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Hou Y, Lin B, Xu T, Jiang J, Luo S, Chen W, Chen X, Wang Y, Liao G, Wang J, Zhang J, Li X, Xiang X, Xie Y, Wang J, Peng S, Lv W, Liu Y, Xiao H. The neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide shapes an immunosuppressive microenvironment in medullary thyroid cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5555. [PMID: 39030177 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49824-7] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurotransmitters are key modulators in neuro-immune circuits and have been linked to tumor progression. Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), an aggressive neuroendocrine tumor, expresses neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), is insensitive to chemo- and radiotherapies, and the effectiveness of immunotherapies remains unknown. Thus, a comprehensive analysis of the tumor microenvironment would facilitate effective therapies and provide evidence on CGRP's function outside the nervous system. Here, we compare the single-cell landscape of MTC and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and find that expression of CGRP in MTC is associated with dendritic cell (DC) abnormal development characterized by activation of cAMP related pathways and high levels of Kruppel Like Factor 2 (KLF2), correlated with an impaired activity of tumor infiltrating T cells. A CGRP receptor antagonist could offset CGRP detrimental impact on DC development in vitro. Our study provides insights of the MTC immunosuppressive microenvironment, and proposes CGRP receptor as a potential therapeutic target.
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MESH Headings
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Humans
- Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics
- Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/immunology
- Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology
- Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/genetics
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/pathology
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/metabolism
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/metabolism
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/immunology
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/genetics
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/pathology
- Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/metabolism
- Cyclic AMP/metabolism
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology
- Single-Cell Analysis
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingtong Hou
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Lin
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianyi Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Jiang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuli Luo
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanna Chen
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinwen Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanqi Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guanrui Liao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiayuan Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuyang Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Xiang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yubin Xie
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ji Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sui Peng
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Clinical Trials Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiming Lv
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yihao Liu
- Clinical Trials Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Haipeng Xiao
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Zhang Y, Xue X, Li F, Zhang B, Zheng P, Mi Y. Integrative nomogram model based on anoikis-related genes enhances prognostic evaluation in colorectal cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33637. [PMID: 39040248 PMCID: PMC11261108 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Revealing the role of anoikis resistance plays in CRC is significant for CRC diagnosis and treatment. This study integrated the CRC anoikis-related key genes (CRC-AKGs) and established a novel model for improving the efficiency and accuracy of the prognostic evaluation of CRC. Methods CRC-ARGs were screened out by performing differential expression and univariate Cox analysis. CRC-AKGs were obtained through the LASSO machine learning algorithm and the LASSO Risk-Score was constructed to build a nomogram clinical prediction model combined with the clinical predictors. In parallel, this work developed a web-based dynamic nomogram to facilitate the generalization and practical application of our model. Results We identified 10 CRC-AKGs and a risk-related prognostic Risk-Score was calculated. Multivariate COX regression analysis indicated that the Risk-Score, TNM stage, and age were independent risk factors that significantly associated with the CRC prognosis(p < 0.05). A prognostic model was built to predict the outcome with satisfied accuracy (3-year AUC = 0.815) for CRC individuals. The web interactive nomogram (https://yuexiaozhang.shinyapps.io/anoikisCRC/) showed strong generalizability of our model. In parallel, a substantial correlation between tumor microenvironment and Risk-Score was discovered in the present work. Conclusion This study reveals the potential role of anoikis in CRC and sets new insights into clinical decision-making in colorectal cancer based on both clinical and sequencing data. Also, the interactive tool provides researchers with a user-friendly interface to input relevant clinical variables and obtain personalized risk predictions or prognostic assessments based on our established model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexiao Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, PR China
| | - Xia Xue
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, PR China
| | - Fazhan Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, PR China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, PR China
| | - Pengyuan Zheng
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, PR China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, PR China
| | - Yang Mi
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, PR China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, PR China
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Zhu Z, Huang J, Zhang Y, Hou W, Chen F, Mo YY, Zhang Z. Landscape of tumoral ecosystem for enhanced anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by gut Akkermansia muciniphila. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114306. [PMID: 38819989 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114306] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Gut Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk) has been implicated in impacting immunotherapy or oncogenesis. This study aims to dissect the Akk-associated tumor immune ecosystem (TIME) by single-cell profiling coupled with T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing. We adopted mouse cancer models under anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, combined with oral administration of three forms of Akk, including live Akk, pasteurized Akk (Akk-past), or its membrane protein Amuc_1100 (Amuc). We show that live Akk is most effective in activation of CD8 T cells by rescuing the exhausted type into cytotoxic subpopulations. Remarkably, only live Akk activates MHC-II-pDC pathways, downregulates CXCL3 in Bgn(+)Dcn(+) cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), blunts crosstalk between Bgn(+)Dcn(+) CAFs and PD-L1(+) neutrophils by a CXCL3-PD-L1 axis, and further suppresses the crosstalk between PD-L1(+) neutrophils and CD8 T cells, leading to the rescue of exhausted CD8 T cells. Together, this comprehensive picture of the tumor ecosystem provides deeper insights into immune mechanisms associated with gut Akk-dependent anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuxian Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Jianguo Huang
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, a division of Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR 97213, USA
| | - Yanling Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Weiwei Hou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yin-Yuan Mo
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014 , China.
| | - Ziqiang Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Pudong Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201399, China.
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4
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Saba NF. Immunotherapeutics in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a relentless CONTINUUM of success. Lancet 2024; 403:2667-2669. [PMID: 38824939 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(24)00810-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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5
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Mazzoccoli L, Liu B. Dendritic Cells in Shaping Anti-Tumor T Cell Response. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2211. [PMID: 38927916 PMCID: PMC11201542 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122211] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Among professional antigen-presenting cells, dendritic cells (DCs) orchestrate innate and adaptive immunity and play a pivotal role in anti-tumor immunity. DCs are a heterogeneous population with varying functions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-associated DCs differentiate developmentally and functionally into three main subsets: conventional DCs (cDCs), plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), and monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs). There are two major subsets of cDCs in TME, cDC1 and cDC2. cDC1 is critical for cross-presenting tumor antigens to activate cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and is also required for priming earlier CD4+ T cells in certain solid tumors. cDC2 is vital for priming anti-tumor CD4+ T cells in multiple tumor models. pDC is a unique subset of DCs and produces type I IFN through TLR7 and TLR9. Studies have shown that pDCs are related to immunosuppression in the TME through the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines and by promoting regulatory T cells. MoDCs differentiate separately from monocytes in response to inflammatory cues and infection. Also, MoDCs can cross-prime CD8+ T cells. In this review, we summarize the subsets and functions of DCs. We also discuss the role of different DC subsets in shaping T cell immunity in TME and targeting DCs for potential immunotherapeutic benefits against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Mazzoccoli
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
- The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Bei Liu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
- The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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6
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Tan Y, Zhou J, Liu K, Liu R, Zhou J, Wu Z, Li L, Zeng J, Feng X, Dong B, Du J. Novel prognostic biomarkers in nasopharyngeal carcinoma unveiled by mega-data bioinformatics analysis. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1354940. [PMID: 38854728 PMCID: PMC11157084 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1354940] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage with a high incidence rate in Southeast Asia and Southeast China. However, the limited availability of NPC patient survival data in public databases has resulted in less rigorous studies examining the prediction of NPC survival through construction of Kaplan-Meier curves. These studies have primarily relied on small samples of NPC patients with progression-free survival (PFS) information or data from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) studies almost without NPC patients. Thus, we coanalyzed RNA expression profiles in eleven datasets (46 normal (control) vs 160 tumor (NPC)) downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and survival data provided by Jun Ma from Sun Yat-sen University. Then, differential analysis, gene ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and network analysis were performed using STRING database. After that, 2142 upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 3857 downregulated DEGs were screened. Twenty-five of them were identified as hub genes, which were enriched in several pathways (cilium movement, extracellular matrix structural constituent, homologous recombination and cell cycle). Utilizing the comprehensive dataset we amassed from GEO database, we conducted a survival analysis of DEGs and subsequently constructed survival models. Seven DEGs (RASGRP2, MOCOS, TTC9, ARHGAP4, DPM3, CD37, and CD72) were identified and closely related to the survival prognosis of NPC. Finally, qRT-PCR, WB and IHC were performed to confirm the elevated expression of RASGRP2 and the decreased expression of TTC9, CD37, DPM3 and ARHGAP4, consistent with the DEG analysis. Conclusively, our findings provide insights into the novel prognostic biomarkers of NPC by mega-data bioinformatics analysis, which suggests that they may serve special targets in the treatment of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishuai Tan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kai Liu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruowu Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhenru Wu
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Linke Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaqi Zeng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuxian Feng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Biao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jintao Du
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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7
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Qin C, Zhang M, Mou DP, Zhou LQ, Dong MH, Huang L, Wang W, Cai SB, You YF, Shang K, Xiao J, Wang D, Li CR, Hao Y, Heming M, Wu LJ, Meyer Zu Hörste G, Dong C, Bu BT, Tian DS, Wang W. Single-cell analysis of anti-BCMA CAR T cell therapy in patients with central nervous system autoimmunity. Sci Immunol 2024; 9:eadj9730. [PMID: 38728414 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adj9730] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy for the treatment of neurological autoimmune diseases is promising, but CAR T cell kinetics and immune alterations after treatment are poorly understood. Here, we performed single-cell multi-omics sequencing of paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples from patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) treated with anti-B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR T cells. Proliferating cytotoxic-like CD8+ CAR T cell clones were identified as the main effectors in autoimmunity. Anti-BCMA CAR T cells with enhanced features of chemotaxis efficiently crossed the blood-CSF barrier, eliminated plasmablasts and plasma cells in the CSF, and suppressed neuroinflammation. The CD44-expressing early memory phenotype in infusion products was potentially associated with CAR T cell persistence in autoimmunity. Moreover, CAR T cells from patients with NMOSD displayed distinctive features of suppressed cytotoxicity compared with those from hematological malignancies. Thus, we provide mechanistic insights into CAR T cell function in patients with neurological autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Qin
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Da-Peng Mou
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Lab, Beijing, China
| | - Luo-Qi Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Ming-Hao Dong
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Liang Huang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Nanjing IASO Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Song-Bai Cai
- Nanjing IASO Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Yun-Fan You
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Ke Shang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chun-Rui Li
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Hao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Michael Heming
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Long-Jun Wu
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Gerd Meyer Zu Hörste
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Chen Dong
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine-affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Bi-Tao Bu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Dai-Shi Tian
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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8
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Wang B, Chen W, Huang Q, Chen Y, Wang Y. Targeting Cancer Mitochondria by Inducing an Abnormal Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response Leads to Tumor Suppression. Int J Med Sci 2024; 21:1204-1212. [PMID: 38818479 PMCID: PMC11134587 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.95624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a pivotal cellular mechanism that ensures mitochondrial homeostasis and cellular survival under stress conditions. This study investigates the role of UPRmt in modulating the response of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to cisplatin-induced stress. We report that the inhibition of UPRmt via AEB5F exacerbates cisplatin cytotoxicity, as evidenced by increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and apoptosis, characterized by a surge in TUNEL-positive cells. Conversely, the activation of UPRmt with oligomycin attenuates these effects, preserving cell viability and reducing apoptotic markers. Immunofluorescence assays reveal that UPRmt activation maintains mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production in the presence of cisplatin, countering the rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting caspase-9 activation. These findings suggest that UPRmt serves as a cytoprotective mechanism in cancer cells, mitigating cisplatin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. The data underscore the therapeutic potential of modulating UPRmt to improve the efficacy and reduce the side effects of cisplatin chemotherapy. This study provides a foundation for future research on the exploitation of UPRmt in cancer treatment, with the aim of enhancing patient outcomes by leveraging the cellular stress response pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoxiao Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiqi Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye Chen
