1
|
Chen T, Li S, Deng D, Zhang W, Zhang J, Shen Z. Key role of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) in regulating liver disease: progress and outlook. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2024; 25:451-470. [PMID: 38910492 PMCID: PMC11199090 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2300159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) is a member of the IRF family. It is the first transcription factor to be identified that could bind to the interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) on the target gene and displays crucial roles in the interferon-induced signals and pathways. IRF-1, as an important medium, has all of the advantages of full cell cycle regulation, cell death signaling transduction, and reinforcing immune surveillance, which are well documented. Current studies indicate that IRF-1 is of vital importance to the occurrence and evolution of multifarious liver diseases, including but not limited to inhibiting the replication of the hepatitis virus (A/B/C/E), alleviating the progression of liver fibrosis, and aggravating hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI). The tumor suppression of IRF-1 is related to the clinical characteristics of liver cancer patients, which makes it a potential indicator for predicting the prognosis and recurrence of liver cancer; additionally, the latest studies have revealed other effects of IRF-1 such as protection against alcoholic/non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD/NAFLD), cholangiocarcinoma suppression, and uncommon traits in other liver diseases that had previously received little attention. Intriguingly, several compounds and drugs have featured a protective function in specific liver disease models in which there is significant involvement of the IRF-1 signal. In this paper, we hope to propose a prospective research basis upon which to help decipher translational medicine applications of IRF-1 in liver disease treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- First Central Clinical School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Shipeng Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Dewen Deng
- First Central Clinical School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300192, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplant, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Weiye Zhang
- Department of Organ Transplant, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
- Research Institute of Transplant Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Organ Transplant, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China.
| | - Zhongyang Shen
- Department of Organ Transplant, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China.
- Research Institute of Transplant Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300192, China.
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplant, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hasan A, Khan NA, Uddin S, Khan AQ, Steinhoff M. Deregulated transcription factors in the emerging cancer hallmarks. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 98:31-50. [PMID: 38123029 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.12.001] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Cancer progression is a multifaceted process that entails several stages and demands the persistent expression or activation of transcription factors (TFs) to facilitate growth and survival. TFs are a cluster of proteins with DNA-binding domains that attach to promoter or enhancer DNA strands to start the transcription of genes by collaborating with RNA polymerase and other supporting proteins. They are generally acknowledged as the major regulatory molecules that coordinate biological homeostasis and the appropriate functioning of cellular components, subsequently contributing to human physiology. TFs proteins are crucial for controlling transcription during the embryonic stage and development, and the stability of different cell types depends on how they function in different cell types. The development and progression of cancer cells and tumors might be triggered by any anomaly in transcription factor function. It has long been acknowledged that cancer development is accompanied by the dysregulated activity of TF alterations which might result in faulty gene expression. Recent studies have suggested that dysregulated transcription factors play a major role in developing various human malignancies by altering and rewiring metabolic processes, modifying the immune response, and triggering oncogenic signaling cascades. This review emphasizes the interplay between TFs involved in metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming, evading immune attacks, cellular senescence, and the maintenance of cancer stemness in cancerous cells. The insights presented herein will facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic modalities to tackle the dysregulated transcription factors underlying cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adria Hasan
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Integral Information and Research Centre-4 (IIRC-4), Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India; Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Naushad Ahmad Khan
- Department of Surgery, Trauma and Vascular Surgery Clinical Research, Hamad General Hospital, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India; Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar.
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Minz AP, Mohapatra D, Dutta M, Sethi M, Parida D, Mohapatra AP, Mishra S, Kar S, Sasmal PK, Senapati S. Statins abrogate gemcitabine-induced PD-L1 expression in pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts and cancer cells with improved therapeutic outcome. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:4261-4278. [PMID: 37926727 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03562-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
A combination of chemotherapy with immunotherapy has been proposed to have better clinical outcomes in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). On the other hand, chemotherapeutics is known to have certain unwanted effects on the tumor microenvironment that may mask the expected beneficial effects of immunotherapy. Here, we have investigated the effect of gemcitabine (GEM), on two immune checkpoint proteins (PD-L1 and PD-L2) expression in cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs). Findings of in vitro studies conducted by using in-culture activated mouse pancreatic stellate cells (mPSCs) and human PDAC patients derived CAFs demonstrated that GEM significantly induces PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression in these cells. Moreover, GEM induced phosphorylation of STAT1 and production of multiple known PD-L1-inducing secretory proteins including IFN-γ in CAFs. Upregulation of PD-L1 in PSCs/CAFs upon GEM treatment caused T cell inactivation and apoptosis in vitro. Importantly, Statins suppressed GEM-induced PD-L1 expression both in CAFs and PCCs while abrogating the inactivation of T-cells caused by GEM-treated PSCs/CAFs. Finally, in an immunocompetent syngeneic orthotopic mouse pancreatic tumor model, simvastatin and GEM combination therapy significantly reduced intra-tumor PD-L1 expression and noticeably reduced the overall tumor burden and metastasis incidence. Together, the findings of this study have provided experimental evidence that illustrates potential unwanted side effects of GEM that could hamper the effectiveness of this drug as mono and/or combination therapy. At the same time the findings also suggest use of statins along with GEM will help in overcoming these shortcomings and warrant further clinical investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aliva Prity Minz
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Debasish Mohapatra
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India
