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Ooi SL, Micalos PS, Kim J, Pak SC. Rice bran arabinoxylan compound as a natural product for cancer treatment - an evidence-based assessment of the effects and mechanisms. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2024; 62:367-393. [PMID: 38745507 PMCID: PMC11097709 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2024.2349042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAC) is a natural immunomodulator with anticancer properties. OBJECTIVE This study critically evaluates the available evidence on the biological pathways of RBAC and its effects on cancer treatment. METHODS This secondary analysis of a scoping review includes studies evaluating the mechanisms of RBAC on healthy or malignant cells, animal models, or humans for cancer prevention or treatment. Data from randomized controlled trials on survival and quality of life outcomes were subjectd to meta analysis. RESULTS The evidence synthesis was based on 38 articles. RBAC exhibited antitumor properties by promoting apoptosis and restoring immune function in cancer patients to enhance inflammatory and cytotoxic responses to block tumorigenesis. RBAC works synergistically with chemotherapeutic agents by upregulating drug transport. In a clinical trial, combining RBAC with chemoembolization in treating liver cancer showed improved response, reduced recurrence rates, and prolonged survival. RBAC also augments the endogenous antioxidant system to prevent oxidative stress and protect against radiation side effects. In addition, RBAC has chemoprotective effects. Animals and humans have exhibited reduced toxicity and side effects from chemotherapy. Meta analysis indicates that RBAC treatment increases the survival odds by 4.02-times (95% CI: 1.67, 9.69) in the first year and 2.89-times (95% CI: 1.56, 5.35) in the second year. CONCLUSION RBAC is a natural product with immense potential in cancer treatment. Additional research is needed to characterize, quantify, and standardize the active ingredients in RBAC responsible for the anticancer effects. More well-designed, large-scale clinical trials are required to substantiate the treatment efficacies further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Liang Ooi
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst,Australia
| | - Peter S. Micalos
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie, Australia
| | - Jeanman Kim
- STR Biotech Co. Ltd, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sok Cheon Pak
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst,Australia
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Lu Y, Sun Y, Zhang J, Kong M, Zhao Z, Sun B, Wang Y, Jiang Y, Chen S, Wang C, Tong Y, Wen L, Huang M, Wu F, Zhang L. The deubiquitinase USP2a promotes tumor immunosuppression by stabilizing immune checkpoint B7-H4 in lung adenocarcinoma harboring EGFR-activating mutants. Cancer Lett 2024; 596:217020. [PMID: 38849009 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
B7-H4 is an immune checkpoint crucial for inhibiting CD8+ T-cell activity. A clinical trial is underway to investigate B7-H4 as a potential immunotherapeutic agent. However, the regulatory mechanism of B7-H4 degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) remains poorly understood. In this study, we discovered that proteasome inhibitors effectively increased B7-H4 expression, while EGFR-activating mutants promoted B7-H4 expression through the UPP. We screened B7-H4 binding proteins by co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry and found that USP2a acted as a deubiquitinase of B7-H4 by removing K48- and K63-linked ubiquitin chains from B7-H4, leading to a reduction in B7-H4 degradation. EGFR mutants enhanced B7-H4 stability by upregulating USP2a expression. We further investigated the role of USP2a in tumor growth in vivo. Depletion of USP2a in L858R/LLC cells inhibited tumor cell proliferation, consequently suppressing tumor growth in immune-deficient nude mice by destabilizing downstream molecules such as Cyclin D1. In an immune-competent C57BL/6 mouse tumor model, USP2a abrogation facilitated infiltration of CD95+CD8+ effector T cells and hindered infiltration of Tim-3+CD8+ and LAG-3+CD8+ exhausted T cells by destabilizing B7-H4. Clinical lung adenocarcinoma samples showed a significant correlation between B7-H4 abundance and USP2a expression, indicating the contribution of the EGFR/USP2a/B7-H4 axis to tumor immunosuppression. In summary, this study elucidates the dual effects of USP2a in tumor growth by stabilizing Cyclin D1, promoting tumor cell proliferation, and stabilizing B7-H4, contributing to tumor immunosuppression. Therefore, USP2a represents a potential target for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwei Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Miao Kong
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiming Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Boshu Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai Zhaxin Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaomu Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yin Tong
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangzhu Wen
- He Cheng Biotechnology Suzhou Co.Ltd, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Moli Huang
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fengying Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Liang Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Sun T, Liu B, Cai L, Zhou Y, Yang W, Li Y. Suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA), a HDAC inhibitor, suppresses the effect of Treg cells by targeting the c-Myc/CCL1 pathway in glioma stem cells and improves PD-L1 blockade therapy. J Neurooncol 2024; 168:457-471. [PMID: 38652401 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-024-04689-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE A strong immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) represents the major barrier responsible for the failure of current immunotherapy approaches in treating Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). Within the TME, the regulatory T cells (Tregs) exert immunosuppressive effects on CD8+ T cell - mediated anti-cancer immune killing. Consequently, targeting and inhibiting their immunosuppressive function emerges as an effective therapeutic strategy for GBM. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms and effects of Suberanilohydroxamic Acid (SAHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on immunosuppressive Tregs. METHODS The tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the immunocompetent GBM intracranial implanted xenograft mouse model were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry techniques. The mRNA expressions were assessed through the RT-qPCR method, while the related protein expressions were determined using western blot, ELISA, immunofluorescence (IF), and flow cytometry techniques. The relationship between c-Myc and C-C motif Chemokine Ligand 1 (CCL1) promotor was validated through a dual-luciferase reporter assay system and chromatin immunoprecipitation. RESULTS SAHA suppressed effectively tumor growth and extended significantly overall survival in the immunocompetent GBM intracranial xenograft mouse model. Additionally, it promoted the infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes while suppressed the infiltration of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs. Furthermore, SAHA enhanced anti-PD-L1 immune therapy in the intracranial xenograft of mice. Mechanistically, SAHA exerted its effects by inhibiting histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), thereby suppressing the binding between c-Myc and the CCL1 promotor. CONCLUSION SAHA inhibited the binding of c-Myc with the CCL1 promoter and then suppressed the transcription of CCL1.Additionally, it effectively blocked the interplay of CCL1-CCR8, resulting in reduced activity of Tregs and alleviation of tumor immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Sun
- The Department of Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bin Liu
- The Department of Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- The Department of Neurosurgery at Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, Qinghai Province, China
| | - Lize Cai
- The Department of Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Youxin Zhou
- The Department of Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Yang
- The State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine at, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Yanyan Li
- The Department of Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Shi Y, Sun Y, Seki A, Rutz S, Koerber JT, Wang J. A real-time antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis assay by live cell imaging. J Immunol Methods 2024; 531:113715. [PMID: 38936465 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2024.113715] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) is a cellular process by which antibody-opsonized targets (pathogens or cells) activate the Fc receptors on the surface of phagocytes to induce phagocytosis, resulting in internalization and degradation of pathogens or target cells through phagosome acidification. Besides NK cells-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), tumor-infiltrated monocytes and macrophages can directly kill tumor cells in the presence of tumor antigen-specific antibodies through ADCP, representing another attractive strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Even though several methods have been developed to measure ADCP, an automated and high-throughput quantitative assay should offer highly desirable advantages for drug discovery. In this study we established a new ADCP assay to identify therapeutical monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that facilitate macrophages phagocytosis of live target cells. We used Incucyte, an imaging system for live cell analysis. By labeling the live target cells with a pH sensitive dye (pHrodo), we successfully monitored the ADCP in real time. We demonstrated that our image-based assay is robust and quantitative, suitable for screening and characterization of therapeutical mAbs that directly kill target cells through ADCP. Furthermore, we found different subtypes of macrophages have distinct ADCP activities using both mouse and human primary macrophages differentiated in vitro. By studying various mAbs with mutations in their Fc regions using our assay, we showed that the variants with increased binding to Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) have enhanced ADCP activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchang Shi
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yonglian Sun
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Akiko Seki
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Sascha Rutz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - James T Koerber
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jianyong Wang
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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5
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Mpekris F, Panagi M, Charalambous A, Voutouri C, Stylianopoulos T. Modulating cancer mechanopathology to restore vascular function and enhance immunotherapy. Cell Rep Med 2024:101626. [PMID: 38944037 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101626] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Solid tumor pathology, characterized by abnormalities in the tumor microenvironment (TME), challenges therapeutic effectiveness. Mechanical factors, including increased tumor stiffness and accumulation of intratumoral forces, can determine the success of cancer treatments, defining the tumor's "mechanopathology" profile. These abnormalities cause extensive vascular compression, leading to hypoperfusion and hypoxia. Hypoperfusion hinders drug delivery, while hypoxia creates an unfavorable TME, promoting tumor progression through immunosuppression, heightened metastatic potential, drug resistance, and chaotic angiogenesis. Strategies targeting TME mechanopathology, such as vascular and stroma normalization, hold promise in enhancing cancer therapies with some already advancing to the clinic. Normalization can be achieved using anti-angiogenic agents, mechanotherapeutics, immune checkpoint inhibitors, engineered bacterial therapeutics, metronomic nanomedicine, and ultrasound sonopermeation. Here, we review the methods developed to rectify tumor mechanopathology, which have even led to cures in preclinical models, and discuss their bench-to-bedside translation, including the derivation of biomarkers from tumor mechanopathology for personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fotios Mpekris
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Myrofora Panagi
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Antonia Charalambous
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Chrysovalantis Voutouri
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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Yang M, Cui M, Sun Y, Liu S, Jiang W. Mechanisms, combination therapy, and biomarkers in cancer immunotherapy resistance. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:338. [PMID: 38898505 PMCID: PMC11186190 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01711-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Anti-programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1 (anti-PD-1/PD-L1) antibodies exert significant antitumor effects by overcoming tumor cell immune evasion and reversing T-cell exhaustion. However, the emergence of drug resistance causes most patients to respond poorly to these immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Studies have shown that insufficient T-cell infiltration, lack of PD-1 expression, deficient interferon signaling, loss of tumor antigen presentation, and abnormal lipid metabolism are all considered to be closely associated with immunotherapy resistance. To address drug resistance in tumor immunotherapy, a lot of research has concentrated on developing combination therapy strategies. Currently, ICIs such as anti-PD-1 /PD-L1 antibody combined with chemotherapy and targeted therapy have been approved for clinical treatment. In this review, we analyze the mechanisms of resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy in terms of the tumor microenvironment, gut microbiota, epigenetic regulation, and co-inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors. We also discuss various promising combination therapeutic strategies to address resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 drugs, including combining these therapies with traditional Chinese medicine, non-coding RNAs, targeted therapy, other ICIs, and personalized cancer vaccines. Moreover, we focus on biomarkers that predict resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy as well as combination therapy efficacy. Finally, we suggest ways to further expand the application of immunotherapy through personalized combination strategies using biomarker systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manshi Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Mengying Cui
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Orthopaedic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Shui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Weibo Jiang
- Department of Orthopaedic, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China.
