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Wang S, Wang J, Xia Y, Zhang L, Jiang Y, Liu M, Gao Q, Zhang C. Harnessing the potential of HLA-G in cancer therapy: advances, challenges, and prospects. J Transl Med 2024; 22:130. [PMID: 38310272 PMCID: PMC10838004 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04938-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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockades have been prized in circumventing and ablating the impediments posed by immunosuppressive receptors, reaching an exciting juncture to be an innovator in anticancer therapy beyond traditional therapeutics. Thus far, approved immune checkpoint blockades have principally targeted PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 with exciting success in a plethora of tumors and yet are still trapped in dilemmas of limited response rates and adverse effects. Hence, unveiling new immunotherapeutic targets has aroused immense scientific interest in the hope of expanding the clinical application of immune checkpoint blockades to scale new heights. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G), a non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule, is enriched on various malignant cells and is involved in the hindrance of immune effector cells and the facilitation of immunosuppressive cells. HLA-G stands out as a crucial next-generation immune checkpoint showing great promise for the benefit of cancer patients. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the expression pattern and immunological functions of HLA-G, as well as its interaction with well-characterized immune checkpoints. Since HLA-G can be shed from the cell surface or released by various cells as free soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) or as part of extracellular vesicles (EVs), namely HLA-G-bearing EVs (HLA-GEV), we discuss the potential of sHLA-G and HLA-GEV as predictive biomarkers. This review also addresses the advancement of HLA-G-based therapies in preclinical and clinical settings, with a focus on their clinical application in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yu Xia
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of Chinese Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Le Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yueqiang Jiang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of Chinese Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Cuntai Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Sverchkova A, Burkholz S, Rubsamen R, Stratford R, Clancy T. Integrative HLA typing of tumor and adjacent normal tissue can reveal insights into the tumor immune response. BMC Med Genomics 2024; 17:37. [PMID: 38281021 PMCID: PMC10821267 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-024-01808-8] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The HLA complex is the most polymorphic region of the human genome, and its improved characterization can help us understand the genetics of human disease as well as the interplay between cancer and the immune system. The main function of HLA genes is to recognize "non-self" antigens and to present them on the cell surface to T cells, which instigate an immune response toward infected or transformed cells. While sequence variation in the antigen-binding groove of HLA may modulate the repertoire of immunogenic antigens presented to T cells, alterations in HLA expression can significantly influence the immune response to pathogens and cancer. METHODS RNA sequencing was used here to accurately genotype the HLA region and quantify and compare the level of allele-specific HLA expression in tumors and patient-matched adjacent normal tissue. The computational approach utilized in the study types classical and non-classical Class I and Class II HLA alleles from RNA-seq while simultaneously quantifying allele-specific or personalized HLA expression. The strategy also uses RNA-seq data to infer immune cell infiltration into tumors and the corresponding immune cell composition of matched normal tissue, to reveal potential insights related to T cell and NK cell interactions with tumor HLA alleles. RESULTS The genotyping method outperforms existing RNA-seq-based HLA typing tools for Class II HLA genotyping. Further, we demonstrate its potential for studying tumor-immune interactions by applying the method to tumor samples from two different subtypes of breast cancer and their matched normal breast tissue controls. CONCLUSIONS The integrative RNA-seq-based HLA typing approach described in the study, coupled with HLA expression analysis, neoantigen prediction and immune cell infiltration, may help increase our understanding of the interplay between a patient's tumor and immune system; and provide further insights into the immune mechanisms that determine a positive or negative outcome following treatment with immunotherapy such as checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Sverchkova
- NEC OncoImmunity, Oslo Cancer Cluster, Innovation Park, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Scott Burkholz
- Flow Pharma, Inc, Warrensville Heights, Galaxy Parkway, OH, 4829, USA
| | - Reid Rubsamen
- Flow Pharma, Inc, Warrensville Heights, Galaxy Parkway, OH, 4829, USA
- University Hospitals, Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Richard Stratford
- NEC OncoImmunity, Oslo Cancer Cluster, Innovation Park, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trevor Clancy
- NEC OncoImmunity, Oslo Cancer Cluster, Innovation Park, Oslo, Norway.
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Zhang Y, He S, Yu L, Shi C, Zhang Y, Tang S. Prognostic significance of HLA-G in patients with colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis and bioinformatics analysis. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1024. [PMID: 37875821 PMCID: PMC10594707 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11522-w] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, its prognostic value remains controversial. Hence, our meta-analysis aims to assess the prognostic value of HLA-G in CRC patients based on published literature and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets. METHODS A systematic search was conducted on relevant studies retrieved from four electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were recorded to be applied as effective values. Fixed-effects models or random-effects models were applied on the basis of the value of heterogeneity (I 2). Publication bias was analyzed by Begg's and Egger's tests. In addition, the results were validated by using TCGA datasets. RESULTS Thirteen studies comprising 3896 patients were incorporated into this meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that HLA-G expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) in both the univariate analysis (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.14-1.83, P = 0.002) and the multivariate analysis (HR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.23-1.95, P < 0.001). Nevertheless, the expression of HLA-G is not related to age, sex, tumor type, tumor differentiation, TNM stage, or distant metastasis but lymph node metastasis. Notably, the prognosis of colorectal cancer was not consistent with the analysis result from TCGA data. CONCLUSION HLA-G expression was significantly related to poor OS in CRC according to the results of our meta-analysis. However, we found that the prognostic significance was inconsistent with our results according to the TCGA data in CRC. Hence, more research is still needed to further illustrate the prognostic role of HLA-G in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhang
- Department of clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China.
| | - Siying He
- Department of clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
| | - Lisha Yu
- Department of clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
| | - Chao Shi
- Department of clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
| | - Yanyue Zhang
- Department of clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
| | - Shiyue Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, China
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Tang S, Xu L, Wu Z, Wen Q, Li H, Li N. A novel immunogenomic classification for prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:10951-10964. [PMID: 37329462 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04887-9] [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: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To facilitate immunotherapy and prognostic assessment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we established a novel immunogenomic classification to provide valid identification criteria. METHODS The immune enrichment scores were calculated by single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and clustered into Immunity_L and Immunity_H, and the reliability of this classification was demonstrated. Immune microenvironment score and immune cell infiltration analysis of NSCLC were also performed. Randomly divided into training group and test group, a prognosis-related immune profile was developed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and stepwise COX proportional hazards model to construct a prognostic mode. RESULTS The risk score for this immune profile was identified as an independent prognostic factor and can be used as a powerful prognostic tool to refine tumor immunotherapy. Our study identified two NSCLC classifications based on immunomic profiling, Immunity_H and Immunity_L. CONCLUSION In conclusion, Immunogenomic classification can distinguish the immune status of different types of NSCLC patients and contribute to the immunotherapy of NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Construction Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| | - Liqing Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Construction Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Zhanshen Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Construction Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Qiang Wen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Construction Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Construction Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
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Li P, Wang N, Zhang Y, Wang C, Du L. HLA-G/sHLA-G and HLA-G-Bearing Extracellular Vesicles in Cancers: Potential Role as Biomarkers. Front Immunol 2021; 12:791535. [PMID: 34868081 PMCID: PMC8636042 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.791535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As a non-classic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule, human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is expressed in fetal-maternal interface and immunoprivileged site only in healthy condition, and in pathological conditions such as cancer, it can be de novo expressed. It is now widely accepted that HLA-G is a key molecule in the process of immune escape of cancer cells, which is ubiquitously expressed in the tumor environment. This raises the possibility that it may play an adverse role in tumor immunity. The expression level of HLA-G has been demonstrated to be highly correlated with clinical parameters in many tumors, and its potential significance in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer has been postulated. However, because HLA-G itself has up to seven different subtypes, and for some subtypes, detected antibodies are few or absent, it is hard to evaluate the actual expression of HLA-G in tumors. In the present work, we described (a) the structure and three main forms of HLA-G, (b) summarized the mechanism of HLA-G in the immune escape of tumor cells, (c) discussed the potential role of HLA-G as a tumor marker, and reviewed (d) the methods for detecting and quantifying HLA-G.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peilong Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Engineering & Technology Research Center for Tumor Marker Detection , Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Clinical Laboratory, Jinan, China
| | - Nan Wang
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chuanxin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Engineering & Technology Research Center for Tumor Marker Detection , Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Clinical Laboratory, Jinan, China
| | - Lutao Du
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Engineering & Technology Research Center for Tumor Marker Detection , Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Clinical Laboratory, Jinan, China
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A Critical Assessment of the Association between HLA-G Expression by Carcinomas and Clinical Outcome. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158265. [PMID: 34361031 PMCID: PMC8347921 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) conveys immunological tolerance at the maternal-foetal interface. HLA-G expression by tumour cells may also play such a role, resulting in tumour immune evasion, making HLA-G a potential target for immunotherapies. The aim of this review was to determine to what extent it is justified that HLA-G expression is considered as a target for immune checkpoint inhibiting therapy by critically assessing the association between HLA-G expression by carcinomas and clinical outcome of patients. The used HLA-G-detecting mAb, HLA-G quantification methods and statistically significant HLA-G-associated clinicopathological parameters are discussed. Tumour HLA-G expression correlated with poor clinical outcome in breast, esophageal, gastric and hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Tumour HLA-G expression was not associated with clinical outcome in ovarian and oral carcinoma patients. Cervical, colorectal, lung, and pancreatic carcinoma patients presented discrepant and therefore inconclusive results regarding the association between tumour HLA-G expression and clinical outcome. These disparities might partly be the result of differences in the methodological approach to quantify HLA-G expression between studies. Therefore, implementation of universal methodological procedures is strongly advised. Overall, HLA-G expression did not univocally result in poor clinical outcome of carcinoma patients. This implies that tumour HLA-G expression is not necessarily part of an inhibited tumour-immune response and tumour progression. Consequently, it remains elusive whether HLA-G expression by carcinomas functions as an immune checkpoint molecule affecting a tumour-immune response. It may also reflect derailed control of gene expression in tumours, with no real functional consequences.
