poorer prognosis. In summary, our findings suggest that NK cell-related genes play an essential role in HCC prognosis prediction and have therapeutic potential in promoting NK cell antitumor immunity. The six identified hub genes may serve as useful biomarkers for novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshedong Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshedong Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Fulei Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshedong Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Lixia Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshedong Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
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Ma Z, Wang J, Hu L, Wang S. Function of Innate Lymphoid Cells in Periodontal Tissue Homeostasis: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076099. [PMID: 37047071 PMCID: PMC10093809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076099] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Periodontitis is an irreversible inflammatory response that occurs in periodontal tissues. Given the size and diversity of natural flora in the oral mucosa, host immunity must strike a balance between pathogen identification and a complicated system of tolerance. The innate immune system, which includes innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), certainly plays a crucial role in regulating this homeostasis because pathogens are quickly recognized and responded to. ILCs are a recently discovered category of tissue-resident lymphocytes that lack adaptive antigen receptors. ILCs are found in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs and are particularly prevalent at mucosal barrier surfaces, where they control inflammatory response and homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that ILCs are important players in periodontitis; however, the mechanisms that govern the innate immune response in periodontitis still require further investigation. This review focuses on the intricate crosstalk between ILCs and the microenvironment in periodontal tissue homeostasis, with the purpose of regulating or improving immune responses in periodontitis prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyu Ma
- Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, School of Basic Medicine, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jinsong Wang
- Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, School of Basic Medicine, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Capital Medical University Beijing 100070, China
| | - Lei Hu
- Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, School of Basic Medicine, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Immunology Research Center for Oral and Systemic Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Songlin Wang
- Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, School of Basic Medicine, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Capital Medical University Beijing 100070, China
- Immunology Research Center for Oral and Systemic Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
- Laboratory for Oral and General Health Integration and Translation, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
- Research Unit of Tooth Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
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Laufer Britva R, Keren A, Bertolini M, Ullmann Y, Paus R, Gilhar A. Involvement of ILC1-like innate lymphocytes in human autoimmunity, lessons from alopecia areata. eLife 2023; 12:80768. [PMID: 36930216 PMCID: PMC10023162 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80768] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we have explored the involvement of innate lymphoid cells-type 1 (ILC1) in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA), because we found them to be significantly increased around lesional and non-lesional HFs of AA patients. To further explore these unexpected findings, we first co-cultured autologous circulating ILC1-like cells (ILC1lc) with healthy, but stressed, organ-cultured human scalp hair follicles (HFs). ILClc induced all hallmarks of AA ex vivo: they significantly promoted premature, apoptosis-driven HF regression (catagen), HF cytotoxicity/dystrophy, and most important for AA pathogenesis, the collapse of the HFs physiological immune privilege. NKG2D-blocking or IFNγ-neutralizing antibodies antagonized this. In vivo, intradermal injection of autologous activated, NKG2D+/IFNγ-secreting ILC1lc into healthy human scalp skin xenotransplanted onto SCID/beige mice sufficed to rapidly induce characteristic AA lesions. This provides the first evidence that ILC1lc, which are positive for the ILC1 phenotype and negative for the classical NK markers, suffice to induce AA in previously healthy human HFs ex vivo and in vivo, and further questions the conventional wisdom that AA is always an autoantigen-dependent, CD8 +T cell-driven autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimma Laufer Britva
- Skin Research Laboratory, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion – Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
- Department of Dermatology, Rambam Health Care CampusHaifaIsrael
| | - Aviad Keren
- Skin Research Laboratory, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion – Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | | | - Yehuda Ullmann
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Rambam Medical CenterHaifaIsrael
| | - Ralf Paus
- Monasterium LaboratoryMünsterGermany
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of MiamiMiamiUnited States
- CUTANEONHamburgGermany
| | - Amos Gilhar
- Skin Research Laboratory, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion – Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
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