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Li Z, Li H, Fang K, Lin X, Yu C. Uncovering the link between human endogenous retroviruses, inflammatory pathways, and gastric cancer development. Cancer Biomark 2024:CBM230417. [PMID: 39331091 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-230417] [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: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endogenous retroviruses, previously deemed "junk" DNA, have gained attention in recent scientific studies. These inherited genomic elements are now recognized for their potential roles in diseases, especially cancer, highlighting their value as potential diagnostic or therapeutic targets. OBJECTIVE This research aims to explore the association between human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) and gastric cancer, focusing on discerning HERV expression patterns and understanding their implications in gastric cancer pathology. METHODS A quantitative analysis of HERV expression was conducted, employing Support Vector Machine (SVM) and AdaBoost algorithms to identify discriminative HERVs. The co-regulation network between protein-coding genes and HERVs was constructed using the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). RESULTS Three distinct HERVs (LTR16A|72|451, LTR91|636|874, LTR27D|87|222) were identified as significantly different. Strong correlations were found between HERVs, and gene sets enriched in the inflammatory pathway. CONCLUSIONS HERVs appear to influence abnormal inflammatory responses, suggesting a pivotal role in gastric cancer development.
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2
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Chisca M, Larouche JD, Xing Q, Kassiotis G. Antibodies against endogenous retroviruses. Immunol Rev 2024. [PMID: 39152687 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
The human genome harbors hundreds of thousands of integrations of ancient retroviruses, amassed over millions of years of evolution. To reduce further amplification in the genome, the host prevents transcription of these now endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) through epigenetic repression and, with evolutionary time, ERVs are incapacitated by accumulating mutations and deletions. However, several members of recently endogenized ERV groups still retain the capacity to produce viral RNA, retroviral proteins, and higher order structures, including virions. The retention of viral characteristics, combined with the reversible nature of epigenetic repression, particularly as seen in cancer, allow for immunologically unanticipated ERV expression, perceived by the adaptive immune system as a genuine retroviral infection, to which it has to respond. Accordingly, antibodies reactive with ERV antigens have been detected in diverse disorders and, occasionally, in healthy individuals. Although they are part of self, the retroviral legacy of ERV antigens, and association with and, possibly, causation of disease states may set them apart from typical self-antigens. Consequently, the pathogenic or, indeed, host-protective capacity of antibodies targeting ERV antigens is likely to be context-dependent. Here, we review the immunogenicity of typical ERV proteins, with emphasis on the antibody response and its potential disease implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Chisca
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Qi Xing
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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3
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Cocozza F, Martin‐Jaular L, Lippens L, Di Cicco A, Arribas YA, Ansart N, Dingli F, Richard M, Merle L, Jouve San Roman M, Poullet P, Loew D, Lévy D, Hendrix A, Kassiotis G, Joliot A, Tkach M, Théry C. Extracellular vesicles and co-isolated endogenous retroviruses from murine cancer cells differentially affect dendritic cells. EMBO J 2023; 42:e113590. [PMID: 38073509 PMCID: PMC10711651 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023113590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) and non-vesicular extracellular (nano)particles (NVEPs or ENPs) that may play a role in intercellular communication. Tumor-derived EVs have been proposed to induce immune priming of antigen presenting cells or to be immuno-suppressive agents. We suspect that such disparate functions are due to variable compositions in EV subtypes and ENPs. We aimed to characterize the array of secreted EVs and ENPs of murine tumor cell lines. Unexpectedly, we identified virus-like particles (VLPs) from endogenous murine leukemia virus in preparations of EVs produced by many tumor cells. We established a protocol to separate small EVs from VLPs and ENPs. We compared their protein composition and analyzed their functional interaction with target dendritic cells. ENPs were poorly captured and did not affect dendritic cells. Small EVs specifically induced dendritic cell death. A mixed large/dense EV/VLP preparation was most efficient to induce dendritic cell maturation and antigen presentation. Our results call for systematic re-evaluation of the respective proportions and functions of non-viral EVs and VLPs produced by murine tumors and their contribution to tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Cocozza
- INSERM U932, Institut Curie Centre de Recherche, PSL Research UniversityParisFrance
- Université de ParisParisFrance
| | - Lorena Martin‐Jaular
- INSERM U932, Institut Curie Centre de Recherche, PSL Research UniversityParisFrance
- Institut Curie Centre de RechercheCurieCoreTech Extracellular VesiclesParisFrance
| | - Lien Lippens
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Human Structure and RepairGhent University, and Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
| | - Aurelie Di Cicco
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico‐chimie CurieParisFrance
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR144, Cell and Tissue Imaging Facility (PICT‐IBiSA)ParisFrance
| | - Yago A Arribas
- INSERM U932, Institut Curie Centre de Recherche, PSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | - Nicolas Ansart
- INSERM U932, Institut Curie Centre de Recherche, PSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | - Florent Dingli
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Centre de Recherche, CurieCoreTech Spectrométrie de Masse ProtéomiqueParisFrance
| | - Michael Richard
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Centre de Recherche, CurieCoreTech Spectrométrie de Masse ProtéomiqueParisFrance
| | - Louise Merle
- INSERM U932, Institut Curie Centre de Recherche, PSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | | | - Patrick Poullet
- Institut Curie, Bioinformatics core facility (CUBIC), INSERM U900, PSL Research University, Mines Paris TechParisFrance
| | - Damarys Loew
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Centre de Recherche, CurieCoreTech Spectrométrie de Masse ProtéomiqueParisFrance
| | - Daniel Lévy
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168, Laboratoire Physico‐chimie CurieParisFrance
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR144, Cell and Tissue Imaging Facility (PICT‐IBiSA)ParisFrance
| | - An Hendrix
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Human Structure and RepairGhent University, and Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
| | - George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute and Department of Medicine, Faculty of MedicineImperial CollegeLondonUK
| | - Alain Joliot
- INSERM U932, Institut Curie Centre de Recherche, PSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | - Mercedes Tkach
- INSERM U932, Institut Curie Centre de Recherche, PSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | - Clotilde Théry
- INSERM U932, Institut Curie Centre de Recherche, PSL Research UniversityParisFrance
- Institut Curie Centre de RechercheCurieCoreTech Extracellular VesiclesParisFrance
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4
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Kazachenka A, Loong JH, Attig J, Young GR, Ganguli P, Devonshire G, Grehan N, Ciccarelli FD, Fitzgerald RC, Kassiotis G. The transcriptional landscape of endogenous retroelements delineates esophageal adenocarcinoma subtypes. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad040. [PMID: 37502711 PMCID: PMC10370457 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Most cancer types exhibit aberrant transcriptional activity, including derepression of retrotransposable elements (RTEs). However, the degree, specificity and potential consequences of RTE transcriptional activation may differ substantially among cancer types and subtypes. Representing one extreme of the spectrum, we characterize the transcriptional activity of RTEs in cohorts of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its precursor Barrett's esophagus (BE) from the OCCAMS (Oesophageal Cancer Clinical and Molecular Stratification) consortium, and from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas). We found exceptionally high RTE inclusion in the EAC transcriptome, driven primarily by transcription of genes incorporating intronic or adjacent RTEs, rather than by autonomous RTE transcription. Nevertheless, numerous chimeric transcripts straddling RTEs and genes, and transcripts from stand-alone RTEs, particularly KLF5- and SOX9-controlled HERVH proviruses, were overexpressed specifically in EAC. Notably, incomplete mRNA splicing and EAC-characteristic intronic RTE inclusion was mirrored by relative loss of the respective fully-spliced, functional mRNA isoforms, consistent with compromised cellular fitness. Defective RNA splicing was linked with strong transcriptional activation of a HERVH provirus on Chr Xp22.32 and defined EAC subtypes with distinct molecular features and prognosis. Our study defines distinguishable RTE transcriptional profiles of EAC, reflecting distinct underlying processes and prognosis, thus providing a framework for targeted studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jane Hc Loong
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Jan Attig
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - George R Young
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Facility, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Piyali Ganguli
- Cancer Systems Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ginny Devonshire
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nicola Grehan
- Early Cancer Institute, Hutchison Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francesca D Ciccarelli
- Cancer Systems Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca C Fitzgerald
- Early Cancer Institute, Hutchison Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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5
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Attig J, Pape J, Doglio L, Kazachenka A, Ottina E, Young GR, Enfield KS, Aramburu IV, Ng KW, Faulkner N, Bolland W, Papayannopoulos V, Swanton C, Kassiotis G. Human endogenous retrovirus onco-exaptation counters cancer cell senescence through calbindin. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e164397. [PMID: 37192000 PMCID: PMC10348765 DOI: 10.1172/jci164397] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased levels and diversity of human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) transcription characterize most cancer types and are linked with disease outcomes. However, the underlying processes are incompletely understood. Here, we show that elevated transcription of HERVH proviruses predicted survival of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and identified an isoform of CALB1, encoding calbindin, ectopically driven by an upstream HERVH provirus under the control of KLF5, as the mediator of this effect. HERVH-CALB1 expression was initiated in preinvasive lesions and associated with their progression. Calbindin loss in LUSC cell lines impaired in vitro and in vivo growth and triggered senescence, consistent with a protumor effect. However, calbindin also directly controlled the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), marked by secretion of CXCL8 and other neutrophil chemoattractants. In established carcinomas, CALB1-negative cancer cells became the dominant source of CXCL8, correlating with neutrophil infiltration and worse prognosis. Thus, HERVH-CALB1 expression in LUSC may display antagonistic pleiotropy, whereby the benefits of escaping senescence early during cancer initiation and clonal competition were offset by the prevention of SASP and protumor inflammation at later stages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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6
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Lee KH, Hwang HJ, Im YJ, Nam AR, Lee JW, Cho JY. New oncogenic functions of LINE1 retroelement as a ceRNA for tumor suppressive microRNA miR-126 on ENPP5. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286814. [PMID: 37352273 PMCID: PMC10289412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Retroelements (REs) had been considered 'Junk' until the encyclopedia of DNA elements (ENCODE) project demonstrated that most genome is functional. Although the function of retroelements has been reported in diverse cancers including human breast cancer (HBC) and subtypes, only a few studies have suggested the putative functions of REs via their random genome integration. A canine mammary tumor (CMT) has been highlighted due to the similarities in molecular and pathophysiology with HBC. This study investigated the putative roles of REs common in both HBC and CMT. The human LINE and HERV-K sequences harbor many miRNAs responsive elements (MREs) for tumor-suppressive miRNA such as let-7. We also observed that various MREs are exist in the ERV and LINE highly expressed in the transcriptome data of CMT as well as HBC sets. MREs against miR-126 were highly expressed in both HBC and CMT while the levels of miR-126 were down-regulated. Oppositely, the expression of miR-126 target genes was significantly up-regulated in the cancers. Moreover, cancer patients with an increased level of miR-126 showed better overall survival. The expression of ENPP5, a putative miR-126 target gene, was downregulated by miR-126 mimic. Importantly, overexpression of LINE fragment significantly suppressed miR-126 function on the target gene expression. We propose the functional role of REs expression in tumorigenesis as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) against tumor-suppressive miRNAs. This study provided pieces of evidence that LINE expression, even partial and fragmented, have a regulatory function in ENPP5 gene expression via the competition with miR-126.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Hoon Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeon-Ji Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Comparative Medicine Disease Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeo-Jin Im
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Comparative Medicine Disease Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - A-Reum Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Comparative Medicine Disease Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Woon Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Comparative Medicine Disease Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Yoel Cho