- CV Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Madhuri Dutta
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India
| | - Manisha Sethi
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Deepti Parida
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Amlan Priyadarshee Mohapatra
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Swayambara Mishra
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Salona Kar
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751023, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Prakash K Sasmal
- Department of General Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rana M, Kansal RG, Bisunke B, Fang J, Shibata D, Bajwa A, Yang J, Glazer ES. Bromo- and Extra-Terminal Domain Inhibitors Induce Mitochondrial Stress in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:936-946. [PMID: 37294884 PMCID: PMC10527726 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0149] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Identifying novel, unique, and personalized molecular targets for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains the greatest challenge in altering the biology of fatal tumors. Bromo- and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are activated in a noncanonical fashion by TGFβ, a ubiquitous cytokine in the PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME). We hypothesized that BET inhibitors (BETi) represent a new class of drugs that attack PDAC tumors via a novel mechanism. Using a combination of patient and syngeneic murine models, we investigated the effects of the BETi drug BMS-986158 on cellular proliferation, organoid growth, cell-cycle progression, and mitochondrial metabolic disruption. These were investigated independently and in combination with standard cytotoxic chemotherapy (gemcitabine + paclitaxel [GemPTX]). BMS-986158 reduced cell viability and proliferation across multiple PDAC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, even more so in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy (P < 0.0001). We found that BMS-986158 reduced both human and murine PDAC organoid growth (P < 0.001), with associated perturbations in the cell cycle leading to cell-cycle arrest. BMS-986158 disrupts normal cancer-dependent mitochondrial function, leading to aberrant mitochondrial metabolism and stress via dysfunctional cellular respiration, proton leakage, and ATP production. We demonstrated mechanistic and functional data that BETi induces metabolic mitochondrial dysfunction, abrogating PDAC progression and proliferation, alone and in combination with systemic cytotoxic chemotherapies. This novel approach improves the therapeutic window in patients with PDAC and offers another treatment approach distinct from cytotoxic chemotherapy that targets cancer cell bioenergetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manjul Rana
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Rita G. Kansal
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Bijay Bisunke
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Jie Fang
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - David Shibata
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Amandeep Bajwa
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Transplant Research Institute, James D. Eason Transplant Institute, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Department of Genetics, Genomics, and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
- Transplant Research Institute, James D. Eason Transplant Institute, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Department of Genetics, Genomics, and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Evan S. Glazer
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li L, Gao L, Zhou H, Shi C, Zhang X, Zhang D, Liu H. High Expression Level of BRD4 Is Associated with a Poor Prognosis and Immune Infiltration in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Dig Dis Sci 2023:10.1007/s10620-023-07907-3. [PMID: 36933111 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-023-07907-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is a reader of histone acetylation and is associated with a variety of diseases. AIM To investigate the expression level of BRD4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), its prognostic value and its relationship with immune infiltration. METHODS The study included 94 ESCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and 179 ESCC patients from Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University. The expression levels of proteins in tissue microarray were detected by immunohistochemistry. The prognostic factors were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curve and univariate and multivariate cox regression. The ESTIMATE website was used to calculate the stromal, immune and ESTIMATE score. CIBERSORT was used to calculate the abundance of immune infiltrates. Spearman and Phi coefficient were used for correlation analysis. The TIDE algorithm was used to predict treatment response to immune checkpoint blockade. RESULTS BRD4 is up-regulated in ESCC, and high BRD4 expression level is associated with poor prognosis and adverse clinicopathological features. In addition, the monocyte count, systemic inflammatory-immunologic index, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio in the BRD4 high expression level group were higher than in the low expression level group. Finally, we found that BRD4 expression level correlated with immune infiltration and that it was inversely correlated with infiltration of CD8 + T cells. Higher TIDE scores in the BRD4 high expression group than in the low expression group. CONCLUSION BRD4 is associated with poor prognosis and immune infiltration in ESCC, and may be a potential biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Shengli Road No. 666, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Gao
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Shengli Road No. 666, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Shi
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Shengli Road No. 666, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Shengli Road No. 666, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Shengli Road No. 666, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Merhi M, Ahmad F, Taib N, Inchakalody V, Uddin S, Shablak A, Dermime S. The complex network of transcription factors, immune checkpoint inhibitors and stemness features in colorectal cancer: A recent update. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 89:1-17. [PMID: 36621515 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunity is regulated by several mechanisms that include co-stimulatory and/or co-inhibitory molecules known as immune checkpoints expressed by the immune cells. In colorectal cancer (CRC), CTLA-4, LAG3, TIM-3 and PD-1 are the major co-inhibitory checkpoints involved in tumor development and progression. On the other hand, the deregulation of transcription factors and cancer stem cells activity plays a major role in the development of drug resistance and in the spread of metastatic disease in CRC. In this review, we describe how the modulation of such transcription factors affects the response of CRC to therapies. We also focus on the role of cancer stem cells in tumor metastasis and chemoresistance and discuss both preclinical and clinical approaches for targeting stem cells to prevent their tumorigenic effect. Finally, we provide an update on the clinical applications of immune checkpoint inhibitors in CRC and discuss the regulatory effects of transcription factors on the expression of the immune inhibitory checkpoints with specific focus on the PD-1 and PD-L1 molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maysaloun Merhi
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fareed Ahmad
- Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nassiba Taib
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varghese Inchakalody