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yajing Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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9
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Tie CW, Zhu JQ, Yu Z, Dou LZ, Wang ML, Wang GQ, Ni XG. Revealing molecular and cellular heterogeneity in hypopharyngeal carcinogenesis through single-cell RNA and TCR/BCR sequencing. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1310376. [PMID: 38720887 PMCID: PMC11076829 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1310376] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) is one of the malignant tumors with the worst prognosis in head and neck cancers. The transformation from normal tissue through low-grade and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia to cancerous tissue in HSCC is typically viewed as a progressive pathological sequence typical of tumorigenesis. Nonetheless, the alterations in diverse cell clusters within the tissue microenvironment (TME) throughout tumorigenesis and their impact on the development of HSCC are yet to be fully understood. Methods We employed single-cell RNA sequencing and TCR/BCR sequencing to sequence 60,854 cells from nine tissue samples representing different stages during the progression of HSCC. This allowed us to construct dynamic transcriptomic maps of cells in diverse TME across various disease stages, and experimentally validated the key molecules within it. Results We delineated the heterogeneity among tumor cells, immune cells (including T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells), and stromal cells (such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells) during the tumorigenesis of HSCC. We uncovered the alterations in function and state of distinct cell clusters at different stages of tumor development and identified specific clusters closely associated with the tumorigenesis of HSCC. Consequently, we discovered molecules like MAGEA3 and MMP3, pivotal for the diagnosis and treatment of HSCC. Discussion Our research sheds light on the dynamic alterations within the TME during the tumorigenesis of HSCC, which will help to understand its mechanism of canceration, identify early diagnostic markers, and discover new therapeutic targets.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
- Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology
- Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms/immunology
- Single-Cell Analysis
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/metabolism
- Carcinogenesis/genetics
- Sequence Analysis, RNA
- Transcriptome
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/genetics
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/immunology
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/pathology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Male
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Wei Tie
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ji-Qing Zhu
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhan Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Zhou Dou
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Mei-Ling Wang
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gui-Qi Wang
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Guang Ni
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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10
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Lin W, Chen X, Huang Z, Ding Q, Yang H, Li Y, Lin D, Lin J, Zhang H, Yang X, Li C, Chen C, Qiu S. Identification of novel molecular subtypes to improve the classification framework of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1176-1186. [PMID: 38280969 PMCID: PMC10991292 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02579-w] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment is largely based on a 'one-drug-fits-all' strategy in patients with similar pathological characteristics. However, given its biological heterogeneity, patients at the same clinical stage or similar therapies exhibit significant clinical differences. Thus, novel molecular subgroups based on these characteristics may better therapeutic outcomes. METHODS Herein, 192 treatment-naïve NPC samples with corresponding clinicopathological information were obtained from Fujian Cancer Hospital between January 2015 and January 2018. The gene expression profiles of the samples were obtained by RNA sequencing. Molecular subtypes were identified by consensus clustering. External NPC cohorts were used as the validation sets. RESULTS Patients with NPC were classified into immune, metabolic, and proliferative molecular subtypes with distinct clinical features. Additionally, this classification was repeatable and predictable as validated by the external NPC cohorts. Metabolomics has shown that arachidonic acid metabolites were associated with NPC malignancy. We also identified several key genes in each subtype using a weighted correlation network analysis. Furthermore, a prognostic risk model based on these key genes was developed and was significantly associated with disease-free survival (hazard ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07-1.16; P < 0.0001), which was further validated by an external NPC cohort (hazard ratio, 7.71; 95% CI, 1.39-42.73; P < 0.0001). Moreover, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year areas under the curve were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.74-0.94), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.73-0.89), and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.73-0.90), respectively, demonstrating a high predictive value. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we defined a novel classification of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (immune, metabolism, and proliferation subtypes). Among these subtypes, metabolism and proliferation subtypes were associated with advanced stage and poor prognosis of NPC patients, whereas the immune subtype was linked to early stage and favorable prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanzun Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou, China
- Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochuan Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zongwei Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qin Ding
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hanxuan Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Duo Lin
- Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine, Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jun Lin
- Institute of Apply Genomics, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Haojiong Zhang
- Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuelian Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Hospital of Sanming City, Sangming, China
| | - Chuanben Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Sufang Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou, China.
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11
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Bekkat F, Seradj M, Lengagne R, Fiore F, Kato M, Lucas B, Castellano F, Molinier-Frenkel V, Richard Y, Prévost-Blondel A. Upregulation of IL4-induced gene 1 enzyme by B2 cells during melanoma progression impairs their antitumor properties. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2350615. [PMID: 38400692 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350615] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
B cells present in human cutaneous melanoma have been associated with protective or detrimental effects on disease progression according to their phenotype. By using the RET model of spontaneous melanoma and adoptive transfer of B16 melanoma cells, we show that immature and follicular B2 (B2-FO) cells exert a protective effect on melanoma progression by promoting the generation of effector memory T cells and limiting the recruitment of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Unfortunately, this beneficial effect progressively wanes as a consequence of enhanced expression of the IL4-induced gene 1 (IL4I1) enzyme by immature B cells and B2-FO cells. Endogenous IL4I1 selectively decreases CXCR5 expression in splenic immature B cells, subverting their trafficking to primary tumors and enhancing the production of IL-10 by B2 cells, thereby promoting an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Accordingly, B2 cells from RET IL4I1KO mice more efficiently controlled B16 melanoma growth than B2 cells from IL4I1-competent RET mice. Collectively, immature B cells and B2-FO cells are key actors in the control of melanoma growth, but their mobility and functions are differently impaired by IL4I1 overexpression during melanoma progression. Thus, our present data strongly urge us to associate an IL4I1 antagonist with current immunotherapy to improve the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fériel Bekkat
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8104, INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Malvina Seradj
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8104, INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Renée Lengagne
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8104, INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Fiore
- Centre d'Immunophénomique (CIPHE), Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, CNRS, CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN, Marseille, France
| | - Masashi Kato
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Bruno Lucas
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8104, INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Flavia Castellano
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, IMRB, Créteil, France
- AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Département d'Hématologie-Immunologie, Créteil, France
| | - Valérie Molinier-Frenkel
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, IMRB, Créteil, France
- AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Département d'Hématologie-Immunologie, Créteil, France
| | - Yolande Richard
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8104, INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
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12
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Heras-Murillo I, Adán-Barrientos I, Galán M, Wculek SK, Sancho D. Dendritic cells as orchestrators of anticancer immunity and immunotherapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:257-277. [PMID: 38326563 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00859-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are a heterogeneous group of antigen-presenting innate immune cells that regulate adaptive immunity, including against cancer. Therefore, understanding the precise activities of DCs in tumours and patients with cancer is important. The classification of DC subsets has historically been based on ontogeny; however, single-cell analyses are now additionally revealing a diversity of functional states of DCs in cancer. DCs can promote the activation of potent antitumour T cells and immune responses via numerous mechanisms, although they can also be hijacked by tumour-mediated factors to contribute to immune tolerance and cancer progression. Consequently, DC activities are often key determinants of the efficacy of immunotherapies, including immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Potentiating the antitumour functions of DCs or using them as tools to orchestrate short-term and long-term anticancer immunity has immense but as-yet underexploited therapeutic potential. In this Review, we outline the nature and emerging complexity of DC states as well as their functions in regulating adaptive immunity across different cancer types. We also describe how DCs are required for the success of current immunotherapies and explore the inherent potential of targeting DCs for cancer therapy. We focus on novel insights on DCs derived from patients with different cancers, single-cell studies of DCs and their relevance to therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Heras-Murillo
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Adán-Barrientos
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Galán
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Stefanie K Wculek
- Innate Immune Biology Laboratory, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - David Sancho
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Jia F, Sun S, Li J, Wang W, Huang H, Hu X, Pan S, Chen W, Shen L, Yao Y, Zheng S, Chen H, Xia W, Yuan H, Zhou J, Yu X, Zhang T, Zhang B, Huang J, Ni C. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy-induced remodeling of human hormonal receptor-positive breast cancer revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing. Cancer Lett 2024; 585:216656. [PMID: 38266804 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216656] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (HR+ BC) is known to be relatively insensitive to chemotherapy, and since chemotherapy has remained the major neoadjuvant therapy for HR+ BC, the undetermined mechanism of chemoresistance and how chemotherapy reshapes the immune microenvironment need to be explored by high-throughput technology. By using single-cell RNA sequencing and multiplexed immunofluorescence staining analysis of HR+ BC samples (paired pre- and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC)), the levels of previously unrecognized immune cell subsets, including CD8+ T cells with pronounced expression of T-cell development (LMNA) and cytotoxicity (FGFBP2) markers, CD4+ T cells characterized by proliferation marker (ATP1B3) expression and macrophages characterized by CD52 expression, were found to be increased post-NAC, which were predictive of chemosensitivity and their antitumor function was also validated with in vitro experiments. In terms of immune checkpoint expression of CD8+ T cells, we found their changes were inconsistent post-NAC, that LAG3, VSIR were decreased, and PDCD1, HAVCR2, CTLA4, KLRC1 and BTLA were increased. In addition, we have identified novel genomic and transcriptional patterns of chemoresistant cancer cells, both innate and acquired, and have confirmed their prognostic value with TCGA cohorts. By shedding light on the ecosystem of HR+ BC reshaped by chemotherapy, our results uncover valuable candidates for predicting chemosensitivity and overcoming chemoresistance in HR+ BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Jia
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Sun
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- Department of Pathology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huanhuan Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Hu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wuzhen Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lesang Shen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yao Yao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Siwei Zheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hailong Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Xia
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongjun Yuan
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiuyan Yu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Chao Ni
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, China.
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14
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Ma Y, Zhou H, Luo F, Zhang Y, Zhu C, Li W, Huang Z, Zhao J, Xue J, Zhao Y, Fang W, Yang Y, Huang Y, Zhang L, Zhao H. Remodeling the tumor-immune microenvironment by anti-CTLA4 blockade enhanced subsequent anti-PD-1 efficacy in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:65. [PMID: 38448521 PMCID: PMC10917783 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00558-1] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Sequential immunotherapy has shown certain advantages in malignancy. Here, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of sequential anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 treatment for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients (R/M NPC). We retrospectively analysis 2 phase I trial of ipilimumab and camrelizumab in Chinese R/M NPC patients. These patients were initially treated with ipilimumab, a CTLA4 blockade, followed by anti-PD-1 treatment. We observed a durable tumor remission in these patients (mPFS: 12.3 months; mDoR: 20.9 months). Multimodal investigations of biopsy samples disclosed remodeling of tumor-immune microenvironment triggered by ipilimumab. In responders, we found increased tumoral PD-L1/PD-L2 expression and T-cell infiltration after ipilimumab treatment, accompanied by reduced stroma and malignant cell components. In contrast, non-responders exhibited increased B-cell infiltration and increased peripheral CD19 + B cells, suggesting a defective transition from memory B cells to plasma cells. This study proposes that sequential therapy can potentially enhance treatment efficacy in chemotherapy-resistant NPC patients and provides insights into how preexisting anti-CTLA4 blockade can influence subsequent anti-PD-1 efficacy by remodeling the TME. Additionally, our results highlight the need for therapeutic strategies targeting naïve/memory B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Ma
- Department of Clinical Research, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huaqiang Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fan Luo
- Intensive Care Unit Department, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Research, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changbin Zhu
- Department of Translational Medicine, Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Xiamen, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Department of Translational Medicine, Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Xiamen, China
| | - Zhan Huang
- Department of Translational Medicine, Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Xiamen, China
| | - Jingbo Zhao
- Department of Research and Development, Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Xiamen, China
| | - Jinhui Xue
- Department of Clinical Research, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenfeng Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunpeng Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hongyun Zhao
- Department of Clinical Research, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China.
