1
|
Siemaszko J, Łacina P, Szymczak D, Szeremet A, Majcherek M, Czyż A, Sobczyk-Kruszelnicka M, Fidyk W, Solarska I, Nasiłowska-Adamska B, Skowrońska P, Bieniaszewska M, Tomaszewska A, Basak GW, Giebel S, Wróbel T, Bogunia-Kubik K. Significance of HLA-E and its two NKG2 receptors in development of complications after allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1227897. [PMID: 37901227 PMCID: PMC10611459 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1227897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCT) is a procedure commonly used in treatment of various haematological disorders which is associated with significantly improved survival rates. However, one of its drawbacks is the possibility of development of post-transplant complications, including acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) or CMV infection. Various studies suggested that NK cells and their receptors may affect the transplant outcome. In the present study, patients and donors were found to significantly differ in the distribution of the NKG2A rs7301582 genetic variants - recipients carried the C allele more often than their donors (0.975 vs 0.865, p<0.0001). Increased soluble HLA-E (sHLA-E) levels detected in recipients' serum 30 days after transplantation seemed to play a prognostic and protective role. It was observed that recipients with higher sHLA-E levels were less prone to chronic GvHD (11.65 vs 6.33 pg/mL, p=0.033) or more severe acute GvHD grades II-IV (11.07 vs 8.04 pg/mL, p=0.081). Our results also showed an unfavourable role of HLA-E donor-recipient genetic incompatibility in CMV infection development after transplantation (OR=5.92, p=0.014). Frequencies of NK cells (both CD56dim and CD56bright) expressing NKG2C were elevated in recipients who developed CMV, especially 30 and 90 days post-transplantation (p<0.03). Percentages of NKG2C+ NK cells lacking NKG2A expression were also increased in these patients. Moreover, recipients carrying a NKG2C deletion characterized with decreased frequency of NKG2C+ NK cells (p<0.05). Our study confirms the importance of NK cells in the development of post-transplant complications and highlights the effect of HLA-E and NKG2C genetic variants, sHLA-E serum concentration, as well as NKG2C surface expression on transplant outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jagoda Siemaszko
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Łacina
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Donata Szymczak
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Szeremet
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Majcherek
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Czyż
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Sobczyk-Kruszelnicka
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Hematology-Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Wojciech Fidyk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Hematology-Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Iwona Solarska
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Maria Bieniaszewska
- Department of Hematology and Transplantology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Tomaszewska
- Department of Hematology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz W. Basak
- Department of Hematology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sebastian Giebel
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Hematology-Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wróbel
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Bogunia-Kubik
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ugolini F, Szumera-Ciećkiewicz A, Baroni G, Nesi G, Mandalà M, Ferrone S, Massi D. Differential HLA class I subunit (A, B, C heavy chain and β 2-microglobulin) expression levels in normal tissues. Virchows Arch 2023; 482:359-368. [PMID: 36437414 PMCID: PMC9931818 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03459-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I subunit expression level in primary and metastatic lesions has been characterized in many cancer types utilizing formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections as substrates in immunohistochemical reactions. The evaluation of the results of these studies has been hampered by the scant information about HLA class I subunit expression level in normal tissues. To address this unmet need, we have analyzed the HLA class I subunit expression level in FFPE sections of normal tissues.Two tissue microarray (TMA) blocks were constructed from archived FFPE tissue samples of a wide number of human normal tissues. The expression level of HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C heavy chains and β2-microglobulin (β2-M) was evaluated by IHC staining, with mAb HC-A2, mAb HC-10, and mAb NAMB1, respectively. The staining was scored according to its intensity.According to their staining patterns with the three mAbs tested, normal tissues can be divided into four groups: (i) tissues displaying moderate/strong staining patterns, (ii) tissues displaying barely detectable staining patterns, (iii) tissues displaying differential staining patterns, and (iv) tissues with no detectable staining. The ubiquitous expression pattern for HLA-A, B, C heavy chain and β2-M was found only at the endothelial level; the stroma was negative except for fibroblasts in all the tissues analyzed. Our data suggest that, contrary to the general postulate, HLA class I subunit expression is not detectable in all nucleated cells. This information provides a useful background to evaluate changes in HLA class I subunit expression associated with the malignant transformation of cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Ugolini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pathological Anatomy, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Szumera-Ciećkiewicz
- Department of Pathology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
