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Baldelli G, De Santi M, Ateba CN, Cifola G, Amagliani G, Tchatchouang CDK, Montso PK, Brandi G, Schiavano GF. The potential role of Listeria monocytogenes in promoting colorectal adenocarcinoma tumorigenic process. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:87. [PMID: 38491424 PMCID: PMC10941472 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03240-5] [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: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen, which can cause a severe illness, especially in people with a weakened immune system or comorbidities. The interactions between host and pathogens and between pathogens and tumor cells have been debated in recent years. However, it is still unclear how bacteria can interact with tumor cells, and if this interaction can affect tumor progression and therapy. METHODS In this study, we evaluated the involvement of L. monocytogenes in pre-neoplastic and colorectal cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenic potential. RESULTS Our findings showed that the interaction between heat-killed L. monocytogenes and pre-neoplastic or colorectal cancer cells led to a proliferative induction; furthermore, by using a three-dimensional cell culture model, the obtained data indicated that L. monocytogenes was able to increase the tumorigenic potential of both pre-neoplastic and colorectal cancer cells. The observed effects were then confirmed as L. monocytogenes-specific, using Listeria innocua as negative control. Lastly, data suggested the Insulin Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R) cascade as one of the possible mechanisms involved in the effects induced by L. monocytogenes in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line. CONCLUSIONS These findings, although preliminary, suggest that the presence of pathogenic bacterial cells in the tumor niches may directly induce, increase, and stimulate tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Baldelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Urbino, Italy
| | - Mauro De Santi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Urbino, Italy
| | - Collins Njie Ateba
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Giorgia Cifola
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Urbino, Italy
| | - Giulia Amagliani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Urbino, Italy
| | | | - Peter Kotsoana Montso
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Giorgio Brandi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Urbino, Italy
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Anthofer M, Windisch M, Haller R, Ehmann S, Wrighton S, Miller M, Schernthanner L, Kufferath I, Schauer S, Jelušić B, Kienesberger S, Zechner EL, Posselt G, Vales-Gomez M, Reyburn HT, Gorkiewicz G. Immune evasion by proteolytic shedding of natural killer group 2, member D ligands in Helicobacter pylori infection. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1282680. [PMID: 38318189 PMCID: PMC10839011 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1282680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) uses various strategies that attenuate mucosal immunity to ensure its persistence in the stomach. We recently found evidence that H. pylori might modulate the natural killer group 2, member 2 (NKG2D) system. The NKG2D receptor and its ligands are a major activation system of natural killer and cytotoxic T cells, which are important for mucosal immunity and tumor immunosurveillance. The NKG2D system allows recognition and elimination of infected and transformed cells, however viruses and cancers often subvert its activation. Here we aimed to identify a potential evasion of the NKG2D system in H. pylori infection. Methods We analyzed expression of NKG2D system genes in gastric tissues of H. pylori gastritis and gastric cancer patients, and performed cell-culture based infection experiments using H. pylori isogenic mutants and epithelial and NK cell lines. Results In biopsies of H. pylori gastritis patients, NKG2D receptor expression was reduced while NKG2D ligands accumulated in the lamina propria, suggesting NKG2D evasion. In vitro, H. pylori induced the transcription and proteolytic shedding of NKG2D ligands in stomach epithelial cells, and these effects were associated with specific H. pylori virulence factors. The H. pylori-driven release of soluble NKG2D ligands reduced the immunogenic visibility of infected cells and attenuated the cytotoxic activity of effector immune cells, specifically the anti-tumor activity of NK cells. Conclusion H. pylori manipulates the NKG2D system. This so far unrecognized strategy of immune evasion by H. pylori could potentially facilitate chronic bacterial persistence and might also promote stomach cancer development by allowing transformed cells to escape immune recognition and grow unimpeded to overt malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margit Anthofer
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Markus Windisch
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Rosa Haller
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sandra Ehmann
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Michael Miller
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Iris Kufferath
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Silvia Schauer
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Barbara Jelušić
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sabine Kienesberger
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Interuniversity Cooperation, BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ellen L. Zechner
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Interuniversity Cooperation, BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gernot Posselt
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Mar Vales-Gomez
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Hugh T. Reyburn
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gregor Gorkiewicz
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Interuniversity Cooperation, BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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Liu M, Hu Z, Wang C, Zhang Y. The TLR/MyD88 signalling cascade in inflammation and gastric cancer: the immune regulatory network of Helicobacter pylori. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:767-781. [PMID: 37195446 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02332-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori-induced chronic gastritis represents a well-established risk factor for gastric cancer (GC). However, the mechanism by which chronic inflammation caused by H. pylori induces the development of GC is unclear. H. pylori can influence host cell signalling pathways to induce gastric disease development and mediate cancer promotion and progression. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), play a key role in the gastrointestinal innate immune response, and their signalling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of an increasing number of inflammation-associated cancers. The core adapter myeloid differentiation factor-88 (MyD88) is shared by most TLRs and functions primarily in H. pylori-triggered innate immune signalling. MyD88 is envisioned as a potential target for the regulation of immune responses and is involved in the regulation of tumourigenesis in a variety of cancer models. In recent years, the TLR/MyD88 signalling pathway has received increasing attention for its role in regulating innate and adaptive immune responses, inducing inflammatory activation and promoting tumour formation. In addition, TLR/MyD88 signalling can manipulate the expression of infiltrating immune cells and various cytokines in the tumour microenvironment (TME). In this review, we discuss the pathogenetic regulatory mechanisms of the TLR/MyD88 signalling cascade pathway and its downstream molecules in H. pylori infection-induced-associated GC. The focus is to elucidate the immunomolecular mechanisms of pathogen recognition and innate immune system activation of H. pylori in the TME of inflammation-associated GC. Ultimately, this study will provide insight into the mechanism of H. pylori-induced chronic inflammation-induced GC development and provide thoughts for GC prevention and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiqi Liu
- Medical School, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Chang Sheng Xi Avenue 28, Hengyang City, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Zhizhong Hu
- Medical School, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Chang Sheng Xi Avenue 28, Hengyang City, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Chengkun Wang
- Medical School, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Chang Sheng Xi Avenue 28, Hengyang City, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Yang Zhang
- Medical School, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Chang Sheng Xi Avenue 28, Hengyang City, Hunan, 421001, China.