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15
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Li R, Wang Y, Wen X, Cheng B, Lv R, Chen R, Hu W, Wang Y, Liu J, Lin B, Zhang H, Zhang E, Tang X. A novel EIF3C-related CD8 + T-cell signature in predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:103. [PMID: 38400862 PMCID: PMC10894114 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05552-x] [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: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE At present, dysfunctional CD8+ T-cells in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) have caused unsatisfactory immunotherapeutic effects, such as a low response rate of anti-PD-L1 therapy. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify reliable markers capable of accurately predicting immunotherapy efficacy. METHODS Utilizing various algorithms for immune-infiltration evaluation, we explored the role of EIF3C in the TIME. We next found the influence of EIF3C expression on NPC based on functional analyses and RNA sequencing. By performing correlation and univariate Cox analyses of CD8+ Tcell markers from scRNA-seq data, we identified four signatures, which were then used in conjunction with the lasso algorithm to determine corresponding coefficients in the resulting EIF3C-related CD8+ T-cell signature (ETS). We subsequently evaluated the prognostic value of ETS using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, Kaplan-Meier curves, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). RESULTS Our results demonstrate a significant relationship between low expression of EIF3C and high levels of CD8+ T-cell infiltration in the TIME, as well as a correlation between EIF3C expression and progression of NPC. Based on the expression levels of four EIF3C-related CD8+ T-cell marker genes, we constructed the ETS predictive model for NPC prognosis, which demonstrated success in validation. Notably, our model can also serve as an accurate indicator for detecting immunotherapy response. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that EIF3C plays a significant role in NPC progression and immune modulation, particularly in CD8+ T-cell infiltration. Furthermore, the ETS model holds promise as both a prognostic predictor for NPC patients and a tool for adjusting individualized immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yikai Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Binglin Cheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ruxue Lv
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ruzhen Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wen Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yinglei Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jingwen Liu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bingyi Lin
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haixiang Zhang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Enting Zhang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - XinRan Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
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16
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Chak PT, Kam NW, Choi TH, Dai W, Kwong DLW. Unfolding the Complexity of Exosome-Cellular Interactions on Tumour Immunity and Their Clinical Prospects in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:919. [PMID: 38473281 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050919] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy situated in the posterolateral nasopharynx. NPC poses grave concerns in Southeast Asia due to its late diagnosis. Together with resistance to standard treatment combining chemo- and radiotherapy, NPC presents high metastatic rates and common recurrence. Despite advancements in immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and cytotoxic-T-lymphocytes (CTLs)-based cellular therapy, the exhaustive T cell profile and other signs of immunosuppression within the NPC tumour microenvironment (TME) remain as concerns to immunotherapy response. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles of 30-150 nm in diameter, are increasingly studied and linked to tumourigenesis in oncology. These bilipid-membrane-bound vesicles are packaged with a variety of signalling molecules, mediating cell-cell communications. Within the TME, exosomes can originate from tumour, immune, or stromal cells. Although there are studies on tumour-derived exosomes (TEX) in NPC and their effects on tumour processes like angiogenesis, metastasis, therapeutic resistance, there is a lack of research on their involvement in immune evasion. In this review, we aim to enhance the comprehension of how NPC TEX contribute to cellular immunosuppression. Furthermore, considering the detectability of TEX in bodily fluids, we will also discuss the potential development of TEX-related biomarkers for liquid biopsy in NPC as this could facilitate early diagnosis and prognostication of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paak-Ting Chak
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ngar-Woon Kam
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, New Territories, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Tsz-Ho Choi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Dora Lai-Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
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17
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Suryani L, Lee HPY, Teo WK, Chin ZK, Loh KS, Tay JK. Precision Medicine for Nasopharyngeal Cancer-A Review of Current Prognostic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:918. [PMID: 38473280 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050918] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) driven malignancy arising from the nasopharyngeal epithelium. Current treatment strategies depend on the clinical stage of the disease, including the extent of the primary tumour, the extent of nodal disease, and the presence of distant metastasis. With the close association of EBV infection with NPC development, EBV biomarkers have shown promise in predicting treatment outcomes. Among the omic technologies, RNA and miRNA signatures have been widely studied, showing promising results in the research setting to predict treatment response. The transformation of radiology images into measurable features has facilitated the use of radiomics to generate predictive models for better prognostication and treatment selection. Nonetheless, much of this work remains in the research realm, and challenges remain in clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luvita Suryani
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Hazel P Y Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Wei Keat Teo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Zhi Kang Chin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Kwok Seng Loh
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Joshua K Tay
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
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Tang KW, Tian Y, Xie G, Bäckerholm A, Holmqvist I, Vracar D, Lin J, Carlsten J, Abrahamsson S, Liu Z, Huang Y, Shair K. Landscape of Epstein-Barr virus gene expression and perturbations in cancer. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3911441. [PMID: 38352479 PMCID: PMC10862949 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3911441/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the causative agent for multiple neoplastic diseases of epithelial and lymphocytic origin1-3. The heterogeneity of the viral elements expressed and the mechanisms by which these coding and non-coding genes maintain cancer cell properties in vivo remain elusive4,5. Here we conducted a multi-modal transcriptomic analysis of EBV-associated neoplasms and identified that the ubiquitously expressed RPMS1 non-coding RNAs support cancer cell properties by disruption of the interferon response. Our map of EBV expression shows a variable, but pervasive expression of BNLF2 discerned from the overlapping LMP1 RNA in bulk sequencing data. Using long-read single-molecule sequencing, we identified three new viral elements within the RPMS1 gene. Furthermore, single-cell sequencing datasets allowed for the separation of cancer cells and healthy cells from the same tissue biopsy and the characterization of a microenvironment containing interferon gamma excreted by EBV-stimulated T-lymphocytes. In comparison with healthy epithelium, EBV-transformed cancer cells exhibited increased proliferation and inhibited immune response induced by the RPMS1-encoded microRNAs. Our atlas of EBV expression shows that the EBV-transformed cancer cells express high levels of non-coding RNAs originating from RPMS1 and that the oncogenic properties are maintained by RPMS1 microRNAs. Through bioinformatic disentanglement of single cells from cancer tissues we identified a positive feedback loop where EBV-activated immune cells stimulate cancer cells to proliferate, which in turn undergo viral reactivation and trigger an immune response.
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Zhang TL, Xia C, Zheng BW, Hu HH, Jiang LX, Escobar D, Zheng BY, Chen TD, Li J, Lv GH, Huang W, Yan YG, Zou MX. Integrating single-cell and spatial transcriptomics reveals endoplasmic reticulum stress-related CAF subpopulations associated with chordoma progression. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:295-308. [PMID: 37772937 PMCID: PMC10836767 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad173] [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: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as the main cell type, the rich myxoid stromal components in chordoma tissues may likely contribute to its development and progression. METHODS Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, bulk RNA-seq, and multiplexed quantitative immunofluorescence (QIF) were used to dissect the heterogeneity, spatial distribution, and clinical implication of CAFs in chordoma. RESULTS We sequenced here 72 097 single cells from 3 primary and 3 recurrent tumor samples, as well as 3 nucleus pulposus samples as controls using scRNA-seq. We identified a unique cluster of CAF in recurrent tumors that highly expressed hypoxic genes and was functionally enriched in endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Pseudotime trajectory and cell communication analyses showed that this ERS-CAF subpopulation originated from normal fibroblasts and widely interacted with tumoral and immune cells. Analyzing the bulk RNA-seq data from 126 patients, we found that the ERS-CAF signature score was associated with the invasion and poor prognosis of chordoma. By integrating the results of scRNA-seq with spatial transcriptomics, we demonstrated the existence of ERS-CAF in chordoma tissues and revealed that this CAF subtype displayed the most proximity to its surrounding tumor cells. In subsequent QIF validation involving 105 additional patients, we confirmed that ERS-CAF was abundant in the chordoma microenvironment and located close to tumor cells. Furthermore, both ERS-CAF density and its distance to tumor cells were correlated with tumor malignant phenotype and adverse patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS These findings depict the CAF landscape for chordoma and may provide insights into the development of novel treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao-Lan Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Chao Xia
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Bo-Wen Zheng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Hong Hu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ling-Xiang Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - David Escobar
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Bo-Yv Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, General Hospital of the Central Theater Command, Wuhan, China
| | - Tian-Dong Chen
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Henan Provincial Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guo-Hua Lv
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Health Management Center, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yi-Guo Yan
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ming-Xiang Zou
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Kam NW, Laczka O, Li X, Wilkinson J, Hung D, Lai SPH, Wu KC, Tsao SW, Dai W, Che CM, Lee VHF, Kwong DLW. ENOX2 inhibition enhances infiltration of effector memory T-cell and mediates response to chemotherapy in immune-quiescent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Adv Res 2024; 56:69-86. [PMID: 37061217 PMCID: PMC10834794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment is a major barrier for chemotherapy. Different chemosensitization approaches to reinstate immunological surveillance for cancers that are immune quiescent at the outset, have thus been devised. Cancer-specific ENOX2 expression is correlated with abnormal cell growth and has been proposed as a cellular target for anti-cancer activity. However, the potential effects of ENOX2 on the interaction between immune system and tumor cells remain elusive. OBJECTIVES To understand the mechanisms by which tumor-intrinsic ENOX2-mediated alterations in anti-tumor activity of T-cells and response to chemotherapy. METHODS In situ multiplexed immunohistochemistry with single cell and bulk RNA sequencing data from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) human tissues were used to define tumor phenotypes. Two NPC cell lines, with distinct ENOX2 expression, were used in a co-culture platform to study tumor-immune interactions between cancer cells/spheroids and T-cells. The effect of cisplatin treatment with ENOX2 inhibition by idronoxil (IDX) were tested in vitro and in vivo. Multi-parametric flow cytometry was used to characterize T-cell infiltrates in an NPC tumor humanized mouse model treated with combined treatment. RESULTS NPC predominantly displayed an immune-excluded profile. This "cold-phenotype" was shown to exhibit higher ENOX2 expression and was associate with poorer progression-free survival (PFS). The therapeutic combination of IDX with cisplatin was effective in promoting CD8+ effector memory T cell (Tem) differentiation and mobilization. This Tem signature was highly cytotoxic, with Tem-mediated preferential lysis of higher ENOX2-expressing NPC cells. A combination-treated humanized mouse model showing dramatic shrinkage in tumors, were intra-tumoral Tem-enriched. CONCLUSION Tumor-intrinsic ENOX2 expression is associated with tumor phenotype and PFS in NPC. Targeting ENOX2 with IDX and cisplatin impose qualitative control of T-cell response by preferentially increasing immune cells infiltration, Tem differentiation and tumor suppression. We suggest that ENOX2 inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance the effects of chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngar-Woon Kam
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Hong Kong, China
| | - Olivier Laczka
- Noxopharm Limited, Level 20, Tower A, The Zenith, 821 Pacific Highway, CHATSWOOD NSW 2067, Australia
| | - Xiang Li
- Noxopharm Limited, Level 20, Tower A, The Zenith, 821 Pacific Highway, CHATSWOOD NSW 2067, Australia
| | - John Wilkinson
- Noxopharm Limited, Level 20, Tower A, The Zenith, 821 Pacific Highway, CHATSWOOD NSW 2067, Australia
| | - Desmond Hung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Syrus Pak Hei Lai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka Chun Wu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sai Wa Tsao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi Ming Che
- Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Hong Kong, China; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Victor Ho-Fun Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dora Lai-Wan Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Clinical Oncology Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
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21
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Zhou C, Li M, Ren Y, Miao F, Wang Y, Wu T, Gou X, Li W. Immune characteristics of dedifferentiated retroperitoneal liposarcomas and the reliability of regional samples in evaluating their tumor immune microenvironments. World J Surg Oncol 2024; 22:25. [PMID: 38254190 PMCID: PMC10804478 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-023-03295-0] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor immunotherapy is a new treatment breakthrough for retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLS), which is highly invasive and has few effective treatment options other than tumor resection. However, the heterogeneity of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) leads to missed clinical diagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate whether the TIME of a certain part of the tumor reliably represents the whole tumor, particularly for very large tumors, such as RPLS. METHODS We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the TIME in different regions of dedifferentiated RPLS (DDRPLS) by detecting the expressions of markers such as CD4+, CD8+, Foxp3+, CD20+, CD68+, LAMP3+, PD-1+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and PD-L1 in tumors and corresponding paratumor tissues via immunohistochemistry and RNA sequencing. RESULTS In DDRPLS, very few TILs were observed. Differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in cell part and cell functions, as well as the metabolic pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In addition, for most tumors (70-80%), the TIME was similar in different tumor regions. CONCLUSIONS For most tumors (70-80%), the TIME in any region of the tumor reliably represents the whole tumor. DDRPLS may regulate cell functions by modulating the metabolic and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways to promote its malignant behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changsheng Zhou
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550002, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Retroperitoneal Tumor Research Center of Oncology Chapter of Chinese Medical Association, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Li
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
- Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
- Retroperitoneal Tumor Research Center of Oncology Chapter of Chinese Medical Association, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
- Xiamen Medicine Research Institute, Xiamen, Fujian, 361005, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yantao Ren
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Retroperitoneal Tumor Research Center of Oncology Chapter of Chinese Medical Association, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
| | - Fenglin Miao
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Retroperitoneal Tumor Research Center of Oncology Chapter of Chinese Medical Association, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Wang
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
- Retroperitoneal Tumor Research Center of Oncology Chapter of Chinese Medical Association, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Wu
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
- Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
- Retroperitoneal Tumor Research Center of Oncology Chapter of Chinese Medical Association, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xin Gou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550002, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wengang Li
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
- Cancer Research Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
- Retroperitoneal Tumor Research Center of Oncology Chapter of Chinese Medical Association, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, People's Republic of China.