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Xu HH, Gan J, Xu DP, Li L, Yan WH. Comprehensive Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Role of the Immune Checkpoint HLA-G Molecule in Cancers. Front Immunol 2021; 12:614773. [PMID: 34276642 PMCID: PMC8281136 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.614773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is known as a novel immune checkpoint molecule in cancer; thus, HLA-G and its receptors might be targets for immune checkpoint blockade in cancer immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to systematically identify the roles of checkpoint HLA-G molecules across various types of cancer. ONCOMINE, GEPIA, CCLE, TRRUST, HAP, PrognoScan, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, cBioPortal, LinkedOmics, STRING, GeneMANIA, DAVID, TIMER, and CIBERSORT were utilized. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. In this study, we comprehensively analysed the heterogeneous expression of HLA-G molecules in various types of cancer and focused on genetic alterations, coexpression patterns, gene interaction networks, HLA-G interactors, and the relationships between HLA-G and pathological stage, prognosis, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. We first identified that the mRNA expression levels of HLA-G were significantly upregulated in both most tumor tissues and tumor cell lines on the basis of in-depth analysis of RNAseq data. The expression levels of HLA-G were positively associated with those of the other immune checkpoints PD-1 and CTLA-4. Abnormal expression of HLA-G was significantly correlated with the pathological stage of some but not all tumor types. There was a significant difference between the high and low HLA-G expression groups in terms of overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS). The results showed that HLA-G highly expressed have positive associations with tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the microenvironment in most types of tumors (P<0.05). Additionally, we identified the key transcription factor (TF) targets in the regulation of HLA-G expression, including HIVEP2, MYCN, CIITA, MYC, and IRF1. Multiple mutations (missense, truncating, etc.) and the methylation status of the HLA-G gene may explain the differential expression of HLA-G across different tumors. Functional enrichment analysis showed that HLA-G was primarily related to T cell activation, T cell regulation, and lymphocyte-mediated immunity. The data may provide novel insights for blockade of the HLA-G/ILT axis, which holds potential for the development of more effective antitumour treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Hui Xu
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Linhai, China
| | - Jun Gan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Dan-Ping Xu
- Reproductive Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Lu Li
- Pediatrics, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Linhai, China
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Song SG, Kim S, Koh J, Yim J, Han B, Kim YA, Jeon YK, Chung DH. Comparative analysis of the tumor immune-microenvironment of primary and brain metastases of non-small-cell lung cancer reveals organ-specific and EGFR mutation-dependent unique immune landscape. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:2035-2048. [PMID: 33420630 PMCID: PMC10992873 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02840-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate the characteristics of the tumor immune-microenvironment in brain metastases of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we investigated the immunophenotype of primary NSCLC and its brain metastasis. METHODS Expression profiling of 770 immune-related genes in 28 tissues from primary and brain metastases of NSCLC was performed using the NanoString nCounter PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel. The immune cell profiles were validated by immunohistochemistry of 42 matched samples. RESULTS Based on unsupervised clustering and principal component analysis of the immune-related gene expression profile, tumors were primarily clustered according to the involved organ and further grouped according to the EGFR mutation status. Fifty-four genes were significantly differentially expressed between primary and brain metastatic tumors. Clustering using these genes showed that tumors harboring mutated EGFR tended to be grouped together in the brain. Pathway analysis revealed that various immune-related functions involving immune regulation, T cell activity, and chemokines were enriched in primary tumors compared to brain metastases. Diverse immune-related pathways were upregulated in brain metastases of EGFR-mutated compared to EGFR-wild-type adenocarcinoma, but not in primary tumors. The interferon-γ-related gene signature was significantly decreased in brain metastases. The anti-inflammatory markers TOLLIP and HLA-G were upregulated in brain metastases. The proportions of most immune cell subsets were decreased in brain metastases, but those of macrophages and CD56dim-NK-cells were increased, as was the ratios of CD163+M2- to iNOS+M1-macrophages and NCR1+NK-cells to CD3+T cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings illustrate the immune landscape of brain metastases from NSCLC and reveal potential therapeutic strategies targeting cellular and non-cellular components of the tumor immune-microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Geun Song
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehui Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaemoon Koh
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeemin Yim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Bogyeong Han
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Young A Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Kyung Jeon
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Doo Hyun Chung
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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Lin A, Yan WH. HLA-G/ILTs Targeted Solid Cancer Immunotherapy: Opportunities and Challenges. Front Immunol 2021; 12:698677. [PMID: 34276691 PMCID: PMC8278316 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.698677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become a promising immunotherapy for cancers. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G), a neoantigen, its biological functions and clinical relevance have been extensively investigated in malignancies, and early clinical trials with “anti-HLA-G strategy” are being launched for advance solid cancer immunotherapy. The mechanism of HLA-G as a new ICI is that HLA-G can bind immune cell bearing inhibitory receptors, the immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)-2 and ILT-4. HLA-G/ILT-2/-4 (HLA-G/ILTs) signaling can drive comprehensive immune suppression, promote tumor growth and disease progression. Though clinical benefits could be expected with application of HLA-G antibodies to blockade the HLA-G/ILTs signaling in solid cancer immunotherapy, major challenges with the diversity of HLA-G isoforms, HLA-G/ILTs binding specificity, intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity of HLA-G, lack of isoform-specific antibodies and validated assay protocols, which could dramatically affect the clinical efficacy. Clinical benefits of HLA-G-targeted solid cancer immunotherapy may be fluctuated or even premature unless major challenges are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifen Lin
- Biological Resource Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Linhai, China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Linhai, China.,Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
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10
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Fu J, Mao J, Wang C. The microRNA-152/human leukocyte antigen-G axis affects proliferation and immune escape of non-small cell lung cancer cells. J Int Med Res 2020; 48:300060520970758. [PMID: 33249973 PMCID: PMC7708723 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520970758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA-G) on proliferation, invasion, and immune escape in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods The relationship between HLA-G and overall survival (OS) of NSCLC patients was analyzed using the KMPlot database. The expression of micro (mi)R-152 or HLA-G was modulated by transfecting synthetic oligonucleotides, and the impact of the miR-152/HLA-G axis on proliferation, invasion, colony formation in soft agar, and tolerance to natural killer (NK) cell cytolysis was measured. Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that high HLA-G expression was correlated with poor OS in NSCLC patients. The tolerance of NSCLC cells to NK cytotoxicity was negatively correlated with HLA-G and positively correlated with miR-152 expression. Over-expressing miR-152 inhibited HLA-G expression in A549 cells and attenuated cell proliferation, migration, colony formation ability, and tolerance to NK cells. However, blocking HLA-G expression by small interfering RNA did not affect migration or colony formation, but only proliferation and tolerance to NK cells in vitro and in vivo. Blocking Ig-like transcript 2 on the surface of NK cells increased their killing effect in the presence of high HLA-G expression. Conclusions miR-152/HLA-G axis plays an oncogenic role in NSCLC by affecting cell proliferation and immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Fu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jun Mao
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, the Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of Oncology, the Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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Emadi E, Akhoundi F, Kalantar SM, Emadi-Baygi M. Predicting the most deleterious missense nsSNPs of the protein isoforms of the human HLA-G gene and in silico evaluation of their structural and functional consequences. BMC Genet 2020; 21:94. [PMID: 32867672 PMCID: PMC7457528 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-020-00890-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Human Leukocyte Antigen G (HLA-G) protein is an immune tolerogenic molecule with 7 isoforms. The change of expression level and some polymorphisms of the HLA-G gene are involved in various pathologies. Therefore, this study aimed to predict the most deleterious missense non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in HLA-G isoforms via in silico analyses and to examine structural and functional effects of the predicted nsSNPs on HLA-G isoforms. RESULTS Out of 301 reported SNPs in dbSNP, 35 missense SNPs in isoform 1, 35 missense SNPs in isoform 5, 8 missense SNPs in all membrane-bound HLA-G isoforms and 8 missense SNPs in all soluble HLA-G isoforms were predicted as deleterious by all eight servers (SIFT, PROVEAN, PolyPhen-2, I-Mutant 3.0, SNPs&GO, PhD-SNP, SNAP2, and MUpro). The Structural and functional effects of the predicted nsSNPs on HLA-G isoforms were determined by MutPred2 and HOPE servers, respectively. Consurf analyses showed that the majority of the predicted nsSNPs occur in conserved sites. I-TASSER and Chimera were used for modeling of the predicted nsSNPs. rs182801644 and rs771111444 were related to creating functional patterns in 5'UTR. 5 SNPs in 3'UTR of the HLA-G gene were predicted to affect the miRNA target sites. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the HLA-G deregulation can serve as a prognostic marker for some cancers. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of in silico SNP prioritization methods provides a great framework for the recognition of functional SNPs. The results obtained from the current study would be called laboratory investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaheh Emadi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Akhoundi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Kalantar