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Comparative Medicine Disease Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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7
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Petrone V, Fanelli M, Giudice M, Toschi N, Conti A, Maracchioni C, Iannetta M, Resta C, Cipriani C, Miele MT, Amati F, Andreoni M, Sarmati L, Rogliani P, Novelli G, Garaci E, Rasi G, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P, Minutolo A, Matteucci C, Balestrieri E, Grelli S. Expression profile of HERVs and inflammatory mediators detected in nasal mucosa as a predictive biomarker of COVID-19 severity. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1155624. [PMID: 37283924 PMCID: PMC10239953 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1155624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Our research group and others demonstrated the implication of the human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in SARS-CoV-2 infection and their association with disease progression, suggesting HERVs as contributing factors in COVID-19 immunopathology. To identify early predictive biomarkers of the COVID-19 severity, we analyzed the expression of HERVs and inflammatory mediators in SARS-CoV-2-positive and -negative nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs with respect to biochemical parameters and clinical outcome. Methods Residuals of swab samples (20 SARS-CoV-2-negative and 43 SARS-CoV-2-positive) were collected during the first wave of the pandemic and expression levels of HERVs and inflammatory mediators were analyzed by qRT-Real time PCR. Results The results obtained show that infection with SARS-CoV-2 resulted in a general increase in the expression of HERVs and mediators of the immune response. In particular, SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with increased expression of HERV-K and HERV-W, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, MCP-1, INF-γ, TLR-3, and TLR-7, while lower levels of IL-10, IFN-α, IFN-β, and TLR-4 were found in individuals who underwent hospitalization. Moreover, higher expression of HERV-W, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-α, and IFN-β reflected the respiratory outcome of patients during hospitalization. Interestingly, a machine learning model was able to classify hospitalized vs not hospitalized patients with good accuracy based on the expression levels of HERV-K, HERV-W, IL-6, TNF-a, TLR-3, TLR-7, and the N gene of SARS-CoV-2. These latest biomarkers also correlated with parameters of coagulation and inflammation. Discussion Overall, the present results suggest HERVs as contributing elements in COVID-19 and early genomic biomarkers to predict COVID-19 severity and disease outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vita Petrone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Fanelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Giudice
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Toschi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Allegra Conti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marco Iannetta
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Resta
- Respiratory Medicine Unit, Policlinic of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Cipriani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Martino Tony Miele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Amati
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Andreoni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Sarmati
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Rogliani
- Respiratory Medicine Unit, Policlinic of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Novelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Neuromed IRCCS Institute, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
- University of Nevada, Department of Pharmacology, Reno, NV, United States
| | | | - Guido Rasi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- National Research Council, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Minutolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Matteucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Balestrieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Virology Unit, Policlinic of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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8
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Abstract
Our defenses against infection rely on the ability of the immune system to distinguish invading pathogens from self. This task is exceptionally challenging, if not seemingly impossible, in the case of retroviruses that have integrated almost seamlessly into the host. This review examines the limits of innate and adaptive immune responses elicited by endogenous retroviruses and other retroelements, the targets of immune recognition, and the consequences for host health and disease. Contrary to theoretical expectation, endogenous retroelements retain substantial immunogenicity, which manifests most profoundly when their epigenetic repression is compromised, contributing to autoinflammatory and autoimmune disease and age-related inflammation. Nevertheless, recent evidence suggests that regulated immune reactivity to endogenous retroelements is integral to immune system development and function, underpinning cancer immunosurveillance, resistance to infection, and responses to the microbiota. Elucidation of the interaction points with endogenous retroelements will therefore deepen our understanding of immune system function and contribution to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom;
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Ng KW, Boumelha J, Enfield KSS, Almagro J, Cha H, Pich O, Karasaki T, Moore DA, Salgado R, Sivakumar M, Young G, Molina-Arcas M, de Carné Trécesson S, Anastasiou P, Fendler A, Au L, Shepherd STC, Martínez-Ruiz C, Puttick C, Black JRM, Watkins TBK, Kim H, Shim S, Faulkner N, Attig J, Veeriah S, Magno N, Ward S, Frankell AM, Al Bakir M, Lim EL, Hill MS, Wilson GA, Cook DE, Birkbak NJ, Behrens A, Yousaf N, Popat S, Hackshaw A, Hiley CT, Litchfield K, McGranahan N, Jamal-Hanjani M, Larkin J, Lee SH, Turajlic S, Swanton C, Downward J, Kassiotis G. Antibodies against endogenous retroviruses promote lung cancer immunotherapy. Nature 2023; 616:563-573. [PMID: 37046094 PMCID: PMC10115647 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05771-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
B cells are frequently found in the margins of solid tumours as organized follicles in ectopic lymphoid organs called tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS)1,2. Although TLS have been found to correlate with improved patient survival and response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), the underlying mechanisms of this association remain elusive1,2. Here we investigate lung-resident B cell responses in patients from the TRACERx 421 (Tracking Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Evolution Through Therapy) and other lung cancer cohorts, and in a recently established immunogenic mouse model for lung adenocarcinoma3. We find that both human and mouse lung adenocarcinomas elicit local germinal centre responses and tumour-binding antibodies, and further identify endogenous retrovirus (ERV) envelope glycoproteins as a dominant anti-tumour antibody target. ERV-targeting B cell responses are amplified by ICB in both humans and mice, and by targeted inhibition of KRAS(G12C) in the mouse model. ERV-reactive antibodies exert anti-tumour activity that extends survival in the mouse model, and ERV expression predicts the outcome of ICB in human lung adenocarcinoma. Finally, we find that effective immunotherapy in the mouse model requires CXCL13-dependent TLS formation. Conversely, therapeutic CXCL13 treatment potentiates anti-tumour immunity and synergizes with ICB. Our findings provide a possible mechanistic basis for the association of TLS with immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin W Ng
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Jesse Boumelha
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Katey S S Enfield
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Jorge Almagro
- Adult Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Hongui Cha
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Oriol Pich
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Takahiro Karasaki
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Metastasis Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - David A Moore
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Roberto Salgado
- Department of Pathology, ZAS Hospitals, Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Queensland, Australia
| | - Monica Sivakumar
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - George Young
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Facility, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Annika Fendler
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Lewis Au
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Scott T C Shepherd
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Carlos Martínez-Ruiz
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Clare Puttick
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - James R M Black
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Thomas B K Watkins
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Hyemin Kim
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seohee Shim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Nikhil Faulkner
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jan Attig
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Selvaraju Veeriah
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Neil Magno
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Sophia Ward
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Advanced Sequencing Facility, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Alexander M Frankell
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Maise Al Bakir
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Emilia L Lim
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Mark S Hill
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Gareth A Wilson
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Daniel E Cook
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Nicolai J Birkbak
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Axel Behrens
- Adult Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
- CRUK Convergence Science Centre, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Nadia Yousaf
- Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
- Lung Unit, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Sanjay Popat
- Lung Unit, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Allan Hackshaw
- Cancer Research UK and University College London Cancer Trials Centre, London, UK
| | - Crispin T Hiley
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Kevin Litchfield
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Tumour Immunogenomics and Immunosurveillance Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Nicholas McGranahan
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Mariam Jamal-Hanjani
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Metastasis Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - James Larkin
- Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
- Melanoma and Kidney Cancer Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Se-Hoon Lee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Samra Turajlic
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
- Melanoma and Kidney Cancer Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK.
- Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Julian Downward
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
| | - George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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10
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Yushkova E, Moskalev A. Transposable elements and their role in aging. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 86:101881. [PMID: 36773759 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are an important part of eukaryotic genomes. The role of somatic transposition in aging, carcinogenesis, and other age-related diseases has been determined. This review discusses the fundamental properties of TEs and their complex interactions with cellular processes, which are crucial for understanding the diverse effects of their activity on the genetics and epigenetics of the organism. The interactions of TEs with recombination, replication, repair, and chromosomal regulation; the ability of TEs to maintain a balance between their own activity and repression, the involvement of TEs in the creation of new or alternative genes, the expression of coding/non-coding RNA, and the role in DNA damage and modification of regulatory networks are reviewed. The contribution of the derepressed TEs to age-dependent effects in individual cells/tissues in different organisms was assessed. Conflicting information about TE activity under stress as well as theories of aging mechanisms related to TEs is discussed. On the one hand, transposition activity in response to stressors can lead to organisms acquiring adaptive innovations of great importance for evolution at the population level. On the other hand, the TE expression can cause decreased longevity and stress tolerance at the individual level. The specific features of TE effects on aging processes in germline and soma and the ways of their regulation in cells are highlighted. Recent results considering somatic mutations in normal human and animal tissues are indicated, with the emphasis on their possible functional consequences. In the context of aging, the correlation between somatic TE activation and age-related changes in the number of proteins required for heterochromatin maintenance and longevity regulation was analyzed. One of the original features of this review is a discussion of not only effects based on the TEs insertions and the associated consequences for the germline cell dynamics and somatic genome, but also the differences between transposon- and retrotransposon-mediated structural genome changes and possible phenotypic characteristics associated with aging and various age-related pathologies. Based on the analysis of published data, a hypothesis about the influence of the species-specific features of number, composition, and distribution of TEs on aging dynamics of different animal genomes was formulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Yushkova
- Laboratory of Geroprotective and Radioprotective Technologies, Institute of Biology, Komi Science Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 28 Kommunisticheskaya st., 167982 Syktyvkar, Russian Federation
| | - Alexey Moskalev
- Laboratory of Geroprotective and Radioprotective Technologies, Institute of Biology, Komi Science Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 28 Kommunisticheskaya st., 167982 Syktyvkar, Russian Federation; Laboratory of Genetics and Epigenetics of Aging, Russian Clinical Research Center for Gerontology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 129226, Russian Federation; Longaevus Technologies, London, UK.
