High concentrations of atorvastatin reduce in-vitro function of conventional T and regulatory T cells

The chemokine CCL14 is a potential biomarker associated with immune cell infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Chemokine ligand 14, which has a C-C motif (CCL14), mediates the immunological milieu around tumors. However, its role in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is still unknown. Our objectives were to study the association between CCL14 and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) as well as the predictive significance of CCL14 in LUAD.

METHODS

The expression of CCL14 in LUAD was examined by using the Oncomine, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), The University of Alabama at Birmingham CANcer data analysis Portal (UALCAN), and Human Protein Atlas databases. To determine the prognostic significance of CCL14 in LUAD, researchers used the Kaplan‒Meier plotter and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA, version 2). We utilized TIMER and GEPIA2 to investigate the connection between CCL14 and TIICs. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to test for functional enrichment of genes. We used RT‒qPCR to measure CCL14 expression and Cell Counting Kit-8, Transwell, and wound healing assays to investigate the biological role of CCL14.

RESULTS

The prognosis of patients with LUAD was worse when CCL14 expression was low. Statistical analysis revealed that CCL14 mRNA expression was significantly greater in lung epithelial cells than in LUAD cell lines in vitro. Enhancing CCL14 expression reduced cell migration, invasion, and proliferation. The results of the immune infiltration research showed that CCL14 and TIICs were positively correlated. Different immune infiltration patterns associated with CCL14 were also shown by TIIC markers. According to GSEA, histone deacetylases, G2/M checkpoints, and Notch signaling pathways were associated with low CCL14 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

CCL14 is anticipated to emerge as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target for LUAD due to its role in regulating TIICs, suggesting that it may be an antioncogene.

Unlocking the potential of T-cell metabolism reprogramming: Advancing single-cell approaches for precision immunotherapy in tumour immunity

As single-cell RNA sequencing enables the detailed clustering of T-cell subpopulations and facilitates the analysis of T-cell metabolic states and metabolite dynamics, it has gained prominence as the preferred tool for understanding heterogeneous cellular metabolism. Furthermore, the synergistic or inhibitory effects of various metabolic pathways within T cells in the tumour microenvironment are coordinated, and increased activity of specific metabolic pathways generally corresponds to increased functional activity, leading to diverse T-cell behaviours related to the effects of tumour immune cells, which shows the potential of tumour-specific T cells to induce persistent immune responses. A holistic understanding of how metabolic heterogeneity governs the immune function of specific T-cell subsets is key to obtaining field-level insights into immunometabolism. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms underlying the interplay between T-cell metabolism and immune functions will pave the way for precise immunotherapy approaches in the future, which will empower us to explore new methods for combating tumours with enhanced efficacy.

Statins as Repurposed Drugs in Gynecological Cancer: A Review

Discovering new drugs is an expensive and time-consuming process, including target identification, bioavailability, pharmacokinetic (PK) tests, pharmacodynamic (PD) tests, toxicity profiles, recommended dosage test, and observation of the side effects, etc. Repurposed drugs could bypass some steps, starting from phase II trials, and shorten the processes. Statins, also known as HMG-CoA inhibitors (HMGCR), are commonly used to manage and prevent various cardiovascular diseases and have been shown to improve the morbidity and mortality of patients. In addition to the inhibitory effects on the production of cholesterol, the beneficial effects of statins on the prognosis and risk of various cancers are also shown. Statins not only inhibited cell proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance but affected the tumor microenvironment (TME). Thus, statins have great potential to be repurposed in oncology. Hence, we review the meta-analysis, cohort, and case-control studies of statins in gynecological cancers, and elucidate how statins regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumor growth, and metastasis. Although the results in gynecological cancers remain controversial and the effects of different statins in different histotypes of gynecological cancers and TME are needed to elucidate further, statins are excellent candidates and worthy of being repurposed drugs in treating gynecological cancers.

Hydroxysteroid 17-Beta Dehydrogenase 6 Is a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlates with Immune Infiltrates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy worldwide with poor outcomes. Therefore, it is important to identify a valuable prognostic biomarker for HCC. The present study aimed to identify novel prognostic biomarkers for HCC and evaluate the potential role of hub genes in HCC.

