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Vaxevanis C, Bachmann M, Seliger B. Immune modulatory microRNAs in tumors, their clinical relevance in diagnosis and therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e009774. [PMID: 39209767 PMCID: PMC11367391 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-009774] [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: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The importance of the immune system in regulating tumor growth by inducing immune cell-mediated cytotoxicity associated with patients' outcomes has been highlighted in the past years by an increasing life expectancy in patients with cancer on treatment with different immunotherapeutics. However, tumors often escape immune surveillance, which is accomplished by different mechanisms. Recent studies demonstrated an essential role of small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), in the post-transcriptional control of immune modulatory molecules. Multiple methods have been used to identify miRNAs targeting genes involved in escaping immune recognition including miRNAs targeting CTLA-4, PD-L1, HLA-G, components of the major histocompatibility class I antigen processing machinery (APM) as well as other immune response-relevant genes in tumors. Due to their function, these immune modulatory miRNAs can be used as (1) diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers allowing to discriminate between tumor stages and to predict the patients' outcome as well as response and resistance to (immuno) therapies and as (2) therapeutic targets for the treatment of tumor patients. This review summarizes the role of miRNAs in tumor-mediated immune escape, discuss their potential as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive tools as well as their use as therapeutics including alternative application methods, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoforos Vaxevanis
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg, Germany
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2
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Hohmann T, Hohmann U, Dehghani F, Grisk O, Jasinski-Bergner S. Analyzing the Impact of the Highest Expressed Epstein-Barr Virus-Encoded microRNAs on the Host Cell Transcriptome. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7838. [PMID: 39063079 PMCID: PMC11276978 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has a very high prevalence (>90% in adults), establishes a lifelong latency after primary infection, and exerts an oncogenic potential. This dsDNA virus encodes for various molecules, including microRNAs (miRs), which can be detected in the latent and lytic phases with different expression levels and affect, among others, immune evasion and malignant transformation. In this study, the different EBV miRs are quantified in EBV-positive lymphomas, and the impact on the host cell transcriptome of the most abundant EBV miRs will be analyzed using comparative RNA sequencing analyses. The EBV miRs ebv-miR-BART1, -BART4, -BART17, and -BHRF1-1 were most highly expressed, and their selective overexpression in EBV-negative human cells resulted in a large number of statistically significantly down- and up-regulated host cell genes. Functional analyses showed that these dysregulated target genes are involved in important cellular processes, including growth factor pathways such as WNT, EGF, FGF, and PDGF, as well as cellular processes such as apoptosis regulation and inflammation. Individual differences were observed between these four analyzed EBV miRs. In particular, ebv-miR-BHRF1-1 appears to be more important for malignant transformation and immune evasion than the other EBV miRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Hohmann
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany; (T.H.); (U.H.); (F.D.)
| | - Urszula Hohmann
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany; (T.H.); (U.H.); (F.D.)
| | - Faramarz Dehghani
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany; (T.H.); (U.H.); (F.D.)
| | - Olaf Grisk
- Institute of Physiology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Theodor Fontane, Hochstraße 29, Haus 11, 2.OG, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany;
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Physiology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Theodor Fontane, Hochstraße 29, Haus 11, 2.OG, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany;
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Theodor Fontane, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
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3
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Seliger B. Role of HLA-G in tumors and upon COVID-19 infection. Hum Immunol 2024; 85:110792. [PMID: 38555250 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2024.110792] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
HLA-G expression of tumors and upon viral infections is involved in their immune escape leading to the evasion from both T and NK cell recognition. The underlying mechanisms of HLA-G expression in both pathophysiologic conditions are broad and range from genetic abnormalities to epigenetic, transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the frequency, regulation and clinical relevance of HLA-G expression upon neoplastic and viral transformation, its interaction with components of the microenvironment as well as its potential as diagnostic marker and/or therapeutic target. In addition, it discusses urgent topics, which have to be addressed in HLA-G research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", 14770, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany; Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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4
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Bauer M, Schöbel CM, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B, Jasinski-Bergner S. Deciphering the role of alternative splicing in neoplastic diseases for immune-oncological therapies. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1386993. [PMID: 38736877 PMCID: PMC11082354 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1386993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is an important molecular biological mechanism regulated by complex mechanisms involving a plethora of cis and trans-acting elements. Furthermore, AS is tissue specific and altered in various pathologies, including infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases. Recently developed immuno-oncological therapies include monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting, among others, immune checkpoint (ICP) molecules. Despite therapeutic successes have been demonstrated, only a limited number of patients showed long-term benefit from these therapies with tumor entity-related differential response rates were observed. Interestingly, splice variants of common immunotherapeutic targets generated by AS are able to completely escape and/or reduce the efficacy of mAb- and/or CAR-based tumor immunotherapies. Therefore, the analyses of splicing patterns of targeted molecules in tumor specimens prior to therapy might help correct stratification, thereby increasing therapy success by antibody panel selection and antibody dosages. In addition, the expression of certain splicing factors has been linked with the patients' outcome, thereby highlighting their putative prognostic potential. Outstanding questions are addressed to translate the findings into clinical application. This review article provides an overview of the role of AS in (tumor) diseases, its molecular mechanisms, clinical relevance, and therapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Bauer
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Chiara-Maria Schöbel
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Department of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Development & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
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Wang S, Wang J, Xia Y, Zhang L, Jiang Y, Liu M, Gao Q, Zhang C. Harnessing the potential of HLA-G in cancer therapy: advances, challenges, and prospects. J Transl Med 2024; 22:130. [PMID: 38310272 PMCID: PMC10838004 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04938-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockades have been prized in circumventing and ablating the impediments posed by immunosuppressive receptors, reaching an exciting juncture to be an innovator in anticancer therapy beyond traditional therapeutics. Thus far, approved immune checkpoint blockades have principally targeted PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 with exciting success in a plethora of tumors and yet are still trapped in dilemmas of limited response rates and adverse effects. Hence, unveiling new immunotherapeutic targets has aroused immense scientific interest in the hope of expanding the clinical application of immune checkpoint blockades to scale new heights. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G), a non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule, is enriched on various malignant cells and is involved in the hindrance of immune effector cells and the facilitation of immunosuppressive cells. HLA-G stands out as a crucial next-generation immune checkpoint showing great promise for the benefit of cancer patients. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the expression pattern and immunological functions of HLA-G, as well as its interaction with well-characterized immune checkpoints. Since HLA-G can be shed from the cell surface or released by various cells as free soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) or as part of extracellular vesicles (EVs), namely HLA-G-bearing EVs (HLA-GEV), we discuss the potential of sHLA-G and HLA-GEV as predictive biomarkers. This review also addresses the advancement of HLA-G-based therapies in preclinical and clinical settings, with a focus on their clinical application in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yu Xia
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of Chinese Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Le Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yueqiang Jiang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of Chinese Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Cuntai Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Blümke J, Bauer M, Vaxevanis C, Wilfer A, Mandelboim O, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B, Jasinski-Bergner S. Identification and characterization of the anti-viral interferon lambda 3 as direct target of the Epstein-Barr virus microRNA-BART7-3p. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2284483. [PMID: 38126030 PMCID: PMC10732682 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2284483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The human Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), as a member of the human γ herpes viruses (HHV), is known to be linked with distinct tumor types. It is a double-stranded DNA virus and its genome encodes among others for 48 different microRNAs (miRs). Current research demonstrated a strong involvement of certain EBV-miRs in molecular immune evasion mechanisms of infected cells by, e.g., the disruption of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class Ia and NKG2D functions. To determine novel targets of EBV-miRs involved in immune surveillance, ebv-miR-BART7-3p, an EBV-encoded miR with high expression levels during the different lytic and latent EBV life cycle phases, was overexpressed in human HEK293T cells. Using a cDNA microarray-based comparative analysis, 234 (229 downregulated and 5 upregulated) deregulated human transcripts were identified in ebv-miR-BART7-3p transfectants, which were mainly involved in cellular processes and molecular binding. A statistically significant downregulation of the anti-proliferative and tumor-suppressive hsa-miR-34A and the anti-viral interferon lambda (IFNL)3 mRNA was found. The ebv-miR-BART7-3p-mediated downregulation of IFNL3 expression was due to a direct interaction with the IFNL3 3'-untranslated region (UTR) as determined by luciferase reporter gene assays including the identification of the accurate ebv-miR-BART7-3p binding site. The effect of ebv-miR-BART7-3p on the IFNL3 expression was validated both in human cell lines in vitro and in human tissue specimen with known EBV status. These results expand the current knowledge of EBV-encoded miRs and their role in immune evasion, pathogenesis and malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Blümke
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Marcus Bauer
- Institute for Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Christoforos Vaxevanis
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Andreas Wilfer
- Institute for Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Krukenberg Cancer Center, University Hospital Halle, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute for Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Department of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Development & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
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7