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11
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Stricker E, Peckham-Gregory EC, Scheurer ME. HERVs and Cancer-A Comprehensive Review of the Relationship of Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Human Cancers. Biomedicines 2023; 11:936. [PMID: 36979914 PMCID: PMC10046157 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability and genetic mutations can lead to exhibition of several cancer hallmarks in affected cells such as sustained proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppression, activated invasion, deregulation of cellular energetics, and avoidance of immune destruction. Similar biological changes have been observed to be a result of pathogenic viruses and, in some cases, have been linked to virus-induced cancers. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), once external pathogens, now occupy more than 8% of the human genome, representing the merge of genomic and external factors. In this review, we outline all reported effects of HERVs on cancer development and discuss the HERV targets most suitable for cancer treatments as well as ongoing clinical trials for HERV-targeting drugs. We reviewed all currently available reports of the effects of HERVs on human cancers including solid tumors, lymphomas, and leukemias. Our review highlights the central roles of HERV genes, such as gag, env, pol, np9, and rec in immune regulation, checkpoint blockade, cell differentiation, cell fusion, proliferation, metastasis, and cell transformation. In addition, we summarize the involvement of HERV long terminal repeat (LTR) regions in transcriptional regulation, creation of fusion proteins, expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and promotion of genome instability through recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Stricker
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
| | | | - Michael E. Scheurer
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
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12
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Clinton NA, Hameed SA, Agyei EK, Jacob JC, Oyebanji VO, Jabea CE. Crosstalk between the Intestinal Virome and Other Components of the Microbiota, and Its Effect on Intestinal Mucosal Response and Diseases. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:7883945. [PMID: 36203793 PMCID: PMC9532165 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7883945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been ample evidence illustrating the effect of microbiota on gut immunity, homeostasis, and disease. Most of these studies have engaged more efforts in understanding the role of the bacteriome in gut mucosal immunity and disease. However, studies on the virome and its influence on gut mucosal immunity and pathology are still at infancy owing to limited metagenomic tools. Nonetheless, the existing studies on the virome have largely been focused on the bacteriophages as these represent the main component of the virome with little information on endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and eukaryotic viruses. In this review, we describe the gut virome, and its role in gut mucosal response and disease progression. We also explore the crosstalk between the virome and other microorganisms in the gut mucosa and elaborate on how these interactions shape the gut mucosal immunity going from bacteriophages through ERVs to eukaryotic viruses. Finally, we elucidate the potential contribution of this crosstalk in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Njinju Asaba Clinton
- Health and Empowerment Foundation, Cameroon
- Mbonge District Hospital, Cameroon
- University of Buea, Cameroon
| | | | - Eugene Kusi Agyei
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
| | | | | | - Cyril Ekabe Jabea
- Health and Empowerment Foundation, Cameroon
- Mbonge District Hospital, Cameroon
- University of Buea, Cameroon
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13
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Zhang M, Zheng S, Liang JQ. Transcriptional and reverse transcriptional regulation of host genes by human endogenous retroviruses in cancers. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:946296. [PMID: 35928153 PMCID: PMC9343867 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.946296] [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: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) originated from ancient retroviral infections of germline cells millions of years ago and have evolved as part of the host genome. HERVs not only retain the capacity as retroelements but also regulate host genes. The expansion of HERVs involves transcription by RNA polymerase II, reverse transcription, and re-integration into the host genome. Fast progress in deep sequencing and functional analysis has revealed the importance of domesticated copies of HERVs, including their regulatory sequences, transcripts, and proteins in normal cells. However, evidence also suggests the involvement of HERVs in the development and progression of many types of cancer. Here we summarize the current state of knowledge about the expression of HERVs, transcriptional regulation of host genes by HERVs, and the functions of HERVs in reverse transcription and gene editing with their reverse transcriptase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwen Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Second Affiliated Hospital, Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shu Zheng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Second Affiliated Hospital, Cancer Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shu Zheng,
| | - Jessie Qiaoyi Liang
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Gut Microbiota Research, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Jessie Qiaoyi Liang,
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14
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Grace BE, Backlund CM, Morgan DM, Kang BH, Singh NK, Huisman BD, Rappazzo CG, Moynihan KD, Maiorino L, Dobson CS, Kyung T, Gordon KS, Holec PV, Mbah OCT, Garafola D, Wu S, Love JC, Wittrup KD, Irvine DJ, Birnbaum ME. Identification of Highly Cross-Reactive Mimotopes for a Public T Cell Response in Murine Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:886683. [PMID: 35812387 PMCID: PMC9260506 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.886683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While immune checkpoint blockade results in durable responses for some patients, many others have not experienced such benefits. These treatments rely upon reinvigorating specific T cell-antigen interactions. However, it is often unknown what antigens are being recognized by T cells or how to potently induce antigen-specific responses in a broadly applicable manner. Here, we characterized the CD8+ T cell response to a murine model of melanoma following combination immunotherapy to determine the basis of tumor recognition. Sequencing of tumor-infiltrating T cells revealed a repertoire of highly homologous TCR sequences that were particularly expanded in treated mice and which recognized an antigen from an endogenous retrovirus. While vaccination against this peptide failed to raise a protective T cell response in vivo, engineered antigen mimotopes induced a significant expansion of CD8+ T cells cross-reactive to the original antigen. Vaccination with mimotopes resulted in killing of antigen-loaded cells in vivo yet showed modest survival benefit in a prophylactic vaccine paradigm. Together, this work demonstrates the identification of a dominant tumor-associated antigen and generation of mimotopes which can induce robust functional T cell responses that are cross-reactive to the endogenous antigen across multiple individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth E. Grace
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Coralie M. Backlund
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Duncan M. Morgan
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Byong H. Kang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Nishant K. Singh
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Brooke D. Huisman
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - C. Garrett Rappazzo
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Kelly D. Moynihan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Laura Maiorino
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Connor S. Dobson
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Taeyoon Kyung
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Khloe S. Gordon
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Patrick V. Holec
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Daniel Garafola
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Shengwei Wu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - J. Christopher Love
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - K. Dane Wittrup
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Darrell J. Irvine
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Michael E. Birnbaum
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Michael E. Birnbaum,
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15
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Fayzullina D, Kharwar RK, Acharya A, Buzdin A, Borisov N, Timashev P, Ulasov I, Kapomba B. FNC: An Advanced Anticancer Therapeutic or Just an Underdog? Front Oncol 2022; 12:820647. [PMID: 35223502 PMCID: PMC8867032 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.820647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Azvudine (FNC) is a novel cytidine analogue that has both antiviral and anticancer activities. This minireview focuses on its underlying molecular mechanisms of suppressing viral life cycle and cancer cell growth and discusses applications of this nucleoside drug for advanced therapy of tumors and malignant blood diseases. FNC inhibits positive-stand RNA viruses, like HCV, EV, SARS-COV-2, HBV, and retroviruses, including HIV, by suppressing their RNA-dependent polymerase enzymes. It may also inhibit such enzyme (reverse transcriptase) in the human retrotransposons, including human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). As the activation of retrotransposons can be the major factor of ongoing cancer genome instability and consequently higher aggressiveness of tumors, FNC has a potential to increase the efficacy of multiple anticancer therapies. Furthermore, FNC also showed other aspects of anticancer activity by inhibiting adhesion, migration, invasion, and proliferation of malignant cells. It was also reported to be involved in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, thereby inhibiting the progression of cancer through different pathways. To the date, the grounds of FNC effects on cancer cells are not fully understood and hence additional studies are needed for better understanding molecular mechanisms of its anticancer activities to support its medical use in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Fayzullina
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Rajesh Kumar Kharwar
- Endocrine Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Kutir Post Graduate College, Chakkey, Jaunpur, India
| | - Arbind Acharya
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Anton Buzdin
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nicolas Borisov
- Department of Medical and Biological Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Peter Timashev
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilya Ulasov
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Byron Kapomba
- Department of General Surgery, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Harare, Zimbabwe,*Correspondence: Byron Kapomba,
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16
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Vitiello GAF, Ferreira WAS, Cordeiro de Lima VC, Medina TDS. Antiviral Responses in Cancer: Boosting Antitumor Immunity Through Activation of Interferon Pathway in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:782852. [PMID: 34925363 PMCID: PMC8674309 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.782852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, it became apparent that cancers either associated with viral infections or aberrantly expressing endogenous retroviral elements (EREs) are more immunogenic, exhibiting an intense intra-tumor immune cell infiltration characterized by a robust cytolytic apparatus. On the other hand, epigenetic regulation of EREs is crucial to maintain steady-state conditions and cell homeostasis. In line with this, epigenetic disruptions within steady-state cells can lead to cancer development and trigger the release of EREs into the cytoplasmic compartment. As such, detection of viral molecules by intracellular innate immune sensors leads to the production of type I and type III interferons that act to induce an antiviral state, thus restraining viral replication. This knowledge has recently gained momentum due to the possibility of triggering intratumoral activation of interferon responses, which could be used as an adjuvant to elicit strong anti-tumor immune responses that ultimately lead to a cascade of cytokine production. Accordingly, several therapeutic approaches are currently being tested using this rationale to improve responses to cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we discuss the immune mechanisms operating in viral infections, show evidence that exogenous viruses and endogenous retroviruses in cancer may enhance tumor immunogenicity, dissect the epigenetic control of EREs, and point to interferon pathway activation in the tumor milieu as a promising molecular predictive marker and immunotherapy target. Finally, we briefly discuss current strategies to modulate these responses within tumor tissues, including the clinical use of innate immune receptor agonists and DNA demethylating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wallax Augusto Silva Ferreira