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Modjtaba Emadi-Baygi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
- Research Institute of Biotechnology, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
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12
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Ben Yahia H, Boujelbene N, Babay W, Ben Safta I, Dhouioui S, Zemni I, Ali Ayadi M, Charfi L, Ouzari HI, Rebmann V, Rizzo R, Mrad K, Driss M, Zidi I. Expression analysis of immune-regulatory molecules HLA-G, HLA-E and IDO in endometrial cancer. Hum Immunol 2020; 81:305-313. [PMID: 32273131 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2020.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
HLA-G has been widely implicated in advanced cancers through different pathways of immunosuppression allowing tumor escape. Contrarily, HLA-E has a controversial role in the tumor escape from the immune system. IDO catabolic enzyme is known to be up-regulated in many tumors types allowing their immune escape. Based on these considerations, we investigated the expression of HLA-G, HLA-E and IDO molecules in endometrial cancer (EC) and their association with prognostic clinicopathologic parameters. Their expression were checked in tumoral and adjacent endometrial tissues. Both HLA-G and IDO immunostaining were significantly increased in EC tissues compared to normal residual endometrial glands (Mann Whitney U-test, p = 0.0001 and p = 0,020 respectively). However, HLA-E was highly expressed in tumoral tissues as well as in normal residual endometrial glands (respectively, 100% and 81.8%). Increased HLA-G expression levels were observed in high histological grade (grade 3), and in the non-endometrioid type 2 EC. Unexpectedly, patients with IDO Low expression had significantly impaired overall survival compared to patients with IDO High (log-rank p = 0.021). Conversely, HLA-E low expression was associated to an improved overall survival EC (log-rank p = 0.004). We concluded that, HLA-G and IDO are highly expressed in EC compared to adjacent normal endometrial tissues, that might be interesting for the EC outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Ben Yahia
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nadia Boujelbene
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; Department of Anatomopathology, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wafa Babay
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Inès Ben Safta
- Surgical Oncology Department, Salah Azaiz Institute of Cancer, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sabrine Dhouioui
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Inès Zemni
- Surgical Oncology Department, Salah Azaiz Institute of Cancer, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Ali Ayadi
- Surgical Oncology Department, Salah Azaiz Institute of Cancer, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Lamia Charfi
- Department of Anatomopathology, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hadda Imene Ouzari
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Vera Rebmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Virchowstr. 179, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Roberta Rizzo
- Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Section Microbiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Karima Mrad
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; Department of Anatomopathology, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Maha Driss
- Department of Anatomopathology, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Inès Zidi
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
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13
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Scarabel L, Garziera M, Fortuna S, Asaro F, Toffoli G, Geremia S. Soluble HLA-G expression levels and HLA-G/irinotecan association in metastatic colorectal cancer treated with irinotecan-based strategy. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8773. [PMID: 32471996 PMCID: PMC7260212 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65424-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We here explore the soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (sHLA-G) expression level as clinical biomarker in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). To this aim the sHLA-G protein was measured in plasma samples of 40 patients with mCRC treated with the FOLFIRI (irinotecan (CPT-11) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV)) regimen. The results suggest a link between HLA-G levels and irinotecan (CPT-11) pharmacokinetic, leading to hypothesize a molecular interaction between sHLA-G and CPT-11. This interaction was confirmed experimentally by fluorescence spectroscopy. HLA-G is known to exist in a number of polymorphs that affect both the protein expression levels and its peptide-binding cleft. The interaction between HLA-G polymorphs and CPT-11 was explored by means of computational modelling, confirming the hypothesis that CPT-11 could actually target the peptide binding cleft of the most common HLA-G polymorphs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Scarabel
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO), IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Marica Garziera
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO), IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Sara Fortuna
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Fioretta Asaro
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO), IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Silvano Geremia
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
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14
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Khan M, Arooj S, Wang H. NK Cell-Based Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Front Immunol 2020; 11:167. [PMID: 32117298 PMCID: PMC7031489 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, with an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions, is becoming an important mode of treatment for cancer patients. The inhibition of immune checkpoints, which are the source of immune escape for various cancers, is one such immunotherapeutic dimension. It has mainly been aimed at T cells in the past, but NK cells are a newly emerging target. Simultaneously, the number of checkpoints identified has been increasing in recent times. In addition to the classical NK cell receptors KIRs, LIRs, and NKG2A, several other immune checkpoints have also been shown to cause dysfunction of NK cells in various cancers and chronic infections. These checkpoints include the revolutionized CTLA-4, PD-1, and recently identified B7-H3, as well as LAG-3, TIGIT & CD96, TIM-3, and the most recently acknowledged checkpoint-members of the Siglecs family (Siglec-7/9), CD200 and CD47. An interesting dimension of immune checkpoints is their candidacy for dual-checkpoint inhibition, resulting in therapeutic synergism. Furthermore, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibition with other NK cell cytotoxicity restoration strategies could also strengthen its efficacy as an antitumor therapy. Here, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of the literature to date regarding NK cell-based immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Khan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Sumbal Arooj
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakistan
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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15
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Lázaro-Sánchez AD, Salces-Ortiz P, Velásquez LI, Orozco-Beltrán D, Díaz-Fernández N, Juárez-Marroquí A. HLA-G as a new tumor biomarker: detection of soluble isoforms of HLA-G in the serum and saliva of patients with colorectal cancer. Clin Transl Oncol 2019; 22:1166-1171. [PMID: 31748960 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-019-02244-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent medical investigations suggest that HLA-G, due to its tolerogenic properties, can be used as a biomarker in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of different neoplasms. This observational prospective pilot study aims at detecting sHLA-G in the serum and saliva of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). For this purpose, we compared the expression of sHLA-G from patients with a control sample from a healthy population. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, the expression of sHLA-G in the serum and saliva samples from patients affected by CRC (n = 20) and in a control sample (n = 10) were analyzed. RESULTS The data showed that in patients with CRC, salivary sHLA-G values were significantly higher than in the control group (18.84 U/ml versus 6.3 U/ml, p = 0.036). In addition, higher levels of sHLA-G were observed in the saliva of patients with CRC in more advanced stages, compared with patients in early stages (24.2 U/ml vs. 8.1 U/ml, p = 0.019). A significant correlation was observed between the concentration of sHLA-G in the serum and saliva of the analyzed samples (Spearman correlation 0.7, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates, for the first time, the possibility of detecting sHLA-G in the saliva of patients with CRC, resulting in a less invasive alternative to venipuncture. Likewise, we propose that sHLA-G could be an attractive molecular target based on its significant high levels in advanced stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Lázaro-Sánchez
- Medical Oncology Service of the University Hospital of Sant Joan d'Alacant, Ctra. Nnal. 332, s/n, 03550, Alicante, Spain.