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Alaaeldin Shablak
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Said Dermime
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Meerschaert KA, Edwards BS, Epouhe AY, Jefferson B, Friedman R, Babyok OL, Moy JK, Kehinde F, Liu C, Workman CJ, Vignali DAA, Albers KM, Koerber HR, Gold MS, Davis BM, Scheff NN, Saloman JL. Neuronally expressed PDL1, not PD1, suppresses acute nociception. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 106:233-246. [PMID: 36089217 PMCID: PMC10343937 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PDL1 is a protein that induces immunosuppression by binding to PD1 expressed on immune cells. In line with historical studies, we found that membrane-bound PD1 expression was largely restricted to immune cells; PD1 was not detectable at either the mRNA or protein level in peripheral neurons using single neuron qPCR, immunolabeling and flow cytometry. However, we observed widespread expression of PDL1 in both sensory and sympathetic neurons that could have important implications for patients receiving immunotherapies targeting this pathway that include unexpected autonomic and sensory related effects. While signaling pathways downstream of PD1 are well established, little to no information is available regarding the intracellular signaling downstream of membrane-bound PDL1 (also known as reverse signaling). Here, we administered soluble PD1 to engage neuronally expressed PDL1 and found that PD1 significantly reduced nocifensive behaviors evoked by algogenic capsaicin. We used calcium imaging to examine the underlying neural mechanism of this reduction and found that exogenous PD1 diminished TRPV1-dependent calcium transients in dissociated sensory neurons. Furthermore, we observed a reduction in membrane expression of TRPV1 following administration of PD1. Exogenous PD1 had no effect on pain-related behaviors in sensory neuron specific PDL1 knockout mice. These data indicate that neuronal PDL1 activation is sufficient to modulate sensitivity to noxious stimuli and as such, may be an important homeostatic mechanism for regulating acute nociception.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Meerschaert
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Brian S Edwards
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ariel Y Epouhe
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Bahiyyah Jefferson
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Robert Friedman
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Olivia L Babyok
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jamie K Moy
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Faith Kehinde
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Creg J Workman
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Dario A A Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kathryn M Albers
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - H Richard Koerber
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Michael S Gold
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Brian M Davis
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Nicole N Scheff
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Biobehavioral Cancer Control Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jami L Saloman
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Biobehavioral Cancer Control Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
van der Noord VE, van de Water B, Le Dévédec SE. Targeting the Heterogeneous Genomic Landscape in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer through Inhibitors of the Transcriptional Machinery. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4353. [PMID: 36139513 PMCID: PMC9496798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184353] [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: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer defined by lack of the estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Although TNBC tumors contain a wide variety of oncogenic mutations and copy number alterations, the direct targeting of these alterations has failed to substantially improve therapeutic efficacy. This efficacy is strongly limited by interpatient and intratumor heterogeneity, and thereby a lack in uniformity of targetable drivers. Most of these genetic abnormalities eventually drive specific transcriptional programs, which may be a general underlying vulnerability. Currently, there are multiple selective inhibitors, which target the transcriptional machinery through transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 and bromodomain extra-terminal motif (BET) proteins, including BRD4. In this review, we discuss how inhibitors of the transcriptional machinery can effectively target genetic abnormalities in TNBC, and how these abnormalities can influence sensitivity to these inhibitors. These inhibitors target the genomic landscape in TNBC by specifically suppressing MYC-driven transcription, inducing further DNA damage, improving anti-cancer immunity, and preventing drug resistance against MAPK and PI3K-targeted therapies. Because the transcriptional machinery enables transcription and propagation of multiple cancer drivers, it may be a promising target for (combination) treatment, especially of heterogeneous malignancies, including TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sylvia E. Le Dévédec
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pham TN, Spaulding C, Shields MA, Metropulos AE, Shah DN, Khalafalla MG, Principe DR, Bentrem DJ, Munshi HG. Inhibiting MNK kinases promotes macrophage immunosuppressive phenotype to limit CD8+ T cell anti-tumor immunity. JCI Insight 2022; 7:152731. [PMID: 35380995 PMCID: PMC9090262 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.152731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To elicit effective anti-tumor responses, CD8+ T cells need to infiltrate tumors and sustain their effector function within the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Here we evaluate the role of MNK kinase activity in regulating CD8+ T cell infiltration and anti-tumor activity in pancreatic and thyroid tumors. We first show that human pancreatic and thyroid tumors with increased MNK kinase activity are associated with decreased infiltration by CD8+ T cells. We then show that while MNK inhibitors increase CD8+ T cells in these tumors, they induce a T cell exhaustion phenotype in the tumor microenvironment. Mechanistically, we show that the exhaustion phenotype is not caused by upregulation of PD-L1 but by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) becoming more immunosuppressive following MNK inhibitor treatment. Reversal of CD8+ T cell exhaustion by an anti-PD-1 antibody or TAM depletion synergizes with MNK inhibitors to control tumor growth and prolong animal survival. Importantly, we show in ex vivo human pancreatic tumor slice cultures that MNK inhibitors increase the expression of markers associated with immunosuppressive TAMs. Together, these findings demonstrate a previously unknown role of MNK kinases in modulating a pro-tumoral phenotype in macrophages and identify combination regimens involving MNK inhibitors to enhance anti-tumor immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thao Nd Pham
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Christina Spaulding
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Mario A Shields
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Anastasia E Metropulos
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Dhavan N Shah
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Mahmoud G Khalafalla
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Daniel R Principe
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, United States of America
| | - David J Bentrem
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Hidayatullah G Munshi