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22
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Addala V, Newell F, Pearson JV, Redwood A, Robinson BW, Creaney J, Waddell N. Computational immunogenomic approaches to predict response to cancer immunotherapies. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:28-46. [PMID: 37907723 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00830-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunogenomics is an emerging field that bridges genomics and immunology. The establishment of large-scale genomic collaborative efforts along with the development of new single-cell transcriptomic techniques and multi-omics approaches have enabled characterization of the mutational and transcriptional profiles of many cancer types and helped to identify clinically actionable alterations as well as predictive and prognostic biomarkers. Researchers have developed computational approaches and machine learning algorithms to accurately obtain clinically useful information from genomic and transcriptomic sequencing data from bulk tissue or single cells and explore tumours and their microenvironment. The rapid growth in sequencing and computational approaches has resulted in the unmet need to understand their true potential and limitations in enabling improvements in the management of patients with cancer who are receiving immunotherapies. In this Review, we describe the computational approaches currently available to analyse bulk tissue and single-cell sequencing data from cancer, stromal and immune cells, as well as how best to select the most appropriate tool to address various clinical questions and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkateswar Addala
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Felicity Newell
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - John V Pearson
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alec Redwood
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Institute of Respiratory Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Bruce W Robinson
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Institute of Respiratory Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jenette Creaney
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Institute of Respiratory Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nicola Waddell
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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23
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Xiong M, Hu JJ, Yao ML, Song TT, Zhao L, Mou BQ, Qian YX, Zheng MJ, Dong YJ, Wang HY, Zou J, Yang H. Single-cell sequencing of head and neck carcinoma: Transcriptional landscape and prognostic model based on malignant epithelial cell features. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23354. [PMID: 38085162 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301287rr] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for HNSCC requires a profound understanding of tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, HNSCC has a poor prognosis, necessitating the use of genetic markers for predicting clinical outcomes in HNSCC. In this study, we performed single-cell sequencing analysis on tumor tissues from seven HNSCC patients, along with one adjacent normal tissue. Firstly, the analysis of epithelial cell clusters revealed two clusters of malignant epithelial cells, characterized by unique gene expression patterns and dysregulated signaling pathways compared to normal epithelial cells. Secondly, the examination of the TME unveiled extensive crosstalk between fibroblasts and malignant epithelial cells, potentially mediated through ligand-receptor interactions such as COL1A1-SDC1, COL1A1-CD44, and COL1A2-SDC1. Furthermore, transcriptional heterogeneity was observed in immune cells present in the TME, including macrophages and dendritic cells. Finally, leveraging the gene expression profiles of malignant epithelial cells, we developed a prognostic model comprising six genes, which we validated using two independent datasets. These findings shed light on the heterogeneity within HNSCC tumors and the intricate interplay between malignant cells and the TME. Importantly, the developed prognostic model demonstrates high efficacy in predicting the survival outcomes of HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Xiong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Juan-Juan Hu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Meng-Lin Yao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ting-Ting Song
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Bi-Qin Mou
- Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Precision Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying-Xue Qian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Mei-Jun Zheng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Jun Dong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Yang Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Jian Zou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
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24
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Full F, Walter S, Neugebauer E, Tan J, Drayman N, Franke V, Tay S, Landthaler M, Akalin A, Ensser A, Wyler E. Herpesviruses mimic zygotic genome activation to promote viral replication. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3125635. [PMID: 38168299 PMCID: PMC10760233 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3125635/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
DUX4 is a germline transcription factor and a master regulator of zygotic genome activation. During early embryogenesis, DUX4 is crucial for maternal to zygotic transition at the 2-8-cell stage in order to overcome silencing of genes and enable transcription from the zygotic genome. In adult somatic cells, DUX4 expression is silenced and its activation in adult muscle cells causes the genetic disorder Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). Here we show that herpesviruses from alpha-, beta- and gamma-herpesvirus subfamilies as well as papillomaviruses actively induce DUX4 expression to promote viral transcription and replication. We demonstrate that HSV-1 immediate early proteins directly induce expression of DUX4 and its target genes including endogenous retroelements, which mimics zygotic genome activation. We further show that DUX4 directly binds to the viral genome and promotes viral transcription. DUX4 is functionally required for herpesvirus infection, since genetic depletion of DUX4 by CRISPR/Cas9 abrogates viral replication. Our results show that herpesviruses induce DUX4 expression and its downstream germline-specific genes and retroelements, thus mimicking an early embryonic-like transcriptional program that prevents epigenetic silencing of the viral genome and facilitates herpesviral gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Full
- University Medical Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg
| | - Stephanie Walter
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen
| | - Eva Neugebauer
- Institute of Virology, University Medical Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg
| | - Jiang Tan
- Institute of Virology, University Medical Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg
| | - Nir Drayman
- The Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, the Center for Virus Research and the Center for Complex Biological Systems, The University of California, Irvine
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Li M, Chen J, Yu H, Zhang B, Hou X, Jiang H, Xie D, Chen L. Cerebrospinal fluid immunological cytokines predict intracranial tumor response to immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases. Oncoimmunology 2023; 13:2290790. [PMID: 38169917 PMCID: PMC10761018 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2290790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Immunotherapy has shown intracranial efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases. However, predictive biomarkers for intracranial response to immunotherapy are lacking. This post-hoc analysis aimed to explore the potential of immunological cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to predict intracranial tumor response to immunotherapy in patients with brain metastases. Methods Treatment-naive NSCLC patients with brain metastases who received camrelizumab plus chemotherapy were enrolled. Paired plasma and CSF samples were prospectively collected at baseline and the first treatment assessment. All samples were analyzed for 92 immuno-oncology cytokines using Olink's panels. Results A total of 28 patients were included in this analysis. At baseline, most immunological cytokines were significantly lower in CSF than in plasma, whereas a subset comprising CD83, PTN, TNFRSF21, TWEAK, ICOSLG, DCN, IL-8, and MCP-1, was increased in CSF. Baseline CSF levels of LAMP3 were significantly higher in patients with intracranial tumor response, while the levels of CXCL10, IL-12, CXCL11, IL-18, TIE2, HGF, and PDCD1 were significantly lower. Furthermore, the CXCL10, CXCL11, TIE2, PDCD1, IL-18, HGF, and LAMP3 in CSF were also significantly associated with intracranial progression-free survival for immunotherapy. The identified cytokines in CSF were decreased at the first treatment evaluation in patients with intracranial tumor response. The logistic CSF immuno-cytokine model yielded an AUC of 0.91, as compared to PD-L1 expression (AUC of 0.72). Conclusions Immunological cytokines in CSF could predict intracranial tumor response to immunotherapy in NSCLC patients with brain metastases, and the findings warrant validation in a larger prospective cohort study. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04211090.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meichen Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baishen Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue Hou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
| | - Honghua Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Southern Theater Air Force Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Experimental Research, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Likun Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Guangzhou, China
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Li Y, Luo C, Jiang J, He S, Liu Y, Yan W, Xia Y, Cui Q, Huang Y, Lim JQ, Huang D, Hussein IN, Gao Y, Lin G, Ling Y, Ma D, Zhang Y, Chan JY, Wei P, Wang X, Cheng CL, Xiong J, Zhao W, Ong CK, Lim ST, Huang H, Peng R, Bei J. Single-Cell Analysis Reveals Malignant Cells Reshape the Cellular Landscape and Foster an Immunosuppressive Microenvironment of Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2303913. [PMID: 37949673 PMCID: PMC10754138 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) is an aggressive type of lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and characterized by heterogeneous tumor behaviors. To better understand the origins of the heterogeneity, this study utilizes single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis to profile the tumor microenvironment (TME) of NKTCL at the single-cell level. Together with in vitro and in vivo models, the study identifies a subset of LMP1+ malignant NK cells contributing to the tumorigenesis and development of heterogeneous malignant cells in NKTCL. Furthermore, malignant NK cells interact with various immunocytes via chemokines and their receptors, secrete substantial DPP4 that impairs the chemotaxis of immunocytes and regulates their infiltration. They also exhibit an immunosuppressive effect on T cells, which is further boosted by LMP1. Moreover, high transcription of EBV-encoded genes and low infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are favorable prognostic indicators for NKTCL in multiple patient cohorts. This study for the first time deciphers the heterogeneous composition of NKTCL TME at single-cell resolution, highlighting the crucial role of malignant NK cells with EBV-encoded LMP1 in reshaping the cellular landscape and fostering an immunosuppressive microenvironment. These findings provide insights into understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of NKTCL and developing novel therapeutic strategies against NKTCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi‐Qi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Chun‐Ling Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Jia‐Xin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Shuai He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Wen‐Xin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Yi Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Qian Cui
- Guangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangdong Academy of Medical SciencesGuangzhou510080China
| | - Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Jing Quan Lim
- Lymphoma Translational Research LaboratoryCellular and Molecular ResearchNational Cancer Centre Singapore30 Hospital BoulevardSingapore168583Singapore
- ONCO‐ACPDuke‐NUS Medical School8 College RoadSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Dachuan Huang
- Lymphoma Translational Research LaboratoryCellular and Molecular ResearchNational Cancer Centre Singapore30 Hospital BoulevardSingapore168583Singapore
- ONCO‐ACPDuke‐NUS Medical School8 College RoadSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Izzah Nabilah Hussein
- Lymphoma Translational Research LaboratoryCellular and Molecular ResearchNational Cancer Centre Singapore30 Hospital BoulevardSingapore168583Singapore
| | - Yan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Guo‐Wang Lin
- Microbiome Medicine CenterDivision of Laboratory MedicineZhujiang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510280China
| | - Yi‐Hong Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Dong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Yue‐Tong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Jason Yongsheng Chan
- Division of Medical OncologyNational Cancer Centre Singapore30 Hospital BoulevardSingapore168583Singapore
| | - Pan‐Pan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Xiao‐Xiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Chee Leong Cheng
- Department of PathologySingapore General Hospital20 College RoadAcademia169856Singapore
| | - Jie Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical GenomicsShanghai Institute of HematologyNational Research Center for Translational MedicineShanghai Rui Jin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine197 Rui Jin Er RoadShanghai200025China
| | - Wei‐Li Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical GenomicsShanghai Institute of HematologyNational Research Center for Translational MedicineShanghai Rui Jin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine197 Rui Jin Er RoadShanghai200025China
| | - Choon Kiat Ong
- Lymphoma Translational Research LaboratoryCellular and Molecular ResearchNational Cancer Centre Singapore30 Hospital BoulevardSingapore168583Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell BiologyDuke‐NUS Medical School8 College RoadSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Soon Thye Lim
- Director's OfficeNational Cancer Centre Singapore30 Hospital BoulevardSingapore168583Singapore
- Office of EducationDuke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Hui‐Qiang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Rou‐Jun Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Jin‐Xin Bei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
- Lymphoma Translational Research LaboratoryCellular and Molecular ResearchNational Cancer Centre Singapore30 Hospital BoulevardSingapore168583Singapore
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Huang Q, Wang F, Hao D, Li X, Li X, Lei T, Yue J, Liu C. Deciphering tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells in the single-cell era. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:97. [PMID: 38012715 PMCID: PMC10680280 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00459-2] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) serve as a pivotal link connecting innate and adaptive immunity by processing tumor-derived antigens and activating T cells. The advent of single-cell sequencing has revolutionized the categorization of DCs, enabling a high-resolution characterization of the previously unrecognized diversity of DC populations infiltrating the intricate tumor microenvironment (TME). The application of single-cell sequencing technologies has effectively elucidated the heterogeneity of DCs present in the tumor milieu, yielding invaluable insights into their subpopulation structures and functional diversity. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge regarding DC subtypes in the TME, drawing from single-cell studies conducted across various human tumors. We focused on the categorization, functions, and interactions of distinct DC subsets, emphasizing their crucial roles in orchestrating tumor-related immune responses. Additionally, we delve into the potential implications of these findings for the identification of predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Enhanced insight into the intricate interplay between DCs and the TME promises to advance our comprehension of tumor immunity and, in turn, pave the way for the development of more efficacious cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Fuhao Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Di Hao
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiaohui Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Tianyu Lei
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Jinbo Yue
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China.