- Diagnostic Hematology Department, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Gianna Baroni
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pathological Anatomy, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriella Nesi
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pathological Anatomy, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Mario Mandalà
- Unit of Medical Oncology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniela Massi
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pathological Anatomy, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Arosa FA, Esgalhado AJ, Reste-Ferreira D, Cardoso EM. Open MHC Class I Conformers: A Look through the Looking Glass. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189738. [PMID: 34575902 PMCID: PMC8470049 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies carried out during the last few decades have consistently shown that cell surface MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules are endowed with functions unrelated with antigen presentation. These include cis–trans-interactions with inhibitory and activating KIR and LILR, and cis-interactions with receptors for hormones, growth factors, cytokines, and neurotransmitters. The mounting body of evidence indicates that these non-immunological MHC-I functions impact clinical and biomedical settings, including autoimmune responses, tumor escape, transplantation, and neuronal development. Notably, most of these functions appear to rely on the presence in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells of heavy chains not associated with β2m and the peptide at the plasma membrane; these are known as open MHC-I conformers. Nowadays, open conformers are viewed as functional cis-trans structures capable of establishing physical associations with themselves, with other surface receptors, and being shed into the extracellular milieu. We review past and recent developments, strengthening the view that open conformers are multifunctional structures capable of fine-tuning cell signaling, growth, differentiation, and cell communication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando A Arosa
- Health Sciences Research Center (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - André J Esgalhado
- Health Sciences Research Center (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Débora Reste-Ferreira
- Health Sciences Research Center (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Elsa M Cardoso
- Health Sciences Research Center (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Health School, Guarda Polytechnic Institute, 6300-749 Guarda, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Grizzi F, Borroni EM, Qehajaj D, Stifter S, Chiriva-Internati M, Cananzi FCM. The Complex Nature of Soft Tissue Sarcomas, Including Retroperitoneal Sarcomas. CURRENT TREATMENT OF RETROPERITONEAL SARCOMAS 2019:21-32. [DOI: 10.1007/978-88-470-3980-3_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
|
5
|
Siebenkäs C, Chiappinelli KB, Guzzetta AA, Sharma A, Jeschke J, Vatapalli R, Baylin SB, Ahuja N. Inhibiting DNA methylation activates cancer testis antigens and expression of the antigen processing and presentation machinery in colon and ovarian cancer cells. PLoS One 2017. [PMID: 28622390 PMCID: PMC5473589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Innovative therapies for solid tumors are urgently needed. Recently, therapies that harness the host immune system to fight cancer cells have successfully treated a subset of patients with solid tumors. These responses have been strong and durable but observed in subsets of patients. Work from our group and others has shown that epigenetic therapy, specifically inhibiting the silencing DNA methylation mark, activates immune signaling in tumor cells and can sensitize to immune therapy in murine models. Here we show that colon and ovarian cancer cell lines exhibit lower expression of transcripts involved in antigen processing and presentation to immune cells compared to normal tissues. In addition, treatment with clinically relevant low doses of DNMT inhibitors (that remove DNA methylation) increases expression of both antigen processing and presentation and Cancer Testis Antigens in these cell lines. We confirm that treatment with DNMT inhibitors upregulates expression of the antigen processing and presentation molecules B2M, CALR, CD58, PSMB8, PSMB9 at the RNA and protein level in a wider range of colon and ovarian cancer cell lines and treatment time points than had been described previously. In addition, we show that DNMTi treatment upregulates many Cancer Testis Antigens common to both colon and ovarian cancer. This increase of both antigens and antigen presentation by epigenetic therapy may be one mechanism to sensitize patients to immune therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Siebenkäs
- Department of Surgery, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Katherine B. Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (NA); (KBC)
| | - Angela A. Guzzetta
- Department of Surgery, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Anup Sharma
- Department of Surgery, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jana Jeschke
- Department of Surgery, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rajita Vatapalli
- Department of Surgery, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Urology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Stephen B. Baylin
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Nita Ahuja