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Youlin K, Simin L, Jian K, Li Z. Inhibition of miR-20a by pterostilbene facilitates prostate cancer cells killed by NK cells via up-regulation of NKG2D ligands and TGF-β1down-regulation. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14957. [PMID: 37064475 PMCID: PMC10102449 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a potent role in antitumor immunity via spontaneously eliminating tumor directly. However, some tumors such as prostate cancer constantly escape this immune response by down-regulating cell surface molecule recognition and/or secreting immune impressive cytokines. Here, we found pterostilbene, a natural agent with potent anticancer activity, could enhance expression of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related proteins A and B (MICA/B) on prostate cancer cells surface, which are ligands of the natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) expressed by NK cells, and inhibit TGF-β1 secretion by prostate cancer cells. Further, we discovered that these effects were caused by inhibition of miR-20a in prostate cancer cells by pterostilbene. MiR-20a could target the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of MICA/B, resulting in their expression down-regulation. Inhibition of TGF-β1 function by its specific antibody attenuated its impairment to NKG2D on NK cells. Finally, we observed that pterostilbene-treated prostate cancer cells were more easily to be killed by NK cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrated inhibition of miR-20a by pterostilbene in prostate cancer cells could increase MICA/B expression and decrease TGF-β1 secretion, which enhanced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity againt prostate cancer cells, suggesting a potential approach for increasing anti-prostate cancer immune.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang Youlin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Liang Simin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Kang Jian
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Zhang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Corresponding author.
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Fuchs S, Gong R, Gerhard M, Mejías-Luque R. Immune Biology and Persistence of Helicobacter pylori in Gastric Diseases. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2023; 444:83-115. [PMID: 38231216 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-47331-9_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is a prevalent pathogen, which affects more than 40% of the global population. It colonizes the human stomach and persists in its host for several decades or even a lifetime, if left untreated. The persistent infection has been linked to various gastric diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, and an increased risk for gastric cancer. H. pylori infection triggers a strong immune response directed against the bacterium associated with the infiltration of innate phagocytotic immune cells and the induction of a Th1/Th17 response. Even though certain immune cells seem to be capable of controlling the infection, the host is unable to eliminate the bacteria as H. pylori has developed remarkable immune evasion strategies. The bacterium avoids its killing through innate recognition mechanisms and manipulates gastric epithelial cells and immune cells to support its persistence. This chapter focuses on the innate and adaptive immune response induced by H. pylori infection, and immune evasion strategies employed by the bacterium to enable persistent infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Fuchs
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department Preclinical Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Trogerstraße 30, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Ruolan Gong
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department Preclinical Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Trogerstraße 30, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Gerhard
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department Preclinical Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Trogerstraße 30, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Raquel Mejías-Luque
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department Preclinical Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Trogerstraße 30, 81675, Munich, Germany.
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Jones AB, Rocco A, Lamb LS, Friedman GK, Hjelmeland AB. Regulation of NKG2D Stress Ligands and Its Relevance in Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2339. [PMID: 35565467 PMCID: PMC9105350 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Under cellular distress, multiple facets of normal homeostatic signaling are altered or disrupted. In the context of the immune landscape, external and internal stressors normally promote the expression of natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) ligands that allow for the targeted recognition and killing of cells by NKG2D receptor-bearing effector populations. The presence or absence of NKG2D ligands can heavily influence disease progression and impact the accessibility of immunotherapy options. In cancer, tumor cells are known to have distinct regulatory mechanisms for NKG2D ligands that are directly associated with tumor progression and maintenance. Therefore, understanding the regulation of NKG2D ligands in cancer will allow for targeted therapeutic endeavors aimed at exploiting the stress response pathway. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of regulatory mechanisms controlling the induction and repression of NKG2D ligands in cancer. Additionally, we highlight current therapeutic endeavors targeting NKG2D ligand expression and offer our perspective on considerations to further enhance the field of NKG2D ligand biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber B. Jones
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Abbey Rocco
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.R.); (G.K.F.)
| | | | - Gregory K. Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.R.); (G.K.F.)
| | - Anita B. Hjelmeland
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
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Erratum. Helicobacter 2021; 26:e12859. [PMID: 34757686 DOI: 10.1111/hel.12859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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