- Translational Immuno-Oncology Group, International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Cytogenomics and Environmental Mutagenesis, Environment Section (SAMAM), Evandro Chagas Institute, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | | | - Tiago da Silva Medina
- Translational Immuno-Oncology Group, International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Oncogenomics and Therapeutic Innovation, São Paulo, Brazil
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17
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Kasperek A, Béguin A, Bawa O, De Azevedo K, Job B, Massard C, Scoazec JY, Heidmann T, Heidmann O. Therapeutic potential of the human endogenous retroviral envelope protein HEMO: a pan-cancer analysis. Mol Oncol 2021; 16:1451-1473. [PMID: 34318590 PMCID: PMC8978518 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13069] [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: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses represent approximately 8% of our genome. Most of these sequences are defective except for a few genes such as the ancestral retroviral HEMO envelope gene (Human Endogenous MER34 ORF), recently characterized by our group. In this study, we characterized transcriptional activation of HEMO in primary tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and in metastatic tumors from a Gustave Roussy cohort. Pan‐cancer detection of the HEMO protein in a series of patient samples validated these results. Differential gene expression analysis in various TCGA datasets revealed a link between HEMO expression and activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, in particular in endometrial cancer. Studies on cell models led us to propose that the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway could act as an upstream regulator of this retroviral endogenous sequence in tumor condition. Characterization of transcriptomic profiles of both HEMOLow and HEMOHigh tumors suggested that activation of HEMO is negatively associated with immune response signatures. Taken together, these results highlight that HEMO, as an endogenous retroviral envelope protein specifically expressed in tumors, represents a promising tumor biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Kasperek
- CNRS UMR 9196, Laboratory of Physiology and Pathology of Infectious and Endogenous Retroviruses, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Anthony Béguin
- CNRS UMR 9196, Laboratory of Physiology and Pathology of Infectious and Endogenous Retroviruses, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Olivia Bawa
- PETRA platform, AMMICa, CNRS-UMS 3655 and INSERM-US23, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Kévin De Azevedo
- CNRS UMR 9196, Laboratory of Physiology and Pathology of Infectious and Endogenous Retroviruses, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Bastien Job
- Bioinformatic Core Facility, AMMICa, CNRS-UMS 3655 and INSERM-US23, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Christophe Massard
- Drug Development Department (DITEP), Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Jean-Yves Scoazec
- PETRA platform, AMMICa, CNRS-UMS 3655 and INSERM-US23, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France.,University Paris-Saclay, Faculty of Medicine, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, 94270, France.,Department of Pathology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Thierry Heidmann
- CNRS UMR 9196, Laboratory of Physiology and Pathology of Infectious and Endogenous Retroviruses, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Odile Heidmann
- CNRS UMR 9196, Laboratory of Physiology and Pathology of Infectious and Endogenous Retroviruses, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
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18
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Shah AH, Gilbert M, Ivan ME, Komotar RJ, Heiss J, Nath A. The role of human endogenous retroviruses in gliomas: from etiological perspectives and therapeutic implications. Neuro Oncol 2021; 23:1647-1655. [PMID: 34120190 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accounting for approximately 8% of the human genome, Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) have been implicated in a variety of cancers including gliomas. In normal cells, tight epigenetic regulation of HERVs prevent aberrant expression; however, in cancer cells, HERVs expression remains pervasive, suggesting a role of HERVs in oncogenic transformation. HERVs may contribute to oncogenesis in several ways including insertional mutagenesis, chromosomal rearrangements, proto-oncogene formation, and maintenance of stemness. On the other hand, recent data has suggested that reversing epigenetic silencing of HERVs may induce robust anti-tumor immune responses, suggesting HERVs' potential therapeutic utility in gliomas. By reversing epigenetic modifications that silence HERVs, DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors may stimulate a viral-mimicry cascade via HERV-derived dsRNA formation that induce interferon-mediated apoptosis. Leveraging this anti-tumor autoimmune response may be a unique avenue to target certain subsets of epigenetically-dysregulated gliomas. Nevertheless, the role of HERVs in gliomas as either arbitrators of oncogenesis or forerunners of the innate anti-tumor immune response remains unclear. Here, we review the role of HERVs in gliomas, their potential dichotomous function in propagating oncogenesis and stimulating the anti-tumor immune response and identify future directions for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish H Shah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
| | - Mark Gilbert
- Neuro-oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health
| | - Michael E Ivan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
| | - Ricardo J Komotar
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
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19
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Pisano MP, Grandi N, Tramontano E. Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) and Mammalian Apparent LTRs Retrotransposons (MaLRs) Are Dynamically Modulated in Different Stages of Immunity. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10050405. [PMID: 34062989 PMCID: PMC8147956 DOI: 10.3390/biology10050405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Human Endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and Mammalian Apparent LTRs Retrotransposons (MaLRs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections that represent a large fraction of our genome. The HERV and MaLR transcriptional activity is regulated in developmental stages, adult tissues, and pathological conditions. In this work, we used a bioinformatics approach based on RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to study the expression and modulation of HERVs and MaLR in a scenario of activation of the immune response. We analyzed transcriptome data from subjects before and after the administration of an inactivated vaccine against the Hantaan orthohantavirus, the causative agent of Korean hemorrhagic fever, to investigate the HERV and MaLR expression and differential expression in response to the administration of the vaccine. Specifically, we described the HERV transcriptome in PBMCs and identified HERV and MaLR loci differentially expressed after the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th inactivated vaccine administrations. We found that the expression of 545 HERV and MaLR elements increased in response to the vaccine and that the activation of several individual HERV and MaLR loci is specific for each vaccine administration and correlated to different genes and immune-related pathways.
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20
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Kordella C, Lamprianidou E, Kotsianidis I. Mechanisms of Action of Hypomethylating Agents: Endogenous Retroelements at the Epicenter. Front Oncol 2021; 11:650473. [PMID: 33768008 PMCID: PMC7985079 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.650473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal DNA methylation patterns are thought to drive the pathobiology of high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Sixteen years after their initial approval, the hypomethylating agents (HMAs), 5-azacytidine (AZA) and 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, remain the mainstay of treatment for HR-MDS and AML. However, a connection of the hypomethylating or additional effects of HMAs with clinical responses remains yet to be shown, and the mode of action of HMAs remains obscure. Given the relatively short-lived responses and the inevitable development of resistance in HMAs, a thorough understanding of the antineoplastic mechanisms employed by HMAs holds critical importance. Recent data in cancer cell lines demonstrate that reactivation of endogenous retroelements (EREs) and induction of a cell-intrinsic antiviral response triggered by RNA neotranscripts may underlie the antitumor activity of HMAs. However, data on primary CD34+ cells derived from patients with HR-MDS failed to confirm a link between HMA-mediated ERE modulation and clinical response. Though difficult to reconcile the apparent discrepancy, it is possible that HMAs mediate their effects in more advanced levels of differentiation where cells become responsive to interferon, whereas, inter-individual variations in the process of RNA editing and, in particular, in the ADAR1/OAS/RNase L pathway may also confound the associations of clinical response with the induction of viral mimicry. Further ex vivo studies along with clinical correlations in well-annotated patient cohorts are warranted to decipher the role of ERE derepression in the antineoplastic mechanisms of HMAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chryssoula Kordella
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Lamprianidou
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kotsianidis
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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21
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Díaz-Carballo D, Saka S, Acikelli AH, Homp E, Erwes J, Demmig R, Klein J, Schröer K, Malak S, D'Souza F, Noa-Bolaño A, Menze S, Pano E, Andrioff S, Teipel M, Dammann P, Klein D, Nasreen A, Tannapfel A, Grandi N, Tramontano E, Ochsenfarth C, Strumberg D. Enhanced antitumoral activity of TLR7 agonists via activation of human endogenous retroviruses by HDAC inhibitors. Commun Biol 2021; 4:276. [PMID: 33658617 PMCID: PMC7930250 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01800-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we are reporting that "Shock and Kill", a therapeutic approach designed to eliminate latent HIV from cell reservoirs, is extrapolatable to cancer therapy. This is based on the observation that malignant cells express a spectrum of human endogenous retroviral elements (HERVs) which can be transcriptionally boosted by HDAC inhibitors. The endoretroviral gene HERV-V2 codes for an envelope protein, which resembles syncytins. It is significantly overexpressed upon exposure to HDAC inhibitors and can be effectively targeted by simultaneous application of TLR7/8 agonists, triggering intrinsic apoptosis. We demonstrated that this synergistic cytotoxic effect was accompanied by the functional disruption of the TLR7/8-NFκB, Akt/PKB, and Ras-MEK-ERK signalling pathways. CRISPR/Cas9 ablation of TLR7 and HERV-V1/V2 curtailed apoptosis significantly, proving the pivotal role of these elements in driving cell death. The effectiveness of this new approach was confirmed in ovarian tumour xenograft studies, revealing a promising avenue for future cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Díaz-Carballo
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany.