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7
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Sinkarevs S, Strumfs B, Volkova S, Strumfa I. Tumour Microenvironment: The General Principles of Pathogenesis and Implications in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. Cells 2024; 13:1057. [PMID: 38920685 PMCID: PMC11201569 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma worldwide, constituting around 30-40% of all cases. Almost 60% of patients develop relapse of refractory DLBCL. Among the reasons for the therapy failure, tumour microenvironment (TME) components could be involved, including tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumour-associated neutrophils (TANs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and different subtypes of cytotoxic CD8+ cells and T regulatory cells, which show complex interactions with tumour cells. Understanding of the TME can provide new therapeutic options for patients with DLBCL and improve their prognosis and overall survival. This review provides essentials of the latest understanding of tumour microenvironment elements and discusses their role in tumour progression and immune suppression mechanisms which result in poor prognosis for patients with DLBCL. In addition, we point out important markers for the diagnostic purposes and highlight novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ilze Strumfa
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
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Dong Y, Luo J, Pei M, Liu S, Gao Y, Zhou H, Nueraihemaiti Y, Zhan X, Xie T, Yao X, Guan X, Xu Y. Biomimetic Hydrogel-Mediated Mechano-Immunometabolic Therapy for Inhibition of ccRCC Recurrence After Surgery. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2308734. [PMID: 38884220 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The unique physical tumor microenvironment (TME) and aberrant immune metabolic status are two obstacles that must be overcome in cancer immunotherapy to improve clinical outcomes. Here, an in situ mechano-immunometabolic therapy involving the injection of a biomimetic hydrogel is presented with sequential release of the anti-fibrotic agent pirfenidone, which softens the stiff extracellular matrix, and small interfering RNA IDO1, which disrupts kynurenine-mediated immunosuppressive metabolic pathways, together with the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib, which induces immunogenic cell death. This combination synergistically augmented tumor immunogenicity and induced anti-tumor immunity. In mouse models of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a single-dose peritumoral injection of a biomimetic hydrogel facilitated the perioperative TME toward a more immunostimulatory landscape, which prevented tumor relapse post-surgery and prolonged mouse survival. Additionally, the systemic anti-tumor surveillance effect induced by local treatment decreased lung metastasis by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition conversion. The versatile localized mechano-immunometabolic therapy can serve as a universal strategy for conferring efficient tumoricidal immunity in "cold" tumor postoperative interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunze Dong
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
| | - Jun Luo
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200434, P. R. China
| | - Mingliang Pei
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
| | - Yuchen Gao
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
| | - Hongmin Zhou
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
| | - Yimingniyizi Nueraihemaiti
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
| | - Xiangcheng Zhan
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
| | - Tiancheng Xie
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
| | - Xudong Yao
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
| | - Xin Guan
- Department of Ultrasound, Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, P. R. China
| | - Yunfei Xu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
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Piovesan D, de Groot AE, Cho S, Anderson AE, Ray RD, Patnaik A, Foster PG, Mitchell CG, Lopez Espinoza AY, Zhu WS, Stagnaro CE, Singh H, Zhao X, Seitz L, Walker NP, Walters MJ, Sivick KE. Fc-Silent Anti-TIGIT Antibodies Potentiate Antitumor Immunity without Depleting Regulatory T Cells. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1978-1995. [PMID: 38635895 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
T-cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domains (TIGIT) is an inhibitory receptor on immune cells that outcompetes an activating receptor, CD226, for shared ligands. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes express TIGIT and CD226 on regulatory T cells (Treg) and on CD8+ T cells with tumor-reactive or exhausted phenotypes, supporting the potential of therapeutically targeting TIGIT to enhance antitumor immunity. To optimize the efficacy of therapeutic antibodies against TIGIT, it is necessary to understand IgG Fc (Fcγ) receptor binding for therapeutic benefit. In this study, we showed that combining Fc-enabled (Fce) or Fc-silent (Fcs) anti-TIGIT with antiprogrammed cell death protein 1 in mice resulted in enhanced control of tumors by differential mechanisms: Fce anti-TIGIT promoted the depletion of intratumoral Treg, whereas Fcs anti-TIGIT did not. Despite leaving Treg numbers intact, Fcs anti-TIGIT potentiated the activation of tumor-specific exhausted CD8+ populations in a lymph node-dependent manner. Fce anti-TIGIT induced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against human Treg in vitro, and significant decreases in Treg were measured in the peripheral blood of patients with phase I solid tumor cancer treated with Fce anti-TIGIT. In contrast, Fcs anti-TIGIT did not deplete human Treg in vitro and was associated with anecdotal objective clinical responses in two patients with phase I solid tumor cancer whose peripheral Treg frequencies remained stable on treatment. Collectively, these data provide evidence for pharmacologic activity and antitumor efficacy of anti-TIGIT antibodies lacking the ability to engage Fcγ receptor. SIGNIFICANCE Fcs-silent anti-TIGIT antibodies enhance the activation of tumor-specific pre-exhausted T cells and promote antitumor efficacy without depleting T regulatory cells.
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10
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Wang D, Pan H, Cheng S, Huang Z, Shi Z, Deng H, Yang J, Jin C, Dai J. Construction and Validation of a Prognostic Model Based on Mitochondrial Genes in Prostate Cancer. Horm Metab Res 2024. [PMID: 38870985 DOI: 10.1055/a-2330-3696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
This study attempted to build a prostate cancer (PC) prognostic risk model with mitochondrial feature genes. PC-related MTGs were screened for Cox regression analyses, followed by establishing a prognostic model. Model validity was analyzed via survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and model accuracy was validated in the GEO dataset. Combining risk score with clinical factors, the independence of the risk score was verified by using Cox analysis, followed by generating a nomogram. The Gleason score, microsatellite instability (MSI), immune microenvironment, and tumor mutation burden were analyzed in two risk groups. Finally, the prognostic feature genes were verified through a q-PCR test. Ten PC-associated MTGs were screened, and a prognostic model was built. Survival analysis and ROC curves illustrated that the model was a good predictor for the risk of PC. Cox regression analysis revealed that risk score acted as an independent prognostic factor. The Gleason score and MSI in the high-risk group were substantially higher than in the low-risk group. Levels of ESTIMATE Score, Immune Score, Stromal Score, immune cells, immune function, immune checkpoint, and immunopheno score of partial immune checkpoints in the high-risk group were significantly lower than in the low-risk group. Genes with the highest mutation frequencies in the two groups were SPOP, TTN, and TP53. The q-PCR results of the feature genes were consistent with the gene expression results in the database. The 10-gene model based on MTGs could accurately predict the prognosis of PC patients and their responses to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Hui Pan
- Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Shaoping Cheng
- Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Huang
- Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Zhenlei Shi
- Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Hao Deng
- Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Junwu Yang
- Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Chenghua Jin
- Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Jin Dai
- Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
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11
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Catalano F, Brunelli M, Signori A, Rescigno P, Buti S, Galli L, Spada M, Masini C, Galuppini F, Vellone VG, Gaggero G, Maruzzo M, Merler S, Vignani F, Cavo A, Bimbatti D, Milella M, Dei Tos AP, Sbaraglia M, Murianni V, Damassi A, Cremante M, Maffezzoli M, Llaja Obispo MA, Banna GL, Fornarini G, Rebuzzi SE. Analyses of tumor microenvironment in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma receiving immunotherapy (Meet-URO 18 study). Future Oncol 2024:1-19. [PMID: 38682738 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2023-1068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The Meet-URO 18 study is a multicentric study of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving nivolumab in the second-line and beyond, categorized as responders (progression-free survival ≥ 12 months) and non-responders (progression-free survival < 3 months). Areas covered: The current study includes extensive immunohistochemical analysis of T-lineage markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD8/CD4 ratio), macrophages (CD68), ph-mTOR, CD15 and CD56 expression on tumor cells, and PD-L1 expression, on an increased sample size including 161 tumor samples (113 patients) compared with preliminary presented data. Responders' tumor tissue (n = 90; 55.9%) was associated with lower CD4 expression (p = 0.014), higher CD56 expression (p = 0.046) and higher CD8/CD4 ratio (p = 0.030). Expert opinion/commentary: The present work suggests the regulatory role of a subpopulation of T cells on antitumor response and identifies CD56 as a putative biomarker of immunotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Catalano
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Brunelli
- Pathology Unit, Department of Diagnostics & Public Health, University & Hospital Trust of Verona, 37124, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessio Signori
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), Section of Biostatistics, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pasquale Rescigno
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060, Candiolo, Italy
- Translational & Clinical Research Institute, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Sebastiano Buti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Galli
- Medical Oncology Unit 2, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Spada
- UOC Oncologia Medica, Istituto Fondazione G. Giglio, 90015, Cefalù, Italy
| | - Cristina Masini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Francesca Galuppini
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Valerio Gaetano Vellone
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Integrated Surgical & Diagnostic Sciences (DISC), University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Gaggero
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Maruzzo
- Oncology Unit 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Sara Merler
- Section of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona & Verona University & Hospital Trust, Verona, 37134, Italy
| | - Francesca Vignani
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ordine Mauriziano Hospital, 10128, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessia Cavo
- Oncology Unit, Villa Scassi Hospital, 16149, Genoa, Italy
| | - Davide Bimbatti
- Oncology Unit 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Section of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona & Verona University & Hospital Trust, Verona, 37134, Italy
| | - Angelo Paolo Dei Tos
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Marta Sbaraglia
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Veronica Murianni
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Damassi
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Malvina Cremante
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Maffezzoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Luigi Banna
- Department of Oncology, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY, UK
- School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2UP, UK
| | - Giuseppe Fornarini
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Elena Rebuzzi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Ospedale San Paolo, 17100, Savona, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties (Di.M.I.), University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
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12
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Roider HG, Hoff S, Tseng SY, Berndt S, Trautwein M, Filarsky K, Gritzan U, Camps J, Nadler WM, Grudzinska-Goebel J, Ellinger P, Pesch T, Soon CF, Geyer M, Gluske K, Stelte-Ludwig B, Gorjánácz M. Selective depletion of tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells with BAY 3375968, a novel Fc-optimized anti-CCR8 antibody. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:122. [PMID: 38856863 PMCID: PMC11164760 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01362-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are known to facilitate tumor progression by suppressing CD8+ T cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby also hampering the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). While systemic depletion of Tregs can enhance antitumor immunity, it also triggers undesirable autoimmune responses. Therefore, there is a need for therapeutic agents that selectively target Tregs within the TME without affecting systemic Tregs. In this study, as shown also by others, the chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 8 (CCR8) was found to be predominantly expressed on Tregs within the TME of both humans and mice, representing a unique target for selective depletion of tumor-residing Tregs. Based on this, we developed BAY 3375968, a novel anti-human CCR8 antibody, along with respective surrogate anti-mouse CCR8 antibodies, and demonstrated their in vitro mode-of-action through induction of potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and phagocytosis (ADCP) activities. In vivo, anti-mouse CCR8 antibodies effectively depleted Tregs within the TME primarily via ADCP, leading to increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and subsequent tumor growth inhibition across various cancer models. This monotherapeutic efficacy was significantly enhanced in combination with ICIs. Collectively, these findings suggest that CCR8 targeting represents a promising strategy for Treg depletion in cancer therapies. BAY 3375968 is currently under investigation in a Phase I clinical trial (NCT05537740).