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Principe DR, Underwood PW, Kumar S, Timbers KE, Koch RM, Trevino JG, Munshi HG, Rana A. Loss of SMAD4 Is Associated With Poor Tumor Immunogenicity and Reduced PD-L1 Expression in Pancreatic Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:806963. [PMID: 35155243 PMCID: PMC8832494 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.806963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) is a key mediator of immune evasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and the addition of TGFβ inhibitors in select immunotherapy regimens shows early promise. Though the TGFβ target SMAD4 is deleted in approximately 55% of PDAC tumors, the effects of SMAD4 loss on tumor immunity have yet to be fully explored. Using a combination of genomic databases and PDAC specimens, we found that tumors with loss of SMAD4 have a comparatively poor T-cell infiltrate. SMAD4 loss was also associated with a reduction in several chemokines with known roles in T-cell recruitment, which was recapitulated using knockdown of SMAD4 in PDAC cell lines. Accordingly, JURKAT T-cells were poorly attracted to conditioned media from PDAC cells with knockdown of SMAD4 and lost their ability to produce IFNγ. However, while exogenous TGFβ modestly reduced PD-L1 expression in SMAD4-intact cell lines, SMAD4 and PD-L1 positively correlated in human PDAC samples. PD-L1 status was closely related to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, particularly IFNγ-producing T-cells, which were more abundant in SMAD4-expressing tumors. Low concentrations of IFNγ upregulated PD-L1 in tumor cells in vitro, even when administered alongside high concentrations of TGFβ. Hence, while SMAD4 may have a modest inhibitory effect on PD-L1 in tumor cells, SMAD4 indirectly promotes PD-L1 expression in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment by enhancing T-cell infiltration and IFNγ biosynthesis. These data suggest that pancreatic cancers with loss of SMAD4 represent a poorly immunogenic disease subtype, and SMAD4 status warrants further exploration as a predictive biomarker for cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R. Principe
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Ajay Rana, ; Daniel R. Principe,
| | - Patrick W. Underwood
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Kaytlin E. Timbers
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Regina M. Koch
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jose G. Trevino
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Hidayatullah G. Munshi
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Ajay Rana, ; Daniel R. Principe,
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
XP-524 is a dual-BET/EP300 inhibitor that represses oncogenic KRAS and potentiates immune checkpoint inhibition in pancreatic cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2116764119. [PMID: 35064087 PMCID: PMC8795568 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2116764119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There are currently no effective treatments for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which displays widespread resistance to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Here, we demonstrate that the multispecificity BET/EP300 inhibitor XP-524 has pronounced single-agent efficacy in vitro, in vivo, and in ex vivo human PDAC slice cultures, functioning in part by attenuating oncogenic KRAS signaling. In vivo XP-524 led to extensive reprogramming of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, sensitizing murine carcinoma to immune checkpoint inhibition and further extending survival. Given the urgent need for therapeutic approaches in PDAC, the combination of XP-524 and immune checkpoint inhibition warrants additional exploration. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with extensive dysregulation of the epigenome and epigenetic regulators, such as bromodomain and extraterminal motif (BET) proteins, have been suggested as potential targets for therapy. However, single-agent BET inhibition has shown poor efficacy in clinical trials, and no epigenetic approaches are currently used in PDAC. To circumvent the limitations of the current generation of BET inhibitors, we developed the compound XP-524 as an inhibitor of the BET protein BRD4 and the histone acetyltransferase EP300/CBP, both of which are ubiquitously expressed in PDAC tissues and cooperate to enhance tumorigenesis. XP-524 showed increased potency and superior tumoricidal activity than the benchmark BET inhibitor JQ-1 in vitro, with comparable efficacy to higher-dose JQ-1 combined with the EP300/CBP inhibitor SGC-CBP30. We determined that this is in part due to the epigenetic silencing of KRAS in vitro, with similar results observed using ex vivo slice cultures of human PDAC tumors. Accordingly, XP-524 prevented KRAS-induced, neoplastic transformation in vivo and extended survival in two transgenic mouse models of aggressive PDAC. In addition to the inhibition of KRAS/MAPK signaling, XP-524 also enhanced the presentation of self-peptide and tumor recruitment of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, though these lymphocytes remained refractory from full activation. We, therefore, combined XP-524 with an anti–PD-1 antibody in vivo, which reactivated the cytotoxic immune program and extended survival well beyond XP-524 in monotherapy. Pending a comprehensive safety evaluation, these results suggest that XP-524 may benefit PDAC patients and warrant further exploration, particularly in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition.
Collapse
|
12
|
Liu Z, Ren Y, Weng S, Xu H, Li L, Han X. A New Trend in Cancer Treatment: The Combination of Epigenetics and Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:809761. [PMID: 35140720 PMCID: PMC8818678 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.809761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, immunotherapy has become a hot spot in the treatment of tumors. As an emerging treatment, it solves many problems in traditional cancer treatment and has now become the main method for cancer treatment. Although immunotherapy is promising, most patients do not respond to treatment or develop resistance. Therefore, in order to achieve a better therapeutic effect, combination therapy has emerged. The combination of immune checkpoint inhibition and epigenetic therapy is one such strategy. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the key mechanisms of how epigenetic mechanisms affect cancer immune responses and reveal the key role of epigenetic processes in regulating immune cell function and mediating anti-tumor immunity. In addition, we highlight the outlook of combined epigenetic and immune regimens, particularly the combination of immune checkpoint blockade with epigenetic agents, to address the limitations of immunotherapy alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Ren
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Siyuan Weng
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Li
- Internet Medical and System Applications of National Engineering Laboratory, Zhengzhou, China
- Medical School, Huanghe Science and Technology University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xinwei Han, ; Lifeng Li,
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xinwei Han, ; Lifeng Li,
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kawakubo K, Castillo CFD, Liss AS. Epigenetic regulation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the era of cancer immunotherapy. J Gastroenterol 2022; 57:819-826. [PMID: 36048239 PMCID: PMC9596544 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-022-01915-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a lethal cancer with poor response to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Recent studies suggest that epigenetic alterations contribute to its aggressive biology and the tumor microenvironment which render it unresponsive to immune checkpoint blockade. Here, we review our current understandings of epigenetic dysregulation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, its effect on the tumor immune microenvironment, and the potential for epigenetic therapy to be combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazumichi Kawakubo