| | - Sahitya Saka
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Ali H Acikelli
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Homp
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Julia Erwes
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Rebecca Demmig
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Klein
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Katrin Schröer
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Sascha Malak
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Flevy D'Souza
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Adrien Noa-Bolaño
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Saskia Menze
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Emilio Pano
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Swetlana Andrioff
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Marc Teipel
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
| | - Philip Dammann
- Central Animal Laboratory, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Diana Klein
- Institute of Cell Biology, Cancer Research, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Amber Nasreen
- Visceral Surgery Department, Marien Hospital Herne, Ruhr University Bochum Medical School, Herne, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Grandi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Crista Ochsenfarth
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Marien Hospital Herne, Ruhr-University Bochum Medical School, Herne, Germany
| | - Dirk Strumberg
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology and Oncology, Institute of Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Marien Hospital Herne, Herne, Germany
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22
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Minati R, Perreault C, Thibault P. A Roadmap Toward the Definition of Actionable Tumor-Specific Antigens. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583287. [PMID: 33424836 PMCID: PMC7793940 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) has considerably accelerated during the past decade due to the improvement of proteogenomic detection methods. This provides new opportunities for the development of novel antitumoral immunotherapies to mount an efficient T cell response against one or multiple types of tumors. While the identification of mutated antigens originating from coding exons has provided relatively few TSA candidates, the possibility of enlarging the repertoire of targetable TSAs by looking at antigens arising from non-canonical open reading frames opens up interesting avenues for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we outline the potential sources of TSAs and the mechanisms responsible for their expression strictly in cancer cells. In line with the heterogeneity of cancer, we propose that discrete families of TSAs may be enriched in specific cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Minati
- École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Claude Perreault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Pierre Thibault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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23
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Saini SK, Ørskov AD, Bjerregaard AM, Unnikrishnan A, Holmberg-Thydén S, Borch A, Jensen KV, Anande G, Bentzen AK, Marquard AM, Tamhane T, Treppendahl MB, Gang AO, Dufva IH, Szallasi Z, Ternette N, Pedersen AG, Eklund AC, Pimanda J, Grønbæk K, Hadrup SR. Human endogenous retroviruses form a reservoir of T cell targets in hematological cancers. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5660. [PMID: 33168830 PMCID: PMC7653045 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19464-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) form a substantial part of the human genome, but mostly remain transcriptionally silent under strict epigenetic regulation, yet can potentially be reactivated by malignant transformation or epigenetic therapies. Here, we evaluate the potential for T cell recognition of HERV elements in myeloid malignancies by mapping transcribed HERV genes and generating a library of 1169 potential antigenic HERV-derived peptides predicted for presentation by 4 HLA class I molecules. Using DNA barcode-labeled MHC-I multimers, we find CD8+ T cell populations recognizing 29 HERV-derived peptides representing 18 different HERV loci, of which HERVH-5, HERVW-1, and HERVE-3 have more profound responses; such HERV-specific T cells are present in 17 of the 34 patients, but less frequently in healthy donors. Transcriptomic analyses reveal enhanced transcription of the HERVs in patients; meanwhile DNA-demethylating therapy causes a small and heterogeneous enhancement in HERV transcription without altering T cell recognition. Our study thus uncovers T cell recognition of HERVs in myeloid malignancies, thereby implicating HERVs as potential targets for immunotherapeutic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar Saini
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas Due Ørskov
- Department of Haematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne-Mette Bjerregaard
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ashwin Unnikrishnan
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Staffan Holmberg-Thydén
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Haematology, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Annie Borch
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kathrine Valentini Jensen
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Govardhan Anande
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Amalie Kai Bentzen
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andrea Marion Marquard
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tripti Tamhane
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Anne Ortved Gang
- Department of Haematology, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Høgh Dufva
- Department of Haematology, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Zoltan Szallasi
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Bioinformatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Computational Health Informatics Program (CHIP), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicola Ternette
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anders Gorm Pedersen
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Bioinformatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Aron Charles Eklund
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Bioinformatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - John Pimanda
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Haematology Department, South Eastern Area Laboratory Services, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Kirsten Grønbæk
- Department of Haematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sine Reker Hadrup
- Department of Health Technology, Section of Experimental and Translational Immunology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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24
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Dolci M, Favero C, Toumi W, Favi E, Tarantini L, Signorini L, Basile G, Bollati V, D'Alessandro S, Bagnoli P, Ferrante P, Delbue S. Human Endogenous Retroviruses Long Terminal Repeat Methylation, Transcription, and Protein Expression in Human Colon Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:569015. [PMID: 33194657 PMCID: PMC7653092 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.569015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in both incidence and mortality in developed countries. Infectious agents are among the risk factors for colon cancer. Variations in human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) transcript and protein levels are associated with several types of cancers, but few studies address HERV expression in colon cancer. Fifty-eight patients with advanced-stage colon cancer were enrolled in this study. HERV-H, -K (HML-2), -P LTRs, Alu, and LINE-1 methylation levels and transcription of HERV-H, -K (HML-2), and -P env and HERV-K pol genes in normal adjacent and tumor tissues were investigated by pyrosequencing and RT-qPCR, respectively. Expression of the HERV-K (HML-2) Pol and Env proteins in selected tissues was examined by Western blotting. Associations between HERV transcript expression and methylation levels and between clinical characteristics and HERV expression were evaluated. Compared to adjacent normal tissues, LINE-1 was hypomethylated in tumor tissues (p < 0.05), whereas Alu, HERV-K (HML-2), and -H LTRs showed a decreasing trend in tumor tissue compared to normal tissue, though without a significant difference. The transcription levels of HERV env and pol genes were similar. However, the HERV-K (HML-2) Pol protein was more highly expressed (p < 0.01) in surrounding normal tissues, but the HERV-K (HML-2) Env protein was only expressed in tumor tissues. Although HERV LTR methylation and gene expression did not show significant differences between tumor and normal tissues, HERV protein expression differed greatly. Pol protein expression in normal cells may induce reverse transcription and subsequent integration into the host genome, likely favoring cell transformation; in contrast, the Env protein in tumor tissue may contribute to cancer progression through cell-to-cell fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dolci
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Favero
- EPIGET-Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Wafa Toumi
- Laboratory Services, Viral and Molecular Tumor Diagnostics Unit, Habib Thameur Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Evaldo Favi
- Renal Transplantation, Fondazione Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Letizia Tarantini
- EPIGET-Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Signorini
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Basile
- Orthopedic Department, San Siro Clinical Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Bollati
- EPIGET-Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sarah D'Alessandro
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Bagnoli
- Surgical Department, Istituto Clinico Città Studi, Milan, Italy
| | - Pasquale Ferrante
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Delbue
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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25
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Liu CH, Grandi N, Palanivelu L, Tramontano E, Lin LT. Contribution of Human Retroviruses to Disease Development-A Focus on the HIV- and HERV-Cancer Relationships and Treatment Strategies. Viruses 2020; 12:E852. [PMID: 32759845 PMCID: PMC7472297 DOI: 10.3390/v12080852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal retroviruses are known for their transforming potential, and this is also true for the ones hosted by humans, which have gathered expanding attention as one of the potent causative agents in various disease, including specific cancer types. For instance, Human T Lymphotropic virus (HTLV) is a well-studied class of oncoviruses causing T cell leukemia, while human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is linked to a series of defining cancers including Kaposi sarcoma, certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cervical cancer. Of note, in addition to these "modern" exogenous retroviruses, our genome harbors a staggering number of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). HERVs are the genetic remnants of ancient retroviral germline infection of human ancestors and are typically silenced in normal tissues due to inactivating mutations and sequence loss. While some HERV elements have been appropriated and contribute to human physiological functions, others can be reactivated through epigenetic dysregulations to express retroviral elements and promote carcinogenesis. Conversely, HERV replication intermediates or protein products can also serve as intrinsic pathogen-associated molecular patterns that cause the immune system to interpret it as an exogenous infection, thereby stimulating immune responses against tumors. As such, HERVs have also been targeted as a potential internal strategy to sensitize tumor cells for promising immunotherapies. In this review, we discuss the dynamic role of human retroviruses in cancer development, focusing on HIV and HERVs contribution. We also describe potential treatment strategies, including immunotherapeutic targeting of HERVs, inhibiting DNA methylation to expose HERV signatures, and the use of antiretroviral drugs against HIV and HERVs, which can be employed as prospective anti-cancer modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hsuan Liu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Nicole Grandi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (N.G.); (E.T.)
| | - Lalitha Palanivelu
- International Master Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (N.G.); (E.T.)
| | - Liang-Tzung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
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26
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Salavatiha Z, Soleimani-Jelodar R, Jalilvand S. The role of endogenous retroviruses-K in human cancer. Rev Med Virol 2020; 30:1-13. [PMID: 32734655 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
It is known that human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) constitute almost 8% of the human genome. Although the expression of HERVs from the human genome is tightly regulated, different exogenous and endogenous factors could trigger HERV activation. Aberrant expression of different HERVs may potentially cause a variety of diseases such as neurological and autoimmune diseases as well as cancer. It is suggested that HERV-K can induce cancer through different mechanisms that are discussed. The interplay between some tumor viruses and HERV-K seems to be a key player in progression of viral-associated cancers because elevated levels of Rec and Np9 proteins are observed in several cancers. The frequent over expression of HERV proteins and some specific antibodies in cancer cells could be considered as suitable prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers in diagnosis and treatment of cancers. The expression of HERV proteins in cancers and development of immune responses against them may also be used as targets for cancer immunotherapy. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the role of HERVs in cancer formation and use of different HERV proteins in developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Salavatiha
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rahim Soleimani-Jelodar
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Jalilvand
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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27
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Xue B, Sechi LA, Kelvin DJ. Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HML-2) in Health and Disease. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1690. [PMID: 32765477 PMCID: PMC7380069 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are derived from exogenous retrovirus infections in the evolution of primates and account for about 8% of the human genome. They were considered as silent passengers within our genomes for a long time, however, reactivation of HERVs has been associated with tumors and autoimmune diseases, especially the HERV-K (HML-2) family, the most recent integration groups with the least number of mutations and the most biologically active to encode functional retroviral proteins and produce retrovirus-like particles. Increasing studies are committed to determining the potential role of HERV-K (HML-2) in pathogenicity. Although there is still no evidence for HERV-K (HML-2) as a direct cause of diseases, aberrant expression profiles of the HERV-K (HML-2) transcripts and their regulatory function to their proximal host-genes were identified in different diseases. In this review, we summarized the advances between HERV-K (HML-2) and diseases to provide basis for further studies on the causal relationship between HERV-K (HML-2) and diseases. We recommended more attention to polymorphic integrated HERV-K (HML-2) loci which could be genetic causative factors and be associated with inter-individual differences in tumorigenesis and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Xue
- Division of Immunology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Leonardo A. Sechi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - David J. Kelvin
- Division of Immunology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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28
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Human Endogenous Retrovirus K in Cancer: A Potential Biomarker and Immunotherapeutic Target. Viruses 2020; 12:v12070726. [PMID: 32640516 PMCID: PMC7412025 DOI: 10.3390/v12070726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In diseases where epigenetic mechanisms are changed, such as cancer, many genes show altered gene expression and inhibited genes become activated. Human endogenous retrovirus type K (HERV-K) expression is usually inhibited in normal cells from healthy adults. In tumor cells, however, HERV-K mRNA expression has been frequently documented to increase. Importantly, HERV-K-derived proteins can act as tumor-specific antigens, a class of neoantigens, and induce immune responses in different types of cancer. In this review, we describe the function of the HERV-K HML-2 subtype in carcinogenesis as biomarkers, and their potential as targets for cancer immunotherapy.