| | - P Salces-Ortiz
- Medical Oncology Service of the University Hospital of Sant Joan d'Alacant, Ctra. Nnal. 332, s/n, 03550, Alicante, Spain
| | - L I Velásquez
- Department of Clínical Medicine of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - D Orozco-Beltrán
- Department of Clínical Medicine of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - N Díaz-Fernández
- Medical Oncology Service of the University Hospital of Sant Joan d'Alacant, Ctra. Nnal. 332, s/n, 03550, Alicante, Spain
| | - A Juárez-Marroquí
- Medical Oncology Service of the University Hospital of Sant Joan d'Alacant, Ctra. Nnal. 332, s/n, 03550, Alicante, Spain
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16
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Dumont C, Jacquier A, Verine J, Noel F, Goujon A, Wu CL, Hung TM, Desgrandchamps F, Culine S, Carosella ED, Rouas-Freiss N, LeMaoult J. CD8 +PD-1 -ILT2 + T Cells Are an Intratumoral Cytotoxic Population Selectively Inhibited by the Immune-Checkpoint HLA-G. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:1619-1632. [PMID: 31451484 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Only some cancer patients respond to the immune-checkpoint inhibitors being used in the clinic, and other therapeutic targets are sought. Here, we investigated the HLA-G/ILT2 checkpoint in clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients and focused on tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T lymphocytes (TIL) expressing the HLA-G receptor ILT2. Using transcriptomics and flow cytometry, we characterized both peripheral blood and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ILT2+ T cells from cancer patients as late-differentiated CD27-CD28-CD57+ cytotoxic effectors. We observed a clear dichotomy between CD8+ILT2+ and CD8+PD-1+ TIL subsets. These subsets, which were sometimes present at comparable frequencies in TIL populations, barely overlapped phenotypically and were distinguished by expression of exclusive sets of surface molecules that included checkpoint molecules and activating and inhibitory receptors. CD8+ILT2+ TILs displayed a more mature phenotype and higher expression of cytotoxic molecules. In ex vivo functional experiments with both peripheral blood T cells and TILs, CD8+ILT2+ T cells displayed significantly higher cytotoxicity and IFNγ production than their ILT2- (peripheral blood mononuclear cells, PBMC) and PD-1+ (TILs) counterparts. HLA-G expression by target cells specifically inhibited CD8+ILT2+ T-cell cytotoxicity, but not that of their CD8+ILT2- (PBMC) or CD8+PD-1+ (TIL) counterparts, an effect counteracted by blocking the HLA-G/ILT2 interaction. CD8+ILT2+ TILs may therefore constitute an untapped reservoir of fully differentiated cytotoxic T cells within the tumor microenvironment, independent of the PD1+ TILs targeted by immune therapies, and specifically inhibited by HLA-G. These results emphasize the potential of therapeutically targeting the HLA-G/ILT2 checkpoint in HLA-G+ tumors, either concomitantly with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 or in cases of nonresponsiveness to anti-PD-1/PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clement Dumont
- Hemato-Immunology Research Department, CEA-DRF, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France.,Paris-Diderot University, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Saint-Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Alix Jacquier
- Hemato-Immunology Research Department, CEA-DRF, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France.,Paris-Diderot University, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Jerome Verine
- Hemato-Immunology Research Department, CEA-DRF, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France.,Paris-Diderot University, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France.,Department of Pathology, Saint-Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France and Paris-Diderot University, Paris, France
| | - Floriane Noel
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, France and INSERM, UMR 932, Paris, France and Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Annabelle Goujon
- Hemato-Immunology Research Department, CEA-DRF, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France.,Paris-Diderot University, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France.,Department of Urology, Saint-Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Ching-Lien Wu
- Hemato-Immunology Research Department, CEA-DRF, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France.,Paris-Diderot University, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Tzu-Min Hung
- Hemato-Immunology Research Department, CEA-DRF, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France.,National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China; University of Taipei and E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Yan-Chau Shiang, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - François Desgrandchamps
- Hemato-Immunology Research Department, CEA-DRF, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France.,Paris-Diderot University, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France.,Department of Urology, Saint-Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Stephane Culine
- Hemato-Immunology Research Department, CEA-DRF, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France.,Paris-Diderot University, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Saint-Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Edgardo D Carosella
- Hemato-Immunology Research Department, CEA-DRF, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France.,Paris-Diderot University, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Rouas-Freiss
- Hemato-Immunology Research Department, CEA-DRF, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France.,Paris-Diderot University, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Joel LeMaoult
- Hemato-Immunology Research Department, CEA-DRF, Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France. .,Paris-Diderot University, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France
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17
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Walentowicz-Sadlecka M, Dziobek K, Grabiec M, Sadlecki P, Walentowicz P, Mak P, Szymankiewicz M, Kwinta P, Dutsch-Wicherek M. The analysis of human leukocyte antigen-G level in patients with endometrial cancer by Western blot technique. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 81:e13070. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.13070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Walentowicz-Sadlecka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz; Nicolaus Copernicus University; Bydgoszcz Poland
| | - Konrad Dziobek
- Center of Oncology; M. Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute, Krakow Branch; Kraków Poland
| | - Marek Grabiec
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz; Nicolaus Copernicus University; Bydgoszcz Poland
| | - Pawel Sadlecki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz; Nicolaus Copernicus University; Bydgoszcz Poland
| | - Pawel Walentowicz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz; Nicolaus Copernicus University; Bydgoszcz Poland
| | - Paweł Mak
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology; Jagiellonian University; Krakow Poland
| | - Maria Szymankiewicz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz; Nicolaus Copernicus University; Bydgoszcz Poland
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18
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Lin A, Yan WH. Heterogeneity of HLA-G Expression in Cancers: Facing the Challenges. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2164. [PMID: 30319626 PMCID: PMC6170620 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity has been observed in most malignancies, which represents a considerable challenge for tumor therapy. In recent decades, the biological function and clinical significance of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G have been intensively explored. It is now widely accepted that HLA-G is a critical marker of immunotolerance in cancer cell immune evasion and is strongly associated with disease progress and prognosis for cancer patients. Moreover, it has recently been emphasized that the signaling pathway linking HLA-G and immunoglobulin-like transcripts (ILTs) is considered an immune checkpoint. In addition, HLA-G itself can generate at least seven distinct isoforms, and intertumor and intratumor heterogeneity of HLA-G expression is common across different tumor types. Furthermore, HLA-G heterogeneity in cancers has been related to disease stage and outcomes, metastatic status and response to different therapies. This review focuses on the heterogeneity of HLA-G expression in malignant lesions, and clinical implications of this heterogeneity that might be relevant to personalized treatments are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifen Lin
- Biological Resource Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
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19