- Department of Surgery, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (NA); (KBC)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pedersen MH, Hood BL, Beck HC, Conrads TP, Ditzel HJ, Leth-Larsen R. Downregulation of antigen presentation-associated pathway proteins is linked to poor outcome in triple-negative breast cancer patient tumors. Oncoimmunology 2017. [PMID: 28638726 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1305531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous subtype with varying disease outcomes. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are frequent in TNBC and have been shown to correlate with outcome, suggesting an immunogenic component in this subtype. However, other factors intrinsic to the cancer cells may also influence outcome. To identify proteins and molecular pathways associated with recurrence in TNBC, 34 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) primary TNBC tumors were investigated by global proteomic profiling using mass spectrometry. Approximately, half of the patients were lymph node-negative and remained free of local or distant metastasis within 10 y follow-up, while the other half developed distant metastasis. Proteomic profiling identified >4,000 proteins, of which 63 exhibited altered expression in primary tumors of recurrence versus recurrence-free patients. Importantly, downregulation of proteins in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen presentation pathways were enriched, including TAP1, TAP2, CALR, HLA-A, ERAP1 and TAPBP, and were associated with significantly shorter recurrence-free and overall survival. In addition, proteins involved in cancer cell proliferation and growth, including GBP1, RAD23B, WARS and STAT1, also exhibited altered expression in primary tumors of recurrence versus recurrence-free patients. The association between the antigen-presentation pathway and outcome were validated in a second sample set of 10 primary TNBC tumors and corresponding metastases using proteomics and in a large public gene expression database of 249 TNBC and 580 basal-like breast cancer cases. Our study demonstrates that downregulation of antigen presentation is a key mechanism for TNBC cells to avoid immune surveillance, allowing continued growth and spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin H Pedersen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Brian L Hood
- Womens Health Integrated Research Center at Inova Health System, Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence, Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Annandale, VA, USA
| | - Hans Christian Beck
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Thomas P Conrads
- Womens Health Integrated Research Center at Inova Health System, Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence, Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Annandale, VA, USA
| | - Henrik J Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Rikke Leth-Larsen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark.,Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Garnett-Benson C, Hodge JW, Gameiro SR. Combination regimens of radiation therapy and therapeutic cancer vaccines: mechanisms and opportunities. Semin Radiat Oncol 2015; 25:46-53. [PMID: 25481266 DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2014.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) is widely used with curative or palliative intent in the clinical management of multiple cancers. Although mainly aimed at direct tumor cell killing, mounting evidence suggests that radiation can alter the tumor to become an immunostimulatory milieu. Data suggest that the immunogenic effects of radiation can be exploited to promote synergistic antitumor effects in combination with immunotherapeutic agents. We review concepts associated with the immunogenic consequences of RT and highlight how preclinical findings are translating into clinical benefit for patients receiving combination regimens of RT and therapeutic cancer vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - James W Hodge
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
| | - Sofia R Gameiro
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hodge JW, Kwilas A, Ardiani A, Gameiro SR. Attacking malignant cells that survive therapy: Exploiting immunogenic modulation. Oncoimmunology 2013; 2:e26937. [PMID: 24498561 PMCID: PMC3902115 DOI: 10.4161/onci.26937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently defined “immunogenic modulation,” a mechanism whereby malignant cells that survive anticancer therapy, due to sublethal delivery or development of treatment resistance, become nonetheless more sensitive to killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This mechanism can be exploited to identify which therapies will best synergize with immunotherapy, potentially maximizing patient clinical benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James W Hodge
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology; Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute; National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Anna Kwilas
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology; Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute; National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Andressa Ardiani
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology; Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute; National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Sofia R Gameiro