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Abstract
Exosomes are small, single-membrane, secreted organelles of ∼30 to ∼200 nm in diameter that have the same topology as the cell and are enriched in selected proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and glycoconjugates. Exosomes contain an array of membrane-associated, high-order oligomeric protein complexes, display pronounced molecular heterogeneity, and are created by budding at both plasma and endosome membranes. Exosome biogenesis is a mechanism of protein quality control, and once released, exosomes have activities as diverse as remodeling the extracellular matrix and transmitting signals and molecules to other cells. This pathway of intercellular vesicle traffic plays important roles in many aspects of human health and disease, including development, immunity, tissue homeostasis, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, viruses co-opt exosome biogenesis pathways both for assembling infectious particles and for establishing host permissiveness. On the basis of these and other properties, exosomes are being developed as therapeutic agents in multiple disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Michiel Pegtel
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pathology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Stephen J Gould
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA;
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Merrick BA, Phadke DP, Bostrom MA, Shah RR, Wright GM, Wang X, Gordon O, Pelch KE, Auerbach SS, Paules RS, DeVito MJ, Waalkes MP, Tokar EJ. KRAS-retroviral fusion transcripts and gene amplification in arsenic-transformed, human prostate CAsE-PE cancer cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 397:115017. [PMID: 32344290 PMCID: PMC7606314 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
CAsE-PE cells are an arsenic-transformed, human prostate epithelial line containing oncogenic mutations in KRAS compared to immortalized, normal KRAS parent cells, RWPE-1. We previously reported increased copy number of mutated KRAS in CAsE-PE cells, suggesting gene amplification. Here, KRAS flanking genomic and transcriptomic regions were sequenced in CAsE-PE cells for insight into KRAS amplification. Comparison of DNA-Seq and RNA-Seq showed increased reads from background aligning to all KRAS exons in CAsE-PE cells, while a uniform DNA-Seq read distribution occurred in RWPE-1 cells with normal transcript expression. We searched for KRAS fusions in DNA and RNA sequencing data finding a portion of reads aligning to KRAS and viral sequence. After generation of cDNA from total RNA, short and long KRAS probes were generated to hybridize cDNA and KRAS enriched fragments were PacBio sequenced. More KRAS reads were captured from CAsE-PE cDNA versus RWPE-1 by each probe set. Only CAsE-PE cDNA showed KRAS viral fusion transcripts, primarily mapping to LTR and endogenous retrovirus sequences on either 5'- or 3'-ends of KRAS. Most KRAS viral fusion transcripts contained 4 to 6 exons but some PacBio sequences were in unusual orientations, suggesting viral insertions within the gene body. Additionally, conditioned media was extracted for potential retroviral particles. RNA-Seq of culture media isolates identified KRAS retroviral fusion transcripts in CAsE-PE media only. Truncated KRAS transcripts suggested multiple retroviral integration sites occurred within the KRAS gene producing KRAS retroviral fusions of various lengths. Findings suggest activation of endogenous retroviruses in arsenic carcinogenesis should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Alex Merrick
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States.
| | - Dhiral P Phadke
- Sciome, LLC, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Meredith A Bostrom
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
| | - Ruchir R Shah
- Sciome, LLC, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Garron M Wright
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
| | - Xinguo Wang
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
| | - Oksana Gordon
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
| | - Katherine E Pelch
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Scott S Auerbach
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Richard S Paules
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Michael J DeVito
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Michael P Waalkes
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Erik J Tokar
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
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31
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Lee AK, Pan D, Bao X, Hu M, Li F, Li CY. Endogenous Retrovirus Activation as a Key Mechanism of Anti-Tumor Immune Response in Radiotherapy. Radiat Res 2020; 193:305-317. [PMID: 32074012 DOI: 10.1667/rade-20-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The generation of DNA double-strand breaks has historically been taught as the mechanism through which radiotherapy kills cancer cells. Recently, radiation-induced cytosolic DNA release and activation of the cGAS/STING pathway, with ensuing induction of interferon secretion and immune activation, have been recognized as important mechanisms for radiation-mediated anti-tumor efficacy. Here we demonstrate that radiation-induced activation of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) also plays a major role in regulating the anti-tumor immune response during irradiation. Radiation-induced ERV-associated dsRNA transcription and subsequent activation of the innate antiviral MDA5/MAVS/TBK1 pathway led to downstream transcription of interferon-stimulated genes. Additionally, genetic knockout of KAP1, a chromatin modulator responsible for suppressing ERV transcription sites within the genome, enhanced the effect of radiation-induced anti-tumor response in vivo in two different tumor models. This anti-tumor response was immune-mediated and required an intact host immune system. Our findings indicate that radiation-induced ERV-dsRNA expression and subsequent immune response play critical roles in clinical radiotherapy, and manipulation of epigenetic regulators and the dsRNA-sensing innate immunity pathway could be promising targets to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy and cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Graduate School, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | | | | | | | - Chuan-Yuan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Graduate School, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Dermatology.,Department of Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
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Endogenous Retroviruses Activity as a Molecular Signature of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20236050. [PMID: 31801288 PMCID: PMC6928979 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20236050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genetic elements resulting from relics of ancestral infection of germline cells, now recognized as cofactors in the etiology of several complex diseases. Here we present a review of findings supporting the role of the abnormal HERVs activity in neurodevelopmental disorders. The derailment of brain development underlies numerous neuropsychiatric conditions, likely starting during prenatal life and carrying on during subsequent maturation of the brain. Autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, and schizophrenia are neurodevelopmental disorders that arise clinically during early childhood or adolescence, currently attributed to the interplay among genetic vulnerability, environmental risk factors, and maternal immune activation. The role of HERVs in human embryogenesis, their intrinsic responsiveness to external stimuli, and the interaction with the immune system support the involvement of HERVs in the derailed neurodevelopmental process. Although definitive proofs that HERVs are involved in neurobehavioral alterations are still lacking, both preclinical models and human studies indicate that the abnormal expression of ERVs could represent a neurodevelopmental disorders-associated biological trait in affected individuals and their parents.
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The Concomitant Expression of Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Embryonic Genes in Cancer Cells under Microenvironmental Changes is a Potential Target for Antiretroviral Drugs. CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT 2019; 12:105-118. [PMID: 31691184 DOI: 10.1007/s12307-019-00231-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In our genomes there are thousands of copies of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) originated from the integration of exogenous retroviruses that infected germ line cells millions of years ago, and currently an altered expression of this elements has been associated to the onset, progression and acquisition of aggressiveness features of many cancers. The transcriptional reactivation of HERVs is mainly an effect of their responsiveness to some factors in cell microenvironment, such as nutrients, hormones and cytokines. We have already demonstrated that, under pressure of microenvironmental changes, HERV-K (HML-2) activation is required to maintain human melanoma cell plasticity and CD133+ cancer stem cells survival. In the present study, the transcriptional activity of HERV-K (HML-2), HERV-H, CD133 and the embryonic transcription factors OCT4, NANOG and SOX2 was evaluated during the in vitro treatment with antiretroviral drugs in cells from melanoma, liver and lung cancers exposed to microenvironmental changes. The exposure to stem cell medium induced a phenotype switching with the generation of sphere-like aggregates, characterized by the concomitant increase of HERV-K (HML-2) and HERV-H, CD133 and embryonic genes transcriptional activity. Although with heterogenic response among the different cell lines, the in vitro treatment with antiretroviral drugs affected HERVs transcriptional activity in parallel with the reduction of CD133 and embryonic genes expression, clonogenic activity and cell growth, accompanied by the induction of apoptosis. The responsiveness to antiretroviral drugs treatment of cancer cells with stemness features and expressing HERVs suggests the use of these drugs as innovative approach to treat aggressive tumours in combination with chemotherapeutic/radiotherapy regimens.
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Horváth KB, Boros Á, Kálmán E, Pankovics P, Delwart E, Reuter G. Characterization of an integrated, endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus-like (MMTV) betaretrovirus genome in a black Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2019; 75:103995. [PMID: 31404669 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.103995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Retroviruses (family Retroviridae) are important agents of humans and animals. This study reports the detection and complete genome characterization of a novel endogenous retrovirus from the black Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) with a squamous cell skin tumor. The proviral genome, tentatively named black Syrian hamster retrovirus (BSHRV/2013/HUN, MK304634), was 8784 nucleotide in length with typical full-length betaretrovirus genome organization of 5'LTR-gag-pro-pol-env-3'LTR and with a characteristic mouse mammary tumor virus-like (MMTV) betaretrovirus dUTPase domain but without a sag gene. The BSHRV gag (534aa), pro/pol (~1099aa) and env (672aa) proteins had 56%/63%/50% aa identity to the corresponding proteins of MMTV (AF228552). The proviral DNA is detectable in tumor as well as in tumor-free cells by conventional PCR and qPCR but only visible in the tumor cells by in situ hybridization. Low level retroviral RNA expression was found only in the DNase-treated RNA tumor samples using RT/nested PCR. BSHRV/2013/HUN-like betaretrovirus DNA was also identified from a faecal and tissue samples from 1 of the further 3 tested individuals by nested-PCR and qPCR. Further research is needed to investigate the distribution, activity and etiological role of this novel MMTV-like betaretrovirus species in hamster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin B Horváth
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Regional Laboratory of Virology, National Reference Laboratory of Gastroenteric Viruses, ÁNTSZ Regional Institute of State Public Health Service, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ákos Boros
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Regional Laboratory of Virology, National Reference Laboratory of Gastroenteric Viruses, ÁNTSZ Regional Institute of State Public Health Service, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Endre Kálmán
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Péter Pankovics
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Regional Laboratory of Virology, National Reference Laboratory of Gastroenteric Viruses, ÁNTSZ Regional Institute of State Public Health Service, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Eric Delwart
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gábor Reuter
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Regional Laboratory of Virology, National Reference Laboratory of Gastroenteric Viruses, ÁNTSZ Regional Institute of State Public Health Service, Pécs, Hungary.