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Li J, Ran H, Zeng X, Yang D, Zeng X, Zhang P. Identification of HOXB9 based on comprehensive bioinformatics analysis for predicting prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35035. [PMID: 37657018 PMCID: PMC10476753 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the correlation between HOXB9 expression, and the prognosis and immune infiltration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Pan-cancer HOXB9 expression was analyzed through TIMER2.0. The HOXB9 expression data of HNSCC and normal tissues were compared using the gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) and the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) databases. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UALCAN) database was used to analyze the relative expression of HOXB9 in HNSCC subgroups based on clinicopathological features, including cancer stage, tumor grade and lymph node stage. Survival analysis was performed using GEPIA, TCGA-Portal, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, and UALCAN databases. The genes co-expressed with HOXB9 were identified using TCGA data, and functionally annotated by GO and KEGG analyses. Protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.7.1. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis was performed to assess the correlation between HOXB9 and immune infiltration based on TCGA data. TIMER 2.0 database was used to explore the correlation between HOXB9 expression and immune infiltration multiple cancers. HOXB9 mRNA is elevated in multiple cancers, and was upregulated in HNSCC tissues compared to non-paired (P < .05 in GEPIA; P < .0001 in TCGA) as well as paired (P < .0001 in TCGA) normal tissues. In addition, HOXB9 expression was positively correlated with tumor malignancy in the GEPIA and UALCAN databases (P < .05), and negatively with patient prognosis in both databases (P < .05). High HOXB9 expression was associated with increased infiltration of aDCs, NK CD56bright cells, NK cells, and Th2 cells (P < .05), while low HOXB9 expression was associated with an increase in the proportion of DCs, iDCs, mast cells, neutrophils, and Th17 cells (P < .05). HOXB9 likely functions as an oncogene in HNSCC by disrupting the immune landscape, and is a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Longgang Otorhinolaryngology Hospital & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Ran
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Longgang Otorhinolaryngology Hospital & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Graduate and Scientific Research, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zeng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Longgang Otorhinolaryngology Hospital & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dunhui Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Longgang Otorhinolaryngology Hospital & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Graduate and Scientific Research, Zunyi Medical University Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Xianhai Zeng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Longgang Otorhinolaryngology Hospital & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Longgang Otorhinolaryngology Hospital & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Wang Y, Jasinski-Bergner S, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B. Cancer Immunology: Immune Escape of Tumors-Expression and Regulation of HLA Class I Molecules and Its Role in Immunotherapies. Adv Anat Pathol 2023; 30:148-159. [PMID: 36517481 DOI: 10.1097/pap.0000000000000389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The addition of "avoiding immune destruction" to the hallmarks of cancer demonstrated the importance of cancer immunology and in particular the role of immune surveillance and escape from malignancies. However, the underlying mechanisms contributing to immune impairment and immune responses are diverse. Loss or reduced expression of the HLA class I molecules are major characteristics of human cancers resulting in an impaired recognition of tumor cells by CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This is of clinical relevance and associated with worse patients outcome and limited efficacy of T-cell-based immunotherapies. Here, we summarize the role of HLA class I antigens in cancers by focusing on the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for HLA class I defects, which are caused by either structural alterations or deregulation at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and posttranslational levels. In addition, the influence of HLA class I abnormalities to adaptive and acquired immunotherapy resistances will be described. The in-depth knowledge of the different strategies of malignancies leading to HLA class I defects can be applied to design more effective cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Medical Immunology
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", Brandenburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology
- Department of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Development & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, GermanyLeipzig, Germany
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", Brandenburg, Germany
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9
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Pane AA, Kordaß T, Hotz‐Wagenblatt A, Dickes E, Kopp‐Schneider A, Will R, Seliger B, Osen W, Eichmüller SB. MicroRNAs affecting the susceptibility of melanoma cells to CD8 + T cell-mediated cytolysis. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1186. [PMID: 36718025 PMCID: PMC9887093 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1186] [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: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The regulatory functions of microRNAs (miRNAs) in anti-tumour immunity have been mainly described in immune effector cells. Since little is known about miRNA effects on the susceptibility of target cells during T cell-target cell interaction, this study focused on the identification of miRNAs expressed in tumour cells controlling their susceptibility to CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. METHODS Luciferase expressing B16F10 melanoma (B16F10 Luci+ ) cells transfected with individual miRNAs covering a comprehensive murine miRNA library were screened for their susceptibility to lysis by an established cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) line (5a, clone Nβ) specific for the melanoma-associated antigen tyrosinase-related protein 2. miRNAs with the most pronounced effects on T cell-mediated lysis were validated and stably expressed in B16F10 cells. In silico analyses identified common targets of miRNA sets determined by the screen, which were further confirmed by small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing experiments modulating immune surveillance. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from miRNA-overexpressing cell lines were applied to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-derived miRNA sequencing data were used to assess the correlation of miRNA expression with melanoma patients' survival. RESULTS The miRNA screen resulted in the selection of seven miRNAs enhancing CTL-mediated melanoma cell killing in vitro. Upon stable overexpression of selected miRNAs, hsa-miR-320a-3p, mmu-miR-7037-5p and mmu-miR-666-3p were determined as most effective in enhancing susceptibility to CTL lysis. In silico analyses and subsequent siRNA-mediated silencing experiments identified Psmc3 and Ndufa1 as common miRNA targets possibly involved in the functional effects observed. The analyses of RNA-seq data with IPA showed pathways, networks, biological functions and key molecules potentially involved in the miRNA-mediated functional effects. Finally, based on TCGA data analysis, a positive correlation of the conserved miRNAs among the panel of the seven identified miRNAs with overall survival of melanoma patients was determined. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, this study uncovered miRNA species that affect the susceptibility of melanoma cells to T cell-mediated killing. These miRNAs might represent attractive candidates for novel therapy approaches against melanoma and other tumour entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino A. Pane
- Research Group GMP & T Cell TherapyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
- Faculty of BiosciencesUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
- Present address:
Immatics Biotechnologies GmbHTübingenGermany
| | - Theresa Kordaß
- Research Group GMP & T Cell TherapyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
- Faculty of BiosciencesUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
- Present address:
Section Multiple MyelomaInternal Medicine V, University Clinic HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Agnes Hotz‐Wagenblatt
- Omics IT and Data Management Core FacilityGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Elke Dickes
- Research Group GMP & T Cell TherapyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | | | - Rainer Will
- Core Facility Cellular ToolsGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical ImmunologyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle/SaaleGermany
| | - Wolfram Osen
- Research Group GMP & T Cell TherapyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Stefan B. Eichmüller
- Research Group GMP & T Cell TherapyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
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Zhang M, Cao L, Hou G, Lv X, Deng J. Investigation of the Potential Correlation Between RNA-Binding Proteins in the Evolutionarily Conserved MEX3 Family and Non-small-Cell Lung Cancer. Mol Biotechnol 2022:10.1007/s12033-022-00638-2. [DOI: 10.1007/s12033-022-00638-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Members of the MEX3 (muscle excess 3) family, uniquely characterised as mRNA binding proteins, play emerging roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of programmed biological processes, including tumour cell death and immune mechanisms, and have been shown to be involved in a variety of diseases. However, the role of MEX3 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we found no significant changes in the sequence and copy number of the MEX3 gene through analysis using the COSMIC database, revealing its stability during malignancy development. Its expression in NSCLC was examined using the Oncomine™ database, and the prognosis of each member gene was analysed by Kaplan–Meier. The results showed that overexpression of MEX3A, MEX3B, MEX3C and MEX3D was associated with significantly worse OS in patients with LUAD, while overexpression of MEX3D was also associated with significantly worse OS in patients with LUSC. Afterwards, we applied the Tumour Immunology Estimation Resource (TIMER) tool to assess the correlation between different MEX3 and infiltrative immune cell infiltration. Ultimately, we found that most MEX3 members were highly expressed in NSCLC, with high expression suggesting poor prognosis and correlating with immune cell infiltration. The complexity and heterogeneity of NSCLC was understood through MEX3, setting the framework for the prognostic impact of MEX3 in NSCLC patients and the development of new targeted therapeutic strategies in the future.
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11
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Seliger B, Jasinski-Bergner S, Massa C, Mueller A, Biehl K, Yang B, Bachmann M, Jonigk D, Eichhorn P, Hartmann A, Wickenhauser C, Bauer M. Induction of pulmonary HLA-G expression by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:582. [PMID: 36334153 PMCID: PMC9637071 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04592-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The non-classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G exerts immune-suppressive properties modulating both NK and T cell responses. While it is physiologically expressed at the maternal-fetal interface and in immune-privileged organs, HLA-G expression is found in tumors and in virus-infected cells. So far, there exists little information about the role of HLA-G and its interplay with immune cells in biopsies, surgical specimen or autopsy tissues of lung, kidney and/or heart muscle from SARS-CoV-2-infected patients compared to control tissues. Heterogeneous, but higher HLA-G protein expression levels were detected in lung alveolar epithelial cells of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients compared to lung epithelial cells from influenza-infected patients, but not in other organs or lung epithelia from non-viral-infected patients, which was not accompanied by high levels of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen and spike protein, but inversely correlated to the HLA-G-specific miRNA expression. High HLA-G expression levels not only in SARS-CoV-2-, but also in influenza-infected lung tissues were associated with a high frequency of tissue-infiltrating immune cells, but low numbers of CD8+ cells and an altered expression of hyperactivation and exhaustion markers in the lung epithelia combined with changes in the spatial distribution of macrophages and T cells. Thus, our data provide evidence for an involvement of HLA-G and HLA-G-specific miRNAs in immune escape and as suitable therapeutic targets for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", 14770, Brandenburg, Germany.