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology; Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute; National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Leone P, Shin EC, Perosa F, Vacca A, Dammacco F, Racanelli V. MHC class I antigen processing and presenting machinery: organization, function, and defects in tumor cells. J Natl Cancer Inst 2013; 105:1172-87. [PMID: 23852952 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djt184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 362] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The surface presentation of peptides by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules is critical to all CD8(+) T-cell adaptive immune responses, including those against tumors. The generation of peptides and their loading on MHC class I molecules is a multistep process involving multiple molecular species that constitute the so-called antigen processing and presenting machinery (APM). The majority of class I peptides begin as proteasome degradation products of cytosolic proteins. Once transported into the endoplasmic reticulum by TAP (transporter associated with antigen processing), peptides are not bound randomly by class I molecules but are chosen by length and sequence, with peptidases editing the raw peptide pool. Aberrations in APM genes and proteins have frequently been observed in human tumors and found to correlate with relevant clinical variables, including tumor grade, tumor stage, disease recurrence, and survival. These findings support the idea that APM defects are immune escape mechanisms that disrupt the tumor cells' ability to be recognized and killed by tumor antigen-specific cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells. Detailed knowledge of APM is crucial for the optimization of T cell-based immunotherapy protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Leone
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Allard M, Oger R, Vignard V, Percier JM, Fregni G, Périer A, Caignard A, Charreau B, Bernardeau K, Khammari A, Dréno B, Gervois N. Serum soluble HLA-E in melanoma: a new potential immune-related marker in cancer. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21118. [PMID: 21712991 PMCID: PMC3119680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-derived soluble factors, including soluble HLA molecules, can contribute to cancer immune escape and therefore impact on clinical course of malignant diseases. We previously reported that melanoma cells produce, in vitro, soluble forms of the non-classical MHC class I molecule HLA-E (sHLA-E). In order to investigate sHLA-E production by various tumors and to address its potential value as a tumor-associated marker, we developed a specific ELISA for the quantification of sHLA-E in biological fluids. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We developed a sHLA-E specific and sensitive ELISA and we showed that serum sHLA-E levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01) in melanoma patients (n = 127), compared with healthy donors (n = 94). sHLA-E was also detected in the culture supernatants of a wide variety of tumor cell lines (n = 98) including melanomas, kidney, colorectal and breast cancers. Cytokines regulation of sHLA-E production by tumor cells was also carried out. IFN-γ, IFN-α and TNF-α were found to upregulate sHLA-E production by tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE In view of the broad tumor tissue release of HLA-E and its up-regulation by inflammatory cytokines, sHLA-E should be studied for its involvement in immune responses against tumors. Interestingly, our results demonstrated a positive association between the presence of serum sHLA-E and melanoma. Therefore, the determination of sHLA-E levels, using ELISA approach, may be investigated as a clinical marker in cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Allard
- UMR INSERM, U892, Nantes, France
- University Nantes, Faculté des Sciences, Nantes, France
| | - Romain Oger
- UMR INSERM, U892, Nantes, France
- University Nantes, Faculté des Sciences, Nantes, France
| | | | | | - Giulia Fregni
- Institut Cochin, University Paris Descartes, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Périer
- Institut Cochin, University Paris Descartes, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Anne Caignard
- Institut Cochin, University Paris Descartes, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | | | - Karine Bernardeau
- Recombinant protein production facility of the IFR 26, Nantes, France
| | - Amir Khammari
- UMR INSERM, U892, Nantes, France
- Unit of Skin Cancer, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
- GMP Unit of Cellular Therapy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Brigitte Dréno
- UMR INSERM, U892, Nantes, France
- Unit of Skin Cancer, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
- GMP Unit of Cellular Therapy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Nadine Gervois
- UMR INSERM, U892, Nantes, France
- University Nantes, Faculté des Sciences, Nantes, France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Soluble plasma HLA peptidome as a potential source for cancer biomarkers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:18769-76. [PMID: 20974924 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1008501107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The HLA molecules are membrane-bound transporters that carry peptides from the cytoplasm to the cell surface for surveillance by circulating T lymphocytes. Although low levels of soluble HLA molecules (sHLA) are normally released into the blood, many types of tumor cells release larger amounts of these sHLA molecules, presumably to counter immune surveillance by T cells. Here we demonstrate that these sHLA molecules are still bound with their authentic peptide repertoires, similar to those of the membranal HLA molecules (mHLA). Therefore, a single immunoaffinity purification of the plasma sHLA molecules, starting with a few milliliters of patients' blood, allows for identification of very large sHLA peptidomes by mass spectrometry, forming a foundation for development of a simple and universal blood-based cancer diagnosis. The new methodology was validated using plasma and tumor cells of multiple-myeloma and leukemia patients, plasma of healthy controls, and with cultured cancer cells. The analyses identified thousands of sHLA peptides, including some cancer-related peptides, present among the sHLA peptidomes of the cancer patients. Furthermore, because the HLA peptides are the degradation products of the cellular proteins, this sHLA peptidomics approach opens the way for investigation of the patterns of protein synthesis and degradation within the tumor cells.