METHODS

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and protein-protein interaction analysis were performed to identify important potential prognostic genes. The expression of hub genes was confirmed by the GEPIA, Oncomine, UALCAN, and HPA database. Furthermore, survival analysis of hub genes was performed using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database. Finally, we investigated the association between hub genes and immune factors in HCC through GSEA, the TIMER, and TISIDB database.

RESULTS

HSD17B6 expression was significantly lower in HCC than in normal tissues. Low HSD17B6 expression is associated with poorer overall survival and progression-free survival in HCC patients, particularly at medium disease stages (stage II and III or grade III). HSD17B6 showed a strong correlation with tumor-infiltrating B cells, CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Somatic copy number alteration might be the main cause of the negative correlation between HSD17B6 expression and immune infiltration. HSD17B6 expression in HCC negatively correlated with the expression of several immune cell markers, including exhausted T cell markers, PD-1 and CTLA-4, suggesting its role in regulating tumor immunity.

CONCLUSIONS

HSD17B6 is a potential prognostic biomarker that determines cancer progression and is correlated with tumor immune cells infiltration in HCC.

Effects of Atorvastatin on T-Cell Activation and Apoptosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Novel Simulated Interactions With C-Reactive Protein and Interleukin 6

Objective

We study activation of T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells and induction of apoptosis in cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with controls and effects of atorvastatin and its simulated interactions with other compounds.

Methods

Mononuclear cells from 10 patients with SLE and 10 controls were cultured in conditions that induce Th17 and/or Treg cell polarization and/or apoptosis and were studied by FACScan. Gene expression was determined by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Cytokines in plasma were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The Search Tool for Interactions of Chemicals (STITCH) was used to retrieve information regarding the binding properties of atorvastatin.

Results

Among patients with SLE, the proportion of Th17 (CD4⁺IL17⁺) cells was higher compared with controls after activation, with Th17 or Treg polarizing cytokines, phorbol myristate acetate, and ionomycin. In contrast, Treg cells (CD4⁺CD25⁺CD127^dim/−) frequencies were lower. CD95 stimulation induced relatively more apoptosis in Treg cells and less in Th17 cells, as compared with controls. Addition of atorvastatin normalized Th17/Treg cell balance and apoptosis induction. Accordingly, the ratio of RORC/FoxP3 decreased in patients with SLE. Interleukin 17 and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) levels were increased in patients with SLE. Atorvastatin interacted strongly with C‐reactive protein (CRP) and also significantly with IL‐6.

Conclusion

There is a higher proportion of Th17 cells and a lower proportion of Treg cells in patients with SLE after activation. Th17 cells were more resistant than Treg cells to CD95‐induced apoptosis in SLE. Atorvastatin normalized these effects. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism behind the imbalance of Th17/Treg cells with implications for treatment in SLE. We determine for the first time simulated interaction between atorvastatin, CRP, and IL‐6, implying a novel role of atorvastatin.

Immune Cells in the BBB Disruption After Acute Ischemic Stroke: Targets for Immune Therapy?

Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) disruption is an important pathophysiological process of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), resulting in devastating malignant brain edema and hemorrhagic transformation. The rapid activation of immune cells plays a critical role in BBB disruption after ischemic stroke. Infiltrating blood-borne immune cells (neutrophils, monocytes, and T lymphocytes) increase BBB permeability, as they cause microvascular disorder and secrete inflammation-associated molecules. In contrast, they promote BBB repair and angiogenesis in the latter phase of ischemic stroke. The profound immunological effects of cerebral immune cells (microglia, astrocytes, and pericytes) on BBB disruption have been underestimated in ischemic stroke. Post-stroke microglia and astrocytes can adopt both an M1/A1 or M2/A2 phenotype, which influence BBB integrity differently. However, whether pericytes acquire microglia phenotype and exert immunological effects on the BBB remains controversial. Thus, better understanding the inflammatory mechanism underlying BBB disruption can lead to the identification of more promising biological targets to develop treatments that minimize the onset of life-threatening complications and to improve existing treatments in patients. However, early attempts to inhibit the infiltration of circulating immune cells into the brain by blocking adhesion molecules, that were successful in experimental stroke failed in clinical trials. Therefore, new immunoregulatory therapeutic strategies for acute ischemic stroke are desperately warranted. Herein, we highlight the role of circulating and cerebral immune cells in BBB disruption and the crosstalk between them following acute ischemic stroke. Using a robust theoretical background, we discuss potential and effective immunotherapeutic targets to regulate BBB permeability after acute ischemic stroke.