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MESH Headings
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects
- Receptors, CCR8/immunology
- Receptors, CCR8/antagonists & inhibitors
- Animals
- Mice
- Humans
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/drug effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Female
- Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity
- Lymphocyte Depletion
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Phagocytosis/drug effects
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Su-Yi Tseng
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, San Francisco, USA
| | | | | | - Katharina Filarsky
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Wuppertal, Germany
- Current address: Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Gritzan
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Wuppertal, Germany
- Current address: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Beatrix Stelte-Ludwig
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Wuppertal, Germany
- Current address: Vincerx Pharma, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
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13
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Zhang Q, Wang C, Qin M, Ye Y, Mo Y, Meng Q, Yang G, Feng G, Lin R, Xian S, Wei J, Chen S, Wang S, Mo Z. Investigating cellular similarities and differences between upper tract urothelial carcinoma and bladder urothelial carcinoma using single-cell sequencing. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1298087. [PMID: 38903524 PMCID: PMC11187293 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1298087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) both originate from uroepithelial tissue, sharing remarkably similar clinical manifestations and therapeutic modalities. However, emerging evidence suggests that identical treatment regimens may lead to less favorable outcomes in UTUC compared to BLCA. Therefore, it is imperative to explore molecular processes of UTUC and identify biological differences between UTUC and BLCA. Methods In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on three UTUC cases and four normal ureteral tissues. These data were combined with publicly available datasets from previous BLCA studies and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data for both cancer types. This pooled analysis allowed us to delineate the transcriptional differences among distinct cell subsets within the microenvironment, thus identifying critical factors contributing to UTUC progression and phenotypic differences between UTUC and BLCA. Results scRNA-seq analysis revealed seemingly similar but transcriptionally distinct cellular identities within the UTUC and BLCA ecosystems. Notably, we observed striking differences in acquired immunological landscapes and varied cellular functional phenotypes between these two cancers. In addition, we uncovered the immunomodulatory functions of vein endothelial cells (ECs) in UTUC, and intercellular network analysis demonstrated that fibroblasts play important roles in the microenvironment. Further intersection analysis showed that MARCKS promote UTUC progression, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining revealed that the diverse expression patterns of MARCKS in UTUC, BLCA and normal ureter tissues. Conclusion This study expands our multidimensional understanding of the similarities and distinctions between UTUC and BLCA. Our findings lay the foundation for further investigations to develop diagnostic and therapeutic targets for UTUC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Zhang
- Department of Urology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Chengbang Wang
- Department of Urology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Min Qin
- Human Sperm Bank, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yu Ye
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yingxi Mo
- Department of Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Qinggui Meng
- Department of Urology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Guanglin Yang
- Department of Urology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Guanzheng Feng
- Department of Urology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Rui Lin
- Department of Urology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shinan Xian
- Department of Urology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jueling Wei
- Department of Urology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- Department of Urology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zengnan Mo
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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14
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Kobayashi H, Suzuki H, Tanaka T, Kaneko MK, Kato Y. Epitope Mapping of an Anti-Mouse CCR8 Monoclonal Antibody C 8Mab-2 Using Flow Cytometry. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2024. [PMID: 38836509 DOI: 10.1089/mab.2024.0002] [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: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The C-C motif chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) is highly and selectively expressed in regulatory T (Treg) cells and is associated with tumor progression. The massive accumulation of Treg cells into tumors suppresses the effector function of CD8+ cells against tumor cells. Therefore, selective depletion of Treg cells using anti-CCR8 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) reinvigorates antitumor immune responses and improves responses to cancer immunotherapy. Previously, we developed an anti-mouse CCR8 (mCCR8) mAb, C8Mab-2, using the Cell-Based Immunization and Screening method. In this study, the binding epitope of C8Mab-2 was investigated using flow cytometry. The mCCR8 extracellular domain-substituted mutant analysis showed that C8Mab-2 recognizes the N-terminal region (1-33 amino acids) of mCCR8. Next, 1×alanine (or glycine) scanning and 2×alanine (or glycine) scanning were conducted in the N-terminal region. The results revealed that the 17-DFFTAP-22 sequence is important for the recognition by C8Mab-2, and Thr20 is a central amino acid of the epitope. These results revealed the involvement of the N-terminus of mCCR8 in the recognition by C8Mab-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiyori Kobayashi
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Suzuki
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Tanaka
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mika K Kaneko
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yukinari Kato
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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15
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Rahmat JN, Liu J, Chen T, Li Z, Zhang Y. Engineered biological nanoparticles as nanotherapeutics for tumor immunomodulation. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:5862-5903. [PMID: 38716589 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00602f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Biological nanoparticles, or bionanoparticles, are small molecules manufactured in living systems with complex production and assembly machinery. The products of the assembly systems can be further engineered to generate functionalities for specific purposes. These bionanoparticles have demonstrated advantages such as immune system evasion, minimal toxicity, biocompatibility, and biological clearance. Hence, bionanoparticles are considered the new paradigm in nanoscience research for fabricating safe and effective nanoformulations for therapeutic purposes. Harnessing the power of the immune system to recognize and eradicate malignancies is a viable strategy to achieve better therapeutic outcomes with long-term protection from disease recurrence. However, cancerous tissues have evolved to become invisible to immune recognition and to transform the tumor microenvironment into an immunosuppressive dwelling, thwarting the immune defense systems and creating a hospitable atmosphere for cancer growth and progression. Thus, it is pertinent that efforts in fabricating nanoformulations for immunomodulation are mindful of the tumor-induced immune aberrations that could render cancer nanotherapy inoperable. This review systematically categorizes the immunosuppression mechanisms, the regulatory immunosuppressive cellular players, and critical suppressive molecules currently targeted as breakthrough therapies in the clinic. Finally, this review will summarize the engineering strategies for affording immune moderating functions to bionanoparticles that tip the tumor microenvironment (TME) balance toward cancer elimination, a field still in the nascent stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juwita N Rahmat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117585, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| | - Jiayi Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Taili Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - ZhiHong Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
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16
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Cunha D, Neves M, Silva D, Silvestre AR, Nunes PB, Arrobas F, Ribot JC, Ferreira F, Moita LF, Soares-de-Almeida L, Silva JM, Filipe P, Ferreira J. Tumor-Infiltrating T Cells in Skin Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Global Th1 Preponderance with Th17 Enrichment-A Cross-Sectional Study. Cells 2024; 13:964. [PMID: 38891095 PMCID: PMC11172364 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110964] [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: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are high-incidence, non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). The success of immune-targeted therapies in advanced NMSCs led us to anticipate that NMSCs harbored significant populations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with potential anti-tumor activity. The main aim of this study was to characterize T cells infiltrating NMSCs. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were used to assess, respectively, the proportions and densities of T cell subpopulations in BCCs (n = 118), SCCs (n = 33), and normal skin (NS, n = 30). CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cell subsets, namely, Th1, Th2, Th17, Th9, and regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD8+ and CD4+ memory T cells, and γδ T cells were compared between NMSCs and NS samples. Remarkably, both BCCs and SCCs featured a significantly higher Th1/Th2 ratio (~four-fold) and an enrichment for Th17 cells. NMSCs also showed a significant enrichment for IFN-γ-producing CD8+T cells, and a depletion of γδ T cells. Using immunohistochemistry, NMSCs featured denser T cell infiltrates (CD4+, CD8+, and Tregs) than NS. Overall, these data favor a Th1-predominant response in BCCs and SCCs, providing support for immune-based treatments in NMSCs. Th17-mediated inflammation may play a role in the progression of NMSCs and thus become a potential therapeutic target in NMSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Cunha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.)
- Centro de Dermatologia, Hospital CUF Descobertas, 1998-018 Lisbon, Portugal
- Dermatology Unit, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marco Neves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.)
| | - Daniela Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.)
| | - Ana Rita Silvestre
- Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Hospital CUF Descobertas, 1998-018 Lisbon, Portugal (P.B.N.)
| | - Paula Borralho Nunes
- Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Hospital CUF Descobertas, 1998-018 Lisbon, Portugal (P.B.N.)
- Instituto de Anatomia Patológica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fernando Arrobas
- Datamedica, Biostatistics Services and Consulting, 2610-008 Amadora, Portugal
| | - Julie C. Ribot
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.)
| | - Fernando Ferreira
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís F. Moita
- Innate Immunity and Inflammation Laboratory, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Luís Soares-de-Almeida
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.)
- Serviço de Dermatologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte EPE, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
- Clínica Dermatológica Universitária, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Maia Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.)
- Centro de Dermatologia, Hospital CUF Descobertas, 1998-018 Lisbon, Portugal
- Serviço de Dermatologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte EPE, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
- Clínica Dermatológica Universitária, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paulo Filipe
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.)
- Serviço de Dermatologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte EPE, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
- Clínica Dermatológica Universitária, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Ferreira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.)
- Clínica Dermatológica Universitária, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
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17
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Zhang L, Xu Z, Li Y, Wu KJ, Yu C, Zhu W, Sun DL, Zhu L, Zhou J. Glutamine supplementation improves the activity and immunosuppressive action of induced regulatory T cells in vitro and in vivo. Transpl Immunol 2024; 84:102044. [PMID: 38663757 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2024.102044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamine is crucial for the activation and efficacy of T cells, and may play a role in regulating the immune environment. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of glutamine in the activation and proliferation of induced regulatory T cells (iTregs). METHODS CD4+CD45RA+T cells were sorted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cultured to analyze iTreg differentiation. Glutamine was then added to the culture system to evaluate the effects of glutamine on iTregs by determining oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), apoptosis, and cytokine secretion. Additionally, a humanized murine graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) model was constructed to confirm the efficacy of glutamine-treated iTregs in vivo. RESULTS After being cultured in vitro, glutamine significantly enhanced the levels of Foxp3, CTLA-4, CD39, CD69, IL-10, TGF-β, and Ki67 (CTLA-4, IL-10, TGF-β are immunosuppressive markers of iTregs) compared with that of the control iTregs (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the growth curve showed that the proliferative ability of glutamine-treated iTregs was better than that of the control iTregs (P < 0.01). Compared with the control iTregs, glutamine supplementation significantly increased oxygen consumption rates and ATP production (P < 0.05), significantly downregulated Annexin V and Caspase 3, and upregulated BCL2 (P < 0.05). However, GPNA significantly reversed the effects of glutamine (P < 0.05). Finally, a xeno-GVHD mouse model was successfully established to confirm that glutamine-treated iTregs increased the mice survival rate, delayed weight loss, and alleviated colon injury. CONCLUSION Glutamine supplementation can improve the activity and immunosuppressive action of iTregs, and the possible mechanisms by which this occurs are related to cell proliferation, apoptosis, and OXPHOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China; Liyang People's Hospital, Liyang 213300, China
| | - Zhongya Xu
- Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanjiu Li
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Ke-Jia Wu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Chongyuan Yu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Wenjie Zhu
- Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dong-Lin Sun
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China.
| | - Li Zhu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China.
