1
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Li CC, Liu M, Lee HP, Wu W, Ma L. Heterogeneity in Liver Cancer Immune Microenvironment: Emerging Single-Cell and Spatial Perspectives. Semin Liver Dis 2024. [PMID: 38788780 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is a solid malignancy with a high mortality rate. The success of immunotherapy has shown great promise in improving patient care and highlights a crucial need to understand the complexity of the liver tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Recent advances in single-cell and spatial omics technologies, coupled with the development of systems biology approaches, are rapidly transforming the landscape of tumor immunology. Here we review the cellular landscape of liver TIME from single-cell and spatial perspectives. We also discuss the cellular interaction networks within the tumor cell community in regulating immune responses. We further highlight the challenges and opportunities with implications for biomarker discovery, patient stratification, and combination immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiyi Cherry Li
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Meng Liu
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hsin-Pei Lee
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Wenqi Wu
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lichun Ma
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
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2
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Pan H, Tian Y, Pei S, Yang W, Zhang Y, Gu Z, Zhu H, Zou N, Zhang J, Jiang L, Hu Y, Shen S, Wang K, Jin H, Li Z, Zhang Y, Xiao Y, Luo Q, Wang H, Huang J. Combination of percutaneous thermal ablation and adoptive Th9 cell transfer therapy against non-small cell lung cancer. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:52. [PMID: 38760861 PMCID: PMC11100251 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00520-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the predominant malignancies globally. Percutaneous thermal ablation (PTA) has gained widespread use among NSCLC patients, with the potential to elicit immune responses but limited therapeutic efficacies for advanced-stage disease. T-helper type 9 (Th9) cells are a subset of CD4+ effector T cells with robust and persistent anti-tumor effects. This study proposes to develop PTA-Th9 cell integrated therapy as a potential strategy for NSCLC treatment. METHODS The therapeutic efficacies were measured in mice models with subcutaneously transplanted, recurrence, or lung metastatic tumors. The tumor microenvironments (TMEs) were evaluated by flow cytometry. The cytokine levels were assessed by ELISA. The signaling molecules were determined by quantitative PCR and Western blotting. The translational potential was tested in the humanized NSCLC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. RESULTS We find that PTA combined with adoptive Th9 cell transfer therapy substantially suppresses tumor growth, recurrence, and lung metastasis, ultimately extending the survival of mice with NSCLC grafts, outperforming both PTA and Th9 cell transfer monotherapy. Analysis of TMEs indicates that combinatorial therapy significantly augments tumor-infiltrating Th9 cells, boosts anti-tumor effects of CD8+ T cells, and remodels tumor immunosuppressive microenvironments. Moreover, combinatorial therapy significantly strengthens the regional and circulation immune response of CD8+ T cells in mice with tumor lung metastasis and induces peripheral CD8+ T effector memory cells in mice with tumor recurrence. Mechanically, PTA reinforces the anti-tumor ability of Th9 cells primarily through upregulating interleukin (IL)-1β and subsequently activating the downstream STAT1/IRF1 pathway, which could be effectively blocked by intercepting IL-1β signaling. Finally, the enhanced therapeutic effect of combinatorial therapy is validated in humanized NSCLC PDX models. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, this study demonstrates that combinatorial therapy displays robust and durable anti-tumor efficacy and excellent translational potential, offering excellent prospects for translation and emerging as a promising approach for NSCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanbo Pan
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Siyu Pei
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Wanlin Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yanyang Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zenan Gu
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Hongda Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Ningyuan Zou
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Long Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yingjie Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Shengping Shen
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Haizhen Jin
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Ziming Li
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yanyun Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yichuan Xiao
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Qingquan Luo
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Jia Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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3
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Wu S, Dai X, Xia Y, Zhao Q, Zhao H, Shi Z, Yin X, Liu X, Zhang A, Yao Z, Zhang H, Li Q, Thorne RF, Zhang S, Sheng W, Hu W, Gu H. Targeting high circDNA2v levels in colorectal cancer induces cellular senescence and elicits an anti-tumor secretome. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114111. [PMID: 38615319 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114111] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of immunotherapy against colorectal cancer (CRC) is impaired by insufficient immune cell recruitment into the tumor microenvironment. Our study shows that targeting circDNA2v, a circular RNA commonly overexpressed in CRC, can be exploited to elicit cytotoxic T cell recruitment. circDNA2v functions through binding to IGF2BP3, preventing its ubiquitination, and prolonging the IGF2BP3 half-life, which in turn sustains mRNA levels of the protooncogene c-Myc. Targeting circDNA2v by gene silencing downregulates c-Myc to concordantly induce tumor cell senescence and the release of proinflammatory mediators. Production of CXCL10 and interleukin-9 by CRC cells is elicited through JAK-STAT1 signaling, in turn promoting the chemotactic and cytolytic activities of CD8+ T cells. Clinical evidence associates increased circDNA2v expression in CRC tissues with reductions in CD8+ T cell infiltration and worse outcomes. The regulatory relationship between circDNA2v, cellular senescence, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes thus provides a rational approach for improving immunotherapy in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xiangyu Dai
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yang Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qingsong Zhao
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Heng Zhao
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Zhimin Shi
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xin Yin
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Aijie Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Zhihui Yao
- Translational Research Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Academy of Medical Science, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Qun Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Rick Francis Thorne
- Translational Research Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Academy of Medical Science, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Shangxin Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Weiwei Sheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
| | - Wanglai Hu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; Translational Research Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Academy of Medical Science, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China.