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Lin A, Zhang X, Zhang RL, Zhang JG, Zhou WJ, Yan WH. Clinical Significance of Potential Unidentified HLA-G Isoforms Without α1 Domain but Containing Intron 4 in Colorectal Cancer Patients. Front Oncol 2018; 8:361. [PMID: 30234020 PMCID: PMC6131604 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The ectopic HLA-G expression in malignancies has been extensively explored and clinical significance of the molecule was widely acknowledged. Besides previously well-documented seven isoforms (HLA-G1~-G7), other novel isoforms of HLA-G have been reported but their clinical relavenace remians evaluated. In this study, lesion HLA-G expression in 379 case-matched serial section primary colorectal cancers (CRC) were evaluated with mAb 4H84 (recognizing an epitope in HLA-G α1 domain), and mAb 5A6G7 (recognizing an epitope encoded by intron 4), respectively. Data showed that HLA-G positive staining with mAbs 4H84 and 5A6G7 was 70.7 and 60.4%, respectively. When percentage of HLA-G expression detected with mAb 4H84 subtracted that with mAb 5A6G7, the difference (ΔHLA-G) with negative (ΔHLA-Gneg), comparable (ΔHLA-Gcom) and positive (ΔHLA-Gpos) were observed in 64 (16.9%), 159 (42.0%), and 156 (41.2%) cases, respectively. Noteworthy, unexpected immunostaining was observed in 44 (11.6%) lesions that no staining was detected with mAb 4H84 but positive with mAb 5A6G7 (4H84neg5A6G7pos). This staining pattern was unpredictable because all seven known HLA-G isoforms containing the α 1 domain could be recognized by the mAb 4H84. Moreover, patients with ΔHLA-Gneg had obviously better survival than those with ΔHLA-Gcom and ΔHLA-Gpos (p = 0.017), and ΔHLA-G could be an independent prognostic factor for CRC patients (p = 0.008). Our findings provides the first report that potential unidentified HLA-G isoforms is of distinct clinical significance in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifen Lin
- Biological Resource Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Biological Resource Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Rui-Li Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Jian-Gang Zhang
- Biological Resource Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Wen-Jun Zhou
- Biological Resource Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
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20
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Li JB, Ruan YY, Hu B, Dong SS, Bi TN, Lin A, Yan WH. Importance of the plasma soluble HLA-G levels for prognostic stratification with traditional prognosticators in colorectal cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:48854-48862. [PMID: 28415627 PMCID: PMC5564730 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
An increased peripheral soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) expression has been observed in various malignancies while its prognostic significance was rather limited. In this study, the prognostic value of plasma sHLA-G in 178 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients was investigated. sHLA-G levels were analyzed by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data showed sHLA-G levels were significantly increased in CRC patients compared with normal controls (36.8 U/ml vs 25.4 U/ml, p = 0.009). sHLA-G in the died were obviously higher than that of alive CRC patients (46.8 U/ml vs 27.4 U/ml, p = 0.012). Patients with sHLA-G above median levels (≥ 36.8 U/ml, sHLA-Ghigh) had a significantly shorter survival time than those with sHLA-Glow (< 36.8 U/ml, p < 0.001), and sHLA-G could be an independent prognostic factor for CRC patients. With stratification of clinical parameters in survival by sHLA-Glow and sHLA-Ghigh, sHLA-G exhibited a significant predictive value for CRC patients of the female (p = 0.036), the elder (p = 0.009), advanced tumor burden (T3 + 4, p = 0.038), regional lymph node status (N0, p = 0.041), both metastasis status (M0, p = 0.014) and (M1, p=0.018), and clinical stage (I + II, p = 0.018), respectively. Summary, our data demonstrated for the first time that sHLA-G levels is an independent prognosis factor and improves the prognostic stratification offered by traditional prognosticators in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Bo Li
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Yun Ruan
- Human Tissue Bank, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Hu
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan-Shan Dong
- Human Tissue Bank, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tie-Nan Bi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Aifen Lin
- Human Tissue Bank, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xianju People's Hospital, Xianju, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
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Sun J, Chang YX, Niu CY. Evaluation of ascitic soluble human leukocyte antigen-G for distinguishing malignant ascites from benign ascites. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317726840. [PMID: 29130388 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317726840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The overexpression of soluble human leukocyte antigen-G is associated with malignant tumours. The purpose of our study was to detect soluble human leukocyte antigen-G concentrations in ascites and to evaluate the value of ascitic soluble human leukocyte antigen-G for the diagnosis of malignant ascites. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect soluble human leukocyte antigen-G levels in 64 patients with malignant ascites and 30 patients with benign ascites. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ascitic soluble human leukocyte antigen-G for the detection of malignant ascites. Ascitic soluble human leukocyte antigen-G levels were significantly higher in the malignant ascites group than in the benign ascites group (20.718 ± 3.215 versus 12.467 ± 3.678 µg/L, t = 7.425, p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for ascitic soluble human leukocyte antigen-G was 0.957 (95% confidence interval, 0.872-0.992). At a cut-off value of 19.60 µg/L, the sensitivity and specificity of ascitic soluble human leukocyte antigen-G were 87.5% (95% confidence interval, 71.0%-96.5%) and 100% (95% confidence interval, 88.4%-100%), respectively. With respect to area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity and specificity, ascitic carcinoembryonic antigen (0.810, 68.75% and 83.33%, respectively) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (0.710, 65.63% and 70%, respectively) significantly differed (all p < 0.05). In malignant ascites that were cytology-negative and biopsy-positive, the rate of positivity for ascitic soluble human leukocyte antigen-G was 75%, which was higher than the corresponding rates for ascitic carcinoembryonic antigen (31.25%) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (6.25%; both p < 0.05). In conclusion, The detection of ascitic soluble human leukocyte antigen-G exhibited good performance for diagnosing malignant ascites, and particularly those that were cytology-negative and biopsy-positive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Sun
- 1 Hospital of Shaanxi Nuclear Industry, Xianyang, China.,2 Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan-Xiang Chang
- 3 Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chun-Yan Niu
- 4 Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
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22
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Zhang Y, Yu S, Han Y, Wang Y, Sun Y. Human leukocyte antigen-G expression and polymorphisms promote cancer development and guide cancer diagnosis/treatment. Oncol Lett 2017; 15:699-709. [PMID: 29399142 PMCID: PMC5772757 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a non-classical HLA molecule, predominantly expressed in cytotrophoblast cells to protect the fetus during pregnancy. Notably, a high frequency of HLA-G expression has been observed in a wide variety of cancer types in previous studies. Furthermore, HLA-G expression in cancer has been considered to be detrimental, since it can protect cancer cells from natural killer cell cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated destruction, promote tumor spreading and shorten the survival time of patients by facilitating tumor immune evasion. In addition, HLA-G polymorphisms have been investigated in numerous types of cancer and are considered as risk factors and predictive markers of cancer. This review focuses on HLA-G expression and its polymorphisms in cancer, analyzing the mechanisms of HLA-G in promoting cancer development, and evaluating the potential and value of its clinical application as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, or even as a prospective therapeutic target in certain types of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwen Zhang
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China.,Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Shuwen Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Yali Han
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Yunshan Wang
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Yuping Sun
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
