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Cao Y, Yi W, Zhu Q. Glycosylation in the tumor immune response: the bitter side of sweetness. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024. [PMID: 38946426 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024107] [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: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation is the most structurally diverse form of post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins that affects a myriad of cellular processes. As a pivotal regulator of protein homeostasis, glycosylation notably impacts the function of proteins, spanning from protein localization and stability to protein-protein interactions. Aberrant glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer, and extensive studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of glycosylation in tumor growth, migration, invasion and immune escape Over the past decade, glycosylation has emerged as an immune regulator in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we summarize the intricate interplay between glycosylation and the immune system documented in recent literature, which orchestrates the regulation of the tumor immune response through endogenous lectins, immune checkpoints and the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the TME. In addition, we discuss the latest progress in glycan-based cancer immunotherapy. This review provides a basic understanding of glycosylation in the tumor immune response and a theoretical framework for tumor immunotherapy.
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Guo J, Ai X, Jia B, Zhong X, Liu L, Hu Q, Xie J, Hong X, Chen Y, Liu D. Galectin-9 as an indicator of functional limitations and radiographic joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1419676. [PMID: 38957462 PMCID: PMC11217821 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1419676] [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: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have revealed that Galectin-9 (Gal-9) acts as an apoptosis modulator in autoimmunity and rheumatic inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of Gal-9 as a biomarker in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially as an indicator of functional limitations and radiographic joint damage. Methods A total of 146 patients with RA and 52 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Clinical data including disease activity, physical function, and radiographic joint damage were assessed. Functional limitation was defined as the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index >1. Subjects with joint erosion >0 or joint space narrowing >0 were considered to have radiographic joint damage. Serum Gal-9 levels were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the association between Gal-9 and high disease activity and functional limitations, and a prediction model was established to construct predictive nomograms. Results Serum levels of Gal-9 were significantly increased in patients with RA compared to those in healthy controls (median 13.1 ng/mL vs. 7.6 ng/mL). Patients with RA who were older (>65 years), had a longer disease duration (>5 years), longer morning stiffness (>60mins), elevated serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, and difficult-to-treat RA had significantly higher Gal-9 levels than those in the corresponding control subgroups (all p <0.05). Patients with RA were divided into two subgroups according to the cut-off value of Gal-9 of 11.6 ng/mL. Patients with RA with Gal-9 >11.6 ng/mL had a significantly higher core clinical disease activity index, HAQ scores, Sharp/van der Heijde modified Sharp scores, as well as a higher percentage of advanced joint damage (all p<0.05) than patients with Gal-9 ≤11.6 ng/mL. Accordingly, patients with RA presenting either functional limitations or radiographic joint damage had significantly higher serum Gal-9 levels than those without (both p <0.05). Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a serum level of Gal-9 >11.6 ng/mL was an independent risk factor for high disease activity (OR=3.138, 95% CI 1.150-8.567, p=0.026) and presence of functional limitations (OR=2.455, 95% CI 1.017-5.926, p=0.046), respectively. Conclusion Gal-9 could be considered as a potential indicator in patients with RA, especially with respect to functional limitations and joint damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiewen Guo
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Ai
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Baixue Jia
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhong
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lixiong Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiu Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingyi Xie
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoping Hong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yulan Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dongzhou Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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3
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Yan ZX, Dong Y, Qiao N, Zhang YL, Wu W, Zhu Y, Wang L, Cheng S, Xu PP, Zhou ZS, Sheng LS, Zhao WL. Cholesterol efflux from C1QB-expressing macrophages is associated with resistance to chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in primary refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5183. [PMID: 38890370 PMCID: PMC11189439 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49495-4] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has demonstrated promising efficacy in early trials for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, its efficacy in treating primary refractory DLBCL has not been comprehensively investigated, and the underlying resistance mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report the outcomes of a phase I, open-label, single-arm clinical trial of relmacabtagene autoleucel (relma-cel), a CD19-targeted CAR-T cell product, with safety and efficacy as primary endpoints. Among the 12 enrolled patients, 8 experienced grade 4 hematologic toxicity of treatment-emergent adverse event. No grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity occurred. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed an increase proportion of C1QB-expressing macrophages in patients with progressive disease before CAR-T cell therapy. Cholesterol efflux from M2 macrophages was found to inhibit CAR-T cells cytotoxicity by inducing an immunosuppressive state in CD8+ T cells, leading to their exhaustion. Possible interactions between macrophages and CD8+ T cells, mediating lipid metabolism (AFR1-FAS), immune checkpoint activation, and T cell exhaustion (LGALS9-HAVCR2, CD86-CTLA4, and NECTIN2-TIGIT) were enhanced during disease progression. These findings suggest that cholesterol efflux from macrophages may trigger CD8+ T cell exhaustion, providing a rationale for metabolic reprogramming to counteract CAR-T treatment failure. Chinadrugtrials.org.cn identifier: CTR20200376.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/immunology
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/metabolism
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Macrophages/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Middle Aged
- Female
- Male
- Cholesterol/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Aged
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Adult
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Xun Yan
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yan Dong