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China.
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Liu Y, Zhu E, Lei Y, Luo A, Yan Y, Cai M, Liu S, Huang Y, Guan H, Zhong M, Li W, Lin L, Hultstöm M, Lai E, Zheng Z, Liu X, Tang C. Diagnostic Values of METTL1-Related Genes and Immune Characteristics in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:5367-5383. [PMID: 38026241 PMCID: PMC10661937 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s431628] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Methyltransferase like 1 (METTL1) regulates epitranscriptomes via the m7G modification in mammalian mRNA and microRNA. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is caused by abnormal immune reactivity and has diverse clinical manifestations. RNA methylation as a mechanism to regulate gene expression is widely implicated in immune regulation. However, the role of m7G in immune response of SLE has not been extensively studied. Patients and Methods Expression of METTL1 was identified in the public dataset GSE122459 and validated in an independent cohort of SLE patients. We investigated the association between METTL1-expression and clinical manifestations of SLE. Subsequently, differentially expressed genes (DEG) that were correlated with METTL1-expression in GSE122459 were used for functional enrichment analysis. The correlation between infiltrating immune cells and METTL1, as well as candidate biomarkers identified to be correlated with either METTL1 or immune cell infiltration were assessed by single-sample GSEA. Potential mechanisms were explored with Gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment. Diagnostic performances of candidate biomarkers in SLE were analyzed. Results The mRNA and protein expression of METTL1 in SLE patients were significantly decreased in both datasets. METTL1-coexpressed DEGs were enriched in several key immune-related pathways. Activated CD8 T cells, activated CD4 T cells, memory B cells and type 2 helper T cells were different between patients with high and low METTL1 expression. Further, activated CD8 T-cells, activated CD4 T-cells, memory B-cells were correlated with METTL1. The genes of LAMP3, CD83, PDCD1LG2, IGKVD3D-20, IGKV5-2, IGKV2D-30, IGLV3-19 and IGLV4-60 were identified as candidate targets that were correlated with immune cell proportion. Moreover, LAMP3, CD83, and PDCD1LG2 expression were of diagnostic value in SLE as indicated by ROC analysis. Conclusion Our findings suggested that METTL1 and its candidate targets LAMP3, CD83, PDCD1LG2 may be used for diagnosing SLE and could be explored for developing targeted molecular therapy for SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Center of Kidney and Urology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, People’s Republic of China
| | - Enyi Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, Center of Kidney and Urology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Lei
- Department of Nephrology, Center of Kidney and Urology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ailing Luo
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yaping Yan
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mansi Cai
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Guan
- Department of Nephrology, Center of Kidney and Urology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ming Zhong
- Department of Nephrology, Center of Kidney and Urology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weinian Li
- Department of Rheumatology, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510623, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lian Lin
- Department of Nephrology, Center of Kidney and Urology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, People’s Republic of China
| | - Michael Hultstöm
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Unit for Integrative Physiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Enyin Lai
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhihua Zheng
- Department of Nephrology, Center of Kidney and Urology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoping Liu
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chun Tang
- Department of Nephrology, Center of Kidney and Urology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, People’s Republic of China
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Wang L, Ma H, Wen Z, Niu L, Chen X, Liu H, Zhang S, Xu J, Zhu Y, Li H, Chen H, Shi L, Wan L, Li L, Li M, Wong KW, Song Y. Single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals heterogeneity and intercellular crosstalk in human tuberculosis lung. J Infect 2023; 87:373-384. [PMID: 37690670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Lung inflammation indicated by 18F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in patients with tuberculosis is associated with disease severity and relapse risk upon treatment completion. We revealed the heterogeneity and intercellular crosstalk in lung tissues with 18F-FDG avidity and adjacent uninvolved tissues from 6 tuberculosis patients by single-cell RNA-sequencing. Tuberculous lungs had an influx of regulatory T cells (Treg), exhausted CD8 T cells, immunosuppressive myeloid cells, conventional DC, plasmacytoid DC, and neutrophils. Immune cells in inflamed lungs showed general up-regulation of ATP synthesis and interferon-mediated signaling. Immunosuppressive myeloid and Treg cells strongly displayed transcriptions of genes related to tuberculosis disease progression. Intensive crosstalk between IL4I1-expressing myeloid cells and Treg cells involving chemokines, costimulatory molecules, and immune checkpoints, some of which are specific in 18F-FDG-avid lungs, were found. Our analysis provides insights into the transcriptomic heterogeneity and cellular crosstalk in pulmonary tuberculosis and guides unveiling cellular and molecular targets for tuberculosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Ma
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zilu Wen
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangfei Niu
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinchun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haiying Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, and Center for Tuberculosis Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shulin Zhang
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianqing Xu
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yijun Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongwei Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Laiyi Wan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Leilei Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Meiyi Li
- Fudan Zhangjiang Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ka-Wing Wong
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yanzheng Song
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China.
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Qu X, Wang Y, Jiang Q, Ren T, Guo C, Hua K, Qiu J. Interactions of Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-expressing LAMP3 + dendritic cells with CD4 + regulatory T cells and CD8 + exhausted T cells: synergistically remodeling of the immunosuppressive microenvironment in cervical cancer and therapeutic implications. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2023; 43:1207-1228. [PMID: 37794698 PMCID: PMC10631485 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12486] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Although immunotherapy has been applied in clinical practice, its therapeutic efficacy remains far from satisfactory, necessitating further investigation of the mechanism of CC immune remodeling and exploration of novel treatment targets. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of CC immune remodeling and explore potential therapeutic targets. METHODS We conducted single-cell RNA sequencing on a total of 17 clinical specimens, including normal cervical tissues, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and CC tissues. To validate our findings, we conducted multicolor immunohistochemical staining of CC tissues and constructed a subcutaneous tumorigenesis model in C57BL/6 mice using murine CC cell lines (TC1) to evaluate the effectiveness of combination therapy involving indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibition and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). We used the unpaired two-tailed Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test, or Kruskal-Wallis test to compare continuous data between two groups and one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test to compare data between multiple groups. RESULTS Malignant cervical epithelial cells did not manifest noticeable signs of tumor escape, whereas lysosomal-associated membrane protein 3-positive (LAMP3+ ) dendritic cells (DCs) in a mature state with immunoregulatory roles were found to express IDO1 and affect tryptophan metabolism. These cells interacted with both tumor-reactive exhausted CD8+ T cells and CD4+ regulatory T cells, synergistically forming a vicious immunosuppressive cycle and mediating CC immune escape. Further validation through multicolor immunohistochemical staining showed co-localization of neoantigen-reactive T cells (CD3+ , CD4+ /CD8+ , and PD-1+ ) and LAMP3+ DCs (CD80+ and PD-L1+ ). Additionally, a combination of the IDO1 inhibitor with an ICB agent significantly reduced tumor volume in the mouse model of CC compared with an ICB agent alone. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that a combination treatment consisting of targeting IDO1 and ICB agent could improve the therapeutic efficacy of current CC immunotherapies. Additionally, our results provided crucial insights for designing drugs and conducting future clinical trials for CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Qu
- Department of GynecologyObstetrics and Gynecology HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine‐Related DiseasesShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Yumeng Wang
- Department of GynecologyObstetrics and Gynecology HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine‐Related DiseasesShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Qian Jiang
- Department of GynecologyObstetrics and Gynecology HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine‐Related DiseasesShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Tingting Ren
- Department of GynecologyObstetrics and Gynecology HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine‐Related DiseasesShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Chenyan Guo
- Department of GynecologyObstetrics and Gynecology HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine‐Related DiseasesShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Keqin Hua
- Department of GynecologyObstetrics and Gynecology HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine‐Related DiseasesShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Junjun Qiu
- Department of GynecologyObstetrics and Gynecology HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine‐Related DiseasesShanghaiP. R. China
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Gu B, Meng M, Xu M, Feng DD, Bi L, Kim J, Song S. Multi-task deep learning-based radiomic nomogram for prognostic prediction in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2023; 50:3996-4009. [PMID: 37596343 PMCID: PMC10611876 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06399-7] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prognostic prediction is crucial to guide individual treatment for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) patients. Recently, multi-task deep learning was explored for joint prognostic prediction and tumor segmentation in various cancers, resulting in promising performance. This study aims to evaluate the clinical value of multi-task deep learning for prognostic prediction in LA-NPC patients. METHODS A total of 886 LA-NPC patients acquired from two medical centers were enrolled including clinical data, [18F]FDG PET/CT images, and follow-up of progression-free survival (PFS). We adopted a deep multi-task survival model (DeepMTS) to jointly perform prognostic prediction (DeepMTS-Score) and tumor segmentation from FDG-PET/CT images. The DeepMTS-derived segmentation masks were leveraged to extract handcrafted radiomics features, which were also used for prognostic prediction (AutoRadio-Score). Finally, we developed a multi-task deep learning-based radiomic (MTDLR) nomogram by integrating DeepMTS-Score, AutoRadio-Score, and clinical data. Harrell's concordance indices (C-index) and time-independent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to evaluate the discriminative ability of the proposed MTDLR nomogram. For patient stratification, the PFS rates of high- and low-risk patients were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the observed PFS probability. RESULTS Our MTDLR nomogram achieved C-index of 0.818 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.785-0.851), 0.752 (95% CI: 0.638-0.865), and 0.717 (95% CI: 0.641-0.793) and area under curve (AUC) of 0.859 (95% CI: 0.822-0.895), 0.769 (95% CI: 0.642-0.896), and 0.730 (95% CI: 0.634-0.826) in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, which showed a statistically significant improvement over conventional radiomic nomograms. Our nomogram also divided patients into significantly different high- and low-risk groups. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that MTDLR nomogram can perform reliable and accurate prognostic prediction in LA-NPC patients, and also enabled better patient stratification, which could facilitate personalized treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingxin Gu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging Probes, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Ion-Beam Application (MOE), Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyuan Meng
- School of Computer Science, the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mingzhen Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging Probes, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Ion-Beam Application (MOE), Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - David Dagan Feng
- School of Computer Science, the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lei Bi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinman Kim