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anja Mueller
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Katharina Biehl
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Danny Jonigk
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School (BREATH), 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Philip Eichhorn
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Marcus Bauer
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
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12
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Su T, Wang S, Huang S, Cai H, McKinley ET, Beeghly-Fadiel A, Zheng W, Shu XO, Cai Q. Multiplex immunohistochemistry and high-throughput image analysis for evaluation of spatial tumor immune cell markers in human breast cancer. Cancer Biomark 2022; 35:193-206. [PMID: 36093688 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-220071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinicopathological significance of spatial tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) subpopulations is not well studied due to lack of high-throughput scalable methodology for studies with large human sample sizes. OBJECTIVE Establishing a cyclic fluorescent multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC/IF) method coupled with computer-assisted high-throughput quantitative analysis to evaluate associations of six TIL markers (CD3, CD8, CD20, CD56, FOXP3, and PD-L1) with clinicopathological factors of breast cancer. METHODS Our 5-plex mIHC/IF staining was shown to be reliable and highly sensitive for labeling three biomarkers per tissue section. Through repetitive cycles of 5-plex mIHC/IF staining, more than 12 biomarkers could be detected per single tissue section. Using open-source software CellProfiler, the measurement pipelines were successfully developed for high-throughput multiplex evaluation of intratumoral and stromal TILs. RESULTS In analyses of 188 breast cancer samples from the Nashville Breast Health Study, high-grade tumors showed significantly increased intratumoral CD3+CD8+ CTL density (P= 0.0008, false discovery rate (FDR) adjusted P= 0.0168) and intratumoral PD-L1 expression (P= 0.0061, FDR adjusted P= 0.0602) compared with low-grade tumors. CONCLUSIONS The high- and low-grade breast cancers exhibit differential immune responses which may have clinical significances. The multiplexed imaging quantification strategies established in this study are reliable, cost-efficient and applicable in regular laboratory settings for high-throughput tissue biomarker studies, especially retrospective and population-based studies using archived paraffin tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Su
- Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Shuyang Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, Shanghai, China.,Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Shuya Huang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Cai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Eliot T McKinley
- Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Cell and Development Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alicia Beeghly-Fadiel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Xiao-Ou Shu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Qiuyin Cai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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13
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Emirzeoglu L, Olmez O, Mustafayev F, Berber U, Yilmaz I, Celik S, Oven B, Ozgun M. Prognostic value of expression levels of miR‑148a, miR‑152 and HLA‑G in colon cancer. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:226. [PMID: 35720471 PMCID: PMC9185158 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Levent Emirzeoglu
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozgur Olmez
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatma Mustafayev
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ufuk Berber
- Department of Pathology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ismail Yilmaz
- Department of Pathology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serkan Celik
- Department of Medical Oncology, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital, 34718 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bala Oven
- Department of Medical Oncology, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital, 34718 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ozgun
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan II. Abdulhamid Khan Educational and Research Hospital, 34660 Istanbul, Turkey
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14
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Jasinski-Bergner S, Blümke J, Bauer M, Skiebe SL, Mandelboim O, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B. Novel approach to identify putative Epstein-Barr-virus microRNAs regulating host cell genes with relevance in tumor biology and immunology. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2070338. [PMID: 35529676 PMCID: PMC9067544 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2070338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The human Epstein-Barr virus is associated with several human solid and hematopoietic malignancies. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms including virus-encoded microRNAs (miRs), which lead to the malignant transformation of infected cells and immune evasion of EBV-associated tumors, have not yet been characterized. The expression levels of numerous known EBV-specific miRs and their suitability as diagnostic and/or prognostic markers were determined in different human EBV-positive tissues followed by in silico analyses to identify putative EBV-miR-regulated target genes, thereby offering a suitable screening strategy to overcome the limited available data sets of EBV-miRs and their targeted gene networks. Analysis of microarray data sets from healthy human B cells and malignant-transformed EBV-positive B cells of patients with Burkitt's lymphoma revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05) deregulated genes with known functions in oncogenic properties, immune escape and anti-tumoral immune responses. Alignments of in vivo and in silico data resulted in the prediction of putative candidate EBV-miRs and their target genes. Thus, a combinatorial approach of bioinformatics, transcriptomics and in situ expression analyses is a promising tool for the identification of EBV-miRs and their potential targets as well as their eligibility as markers for EBV detection in different EBV-associated human tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Juliane Blümke
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Marcus Bauer
- Institute for Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Saskia Luise Skiebe
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, En Kerem, P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem91120, Israel
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute for Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Department of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Development & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
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15
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Jasinski-Bergner S, Eckstein M, Taubert H, Wach S, Fiebig C, Strick R, Hartmann A, Seliger B. The Human Leukocyte Antigen G as an Immune Escape Mechanism and Novel Therapeutic Target in Urological Tumors. Front Immunol 2022; 13:811200. [PMID: 35185904 PMCID: PMC8855320 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.811200] [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: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The non-classical human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a potent regulatory protein involved in the induction of immunological tolerance. This is based on the binding of membrane-bound as well as soluble HLA-G to inhibitory receptors expressed on various immune effector cells, in particular NK cells and T cells, leading to their attenuated functions. Despite its restricted expression on immune-privileged tissues under physiological conditions, HLA-G expression has been frequently detected in solid and hematopoietic malignancies including urological cancers, such as renal cell and urothelial bladder carcinoma and has been associated with progression of urological cancers and poor outcome of patients: HLA-G expression protects tumor cells from anti-tumor immunity upon interaction with its inhibitory receptors by modulating both the phenotype and function of immune cells leading to immune evasion. This review will discuss the expression, regulation, functional and clinical relevance of HLA-G expression in urological tumors as well as its use as a putative biomarker and/or potential therapeutic target for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma as well as urothelial bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Markus Eckstein
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Helge Taubert
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Wach
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Fiebig
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Reiner Strick
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.,Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU), Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Main Department of GMP Cell and Gene Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
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16
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Protze J, Naas S, Krüger R, Stöhr C, Kraus A, Grampp S, Wiesener M, Schiffer M, Hartmann A, Wullich B, Schödel J. The renal cancer risk allele at 14q24.2 activates a novel hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-binding enhancer of DPF3 expression. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101699. [PMID: 35148991 PMCID: PMC8897700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolution of clear cell renal cell carcinoma is guided by dysregulation of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF) pathways following loss of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC)-associated polymorphisms influence HIF–DNA interactions at enhancers of important oncogenes thereby modulating the risk of developing renal cancer. A strong signal of genome-wide association with RCC was determined for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4903064, located on chr14q.24.2 within an intron of DPF3, encoding for Double PHD Fingers 3, a member of chromatin remodeling complexes; however, it is unclear how the risk allele operates in renal cells. In this study, we used tissue specimens and primary renal cells from a large cohort of RCC patients to examine the function of this polymorphism. In clear cell renal cell carcinoma tissue, isolated tumor cells as well as in primary renal tubular cells, in which HIF was stabilized, we determined genotype-specific increases of DPF3 mRNA levels and identified that the risk SNP resides in an active enhancer region, creating a novel HIF-binding motif. We then confirmed allele-specific HIF binding to this locus using chromatin immunoprecipitation of HIF subunits. Consequentially, HIF-mediated DPF3 regulation was dependent on the presence of the risk allele. Finally, we show that DPF3 deletion in proximal tubular cells retarded cell growth, indicating potential roles for DPF3 in cell proliferation. Our analyses suggest that the HIF pathway differentially operates on a SNP-induced hypoxia-response element at 14q24.2, thereby affecting DPF3 expression, which increases the risk of developing renal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Protze
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Naas
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - René Krüger
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christine Stöhr
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstraße 8-10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andre Kraus
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Steffen Grampp
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Wiesener
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mario Schiffer
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstraße 8-10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wullich
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany; Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstraße 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Schödel
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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17
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Alemohammad H, Najafzadeh B, Asadzadeh Z, Baghbanzadeh A, Ghorbaninezhad F, Najafzadeh A, Safarpour H, Bernardini R, Brunetti O, Sonnessa M, Fasano R, Silvestris N, Baradaran B. The importance of immune checkpoints in immune monitoring: A future paradigm shift in the treatment of cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 146:112516. [PMID: 34906767 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth and development of cancer are directly correlated to the suppression of the immune system. A major breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy depends on various mechanisms to detect immunosuppressive factors that inhibit anti-tumor immune responses. Immune checkpoints are expressed on many immune cells such as T-cells, regulatory B cells (Bregs), dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer cells (NKs), regulatory T (Tregs), M2-type macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Immune inhibitory molecules, including CTLA-4, TIM-3, TIGIT, PD-1, and LAG-3, normally inhibit immune responses via negatively regulating immune cell signaling pathways to prevent immune injury. However, the up-regulation of inhibitory immune checkpoints during tumor progression on immune cells suppresses anti-tumor immune responses and promotes immune escape in cancer. It has recently been indicated that cancer cells can up-regulate various pathways of the immune checkpoints. Therefore, targeting immune inhibitory molecules through antibodies or miRNAs is a promising therapeutic strategy and shows favorable results. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are introduced as a new immunotherapy strategy that enhance immune cell-induced antitumor responses in many patients. In this review, we highlighted the function of each immune checkpoint on different immune cells and therapeutic strategies aimed at using monoclonal antibodies and miRNAs against inhibitory receptors. We also discussed current challenges and future strategies for maximizing these FDA-approved immunosuppressants' effectiveness and clinical success in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Alemohammad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Basira Najafzadeh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Asadzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Baghbanzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Arezoo Najafzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Safarpour