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Niu Qiao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yi-Lun Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Wen Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yue Zhu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Li Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shu Cheng
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Peng-Peng Xu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Zi-Song Zhou
- JW Therapeutics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ling-Shuang Sheng
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Wei-Li Zhao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Pôle de Recherches Sino-Français en Science du Vivant et Génomique, Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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McLaury AR, Haun BK, To A, Mayerlen L, Medina LO, Lai CY, Wong TAS, Nakano E, Strange D, Aquino D, Huang YJS, Higgs S, Vanlandingham DL, Garcia A, Berestecky JM, Lehrer AT. Characterization of Two Highly Specific Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the Glycan Loop of the Zika Virus Envelope Protein. Viral Immunol 2024; 37:167-175. [PMID: 38574259 PMCID: PMC11040186 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2023.0153] [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] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging flavivirus associated with several neurological diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults and microcephaly in newborn children. Its distribution and mode of transmission (via Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes) collectively cause ZIKV to be a serious concern for global health. High genetic homology of flaviviruses and shared ecology is a hurdle for accurate detection. Distinguishing infections caused by different viruses based on serological recognition can be misleading as many anti-flavivirus monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) discovered to date are highly cross-reactive, especially those against the envelope (E) protein. To provide more specific research tools, we produced ZIKV E directed hybridoma cell lines and characterized two highly ZIKV-specific mAb clones (mAbs A11 and A42) against several members of the Flavivirus genus. Epitope mapping of mAb A11 revealed glycan loop specificity in Domain I of the ZIKV E protein. The development of two highly specific mAbs targeting the surface fusion protein of ZIKV presents a significant advancement in research capabilities as these can be employed as essential tools to enhance our understanding of ZIKV identification on infected cells ex vivo or in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex R. McLaury
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Brien K. Haun
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Albert To
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Ludwig Mayerlen
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Liana O. Medina
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Chih-Yun Lai
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Teri Ann S. Wong
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Eileen Nakano
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Daniel Strange
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Draven Aquino
- Microbiology and Biotechnology, Math/Science Department, Kapiolani Community College, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Yan-Jang S. Huang
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Stephen Higgs
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Dana L. Vanlandingham
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Alan Garcia
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
- Microbiology and Biotechnology, Math/Science Department, Kapiolani Community College, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - John M. Berestecky
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
- Microbiology and Biotechnology, Math/Science Department, Kapiolani Community College, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
| | - Axel T. Lehrer
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA
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5
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Zhu Q, Yang Y, Chen K, Zhang Q, Huang Y, Jian S. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: the significance of CD8 + tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes exhaustion mediated by TIM3/Galectin-9 pathway. J Transl Med 2024; 22:174. [PMID: 38369502 PMCID: PMC10874540 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05002-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overexpression of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM3) is related to the exhaustion of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the mechanism of TIM3-mediated CD8+TILs exhaustion in DLBCL remains poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the potential pathway involved in TIM3-mediated CD8+TILs exhaustion and its significance in DLBCL. METHODS The expression of TIM3 and its correlation with CD8+TILs exhaustion, the key ligand of TIM3, and the potential pathway of TIM3-mediated CD8+TILs exhaustion in DLBCL were analyzed using single-cell RNA sequencing and validated by RNA sequencing. The biological significance of TIM3-related pathway in DLBCL was investigated based on RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction data. Finally, the possible regulatory mechanism of TIM3-related pathway in DLBCL was explored using single-cell RNA sequencing and RNA sequencing. RESULTS Our results demonstrated that CD8+TILs, especially the terminally exhausted state, were the major clusters that expressed TIM3 in DLBCL. Galectin-9, mainly expressed in M2 macrophages, is the key ligand of TIM3 and can induce the exhaustion of CD8+TILs through TIM3/Galectin-9 pathway. Meanwhile, high TIM3/Galectin-9 enrichment is related to immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, severe clinical manifestations, inferior prognosis, and poor response to CHOP-based chemotherapy, and can predict the clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in DLBCL. Furthermore, the TIM3/Galectin-9 enrichment in DLBCL may be regulated by the IFN-γ signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights that TIM3/Galectin-9 pathway plays a crucial role in CD8+TILs exhaustion and the immune escape of DLBCL, which facilitates further functional studies and could provide a theoretical basis for the development of novel immunotherapy in DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Zhu
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China
- Department of Pathology, North Sichuan Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, No. 1 Maoyuan Nan Road, Nanchong, 637000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiming Yang
- Department of Pathology, North Sichuan Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, No. 1 Maoyuan Nan Road, Nanchong, 637000, Sichuan, China
| | - Kexin Chen
- Department of Pathology, North Sichuan Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, No. 1 Maoyuan Nan Road, Nanchong, 637000, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, North Sichuan Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, No. 1 Maoyuan Nan Road, Nanchong, 637000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yifan Huang
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China
- Department of Pathology, North Sichuan Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, No. 1 Maoyuan Nan Road, Nanchong, 637000, Sichuan, China
| | - Shunhai Jian
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China.