| | - Hao Gu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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4
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Ying X, Ma X, Yang Z, Zhou B. Th9 Cytokines Inhibit Proliferation, Promote Apoptosis, and Immune Escape in Thyroid Carcinoma Cells. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2024:10.1007/s12010-023-04821-2. [PMID: 38224392 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04821-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
To investigate the regulatory effects of T helper 9 (Th9) cytokines on the proliferation, apoptosis and immune escape of thyroid cancer cells. The survival rate of human thyroid cancer cell line TPC-1 after treatment with 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 ng/ml IL-9 (or IL-21) was determined by CCK-8 method and suitable concentrations of IL-9 and IL-21 were screened out. The TPC-1 cells cultured in vitro were randomly grouped into control group, IL-9 group, IL-21 group and IL-9+IL-21 group. After treatment with IL-9 and IL-21 factors, the proliferation and apoptosis of TPC-1 cells in each group were detected by CCK-8 method and flow cytometry, respectively. The flow cytometry was applied to detect the proportion of Th9 and activated CD8+ T cells in human peripheral blood lymphocytes co-cultured with TPC-1 in each group. The expression of TPC-1 and IL-9R and IL-21R protein in each group and human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Compared with the control group, the cell viability PCNA and Bcl-2 protein expression in TPC-1 cells were lower in the IL-9 group, IL-21 group and IL-9+IL-21 group (P<0.05). The apoptosis rate, proportions of Th9 and activated CD8+ T cells, killing rate of human peripheral blood lymphocytes, the expression of Bax and caspase-3 proteins in TPC-1 cells, the expression of TPC-1 and human peripheral blood lymphocytes IL-9R and IL-21R proteins were all higher (P<0.05) in IL-9+IL-21 group compared with the IL-9 group and the IL-21 group. The cell viability, PCNA and Bcl-2 protein expression in TPC-1 cells in the IL-9+IL-21 group were all lower (P<0.05). Th9 cytokines can promote the differentiation of Th9 cells and CD8+ T cells, enhance their lethality, reduce the immune escape of thyroid cancer cells, and then inhibit their proliferation and promote their apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Ying
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xinyi Ma
- Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ziru Yang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Bo Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315000, China.
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5
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Phadke MS, Li J, Chen Z, Rodriguez PC, Mandula JK, Karapetyan L, Forsyth PA, Chen YA, Smalley KSM. Differential requirements for CD4+ T cells in the efficacy of the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 and anti-PD-1+CTLA-4 combinations in melanoma flank and brain metastasis models. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007239. [PMID: 38056899 PMCID: PMC10711842 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007239] [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] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 and the anti-PD-1+CTLA-4 combinations are effective in advanced melanoma, it remains unclear whether their mechanisms of action overlap. METHODS We used single cell (sc) RNA-seq, flow cytometry and IHC analysis of responding SM1, D4M-UV2 and B16 melanoma flank tumors and SM1 brain metastases to explore the mechanism of action of the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 and the anti-PD-1+CTLA-4 combination. CD4+ and CD8+ T cell depletion, tetramer binding assays and ELISPOT assays were used to demonstrate the unique role of CD4+T cell help in the antitumor effects of the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 combination. RESULTS The anti-PD-1+CTLA-4 combination was associated with the infiltration of FOXP3+regulatory CD4+ cells (Tregs), fewer activated CD4+T cells and the accumulation of a subset of IFNγ secreting cytotoxic CD8+T cells, whereas the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 combination led to the accumulation of CD4+T helper cells that expressed CXCR4, TNFSF8, IL21R and a subset of CD8+T cells with reduced expression of cytotoxic markers. T cell depletion studies showed a requirement for CD4+T cells for the anti-PD-1+LAG-3 combination, but not the PD-1-CTLA-4 combination at both flank and brain tumor sites. In anti-PD-1+LAG-3 treated tumors, CD4+T cell depletion was associated with fewer activated (CD69+) CD8+T cells and impaired IFNγ release but, conversely, increased numbers of activated CD8+T cells and IFNγ release in anti-PD-1+CTLA-4 treated tumors. CONCLUSIONS Together these studies suggest that these two clinically relevant immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combinations have differential effects on CD4+T cell polarization, which in turn, impacted cytotoxic CD8+T cell function. Further insights into the mechanisms of action/resistance of these clinically-relevant ICI combinations will allow therapy to be further personalized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manali S Phadke
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jiannong Li
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Moffitt Cancer Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Zhihua Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Moffitt Cancer Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Paulo C Rodriguez
- Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jessica K Mandula
- Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Lilit Karapetyan
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Peter A Forsyth
- Department of Neurooncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Y Ann Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Moffitt Cancer Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Keiran S M Smalley