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Renato Bernardini
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, Catania, Italy
| | - Oronzo Brunetti
- Medical Oncological Unite, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Margherita Sonnessa
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Rossella Fasano
- Medical Oncological Unite, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncological Unite, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" of Bari, Bari, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Pharmaceutical Analysis Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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18
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Lee EHC, Wong DCP, Ding JL. NK Cells in a Tug-of-War With Cancer: The Roles of Transcription Factors and Cytoskeleton. Front Immunol 2021; 12:734551. [PMID: 34594338 PMCID: PMC8476995 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.734551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells which play a key role in shaping the immune response against cancer. Initially hailed for their potential to recognise and eliminate tumour cells, their application has been greatly hindered by the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME) which suppresses NK functions (e.g., cytotoxicity). This dysfunctional state that is accompanied by phenotypic changes such as upregulation of inhibitory receptors and downregulation of activating receptors, forms the basis of what many researchers have referred to as ‘exhausted’ NK cells. However, there is no consensus on whether these phenotypes are sufficient to define an exhausted state of the NK cell. While recent advances in checkpoint inhibition appear to show promise in early-stage pre-clinical studies, much remains to be fully explored and understood in the context of the TME. The TME is where the NK cells are subjected to interaction with various cell types and soluble factors, which could exert an inhibitory effect on NK cytotoxicity. In this review, we provide an overview of the general markers of NK cell exhaustion viz, the surface activating and inhibitory receptors. We also highlight the potential role of T-box transcription factors in characterising such a dysfunctional state and discuss the often-overlooked mechanism of cell cytoskeletal dynamics in regulating NK cell function. These aspects may further contribute to NK exhaustion or NK revival in cancer and may open new avenues to explore cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Hui Clarissa Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Darren Chen Pei Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jeak Ling Ding
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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19
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Jasinski-Bergner S, Mandelboim O, Seliger B. Molecular mechanisms of human herpes viruses inferring with host immune surveillance. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000841. [PMID: 32616556 PMCID: PMC7333871 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Several human herpes viruses (HHVs) exert oncogenic potential leading to malignant transformation of infected cells and/or tissues. The molecular processes induced by viral-encoded molecules including microRNAs, peptides, and proteins contributing to immune evasion of the infected host cells are equal to the molecular processes of immune evasion mediated by tumor cells independently of viral infections. Such major immune evasion strategies include (1) the downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines as well as the induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, (2) the downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ia directly as well as indirectly by downregulation of the components involved in the antigen processing, and (3) the downregulation of stress-induced ligands for activating receptors on immune effector cells with NKG2D leading the way. Furthermore, (4) immune modulatory molecules like MHC class Ib molecules and programmed cell death1 ligand 1 can be upregulated on infections with certain herpes viruses. This review article focuses on the known molecular mechanisms of HHVs modulating the above-mentioned possibilities for immune surveillance and even postulates a temporal order linking regular tumor immunology with basic virology and offering putatively novel insights for targeting HHVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- Immunology & Cancer Research Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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20
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Souri Z, Wierenga APA, Kiliç E, Brosens E, Böhringer S, Kroes WGM, Verdijk RM, van der Velden PA, Luyten GPM, Jager MJ. MiRNAs Correlate with HLA Expression in Uveal Melanoma: Both Up- and Downregulation Are Related to Monosomy 3. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164020. [PMID: 34439175 PMCID: PMC8393554 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare ocular malignancy that often gives rise to metastases. Tumours with an inflammatory phenotype have an especially bad prognosis. As an increased HLA expression and the presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and macrophages may be regulated by miRNAs, we set out to investigate whether any miRNAs are associated with inflammatory parameters in this malignancy. Some miRNAs were increased in UM with a high HLA expression and high T cell numbers, while others were decreased, showing two opposing patterns; however, both patterns were related to the tumour’s chromosome 3/BAP1 status. We conclude that specific miRNAs are related to the inflammatory phenotype and that these are differentially expressed between disomy 3/BAP1-positive versus monosomy 3/BAP1-negative UM. Abstract MicroRNAs are known to play a role in the regulation of inflammation. As a high HLA Class I expression is associated with a bad prognosis in UM, we set out to determine whether any miRNAs were related to a high HLA Class I expression and inflammation. We also determined whether such miRNAs were related to the UM’s genetic status. The expression of 125 miRNAs was determined in 64 primary UM from Leiden. Similarly, the mRNA expression of HLA-A, HLA-B, TAP1, BAP1, and immune cell markers was obtained. Expression levels of 24 of the 125 miRNAs correlated with expression of at least three out of four HLA Class I probes. Four miRNAs showed a positive correlation with HLA expression and infiltration with leukocytes, 20 a negative pattern. In the first group, high miRNA levels correlated with chromosome 3 loss/reduced BAP1 mRNA expression, in the second group low miRNA levels. The positive associations between miRNA-22 and miRNA-155 with HLA Class I were confirmed in the TCGA study and Rotterdam cohort, and with TAP1 in the Rotterdam data set; the negative associations between miRNA-125b2 and miRNA-211 and HLA-A, TAP1, and CD4 were confirmed in the Rotterdam set. We demonstrate two patterns: miRNAs can either be related to a high or a low HLA Class I/TAP1 expression and the presence of infiltrating lymphocytes and macrophages. However, both patterns were associated with chromosome 3/BAP1 status, which suggests a role for BAP1 loss in the regulation of HLA expression and inflammation in UM through miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Souri
- Department of Ophthalmology, LUMC, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.S.); (A.P.A.W.); (P.A.v.d.V.); (G.P.M.L.)
| | - Annemijn P. A. Wierenga
- Department of Ophthalmology, LUMC, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.S.); (A.P.A.W.); (P.A.v.d.V.); (G.P.M.L.)
| | - Emine Kiliç
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Stefan Böhringer
- Department of Medical Statistics, LUMC, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Wilma G. M. Kroes
- Department of Clinical Genetics, LUMC, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Robert M. Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, LUMC, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter A. van der Velden
- Department of Ophthalmology, LUMC, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.S.); (A.P.A.W.); (P.A.v.d.V.); (G.P.M.L.)
| | - Gregorius P. M. Luyten
- Department of Ophthalmology, LUMC, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.S.); (A.P.A.W.); (P.A.v.d.V.); (G.P.M.L.)
| | - Martine J. Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, LUMC, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (Z.S.); (A.P.A.W.); (P.A.v.d.V.); (G.P.M.L.)
- Correspondence:
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21
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A Critical Assessment of the Association between HLA-G Expression by Carcinomas and Clinical Outcome. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158265. [PMID: 34361031 PMCID: PMC8347921 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) conveys immunological tolerance at the maternal-foetal interface. HLA-G expression by tumour cells may also play such a role, resulting in tumour immune evasion, making HLA-G a potential target for immunotherapies. The aim of this review was to determine to what extent it is justified that HLA-G expression is considered as a target for immune checkpoint inhibiting therapy by critically assessing the association between HLA-G expression by carcinomas and clinical outcome of patients. The used HLA-G-detecting mAb, HLA-G quantification methods and statistically significant HLA-G-associated clinicopathological parameters are discussed. Tumour HLA-G expression correlated with poor clinical outcome in breast, esophageal, gastric and hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Tumour HLA-G expression was not associated with clinical outcome in ovarian and oral carcinoma patients. Cervical, colorectal, lung, and pancreatic carcinoma patients presented discrepant and therefore inconclusive results regarding the association between tumour HLA-G expression and clinical outcome. These disparities might partly be the result of differences in the methodological approach to quantify HLA-G expression between studies. Therefore, implementation of universal methodological procedures is strongly advised. Overall, HLA-G expression did not univocally result in poor clinical outcome of carcinoma patients. This implies that tumour HLA-G expression is not necessarily part of an inhibited tumour-immune response and tumour progression. Consequently, it remains elusive whether HLA-G expression by carcinomas functions as an immune checkpoint molecule affecting a tumour-immune response. It may also reflect derailed control of gene expression in tumours, with no real functional consequences.
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22
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Lone SN, Bhat AA, Wani NA, Karedath T, Hashem S, Nisar S, Singh M, Bagga P, Das BC, Bedognetti D, Reddy R, Frenneaux MP, El-Rifai W, Siddiqi MA, Haris M, Macha MA. miRNAs as novel immunoregulators in cancer. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 124:3-14. [PMID: 33926791 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The immune system is a well-known vital regulator of tumor growth, and one of the main hallmarks of cancer is evading the immune system. Immune system deregulation can lead to immune surveillance evasion, sustained cancer growth, proliferation, and metastasis. Tumor-mediated disruption of the immune system is accomplished by different mechanisms that involve extensive crosstalk with the immediate microenvironment, which includes endothelial cells, immune cells, and stromal cells, to create a favorable tumor niche that facilitates the development of cancer. The essential role of non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) in the mechanism of cancer cell immune evasion has been highlighted in recent studies. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate a wide range of post-transcriptional gene expression in a cell. Recent studies have focused on the function that miRNAs play in controlling the expression of target proteins linked to immune modulation. Studies show that miRNAs modulate the immune response in cancers by regulating the expression of different immune-modulatory molecules associated with immune effector cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells, as well as those present in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. This review explores the relationship between miRNAs, their altered patterns of expression in tumors, immune modulation, and the functional control of a wide range of immune cells, thereby offering detailed insights on the crosstalk of tumor-immune cells and their use as prognostic markers or therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saife N Lone
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Molecular and Metabolic Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nissar A Wani
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | | | - Sheema Hashem
- Molecular and Metabolic Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sabah Nisar
- Molecular and Metabolic Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mayank Singh
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (BRAIRCH), AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | - Puneet Bagga
- Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Bhudev Chandra Das
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunogenomics, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mushtaq A Siddiqi
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, India
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Molecular and Metabolic Imaging Laboratory, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, India.