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Leone P, De Re V, Vacca A, Dammacco F, Racanelli V. Cancer treatment and the KIR-HLA system: an overview. Clin Exp Med 2017; 17:419-429. [PMID: 28188495 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-017-0455-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that the success of cancer therapy depends not only on a combination of adequate procedures (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) that aim to eliminate all tumor cells, but also on the functional state of the host immune system. HLA and KIR molecules, in particular, are critical to the interactions between tumor cells and both innate and adaptive immune cells such as NK cells and T cells. Different KIR-HLA gene combinations as well as different HLA expression levels on tumor cells associate with variable tumor prognosis and response to treatment. On the other hand, different therapies have different effects on HLA molecules and immune cell functions regulated by these molecules. Here, we provide an overview of the KIR-HLA system, a description of its alterations with clinical relevance in diverse tumor types, and an analysis of the consequences that conventional cancer therapies may have on it. We also discuss how this knowledge can be exploited to identify potential immunological biomarkers that can help to select patients for tailored therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Leone
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico - 11, Piazza G. Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Valli De Re
- Bio-Proteomics Facility, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Angelo Vacca
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico - 11, Piazza G. Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Franco Dammacco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico - 11, Piazza G. Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico - 11, Piazza G. Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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24
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Ben Amor A, Beauchemin K, Faucher MC, Hamzaoui A, Hamzaoui K, Roger M. Human Leukocyte Antigen G Polymorphism and Expression Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Advanced Disease Stage. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161210. [PMID: 27517300 PMCID: PMC4982692 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G acts as negative regulator of the immune responses and its expression may enable tumor cells to escape immunosurveillance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of HLA-G allelic variants and serum soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) levels on risk of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We analyzed 191 Caucasian adults with NSCLC and 191 healthy subjects recruited between January 2009 and March 2014 in Ariana (Tunisia). Serum sHLA-G levels were measured by immunoassay and HLA-G alleles were determined using a direct DNA sequencing procedures. The heterozygous genotypes of HLA-G 010101 and -G 010401 were associated with increased risks of both NSCLC and advanced disease stages. In contrast, the heterozygous genotypes of HLA-G 0105N and -G 0106 were associated with decreased risks of NSCC and clinical disease stage IV, respectively. Serum sHLA-G levels were significantly higher in patients with NSCLC and particularly in those with advanced disease stages compared to healthy subjects. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves was 0.82 for controls vs patients. Given 100% specificity, the highest sensitivity achieved to detect NSCLC was 52.8% at a cutoff value of 24.9 U/ml. Patients with the sHLA-G above median level (≥ 50 U/ml) had a significantly shorter survival time. This study demonstrates that HLA-G allelic variants are independent risk factors for NSCLC. Serum sHLA-G levels in NSCLC patients could be useful biomarkers for the diagnostic and prognosis of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Ben Amor
- Tunis El Manar University, Medicine Faculty of Tunis, Department of Immunology and Histology, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Karine Beauchemin
- Laboratoire d’immunogénétique, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Faucher
- Laboratoire d’immunogénétique, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Agnes Hamzaoui
- Tunis El Manar University, Medicine Faculty of Tunis, Department of Immunology and Histology, Tunis, Tunisia
- Abderrahmen Mami Hospital, Unit Research UR/12SP15 (Homeostasis and cell immune dysfunction), Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Kamel Hamzaoui
- Tunis El Manar University, Medicine Faculty of Tunis, Department of Immunology and Histology, Tunis, Tunisia
- Abderrahmen Mami Hospital, Unit Research UR/12SP15 (Homeostasis and cell immune dysfunction), Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Michel Roger
- Laboratoire d’immunogénétique, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie de l‘Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- * E-mail:
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25
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Diagnostic significance of soluble human leukocyte antigen-G for gastric cancer. Hum Immunol 2016; 77:317-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Revised: 11/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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26
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Co-expression of ILT4/HLA-G in human non-small cell lung cancer correlates with poor prognosis and ILT4-HLA-G interaction activates ERK signaling. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:11187-98. [PMID: 26939901 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common malignant tumor in the world, of which prognosis is generally poor due to insufficient mechanistic understanding. To explore the molecular pathogenesis of NSCLC, the co-expression of immunoglobulin-like transcript 4 (ILT4) and its ligand human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) in NSCLC tissues and cells were investigated. Here, we detected the expression of ILT4 and HLA-G in 81 tumor specimens from primary NSCLC patients, and we found that co-expression of ILT4/HLA-G was significantly associated with regional lymph node involvement, advanced stages, and the overall survival of patients. In NSCLC cell lines, HLA-G expression increased/decreased accordingly when ILT4 was up-/down-regulated, and ILT4 expression increased in a concentration-dependent manner via the stimulation of HLA-G fusion protein. Interestingly, HLA-G fusion protein could also up-regulate the phospho-ERK1/2 expression, which means the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. All in all, our results indicate that the ILT4-HLA-G interaction might play an important role in NSCLC progression. Identification of ILT4 and HLA-G expression may provide an indicator to predict prognosis and guide prevention and treatment of NSCLC.
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27
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Zhang X, Han QY, Li JB, Ruan YY, Yan WH, Lin A. Lesion HLA-G5/-G6 isoforms expression in patients with ovarian cancer. Hum Immunol 2015; 77:780-4. [PMID: 26687271 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
HLA-G is an immune tolerant with seven isoforms. HLA-G expression was observed to be associated with tumor cell immune escaping, invasion and metastasis, and with poor prognosis in cancer patients. Different types of HLA-G isoforms could be expressed in clinical settings when meet different cellular and environmental conditions. Lesion total HLA-G expression detected by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) 4H84 was widely investigated in previous studies, while specific HLA-G isoforms such as HLA-G5/-G6 remains to be clarified. In this study, 118 primary ovarian cancer lesions were probed with mAb 5A6G7 which recognizes HLA-G5/-G6 was performed by immunohistochemistry. Data showed that HLA-G5/-G6 was expressed in 79.7% (94/118) of these ovarian cancer lesions, where HLA-G5/-G6 expression was observed in 75.7% (53/70) serous, 63.6% (7/11) mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and in 100% (11/11) endometrioid adenocarcinoma, in 85.7% (6/7) clear cell carcinoma, 100% (10/10) sex cord-stromal tumor and 77.8% (7/9) germ cell tumors. However, lesion HLA-G5/-G6 expression was unrelated to histological type, patient age, FIGO stage and patient survival. Unlike total HLA-G expression, no clinical significance of HLA-G5/-G6 expression in ovarian cancer lesion was observed in this study. Our findings indicated that different HLA-G isoforms might have different biological functions in malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhang
- Human Tissue Bank, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiu-Yue Han
- Human Tissue Bank, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing-Bo Li
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan-Yun Ruan
- Human Tissue Bank, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, China
| | - Aifen Lin
- Human Tissue Bank, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, China.