- School of Computer Science, the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shaoli Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging Probes, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Ion-Beam Application (MOE), Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Xu L, Liu M, Lian J, Li E, Dongmin C, Li X, Wang W. A prognostic nomogram for predicting recurrence-free survival of stage I-III colon cancer based on immune-infiltrating Treg-related genes. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:13523-13543. [PMID: 37498396 PMCID: PMC10590341 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05187-y] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE A high postoperative recurrence rate seriously impedes colon cancer (CC) patients from achieving long-term survival. Here, we aimed to develop a Treg-related classifier that can help predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and therapy benefits of stage I-III colon cancer. METHODS A Treg-related prognostic classifier was built through a variety of bioinformatic methods, whose performance was assessed by KM survival curves, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (tROC), and Harrell's concordance index (C-index). A prognostic nomogram was generated using this classifier and other traditional clinical parameters. Moreover, the predictive values of this classifier for immunotherapy and chemotherapy therapeutic efficacy were tested using multiple immunotherapy sets and R package "pRRophetic". RESULTS A nine Treg-related classifier categorized CC patients into high- and low-risk groups with distinct RFS in the multiple datasets (all p < 0.05). The AUC values of 5-year RFS were 0.712, 0.588, 0.669, and 0.662 in the training, 1st, 2nd, and entire validation sets, respectively. Furthermore, this classifier was identified as an independent predictor of RFS. Finally, a nomogram combining this classifier and three clinical variables was generated, the analysis of tROC, C-index, calibration curves, and the comparative analysis with other signatures confirmed its predictive performance. Moreover, KM analysis exhibited an obvious discrepancy in the subgroups, especially in different TNM stages and with adjuvant chemotherapy. We detected the difference between the two risk subsets of immune cell sub-population and the response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS We built a robust Treg-related classifier and generated a prognostic nomogram that predicts recurrence-free survival in stage I-III colon cancer that can identify high-risk patients for more personalized and effective therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longwen Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mengjie Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Lian
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Enmeng Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chang Dongmin
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xuqi Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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Chen S, Zhou Z, Li Y, Du Y, Chen G. Application of single-cell sequencing to the research of tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1285540. [PMID: 37965341 PMCID: PMC10641410 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing is a technique for detecting and analyzing genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes at the single-cell level, which can detect cellular heterogeneity lost in conventional sequencing hybrid samples, and it has revolutionized our understanding of the genetic heterogeneity and complexity of tumor progression. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the formation, development and response to treatment of tumors. The application of single-cell sequencing has ushered in a new age for the TME analysis, revealing not only the blueprint of the pan-cancer immune microenvironment, but also the heterogeneity and differentiation routes of immune cells, as well as predicting tumor prognosis. Thus, the combination of single-cell sequencing and the TME analysis provides a unique opportunity to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor development and progression. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in single-cell sequencing and the TME analysis, highlighting their potential applications in cancer research and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Guoan Chen
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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Wilson T, Vo DHT, Thorne T. Identifying Subpopulations of Cells in Single-Cell Transcriptomic Data: A Bayesian Mixture Modeling Approach to Zero Inflation of Counts. J Comput Biol 2023; 30:1059-1074. [PMID: 37871291 DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2022.0273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In the study of single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-Seq) data, a key component of the analysis is to identify subpopulations of cells in the data. A variety of approaches to this have been considered, and although many machine learning-based methods have been developed, these rarely give an estimate of uncertainty in the cluster assignment. To allow for this, probabilistic models have been developed, but scRNA-Seq data exhibit a phenomenon known as dropout, whereby a large proportion of the observed read counts are zero. This poses challenges in developing probabilistic models that appropriately model the data. We develop a novel Dirichlet process mixture model that employs both a mixture at the cell level to model multiple populations of cells and a zero-inflated negative binomial mixture of counts at the transcript level. By taking a Bayesian approach, we are able to model the expression of genes within clusters, and to quantify uncertainty in cluster assignments. It is shown that this approach outperforms previous approaches that applied multinomial distributions to model scRNA-Seq counts and negative binomial models that do not take into account zero inflation. Applied to a publicly available data set of scRNA-Seq counts of multiple cell types from the mouse cortex and hippocampus, we demonstrate how our approach can be used to distinguish subpopulations of cells as clusters in the data, and to identify gene sets that are indicative of membership of a subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Wilson
- Department of Computer Science, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Duong H T Vo
- Department of Computer Science, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Thorne
- Department of Computer Science, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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Zhang Q, Xu M. EBV-induced T-cell responses in EBV-specific and nonspecific cancers. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1250946. [PMID: 37841280 PMCID: PMC10576448 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1250946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human tumor virus associated with various malignancies, including B-lymphoma, NK and T-lymphoma, and epithelial carcinoma. It infects B lymphocytes and epithelial cells within the oropharynx and establishes persistent infection in memory B cells. With a balanced virus-host interaction, most individuals carry EBV asymptomatically because of the lifelong surveillance by T cell immunity against EBV. A stable anti-EBV T cell repertoire is maintained in memory at high frequency in the blood throughout persistent EBV infection. Patients with impaired T cell immunity are more likely to develop life-threatening lymphoproliferative disorders, highlighting the critical role of T cells in achieving the EBV-host balance. Recent studies reveal that the EBV protein, LMP1, triggers robust T-cell responses against multiple tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) in B cells. Additionally, EBV-specific T cells have been identified in EBV-unrelated cancers, raising questions about their role in antitumor immunity. Herein, we summarize T-cell responses in EBV-related cancers, considering latency patterns, host immune status, and factors like human leukocyte antigen (HLA) susceptibility, which may affect immune outcomes. We discuss EBV-induced TAA-specific T cell responses and explore the potential roles of EBV-specific T cell subsets in tumor microenvironments. We also describe T-cell immunotherapy strategies that harness EBV antigens, ranging from EBV-specific T cells to T cell receptor-engineered T cells. Lastly, we discuss the involvement of γδ T-cells in EBV infection and associated diseases, aiming to elucidate the comprehensive interplay between EBV and T-cell immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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36
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Li Y, Lu Y, Kang C, Li P, Chen L. Revealing Tissue Heterogeneity and Spatial Dark Genes from Spatially Resolved Transcriptomics by Multiview Graph Networks. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0228. [PMID: 37736108 PMCID: PMC10511271 DOI: 10.34133/research.0228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) is capable of comprehensively characterizing gene expression patterns and providing an unbiased image of spatial composition. To fully understand the organizational complexity and tumor immune escape mechanism, we propose stMGATF, a multiview graph attention fusion model that integrates gene expression, histological images, spatial location, and gene association. To better extract information, stMGATF exploits SimCLRv2 for visual feature exaction and employs edge feature enhanced graph attention networks for the learning potential embedding of each view. A global attention mechanism is used to adaptively integrate 3 views to obtain low-dimensional representation. Applied to diverse SRT datasets, stMGATF is robust and outperforms other methods in detecting spatial domains and denoising data even with different resolutions and platforms. In particular, stMGATF contributes to the elucidation of tissue heterogeneity and extraction of 3-dimensional expression domains. Importantly, considering the associations between genes in tumors, stMGATF can identify the spatial dark genes ignored by traditional methods, which can be used to predict tumor-driving transcription factors and reveal tumor immune escape mechanisms, providing theoretical evidence for the development of new immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- School of Mathematics and Statistics,
Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471023, China
| | - Yuejing Lu
- School of Mathematics and Statistics,
Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471023, China
| | - Chen Kang
- School of Mathematics and Statistics,
Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471023, China
| | - Peiluan Li
- School of Mathematics and Statistics,
Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471023, China
- Longmen Laboratory, Luoyang, Henan, 471003, China
| | - Luonan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201100, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study,
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310000, China
- School of Life Science and Technology,
ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201100, China
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Huang C, Zhu F, Zhang H, Wang N, Huang Q. Identification of S1PR4 as an immune modulator for favorable prognosis in HNSCC through machine learning. iScience 2023; 26:107693. [PMID: 37680482 PMCID: PMC10480314 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107693] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane proteins and play a critical role as pharmacological targets. An improved understanding of GPCRs' involvement in tumor microenvironment may provide new perspectives for cancer therapy. This study used machine learning to classify head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients into two GPCR-based subtypes. Notably, these subtypes showed significant differences in prognosis, gene expression, and immune microenvironment, particularly CD8+ T cell infiltration. S1PR4 emerged as a key regulator distinguishing the subtypes, positively correlated with CD8+ T cell proportion and cytotoxicity in HNSCC. It was predominantly expressed in CX3CR1+CD8+ T cells among T cells. Upregulation of S1PR4 enhanced T cell function during CAR-T cell therapy, suggesting its potential in cancer immunotherapy. These findings highlight S1PR4 as an immune modulator for favorable prognosis in HNSCC, and offer a potential GPCR-targeted therapeutic option for HNSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenshen Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengshuo Zhu
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
- Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology and Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Huzhou, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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38
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Ding T, Zhang Y, Ren Z, Cong Y, Long J, Peng M, Faleti OD, Yang Y, Li X, Lyu X. EBV-Associated Hub Genes as Potential Biomarkers for Predicting the Prognosis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Viruses 2023; 15:1915. [PMID: 37766321 PMCID: PMC10537168 DOI: 10.3390/v15091915] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to develop a model using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated hub genes in order to predict the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Differential expression analysis, univariate regression analysis, and machine learning were performed in three microarray datasets (GSE2371, GSE12452, and GSE102349) collected from the GEO database. Three hundred and sixty-six EBV-DEGs were identified, 25 of which were found to be significantly associated with NPC prognosis. These 25 genes were used to classify NPC into two subtypes, and six genes (C16orf54, CD27, CD53, CRIP1, RARRES3, and TBC1D10C) were found to be hub genes in NPC related to immune infiltration and cell cycle regulation. It was shown that these genes could be used to predict the prognosis of NPC, with functions related to tumor proliferation and immune infiltration, making them potential therapeutic targets. The findings of this study could aid in the development of screening and prognostic methods for NPC based on EBV-related features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengteng Ding
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
| | - Yuanbin Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
| | - Zhixuan Ren
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China;
| | - Ying Cong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
| | - Jingyi Long
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Manli Peng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
| | - Oluwasijibomi Damola Faleti
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yinggui Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China
| | - Xin Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; (T.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (M.P.)