| | - Jun Zhou
- Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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18
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Ohishi K, Ishikura A, Nishida S, Abo H, Nakatsukasa H, Kawashima H. Sialyl Lewis X Defines an Activated and Functional Regulatory T Cell Subpopulation in Mice. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 212:1627-1638. [PMID: 38639586 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Attempts have been made to elucidate the functional markers of regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD4+Foxp3+ T cells with an immunosuppressive function. Sialyl Lewis X (sLex), a tetrasaccharide Ag, is involved in leukocyte trafficking as selectin ligands and is a marker of highly differentiated Tregs in humans. However, the importance of sLex in murine Tregs remains unknown. In this study, we report that sLex defines the activated and functional subset of murine Tregs. The contact hypersensitivity model showed that murine Tregs strongly express sLex upon activation, accompanied by functional Treg marker elevation, such as Foxp3, CD25, CD103, CD39, and granzyme B. RNA sequencing analysis revealed sLex-positive (sLex+) Tregs expressed genes involved in Treg function at a higher level than sLex-negative (sLex-) Tregs. Using an in vitro suppression assay, we found that sLex+ Tregs could more efficiently suppress naive CD4+ T cell proliferation than sLex- Tregs. In the murine contact hypersensitivity elicitation model, the topical sLex+ Treg injection into the ears suppressed ear inflammation more efficiently than that of sLex- Tregs. Our results indicate that sLex could serve as a unique surface marker of activated and functional Tregs with immunosuppressive functions in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanae Ohishi
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Asaki Ishikura
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shogo Nishida
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hirohito Abo
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroko Nakatsukasa
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroto Kawashima
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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19
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Dixon M, Phan TA, Dallon JC, Tian JP. Mathematical model for IL-2-based cancer immunotherapy. Math Biosci 2024; 372:109187. [PMID: 38575057 PMCID: PMC11193449 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2024.109187] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
A basic mathematical model for IL-2-based cancer immunotherapy is proposed and studied. Our analysis shows that the outcome of therapy is mainly determined by three parameters, the relative death rate of CD4+ T cells, the relative death rate of CD8+ T cells, and the dose of IL-2 treatment. Minimal equilibrium tumor size can be reached with a large dose of IL-2 in the case that CD4+ T cells die out. However, in cases where CD4+ and CD8+ T cells persist, the final tumor size is independent of the IL-2 dose and is given by the relative death rate of CD4+ T cells. Two groups of in silico clinical trials show some short-term behaviors of IL-2 treatment. IL-2 administration can slow the proliferation of CD4+ T cells, while high doses for a short period of time over several days transiently increase the population of CD8+ T cells during treatment before it recedes to its equilibrium. IL-2 administration for a short period of time over many days suppresses the tumor population for a longer time before approaching its steady-state levels. This implies that intermittent administration of IL-2 may be a good strategy for controlling tumor size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Dixon
- Department of Mathematics, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
| | - Tuan Anh Phan
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA.
| | - J C Dallon
- Department of Mathematics, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
| | - Jianjun Paul Tian
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA.
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Guo J, Liu C, Qi Z, Qiu T, Zhang J, Yang H. Engineering customized nanovaccines for enhanced cancer immunotherapy. Bioact Mater 2024; 36:330-357. [PMID: 38496036 PMCID: PMC10940734 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanovaccines have gathered significant attention for their potential to elicit tumor-specific immunological responses. Despite notable progress in tumor immunotherapy, nanovaccines still encounter considerable challenges such as low delivery efficiency, limited targeting ability, and suboptimal efficacy. With an aim of addressing these issues, engineering customized nanovaccines through modification or functionalization has emerged as a promising approach. These tailored nanovaccines not only enhance antigen presentation, but also effectively modulate immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, they are distinguished by their diverse sizes, shapes, charges, structures, and unique physicochemical properties, along with targeting ligands. These features of nanovaccines facilitate lymph node accumulation and activation/regulation of immune cells. This overview of bespoke nanovaccines underscores their potential in both prophylactic and therapeutic applications, offering insights into their future development and role in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Guo
- Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory, 1 Xueyuan Road, Quanzhou, 362801, PR China
- College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, 2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou, 350108, PR China
| | - Changhua Liu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, 2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou, 350108, PR China
| | - Zhaoyang Qi
- Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory, 1 Xueyuan Road, Quanzhou, 362801, PR China
| | - Ting Qiu
- Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory, 1 Xueyuan Road, Quanzhou, 362801, PR China
- College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, 2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou, 350108, PR China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory, 1 Xueyuan Road, Quanzhou, 362801, PR China
- College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, 2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou, 350108, PR China
| | - Huanghao Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, 2 Xueyuan Road, Fuzhou, 350108, PR China
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Tang Y, Cui G, Liu H, Han Y, Cai C, Feng Z, Shen H, Zeng S. Converting "cold" to "hot": epigenetics strategies to improve immune therapy effect by regulating tumor-associated immune suppressive cells. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2024; 44:601-636. [PMID: 38715348 PMCID: PMC11194457 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Significant developments in cancer treatment have been made since the advent of immune therapies. However, there are still some patients with malignant tumors who do not benefit from immunotherapy. Tumors without immunogenicity are called "cold" tumors which are unresponsive to immunotherapy, and the opposite are "hot" tumors. Immune suppressive cells (ISCs) refer to cells which can inhibit the immune response such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T (Treg) cells and so on. The more ISCs infiltrated, the weaker the immunogenicity of the tumor, showing the characteristics of "cold" tumor. The dysfunction of ISCs in the tumor microenvironment (TME) may play essential roles in insensitive therapeutic reaction. Previous studies have found that epigenetic mechanisms play an important role in the regulation of ISCs. Regulating ISCs may be a new approach to transforming "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors. Here, we focused on the function of ISCs in the TME and discussed how epigenetics is involved in regulating ISCs. In addition, we summarized the mechanisms by which the epigenetic drugs convert immunotherapy-insensitive tumors into immunotherapy-sensitive tumors which would be an innovative tendency for future immunotherapy in "cold" tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Tang
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Guangzu Cui
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Haicong Liu
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Ying Han
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Changjing Cai
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Ziyang Feng
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Hong Shen
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
- National Clinical Resaerch Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Shan Zeng
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
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Song J, Wu Y, Chen Z, Zhai D, Zhang C, Chen S. Clinical significance of KRT7 in bladder cancer prognosis. Int J Biol Markers 2024; 39:158-167. [PMID: 38321777 DOI: 10.1177/03936155231224798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Typically, the overexpressed keratin 7 (KRT7) is considered a validated therapeutic target and prognosis marker in bladder cancer. However, the crucial roles of KRT7 in the clinical prognosis and immune microenvironment in bladder cancer remain unclear. METHODS Initially, the expression levels of KRT7 in public databases were analyzed that is,Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) 2.0 and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). Further, the clinical tissue samples from patients (n = 10 pairs) were collected to confirm the expression trends of KRT7 and detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Meanwhile, the relationship between KRT7 and the prognosis of bladder cancer patients was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier plotter estimation and Cox regression analysis. Finally, TIMER 2.0 and IHC staining analyses were performed to calculate the infiltration abundances of three kinds of immune cells in eligible bladder tumor samples. RESULTS The TIMER 2.0 and GEPIA datasets suggested the differences in the expression levels of KRT7 in tumors, in which KRT7 was significantly upregulated in bladder cancer. The KRT7 expression was closely associated with patients' gender, tumor histologic subtypes, T status, and American Joint Committee on Cancer stages. Notably, the increased KRT7 indicated poor overall survival and disease-free survival rates. Moreover, KRT7 expression could be responsible for immune infiltration in the cancer microenvironment of the bladder. Finally, the high expression level of KRT7 increased the presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) but reduced the infiltration of CD8+ T and natural killer cells. CONCLUSION KRT7 as a biomarker potentiated the prediction of bladder cancer prognosis and the immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Song
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Ye Wu
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Zhongming Chen
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Dong Zhai
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Chunpei Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Sanya People's Hospital, Sanya, Hainan, PR China
| | - Shizhan Chen
- Department of Surgery, Sanya People's Hospital, Sanya, Hainan, PR China
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Gootjes C, Zwaginga JJ, Roep BO, Nikolic T. Defining Human Regulatory T Cells beyond FOXP3: The Need to Combine Phenotype with Function. Cells 2024; 13:941. [PMID: 38891073 PMCID: PMC11172350 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential to maintain immune homeostasis by promoting self-tolerance. Reduced Treg numbers or functionality can lead to a loss of tolerance, increasing the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. An overwhelming variety of human Tregs has been described, based on either specific phenotype, tissue compartment, or pathological condition, yet the bulk of the literature only addresses CD25-positive and CD127-negative cells, coined by naturally occurring Tregs (nTregs), most of which express the transcription factor Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3). While the discovery of FOXP3 was seminal to understanding the origin and biology of nTregs, there is evidence in humans that not all T cells expressing FOXP3 are regulatory, and that not all Tregs express FOXP3. Namely, the activation of human T cells induces the transient expression of FOXP3, irrespective of whether they are regulatory or inflammatory effectors, while some induced T cells that may be broadly defined as Tregs (e.g., Tr1 cells) typically lack demethylation and do not express FOXP3. Furthermore, it is unknown whether and how many nTregs exist without FOXP3 expression. Several other candidate regulatory molecules, such as GITR, Lag-3, GARP, GPA33, Helios, and Neuropilin, have been identified but subsequently discarded as Treg-specific markers. Multiparametric analyses have uncovered a plethora of Treg phenotypes, and neither single markers nor combinations thereof can define all and only Tregs. To date, only the functional capacity to inhibit immune responses defines a Treg and distinguishes Tregs from inflammatory T cells (Teffs) in humans. This review revisits current knowledge of the Treg universe with respect to their heterogeneity in phenotype and function. We propose that it is unavoidable to characterize human Tregs by their phenotype in combination with their function, since phenotype alone does not unambiguously define Tregs. There is an unmet need to align the expression of specific markers or combinations thereof with a particular suppressive function to coin functional Treg entities and categorize Treg diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Gootjes
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Regenerative Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (J.J.Z.); (T.N.)