- Department of Pathology, North Sichuan Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, No. 1 Maoyuan Nan Road, Nanchong, 637000, Sichuan, China.
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Lv Y, Ma X, Ma Y, Du Y, Feng J. A new emerging target in cancer immunotherapy: Galectin-9 (LGALS9). Genes Dis 2023; 10:2366-2382. [PMID: 37554219 PMCID: PMC10404877 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, advances in immunological knowledge have led to the identification of novel immune checkpoints, reinvigorating cancer immunotherapy. Immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors, has become the leader in the precision treatment of cancer, bringing a new dawn to the treatment of most cancer patients. Galectin-9 (LGALS9), a member of the galectin family, is a widely expressed protein involved in immune regulation and tumor pathogenesis, and affects the prognosis of various types of cancer. Galectin-9 regulates immune homeostasis and tumor cell survival through its interaction with its receptor Tim-3. In the review, based on a brief description of the signaling mechanisms and immunomodulatory activities of galectin-9 and Tim-3, we summarize the targeted expression patterns of galectin-9 in a variety of malignancies and the promising mechanisms of anti-galectin-9 therapy in stimulating anti-tumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lv
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
| | - Yuxin Ma
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
| | - Yuxin Du
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
| | - Jifeng Feng
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
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7
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Du L, Bouzidi MS, Gala A, Deiter F, Billaud JN, Yeung ST, Dabral P, Jin J, Simmons G, Dossani ZY, Niki T, Ndhlovu LC, Greenland JR, Pillai SK. Human galectin-9 potently enhances SARS-CoV-2 replication and inflammation in airway epithelial cells. J Mol Cell Biol 2023; 15:mjad030. [PMID: 37127426 PMCID: PMC10668544 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad030] [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: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has caused a global economic and health crisis. Recently, plasma levels of galectin-9 (Gal-9), a β-galactoside-binding lectin involved in immune regulation and viral immunopathogenesis, were reported to be elevated in the setting of severe COVID-19 disease. However, the impact of Gal-9 on SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunopathology remained to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that Gal-9 treatment potently enhances SARS-CoV-2 replication in human airway epithelial cells (AECs), including immortalized AECs and primary AECs cultured at the air-liquid interface. Gal-9-glycan interactions promote SARS-CoV-2 attachment and entry into AECs in an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-dependent manner, enhancing the binding of the viral spike protein to ACE2. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Gal-9 and SARS-CoV-2 infection synergistically induced the expression of key pro-inflammatory programs in AECs, including the IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, EIF2, and TNFα signaling pathways. Our findings suggest that manipulation of Gal-9 should be explored as a therapeutic strategy for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Du
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0134, USA
| | - Mohamed S Bouzidi
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0134, USA
| | - Akshay Gala
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0134, USA
| | - Fred Deiter
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0410, USA
- Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | | | - Stephen T Yeung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Prerna Dabral
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0134, USA
| | - Jing Jin
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0134, USA
| | - Graham Simmons
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0134, USA
| | - Zain Y Dossani
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0134, USA
| | - Toshiro Niki
- Department of Immunology, Kagawa University, Kagawa 760-0016, Japan
| | - Lishomwa C Ndhlovu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - John R Greenland
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0410, USA
- Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - Satish K Pillai
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0134, USA
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8
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The Genes-Stemness-Secretome Interplay in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Molecular Dynamics and Clinical Hints. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043496. [PMID: 36834912 PMCID: PMC9963101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
MPM has a uniquely poor somatic mutational landscape, mainly driven by environmental selective pressure. This feature has dramatically limited the development of effective treatment. However, genomic events are known to be associated with MPM progression, and specific genetic signatures emerge from the exceptional crosstalk between neoplastic cells and matrix components, among which one main area of focus is hypoxia. Here we discuss the novel therapeutic strategies focused on the exploitation of MPM genetic asset and its interconnection with the surrounding hypoxic microenvironment as well as transcript products and microvesicles representing both an insight into the pathogenesis and promising actionable targets.