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
| | - Xiaoming Lyu
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China; (J.L.); (O.D.F.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China
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Tang S, Wu Z, Chen L, She L, Zuo W, Luo W, Zhang Y, Liang S, Liu G, He B, He J, Zhang N. Multi-omics analysis reveals the association between elevated KIF18B expression and unfavorable prognosis, immune evasion, and regulatory T cell activation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1258344. [PMID: 37744335 PMCID: PMC10514916 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1258344] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent in Southern China. The expression profile and functions of kinesin family member 18B (KIF18B) remain unclear in NPC. Methods Bulk and single-cell transcriptome data for NPC were downloaded. KIF18B expression differences in NPC and normal tissues and its prognostic value were validated by immunohistochemistry and Cox model. We performed multi-faceted functional enrichment analysis on KIF18B. Immune infiltration was analyzed comprehensively by the CIBERSORT, EPIC, and quanTIseq algorithms and the BisqueRNA package and confirmed by immunofluorescence assay. The intercellular communication were investigated by the CellChat package. We explored the dynamics of KIF18B expression by pseudotime trajectory. M6A modification analysis rely on SRAMP platform. The treatment response were evaluated by Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score, immunophenoscore and IC50 value. Results KIF18B overexpression in NPC led to unfavorable prognosis, and significantly associated with advanced T, N, and stage classifications. Functional analysis demonstrated that KIF18B was involved in immune suppression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification and therapeutic responses. The deconvolution algorithm indicated that activated regulatory T cells (Tregs) had the strongest positive correlation with KIF18B among immune cells (R = 0.631). Validated by immunofluorescence assay, the high KIF18B expression group displayed a notable rise in Tregs infiltration, accompanied by a substantial decrease in the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and macrophages. In the intercellular communication network, malignant cells with high KIF18B expression implicated in more interactions, and activated and recruited Tregs by modulating cytokines, chemokines, and immune checkpoints. KIF18B was upregulated in more advanced malignant cells and influenced EMT by regulating ITGA6, VIM, and ZEB1/2. KIF18B expression was positively related to m6A "writer" and "reader" genes, and negatively related to "eraser" genes. The KIF18B high expression group exhibited a higher TIDE score and elevated IC50 values for the commonly used chemotherapy drugs, gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion KIF18B is a significant prognostic marker in NPC, and may modulate immune evasion and EMT. M6A modification may account for the aberrant overexpression of KIF18B in NPC. Furthermore, KIF18B may predict response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Zhenyu Wu
- Department of Urology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Lusi Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Longjiang She
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Weihan Zuo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Weijun Luo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Shaoqiang Liang
- Department of Comprehensive (Head and Neck) Oncology and Hospice Ward, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Guichao Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Biyi He
- Department of Rhinology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Jinfeng He
- Department of Rhinology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
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Xu XC, Jiang JX, Zhou YQ, He S, Liu Y, Li YQ, Wei PP, Bei JX, Sun J, Luo CL. SRSF3/AMOTL1 splicing axis promotes the tumorigenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma through regulating the nucleus translocation of YAP1. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:511. [PMID: 37558679 PMCID: PMC10412622 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06034-1] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of serine/arginine splicing factors (SRSFs) and abnormal alternative splicing (AS) have been widely implicated in various cancers but scarcely investigated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here we examine the expression of 12 classical SRSFs between 87 NPC and 10 control samples, revealing a significant upregulation of SRSF3 and its association with worse prognosis in NPC. Functional assays demonstrate that SRSF3 exerts an oncogenic function in NPC progression. Transcriptome analysis reveals 1,934 SRSF3-regulated AS events in genes related to cell cycle and mRNA metabolism. Among these events, we verify the generation of a long isoform of AMOTL1 (AMOTL1-L) through a direct bond of the SRSF3 RRM domain with the exon 12 of AMOTL1 to promote exon inclusion. Functional studies also reveal that AMOTL1-L promotes the proliferation and migration of NPC cells, while AMOTL1-S does not. Furthermore, overexpression of AMOTL1-L, but not -S, significantly rescues the inhibitory effects of SRSF3 knockdown. Additionally, compared with AMOTL1-S, AMOTL1-L has a localization preference in the intracellular than the cell membrane, leading to a more robust interaction with YAP1 to promote nucleus translocation. Our findings identify SRSF3/AMOTL1 as a novel alternative splicing axis with pivotal roles in NPC development, which could serve as promising prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Chen Xu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Xin Jiang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Qing Zhou
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Shuai He
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Qi Li
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Pan-Pan Wei
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Jin-Xin Bei
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
- Department of Experimental Research, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jian Sun
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, P. R. China.
| | - Chun-Ling Luo
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China.
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Das P, Pal S, Das N, Chakraborty K, Chatterjee K, Mal S, Choudhuri T. Endogenous PTEN acts as the key determinant for mTOR inhibitor sensitivity by inducing the stress-sensitized PTEN-mediated death axis in KSHV-associated malignant cells. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1062462. [PMID: 37602330 PMCID: PMC10433768 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1062462] [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: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
As a part of viral cancer evolution, KSHV-infected human endothelial cells exert a unique transcriptional program via upregulated mTORC1 signaling. This event makes them sensitive to mTOR inhibitors. Master transcriptional regulator PTEN acts as the prime regulator of mTOR and determining factor for mTOR inhibitory drug resistance and sensitivity. PTEN is post-translationally modified in KSHV-associated cell lines and infected tissues. Our current study is an attempt to understand the functional role of upstream modulator PTEN in determining the sensitivity of mTOR inhibitors against KSHV-infected cells in an in vitro stress-responsive model. Our analysis shows that, despite phosphorylation, endogenous levels of intact PTEN in different KSHV-infected cells compared to normal and non-infected cells are quite high. Genetic overexpression of intact PTEN showed functional integrity of this gene in the infected cells in terms of induction of a synchronized cell death process via cell cycle regulation and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. PTEN overexpression enhanced the mTOR inhibitory drug activity, the silencing of which hampers the process against KSHV-infected cells. Additionally, we have shown that endogenous PTEN acts as a stress balancer molecule inside KSHV-infected cells and can induce stress-sensitized death program post mTOR inhibitor treatment, lined up in the ATM-chk2-p53 axis. Moreover, autophagic regulation was found as a major regulator in mTOR inhibitor-induced PTEN-mediated death axis from our study. The current work critically intersected the PTEN-mediated stress balancing mechanism where autophagy has been utilized as a part of the KSHV stress management system and is specifically fitted and switched toward autophagy-mediated apoptosis directing toward a therapeutic perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tathagata Choudhuri
- Department of Biotechnology, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India
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42
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Seo SK, Kwon B. Immune regulation through tryptophan metabolism. Exp Mol Med 2023:10.1038/s12276-023-01028-7. [PMID: 37394584 PMCID: PMC10394086 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01028-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Amino acids are fundamental units of molecular components that are essential for sustaining life; however, their metabolism is closely interconnected to the control systems of cell function. Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid catabolized by complex metabolic pathways. Several of the resulting Trp metabolites are bioactive and play central roles in physiology and pathophysiology. Additionally, various physiological functions of Trp metabolites are mutually regulated by the gut microbiota and intestine to coordinately maintain intestinal homeostasis and symbiosis under steady state conditions and during the immune response to pathogens and xenotoxins. Cancer and inflammatory diseases are associated with dysbiosis- and host-related aberrant Trp metabolism and inactivation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), which is a receptor of several Trp metabolites. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms through which Trp metabolism converges to AHR activation for the modulation of immune function and restoration of tissue homeostasis and how these processes can be targeted using therapeutic approaches for cancer and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Kil Seo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea.
- Parenchyma Biotech, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byungsuk Kwon
- Parenchyma Biotech, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, 44610, Republic of Korea.
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43
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Anderson ND, Birch J, Accogli T, Criado I, Khabirova E, Parks C, Wood Y, Young MD, Porter T, Richardson R, Albon SJ, Popova B, Lopes A, Wynn R, Hough R, Gohil SH, Pule M, Amrolia PJ, Behjati S, Ghorashian S. Transcriptional signatures associated with persisting CD19 CAR-T cells in children with leukemia. Nat Med 2023; 29:1700-1709. [PMID: 37407840 PMCID: PMC10353931 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02415-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
In the context of relapsed and refractory childhood pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL), CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells often induce durable remissions, which requires the persistence of CAR-T cells. In this study, we systematically analyzed CD19 CAR-T cells of 10 children with R/R B-ALL enrolled in the CARPALL trial via high-throughput single-cell gene expression and T cell receptor sequencing of infusion products and serial blood and bone marrow samples up to 5 years after infusion. We show that long-lived CAR-T cells developed a CD4/CD8 double-negative phenotype with an exhausted-like memory state and distinct transcriptional signature. This persistence signature was dominant among circulating CAR-T cells in all children with a long-lived treatment response for which sequencing data were sufficient (4/4, 100%). The signature was also present across T cell subsets and clonotypes, indicating that persisting CAR-T cells converge transcriptionally. This persistence signature was also detected in two adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia with decade-long remissions who received a different CD19 CAR-T cell product. Examination of single T cell transcriptomes from a wide range of healthy and diseased tissues across children and adults indicated that the persistence signature may be specific to long-lived CAR-T cells. These findings raise the possibility that a universal transcriptional signature of clinically effective, persistent CD19 CAR-T cells exists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jack Birch
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Theo Accogli
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Ignacio Criado
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rachel Richardson
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Sarah J Albon
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Bilyana Popova
- Cancer Research UK & UCL Cancer Trials Centre, London, UK
| | - Andre Lopes
- Cancer Research UK & UCL Cancer Trials Centre, London, UK
| | - Robert Wynn
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Rachael Hough
- Children and Young People's Cancer Service, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Satyen H Gohil
- Department of Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Martin Pule
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Persis J Amrolia
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Sam Behjati
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Sara Ghorashian
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
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Ke H, Li Z, Li P, Ye S, Huang J, Hu T, Zhang C, Yuan M, Chen Y, Wu X, Lan P. Dynamic heterogeneity of colorectal cancer during progression revealed clinical risk-associated cell types and regulations in single-cell resolution and spatial context. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2023; 11:goad034. [PMID: 37360193 PMCID: PMC10290555 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/goad034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor heterogeneity is contributed by tumor cells and the microenvironment. Dynamics of tumor heterogeneity during colorectal cancer (CRC) progression have not been elucidated. Methods Eight single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data sets of CRC were included. Milo was utilized to reveal the differential abundance of cell clusters during progression. The differentiation trajectory was imputed by using the Palantir algorithm and metabolic states were assessed by using scMetabolism. Three spatial transcription sequencing (ST-seq) data sets of CRC were used to validate cell-type abundances and colocalization. Cancer-associated regulatory hubs were defined as communication networks affecting tumor biological behaviors. Finally, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry staining were performed for validation. Results TM4SF1+, SOX4+, and MKI67+ tumor cells; CXCL12+ cancer-associated fibroblasts; CD4+ resident memory T cells; Treg; IgA+ plasma cells; and several myeloid subsets were enriched in stage IV CRC, most of which were associated with overall survival of patients. Trajectory analysis indicated that tumor cells from patients with advanced-stage CRC were less differentiated, when metabolic heterogeneity showed a highest metabolic signature in terminal states of stromal cells, T cells, and myeloid cells. Moreover, ST-seq validated cell-type abundance in a spatial context and also revealed the correlation of immune infiltration between tertiary lymphoid structures and tumors followed by validation in our cohort. Importantly, analysis of cancer-associated regulatory hubs revealed a cascade of activated pathways including leukocyte apoptotic process, MAPK pathway, myeloid leukocyte differentiation, and angiogenesis during CRC progression. Conclusions Tumor heterogeneity was dynamic during progression, with the enrichment of immunosuppressive Treg, myeloid cells, and fibrotic cells. The differential state of tumor cells was associated with cancer staging. Assessment of cancer-associated regulatory hubs suggested impaired antitumor immunity and increased metastatic ability during CRC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Shubiao Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology ,The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Junfeng Huang
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology ,The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Tuo Hu
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology ,The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology ,The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Ming Yuan
