Annihilation of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer by NKG2D CAR-T Cells Produced from T Cells from Peripheral Blood of Healthy Donors

Exosomal transfer of HCC-derived miR-17-5p downregulates NK cell function by targeting RUNX1-NKG2D axis

OBJECTIVE

Natural killer (NK) cells are an integral part of the staunch defense line against malignant tumors within the tumor microenvironment. Existing research indicates that miRNAs can influence the development of NK cells by negatively modulating gene expression. In this study, we aim to explore how the miR-17-5p in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) exosomes regulates the killing function of NK cells towards HCC cells through the transcription factor RNX1.

METHODS

The exosomes were isolated from HCC tissues and cell lines, followed by a second generation sequencing to compare differential miRNAs. Verification was performed using qRT-PCR and Western blot methods. The mutual interactions between miR-17-5p and RUNX1, as well as between RUNX1 and NKG2D, were authenticated using techniques like luciferase reporter gene assays, Western blotting, and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP). The cytotoxic activity of NK cells towards HCC cells in vitro was measured using methods such as RTCA and ELISPOT. The zebrafish xenotransplantation was utilized to assess the in vivo killing capacity of NK cells against HCC cells.

RESULTS

The level of miR-17-5p in exosomes from HCC tissue increased compared to adjacent tissues. We verified that RUNX1 was a target of miR-17-5p and that RUNX1 enhances the transcription of NKG2D. MiR-17-5p was found to downregulate the expression of RUNX1 and NKG2D, subsequently reducing the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic capabilities of NK cells against HCC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The miR-17-5p found within HCC exosomes can target RUNX1, subsequently attenuating the cytotoxic activity of NK cells.

APOC1 reduced anti-PD-1 immunotherapy of nonsmall cell lung cancer via the transformation of M2 into M1 macrophages by ferroptosis by NRF2/HO-1

The treatment strategy for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has always been a hot topic of concern, and its treatment strategies are also emerging. This experiment wants to know the effects of apolipoprotein C1 (APOC1) in immunotherapy of NSCLC. APOC1 mRNA and protein expression were upregulated in lung cancer tissue of patients with NSCLC. programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) mRNA expression was negatively correlated with PD-1 mRNA expression in patients. The survival rate of APOC1 high expression was lower than that of low expression in patients with NSCLC. APOC1 gene reduced the transformation of M2 into M1 macrophages (TMMM). APOC1 gene promoted cell growth, and the gene reduced ferroptosis of NSCLC. APOC1-induced nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (NRF2/HO-1) signaling pathway. Sh-APOC1 gene reduced cell growth in mice of NSCLC through the inhibition of NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathway. The inhibition of NRF2 reduced the TMMM by APOC1. The activation of NRF2 reduced the TMMM by si-APOC1. In conclusion, APOC1 reduced anti-PD-1 immunotherapy of NSCLC via the TMMM by ferroptosis by NRF2/HO-1, suggesting that targeting this mechanism of APOC1 may be a feasible strategy for anti-PD-1 immunotherapy for NSCLC.