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35
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Attig J, Young GR, Hosie L, Perkins D, Encheva-Yokoya V, Stoye JP, Snijders AP, Ternette N, Kassiotis G. LTR retroelement expansion of the human cancer transcriptome and immunopeptidome revealed by de novo transcript assembly. Genome Res 2019; 29:1578-1590. [PMID: 31537638 PMCID: PMC6771403 DOI: 10.1101/gr.248922.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated endogenous retroelements (EREs) are increasingly implicated in the initiation, progression, and immune surveillance of human cancer. However, incomplete knowledge of ERE activity limits mechanistic studies. By using pan-cancer de novo transcript assembly, we uncover the extent and complexity of ERE transcription. The current assembly doubled the number of previously annotated transcripts overlapping with long-terminal repeat (LTR) elements, several thousand of which were expressed specifically in one or a few related cancer types. Exemplified in melanoma, LTR-overlapping transcripts were highly predictable, disease prognostic, and closely linked with molecularly defined subtypes. They further showed the potential to affect disease-relevant genes, as well as produce novel cancer-specific antigenic peptides. This extended view of LTR elements provides the framework for functional validation of affected genes and targets for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Attig
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - George R. Young
- Retrovirus-Host Interactions, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Hosie
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - David Perkins
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Vesela Encheva-Yokoya
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan P. Stoye
- Retrovirus-Host Interactions, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom;,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Ambrosius P. Snijders
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Ternette
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom;,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
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36
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Extracellular Vesicles Released by Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines Modulate Innate Immune Response in Zebrafish Model: The Possible Role of Human Endogenous Retroviruses. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153669. [PMID: 31357477 PMCID: PMC6695895 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important components of the metastatic niche and are crucial in infiltration, metastasis, and immune tolerance processes during tumorigenesis. We hypothesized that human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) positive EVs derived from tumor cellsmay have a role in modulating the innate immune response. The study was conducted in two different colorectal cancer cell lines, representing different stages of cancer development: Caco-2, derived from a non-metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma, and SK-CO-1, derived from metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma (ascites). Both cell lines were treated with decitabine to induce global hypomethylation and to reactivate HERV expression. EVs were quantified by nanoparticle tracking analysis, and HERV-positive EV concentrations were measured by flow cytometry. The effect of EVs isolated from both untreated and decitabine-treated cells on the innate immune response was evaluated by injecting them in zebrafish embryos and then assessing Interleukin 1β (IL1-β), Interleukin 10 (IL-10), and the myeloperoxidase (mpx) expression levels by real-time qPCR. Interestingly, HERV-K positive EVs concentrations were significantly associated with a reduced expression of IL1-β and mpx, supporting our hypothesis that HERV-positive EVs may act as immunomodulators in tumor progression. The obtained results open new perspectives about the modulation of the immune response in cancer therapy.
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37
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Neil JA, Cadwell K. The Intestinal Virome and Immunity. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 201:1615-1624. [PMID: 30181300 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1800631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The composition of the human microbiome is considered a major source of interindividual variation in immunity and, by extension, susceptibility to diseases. Intestinal bacteria have been the major focus of research. However, diverse communities of viruses that infect microbes and the animal host cohabitate the gastrointestinal tract and collectively constitute the gut virome. Although viruses are typically investigated as pathogens, recent studies highlight a relationship between the host and animal viruses in the gut that is more akin to host-microbiome interactions and includes both beneficial and detrimental outcomes for the host. These viruses are likely sources of immune variation, both locally and extraintestinally. In this review, we describe the components of the gut virome, in particular mammalian viruses, and their ability to modulate host responses during homeostasis and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Neil
- Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016; and Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Ken Cadwell
- Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016; and Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
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Honda T, Takemoto K, Ueda K. Identification of a Retroelement-Containing Human Transcript Induced in the Nucleus by Vaccination. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20122875. [PMID: 31200438 PMCID: PMC6627062 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20122875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroelements constitute almost half of the mammalian genome. Given that more than 60% of human genomic bases are transcribed, transcripts containing these retroelements may impact various biological processes. However, the physiological roles of most retroelement-containing transcripts are yet to be revealed. Here, we profiled the expression of retroelement-containing human transcripts during vaccination and found that vaccination upregulated transcripts containing only particular retroelements, such as the MLT-int element of endogenous retroviruses. MLT-int-containing transcripts were distributed mainly in the nucleus, suggesting their unique roles in the nucleus. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MLT-int RNA suppressed interferon promoter activity in the absence of immune stimuli. Based on these lines of evidence, we speculate a model of a role of the previously unnoticed MLT-int element in preventing excess innate immune activation after elimination of immune stimuli. Our results may emphasize the importance of retroelement-containing transcripts in maintaining host immune homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Honda
- Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Keiko Takemoto
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8397, Japan.
| | - Keiji Ueda
- Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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Goswami R, Subramanian G, Silayeva L, Newkirk I, Doctor D, Chawla K, Chattopadhyay S, Chandra D, Chilukuri N, Betapudi V. Gene Therapy Leaves a Vicious Cycle. Front Oncol 2019; 9:297. [PMID: 31069169 PMCID: PMC6491712 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The human genetic code encrypted in thousands of genes holds the secret for synthesis of proteins that drive all biological processes necessary for normal life and death. Though the genetic ciphering remains unchanged through generations, some genes get disrupted, deleted and or mutated, manifesting diseases, and or disorders. Current treatment options—chemotherapy, protein therapy, radiotherapy, and surgery available for no more than 500 diseases—neither cure nor prevent genetic errors but often cause many side effects. However, gene therapy, colloquially called “living drug,” provides a one-time treatment option by rewriting or fixing errors in the natural genetic ciphering. Since gene therapy is predominantly a viral vector-based medicine, it has met with a fair bit of skepticism from both the science fraternity and patients. Now, thanks to advancements in gene editing and recombinant viral vector development, the interest of clinicians and pharmaceutical industries has been rekindled. With the advent of more than 12 different gene therapy drugs for curing cancer, blindness, immune, and neuronal disorders, this emerging experimental medicine has yet again come in the limelight. The present review article delves into the popular viral vectors used in gene therapy, advances, challenges, and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reena Goswami
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States
| | - Gayatri Subramanian
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Liliya Silayeva
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States
| | - Isabelle Newkirk
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States
| | - Deborah Doctor
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States
| | - Karan Chawla
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Saurabh Chattopadhyay
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Dhyan Chandra
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Nageswararao Chilukuri
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States
| | - Venkaiah Betapudi
- Neuroscience Branch, Research Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen, MD, United States.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Close to the Bedside: A Systematic Review of Endogenous Retroviruses and Their Impact in Oncology. J Surg Res 2019; 240:145-155. [PMID: 30933828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genetic elements in the human genome, which resulted from ancient retroviral germline infections. HERVs have strong transcriptional promoters and enhancers that affect a cell's transcriptome. They also encode proteins that can exert effects in human cells. This review examines how our increased understanding of HERVs have led to their potential use as biomarkers and immunologic targets. MATERIAL AND METHODS PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were used in a systematic search to identify all articles studying the potential impact of HERVs on surgical diseases. The search included studies that involved clinical patient samples in diseases including cancer, inflammatory conditions, and autoimmune disease. Articles focused on conditions not routinely managed by surgeons were excluded. RESULTS Eighty six articles met inclusion and quality criteria for this review and were included. Breast cancer and melanoma have robust evidence regarding the use of HERVs as potential tumor markers and immunologic targets. Reported evidence of the activity of HERVs in colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular cancer, prostate and ovarian cancer, germ cell tumors as well as idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, and the inflammatory response in burns was also reviewed. CONCLUSIONS Increasingly convincing evidence indicates that HERVs may play a role in solid organ malignancy and present important biomarkers or immunologic targets in multiple cancers. Innovative investigation of HERVs is a valuable focus of translational research and can deepen our understanding of cellular physiology and the effects of endogenous retroviruses on human biology. As strategies for treatment continue to focus on genome-based interventions, understanding the impact of endogenous retroviruses on human disease will be critical.
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Li W, Lin L, Malhotra R, Yang L, Acharya R, Poss M. A computational framework to assess genome-wide distribution of polymorphic human endogenous retrovirus-K In human populations. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006564. [PMID: 30921327 PMCID: PMC6456218 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Endogenous Retrovirus type K (HERV-K) is the only HERV known to be insertionally polymorphic; not all individuals have a retrovirus at a specific genomic location. It is possible that HERV-Ks contribute to human disease because people differ in both number and genomic location of these retroviruses. Indeed viral transcripts, proteins, and antibody against HERV-K are detected in cancers, auto-immune, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, attempts to link a polymorphic HERV-K with any disease have been frustrated in part because population prevalence of HERV-K provirus at each polymorphic site is lacking and it is challenging to identify closely related elements such as HERV-K from short read sequence data. We present an integrated and computationally robust approach that uses whole genome short read data to determine the occupation status at all sites reported to contain a HERV-K provirus. Our method estimates the proportion of fixed length genomic sequence (k-mers) from whole genome sequence data matching a reference set of k-mers unique to each HERV-K locus and applies mixture model-based clustering of these values to account for low depth sequence data. Our analysis of 1000 Genomes Project Data (KGP) reveals numerous differences among the five KGP super-populations in the prevalence of individual and co-occurring HERV-K proviruses; we provide a visualization tool to easily depict the proportion of the KGP populations with any combination of polymorphic HERV-K provirus. Further, because HERV-K is insertionally polymorphic, the genome burden of known polymorphic HERV-K is variable in humans; this burden is lowest in East Asian (EAS) individuals. Our study identifies population-specific sequence variation for HERV-K proviruses at several loci. We expect these resources will advance research on HERV-K contributions to human diseases. Human Endogenous Retrovirus type K (HERV-K) is the youngest of retrovirus families in the human genome and is the only group of endogenous retroviruses that has polymorphic members; a locus containing a HERV-K can be occupied in one individual but empty in others. HERV-Ks could contribute to disease risk or pathogenesis but linking one of the known polymorphic HERV-K to a specific disease has been difficult. We develop an easy to use method that reveals the considerable variation existing among global populations in the prevalence of individual and co-occurring polymorphic HERV-K, and in the number of HERV-K that any individual has in their genome. Our study provides a reference of diversity for the currently known polymorphic HERV-K in global populations and tools needed to determine the profile of all known polymorphic HERV-K in the genome of any patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiling Li
- The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Statistics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Raunaq Malhotra
- The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Raj Acharya
- The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
- School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
| | - Mary Poss
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Mage RG, Esteves PJ, Rader C. Rabbit models of human diseases for diagnostics and therapeutics development. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 92:99-104. [PMID: 30339876 PMCID: PMC6364550 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This review presents some examples of studies using the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) that have led to, and continue to, contribute to advancement of understanding of human diseases as well as therapeutics development. In addition, we tabulate FDA-approved rabbit polyclonal and rabbit monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that are used for diagnostic applications, as well as an overview of some "humanized" or otherwise altered rabbit mAbs that are in initial phase I, II, or advanced to phase III clinical trials. Information about endogenous retriviruses learned from studies of rabbits and other members of the order Lagomorpha are summarized as this knowledge now applies to new therapeutics being developed for several human diseases including Multiple Sclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes and Cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose G Mage
- Laboratory of Immune System Biology, NIAID, NIH, Bldg 10 11N311, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-1892, USA.
| | - Pedro J Esteves
- CIBIO, InBIO, Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde (CESPU), Gandra, Portugal
| | - Christoph Rader
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
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Complete Endogenous Retrovirus Genome Sequence from a Brazilian Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus). Microbiol Resour Announc 2019; 8:MRA01497-18. [PMID: 30643896 PMCID: PMC6328669 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01497-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The strain Desmodus rotundusendogenous retrovirus (DrERV) QR09 was obtained from a bat tissue sample collected from Desmodus rotundus in the Brazilian rain forest. The complete genome was sequenced using the next-generation sequencing strategy. The strain Desmodus rotundusendogenous retrovirus (DrERV) QR09 was obtained from a bat tissue sample collected from Desmodus rotundus in the Brazilian rain forest. The complete genome was sequenced using the next-generation sequencing strategy. The full-length genome of DrERV QR09 is 8,256 nucleotides in length and showed high similarity with other DrERVs.