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology ,The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Chen
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xianrui Wu
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology ,The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Ping Lan
- Corresponding author. Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 26 Yuancun Erheng Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510655, China. Tel: +86-20-38254009;
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Li A, Ji B, Yang Y, Ye B, Zhu Q, Hu X, Liu Y, Zhou P, Liu J, Gao R, Zhou Q, Kang B, Jiang Y. Single-cell RNA sequencing highlights the role of PVR/PVRL2 in the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1164448. [PMID: 37383234 PMCID: PMC10293927 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1164448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The conflict between cancer cells and the host immune system shapes the immune tumour microenvironment (TME) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A deep understanding of the heterogeneity and intercellular communication network in the TME of HCC will provide promising strategies to orchestrate the immune system to target and eradicate cancers. Methods Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and computational analysis of 35786 unselected single cells from 3 human HCC tumour and 3 matched adjacent samples to elucidate the heterogeneity and intercellular communication network of the TME. The specific lysis of HCC cell lines was examined in vitro using cytotoxicity assays. Granzyme B concentration in supernatants of cytotoxicity assays was measured by ELISA. Results We found that VCAN+ tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) might undergo M2-like polarization and differentiate in the tumour region. Regulatory dendritic cells (DCs) exhibited immune regulatory and tolerogenic phenotypes in the TME. Furthermore, we observed intensive potential intercellular crosstalk among C1QC+ TAMs, regulatory DCs, regulator T (Treg) cells, and exhausted CD8+ T cells that fostered an immunosuppressive niche in the HCC TME. Moreover, we identified that the TIGIT-PVR/PVRL2 axis provides a prominent coinhibitory signal in the immunosuppressive TME. In vitro, antibody blockade of PVR or PVRL2 on HCC cell lines or TIGIT blockade on immune cells increased immune cell-mediated lysis of tumour cell. This enhanced immune response is paralleled by the increased secretion of Granzyme B by immune cells. Discussion Collectively, our study revealed the functional state, clinical significance, and intercellular communication of immunosuppressive cells in HCC at single-cell resolution. Moreover, PVR/PVRL2, interact with TIGIT act as prominent coinhibitory signals and might represent a promising, efficacious immunotherapy strategy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ang Li
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bai Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongsheng Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bicheng Ye
- School of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Yangzhou Polytechnic College, Yangzhou, China
| | - Qinmei Zhu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Yangzhou Polytechnic College, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xintong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Peiwen Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Juanjuan Liu
- Department of Bioinformatics, Analytical Biosciences Limited, Beijing, China
| | - Ranran Gao
- Department of Bioinformatics, Analytical Biosciences Limited, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of Bioinformatics, Analytical Biosciences Limited, Beijing, China
| | - Boxi Kang
- Department of Bioinformatics, Analytical Biosciences Limited, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Lin Q, Zhou Y, Ma J, Han S, Huang Y, Wu F, Wang X, Zhang Y, Mei X, Ma L. Single-cell analysis reveals the multiple patterns of immune escape in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma microenvironment. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1315. [PMID: 37349991 PMCID: PMC10288070 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1315] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single-cell transcriptomics has revolutionised our understanding of the cellular composition of the tumour microenvironment (TME) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Despite this progress, a key limitation of this technique has been its inability to capture epithelial/tumour cells, which has hindered further investigation of tumour heterogeneity and immune escape in NPC. METHODS In this study, we aimed to address these limitations by analysing the transcriptomics and spatial characteristics of NPC tumour cells at single-cell resolution using scRNA/snRNA-seq and imaging mass cytometry techniques. RESULTS Our findings demonstrate multiple patterns of immune escape mechanisms in NPC, including the loss of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in malignant cells, induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in fibroblast-like malignant cells and the use of hyperplastic cells in tumour nests to protect tumour cells from immune infiltration. Additionally, we identified, for the first time, a CD8+ natural killer (NK) cell cluster that is specific to the NPC TME. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide new insights into the complexity of NPC immune landscape and may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyu Lin
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen InstituteTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yaqi Zhou
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologyPeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of RadiologyShenzhen People's HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Sanyang Han
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate SchoolTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | | | - Feng Wu
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate SchoolTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xuejuan Wang
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen InstituteTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen InstituteTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xueshuang Mei
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologyPeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Lan Ma
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen InstituteTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate SchoolTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Shenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhenChina
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Mahajan S, Bongaerts M, Hardillo J, Tsang A, Lo KW, Kortleve D, Ma B, Debets R. Transcriptomics of Epstein-Barr virus aids to the classification of T-cell evasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Curr Opin Immunol 2023; 83:102335. [PMID: 37235920 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2023.102335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) contributes to oncogenesis and immune evasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). At present, an aggregated, higher-level view on the impact of EBV genes toward the immune microenvironment of NPC is lacking. To this end, we have interrogated tumor-derived RNA sequences of 106 treatment-naive NPC patients for 98 EBV transcripts, and captured the presence of 10 different immune cell populations as well as 23 different modes of T-cell evasion. We discovered 3 clusters of EBV genes that each associate with distinct immunophenotypes of NPC. Cluster 1 associated with gene sets related to immune cell recruitment, such as those encoding for chemoattractants and their receptors. Cluster 2 associated with antigen processing and presentation, such as interferon-related genes, whereas cluster 3 associated with presence of M1-like macrophages, absence of CD4+ T cells, and oncogenic pathways, such as the nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated B-cell pathway. We discuss these 3 EBV clusters regarding their potential for stratification for T-cell immunity in NPC together with the next steps needed to validate such therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Mahajan
- Departments of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC and Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Michiel Bongaerts
- Departments of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC and Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jose Hardillo
- Departments of Otorhinolaryngology, Erasmus MC and Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Tsang
- Departments of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Kwok W Lo
- Departments of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Dian Kortleve
- Departments of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC and Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brigette Ma
- Departments of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Reno Debets
- Departments of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC and Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Lim DWT, Kao HF, Suteja L, Li CH, Quah HS, Tan DSW, Tan SH, Tan EH, Tan WL, Lee JN, Wee FYT, Jain A, Goh BC, Chua MLK, Liao BC, Ng QS, Hong RL, Ang MK, Yeong JPS, Iyer NG. Clinical efficacy and biomarker analysis of dual PD-1/CTLA-4 blockade in recurrent/metastatic EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2781. [PMID: 37188668 PMCID: PMC10184620 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38407-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-agent checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) activity in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) related nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is limited. Dual CPI shows increased activity in solid cancers. In this single-arm phase II trial (NCT03097939), 40 patients with recurrent/metastatic EBV-positive NPC who failed prior chemotherapy receive nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks and ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks. Primary outcome of best overall response rate (BOR) and secondary outcomes (progression-free survival [PFS], clinical benefit rate, adverse events, duration of response, time to progression, overall survival [OS]) are reported. The BOR is 38% with median PFS and OS of 5.3 and 19.5 months, respectively. This regimen is well-tolerated and treatment-related adverse events requiring discontinuation are low. Biomarker analysis shows no correlation of outcomes to PD-L1 expression or tumor mutation burden. While the BOR does not meet pre-planned estimates, patients with low plasma EBV-DNA titre (<7800 IU/ml) trend to better response and PFS. Deep immunophenotyping of pre- and on-treatment tumor biopsies demonstrate early activation of the adaptive immune response, with T-cell cytotoxicity seen in responders prior to any clinically evident response. Immune-subpopulation profiling also identifies specific PD-1 and CTLA-4 expressing CD8 subpopulations that predict for response to combined immune checkpoint blockade in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Wan-Teck Lim
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Hsiang-Fong Kao
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lisda Suteja
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Constance H Li
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hong Sheng Quah
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel Shao-Weng Tan
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sze-Huey Tan
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eng-Huat Tan
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wan-Ling Tan
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Justina Nadia Lee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Amit Jain
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon-Cher Goh
- National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Melvin L K Chua
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bin-Chi Liao
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Quan Sing Ng
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruey-Long Hong
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Kim Ang
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joe Poh-Sheng Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - N Gopalakrishna Iyer
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
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Ma BBY, Thu Le Q. Hot on the trail in the TME: Clues from a trilogy of checkpoint inhibitor trials in nasopharyngeal cancer. Cancer Cell 2023:S1535-6108(23)00139-3. [PMID: 37207653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In this issue of Cancer Cell, Yang et al. report the third in a series of phase III trials that demonstrates the survival benefit of combining a PD-1 inhibitor with chemotherapy in nasopharyngeal cancer. A gene expression analysis identifies "hot" and "cold" tumor signatures with prognostic and predictive significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigette B Y Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Quynh Thu Le
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Chen C, Wang C, Pang R, Liu H, Yin W, Chen J, Tao L. Comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic and proteomic analysis reveals NK cell exhaustion and unique tumor cell evolutionary trajectory in non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Transl Med 2023; 21:278. [PMID: 37098551 PMCID: PMC10127506 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04112-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonkeratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NK-NPC) has a strong association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The role of NK cells and the tumor cell evolutionary trajectory in NK-NPC remain unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the function of NK cell and the evolutionary trajectory of tumor cells in NK-NPC by single-cell transcriptomic analysis, proteomics and immunohistochemistry. METHODS NK-NPC (n = 3) and normal nasopharyngeal mucosa cases (n = 3) were collected for proteomic analysis. Single-cell transcriptomic data of NK-NPC (n = 10) and nasopharyngeal lymphatic hyperplasia (NLH, n = 3) were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE162025 and GSE150825). Quality control, dimension reduction and clustering were based on Seurat software (v4.0.2) process and batch effects were removed by harmony (v0.1.1) software. Normal cells of nasopharyngeal mucosa and tumor cells of NK-NPC were identified using copykat software (v1.0.8). Cell-cell interactions were explored using CellChat software (v1.4.0). Tumor cell evolutionary trajectory analysis was performed using SCORPIUS software (v1.0.8). Protein and gene function enrichment analyses were performed using clusterProfiler software (v4.2.2). RESULTS A total of 161 differentially expressed proteins were obtained between NK-NPC (n = 3) and normal nasopharyngeal mucosa (n = 3) by proteomics (log2 fold change > 0.5 and P value < 0.05). Most of proteins associated with the nature killer cell mediated cytotoxicity pathway were downregulated in the NK-NPC group. In single cell transcriptomics, we identified three NK cell subsets (NK1-3), among which NK cell exhaustion was identified in the NK3 subset with high ZNF683 expression (a signature of tissue-resident NK cell) in NK-NPC. We demonstrated the presence of this ZNF683 + NK cell subset in NK-NPC but not in NLH. We also performed immunohistochemical experiments with TIGIT and LAG3 to confirm NK cell exhaustion in NK-NPC. Moreover, the trajectory analysis revealed that the evolutionary trajectory of NK-NPC tumor cells was associated with the status of EBV infection (active or latent). The analysis of cell-cell interactions uncovered a complex network of cellular interactions in NK-NPC. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that the NK cell exhaustion might be induced by upregulation of inhibitory receptors on the surface of NK cells in NK-NPC. Treatments for the reversal of NK cell exhaustion may be a promising strategy for NK-NPC. Meanwhile, we identified a unique evolutionary trajectory of tumor cells with active status of EBV-infection in NK-NPC for the first time. Our study may provide new immunotherapeutic targets and new sight of evolutionary trajectory involving tumor genesis, development and metastasis in NK-NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuimin Chen
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ruifang Pang
- Department of Precision Research Institute, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huanyu Liu
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weihua Yin
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiakang Chen
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Lili Tao
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
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