- grid.39158.360000 0001 2173 7691Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Carlos Fernandez-del Castillo
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Andrew Scott Liss
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wellinger LC, Hogg SJ, Newman DM, Friess T, Geiss D, Michie J, Ramsbottom KM, Bacac M, Fauti T, Marbach D, Jarassier L, Thienger P, Paehler A, Cluse LA, Kearney CJ, Vervoort SJ, Trapani JA, Oliaro J, Shortt J, Ruefli-Brasse A, Rohle D, Johnstone RW. BET Inhibition Enhances TNF-Mediated Anti-Tumor Immunity. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 10:87-107. [PMID: 34782346 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Targeting chromatin binding proteins and modifying enzymes can concomitantly affect tumor cell proliferation and survival, as well as enhance anti-tumor immunity and augment cancer immunotherapies. By screening a small-molecule library of epigenetics-based therapeutics, BET (Bromo- and Extra-Terminal domain) inhibitors (BETi) were identified as agents that sensitize tumor cells to the anti-tumor activity of CD8+ T cells. BETi modulated tumor cells to be sensitized to the cytotoxic effects of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF. By preventing the recruitment of BRD4 to p65-bound cis-regulatory elements, BETi suppressed the induction of inflammatory gene expression, including the key NF-κB target genes BIRC2 (cIAP1) and BIRC3 (cIAP2). Disruption of pro-survival NF-κB signaling by BETi led to unrestrained TNF-mediated activation of the extrinsic apoptotic cascade and tumor cell death. Administration of BETi in combination with T-cell bispecific antibodies (TCB) or immune checkpoint blockade increased bystander killing of tumor cells and enhanced tumor growth inhibition in vivo in a TNF-dependent manner. This novel epigenetic mechanism of immunomodulation may guide future use of BETi as adjuvants for immune oncology agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon J Hogg
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
| | - Dane M Newman
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
| | - Thomas Friess
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Penzberg
| | - Daniela Geiss
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Penzberg
| | | | | | - Marina Bacac
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich
| | - Tanja Fauti
- Oncology DTA, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research & Early Development, pRED
| | | | | | | | - Axel Paehler
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, PS, RICB
| | - Leonie A Cluse
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Cancer Therapeutics Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
| | | | | | | | - Jane Oliaro
- Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
| | - Jake Shortt
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
The Role of Oncogenes and Redox Signaling in the Regulation of PD-L1 in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174426. [PMID: 34503236 PMCID: PMC8431622 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells can evade the immune system via multiple mechanisms, including the dysregulation of the immune checkpoint signaling. These signaling molecules are important factors that can either stimulate or inhibit tumor immune response. Under normal physiological conditions, the interaction between programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its receptor, programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), negatively regulates T cell function. In cancer cells, high expression of PD-L1 plays a key role in cancer evasion of the immune surveillance and seems to be correlated with clinical response to immunotherapy. As such, it is important to understand various mechanisms by which PD-L1 is regulated. In this review article, we provide an up-to-date review of the different mechanisms that regulate PD-L1 expression in cancer. We will focus on the roles of oncogenic signals (c-Myc, EML4-ALK, K-ras and p53 mutants), growth factor receptors (EGFR and FGFR), and redox signaling in the regulation of PD-L1 expression and discuss their clinical relevance and therapeutic implications. These oncogenic signalings have common and distinct regulatory mechanisms and can also cooperatively control tumor PD-L1 expression. Finally, strategies to target PD-L1 expression in tumor microenvironment including combination therapies will be also discussed.
Collapse
|
16
|
Xu X, Wu Y, Yi K, Hu Y, Ding W, Xing C. IRF1 regulates the progression of colorectal cancer via interferon‑induced proteins. Int J Mol Med 2021; 47:104. [PMID: 33907823 PMCID: PMC8054637 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.4937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation is one of the main methods for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) before or after surgery. However, radiotherapy tolerance of patients with CRC is often a major concern. Interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) is a member of the IRF family and is involved in the development of multiple diseases, including tumors. The present study investigated the role of IRF1 in the development and radiation sensitivity of CRC. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the expression levels of IRF1 in tissue samples from patients with CRC, as well as in nude mice. MTT, 5‑ethynyl‑20‑deoxyuridine, colony formation, cell cycle alteration and apoptosis assays were performed in CRC cell lines. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression levels of a series of proteins. RNA sequencing was applied to identify genes whose expression was upregulated by IRF1 overexpression. Xenograft nude mouse models and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to validate the present findings in vivo. It was revealed that the expression levels of IRF1 were significantly lower in CRC tissues than in adjacent tissues. IRF1 upregulation inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation, caused G1 cell arrest, promoted cell apoptosis, and enhanced the sensitivity of CRC cells to X‑ray irradiation. The role of IRF1 in promoting the radiosensitivity of CRC was further demonstrated in nude mice with CRC xenografts. In addition, RNA sequencing revealed that overexpression of IRF1 in CRC cells significantly increased the expression levels of interferon‑induced protein family members interferon α inducible protein 6, interferon induced transmembrane protein 1 and interferon induced protein 35 (fold change >2.0). In summary, the present study demonstrated that the upregulation of IRF1 inhibited the progression and promoted the radiosensitivity of CRC, likely by regulating interferon‑induced proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Taicang, Taicang Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215400, P.R. China
- Central Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Taicang, Taicang Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215400, P.R. China
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Yong Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China
| | - Ke Yi
- Central Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Taicang, Taicang Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215400, P.R. China
| | - Yan Hu
- Central Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Taicang, Taicang Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215400, P.R. China
| | - Weiqun Ding
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Chungen Xing