Collapse
|
12
|
Seliger B. Different regulation of MHC class I antigen processing components in human tumors. J Immunotoxicol 2009; 5:361-7. [PMID: 19404870 DOI: 10.1080/15476910802482870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, progress has been made in understanding how peptides presented by MHC Class I molecules were generated, in particular which proteases are involved in this process and how intracellular pathways influence antigen presentation in professional antigen-presenting cells and various types of tumor cells. This review will give an overview of MHC Class I abnormalities in malignancies and their underlying molecular mechanisms. Dependent on the tumor types structural alterations in particular of the MHC Class I heavy chain, beta(2)-m and the TAP1 subunit have been found at a low frequency, whereas dysregulation of MHC Class I antigen processing components appears to be the major mechanism of MHC Class I down-regulation in tumors of distinct origin. This could occur at the epigenetic, transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional level. The lack or suppression of MHC Class I surface expression due to antigen-processing deficiencies are accompanied by reduced recognition and lysis by antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, which is further often associated with disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Medical Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Down-regulation of proteasomal subunit MB1 is an independent predictor of improved survival in ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2009; 113:256-63. [PMID: 19243813 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2008.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2008] [Revised: 12/19/2008] [Accepted: 12/23/2008] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression and to determine the prognostic impact of components of the antigen processing and presentation pathway (APPP) in ovarian cancer. METHODS Expression of MB1, LMP7, TAP1, TAP2, ERp57, ERAP1, beta(2)-microglobulin and the alpha-chains, HLA-B/C and HLA-A, of the MHC class I molecules was evaluated on tissue microarrays containing primary tumor samples from 232 FIGO stages I-IV ovarian cancer patients. Expression levels were correlated to clinicopathological data and disease specific (DSS) survival. RESULTS Patients with expression of all components of the MHC class I complex, i.e. HLA-A(+)-beta(2)-m(+) and HLA-B/C(+)-beta(2)-m(+) patients, more often had expression of LMP7, a component of the immunoproteasome than patients with other phenotypes (p<0.001). These patients were also more prone to loss of MB1, part of the constitutive multicatalytic proteasome (p<0.05). Nuclear MB1 expression was an independent predictor of worse DSS (HR 1.94, 95% CI 1.16-3.26, p=0.012). The HLA-B/C(+)-beta(2)-m(+) phenotype was an independent predictor of a better prognosis (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-0.99, p=0.047). Median DSS was longer for patients with normal nuclear expression of LMP7 (57.4 vs. 31.0 months, p=0.029). CONCLUSIONS The prognostic influence of the proteasomal subunit MB1 and the MHC class I complex in ovarian cancer provides a rationale for targeting these specific APPP components in ovarian cancer.