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23
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Weyerer V, Strissel PL, Stöhr C, Eckstein M, Wach S, Taubert H, Brandl L, Geppert CI, Wullich B, Cynis H, Beckmann MW, Seliger B, Hartmann A, Strick R. Endogenous Retroviral-K Envelope Is a Novel Tumor Antigen and Prognostic Indicator of Renal Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:657187. [PMID: 33968761 PMCID: PMC8100683 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.657187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the ten most common cancers for men and women with an approximate 75% overall 5-year survival. Sixteen histological tumor subtypes exist and the most common are papillary, chromophobe and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) representing 85% of all RCC. Although epigenetically silenced, endogenous retroviral (ERV) genes become activated in tumors and function to ignite immune responses. Research has intensified to understand ERV protein function and their role as tumor antigens and targets for cancer (immune) therapy. ERV-K env is overexpressed and implicated as a therapeutic target for breast cancer, however studies in RCC are limited. In this investigation a human RCC tissue microarray (TMA) (n=374) predominantly consisting of the most common histological tumor subtypes was hybridized with an ERV-K env antibody and correlated with patient clinical data. TMA results showed the highest amount of ERV-K env protein expression and the strongest significant membrane expression in ccRCC versus other RCC subtypes. High ERV-K env total protein expression of all tumor subtypes significantly correlated with low tumor grading and a longer disease specific survival using multivariable analyses. Cell proliferation and invasion were assayed using the kidney cell lines HEK293 with wild-type p53 and a ccRCC cell line MZ1257RC mutated for p53. Transfecting these cell lines with a codon optimized ERV-K113 env overexpressing CMV vector was performed with or without 5’-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine (Aza) treatment to sustain promoter de-methylation. MZ1257RC showed induction of ERV-K113 expression and significantly increased both proliferation and invasion in the presence or absence of Aza. HEK293 cells demonstrated a restriction of ERV-K113 env expression and invasion with no changes in proliferation in the absence of Aza. However, in the presence of Aza despite increased ERV-K113 env expression, an inhibition of HEK293 proliferation and a further restriction of invasion was found. This study supports ERV-K env as a single prognostic indicator for better survival of RCC, which we propose represents a new tumor antigen. In addition, ERV-K env significantly regulates proliferation and invasion depending on p53 status and Aza treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Weyerer
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pamela L Strissel
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center, European Metropolitan Area Erlangen-Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Adjunct Affiliation With Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Christine Stöhr
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Eckstein
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Wach
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Helge Taubert
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisa Brandl
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carol I Geppert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wullich
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
| | - Matthias W Beckmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center, European Metropolitan Area Erlangen-Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Reiner Strick
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center, European Metropolitan Area Erlangen-Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Translational Research Centre (TRC), Erlangen, Germany
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24
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Mondal P, Kaur B, Natesh J, Meeran SM. The emerging role of miRNA in the perturbation of tumor immune microenvironment in chemoresistance: Therapeutic implications. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 124:99-113. [PMID: 33865701 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chemoresistance is a major hindrance in cancer chemotherapies, a leading cause of tumor recurrence and cancer-related deaths. Cancer cells develop numerous strategies to elude immune attacks and are regulated by immunological factors. Cancer cells can alter the expression of several immune modulators to upregulate the activities of immune checkpoint pathways. Targeting the immune checkpoint inhibitors is a part of the cancer immunotherapy altered during carcinogenesis. These immune modulators have the capability to reprogram the tumor microenvironment, thereby change the efficacy of chemotherapeutics. In general, the sensitivity of drugs is reduced in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, resulting in chemoresistance and tumor relapse. The regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is well established in cancer initiation, progression, and therapy. Intriguingly, miRNA affects cancer immune surveillance and immune response by targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors in the tumor microenvironment. miRNAs alter the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, which modulates both innate and adaptive immune systems. Alteration of tumor immune microenvironment influences drug sensitivity towards cancer cells. Besides, the expression profile of immune-modulatory miRNAs can be used as a potential biomarker to predict the response and clinical outcomes in cancer immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Recent evidences have revealed that cancer-derived immune-modulatory miRNAs might be promising targets to counteract cancer immune escape, thereby increasing drug efficacy. In this review, we have compiled the role of miRNAs in overcoming the chemoresistance by modulating tumor microenvironment and discussed their preclinical and clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Mondal
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Bhavjot Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570020, India
| | - Jagadish Natesh
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Syed Musthapa Meeran
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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25
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Nersesian S, Schwartz SL, Grantham SR, MacLean LK, Lee SN, Pugh-Toole M, Boudreau JE. NK cell infiltration is associated with improved overall survival in solid cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Transl Oncol 2020; 14:100930. [PMID: 33186888 PMCID: PMC7670197 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune landscape of a tumor is highly connected to patient prognosis and response to treatment, but little is known about how natural killer (NK) cells predict overall survival (OS) among patients with solid tumors. We present the first meta-analysis on NK cell infiltration into solid tumors as a prognostic indicator for OS, considering cancer types independently, and together. Samples were collected from 1973 to 2016 with results published between 1989 and 2020. From 53 studies, we found that NK cell infiltration corresponds with decreased risk of death (HR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.26-0.46; p<0.0001). Among studies that investigated the prognostic potential of NK cells in specific regions of the tumor, intraepithelial infiltration was better predictive of OS than NK infiltration in the tumor-adjacent stroma. Generally, NK cell infiltration is lower in advanced-stage and lower-grade tumors; nevertheless, it remains prognostically beneficial. This meta-analysis highlights an important prognostic role of NK cells in solid tumors, but exposes that few studies have considered the contributions of NK cells. Toward NK cell-based immunotherapies, it will be important to understand the conditions under which NK cells can be effective agents of tumor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nersesian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sarah L Schwartz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stephanie R Grantham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Leah K MacLean
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stacey N Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Morgan Pugh-Toole
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jeanette E Boudreau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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26
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Friedrich M, Stoehr C, Jasinski-Bergner S, Hartmann A, Wach S, Wullich B, Steven A, Seliger B. Characterization of the expression and immunological impact of the transcriptional activator CREB in renal cell carcinoma. J Transl Med 2020; 18:371. [PMID: 32993793 PMCID: PMC7526213 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02544-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The non-classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a strong immunomodulatory molecule. Under physiological conditions, HLA-G induces immunological tolerance in immune privileged tissues, while under pathophysiological situations it contributes to immune escape mechanisms. Therefore, HLA-G could act as a potential immune checkpoint for future anti-cancer immunotherapies. Recent data suggest an aberrant expression of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), which is correlated with tumor grade and stage. Furthermore, preliminary reports demonstrated a connection of CREB as a control variable of HLA-G transcription due to CREB binding sites in the HLA-G promoter region. This study investigates the interaction between CREB and HLA-G in different renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes and its correlation to clinical parameters. Methods The direct interaction of CREB with the HLA-G promoter was investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation in RCC cell systems. Furthermore, the expression of CREB and HLA-G was determined by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray (TMA) consisting of 453 RCC samples of distinct subtypes. Staining results were assessed for correlations to clinical parameters as well as to the composition of the immune cell infiltrate. Results There exists a distinct expression pattern of HLA-G and CREB in the three main RCC subtypes. HLA-G and CREB expression were the lowest in chromophobe RCC lesions. However, the clinical relevance of CREB and HLA-G expression differed. Unlike HLA-G, high levels of CREB expression were positively associated to the overall survival of RCC patients. A slightly, but significantly elevated number of tumor infiltrating regulatory T cells was observed in tumors of high CREB expression. Whether this small increase is of clinical relevance has to be further investigated. Conclusions An interaction of CREB with the HLA-G promoter could be validated in RCC cell lines. Thus, for the first time the expression of CREB and its interaction with the HLA-G in human RCCs has been shown, which might be of clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Friedrich
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Christine Stoehr
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Wach
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wullich
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - André Steven
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany.
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27
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Bauer M, Vaxevanis C, Heimer N, Al-Ali HK, Jaekel N, Bachmann M, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B. Expression, Regulation and Function of microRNA as Important Players in the Transition of MDS to Secondary AML and Their Cross Talk to RNA-Binding Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197140. [PMID: 32992663 PMCID: PMC7582632 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), heterogeneous diseases of hematopoietic stem cells, exhibit a significant risk of progression to secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) that are typically accompanied by MDS-related changes and therefore significantly differ to de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Within these disorders, the spectrum of cytogenetic alterations and oncogenic mutations, the extent of a predisposing defective osteohematopoietic niche, and the irregularity of the tumor microenvironment is highly diverse. However, the exact underlying pathophysiological mechanisms resulting in hematopoietic failure in patients with MDS and sAML remain elusive. There is recent evidence that the post-transcriptional control of gene expression mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs, and/or RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key components in the pathogenic events of both diseases. In addition, an interplay between RBPs and miRNAs has been postulated in MDS and sAML. Although a plethora of miRNAs is aberrantly expressed in MDS and sAML, their expression pattern significantly depends on the cell type and on the molecular make-up of the sample, including chromosomal alterations and single nucleotide polymorphisms, which also reflects their role in disease progression and prediction. Decreased expression levels of miRNAs or RBPs preventing the maturation or inhibiting translation of genes involved in pathogenesis of both diseases were found. Therefore, this review will summarize the current knowledge regarding the heterogeneity of expression, function, and clinical relevance of miRNAs, its link to molecular abnormalities in MDS and sAML with specific focus on the interplay with RBPs, and the current treatment options. This information might improve the use of miRNAs and/or RBPs as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for both malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Bauer
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (M.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Christoforos Vaxevanis
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06112, Germany; (C.V.); (N.H.)
| | - Nadine Heimer
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06112, Germany; (C.V.); (N.H.)
| | - Haifa Kathrin Al-Ali
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Halle, 06112 Halle, Germany; (H.K.A.-A.); (N.J.)
| | - Nadja Jaekel
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Halle, 06112 Halle, Germany; (H.K.A.-A.); (N.J.)