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9
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Tsai MT, Yang RB, Ou SM, Tseng WC, Lee KH, Yang CY, Chang FP, Tarng DC. Plasma Galectin-9 Is a Useful Biomarker for Predicting Renal Function in Patients Undergoing Native Kidney Biopsy. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2023; 147:167-176. [PMID: 35687787 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2021-0466-oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT.— Galectin-9 reduces tissue damage in certain immune-mediated glomerular diseases. However, its role in structural and functional renal changes in patients with varying types of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is less clear. OBJECTIVE.— To investigate the association between plasma galectin-9 levels, proteinuria, tubulointerstitial lesions, and renal function in different CKD stages. DESIGN.— We measured plasma galectin-9 levels in 243 patients undergoing renal biopsy for determining the CKD etiology. mRNA and protein expression levels of intrarenal galectin-9 were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining. Relationships between plasma galectin-9, clinical characteristics, and tubulointerstitial damage were analyzed with logistic regression. We investigated galectin-9 expression patterns in vitro in murine J774 macrophages treated with differing stimuli. RESULTS.— To analyze the relationship between galectin-9 and clinical features, we divided the patients into 2 groups according to median plasma galectin-9 levels. The high galectin-9 group tended to be older and to have decreased renal function, higher proteinuria, and greater interstitial fibrosis. After multivariable adjustment, elevated plasma galectin-9 levels were independently associated with stage 3b or higher CKD. An analysis of gene expression in the tubulointerstitial compartment in the biopsy samples showed a significant positive correlation between intrarenal galectin-9 mRNA expression and plasma galectin-9 levels. Immunohistochemistry confirmed increased galectin-9 expression in the renal interstitium of patients with advanced CKD, and most galectin-9-positive cells were macrophages, as determined by double-immunofluorescence staining. In vitro experiments showed that galectin-9 expression in macrophages was significantly increased after interferon-γ stimulation. CONCLUSIONS.— Our findings suggest that plasma galectin-9 is a good biomarker for diagnosing advanced CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Tsun Tsai
- From the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,From the Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Tsai and R-B Yang contributed equally to this manuscript
| | - Ruey-Bing Yang
- From the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan (R-B Yang).,Tsai and R-B Yang contributed equally to this manuscript
| | - Shuo-Ming Ou
- From the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,From the Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Tseng
- From the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,From the Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hua Lee
- From the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,From the Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yu Yang
- From the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,From the Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Pang Chang
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (Chang), Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Der-Cherng Tarng
- From the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,From the Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine (Tsai, Ou, Tseng, Lee, C-Y Yang, Tarng), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,From the Department and Institute of Physiology (Tarng), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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10
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Peng Q, Zhang G, Guo X, Dai L, Xiong M, Zhang Z, Chen L, Zhang Z. Galectin-9/Tim-3 pathway mediates dopaminergic neurodegeneration in MPTP-induced mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1046992. [DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1046992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is a crucial immunoregulatory mediator in the central nervous system. Microglial activation and neuroinflammation play a key role in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it remains unknown whether Gal-9 is involved in the pathogenesis of PD. We found that MPP+ treatment promoted the expression of Gal-9 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MIP-1α) in a concentration-dependent manner in BV2 cells. Gal-9 enhanced neurodegeneration and oxidative stress induced by MPP+ in SH-SY5Y cells and primary neurons. Importantly, deletion of Gal-9 or blockade of Tim-3 ameliorated microglial activation, reduced dopaminergic neuronal loss, and improved motor performance in an MPTP-induced mouse model of PD. These observations demonstrate a pathogenic role of the Gal-9/Tim-3 pathway in exacerbating microglial activation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the pathogenesis of PD.