Role of chemokines in hepatocellular carcinoma (Review)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide, with an unsatisfactory prognosis, although treatments are improving. One of the main challenges for the treatment of HCC is the prevention or management of recurrence and metastasis of HCC. It has been found that chemokines and their receptors serve a pivotal role in HCC progression. In the present review, the literature on the multifactorial roles of exosomes in HCC from PubMed, Cochrane library and Embase were obtained, with a specific focus on the functions and mechanisms of chemokines in HCC. To date, >50 chemokines have been found, which can be divided into four families: CXC, CX3C, CC and XC, according to the different positions of the conserved N‑terminal cysteine residues. Chemokines are involved in the inflammatory response, tumor immune response, proliferation, invasion and metastasis via modulation of various signaling pathways. Thus, chemokines and their receptors directly or indirectly shape the tumor cell microenvironment, and regulate the biological behavior of the tumor. In addition, the potential application of chemokines in chemotaxis of exosomes as drug vehicles is discussed. Exosomes containing chemokines or expressing receptors for chemokines may improve chemotaxis to HCC and may thus be exploited for targeted drug delivery.

Zoledronate decreases CTLA-4 in vivo and in vitro independently of its action on bone resorption

Acute phase response (APR) following intravenous zoledronate (ZOL) administration is related to activation and increased proliferation of γδ T cells, attributed to the molecular mechanism of action of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs). ZOL, however, has also been reported to inhibit the proliferation of regulatory T cells in vitro and to reduce the expression of Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen-4 (CTLA-4), a negative regulator of T cell activation that is increased in patients with autoimmune diseases. There are, however, no data on the relationship between ZOL treatment and soluble(s)CTLA-4 either in vivo in relevant patient populations or in vitro with the use of assays relevant to the mechanism of action of N-BPs. The objectives of the present study were firstly, to characterize the ZOL-induced APR in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) and its relationship with changes in circulating sCTLA-4 and secondly, to investigate the effects of ZOL on CTLA-4 production and expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We studied 10 postmenopausal women with IRDs treated with intravenous ZOL 5 mg. Five women experienced APR (APR+) associated with significant decreases in blood lymphocytes and increases in granulocytes and serum CRP. Serum sCTLA-4 values were increased in all patients before ZOL administration and decreased significantly 72 h after the ZOL infusion (from 30.0 ± 2.9 to 6.3 ± 1.8 ng/ml; p < 0.001) with no differences between APR+ and APR- patients. Consistent with the results of the in vivo study, ZOL (1 μM) decreased the production of sCTLA-4 by 87% and 57% after 3 and 5 days in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro, respectively, and inhibited the expression of both cytoplasmic and membrane-bound CTLA-4. Our results reveal a novel immunoregulatory action of ZOL that is not related to its action on bone resorption but might be associated with reported clinically significant extraskeletal outcomes of ZOL treatment.

Medical Treatment Can Unintentionally Alter the Regulatory T-Cell Compartment in Patients with Widespread Pathophysiologic Conditions