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Liao Y, Xie X, Zhang C, Zhong H, Shan L, Yu P, Xu L. Quercetin exerts anti-tumor immune mechanism by regulating IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to deplete Treg cells. Toxicon 2024; 243:107747. [PMID: 38714236 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is still the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Due to the lack of effective drug targets, triple-negative breast cancer has a worse prognosis and higher mortality compared with other types of breast cancer, and chemotherapy is still the main treatment for triple-negative breast cancer at present. Quercetin (QUE) is a flavonoid compound found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. The mechanism of QUE has been extensively studied, such as prostate cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, etc. However, the anti-tumor immune mechanism of QUE in triple-negative breast cancer remains unclear. Therefore, we assessed the anti-tumor immune effects of QUE on triple-negative breast cancer using both 4T1 cells and a xenograft mouse model of 4T1 cells. In vitro, we examined the inhibitory effects of QUE on 4T1 cells and its molecular mechanisms through MTT, Transwell, ELISA, and Western blotting. In vivo, by establishing a xenograft mouse model, we utilized flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and Western blotting to evaluate the anti-tumor immune effects of QUE on triple-negative breast cancer. The results indicate that QUE inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of 4T1 cells, concurrently significantly suppressing the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Furthermore, it depletes Treg cell content in 4T1 xenograft mice, thereby improving the tumor immune microenvironment and promoting the cytotoxicity of relevant tumor immune cells. These findings suggest that QUE may serve as a potential adjuvant for immune therapy in triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yupei Liao
- Institute of New Drug Research, College of Pharmacy/Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese. Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) /State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaoqing Xie
- Institute of New Drug Research, College of Pharmacy/Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese. Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) /State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chu Zhang
- Institute of New Drug Research, College of Pharmacy/Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese. Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) /State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Haijing Zhong
- Institute of New Drug Research, College of Pharmacy/Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese. Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) /State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Luchen Shan
- Institute of New Drug Research, College of Pharmacy/Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese. Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) /State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Pei Yu
- Institute of New Drug Research, College of Pharmacy/Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese. Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) /State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lipeng Xu
- Institute of New Drug Research, College of Pharmacy/Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Innovative Chemical Drug Research in Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese. Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) /State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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25
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Ma X, Deng G, Tian N, Wang H, Zhao H, Kuai L, Luo Y, Gao C, Ding X, Li B, Li B. Calycosin enhances Treg differentiation for alleviating skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 326:117883. [PMID: 38331120 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder that poses a significant global health challenge. There is a lack of safe and effective medications to treat AD. Astragalus membranaceous is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used in clinical treatment of skin diseases. Calycosin (CA), derived from the root of Astragalus membranaceous, exhibits dual attributes of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, suggesting its promise for addressing cutaneous inflammation. Nonetheless, the precise mechanisms underlying CA's therapeutic actions in AD remain elusive. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CA in treating AD while also delving into the mechanistic underpinnings of CA's action in AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cell viability and anti-inflammatory impacts of CA in vitro were first gauged using CCK-8 and RT-qPCR. The potential mechanisms of CA were then probed using modular pharmacology. Flow cytometry was employed to ascertain the differentiation of Treg and Th17 cells derived from naïve T cells, as well as the proportions and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of human iTreg cells. The expressions of IL-10 and TGF-β1 were measured and Treg suppression assay was performed. The in vivo therapeutic efficacy of topical CA application was assessed using a calcipotriol (MC903)-induced AD mouse model. The expression metrics of inflammatory cytokines, IL-17A, FOXP3, and RORγt were authenticated via immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA. RESULTS CA exhibited a favorable safety profile and reduced the mRNA expressions of Th2 inflammatory cytokines in HaCaT cells. Modular pharmacology analysis pinpointed Th17 differentiation as the pivotal mechanism behind CA's therapeutic effect on AD. In vitro, CA fostered the differentiation of naïve T cells into Tregs while inhibiting their differentiation into Th17 cells. Furthermore, CA augmented the proliferation of human iTregs. In vivo, CA alleviated skin manifestations and decreased the levels of inflammatory mediators (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TSLP, and NF-κB related cytokines) in AD-like mouse models. Simultaneously, it regulated Treg/Th17 balance through suppressing IL-17A and RORγt expressions and bolstering FOXP3 expression. CONCLUSIONS The study provides insights into the mechanistic pathways through which CA exerts its anti-inflammatory effects, particularly through promoting Treg cell differentiation and inhibiting Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, CA emerges as an alternative or adjunctive treatment strategy for managing AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ma
- Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China; Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China.
| | - Guoshu Deng
- Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China; Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Na Tian
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China; Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Hang Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China; Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Le Kuai
- Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China; Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Ying Luo
- Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China; Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Chunjie Gao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China.
| | - Xiaojie Ding
- Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China; Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Bin Li
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China; Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China; Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China.
| | - Bin Li
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China; Center for Immune-Related Diseases at Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, China; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, China.
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Basar OY, Mohammed S, Qoronfleh MW, Acar A. Optimizing cancer therapy: a review of the multifaceted effects of metronomic chemotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1369597. [PMID: 38813084 PMCID: PMC11133583 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1369597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Metronomic chemotherapy (MCT), characterized by the continuous administration of chemotherapeutics at a lower dose without prolonged drug-free periods, has garnered significant attention over the last 2 decades. Extensive evidence from both pre-clinical and clinical settings indicates that MCT induces distinct biological effects than the standard Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) chemotherapy. The low toxicity profile, reduced likelihood of inducing acquired therapeutic resistance, and low cost of MCT render it an attractive chemotherapeutic regimen option. One of the most prominent aspects of MCT is its anti-angiogenesis effects. It has been shown to stimulate the expression of anti-angiogenic molecules, thereby inhibiting angiogenesis. In addition, MCT has been shown to decrease the regulatory T-cell population and promote anti-tumor immune response through inducing dendritic cell maturation and increasing the number of cytotoxic T-cells. Combination therapies utilizing MCT along with oncolytic virotherapy, radiotherapy or other chemotherapeutic regimens have been studied extensively. This review provides an overview of the current status of MCT research and the established mechanisms of action of MCT treatment and also offers insights into potential avenues of development for MCT in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oyku Yagmur Basar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Sawsan Mohammed
- Qatar University, QU Health, College of Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - M. Walid Qoronfleh
- Q3 Research Institute (QRI), Research and Policy Division, Ypsilanti, MI, United States
| | - Ahmet Acar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Türkiye
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Ono M, Satou Y. Spectrum of Treg and self-reactive T cells: single cell perspectives from old friend HTLV-1. DISCOVERY IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 3:kyae006. [PMID: 38863793 PMCID: PMC11165433 DOI: 10.1093/discim/kyae006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite extensive regulatory T cell (Treg) research, fundamental questions on in vivo dynamics remain to be answered. The current study aims to dissect several interwoven concepts in Treg biology, highlighting the 'self-reactivity' of Treg and their counterparts, namely naturally-arising memory-phenotype T-cells, as a key mechanism to be exploited by a human retroviral infection. We propose the novel key concept, Periodic T cell receptor (TCR)-signalled T-cells, capturing self-reactivity in a quantifiable manner using the Nr4a3-Timer-of-cell-kinetics-and-activity (Tocky) technology. Periodic and brief TCR signals in self-reactive T-cells contrast with acute TCR signals during inflammation. Thus, we propose a new two-axis model for T-cell activation by the two types of TCR signals or antigen recognition, elucidating how Foxp3 expression and acute TCR signals actively regulate Periodic TCR-signalled T-cells. Next, we highlight an underappreciated branch of immunological research on Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) that precedes Treg studies, illuminating the missing link between the viral infection, CD25, and Foxp3. Based on evidence by single-cell analysis, we show how the viral infection exploits the regulatory mechanisms for T-cell activation and suggests a potential role of periodic TCR signalling in infection and malignant transformation. In conclusion, the new perspectives and models in this study provide a working framework for investigating Treg within the self-reactive T-cell spectrum, expected to advance understanding of HTLV-1 infection, cancer, and immunotherapy strategies for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Ono
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yorifumi Satou
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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28
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Zhi S, Chen C, Huang H, Zhang Z, Zeng F, Zhang S. Hypoxia-inducible factor in breast cancer: role and target for breast cancer treatment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1370800. [PMID: 38799423 PMCID: PMC11116789 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1370800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Globally, breast cancer stands as the most prevalent form of cancer among women. The tumor microenvironment of breast cancer often exhibits hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, a transcription factor, is found to be overexpressed and activated in breast cancer, playing a pivotal role in the anoxic microenvironment by mediating a series of reactions. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha is involved in regulating downstream pathways and target genes, which are crucial in hypoxic conditions, including glycolysis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. These processes significantly contribute to breast cancer progression by managing cancer-related activities linked to tumor invasion, metastasis, immune evasion, and drug resistance, resulting in poor prognosis for patients. Consequently, there is a significant interest in Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha as a potential target for cancer therapy. Presently, research on drugs targeting Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha is predominantly in the preclinical phase, highlighting the need for an in-depth understanding of HIF-1α and its regulatory pathway. It is anticipated that the future will see the introduction of effective HIF-1α inhibitors into clinical trials, offering new hope for breast cancer patients. Therefore, this review focuses on the structure and function of HIF-1α, its role in advancing breast cancer, and strategies to combat HIF-1α-dependent drug resistance, underlining its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Fancai Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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Santiso A, Heinemann A, Kargl J. Prostaglandin E2 in the Tumor Microenvironment, a Convoluted Affair Mediated by EP Receptors 2 and 4. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:388-413. [PMID: 38697857 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.123.000901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The involvement of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) system in cancer progression has long been recognized. PGE2 functions as an autocrine and paracrine signaling molecule with pleiotropic effects in the human body. High levels of intratumoral PGE2 and overexpression of the key metabolic enzymes of PGE2 have been observed and suggested to contribute to tumor progression. This has been claimed for different types of solid tumors, including, but not limited to, lung, breast, and colon cancer. PGE2 has direct effects on tumor cells and angiogenesis that are known to promote tumor development. However, one of the main mechanisms behind PGE2 driving cancerogenesis is currently thought to be anchored in suppressed antitumor immunity, thus providing possible therapeutic targets to be used in cancer immunotherapies. EP2 and EP4, two receptors for PGE2, are emerging as being the most relevant for this purpose. This review aims to summarize the known roles of PGE2 in the immune system and its functions within the tumor microenvironment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has long been known to be a signaling molecule in cancer. Its presence in tumors has been repeatedly associated with disease progression. Elucidation of its effects on immunological components of the tumor microenvironment has highlighted the potential of PGE2 receptor antagonists in cancer treatment, particularly in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapeutics. Adjuvant treatment could increase the response rates and the efficacy of immune-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Santiso
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Akos Heinemann
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Kargl
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Zheng R, Liu X, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Wang Y, Guo S, Jin X, Zhang J, Guan Y, Liu Y. Frontiers and future of immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer: from molecular mechanisms to clinical application. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1383978. [PMID: 38756774 PMCID: PMC11096556 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignant tumor, that is becoming increasingly common in recent years. Despite advances in intensive treatment modalities including surgery, radiotherapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy, the overall survival rate has not significantly improved in patients with pancreatic cancer. This may be attributed to the insidious onset, unknown pathophysiology, and poor prognosis of the disease. It is therefore essential to identify and develop more effective and safer treatments for pancreatic cancer. Tumor immunotherapy is the new and fourth pillar of anti-tumor therapy after surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Significant progress has made in the use of immunotherapy for a wide variety of malignant tumors in recent years; a breakthrough has also been made in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This review describes the advances in immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapy, oncolytic virus, and matrix-depletion therapies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. At the same time, some new potential biomarkers and potential immunotherapy combinations for pancreatic cancer are discussed. The molecular mechanisms of various immunotherapies have also been elucidated, and their clinical applications have been highlighted. The current challenges associated with immunotherapy and proposed strategies that hold promise in overcoming these limitations have also been discussed, with the aim of offering new insights into immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zheng
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yanan, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaobin Liu
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yanan, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yufu Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yongxian Liu
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yanan, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yanan, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shutong Guo
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yanan, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoyan Jin
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yanan, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yanan, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuehong Guan
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yanan, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yusi Liu
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yanan, Shaanxi, China
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Kisakol B, Matveeva A, Salvucci M, Kel A, McDonough E, Ginty F, Longley DB, Prehn JHM. Identification of unique rectal cancer-specific subtypes. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1809-1818. [PMID: 38532103 PMCID: PMC11130168 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02656-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing colorectal cancer subtyping methods were generated without much consideration of potential differences in expression profiles between colon and rectal tissues. Moreover, locally advanced rectal cancers at resection often have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy which likely has a significant impact on gene expression. METHODS We collected mRNA expression profiles for rectal and colon cancer samples (n = 2121). We observed that (i) Consensus Molecular Subtyping (CMS) had a different prognosis in treatment-naïve rectal vs. colon cancers, and (ii) that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy exposure produced a strong shift in CMS subtypes in rectal cancers. We therefore clustered 182 untreated rectal cancers to find rectal cancer-specific subtypes (RSSs). RESULTS We identified three robust subtypes. We observed that RSS1 had better, and RSS2 had worse disease-free survival. RSS1 showed high expression of MYC target genes and low activity of angiogenesis genes. RSS2 exhibited low regulatory T cell abundance, strong EMT and angiogenesis signalling, and high activation of TGF-β, NF-κB, and TNF-α signalling. RSS3 was characterised by the deactivation of EGFR, MAPK and WNT pathways. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that RSS subtyping allows for more accurate prognosis predictions in rectal cancers than CMS subtyping and provides new insight into targetable disease pathways within these subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batuhan Kisakol
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
- Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
| | - Anna Matveeva
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
- Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
| | - Manuela Salvucci
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
- Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Daniel B Longley
- Centre for Cancer Research & Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Jochen H M Prehn
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland.
- Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland.
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Gao K, Li X, Luo S, Zhao L. An overview of the regulatory role of annexin A1 in the tumor microenvironment and its prospective clinical application (Review). Int J Oncol 2024; 64:51. [PMID: 38516766 PMCID: PMC10997369 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Although annexin A1 (ANXA1), a 37 kDa phospholipid‑binding anti‑inflammatory protein expressed in various tissues and cell types, has been investigated extensively for its regulatory role in cancer biology, studies have mainly focused on its intracellular role. However, cancer cells and stromal cells expressing ANXA1 have the ability to transmit signals within the tumor microenvironment (TME) through autocrine, juxtacrine, or paracrine signaling. This bidirectional crosstalk between cancer cells and their environment is also crucial for cancer progression, contributing to uncontrolled tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis and resistance to therapy. The present review explored the important role of ANXA1 in regulating the cell‑specific crosstalk between various compartments of the TME and analyzed the guiding significance of the crosstalk effects in promotion or suppressing cancer progression in the development of cancer treatments. The literature shows that ANXA1 is critical for the regulation of the TME, indicating that ANXA1 signaling between cancer cells and the TME is a potential therapeutic target for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for impeding cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Xinyang Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Shuya Luo
- Department of Ion Channel Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, P.R. China
| | - Limei Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
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Li J, Yu H, Kang Y, Niu K, Wang M, Jiang Y, Jiang N, Ding Z, Gan Z, Yu Q. STING Membrane Prevents Post-Surgery Tissue Adhesion and Tumor Recurrence of Colorectal Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2309655. [PMID: 38517062 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Surgery is the standard treatment regimen for resectable colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it is very hard to completely remove all cancer cells in clinical practice, leading to the high recurrence rates of the disease. Moreover, the post-surgery tissue adhesion greatly prevents the possibility of reoperation, significantly limiting the long-term surviving of CRC patients. To overcome CRC recurrence and avoid the post-surgery tissue adhesion, this work develops a novel stimulator of interferon genes "STING" membrane based on the coaxial electrospinning technology and hyaluronic acid modification. A reactive oxygen species responsive prodrug of gambogic acid (GB) and a potent STING agonist (CDN) are coloaded in the core-shell structure of the membrane, which endows the loaded drug with sustained and sequential release patterns. The localized delivery of GB and CDN can selectively induce efficient immunogenic cell death of cancer cells and then evoke the systemic anticancer immunity by activating the Cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase/STING pathway. As-designed "STING" membrane not only safely prevents tumor recurrence through the synergistic chemoimmunotherapy but also efficiently avoids the post-surgery tissue adhesion, facilitating the clinical intervention of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Haiwang Yu
- The State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yan Kang
- The State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Kun Niu
- The State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ming Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yitong Jiang
- The State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ni Jiang
- The State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Zhenshan Ding
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Friendship Hospitals, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Zhihua Gan
- The State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Qingsong Yu
- The State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
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Sun W, Xie S, Liu SF, Hu X, Xing D. Evolving Tumor Characteristics and Smart Nanodrugs for Tumor Immunotherapy. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:3919-3942. [PMID: 38708176 PMCID: PMC11070166 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s453265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Typical physiological characteristics of tumors, such as weak acidity, low oxygen content, and upregulation of certain enzymes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), provide survival advantages when exposed to targeted attacks by drugs and responsive nanomedicines. Consequently, cancer treatment has significantly progressed in recent years. However, the evolution and adaptation of tumor characteristics still pose many challenges for current treatment methods. Therefore, efficient and precise cancer treatments require an understanding of the heterogeneity degree of various factors in cancer cells during tumor evolution to exploit the typical TME characteristics and manage the mutation process. The highly heterogeneous tumor and infiltrating stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular components collectively form a unique TME, which plays a crucial role in tumor malignancy, including proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and immune escape. Therefore, the development of new treatment methods that can adapt to the evolutionary characteristics of tumors has become an intense focus in current cancer treatment research. This paper explores the latest understanding of cancer evolution, focusing on how tumors use new antigens to shape their "new faces"; how immune system cells, such as cytotoxic T cells, regulatory T cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells, help tumors become "invisible", that is, immune escape; whether the diverse cancer-associated fibroblasts provide support and coordination for tumors; and whether it is possible to attack tumors in reverse. This paper discusses the limitations of targeted therapy driven by tumor evolution factors and explores future strategies and the potential of intelligent nanomedicines, including the systematic coordination of tumor evolution factors and adaptive methods, to meet this therapeutic challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshe Sun
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaowei Xie
- Department of Ultrasound, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shi Feng Liu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaokun Hu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dongming Xing
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
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Bracamonte-Baran W, Kim ST. The Current and Future of Biomarkers of Immune Related Adverse Events. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2024; 50:201-227. [PMID: 38670721 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
With their groundbreaking clinical responses, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have ushered in a new chapter in cancer therapeutics. However, they are often associated with life-threatening or organ-threatening autoimmune/autoinflammatory phenomena, collectively termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs). In this review, we will first describe the mechanisms of action of ICIs as well as irAEs. Next, we will review biomarkers for predicting the development of irAEs or stratifying risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Bracamonte-Baran
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, Yale University, 300 Cedar Street, TAC S541, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Sang T Kim
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, Yale University, 300 Cedar Street, TAC S541, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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36
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Qiu W, Zhang R, Qian Y. POLE -related gene signature predicts prognosis, immune feature, and drug therapy in human endometrioid carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29548. [PMID: 38660244 PMCID: PMC11040042 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The POLE subtype of Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is linked to a favourable prognosis in the molecular classification. We proposed to ascertain the potential connection between the POLE subtype and improved prognosis. In order to forecast the prognosis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were employed, and a POLE-related risk signature (PRS) model was developed and validated. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) with the "GSVA" package was employed to analyse immunity characteristics. Drug susceptibility studies were conducted to compare the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of medicines between high- and low-risk groups. The PRS model was generated employing the LASSO Cox regression coefficients of the ELF1, MMADHC, andAL021707.6 genes. Our study demonstrated that the risk score was linked to tumour stage, grade, and survival. Furthermore, the low-risk group possessed elevated levels of gene expression connected with immunological checkpoints and HLA. Our outcomes emerged that the PRS model might have value in identifying patients with a good prognosis and in facilitating personalised treatment in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Qiu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.169, HuShan Road, Nanjing, 211100, China
| | - Runjie Zhang
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1111, XianXia Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1111, XianXia Road, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Yingchen Qian
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.169, HuShan Road, Nanjing, 211100, China
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Pei J, Gao Y, Wu A. An inflammation-related subtype classification for analyzing tumor microenvironment and clinical prognosis in colorectal cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1369726. [PMID: 38742117 PMCID: PMC11089903 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1369726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The inflammatory response plays an essential role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal cancer (CRC) by modulating tumor growth, progression, and response to therapy through the recruitment of immune cells, production of cytokines, and activation of signaling pathways. However, the molecular subtypes and risk score prognostic model based on inflammatory response remain to be further explored. Methods Inflammation-related genes were collected from the molecular signature database and molecular subtypes were identified using nonnegative matrix factorization based on the TCGA cohort. We compared the clinicopathological features, immune infiltration, somatic mutation profile, survival prognosis, and drug sensitivity between the subtypes. The risk score model was developed using LASSO and multivariate Cox regression in the TCGA cohort. The above results were independently validated in the GEO cohort. Moreover, we explored the biological functions of the hub gene, receptor interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2), leveraging proteomics data, in vivo, and in vitro experiments. Results We identified two inflammation-related subtypes (inflammation-low and inflammation-high) and have excellent internal consistency and stability. Inflammation-high subtype showed higher immune cell infiltration and increased sensitivity to common chemotherapeutic drugs, while inflammation-low subtype may be more suitable for immunotherapy. Besides, the two subtypes differ significantly in pathway enrichment and biological functions. In addition, the 11-gene signature prognostic model constructed from inflammation-related genes showed strong prognostic assessment power and could serve as a novel prognostic marker to predict the survival of CRC patients. Finally, RIPK2 plays a crucial role in promoting malignant proliferation of CRC cell validated by experiment. Conclusions This study provides new insights into the heterogeneity of CRC and provides novel opportunities for treatment development and clinical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aiwen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Unit III, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
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Du Q, An Q, Zhang J, Liu C, Hu Q. Unravelling immune microenvironment features underlying tumor progression in the single-cell era. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:143. [PMID: 38649887 PMCID: PMC11036673 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03335-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The relationship between the immune cell and tumor occurrence and progression remains unclear. Profiling alterations in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) at high resolution is crucial to identify factors influencing cancer progression and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. However, traditional sequencing methods, including bulk RNA sequencing, exhibit varying degrees of masking the cellular heterogeneity and immunophenotypic changes observed in early and late-stage tumors. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has provided significant and precise TIME landscapes. Consequently, this review has highlighted TIME cellular and molecular changes in tumorigenesis and progression elucidated through recent scRNA-seq studies. Specifically, we have summarized the cellular heterogeneity of TIME at different stages, including early, late, and metastatic stages. Moreover, we have outlined the related variations that may promote tumor occurrence and metastasis in the single-cell era. The widespread applications of scRNA-seq in TIME will comprehensively redefine the understanding of tumor biology and furnish more effective immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilian Du
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Qi An
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Jiajun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
| | - Qinyong Hu
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.