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44
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Bourque G, Burns KH, Gehring M, Gorbunova V, Seluanov A, Hammell M, Imbeault M, Izsvák Z, Levin HL, Macfarlan TS, Mager DL, Feschotte C. Ten things you should know about transposable elements. Genome Biol 2018; 19:199. [PMID: 30454069 PMCID: PMC6240941 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-018-1577-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 647] [Impact Index Per Article: 107.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are major components of eukaryotic genomes. However, the extent of their impact on genome evolution, function, and disease remain a matter of intense interrogation. The rise of genomics and large-scale functional assays has shed new light on the multi-faceted activities of TEs and implies that they should no longer be marginalized. Here, we introduce the fundamental properties of TEs and their complex interactions with their cellular environment, which are crucial to understanding their impact and manifold consequences for organismal biology. While we draw examples primarily from mammalian systems, the core concepts outlined here are relevant to a broad range of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Bourque
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, H3A 0G1, Canada.
- Canadian Center for Computational Genomics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, H3A 0G1, Canada.
| | - Kathleen H Burns
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Mary Gehring
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Vera Gorbunova
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Andrei Seluanov
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Molly Hammell
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
| | - Michaël Imbeault
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henry L Levin
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Todd S Macfarlan
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Dixie L Mager
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency and Department of Medical Genetics, University of BC, Vancouver, BC, V5Z1L3, Canada
| | - Cédric Feschotte
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA.
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45
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Ottina E, Levy P, Eksmond U, Merkenschlager J, Young GR, Roels J, Stoye JP, Tüting T, Calado DP, Kassiotis G. Restoration of Endogenous Retrovirus Infectivity Impacts Mouse Cancer Models. Cancer Immunol Res 2018; 6:1292-1300. [PMID: 30143537 PMCID: PMC6485373 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models have been instrumental in establishing fundamental principles of cancer initiation and progression and continue to be invaluable in the discovery and further development of cancer therapies. Nevertheless, important aspects of human disease are imperfectly approximated in mouse models, notably the involvement of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). Replication-defective ERVs, present in both humans and mice, may affect tumor development and antitumor immunity through mechanisms not involving infection. Here, we revealed an adverse effect of murine ERVs with restored infectivity on the behavior of mouse cancer models. In contrast to human cancer, where infectious ERVs have never been detected, we found that ERV infectivity was frequently restored in transplantable, as well as genetic, mouse cancer models. Such replication-competent, ERV-derived retroviruses were responsible for unusually high expression of retroviral nucleic acids and proteins in mouse cancers. Infectious ERV-derived retroviruses produced by mouse cancer cells could directly infect tumor-infiltrating host immune cells and fundamentally modified the host's immune defenses to cancer, as well as the outcome of immunotherapy. Therefore, infectious retroviruses, variably arising in mouse cancer models, but not in human cancer, have the potential to confound many immunologic studies and should be considered as a variable, if not altogether avoided. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(11); 1292-300. ©2018 AACR.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Endogenous Retroviruses/pathogenicity
- Female
- Leukemia Virus, Murine/genetics
- Leukemia Virus, Murine/pathogenicity
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/pathology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred CBA
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/virology
- Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/genetics
- Retroviridae Infections/virology
- Viral Tropism/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Ottina
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Prisca Levy
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Urszula Eksmond
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - George R Young
- Retrovirus-Host Interactions, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Juliette Roels
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Jonathan P Stoye
- Retrovirus-Host Interactions, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Tüting
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dinis P Calado
- Immunity and Cancer Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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46
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Matteucci C, Balestrieri E, Argaw-Denboba A, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P. Human endogenous retroviruses role in cancer cell stemness. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:17-30. [PMID: 30317035 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer incidence and mortality, metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence are still the critical issues of oncological diseases. In this scenario, increasing scientific evidences demonstrate that the activation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) is involved in the aggressiveness of tumors such as melanoma, breast, germ cell, renal, ovarian, liver and haematological cancers. In their dynamic regulation, HERVs have also proved to be important determinants of pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells (ESC) and of the reprogramming process of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In many types of tumors, essential characteristics of aggressiveness have been associated with the achievement of stemness features, often accompanied with the identification of defined subpopulations, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), which possess stem cell-like properties and sustain tumorigenesis. Indeed, CSCs show high self-renewal capacity with a peculiar potential in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, heterogeneity, recurrence, radiotherapy and drug resistance. However, HERVs role in CSCs biology is still not fully elucidated. In this regard, CD133 is a widely recognized marker of CSCs, and our group demonstrated, for the first time, the requirement of HERV-K activation to expand and maintain a CD133+ melanoma cell subpopulation with stemness features in response to microenvironmental modifications. The review will discuss HERVs expression as cancer hallmark, with particular focus on their role in the regulation of cancer stemness features and the potential involvement as targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Matteucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Balestrieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Ayele Argaw-Denboba
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
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47
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Balestrieri E, Argaw-Denboba A, Gambacurta A, Cipriani C, Bei R, Serafino A, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P, Matteucci C. Human Endogenous Retrovirus K in the Crosstalk Between Cancer Cells Microenvironment and Plasticity: A New Perspective for Combination Therapy. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1448. [PMID: 30013542 PMCID: PMC6036167 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal activation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) has been associated with several diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity, and neurological disorders. In particular, in cancer HERV activity and expression have been specifically associated with tumor aggressiveness and patient outcomes. Cancer cell aggressiveness is intimately linked to the acquisition of peculiar plasticity and heterogeneity based on cell stemness features, as well as on the crosstalk between cancer cells and the microenvironment. The latter is a driving factor in the acquisition of aggressive phenotypes, associated with metastasis and resistance to conventional cancer therapies. Remarkably, in different cell types and stages of development, HERV expression is mainly regulated by epigenetic mechanisms and is subjected to a very precise temporal and spatial regulation according to the surrounding microenvironment. Focusing on our research experience with HERV-K involvement in the aggressiveness and plasticity of melanoma cells, this perspective aims to highlight the role of HERV-K in the crosstalk between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. The implications for a combination therapy targeted at HERVs with standard approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Balestrieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Ayele Argaw-Denboba
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gambacurta
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Cipriani
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Annalucia Serafino
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Matteucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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48
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ALSUntangled 45: Antiretrovirals. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2018; 19:630-634. [PMID: 29693424 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1465248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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49
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Grandi N, Tramontano E. HERV Envelope Proteins: Physiological Role and Pathogenic Potential in Cancer and Autoimmunity. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:462. [PMID: 29593697 PMCID: PMC5861771 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are relics of ancient infections accounting for about the 8% of our genome. Despite their persistence in human DNA led to the accumulation of mutations, HERVs are still contributing to the human transcriptome, and a growing number of findings suggests that their expression products may have a role in various diseases. Among HERV products, the envelope proteins (Env) are currently highly investigated for their pathogenic properties, which could likely be participating to several disorders with complex etiology, particularly in the contexts of autoimmunity and cancer. In fact, HERV Env proteins have been shown, on the one side, to trigger both innate and adaptive immunity, prompting inflammatory, cytotoxic and apoptotic reactions; and, on the other side, to prevent the immune response activation, presenting immunosuppressive properties and acting as immune downregulators. In addition, HERV Env proteins have been shown to induce abnormal cell-cell fusion, possibly contributing to tumor development and metastasizing processes. Remarkably, even highly defective HERV env genes and alternative env splicing variants can provide further mechanisms of pathogenesis. A well-known example is the HERV-K(HML2) env gene that, depending on the presence or the absence of a 292-bp deletion, can originate two proteins of different length (Np9 and Rec) proposed to have oncogenic properties. The understanding of their involvement in complex pathological disorders made HERV Env proteins potential targets for therapeutic interventions. Of note, a monoclonal antibody directed against a HERV-W Env is currently under clinical trial as therapeutic approach for multiple sclerosis, representing the first HERV-based treatment. The present review will focus on the current knowledge of the HERV Env expression, summarizing its role in human physiology and its possible pathogenic effects in various cancer and autoimmune disorders. It moreover analyzes HERV Env possible exploitation for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Grandi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Cagliari, Italy
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50
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Bannert N, Hofmann H, Block A, Hohn O. HERVs New Role in Cancer: From Accused Perpetrators to Cheerful Protectors. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:178. [PMID: 29487579 PMCID: PMC5816757 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Initial indications that retroviruses are connected to neoplastic transformation were seen more than a century ago. This concept has also been tested for endogenized retroviruses (ERVs) that are abundantly expressed in many transformed cells. In healthy cells, ERV expression is commonly prevented by DNA methylation and other epigenetic control mechanisms. ERVs are remnants of former exogenous forms that invaded the germ line of the host and have since been vertically transmitted. Several examples of ERV-induced genomic recombination events and dysregulation of cellular genes that contribute to tumor formation have been well documented. Moreover, evidence is accumulating that certain ERV proteins have oncogenic properties. In contrast to these implications for supporting cancer induction, a recent string of papers has described favorable outcomes of increasing human ERV (HERV) RNA and DNA abundance by treatment of cancer cells with methyltransferase inhibitors. Analogous to an infecting agent, the ERV-derived nucleic acids are sensed in the cytoplasm and activate innate immune responses that drive the tumor cell into apoptosis. This "viral mimicry" induced by epigenetic drugs might offer novel therapeutic approaches to help target cancer cells that are normally difficult to treat using standard chemotherapy. In this review, we discuss both the detrimental and the new beneficial role of HERV reactivation in terms of its implications for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Bannert
- HIV and Other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henning Hofmann
- HIV and Other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Adriana Block
- HIV and Other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Hohn
- HIV and Other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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