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11
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Yang K, Yang T, Yang T, Yuan Y, Li F. Unraveling tumor microenvironment heterogeneity in malignant pleural mesothelioma identifies biologically distinct immune subtypes enabling prognosis determination. Front Oncol 2022; 12:995651. [PMID: 36237331 PMCID: PMC9552848 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.995651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and intractable disease exhibiting a remarkable intratumoral heterogeneity and dismal prognosis. Although immunotherapy has reshaped the therapeutic strategies for MPM, patients react with discrepant responsiveness. Methods Herein, we recruited 333 MPM patients from 5 various cohorts and developed an in-silico classification system using unsupervised Non-negative Matrix Factorization and Nearest Template Prediction algorithms. The genomic alterations, immune signatures, and patient outcomes were systemically analyzed across the external TCGA-MESO samples. Machine learning-based integrated methodology was applied to identify a gene classifier for clinical application. Results The gene expression profiling-based classification algorithm identified immune-related subtypes for MPMs. In comparison with the non-immune subtype, we validated the existence of abundant immunocytes in the immune subtype. Immune-suppressed MPMs were enriched with stroma fraction, myeloid components, and immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) as well exhibited increased TGF-β signature that informs worse clinical outcomes and reduced efficacy of anti-PD-1 treatment. The immune-activated MPMs harbored the highest lymphocyte infiltration, growing TCR and BCR diversity, and presented the pan-cancer immune phenotype of IFN-γ dominant, which confers these tumors with better drug response when undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. Genetically, BAP1 mutation was most commonly found in patients of immune-activated MPMs and was associated with a favorable outcome in a subtype-specific pattern. Finally, a robust 12-gene classifier was generated to classify MPMs with high accuracy, holding promise value in predicting patient survival. Conclusions We demonstrate that the novel classification system can be exploited to guide the identification of diverse immune subtypes, providing critical biological insights into the mechanisms driving tumor heterogeneity and responsible for cancer-related patient prognoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaidi Yang
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Sanya, China
- *Correspondence: Kaidi Yang, ; Fang Li,
| | - Tongxin Yang
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Sanya, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Sanya, China
| | - Ye Yuan
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Sanya, China
- *Correspondence: Kaidi Yang, ; Fang Li,
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12
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Du L, Bouzidi MS, Gala A, Deiter F, Billaud JN, Yeung ST, Dabral P, Jin J, Simmons G, Dossani Z, Niki T, Ndhlovu LC, Greenland JR, Pillai SK. Human Galectin-9 Potently Enhances SARS-CoV-2 Replication and Inflammation in Airway Epithelial Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.03.18.484956. [PMID: 35378763 PMCID: PMC8978940 DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.18.484956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has caused a global economic and health crisis. Recently, plasma levels of galectin-9 (Gal-9), a β-galactoside-binding lectin involved in immune regulation and viral immunopathogenesis, were reported to be elevated in the setting of severe COVID-19 disease. However, the impact of Gal-9 on SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunopathology remained to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that Gal-9 treatment potently enhances SARS-CoV-2 replication in human airway epithelial cells (AECs), including primary AECs in air-liquid interface (ALI) culture. Gal-9-glycan interactions promote SARS-CoV-2 attachment and entry into AECs in an ACE2-dependent manner, enhancing the binding affinity of the viral spike protein to ACE2. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Gal-9 and SARS-CoV-2 infection synergistically induce the expression of key pro-inflammatory programs in AECs including the IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, EIF2, and TNFα signaling pathways. Our findings suggest that manipulation of Gal-9 should be explored as a therapeutic strategy for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Importance COVID-19 continues to have a major global health and economic impact. Identifying host molecular determinants that modulate SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and pathology is a key step in discovering novel therapeutic approaches for COVID-19. Several recent studies have revealed that plasma concentrations of the human β-galactoside-binding protein galectin-9 (Gal-9) are highly elevated in COVID-19 patients. In this study, we investigated the impact of Gal-9 on SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis ex vivo in airway epithelial cells (AECs), the critical initial targets of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings reveal that Gal-9 potently enhances SARS-CoV-2 replication in AECs, interacting with glycans to enhance the binding between viral particles and entry receptors on the target cell surface. Moreover, we determined that Gal-9 accelerates and exacerbates several virus-induced pro-inflammatory programs in AECs that are established signature characteristics of COVID-19 disease and SARS-CoV-2-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Our findings suggest that Gal-9 is a promising pharmacological target for COVID-19 therapies.