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28
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Lin A, Yan WH. Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) Expression in Cancers: Roles in Immune Evasion, Metastasis and Target for Therapy. Mol Med 2015; 21:782-791. [PMID: 26322846 PMCID: PMC4749493 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2015.00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant induction of human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) expression has been observed in various malignancies and is strongly associated with tumor immune escape, metastasis and poor prognosis. To date, great achievements have been made in understanding the underlying mechanisms of HLA-G involved in tumor progression. HLA-G could lead to tumor evasion by inhibition of immune cell cytolysis, differentiation and proliferation and inhibition of cytokine production, induction of immune cell apoptosis, generation of regulatory cells and expansion of myeloid-derived suppressive cells and by impairment of chemotaxis. Moreover, HLA-G could arm tumor cells with a higher invasive and metastatic potential with the upregulation of tumor-promoting factor expression such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), indicating that ectopic HLA-G expression could render multiple effects during the progression of malignancies. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms of HLA-G involved in promoting tumor cell immune escaping, metastasis and disease progression. Special attention will be paid to its significance as an attractive therapeutic target in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifen Lin
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
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29
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Kowal A, Wiśniewski A, Kuśnierczyk P, Jankowska R. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G gene polymorphism in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Thorac Cancer 2015; 6:613-9. [PMID: 26445610 PMCID: PMC4567007 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.12232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer represents the highest morbidity and mortality caused by neoplasms in the world; therefore researchers continue to search for new tools to diagnose and treat the disease. The aim of the study was to establish the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the promoter region of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G gene in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS We enrolled 143 patients with a mean age of 63 years, diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, in the study. Adenocarcinomas made up 33% of the cases. Patients in stage III or IV of the tumor node metastasis staging system made up 59%. Two polymorphic sites in the promoter region of the HLA-G gene were genotyped (-725C>G>T and -716T>G). RESULTS All genotyped SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No proof of a relationship between genotype -725C>G>T or -716T>G and the risk of lung cancer compared with healthy volunteers from the literature was found. We also found no correlation between the two SNPs and survival time, histological type of cancer, T stage, the presence of remote metastases or performance status according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale. The only association we found was genotype -725C>G>T and the degree of lymph node metastases (N stage). CONCLUSIONS SNPs of the promoter of the HLA-G gene may have an impact on the development of lymph node metastases. In the study we did not prove a relationship between the examined SNPs and the course of the disease because of the small patient groups studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Kowal
- Department of Pulmonology and Lung Cancer, Wrocław Medical UniversityWrocław, Poland
| | - Andrzej Wiśniewski
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of SciencesWrocław, Poland
| | - Piotr Kuśnierczyk
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of SciencesWrocław, Poland
| | - Renata Jankowska
- Department of Pulmonology and Lung Cancer, Wrocław Medical UniversityWrocław, Poland
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Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor C isoform 2 expression and its prognostic significance for non-small cell lung cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2015; 142:263-72. [PMID: 26319393 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-015-2040-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor C isoform 2 (RORC2) is regarded as a pathogenic factor for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and tumours. Previous studies have primarily focused on RORC2 expression in IL-17-producing immune cells but not in carcinoma cells; thus, little is known about the roles of RORC2 in the progression of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we analysed the expression of RORC2 and its participation in tumour progression in NSCLC. METHODS RORC2 expression in NSCLC and adjacent normal lung tissues was assessed via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. RORC2 expression in NSCLC cell lines was examined by qRT-PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry. The effects of inhibiting RORC2 activity on the proliferation of NSCLC cells were evaluated. The prognostic value of RORC2 for NSCLC was revealed based on Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS High RORC2 expression was observed in lung cancer tissues and was significantly related to age (p = 0.013) and regional lymph node metastasis (p = 0.009). RORC2 expression was higher in the A549, H460, SPC-A1 and H1299 cell lines than in a control cell line. In addition, cell proliferation was decreased in NSCLC cells upon the blocking of RORC2 activity using a specific inhibitor. High RORC2 expression correlated with worse overall survival (p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that RORC2 is expressed by lung cancer cells and greatly contributes to tumour cell proliferation and overall survival in NSCLC. These findings strongly imply that RORC2 is associated with tumour progression.
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31
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Wiśniewski A, Kowal A, Wyrodek E, Nowak I, Majorczyk E, Wagner M, Pawlak-Adamska E, Jankowska R, Ślesak B, Frydecka I, Kuśnierczyk P. Genetic polymorphisms and expression of HLA-G and its receptors, KIR2DL4 and LILRB1, in non-small cell lung cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 85:466-75. [PMID: 25855135 DOI: 10.1111/tan.12561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a nonclassical HLA class I molecule absent from most normal tissues but detected in many malignant tumors. It is recognized by cells of the immune system using LILRB1, KIR2DL4 and LILRB2 receptors. We attempted to find out whether some polymorphisms of HLA-G, LILRB1 and KIR2DL4 genes are associated with susceptibility to nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Four polymorphisms in HLA-G, i.e. -964A>G (rs1632947), -725C>G>T (rs1233334), -716T>G (rs2249863) in the promoter, and a 14 base pair insertion/deletion (14 bp indel) in the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR), and five in LILRB1 - 5651G>A (rs41308748) in intron 14, 5717C>T L622L (rs1061684), 5724G>A E625K (rs16985478), 5774 C>A P641P (rs41548213) in exon 15, and 5806C>T (rs8101240) in 3'UTR - as well as 9620 9A/10A (rs11410751) polymorphism in exon 7 of KIR2DL4 were typed using different laboratory techniques. Only one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in HLA-G (-964A>G) and one in LILRB1 (5724G>A) were found to influence the risk of NSCLC. In addition, 5724G>A was associated with protection from tumor cell infiltration of regional lymph nodes. Most importantly, we detected HLA-G and LILRB1 expression in tumor specimens, but no correlation with genetic polymorphisms was observed. HLA-G and LILRB1 protein expression levels in tumor tissue were significantly correlated with tumor stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Wiśniewski
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Tissue Immunology, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
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32
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Yan WH, Liu D, Lu HY, Li YY, Zhang X, Lin A. Significance of tumour cell HLA-G5/-G6 isoform expression in discrimination for adenocarcinoma from squamous cell carcinoma in lung cancer patients. J Cell Mol Med 2015; 19:778-85. [PMID: 25689063 PMCID: PMC4395192 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-G has seven isoforms, of which HLA-G1-G4 are membrane-bound and HLA-G5-G7 are soluble. Previous studies reinforced HLA-G expression was strongly related to poor prognosis in different types of cancers. Among these studies, the monoclonal antibody (mAb) 4H84 was used which detects all HLA-G isoform heavy chain; unfortunately, leaves the specific types of isoforms expressed in lesions undistinguished and its clinical significance needs to be clarified. To explore clinical significance of lesion soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), mAb 5A6G7 recognizing HLA-G5/-G6 molecules was used. Tumour cell sHLA-G expression in 131 primary NSCLC lesions (66 squamous cell carcinoma, 55 adenocarcinoma and 10 adenosquamous carcinoma) were analysed with immunohistochemistry. Data showed that sHLA-G expression was observed in 34.0% (45/131) of the NSCLC lesions, which was unrelated to patient age, sex, lymph nodal status, tumour-node-metastasis stage and patient survival. However, tumour cell sHLA-G expression in lesions was predominately observed in adenocarcinoma lesions (73.0%, 40/55) which was significantly higher than that in squamous cell carcinoma (6.0%, 4/66) and adenosquamous carcinoma lesions (10.0%, 1/10, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for lesion sHLA-G was 0.833 (95% CI: 0.754-0.912, P < 0.001) for adenocarcinoma versus squamous cell carcinoma. Our findings for the first time showed that tumour cell sHLA-G was predominately expressed in lung adenocarcinoma, which could be a useful biomarker to discriminate adenocarcinoma from squamous cell carcinoma in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
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33
