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Lv Y, Qi J, Babon JJ, Cao L, Fan G, Lang J, Zhang J, Mi P, Kobe B, Wang F. The JAK-STAT pathway: from structural biology to cytokine engineering. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:221. [PMID: 39169031 PMCID: PMC11339341 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01934-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway serves as a paradigm for signal transduction from the extracellular environment to the nucleus. It plays a pivotal role in physiological functions, such as hematopoiesis, immune balance, tissue homeostasis, and surveillance against tumors. Dysregulation of this pathway may lead to various disease conditions such as immune deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, hematologic disorders, and cancer. Due to its critical role in maintaining human health and involvement in disease, extensive studies have been conducted on this pathway, ranging from basic research to medical applications. Advances in the structural biology of this pathway have enabled us to gain insights into how the signaling cascade operates at the molecular level, laying the groundwork for therapeutic development targeting this pathway. Various strategies have been developed to restore its normal function, with promising therapeutic potential. Enhanced comprehension of these molecular mechanisms, combined with advances in protein engineering methodologies, has allowed us to engineer cytokines with tailored properties for targeted therapeutic applications, thereby enhancing their efficiency and safety. In this review, we outline the structural basis that governs key nodes in this pathway, offering a comprehensive overview of the signal transduction process. Furthermore, we explore recent advances in cytokine engineering for therapeutic development in this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Lv
- Center for Molecular Biosciences and Non-communicable Diseases Research, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, China
- Xi'an Amazinggene Co., Ltd, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710026, China
| | - Jianxun Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100080, China
| | - Jeffrey J Babon
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Longxing Cao
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Guohuang Fan
- Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd, No. 10 Lv Zhou Huan Road, Shanghai, 201112, China
| | - Jiajia Lang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Xi'an Amazinggene Co., Ltd, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710026, China
| | - Pengbing Mi
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Bostjan Kobe
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
| | - Faming Wang
- Center for Molecular Biosciences and Non-communicable Diseases Research, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, China.
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Ur Rehman A, Wang Z, Qin Q, Zhang X, Akhtar A, Liu H, Mao B, Khan N, Tang L, Li X. Enhancing antitumor immunity and achieving tumor eradication with IL11RA mRNA immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 134:112205. [PMID: 38718659 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112205] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Current methods for delivering genes to target tumors face significant challenges, including off-target effects and immune responses against delivery vectors. In this study, we developed a novel approach using messenger RNA (mRNA) to encode IL11RA for local immunotherapy, aiming to harness the immune system to combat tumors. Our research uncovered a compelling correlation between IL11RA expression and CD8 + T cell levels across multiple tumor types, with elevated IL11RA expression correlating with improved overall survival. Examination of the Pan-Cancer Atlas dataset showed a significant reduction in IL11RA expression in various cancer types compared to normal tissue, raising questions about its potential role in tumorigenesis. To achieve efficient in vivo expression of IL11RA, we synthesized two mRNA sequences mimicking the wild-type protein. These mRNA sequences were formulated and capped to ensure effective delivery, resulting in robust expression within tumor sites. Our investigation into IL11RA mRNA therapy demonstrated its effectiveness in controlling tumor growth when administered both intratumorally and intravenously in mouse models. Additionally, IL11RA mRNA treatment significantly stimulated the expansion of CD8 + T cells within tumors, draining lymph nodes, and the spleen. Transcriptome analysis revealed distinct transcriptional patterns associated with T cell functions. Using multiple deconvolution algorithms, we found substantial infiltration of CD8 + T cells following IL11RA mRNA treatment, highlighting its immunomodulatory effects within the tumor microenvironment. In conclusion, IL11RA mRNA therapy presents a promising strategy for tumor regression with potential immunomodulatory effects and clinical implications for improved survival outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeel Ur Rehman
- Clinical Molecular Medicine Testing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Key Laboratory of Major Brain Disease and Aging Research (Ministry of Education), Institute for Brain Science and Disease, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Zhihuai Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213000, China
| | - Qianshan Qin
- Suzhou Abogen Biosciences Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhang
- Suzhou Abogen Biosciences Co., Ltd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Aleena Akhtar
- Clinical Molecular Medicine Testing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Hanyang Liu
- Charité‑University Medical Center, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Virchow Campus, and Molecular Cancer Research Center, D‑13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Binli Mao
- Clinical Molecular Medicine Testing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Naveed Khan
- Graduate School of Green-Bio Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
| | - Liming Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213000, China
| | - Xiaosong Li
- Clinical Molecular Medicine Testing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Key Laboratory of Major Brain Disease and Aging Research (Ministry of Education), Institute for Brain Science and Disease, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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Sims NA, Griffin MDW. Craniosynostosis-associated variants in the IL-11R complex: new insights and questions. FEBS J 2024; 291:1663-1666. [PMID: 38329021 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17078] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Skull growth involves the expansion of both the flat calvarial bones of the skull and the fibrous marginal zones, termed sutures, between them. This process depends on co-ordinated proliferation of mesenchymal-derived progenitor cells within the sutures, and their differentiation to osteoblasts which produce the bone matrix required to expand the size of the bony plates. Defects lead to premature closure of these sutures, termed craniosynostosis, resulting in heterogeneous head shape differences due to restricted growth of one or more sutures. The impact on the individual depends on how many and which sutures are affected and the severity of the effect. Several genetic loci are responsible, including a wide range of variants in the gene for the interleukin 11 receptor (IL11RA, OMIM#600939). Recent work from Kespohl and colleagues provides new insights into how some of these variants influence IL-11R function; we discuss their influences on IL-11R structure and IL-11 function as a stimulus of osteoblast differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Sims
- St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Australia
- Department of Medicine at St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Australia
- Mary Mackillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael D W Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Australia
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Gardner S, Jin Y, Fyfe PK, Voisin TB, Bellón JS, Pohler E, Piehler J, Moraga I, Bubeck D. Structural insights into IL-11-mediated signalling and human IL6ST variant-associated immunodeficiency. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2071. [PMID: 38453915 PMCID: PMC10920896 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46235-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
IL-11 and IL-6 activate signalling via assembly of the cell surface receptor gp130; however, it is unclear how signals are transmitted across the membrane to instruct cellular responses. Here we solve the cryoEM structure of the IL-11 receptor recognition complex to discover how differences in gp130-binding interfaces may drive signalling outcomes. We explore how mutations in the IL6ST gene encoding for gp130, which cause severe immune deficiencies in humans, impair signalling without blocking cytokine binding. We use cryoEM to solve structures of both IL-11 and IL-6 complexes with a mutant form of gp130 associated with human disease. Together with molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the disease-associated variant led to an increase in flexibility including motion within the cytokine-binding core and increased distance between extracellular domains. However, these distances are minimized as the transmembrane helix exits the membrane, suggesting a stringency in geometry for signalling and dimmer switch mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Gardner
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Ernst Chain Building, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Yibo Jin
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Ernst Chain Building, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Paul K Fyfe
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Tomas B Voisin
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Ernst Chain Building, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Junel Sotolongo Bellón
- Department of Biology/Chemistry and Centre for Cellular Nanoanalytics, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Pohler
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Jacob Piehler
- Department of Biology/Chemistry and Centre for Cellular Nanoanalytics, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Ignacio Moraga
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Doryen Bubeck
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Ernst Chain Building, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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