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13
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Development and characterization of anti-galectin-9 antibodies that protect T cells from galectin-9-induced cell death. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101821. [PMID: 35283189 PMCID: PMC9006662 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies that target immune checkpoint proteins such as programmed cell death protein 1, programmed death ligand 1, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 in human cancers have achieved impressive clinical success; however, a significant proportion of patients fail to respond to these treatments. Galectin-9 (Gal-9), a β-galactoside-binding protein, has been shown to induce T-cell death and facilitate immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment by binding to immunomodulatory receptors such as T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain–containing molecule 3 and the innate immune receptor dectin-1, suggesting that it may have potential as a target for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we report the development of two novel Gal-9-neutralizing antibodies that specifically react with the N-carbohydrate-recognition domain of human Gal-9 with high affinity. We also show using cell-based functional assays that these antibodies efficiently protected human T cells from Gal-9-induced cell death. Notably, in a T-cell/tumor cell coculture assay of cytotoxicity, these antibodies significantly promoted T cell-mediated killing of tumor cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrate potent inhibition of human Gal-9 by neutralizing antibodies, which may open new avenues for cancer immunotherapy.
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14
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Harber J, Kamata T, Pritchard C, Fennell D. Matter of TIME: the tumor-immune microenvironment of mesothelioma and implications for checkpoint blockade efficacy. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e003032. [PMID: 34518291 PMCID: PMC8438820 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an incurable cancer with a dismal prognosis and few effective treatment options. Nonetheless, recent positive phase III trial results for immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in MPM herald a new dawn in the fight to advance effective treatments for this cancer. Tumor mutation burden (TMB) has been widely reported to predict ICB in other cancers, but MPM is considered a low-TMB tumor. Similarly, tumor programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression has not been proven predictive in phase III clinical trials in MPM. Consequently, the precise mechanisms that determine response to immunotherapy in this cancer remain unknown. The present review therefore aimed to synthesize our current understanding of the tumor immune microenvironment in MPM and reflects on how specific cellular features might impact immunotherapy responses or lead to resistance. This approach will inform stratified approaches to therapy and advance immunotherapy combinations in MPM to improve clinical outcomes further.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Harber
- Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester College of Life Sciences, Leicester, UK
| | - Tamihiro Kamata
- Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester College of Life Sciences, Leicester, UK
| | - Catrin Pritchard
- Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester College of Life Sciences, Leicester, UK
| | - Dean Fennell
- Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester College of Life Sciences, Leicester, UK
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15
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Depleting Tumor Cells Expressing Immune Checkpoint Ligands-A New Approach to Combat Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040872. [PMID: 33921301 PMCID: PMC8069236 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies against inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules (ICPMs), referred to as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have gained a prominent place in cancer therapy. Several ICIs in clinical use have been engineered to be devoid of effector functions because of the fear that ICIs with preserved effector functions could deplete immune cells, thereby curtailing antitumor immune responses. ICPM ligands (ICPMLs), however, are often overexpressed on a sizeable fraction of tumor cells of many tumor types and these tumor cells display an aggressive phenotype with changes typical of tumor cells undergoing an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Moreover, immune cells expressing ICPMLs are often endowed with immunosuppressive or immune-deviated functionalities. Taken together, these observations suggest that compounds with the potential of depleting cells expressing ICPMLs may become useful tools for tumor therapy. In this article, we summarize the current state of the art of these compounds, including avelumab, which is the only ICI targeting an ICPML with preserved effector functions that has gained approval so far. We also discuss approaches allowing to obtain compounds with enhanced tumor cell-depleting potential compared to native antibodies. Eventually, we propose treatment protocols that may be applied in order to optimize the therapeutic efficacy of compounds that deplete cells expressing ICPMLs.