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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6
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Abstract
T lymphocytes (T cells) are divided into two functionally different subgroups the CD4+ T helper cells (Th) and the CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Adequate CD4 and CD8 T cell activation to proliferation, clonal expansion and effector function is crucial for efficient clearance of infection by pathogens. Failure to do so may lead to T cell exhaustion. Upon activation by antigen presenting cells, T cells undergo metabolic reprograming that support effector functions. In this review we will discuss how metabolic reprograming dictates functionality during viral infections using severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as examples. Moreover, we will briefly discuss T cell metabolic programs during bacterial infections exemplified by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bjørn Steen Skålhegg
- Division for Molecular Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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7
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Mortensen REJ, Holmström MO, Andersen MH. Characterization of TGFβ-specific CD4 +T cells through the modulation of TGFβ expression in malignant myeloid cells. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:2575-2577. [PMID: 34526675 PMCID: PMC8545951 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00770-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Erik Johansson Mortensen
- grid.4973.90000 0004 0646 7373National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Morten Orebo Holmström
- grid.4973.90000 0004 0646 7373National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark ,grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XInstitute for Immunology and Microbiology, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- grid.4973.90000 0004 0646 7373National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark ,grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XInstitute for Immunology and Microbiology, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
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8
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Chen G, Sun J, Xie M, Yu S, Tang Q, Chen L. PLAU Promotes Cell Proliferation and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Genet 2021; 12:651882. [PMID: 34093649 PMCID: PMC8173099 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.651882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasminogen activator, urokinase (uPA) is a secreted serine protease whose Dysregulation is often accompanied by various cancers. However, the biological functions and potential mechanisms of PLAU in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain undetermined. Here, the expression, prognosis, function, and coexpression genetic networks of PLAU in HNSCC were investigated by a series of public bioinformatics tools. A Higher PLAU level predicted a poorer clinical outcome. Meanwhile, functional network analysis implied that PLAU and associated genes mainly regulated cell-substrate adhesion, tissue migration, and extracellular matrix binding. The top 4 significantly associated genes are C10orf55, ITGA5, SERPINE1, and TNFRSF12A. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that PLAU might activate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, which could explain the poor prognosis in HNSCC. Besides, genes associated with PLAU were also enriched in EMT pathways. We further validated the bioinformatics analysis results by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Then, we found that much more PLAU was detected in HNSCC tissues, and the silencing of PLAU inhibit the proliferation, migration, and EMT process of CAL27 cell lines. Notably, the downregulation of PLAU decreased the expression of TNFRSF12A. Moreover, knockdown TNFRSF12A also inhibits cell proliferation and migration. In vivo experiment results indicated that PLAU inhibition could suppress tumor growth. Collectively, PLAU is necessary for tumor progression and can be a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjin Chen
- Department of Stomatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiwei Sun
- Department of Stomatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengru Xie
- Department of Stomatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaoling Yu
- Department of Stomatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingming Tang
- Department of Stomatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan, China
| | - Lili Chen
- Department of Stomatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan, China
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9
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Chen J, Ding Y, Huang F, Lan R, Wang Z, Huang W, Chen R, Wu B, Fu L, Yang Y, Liu J, Hong J, Zhang W, Zhang L. Irradiated whole-cell vaccine suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma growth in mice via Th9 cells. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:409. [PMID: 33841570 PMCID: PMC8020379 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors with no available satisfactory treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-tumor effect of an irradiated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) whole-cell vaccine and its underlying mechanisms. Hepa1-6 and H22 HCC cell lines were irradiated in preparation for whole-cell vaccine production. Subsequently, two HCC tumor-bearing mouse models were created by injecting these Hepa1-6 and H22 cells into the abdominal skin of C57BL/6 and ICR mice, respectively. The mice were immunized with the corresponding whole-cell vaccine the next day, and then once a week until the end of the experimental period. Tumor growth, blood T helper (Th)9 cells and plasma interleukin (IL)-9 levels were monitored during the immunization period. Th9 cells were also induced by in vitro co-culture of the whole-cell vaccine with lymphocytes from the spleen and lymph nodes of the corresponding mice. Alterations of gene expression in transcription factor (TF) were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, and Th9 cells were detected using flow cytometry. The whole-cell vaccine effectively suppressed HCC tumor growth, as indicated by slower tumor growth and a smaller tumor size in the immunized group compared with the control. The percentage of blood Th9 cells and the concentration of plasma IL-9 were significantly increased in the immunized group. The whole-cell vaccine also induced Th9 cell differentiation and upregulated the expression of TFs PU.1, interferon regulatory factor 4 and basic leucine zipper transcriptional factor ATF-like. These results suggest that the irradiated HCC whole-cell vaccine inhibited tumor growth by increasing Th9 cell numbers in HCC mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Junying Chen