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Principe DR, Korc M, Kamath SD, Munshi HG, Rana A. Trials and tribulations of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2021; 504:1-14. [PMID: 33549709 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment in the last decade, and strategies to re-activate cytotoxic immunity are now standard of care in several malignancies. Despite rapid advances in immunotherapy for most solid cancers, progress in immunotherapy against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been exceptionally difficult. This is true for several approaches, most notably immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and GM-CSF cell-based vaccines (GVAX). Though many immunotherapies have been explored in clinical trials, few have shown significant therapeutic efficacy. Further, many have shown high rates of serious adverse effects and dose-limiting toxicities, and to date, immunotherapy regimens have not been successfully implemented in PDAC. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary of the key clinical trials exploring immunotherapy in PDAC, followed by a brief discussion of emerging molecular mechanisms that may explain the relative failure of immunotherapy in pancreas cancer thus far.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Principe
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Murray Korc
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Suneel D Kamath
- Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Hidayatullah G Munshi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wang N, Wu R, Tang D, Kang R. The BET family in immunity and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:23. [PMID: 33462181 PMCID: PMC7813845 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00384-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity serves as the rapid and first-line defense against invading pathogens, and this process can be regulated at various levels, including epigenetic mechanisms. The bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family of proteins consists of four conserved mammalian members (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT) that regulate the expression of many immunity-associated genes and pathways. In particular, in response to infection and sterile inflammation, abnormally expressed or dysfunctional BETs are involved in the activation of pattern recognition receptor (e.g., TLR, NLR, and CGAS) pathways, thereby linking chromatin machinery to innate immunity under disease or pathological conditions. Mechanistically, the BET family controls the transcription of a wide range of proinflammatory and immunoregulatory genes by recognizing acetylated histones (mainly H3 and H4) and recruiting transcription factors (e.g., RELA) and transcription elongation complex (e.g., P-TEFb) to the chromatin, thereby promoting the phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II and subsequent transcription initiation and elongation. This review covers the accumulating data about the roles of the BET family in innate immunity, and discusses the attractive prospect of manipulating the BET family as a new treatment for disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nian Wang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Runliu Wu
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Daolin Tang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Rui Kang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Venkatraman S, Meller J, Hongeng S, Tohtong R, Chutipongtanate S. Transcriptional Regulation of Cancer Immune Checkpoints: Emerging Strategies for Immunotherapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E735. [PMID: 33291616 PMCID: PMC7761936 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of immune evasion has gained a well-deserved eminence in cancer research by successfully developing a new class of therapeutics, immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, anti-PD-1 antibodies. By aiming at the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), these new therapeutics have advanced cancer treatment with notable increases in overall survival and tumor remission. However, recent reports reveal that 40-60% of patients fail to benefit from ICB therapy due to acquired resistance or tumor relapse. This resistance may stem from increased expression of co-inhibitory immune checkpoints or alterations in the tumor microenvironment that promotes immune suppression. Because these mechanisms are poorly elucidated, the transcription factors that regulate immune checkpoints, known as "master regulators", have garnered interest. These include AP-1, IRF-1, MYC, and STAT3, which are known to regulate PD/PD-L1 and CTLA-4. Identifying these and other potential master regulators as putative therapeutic targets or biomarkers can be facilitated by mining cancer literature, public datasets, and cancer genomics resources. In this review, we describe recent advances in master regulator identification and characterization of the mechanisms underlying immune checkpoints regulation, and discuss how these master regulators of immune checkpoint molecular expression can be targeted as a form of auxiliary therapeutic strategy to complement traditional immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simran Venkatraman
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Science Joint Program Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Jarek Meller
- Departments of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Rutaiwan Tohtong
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Science Joint Program Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Pediatric Translational Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Targeting the epigenetic regulation of antitumour immunity. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2020; 19:776-800. [PMID: 32929243 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-0077-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 262] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the epigenome drives aberrant transcriptional programmes that promote cancer onset and progression. Although defective gene regulation often affects oncogenic and tumour-suppressor networks, tumour immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumour responses may also be affected by epigenomic alterations. This could have important implications for the development and application of both epigenetic therapies and cancer immunotherapies, and combinations thereof. Here, we review the role of key aberrant epigenetic processes - DNA methylation and post-translational modification of histones - in tumour immunogenicity, as well as the effects of epigenetic modulation on antitumour immune cell function. We emphasize opportunities for small-molecule inhibitors of epigenetic regulators to enhance antitumour immune responses, and discuss the challenges of exploiting the complex interplay between cancer epigenetics and cancer immunology to develop treatment regimens combining epigenetic therapies with immunotherapies.
Collapse
|
21
|