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are non-redundant mediators of immune tolerance that are critical to prevent autoimmune disease and promote an anti-inflammatory tissue environment. Many individuals experience chronic diseases and physiologic changes associated with aging requiring long-term medication. Unfortunately, adverse effects accompany every pharmacologic intervention and may affect overall outcomes. We focus on medications typically prescribed during the treatment of prevalent chronic diseases and disorders, including cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, and menopausal symptoms, that affect >200 million individuals in the United States. Increasing studies continue to report that treatment of patients with estrogen, metformin, statins, vitamin D, and tumor necrosis factor blockers are unintentionally modulating the Treg compartment. Effects of these medications likely comprise direct and/or indirect interaction with Tregs via other immune and parenchymal populations. Differing and sometimes opposing effects on the Treg compartment have been observed using the same medication. The length of treatment, dosing regimen and stage of disease, patient age, ethnicity, and sex may account for such findings and determine the specific signaling pathways affected by the medication. Enhancing the Treg compartment can skew the patient's immune system toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype and therefore could provide unanticipated benefit. Currently, multiple medicines prescribed to large numbers of patients influence the Treg compartment; however, how such effects affect their disease outcome and long-term health remains unclear.

DCK is a promising prognostic biomarker and correlated with immune infiltrates in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Deoxycytidine kinase (DCK), an enzyme in the nucleoside biosynthetic pathway, can affect the development of immune cells. However, the relationships between the expression of DCK, patient prognosis, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unclear.

Methods

The expression of DCK in HCC was analyzed through the Oncomine and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases. The impact of DCK on clinical prognosis was investigated via the Kaplan-Meier plotter and verified in the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) databases. The interrelationships between DCK expression and TIICs in HCC were analyzed by the TIMER database. Additionally, the relationship between DCK expression and immune cell gene markers was calculated through TIMER and GEPIA databases.

Results

Compared with the adjacent normal tissues, high expression of DCK was observed in HCC tissues. Also, the higher expression of DCK was correlated to poorer prognosis in HCC patients, and it was associated with decreased survival in those with early stage and grade. Moreover, DCK expression was positively correlated with TIICs, including CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, B cells, monocytes, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), M1 and M2 macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. Specifically, DCK expression levels were significantly associated with diverse immune gene marker sets, including those of Tregs and exhausted T cells.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that DCK expression is correlated with patient outcomes and tumor infiltration cell levels in HCC patients. Additionally, the increased level of DCK was associated with marker genes of Tregs and exhaustion-related inhibitory receptors, suggesting the potential role of DCK in immunosuppression and immune escape. These findings suggest that DCK can function as a potential novel prognostic biomarker and reflect the immune infiltration status in HCC patients.

CCL14 is a prognostic biomarker and correlates with immune infiltrates in hepatocellular carcinoma

C-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CCL14) is a chemokine promoting the activation of immune cells. However, the relationship between CCL14 expression, tumor immunity, and prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. CCL14 expression and its influence on tumor prognosis were analyzed by the ONCOMINE, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and Kaplan-Meier plotter. The relationship between CCL14 expression and tumor immunity were analyzed by TIMER and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). CCL14 expression was significantly lower in several human cancers, including HCC, than in corresponding normal tissues. CCL14 expression in HCC tissues correlated with prognosis. Low CCL14 expression associated with poorer overall survival, disease-specific survival, progression-free survival, and relapse-free survival in multiple cohorts of HCC patients, particularly at early disease stages (stage 1+2 or grade 2). CCL14 showed strong correlation with tumor-infiltrating B cells, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. CCL14 expression in HCC negatively correlated with expression of several immune cell markers, including exhausted T cell markers, PD-1, TIM-3 and CTLA-4, suggesting its role in regulating tumor immunity. These findings demonstrate that CCL14 is a potential prognostic biomarker that determines cancer progression and correlated with tumor immune cells infiltration in HCC.

Regulatory T cells: Possible mediators for the anti-inflammatory action of statins

Statins beside their main effect on reducing the progression of cardiovascular disease through pharmacological inhibition of the endogenous cholesterol synthesis, have additional pleiotropic effects including antiinflammatory effects mediated through the induction of suppressor regulatory T cells (Tregs). Statin-induced expansion of Tregs reduces chronic inflammation and may have beneficial effects in autoimmune diseases. However, statins could represent a double-edged sword in immunomodulation. Drugs that act by increasing the concentration of Tregs could enhance the risk of cancers, particularly in the elderly and may have adverse effects in neurodegenerative disorders and infectious diseases. In the present paper, we review the experimental studies that evaluate the effects of statins on Treg cells in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and we discuss potential therapeutic applications of statins in this setting.