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Xia Y, Sun M, Huang H, Jin WL. Drug repurposing for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:92. [PMID: 38637540 PMCID: PMC11026526 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01808-1] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer, a complex and multifactorial disease, presents a significant challenge to global health. Despite significant advances in surgical, radiotherapeutic and immunological approaches, which have improved cancer treatment outcomes, drug therapy continues to serve as a key therapeutic strategy. However, the clinical efficacy of drug therapy is often constrained by drug resistance and severe toxic side effects, and thus there remains a critical need to develop novel cancer therapeutics. One promising strategy that has received widespread attention in recent years is drug repurposing: the identification of new applications for existing, clinically approved drugs. Drug repurposing possesses several inherent advantages in the context of cancer treatment since repurposed drugs are typically cost-effective, proven to be safe, and can significantly expedite the drug development process due to their already established safety profiles. In light of this, the present review offers a comprehensive overview of the various methods employed in drug repurposing, specifically focusing on the repurposing of drugs to treat cancer. We describe the antitumor properties of candidate drugs, and discuss in detail how they target both the hallmarks of cancer in tumor cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment. In addition, we examine the innovative strategy of integrating drug repurposing with nanotechnology to enhance topical drug delivery. We also emphasize the critical role that repurposed drugs can play when used as part of a combination therapy regimen. To conclude, we outline the challenges associated with repurposing drugs and consider the future prospects of these repurposed drugs transitioning into clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xia
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, PR China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550001, PR China
- School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, PR China
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and, Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Ming Sun
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, PR China
- School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, PR China
| | - Hai Huang
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, PR China.
- School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, PR China.
| | - Wei-Lin Jin
- Institute of Cancer Neuroscience, Medical Frontier Innovation Research Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
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40
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Ziółkowska-Suchanek I, Żurawek M. FOXP3: A Player of Immunogenetic Architecture in Lung Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:493. [PMID: 38674427 PMCID: PMC11050689 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040493] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) is considered to be a prominent component of the immune system expressed in regulatory T cells (Tregs). Tregs are immunosuppressive cells that regulate immune homeostasis and self-tolerance. FOXP3 was originally thought to be a Tregs-specific molecule, but recent studies have pinpointed that FOXP3 is expressed in a diversity of benign tumors and carcinomas. The vast majority of the data have shown that FOXP3 is correlated with an unfavorable prognosis, although there are some reports indicating the opposite function of this molecule. Here, we review recent progress in understanding the FOXP3 role in the immunogenetic architecture of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer-related death. We discuss the prognostic significance of tumor FOXP3 expression, tumor-infiltrating FOXP3-lymphocytes, tumor FOXP3 in tumor microenvironments and the potential of FOXP3-targeted therapy.
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Wang X, Mo X, Yang Z, Zhao C. Qntrolling the LncRNA HULC-Tregs-PD-1 axis inhibits immune escape in the tumor microenvironment. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28386. [PMID: 38560250 PMCID: PMC10979100 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Immune escape remains a major challenge in the treatment of malignant tumors. Here, we studied the mechanisms underlying immune escape in the tumor microenvironment and identified a potential therapeutic target. Methods Pathological specimens from patients with liver cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, and liver metastasis of colon cancer were subjected to immunohistochemistry analysis to detect the expression of programmed death-1 (PD-1) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, the expression of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), such as highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and the relationship between HULC, Treg cells, and PD-1 was determined. The animals were divided into H22 hepatic carcinoma and S180 sarcoma groups. Each group was divided into Foxp3-/-C57BL/6J and C57BL/6J mice. Thereafter, mice were inoculated with 0.1 ml S180 sarcoma cells or 0.1 ml H22 hepatoma cells, at a concentration of 1 × 107/ml. The number of splenic CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells was detected by flow cytometry, and serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) levels were detected using a Luminex liquid suspension chip. Expression of PD-1, fork head box P3 (Foxp3), and HULC in the TME, were analyzed and the therapeutic effect of inhibiting the lncRNA HULC-Treg-PD-1 axis in malignant tumors was determined. Results High expression of lncRNA HULC promotes the proliferation of Treg cells and increases PD-1 expression in the tumor microenvironment. The HULC-Treg-PD-1 axis plays an immunosuppressive role and promotes the proliferation of malignant tumors. Knocking out the Foxp3 gene can affect the HULC-Treg-PD-1 axis and reduce PD-1, IL-10, and TGF-β1 expression to control the growth of malignant tumors. Conclusion The lncRNA HULC-Treg-PD-1 axis promotes the growth of malignant tumors. This axis could be modulated to reduce PD-1, IL-10, and TGF-β1 expression and the subsequent immune escape. The inhibition of immune escape in the tumor microenvironment can be achieved by controlling the LncRNA HULC-Treg-PD-1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiaoYu Wang
- School of Health Science, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, China
| | - Xiaoyan Mo
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, China
| | - Zhuolin Yang
- School of Health Science, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, China
| | - Changlin Zhao
- School of Health Science, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 51006, China
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Peeters JGC, Silveria S, Ozdemir M, Ramachandran S, DuPage M. Increased EZH2 function in regulatory T cells promotes their capacity to suppress autoimmunity by driving effector differentiation prior to activation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.05.588284. [PMID: 38645261 PMCID: PMC11030251 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.05.588284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The immunosuppressive function of regulatory T (Treg) cells is essential for maintaining immune homeostasis. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) methyltransferase, plays a key role in maintaining Treg cell function upon CD28 co-stimulation, and Ezh2 deletion in Treg cells causes autoimmunity. Here we assessed whether increased EZH2 activity in Treg cells would improve Treg cell function. Using an Ezh2 gain-of-function mutation, Ezh2 Y641F , we found that Treg cells expressing Ezh2 Y641F displayed an increased effector Treg phenotype and were poised for improved homing to organ tissues. Expression of Ezh2 Y641F in Treg cells led to more rapid remission from autoimmunity. H3K27me3 profiling and transcriptomic analysis revealed a redistribution of H3K27me3, which prompted a gene expression profile in naïve Ezh2 Y641F Treg cells that recapitulated aspects of CD28-activated Ezh2 WT Treg cells. Altogether, increased EZH2 activity promotes the differentiation of effector Treg cells that can better suppress autoimmunity. Highlights EZH2 function promotes effector differentiation of Treg cells.EZH2 function promotes Treg cell migration to organ tissues.EZH2 function in Treg cells improves remission from autoimmunity.EZH2 function poises naïve Treg cells to adopt a CD28-activated phenotype.
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Hsu CY, Mustafa MA, Kumar A, Pramanik A, Sharma R, Mohammed F, Jawad IA, Mohammed IJ, Alshahrani MY, Ali Khalil NAM, Shnishil AT, Abosaoda MK. Exploiting the immune system in hepatic tumor targeting: Unleashing the potential of drugs, natural products, and nanoparticles. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 256:155266. [PMID: 38554489 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic tumors present a formidable challenge in cancer therapeutics, necessitating the exploration of novel treatment strategies. In recent years, targeting the immune system has attracted interest to augment existing therapeutic efficacy. The immune system in hepatic tumors includes numerous cells with diverse actions. CD8+ T lymphocytes, T helper 1 (Th1) CD4+ T lymphocytes, alternative M1 macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells provide the antitumor immunity. However, Foxp3+ regulatory CD4+ T cells (Tregs), M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are the key immune inhibitor cells. Tumor stroma can also affect these interactions. Targeting these cells and their secreted molecules is intriguing for eliminating malignant cells. The current review provides a synopsis of the immune system components involved in hepatic tumor expansion and highlights the molecular and cellular pathways that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention. It also overviews the diverse range of drugs, natural products, immunotherapy drugs, and nanoparticles that have been investigated to manipulate immune responses and bolster antitumor immunity. The review also addresses the potential advantages and challenges associated with these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chou-Yi Hsu
- Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan City 71710, Taiwan
| | | | - Ashwani Kumar
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560069, India; Department of Pharmacy, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303012, India
| | - Atreyi Pramanik
- Institute of Pharma Sciences and Research, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Rajiv Sharma
- Institute of Pharma Sciences and Research, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Faraj Mohammed
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Manara College for Medical Sciences, Maysan, Iraq
| | | | - Imad Jasim Mohammed
- College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
| | - Mohammad Y Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | | | - Munther Kadhim Abosaoda
- College of technical engineering, the Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq; College of technical engineering, the Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Iraq; College of technical engineering, the Islamic University of Babylon, Iraq
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Santagata S, Rea G, Castaldo D, Napolitano M, Capiluongo A, D'Alterio C, Trotta AM, Ieranò C, Portella L, Di Maro S, Tatangelo F, Albino V, Guarino R, Cutolo C, Izzo F, Scala S. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor microenvironment is more suppressive than colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) tumor microenvironment. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:568-581. [PMID: 37142825 PMCID: PMC11014815 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10537-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While HCC is an inflammation-associated cancer, CRLM develops on permissive healthy liver microenvironment. To evaluate the immune aspects of these two different environments, peripheral blood-(PB), peritumoral-(PT) and tumoral tissues-(TT) from HCC and CRLM patients were evaluated. METHODS 40 HCC and 34 CRLM were enrolled and freshly TT, PT and PB were collected at the surgery. PB-, PT- and TT-derived CD4+CD25+ Tregs, M/PMN-MDSC and PB-derived CD4+CD25- T-effector cells (Teffs) were isolated and characterized. Tregs' function was also evaluated in the presence of the CXCR4 inhibitor, peptide-R29, AMD3100 or anti-PD1. RNA was extracted from PB/PT/TT tissues and tested for FOXP3, CXCL12, CXCR4, CCL5, IL-15, CXCL5, Arg-1, N-cad, Vim, CXCL8, TGFβ and VEGF-A expression. RESULTS In HCC/CRLM-PB, higher number of functional Tregs, CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ was detected, although PB-HCC Tregs exert a more suppressive function as compared to CRLM Tregs. In HCC/CRLM-TT, Tregs were highly represented with activated/ENTPD-1+Tregs prevalent in HCC. As compared to CRLM, HCC overexpressed CXCR4 and N-cadherin/vimentin in a contest rich in arginase and CCL5. Monocytic MDSCs were highly represented in HCC/CRLM, while high polymorphonuclear MDSCs were detected only in HCC. Interestingly, the function of CXCR4-PB-Tregs was impaired in HCC/CRLM by the CXCR4 inhibitor R29. CONCLUSION In HCC and CRLM, peripheral blood, peritumoral and tumoral tissues Tregs are highly represented and functional. Nevertheless, HCC displays a more immunosuppressive TME due to Tregs, MDSCs, intrinsic tumor features (CXCR4, CCL5, arginase) and the contest in which it develops. As CXCR4 is overexpressed in HCC/CRLM tumor/TME cells, CXCR4 inhibitors may be considered for double hit therapy in liver cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Santagata
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Rea
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Castaldo
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Napolitano
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Capiluongo
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Crescenzo D'Alterio
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Trotta
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Ieranò
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Portella
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Fabiana Tatangelo
- Pathology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Vittorio Albino
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Guarino
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Cutolo
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Izzo
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Scala