Principe DR, Narbutis M, Kumar S, Park A, Viswakarma N, Dorman MJ, Kamath SD, Grippo PJ, Fishel ML, Hwang RF, Thummuri D, Underwood PW, Munshi HG, Trevino JG, Rana A. Long-Term Gemcitabine Treatment Reshapes the Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment and Sensitizes Murine Carcinoma to Combination Immunotherapy. Cancer Res 2020; 80:3101-3115. [PMID: 32238357 PMCID: PMC7777391 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-2959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death with a median survival time of 6-12 months. Most patients present with disseminated disease and the majority are offered palliative chemotherapy. With no approved treatment modalities for patients who progress on chemotherapy, we explored the effects of long-term gemcitabine administration on the tumor microenvironment to identify potential therapeutic options for chemorefractory PDAC. Using a combination of mouse models, primary cell line-derived xenografts, and established tumor cell lines, we first evaluated chemotherapy-induced alterations in the tumor secretome and immune surface proteins by high throughput proteomic arrays. In addition to enhancing antigen presentation and immune checkpoint expression, gemcitabine consistently increased the synthesis of CCL/CXCL chemokines and TGFβ-associated signals. These secreted factors altered the composition of the tumor stroma, conferring gemcitabine resistance to cancer-associated fibroblasts in vitro and further enhancing TGFβ1 biosynthesis. Combined gemcitabine and anti-PD-1 treatment in transgenic models of murine PDAC failed to alter disease course unless mice also underwent genetic or pharmacologic ablation of TGFβ signaling. In the setting of TGFβ signaling deficiency, gemcitabine and anti-PD-1 led to a robust CD8+ T-cell response and decrease in tumor burden, markedly enhancing overall survival. These results suggest that gemcitabine successfully primes PDAC tumors for immune checkpoint inhibition by enhancing antigen presentation only following disruption of the immunosuppressive cytokine barrier. Given the current lack of third-line treatment options, this approach warrants consideration in the clinical management of gemcitabine-refractory PDAC. SIGNIFICANCE: These data suggest that long-term treatment with gemcitabine leads to extensive reprogramming of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment and that patients who progress on gemcitabine-based regimens may benefit from multidrug immunotherapy.See related commentary by Carpenter et al., p. 3070 GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/80/15/3101/F1.large.jpg.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Principe
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Matthew Narbutis
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alex Park
- University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Navin Viswakarma
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Matthew J Dorman
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Suneel D Kamath
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Paul J Grippo
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Rosa F Hwang
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas
| | - Dinesh Thummuri
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Patrick W Underwood
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hidayatullah G Munshi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jose G Trevino
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Danbaran GR, Aslani S, Sharafkandi N, Hemmatzadeh M, Hosseinzadeh R, Azizi G, Jadidi-Niaragh F, Babaie F, Mohammadi H. How microRNAs affect the PD-L1 and its synthetic pathway in cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 84:106594. [PMID: 32416456 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a glycoprotein that is expressed on the cell surface of both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells. PD-L1 play a role in the immune tolerance and protect self-tissues from immune system attack. Dysfunction of this molecule has been highlighted in the pathogenesis of tumors, autoimmunity, and infectious disorders. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous molecules that are classified as small non-coding RNA with approximately 20-22 nucleotides (nt) length. The function of miRNAs is based on complementary interactions with target mRNA via matching completely or incompletely. The result of this function is decay of the target mRNA or preventing mRNA translation. In the past decades, several miRNAs have been discovered which play an important role in the regulation of PD-L1 in various malignancies. In this review, we discuss the effect of miRNAs on PD-L1 expression and consider the effect of miRNAs on the synthetic pathway of PD-L1, especially during cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Saeed Aslani
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nadia Sharafkandi
- Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Maryam Hemmatzadeh
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ramin Hosseinzadeh
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Azizi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Farhad Jadidi-Niaragh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farhad Babaie
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Hamed Mohammadi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Jing X, Shao S, Zhang Y, Luo A, Zhao L, Zhang L, Gu S, Zhao X. BRD4 inhibition suppresses PD-L1 expression in triple-negative breast cancer. Exp Cell Res 2020; 392:112034. [PMID: 32339606 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on the surface of tumour cells can cause tumour immune evasion. Benefits of combining anti-PD-L1 therapy with nab-paclitaxel in patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) have been reported. However, some patients cannot tolerate the immune-related adverse effects (irAEs) caused by antibody-based immunotherapy. BRD4 is a member of the bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family. BRD4 inhibition has shown antitumour effects in many tumours, but its role in TNBC has not been definitively concluded. In particular, the immune regulation of BRD4 in TNBC has been rarely studied. In this study, we used JQ1, a BET inhibitor, and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting BRD4 to explore the influence of BRD4 on PD-L1 expression in TNBC. The results indicated that BRD4 inhibition suppressed PD-L1 expression and the PD-L1 upregulation induced by interferon-γ (IFN-γ). In the in vivo experiments, we found that JQ1 not only reduced the PD-L1 expression level but also changed the proportions of T lymphocyte subsets in the spleens of tumour-bearing mice, which helped to relieve immunosuppression. Briefly, our study reveals that BRD4 regulates PD-L1 expression and may provide a potential method for blocking the programmed death 1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 immune checkpoint in TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jing
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Shan Shao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yujiao Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Anqi Luo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Lifen Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Shanzhi Gu
- Department of College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Xinhan Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Inhibition of PAK1 suppresses pancreatic cancer by stimulation of anti-tumour immunity through down-regulation of PD-L1. Cancer Lett 2019; 472:8-18. [PMID: 31857154 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapies have not yielded significant clinical benefits for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) because of the existence of an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME) characterized by a desmoplastic stroma containing infiltrated immune cells and activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). This study aims to investigate the involvement of PAK1 in anti-tumour immunity. In PDA patients, low PAK1 expression, low activation of PSC and high CD8+ T cell/PAK1 ratios correlated with longer overall survival. In a murine PDA model, PAK1 knockout increased intra-tumoral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, inhibited PSCs activation and extended survival. Inhibition of PAK1 reduced PSC-stimulated PDA cell proliferation and migration, blocked PSC-mediated protection of PDA cells from killing by cytotoxic lymphocytes and decreased intrinsic and PSC-stimulated PD-L1 expression in PDA cells, which further sensitized PDA cells to cytotoxic lymphocytes. Inhibition of PAK1 stimulates anti-tumour immunity by increasing intra-tumoral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and by sensitizing PDA cells to killing by cytotoxic lymphocytes via down-regulation of intrinsic and PSC-stimulated PD-L1 expression. PAK1 inhibitors, especially in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors may result in improved efficacy of immunotherapy of PDA.