Collapse
|
14
|
Ambrosino E, Berzofsky JA, Terabe M. Regulation of tumor immunity: the role of NKT cells. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2008; 8:725-34. [PMID: 18476784 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.8.6.725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor immunosurveillance is a part of the dynamic process of interaction between abnormal cells and the host immune system. Tumor immunosurveillance is actively and continuously regulated in both positive and negative ways. Natural killer T (NKT) cells are cells that have been shown to play a role in both positive and negative regulation of tumor immunosurveillance. Recent studies suggest that NKT cells are a heterogeneous cell population with multiple subsets with distinct functions. OBJECTIVE This review discusses the functions of those NKT cell subsets in regulating tumor immunity and potential interactions or counter-regulation among the NKT cell subsets. METHOD Selected literature is reviewed. CONCLUSION Manipulation of the balance among those subsets may provide new modes of intervention for tumor immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ambrosino
- National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Molecular Immunogenetics and Vaccine Research Section, Vaccine Branch, NIH, Building 10/Room 6B12, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Campoli M, Ferrone S. Tumor escape mechanisms: potential role of soluble HLA antigens and NK cells activating ligands. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 72:321-34. [PMID: 18700879 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2008.01106.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The crucial role played by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antigens and natural killer (NK)-cell-activating ligands in the interactions of malignant cells with components of the host's immune system has stimulated interest in the characterization of their expression by malignant cells. Convincing evidence generated by the immunohistochemical staining of surgically removed malignant lesions with monoclonal antibodies recognizing HLA antigens and NK-cell-activating ligands indicates that the surface expression of these molecules is frequently altered on malignant cells. These changes appear to have clinical significance because in some types of malignant disease they are associated with the histopathological characteristics of the lesions as well as with disease-free interval and survival. These associations have been suggested to reflect the effect of HLA antigen and NK-cell-activating ligand abnormalities on the interactions of tumor cells with antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and with NK cells. Nevertheless, there are examples in which disease progresses in the face of appropriate HLA antigen and/or NK-cell-activating ligand as well as tumor antigen expression by malignant cells and of functional antigen-specific CTL in the investigated patient. In such scenarios, it is likely that the tumor microenvironment is unfavorable for CTL and NK cell activity and contributes to tumor immune escape. Many distinct escape mechanisms have been shown to protect malignant cells from immune recognition and destruction in the tumor microenvironment. In this article, following the description of the structural and functional characteristics of soluble HLA antigens and NK-cell-activating ligands, we will review changes in their serum level in malignant disease and discuss their potential role in the escape mechanisms used by tumor cells to avoid recognition and destruction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Campoli
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver, CO, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Schütt P, Rebmann V, Brandhorst D, Wiefelspütz J, Ebeling P, Opalka B, Seeber S, Nowrousian MR, Moritz T, Grosse-Wilde H. The clinical significance of soluble human leukocyte antitgen class-I, ICTP, and RANKL molecules in multiple myeloma patients. Hum Immunol 2008; 69:79-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2008.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2007] [Revised: 01/18/2008] [Accepted: 01/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
17
|
Emens LA. Chemotherapy and tumor immunity: an unexpected collaboration. FRONT BIOSCI-LANDMRK 2008; 13:249-57. [PMID: 17981543 DOI: 10.2741/2675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chemotherapy directly targets the transformed tumor cell, and has long been a key component of therapy for most early and advanced cancers. However, its utility is ultimately limited by unavoidable toxicity to normal tissues, and by drug resistance pathways deeply embedded within the biology of the tumor cell itself. These limitations strongly argue for innovative strategies to treat and manage cancer. Engaging the power of the patient's own immune system is a highly attractive way to complement the activity of standard cancer treatment. Tumor vaccines offer the potential for preventing cancer in those at high risk for disease development, preventing relapse in those diagnosed with early cancer, and treating advanced disease. Notably, the barriers to tumor vaccine efficacy are distinct from the limitations of combination chemotherapy. The ability of vaccines to induce a response robust enough to mediate tumor rejection is limited by the extent of disease burden, the suppressive effect of the local tumor micronenvironment, and multiple layers of systemic immune tolerance established to keep the immune response turned off. Chemotherapy can be used with tumor vaccines in unexpected ways, breaking down these barriers and unleashing the full potential of the antitumor immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leisha A Emens
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1650 Orleans Street, Room 4M90, Bunting Blaustein Cancer Research Building, Baltimore, MD 21231-1000, USA.
| |
Collapse
|