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Yuxiong Ding
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Fei Huang
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Ruilong Lan
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Zeng Wang
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Weikang Huang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Ruiqing Chen
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Bing Wu
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Lengxi Fu
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Yunhua Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Fujian Provincial Geriatric Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350009, P.R. China
| | - Jun Liu
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
| | - Jinsheng Hong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Weijian Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Lurong Zhang
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Province Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China.,Laboratory of Radiobiology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, P.R. China
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10
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Li T, Wu B, Yang T, Zhang L, Jin K. The outstanding antitumor capacity of CD4 + T helper lymphocytes. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188439. [PMID: 32980465 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, tumor-resident immune cells have been extensively studied to dissect their biological functions and clinical roles. Tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, because of their cytotoxic and killing ability, have been under the spotlight for a long time, whereas CD4+ T cells are considered just a supporting actor in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Until recently, accumulating evidence has demonstrated the ability of CD4+ T cells in eradicating solid tumors, and their functions in mediating antitumor immunity have been investigated in various orientations. In this review, we highlight the pivotal role of CD4+ T cells in eliciting vigorous antitumor immune responses, summarize key signaling axes and molecular networks behind these antitumor functions, and also propose possible targets and promising strategies which might translate into more efficient immunotherapies against human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Li
- Laboratory of Human Diseases and Immunotherapies, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Bowen Wu
- School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
| | - Tao Yang
- Laboratory of Human Diseases and Immunotherapies, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Long Zhang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ke Jin
- Laboratory of Human Diseases and Immunotherapies, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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11
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Measuring Cancer Hallmark Mediation of the TET1 Glioma Survival Effect with Linked Neural-Network Based Mediation Experiments. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8886. [PMID: 32483272 PMCID: PMC7264360 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65369-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper examines the effect of TET1 expression on survival in glioma patients using open-access data from the Genomic Data Commons. A neural network-based survival model was built on expression data from a selection of genes most affected by TET1 knockdown with a median cross-validated survival concordance of 82.5%. A synthetic experiment was then conducted that linked two separately trained neural networks: a multitask model estimating cancer hallmark gene expression from TET1 expression, and a survival neural network. This experiment quantified the mediation of the TET1 survival effect through eight cancer hallmarks: apoptosis, cell cycle, cell death, cell motility, DNA repair, immune response, two phosphorylation pathways, and a randomized gene sets. Immune response, DNA repair, and apoptosis displayed greater mediation than the randomized gene set. Cell motility was inversely associated with only 12.5% mediated concordance. We propose the neural network linkage mediation experiment as an approach to collecting evidence of hazard mediation relationships with prognostic capacity useful for designing interventions.
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12
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Awasthi A, Kumar H. T cell subtypes and its therapeutic potential in autoimmune diseases and cancer. Int Rev Immunol 2019; 38:181-182. [PMID: 31608783 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2019.1673472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amit Awasthi
- Guest Editor, International Reviews of Immunology & Immuno-Biology Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute , Faridabad , India
| | - Himanshu Kumar
- Editor in Chief, International Reviews of Immunology & Principal Investigator, Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Disease Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) , Bhopal , India
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