Collapse
|
25
|
Mao W, Ghasemzadeh A, Freeman ZT, Obradovic A, Chaimowitz MG, Nirschl TR, McKiernan E, Yegnasubramanian S, Drake CG. Immunogenicity of prostate cancer is augmented by BET bromodomain inhibition. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:277. [PMID: 31653272 PMCID: PMC6814994 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0758-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer responds poorly to current immunotherapies. Epigenetic therapies such as BET Bromodomain inhibition can change the transcriptome of tumor cells, possibly making them more immunogenic and thus susceptible to immune targeting. Methods We characterized the effects of BET bromodomain inhibition using JQ1 on PD-L1 and HLA-ABC expression in two human prostate cell lines, DU145 and PC3. RNA-Seq was performed to assess changes on a genome-wide level. A cytotoxic T cell killing assay was performed in MC38-OVA cells treated with JQ1 to demonstrate increased immunogenicity. In vivo experiments in the Myc-Cap model were conducted to show the effects of JQ1 administration in concert with anti-CTLA-4 checkpoint blockade. Results Here, we show that targeting BET bromodomains using the small molecule inhibitor JQ1 decreased PD-L1 expression and mitigated tumor progression in prostate cancer models. Mechanistically, BET bromodomain inhibition increased MHC I expression and increased the immunogenicity of tumor cells. Transcriptional profiling showed that BET bromodomain inhibition regulates distinct networks of antigen processing and immune checkpoint molecules. In murine models, treatment with JQ1 was additive with anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy, resulting in an increased CD8/Treg ratio. Conclusions BET Bromodomain inhibition can mediate changes in expression at a genome wide level in prostate cancer cells, resulting in an increased susceptibility to CD8 T cell targeting. These data suggest that combining BET bromodomain inhibition with immune checkpoint blockade may have clinical activity in prostate cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Mao
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.,Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Ali Ghasemzadeh
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.,Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Zachary T Freeman
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM), Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Rogel Cancer Center, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Aleksandar Obradovic
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Columbia University Systems Biology, Herbert Irving Cancer Research Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Matthew G Chaimowitz
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Thomas R Nirschl
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Emily McKiernan
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Charles G Drake
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Department of Urology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Hematology / Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, 177 Fort Washington Avenue, Suite 6GN-435, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zhao L, Li P, Zhao L, Wang M, Tong D, Meng Z, Zhang Q, Li Q, Zhang F. Expression and clinical value of PD‐L1 which is regulated by BRD4 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma. J Cell Biochem 2019; 121:1855-1869. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration, School of Stomatology Shandong University Jinan Shandong China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology Shandong University Jinan Shandong China
- Department of Stomatology Binzhou People's Hospital Binzhou Shandong China
| | - Pengchong Li
- Department of Stomatology Binzhou People's Hospital Binzhou Shandong China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Periodontology Dongguan Dental Hospital Dongguan Guangdong China
| | - Miao Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology Shandong University Jinan Shandong China
| | - Dongdong Tong
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology Shandong University Jinan Shandong China
| | - Zilin Meng
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering Shandong University of Technology Zibo Shandong China
| | - Qian Zhang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering Shandong University of Technology Zibo Shandong China
| | - Qing Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration, School of Stomatology Shandong University Jinan Shandong China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology Shandong University Jinan Shandong China
| | - Fenghe Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration, School of Stomatology Shandong University Jinan Shandong China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology Shandong University Jinan Shandong China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
BET protein targeting suppresses the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in triple-negative breast cancer and elicits anti-tumor immune response. Cancer Lett 2019; 465:45-58. [PMID: 31473251 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic strategies aiming to leverage anti-tumor immunity are being intensively investigated as they show promising results in cancer therapy. The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway constitutes an important target to restore functional anti-tumor immune response. Here, we report that BET protein inhibition suppresses PD-1/PD-L1 in triple-negative breast cancer. BET proteins control PD-1 expression in T cells, and PD-L1 in breast cancer cell models. BET protein targeting reduces T cell-derived interferon-γ production and signaling, thereby suppressing PD-L1 induction in breast cancer cells. Moreover, BET protein inhibition improves tumor cell-specific T cell cytotoxic function. Overall, we demonstrate that BET protein targeting represents a promising strategy to overcome tumor-reactive T cell exhaustion and improve anti-tumor immune responses, by reducing the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in triple-negative breast cancer.
Collapse
|
28
|
Shao L, Hou W, Scharping NE, Vendetti FP, Srivastava R, Roy CN, Menk AV, Wang Y, Chauvin JM, Karukonda P, Thorne SH, Hornung V, Zarour HM, Bakkenist CJ, Delgoffe GM, Sarkar SN. IRF1 Inhibits Antitumor Immunity through the Upregulation of PD-L1 in the Tumor Cell. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:1258-1266. [PMID: 31239318 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Multiple studies have associated the transcription factor IRF1 with tumor-suppressive activities. Here, we report an opposite tumor cell-intrinsic function of IRF1 in promoting tumor growth. IRF1-deficient tumor cells showed reduced tumor growth in MC38 and CT26 colon carcinoma and B16 melanoma mouse models. This reduction in tumor growth was dependent on host CD8+ T cells. Detailed profiling of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes did not show changes in the various T-cell and myeloid cell populations. However, CD8+ T cells that had infiltrated IRF1-deficieint tumors in vivo exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity. IRF1-deficient tumor cells lost the ability to upregulate PD-L1 expression in vitro and in vivo and were more susceptible to T-cell-mediated killing. Induced expression of PD-L1 in IRF1-deficient tumor cells restored tumor growth. These results indicate differential activity of IRF1 in tumor escape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Shao
- Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Weizhou Hou
- Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicole E Scharping
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Frank P Vendetti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Rashmi Srivastava
- Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Chandra Nath Roy
- Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ashley V Menk
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yiyang Wang
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Joe-Marc Chauvin
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Pooja Karukonda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephen H Thorne
- Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Veit Hornung
- Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hassane M Zarour
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Christopher J Bakkenist
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Greg M Delgoffe
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Saumendra N Sarkar
- Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. .,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Stress responses in stromal cells and tumor homeostasis. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 200:55-68. [PMID: 30998941 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In most (if not all) solid tumors, malignant cells are outnumbered by their non-malignant counterparts, including immune, endothelial and stromal cells. However, while the mechanisms whereby cancer cells adapt to microenvironmental perturbations have been studied in great detail, relatively little is known on stress responses in non-malignant compartments of the tumor microenvironment. Here, we discuss the mechanisms whereby cancer-associated fibroblasts and other cellular components of the tumor stroma react to stress in the context of an intimate crosstalk with malignant, endothelial and immune cells, and how such crosstalk influences disease progression and response to treatment.
Collapse
|