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany; (M.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06112, Germany; (C.V.); (N.H.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-345-557-4054
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Song Y, Zhang M, Lu MM, Qu LY, Xu SG, Li YZ, Wang MY, Zhu HF, Zhang ZY, He GY, Yuan ZQ, Li N. EPAS1 targeting by miR-152-3p in Paclitaxel-resistant Breast Cancer. J Cancer 2020; 11:5822-5830. [PMID: 32913475 PMCID: PMC7477434 DOI: 10.7150/jca.46898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Paclitaxel plays a pivotal role in the chemotherapy of breast cancer, but resistance to this drug is an important obstacle in the treatment. It is reported that microRNA-152-3p (miR-152-3p) is involved in tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer, but whether it is involved in paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer remains unknown. Materials and methods: We examined the expression of miR-152-3p in breast cancer tissues and cells by qRT-PCR. After transfecting paclitaxel-resistant MCF-7/TAX cells with miR-152-3p mimics, we analyzed the function of miR-152-3p in these cells by MTT assay and flow cytometry. We screened the target gene, endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 (EPAS1), using bioinformatics analysis and verified it with the dual luciferase reporter gene experiment. The relationship between EPAS1 and miR-152-3p and their roles in paclitaxel resistance of breast cancer were further investigated using RNA interference and transfection techniques. Results: The expression of miR-152-3p in normal breast tissues and cells was markedly higher than that in breast cancer. Overexpression of miR-152-3p decreased the survival rate and increased the apoptosis rate and sensitivity of MCF-7/TAX cells to paclitaxel. We confirmed that EPAS1 is the target of miR-152-3p and is negatively regulated by this miRNA. Moreover, transfection with EPAS1 siRNA enhanced the susceptibility and apoptosis rate of MCF-7/TAX cells to paclitaxel. Co-transfection of miR-152-3p mimics and EPAS1 increased paclitaxel sensitivity and apoptosis induced by the drug. Conclusion: miR-152-3p inhibits the survival of MCF-7/TAX cells and promotes their apoptosis by targeting the expression of EPAS1, thereby, enhancing the sensitivity of these breast cancer cells to paclitaxel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Song
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Mo Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Man Man Lu
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Li Yuan Qu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, P.R. China
| | - Si Guang Xu
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Yong Zhen Li
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Ming Yong Wang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Molecular Diagnostics, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Hui Fang Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Zhe Ying Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Guo Yang He
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Zhi Qing Yuan
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
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Lazaridou MF, Massa C, Handke D, Mueller A, Friedrich M, Subbarayan K, Tretbar S, Dummer R, Koelblinger P, Seliger B. Identification of microRNAs Targeting the Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing TAP1 in Melanoma. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9092690. [PMID: 32825219 PMCID: PMC7563967 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The underlying molecular mechanisms of the aberrant expression of components of the HLA class I antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM) in tumors leading to evasion from T cell-mediated immune surveillance could be due to posttranscriptional regulation mediated by microRNAs (miRs). So far, some miRs controlling the expression of different APM components have been identified. Using in silico analysis and an miR enrichment protocol in combination with small RNA sequencing, miR-26b-5p and miR-21-3p were postulated to target the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the peptide transporter TAP1, which was confirmed by high free binding energy and dual luciferase reporter assays. Overexpression of miR-26b-5p and miR-21-3p in melanoma cells downregulated the TAP1 protein and reduced expression of HLA class I cell surface antigens, which could be reverted by miR inhibitors. Moreover, miR-26b-5p overexpression induced a decreased T cell recognition. Furthermore, an inverse expression of miR-26b-5p and miR-21-3p with TAP1 was found in primary melanoma lesions, which was linked with the frequency of CD8+ T cell infiltration. Thus, miR-26-5p and miR-21-3p are involved in the HLA class I-mediated immune escape and might be used as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for HLA class Ilow melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Filothei Lazaridou
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany; (M.-F.L.); (C.M.); (D.H.); (A.M.); (M.F.); (K.S.); (S.T.)
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany; (M.-F.L.); (C.M.); (D.H.); (A.M.); (M.F.); (K.S.); (S.T.)
| | - Diana Handke
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany; (M.-F.L.); (C.M.); (D.H.); (A.M.); (M.F.); (K.S.); (S.T.)
| | - Anja Mueller
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany; (M.-F.L.); (C.M.); (D.H.); (A.M.); (M.F.); (K.S.); (S.T.)
| | - Michael Friedrich
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany; (M.-F.L.); (C.M.); (D.H.); (A.M.); (M.F.); (K.S.); (S.T.)
| | - Karthikeyan Subbarayan
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany; (M.-F.L.); (C.M.); (D.H.); (A.M.); (M.F.); (K.S.); (S.T.)
| | - Sandy Tretbar
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany; (M.-F.L.); (C.M.); (D.H.); (A.M.); (M.F.); (K.S.); (S.T.)
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Institute of Dermatology, University Hospital Zürich, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Peter Koelblinger
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany; (M.-F.L.); (C.M.); (D.H.); (A.M.); (M.F.); (K.S.); (S.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)-345-557-4054
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Jasinski-Bergner S, Steven A, Seliger B. The Role of the RNA-Binding Protein Family MEX-3 in Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155209. [PMID: 32717840 PMCID: PMC7432607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The muscle excess 3 (MEX-3) protein was first identified in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), and its respective homologues were also observed in vertebrates, including humans. It is a RNA-binding protein (RBP) with an additional ubiquitin E3 ligase function, which further acts as a post-transcriptional repressor through unknown mechanisms. In humans, MEX-3 proteins post-transcriptionally regulate a number of biological processes, including tumor immunological relevant ones. These have been shown to be involved in various diseases, including tumor diseases of distinct origins. This review provides information on the expression and function of the human MEX-3 family in healthy tissues, as well after malignant transformation. Indeed, the MEX-3 expression was shown to be deregulated in several cancers and to affect tumor biological functions, including apoptosis regulation, antigen processing, and presentation, thereby, contributing to the immune evasion of tumor cells. Furthermore, current research suggests MEX-3 proteins as putative markers for prognosis and as novel targets for the anti-cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Barbara Seliger
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-345-557-1357; Fax: +49-345-557-4055
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Krijgsman D, Roelands J, Hendrickx W, Bedognetti D, Kuppen PJK. HLA-G: A New Immune Checkpoint in Cancer? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124528. [PMID: 32630545 PMCID: PMC7350262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), known as a central protein in providing immune tolerance to the fetus in pregnant women, is also studied for a possible role in tumor development. Many studies have claimed HLA-G as a new immune checkpoint in cancer. Therefore, HLA-G and its receptors might be targets for immune checkpoint blockade in cancer immunotherapy. In order to substantiate that HLA-G is indeed an immune checkpoint in cancer, two important questions need to be answered: (1) To what extent is HLA-G expressed in the tumor by cancer cells? and (2) What is the function of HLA-G in cancer immune evasion? In this review, we discuss these questions. We agree that HLA-G is a potentially new immune checkpoint in cancer, but additional evidence is required to show the extent of intra-tumor and inter-tumor expression. These studies should focus on tumor expression patterns of the seven different HLA-G isoforms and of the receptors for HLA-G. Furthermore, specific roles for the different HLA-G isoforms should be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniëlle Krijgsman
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
| | - Jessica Roelands
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Wouter Hendrickx
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Peter J. K. Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-5264569
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Friedrich M, Heimer N, Stoehr C, Steven A, Wach S, Taubert H, Hartmann A, Seliger B. CREB1 is affected by the microRNAs miR-22-3p, miR-26a-5p, miR-27a-3p, and miR-221-3p and correlates with adverse clinicopathological features in renal cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6499. [PMID: 32300145 PMCID: PMC7162877 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63403-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB1) has been shown to be involved in diverse biological pathways including the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and metastasis. In this context, aberrant expression of CREB1 and the functional consequences are well investigated in a number of hematopoietic and solid tumors. However, CREB1 expression and underlying control mechanisms are only poorly analyzed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The present study confirmed a deregulation of CREB1 protein in the clear cell type of RCC (ccRCC) and analysis of in-house ccRCC cell lines suggested a post-transcriptional control. The combination of miRNA enrichment assay, in silico analysis and molecular biological approaches revealed four novel CREB1-regulating miRNAs, namely miR-22-3p, miR-26a-5p, miR-27a-3p, and miR-221-3p. Categorizing RCC samples as CREB1 negative or positive, respectively, the expression of these miRNAs was found to be inversely correlated with CREB1 protein levels. Analyzing 453 consecutive RCC tumors by immunohistochemistry, weakly negative, but significant correlations of CREB1 with tumor stage and grade, vascular invasion (V1) and lymphovascular invasion (L1) were found. In this respect, ccRCC might differ from other solid tumors like esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma or glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Friedrich
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Nadine Heimer
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Christine Stoehr
- Institute of Pathology, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - André Steven
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sven Wach
- Institute of Urology, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Helge Taubert
- Institute of Urology, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany.
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Fänder J, Kielstein H, Büttner M, Koelblinger P, Dummer R, Bauer M, Handke D, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B, Jasinski-Bergner S. Characterizing CD44 regulatory microRNAs as putative therapeutic agents in human melanoma. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6509-6525. [PMID: 31741714 PMCID: PMC6849650 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The multistructural and multifunctional transmembrane glycoprotein CD44 is overexpressed in many tumors of distinct origin including malignant melanoma and contributes to a poor prognosis by affecting cell proliferation, cell migration, and also the sensitivity for apoptosis induction. Previous studies reported so far 15 CD44 regulatory microRNAs (miRs) in different cell systems. Using a novel method for miR affinity purification miR-143-3p was identified as most potent binder to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of CD44. Overexpression of miR-143-3p in melanoma cells inhibits CD44 translation, which is accompanied by a reduced proliferation, migration and enhanced daunorubicin induced apoptosis of melanoma cells in vitro. Analyses of discordant CD44 and miR-143-3p expression levels in human melanocytic nevi and dermal melanoma samples demonstrated medium to high CD44 levels with no association to tumor grading or staging. The CD44 expression correlated to PD-L1, but not to MART-1 expression in malignant melanoma. Interestingly, the CD44 expression was inversely correlated to the infiltration of pro-inflammatory immune effector cells. In conclusion, the tumor suppressive miR-143-3p was identified as the most potent CD44 inhibitory miR, which affects growth characteristics of melanoma cells suggesting the implementation of miR-143-3p as as a potential anti-CD44 therapy of malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Fänder
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Heike Kielstein
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Maximilian Büttner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Peter Koelblinger
- Department of Dermatology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Bauer
- Institute for Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Diana Handke
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute for Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,Institute for Medical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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Friedrich M, Jasinski-Bergner S, Lazaridou MF, Subbarayan K, Massa C, Tretbar S, Mueller A, Handke D, Biehl K, Bukur J, Donia M, Mandelboim O, Seliger B. Tumor-induced escape mechanisms and their association with resistance to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:1689-1700. [PMID: 31375885 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02373-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy aims to activate the immune system to fight cancer in a very specific and targeted manner. Despite the success of different immunotherapeutic strategies, in particular antibodies directed against checkpoints as well as adoptive T-cell therapy, the response of patients is limited in different types of cancers. This attributes to escape of the tumor from immune surveillance and development of acquired resistances during therapy. In this review, the different evasion and resistance mechanisms that limit the efficacy of immunotherapies targeting tumor-associated antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex molecules on the surface of the malignant cells are summarized. Overcoming these escape mechanisms is a great challenge, but might lead to a better clinical outcome of patients and is therefore currently a major focus of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Friedrich
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Maria-Filothei Lazaridou
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Karthikeyan Subbarayan
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sandy Tretbar
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anja Mueller
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Diana Handke
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Katharina Biehl
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jürgen Bukur
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Marco Donia
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 2, 06110, Halle (Saale), Germany.