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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Wan Y, Mu X, Zhao J, Li L, Xu W, Zhang M. Myeloid‑derived suppressor cell accumulation induces Treg expansion and modulates lung malignancy progression. Biomed Rep 2024; 20:68. [PMID: 38533389 PMCID: PMC10963946 DOI: 10.3892/br.2024.1754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous family of myeloid cells that suppress T cell immunity in tumor-bearing hosts. The present study aimed to examine roles of T and MDSC subsets in lung malignancy. The study analyzed 102 cases with lung malignancy and 34 healthy individuals. Flow cytometry was performed for identification of T cell and MDSC subsets and their phenotypic characteristics in peripheral blood. The lung malignancy cases exhibited lower frequencies of granulocyte-like MDSCs (G-MDSCs) expressing PD-L2 and PD-L1 than healthy controls (P=0.013 and P<0.001, respectively). Additionally, there was a higher frequency of monocyte-like MDSCs (M-MDSCs) expressing PD-L1 in the peripheral blood of patients with lung malignancy than healthy controls (P<0.001). The frequencies of G-MDSCs and M-MDSCs were positively correlated with proportions of PD-1+ and CTLA-4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). In vitro co-culture assay demonstrated M-MDSCs of lung malignancy enhanced naive T cell apoptosis and promoted Treg subset differentiation compared with M-MDSCs of healthy controls. The findings suggested accumulation of MDSC subsets in lung malignancy and MDSCs expressing PD-L2 and PD-L1 induced Treg expansion by binding to PD-1 on the surface of Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghua Wan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, P.R. China
| | - Xiangdong Mu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, P.R. China
| | - Jingquan Zhao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, P.R. China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, P.R. China
| | - Wenshuai Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, P.R. China
| | - Mingqiang Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, P.R. China
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Yang X, Tao Y, Xu Y, Cai W, Shao Q. SLC35A2 expression drives breast cancer progression via ERK pathway activation. FEBS J 2024; 291:1483-1505. [PMID: 38143314 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17044] [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: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in glycosylation are associated with breast tumor formation and progression. Nevertheless, the specific functions and mechanisms of the human major UDP-galactose transporter-encoding gene solute carrier family 35 member A2 (SLC35A2) in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) have not been fully determined. Here, we report that SLC35A2 promotes BRCA progression by activating extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). SLC35A2 expression and prognosis-predictive significance in pan-cancer were evaluated using public databases. The upstream non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) of SLC35A2 were analyzed, and their expression and regulations were validated in breast tissues and cell lines by a quantitative PCR and dual-luciferase assays. We used bioinformatic tools to assess the link between SLC35A2 expression and immune infiltration and performed immunohistochemistry for validation. Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, transwell, flow cytometer and western blotting were used to assess the proliferation, motility, cell cycle and apoptosis of BRCA cells in vitro. The xenograft models were constructed to assess the effect of SLC35A2 on BRCA tumor growth in vivo. The results indicated that SLC35A2 expression was upregulated and linked to an unfavorable prognosis in BRCA. The most likely upstream ncRNA-associated pathway of SLC35A2 in BRCA was the AC074117.1/hsa-let-7b-5p axis. SLC35A2 expression had positive correlations with the presence of Th2 cells, regulatory T cells and immune checkpoints. Knockdown of SLC35A2 could reduce BRCA cell proliferation, motility, and cause G2/M arrest and cell apoptosis via ERK signaling. Moreover, ERK activation can rescue the inhibitory effects of knockdown SLC35A2 in BRCA. In conclusion, AC074117.1/hsa-let-7b-5p axis-mediated high expression of SLC35A2 acts as a tumor promoter in BRCA via ERK signaling, which provides a potential target for BRCA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Yang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, China
| | - Yukai Tao
- Clinical Research & Lab Center, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, China
| | - Weili Cai
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Reproductive Immunity, The Digestive and Reproductive System Cancers Precise Prevention Engineering Research Center of Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai'an, China
| | - Qixiang Shao
- Clinical Research & Lab Center, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, China
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Reproductive Immunity, The Digestive and Reproductive System Cancers Precise Prevention Engineering Research Center of Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai'an, China
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Sun B, Zhang Q, Sun T, Liu J, Cao Y, Liang B, Zheng C, Kan X. Radiofrequency hyperthermia enhances the effect of OK-432 for Hepatocellular carcinoma by activating of TLR4-cGAS-STING pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111769. [PMID: 38442584 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been used as an alternative to surgical management of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, when large and irregular HCCs are subjected to RFA, a safety margin is usually difficult to obtain, thus causing a sublethal radiofrequency hyperthermia (RFH) at the ablated tumor margin. This study investigated the feasibility of using RFH to enhance the effect of OK-432 on HCC, with the aim to generate a tumor-free margin during RFA of HCC. Our results showed OK-432 could activate the cGAS-STING pathway, and RFH could further enhance the activation. Meanwhile, RFH could induce a high expression of TLR4, and TLR4 might be an upstream molecular of the cGAS-STING pathway. The combined therapy of RFH with OK-432 resulted in a better tumor response, and a prolonged survival compared to the other three treatments. In conclusion, RFH in combination with OK-432 might reduce the residual and recurrent tumor after RFA of large and irregular HCCs, and serve as a new option for other solid malignancies treated by RFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Sun
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingqing Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiayun Liu
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanyan Cao
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Bin Liang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuansheng Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xuefeng Kan
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China.
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Zhang Y, Huang Y, Hong Y, Lin Z, Zha J, Zhu Y, Li Z, Wang C, Fang Z, Zhou Z, Peng Y, Yu X, Liu L, Xu B. Lactate acid promotes PD-1 + Tregs accumulation in the bone marrow with high tumor burden of Acute myeloid leukemia. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111765. [PMID: 38447414 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) displayed poor response to programmed death-1 (PD-1) blockade therapy. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) was one of major immunosuppressive components in Tumor microenvironment and plays a vital role in the resistance of immunotherapy. Coinhibitory receptors regulate function of regulatory Tregs and are associated with resistance of PD-1 blockade. However, the coinhibitory receptors expression and differentiated status of Tregs in AML patients remain to be unclear. METHODS Phenotypic determination of Tregs and CD8+ T cells in bone marrow of healthy donors and AML patients was performed by flow cytometry. Coculture experiments of AML and Tregs in vitro were performed and the concentrations of lactate acid (LA) in the supernatant were examined by ELISA. RESULTS More Tregs differentiated into effector subsets in AML patients. However, PD-1 and T-cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domain (TIGIT) expression on Tregs were comparable in healthy donors and AML patients. Further analysis showed that PD-1+ and PD-1+TIGIT+Tregs are more abundant in the bone marrow of patients with higher leukemic load. Moreover, PD-1+ Tregs accumulation was associated with higher level of senescent CD4+ T cells and increased frequencies of exhausted CD4+ as well as CD8+ T cells. Notably, neither Tregs nor their effector subsets were decreased among patients in complete remission. PD-1 expression was significantly downregulated in Tregs after achieving complete remission. Mechanistically, both AML cell line (KG-1α) and primary AML blasts produced high concentration of LA. Blockade of LA by lactate transporter inhibitor abrogated the upregulation of PD-1 by AML cells. CONCLUSION PD-1+ Tregs accumulation in bone marrow in higher leukemic burden setting was linked to lactate acid secreted by AML blasts and decreased after disease remission. Our findings provided a novel insight into Tregs in AML and possible mechanism for resistance of PD-1 blockade in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yining Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Yueting Huang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Yan Hong
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Zhijuan Lin
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Jie Zha
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Zhifeng Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Caiyan Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Zhihong Fang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Ziwei Zhou
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Yun Peng
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361000, China
| | - Xingxing Yu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China.
| | - Long Liu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China.
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China; Key laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies, Xiamen, 361003, China.
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Gao F, You X, Yang L, Zou X, Sui B. Boosting immune responses in lung tumor immune microenvironment: A comprehensive review of strategies and adjuvants. Int Rev Immunol 2024:1-29. [PMID: 38525925 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2024.2333275] [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: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The immune system has a substantial impact on the growth and expansion of lung malignancies. Immune cells are encompassed by a stroma comprising an extracellular matrix (ECM) and different cells like stromal cells, which are known as the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). TME is marked by the presence of immunosuppressive factors, which inhibit the function of immune cells and expand tumor growth. In recent years, numerous strategies and adjuvants have been developed to extend immune responses in the TIME, to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. In this comprehensive review, we outline the present knowledge of immune evasion mechanisms in lung TIME, explain the biology of immune cells and diverse effectors on these components, and discuss various approaches for overcoming suppressive barriers. We highlight the potential of novel adjuvants, including toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, cytokines, phytochemicals, nanocarriers, and oncolytic viruses, for enhancing immune responses in the TME. Ultimately, we provide a summary of ongoing clinical trials investigating these strategies and adjuvants in lung cancer patients. This review also provides a broad overview of the current state-of-the-art in boosting immune responses in the TIME and highlights the potential of these approaches for improving outcomes in lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Gao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xiaoqing You
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Oncology, Da Qing Long Nan Hospital, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xiangni Zou
- Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Bowen Sui
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
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Wang ZQ, Wu ZX, Wang ZP, Bao JX, Wu HD, Xu DY, Li HF, Xu YY, Wu RX, Dai XX. Pan-cancer analysis of NUP155 and validation of its role in breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:353. [PMID: 38504158 PMCID: PMC10953186 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12039-6] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
NUP155 is reported to be correlated with tumor development. However, the role of NUP155 in tumor physiology and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) has not been previously examined. This study comprehensively investigated the expression, immunological function, and prognostic significance of NUP155 in different cancer types. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that NUP155 was upregulated in 26 types of cancer. Additionally, NUP155 upregulation was strongly correlated with advanced pathological or clinical stages and poor prognosis in several cancers. Furthermore, NUP155 was significantly and positively correlated with DNA methylation, tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, and stemness score in most cancers. Additionally, NUP155 was also found to be involved in TIME and closely associated with tumor infiltrating immune cells and immunoregulation-related genes. Functional enrichment analysis revealed a strong correlation between NUP155 and immunomodulatory pathways, especially antigen processing and presentation. The role of NUP155 in breast cancer has not been examined. This study, for the first time, demonstrated that NUP155 was upregulated in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) cells and revealed its oncogenic role in BRCA using molecular biology experiments. Thus, our study highlights the potential value of NUP155 as a biomarker in the assessment of prognostic prediction, tumor microenvironment and immunotherapeutic response in pan-cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Qiong Wang
- Quzhou People's Hospital, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 100 Minjiang Avenue, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (Ministry of Education), The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Zhi-Xuan Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zong-Pan Wang
- Quzhou People's Hospital, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 100 Minjiang Avenue, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing-Xia Bao
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao-Dong Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Di-Yan Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hong-Feng Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi-Yin Xu
- Quzhou People's Hospital, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 100 Minjiang Avenue, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rong-Xing Wu
- Quzhou People's Hospital, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 100 Minjiang Avenue, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xuan-Xuan Dai
- Quzhou People's Hospital, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 100 Minjiang Avenue, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, Zhejiang, China.
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (Ministry of Education), The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
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