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16
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Seastedt KP, Pruett N, Hoang CD. Mouse models for mesothelioma drug discovery and development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 16:697-708. [PMID: 33380218 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2021.1867530] [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: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mesothelioma is an aggressive mesothelial lining tumor. Available drug therapies include chemotherapeutic agents, targeted molecular therapies, and immune system modulators. Mouse models were instrumental in the discovery and evaluation of such therapies, but there is need for improved understanding of the role of inflammation, tumor heterogeneity, mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and the tumor microenvironment. Novel mouse models may provide new insights and drive drug therapy discovery that improves efficacy. AREAS COVERED This review concerns available mouse models for mesothelioma drug discovery and development including the advantages and disadvantages of each. Gaps in current knowledge of mesothelioma are highlighted, and future directions for mouse model research are considered. EXPERT OPINION Soon, CRISPR-Cas gene-editing will improve understanding of mesothelioma mechanisms foundational to the discovery and testing of efficacious therapeutic targets. There are at least two likely areas of upcoming methodology development. One is concerned with precise modeling of inflammation - is it a causal process whereby inflammatory signals contribute to tumor initiation, or is it a secondary passenger process driven by asbestos exposure effects? The other area of methods improvement regards the availability of humanized immunocompromised mice harboring patient-derived xenografts. Combining human tumors in an environment with human immune cells will enable rapid innovation in immuno-oncology therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth P Seastedt
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Nathanael Pruett
- Thoracic Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Chuong D Hoang
- Thoracic Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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17
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Alame M, Cornillot E, Cacheux V, Tosato G, Four M, De Oliveira L, Gofflot S, Delvenne P, Turtoi E, Cabello-Aguilar S, Nishiyama M, Turtoi A, Costes-Martineau V, Colinge J. The molecular landscape and microenvironment of salivary duct carcinoma reveal new therapeutic opportunities. Theranostics 2020; 10:4383-4394. [PMID: 32292502 PMCID: PMC7150470 DOI: 10.7150/thno.42986] [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: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare and aggressive salivary gland cancer subtype with poor prognosis. The mutational landscape of SDC has already been the object of several studies, however little is known regarding the functional genomics and the tumor microenvironment despite their importance in oncology. Our investigation aimed at describing both the functional genomics of SDC and the SDC microenvironment, along with their clinical relevance. Methods: RNA-sequencing (24 tumors), proteomics (17 tumors), immunohistochemistry (22 tumors), and multiplexed immunofluorescence (3 tumors) data were obtained from three different patient cohorts and analyzed by digital imaging and bioinformatics. Adjacent non-tumoral tissue from patients in two cohorts were used in transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. Results: Transcriptomic and proteomic data revealed the importance of Notch, TGF-β, and interferon-γ signaling for all SDCs. We confirmed an overall strong desmoplastic reaction by measuring α-SMA abundance, the level of which was associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS). Two distinct immune phenotypes were observed: immune-poor SDCs (36%) and immune-infiltrated SDCs (64%). Advanced bioinformatics analysis of the transcriptomic data suggested 72 ligand-receptor interactions occurred in the microenvironment and correlated with the immune phenotype. Among these interactions, three immune checkpoints were validated by immunofluorescence, including CTLA-4/DC86 and TIM-3/galectin-9 interactions, previously unidentified in SDC. Immunofluorescence analysis also confirmed an important immunosuppressive role of macrophages and NK cells, also supported by the transcriptomic data. Conclusions: Together our data significantly increase the understanding of SDC biology and open new perspectives for SDC tumor treatment. Before applying immunotherapy, patient stratification according to the immune infiltrate should be taken into account. Immune-infiltrated SDC could benefit from immune checkpoint-targeting therapy, with novel options such as anti-CTLA-4. Macrophages or NK cells could also be targeted. The dense stroma, i.e., fibroblasts or hyaluronic acid, may also be the focus for immune-poor SDC therapies, e.g. in combination with Notch or TGF-β inhibitors, or molecules targeting SDC mutations.
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18
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Chu GJ, van Zandwijk N, Rasko JEJ. The Immune Microenvironment in Mesothelioma: Mechanisms of Resistance to Immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1366. [PMID: 31867277 PMCID: PMC6908501 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although mesothelioma is the consequence of a protracted immune response to asbestos fibers and characterized by a clear immune infiltrate, novel immunotherapy approaches show less convincing results as compared to those seen in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. The immune suppressive microenvironment in mesothelioma is likely contributing to this therapy resistance. Therefore, it is important to explore the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment for explanations for this recalcitrant behavior. This review describes the stromal, cytokine, metabolic, and cellular milieu of mesothelioma, and attempts to make connection with the outcome of immunotherapy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard J. Chu
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Department of Immunology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nico van Zandwijk
- Sydney Medical School, Sydney Local Health District (Concord Repatriation General Hospital), University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John E. J. Rasko
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Cell & Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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