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Omar HA, El‐Serafi AT, Hersi F, Arafa EA, Zaher DM, Madkour M, Arab HH, Tolba MF. Immunomodulatory MicroRNAs in cancer: targeting immune checkpoints and the tumor microenvironment. FEBS J 2019; 286:3540-3557. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.15000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hany A. Omar
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research University of Sharjah UAE
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy Beni‐Suef University Egypt
| | - Ahmed T. El‐Serafi
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research University of Sharjah UAE
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine Suez Canal University Ismailia Egypt
| | - Fatema Hersi
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research University of Sharjah UAE
| | - El‐Shaimaa A. Arafa
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Ajman University UAE
| | - Dana M. Zaher
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research University of Sharjah UAE
| | - Mohamed Madkour
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research University of Sharjah UAE
| | - Hany H. Arab
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University Egypt
- Biochemistry Division and GTMR Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy Taif University Saudi Arabia
| | - Mai F. Tolba
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy Ain Shams University Cairo Egypt
- Biology Department, School of Sciences and Engineering The American University in Cairo New Cairo Egypt
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Abstract
The major mechanisms of posttranscriptional gene regulation involve microRNAs (miRs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Recent studies not only identified functionally and characterized such factors, but rather investigated their use as biomarkers and suitability as biopharmaceuticals. Indeed, some miR-based drugs are currently tested in clinical studies as potential anti-viral and as anti-cancer agents. For the chemical application, a profound knowledge of the binding affinities of miRs and RBPs to their target RNA is essential. The authors recently identified several miRs regulating the non-classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G, and characterized their binding affinity to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of HLA-G. These miRs identified by miTRAP were classified into high affinity and low affinity miRs, which were either key regulators or fine tuners of HLA-G. While the miTRAP method has been described in detail, a novel modified miTRAP technique has been established, which completely consists of commercially available components and uses a simplified cloning strategy. This technique allows the identification and characterization of miRs and RBPs for any RNA sequence of interest.
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Expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 Are Negative Prognostic Markers in Renal Cell Carcinoma. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8050743. [PMID: 31137694 PMCID: PMC6572544 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8050743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immuno-oncological therapy with checkpoint inhibition (CI) has become a new standard treatment in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but the prognostic value of the expression of CI therapy target molecules is still controversial. 342 unselected consecutive RCC tumor samples were analyzed regarding their PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The prognostic values for cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed for those not exposed to CI therapy. The expression of PD-1 in tumor-infiltrating mononuclear cells (TIMC) and PD-L1 in tumor cells was detected in 9.4% and 12.3%, respectively (Immune reactive score (IRS) > 0). Furthermore, PD-L1 expression in TIMC (IRS > 0) and CTLA-4 expression in TIMC (>1% positive cells) was detected in 4.8% and 6.3%. PD-1 expression and CTLA-4 expression were significantly associated with a worse OS and CSS in log rank survival analysis and univariate Cox regression analysis. CTLA-4 expression is a prognostic marker that is independently associated with a worse outcome in multivariate Cox regression analysis in the whole cohort (OS: p = 0.013; CSS: p = 0.048) as well as in a non-metastatic subgroup analysis (OS: p = 0.028; CSS: p = 0.022). Patients with combined CTLA-4 expression and PD-1-expression are at highest risk in OS and CSS. In RCC patients, PD-1 expression in TIMC and CTLA-4 expression in TIMC are associated with a worse OS and CSS. The combination of PD-1 expression in TIMC and CTLA-4 expression in TIMC might identify high risk patients. This is, to our knowledge, the first description of CTLA-4 expression to be a prognostic marker in RCC.
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Braga EA, Fridman MV, Loginov VI, Dmitriev AA, Morozov SG. Molecular Mechanisms in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Role of miRNAs and Hypermethylated miRNA Genes in Crucial Oncogenic Pathways and Processes. Front Genet 2019; 10:320. [PMID: 31110513 PMCID: PMC6499217 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the third most common urological cancer, and it has the highest mortality rate. The increasing drug resistance of metastatic ccRCC has resulted in the search for new biomarkers. Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, such as genome-wide DNA methylation and inhibition of protein translation by interaction of microRNA (miRNA) with its target messenger RNA (mRNA), are deeply involved in the pathogenesis of human cancers, including ccRCC, and may be used in its diagnosis and prognosis. Here, we review oncogenic and oncosuppressive miRNAs, their putative target genes, and the crucial pathways they are involved in. The contradictory behavior of a number of miRNAs, such as suppressive and anti-metastatic miRNAs with oncogenic potential (for example, miR-99a, miR-106a, miR-125b, miR-144, miR-203, miR-378), is examined. miRNAs that contribute mostly to important pathways and processes in ccRCC, for instance, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Wnt-β, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling, are discussed in detail. We also separately consider their participation in crucial oncogenic processes, such as hypoxia and angiogenesis, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The review also considers the interactions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and miRNAs of significance in ccRCC. Recent advances in the understanding of the role of hypermethylated miRNA genes in ccRCC and their usefulness as biomarkers are reviewed based on our own data and those available in the literature. Finally, new data and perspectives concerning the clinical applications of miRNAs in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of ccRCC are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina V. Fridman
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vitaly I. Loginov
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia
- Research Center of Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey A. Dmitriev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Schwich E, Rebmann V, Michita RT, Rohn H, Voncken JW, Horn PA, Kimmig R, Kasimir-Bauer S, Buderath P. HLA-G 3' untranslated region variants +3187G/G, +3196G/G and +3035T define diametrical clinical status and disease outcome in epithelial ovarian cancer. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5407. [PMID: 30932005 PMCID: PMC6443684 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41900-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of the non-classical human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) promotes cancer progression in various malignancies including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). As single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HLA-G 3' untranslated region (UTR) regulate HLA-G expression, we investigated HLA-G 3'UTR haplotypes arranged by SNPs in healthy controls (n = 75) and primary EOC patients (n = 79) and determined soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) levels. Results were related to the clinical status and outcome. Although haplotype frequencies were similar in patients and controls, (i) sHLA-G levels were increased in EOC independent of the haplotype, (ii) homozygosity for UTR-1 or UTR-2 genotypes were significantly associated with metastases formation and presence of circulating tumor cells before therapy, whereas (iii) the UTR-5 and UTR-7 haplotypes were significantly associated with a beneficial clinical outcome regarding negative nodal status, early FIGO staging, and improved overall survival. Lastly, (iv) the ambivalent impact on clinical EOC aspects could be deduced to specific SNPs in the HLA-G 3'UTR: +3187G, +3196G and +3035T alleles. Our results give evidence that even if the genetic background of the HLA-G 3'UTR is identical between patients and controls, certain SNPs have the potential to contribute to diametrical clinical status/outcome in EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Schwich
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 179, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Vera Rebmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 179, 45147, Essen, Germany.
| | - Rafael Tomoya Michita
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 179, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Genetics Department, Post-Graduation Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Hana Rohn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Willem Voncken
- Molecular Genetics, Maastricht University, PO Box 6161, 6200 MD, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Peter A Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 179, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Sabine Kasimir-Bauer
- Department for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Paul Buderath
- Department for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
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Tretbar US, Friedrich M, Lazaridou MF, Seliger B. Identification of Immune Modulatory miRNAs by miRNA Enrichment via RNA Affinity Purification. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1913:81-101. [PMID: 30666600 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8979-9_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Immune escape by cancer cells can be triggered by aberrant expression of immunological key players, which can be achieved by distinct molecular mechanisms including immune modulatory miRNAs. One suitable method to identify miRNAs that specifically target immune relevant molecules is the miRNA enrichment via RNA affinity purification method named miTRAP (miRNA trapping by RNA in vitro affinity purification). Here, we present a detailed protocol for construct preparation, RNA immobilization via MS2BP-MBP to beads, miRNA enrichment, and elution followed by analysis of the obtained miRNA candidates via qRT-PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uta Sandy Tretbar
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Michael Friedrich
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.
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41
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Gomes RG, Brito CAAD, Martinelli VF, Santos RND, Gomes FODS, Peixoto CA, Crispim JO, Diniz GTN, Donadi EA, Lucena-Silva N. HLA-G is expressed in intestinal samples of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease patients and HLA-G5 expression is differentially correlated with TNF and IL-10 cytokine expression. Hum Immunol 2018; 79:477-484. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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43
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Wu H, Jiang K, Guo S, Yang J, Zhao G, Qiu C, Deng G. IFN-τ Mediated Control of Bovine Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Expression and Function via the Regulation of bta-miR-148b/152 in Bovine Endometrial Epithelial Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 9:167. [PMID: 29456541 PMCID: PMC5801426 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
IFN-τ, a type I interferon produced by the trophoblasts of ruminants, has various important immune functions, including effects on the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (MHC-I). A previous study has reported that IFN-τ promotes the expression of MHC-I molecules on endometrial cells. However, the immunological mechanisms by which IFN-τ regulates MHC-I molecules remain unknown. Here, we investigated which microRNA (miRNAs) may be involved in the regulation of MHC-I molecule expression and function in bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEECs). By using TargetScan 6.2 and http://www.microRNA.org, two miRNAs were suggested to target the 3'UTR of the bovine MHC-I heavy chain: bta-miR-148b and bta-miR-152. Dual luciferase reporter and miRNA mimic/inhibitor assays suggested that bta-miR-148b/152 were negatively correlated with bovine MHC-I heavy chain genes. The function of the MHC-I heavy chain was then investigated using qRT-PCR, ELISA, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and RNA interference assays in primary bEECs and an endometrial epithelial cell line (BEND). The results demonstrated that bta-miR-148b/152 could promote TLR4-triggered inflammatory responses by targeting the bovine MHC-I heavy chain, and the MHC-I molecule negatively regulated TLR4-induced inflammatory reactions may through the Fps-SHP-2 pathway. Our discovery offers novel insight into negative regulation of the TLR4 pathway and elucidates the mechanism by which bovine MHC-I molecules control congenital inflammatory reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haichong Wu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kangfeng Jiang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuai Guo
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Gan Zhao
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Changwei Qiu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ganzhen Deng
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Hippen KL, Loschi M, Nicholls J, MacDonald KPA, Blazar BR. Effects of MicroRNA on Regulatory T Cells and Implications for Adoptive Cellular Therapy to Ameliorate Graft-versus-Host Disease. Front Immunol 2018; 9:57. [PMID: 29445371 PMCID: PMC5797736 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key mediators of the immune system. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of ~22 nucleotide non-coding RNAs that are processed from longer precursors by the RNases Drosha and Dicer. miRNA regulates protein expression posttranscriptionally through mRNA destabilization or translational silencing. A critical role for miRNA in Treg function was initially discovered when both Dicer and Drosha knockout (KO) mice were found to develop a fatal autoimmune disease phenotypically similar to Foxp3 KO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keli L Hippen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Michael Loschi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jemma Nicholls
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kelli P A MacDonald
- The Antigen Presentation and Immunoregulation Laboratory and Bone Marrow Transplantation Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Bruce R Blazar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Jasinski-Bergner S, Reches A, Stoehr C, Massa C, Gonschorek E, Huettelmaier S, Braun J, Wach S, Wullich B, Spath V, Wang E, Marincola FM, Mandelboim O, Hartmann A, Seliger B. Identification of novel microRNAs regulating HLA-G expression and investigating their clinical relevance in renal cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:26866-78. [PMID: 27057628 PMCID: PMC5042021 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The non-classical human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is expressed at a high frequency in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and is associated with a higher tumor grade and a poor clinical outcome. This might be caused by the HLA-G-mediated inhibition of the cytotoxicity of T and NK cells. Therefore a selective targeting of HLA-G might represent a powerful strategy to enhance the immunogenicity of RCC lesions. Recent studies identified a number of HLA-G-regulating microRNAs (miRs) and demonstrated an inverse expression of some of these miRs with HLA-G in RCC in vitro and in vivo. However, it was postulated that further miRs might exist contributing to the tightly controlled selective HLA-G expression.By application of a miR enrichment assay (miTRAP) in combination with in silico profiling two novel HLA-G-regulatory miRs, miR-548q and miR-628-5p, were identified. Direct interactions of both miRs with the 3' untranslated region of HLA-G were confirmed with luciferase reporter gene assays. In addition, qPCR analyses and immunohistochemical staining revealed an inverse, expression of miR-628-5p, but not of miR-548q to the HLA-G protein in primary RCC lesions and cell lines. Stable overexpression of miR-548q and miR-628-5p caused a downregulation of HLA-G mRNA and protein. This leads in case of miR-548q to an enhanced NK cell-mediated HLA-G-dependent cytotoxicity, which could be reverted by ILT2 blockade suggesting a control of the immune effector cell activity at least by this miR. The identification of two novel HLA-G-regulatory miRs extends the number of HLA-G-relevant miRs tuning the HLA-G expression and might serve as future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Adi Reches
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Christine Stoehr
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Evamaria Gonschorek
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Stefan Huettelmaier
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Juliane Braun
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Sven Wach
- Clinic of Urology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wullich
- Clinic of Urology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Verena Spath
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ena Wang
- Sidra Medical and Research Center, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Ofer Mandelboim
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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Regis S, Caliendo F, Dondero A, Bellora F, Casu B, Bottino C, Castriconi R. Main NK cell receptors and their ligands: regulation by microRNAs. AIMS ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.3934/allergy.2018.2.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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47
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Maschmeyer P, Petkau G, Siracusa F, Zimmermann J, Zügel F, Kühl AA, Lehmann K, Schimmelpfennig S, Weber M, Haftmann C, Riedel R, Bardua M, Heinz GA, Tran CL, Hoyer BF, Hiepe F, Herzog S, Wittmann J, Rajewsky N, Melchers FG, Chang HD, Radbruch A, Mashreghi MF. Selective targeting of pro-inflammatory Th1 cells by microRNA-148a-specific antagomirs in vivo. J Autoimmun 2017; 89:41-52. [PMID: 29183643 PMCID: PMC5916452 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
In T lymphocytes, expression of miR-148a is induced by T-bet and Twist1, and is specific for pro-inflammatory Th1 cells. In these cells, miR-148a inhibits the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bim and promotes their survival. Here we use sequence-specific cholesterol-modified oligonucleotides against miR-148a (antagomir-148a) for the selective elimination of pro-inflammatory Th1 cells in vivo. In the murine model of transfer colitis, antagomir-148a treatment reduced the number of pro-inflammatory Th1 cells in the colon of colitic mice by 50% and inhibited miR-148a expression by 71% in the remaining Th1 cells. Expression of Bim protein in colonic Th1 cells was increased. Antagomir-148a-mediated reduction of Th1 cells resulted in a significant amelioration of colitis. The effect of antagomir-148a was selective for chronic inflammation. Antigen-specific memory Th cells that were generated by an acute immune reaction to nitrophenylacetyl-coupled chicken gamma globulin (NP-CGG) were not affected by treatment with antagomir-148a, both during the effector and the memory phase. In addition, antibody titers to NP-CGG were not altered. Thus, antagomir-148a might qualify as an effective drug to selectively deplete pro-inflammatory Th1 cells of chronic inflammation without affecting the protective immunological memory. Th1 cells expressing miR-148a mediate colitis in a murine model of IBD. Antagomir-148a inhibits colitis by selectively depleting Th1 cells from the colon. Antagomir-148a does not affect the protective immunological memory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georg Petkau
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ), Germany
| | | | | | | | - Anja Andrea Kühl
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin und Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Lehmann
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ), Germany
| | | | - Melanie Weber
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ), Germany
| | | | - René Riedel
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ), Germany
| | - Markus Bardua
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ), Germany
| | | | - Cam Loan Tran
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ), Germany
| | - Bimba Franziska Hoyer
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ), Germany; Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin und Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Falk Hiepe
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ), Germany; Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin und Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Herzog
- Division of Developmental Immunology, BIOCENTER, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jürgen Wittmann
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Friedrich M, Pracht K, Mashreghi MF, Jäck HM, Radbruch A, Seliger B. The role of the miR-148/-152 family in physiology and disease. Eur J Immunol 2017; 47:2026-2038. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201747132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Friedrich
- Institute of Medical Immunology; Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg; Halle/Saale Germany
| | - Katharina Pracht
- Division of Molecular Immunology; Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center; Department of Internal Medicine III; University of Erlangen-Nürnberg; Erlangen Germany
| | | | - Hans-Martin Jäck
- Division of Molecular Immunology; Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center; Department of Internal Medicine III; University of Erlangen-Nürnberg; Erlangen Germany
| | | | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology; Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg; Halle/Saale Germany
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Eichmüller SB, Osen W, Mandelboim O, Seliger B. Immune Modulatory microRNAs Involved in Tumor Attack and Tumor Immune Escape. J Natl Cancer Inst 2017; 109:3105955. [PMID: 28383653 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djx034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Current therapies against cancer utilize the patient's immune system for tumor eradication. However, tumor cells can evade immune surveillance of CD8+ T and/or natural killer (NK) cells by various strategies. These include the aberrant expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigens, co-inhibitory or costimulatory molecules, and components of the interferon (IFN) signal transduction pathway. In addition, alterations of the tumor microenvironment could interfere with efficient antitumor immune responses by downregulating or inhibiting the frequency and/or functional activity of immune effector cells and professional antigen-presenting cells. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as major players in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, thereby controlling many physiological and also pathophysiological processes including neoplastic transformation. Indeed, the cellular miRNA expression pattern is frequently altered in many tumors of distinct origin, demonstrating the tumor suppressive or oncogenic potential of miRNAs. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that miRNAs could also influence antitumor immune responses by affecting the expression of immune modulatory molecules in tumor and immune cells. Apart from their important role in tumor immune escape and altered tumor-host interaction, immune modulatory miRNAs often exert neoplastic properties, thus representing promising targets for future combined immunotherapy approaches. This review focuses on the characterization of miRNAs involved in the regulation of immune surveillance or immune escape of tumors and their potential use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers or as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan B Eichmüller
- GMP and T Cell Therapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel; Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Wolfram Osen
- GMP and T Cell Therapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel; Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- GMP and T Cell Therapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel; Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- GMP and T Cell Therapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel; Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
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50
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Seliger B. Immune modulatory microRNAs as a novel mechanism to revert immune escape of tumors. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2017; 36:49-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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