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Dias FC, Castelli EC, Collares CVA, Moreau P, Donadi EA. The Role of HLA-G Molecule and HLA-G Gene Polymorphisms in Tumors, Viral Hepatitis, and Parasitic Diseases. Front Immunol 2015; 6:9. [PMID: 25699038 PMCID: PMC4313582 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering that the non-classical HLA-G molecule has well-recognized tolerogenic properties, HLA-G expression is expected to be deleterious when present in tumor cells and in cells chronically infected by viruses, whereas HLA-G expression is expected to be advantageous in autoimmune disorders. The expression of HLA-G on tissue or peripheral blood cells, the levels of soluble HLA-G and polymorphic sites along the gene have been studied in several disorders. In this study, we revised the role of the molecule and polymorphic sites along the HLA-G gene in tumors, viral hepatitis, and parasitic disorders. Overall, several lines of evidence clearly show that the induction of HLA-G expression in tumors has been associated with worse disease outcome and disease spread. In addition, the few studies conducted on hepatitis and parasitic disorders indicate that HLA-G may contribute to disease pathogenesis. Few isolated polymorphic sites, primarily located at the coding or 3′ untranslated HLA-G region, have been evaluated in these disorders, and a complete HLA-G typing together with the study of gene regulatory elements may further help on the understanding of the influence of the genetic background on disease susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrício C Dias
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Erick C Castelli
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista , Botucatu , Brazil
| | - Cristhianna V A Collares
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Philippe Moreau
- Research Division in Hematology and Immunology, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies, Saint-Louis Hospital, CEA , Paris , France
| | - Eduardo A Donadi
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
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Gimenes F, Teixeira JJV, de Abreu ALP, Souza RP, Pereira MW, da Silva VRS, Bôer CG, Maria-Engler SS, Bonini MG, Borelli SD, Consolaro MEL. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G and cervical cancer immunoediting: a candidate molecule for therapeutic intervention and prognostic biomarker? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2014; 1846:576-89. [PMID: 25453366 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
While persistent infection with oncogenic types of human Papillomavirus (HPV) is required for cervical epithelial cell transformation and cervical carcinogenesis, HPV infection alone is not sufficient to induce tumorigenesis. Only a minor fraction of HPV infections produce high-grade lesions and cervical cancer, suggesting complex host-virus interactions. Based on its pronounced immunoinhibitory properties, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G has been proposed as a possible prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target relevant in a wide variety of cancers and viral infections, but to date remains underexplored in cervical cancer. Given the possible influence of HLA-G on the clinical course of HPV infection, cervical lesions and cancer progression, a better understanding of HLA-G involvement in cervical carcinogenesis might contribute to two aspects of fundamental importance: 1. Characterization of a novel diagnostic/prognostic biomarker to identify cervical cancer and to monitor disease stage, critical for patient screening; 2. Identification of HLA-G-driven immune mechanisms involved in lesion development and cancer progression, leading to the development of strategies for modulating HLA-G expression for treatment purposes. Thus, this systematic review explores the potential involvement of HLA-G protein expression and polymorphisms in cervical carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrícia Gimenes
- Laboratory of Clinical Cytology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, 87020900 Paraná, Brazil
| | - Jorge Juarez Vieira Teixeira
- Laboratory of Clinical Cytology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, 87020900 Paraná, Brazil
| | - André Luelsdorf Pimenta de Abreu
- Laboratory of Clinical Cytology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, 87020900 Paraná, Brazil
| | - Raquel Pantarotto Souza
- Laboratory of Clinical Cytology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, 87020900 Paraná, Brazil
| | - Monalisa Wolski Pereira
- Laboratory of Clinical Cytology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, 87020900 Paraná, Brazil
| | - Vânia Ramos Sela da Silva
- Laboratory of Clinical Cytology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, 87020900 Paraná, Brazil
| | - Cinthia Gandolfi Bôer
- Laboratory of Clinical Cytology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, 87020900 Paraná, Brazil
| | - Silvya Stuchi Maria-Engler
- Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology Department, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508000 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gialluisi Bonini
- College of Medicine, Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology and Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60612 Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sueli Donizete Borelli
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Basic Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, 87020900 Paraná, Brazil
| | - Márcia Edilaine Lopes Consolaro
- Laboratory of Clinical Cytology, Department of Clinical Analysis and Biomedicine, State University of Maringá, 87020900 Paraná, Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin C. Creelan
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
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NK cytolysis is dependent on the proportion of HLA-G expression. Hum Immunol 2013; 74:286-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2012.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2012] [Revised: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) expression in cervical cancer lesions is associated with disease progression. Hum Immunol 2012; 73:946-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2012.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Revised: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Dong DD, Yie SM, Li K, Li F, Xu Y, Xu G, Song L, Yang H. Importance of HLA-G expression and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Hum Immunol 2012; 73:998-1004. [PMID: 22841927 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2012.07.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Revised: 06/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This study is aimed at investigating whether or not human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) expression is associated with breast cancer molecular subtypes. HLA-G expression was immunohistochemically investigated in 104 patients with invasive ductal breast carcinoma, in which 56 were luminal A, 17 were luminal B, 19 were HER-2, and 12 were basal-like/normal breast-like subtype classified according to immunohistochemical staining results of ER, HER-2, CK5/6, and EGFR. Host immune response status was assessed by estimating the density of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). For comparison, other biomarkers such as Ki67, p53 and VEGF were also investigated. Associations of these biomarkers and TIL with molecular subtypes were statistically analyzed. We found that there were more cases with high expressions of HLA-G in non-luminal than in luminal subtypes (P=0.035). In contrast, more cases with high density of TIL was found in luminal than in non-luminal subtypes (P=0.023). Compared to all the biomarkers studied, only HLA-G expression was found to be inversely associated with the density of TIL (P=0.004). Furthermore, patients with HLA-G(high)/TIL(low) status had a higher risk of recurrence than those with HLA-G(low)/TIL(high) status, regardless of the molecular subtypes. Therefore, a combination of the status of HLA-G and TIL could improve the prognostic prediction for patients with various molecular subtypes of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Dan Dong
- Department of Pathology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
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Balsamo M, Vermi W, Parodi M, Pietra G, Manzini C, Queirolo P, Lonardi S, Augugliaro R, Moretta A, Facchetti F, Moretta L, Mingari MC, Vitale M. Melanoma cells become resistant to NK-cell-mediated killing when exposed to NK-cell numbers compatible with NK-cell infiltration in the tumor. Eur J Immunol 2012; 42:1833-42. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201142179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2011] [Revised: 02/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - William Vermi
- Servizio di Anatomia Patologica; Spedali Civili di Brescia; Brescia; Italy
| | - Monica Parodi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale; Università di Genova; Genova; Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale; Università di Genova; Genova; Italy
| | - Claudia Manzini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale; Università di Genova; Genova; Italy
| | - Paola Queirolo
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - IST; Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro; Genova; Italy
| | - Silvia Lonardi
- Servizio di Anatomia Patologica; Spedali Civili di Brescia; Brescia; Italy
| | - Raffaella Augugliaro
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - IST; Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro; Genova; Italy
| | | | - Fabio Facchetti
- Servizio di Anatomia Patologica; Spedali Civili di Brescia; Brescia; Italy
| | | | | | - Massimo Vitale
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - IST; Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro; Genova; Italy
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González A, Rebmann V, LeMaoult J, Horn PA, Carosella ED, Alegre E. The immunosuppressive molecule HLA-G and its clinical implications. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2012; 49:63-84. [PMID: 22537084 DOI: 10.3109/10408363.2012.677947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule that, through interaction with its receptors, exerts important tolerogenic functions. Its main physiological expression occurs in placenta where it seems to participate in the maternal tolerance toward the fetus. HLA-G has been studied as a marker of pregnancy complications such as abortion or pre-eclapmsia. Although HLA-G is not expressed in most adult tissues, its ectopic expression has been observed in some diseases such as viral infections, autoimmune disorders, and especially cancer. HLA-G neo-expression in cancer is associated with the capability of tumor cells to evade the immune control. In this review, we will summarize HLA-G biology and how it participates in these physiopathological processes. Special attention will be paid to its role as a diagnostic tool and also as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro González
- Department of Biochemistry, University Clinic of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
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The role of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and chronic inflammation at the tumor site on cancer development, progression, and prognosis: emphasis on non-small cell lung cancer. J Thorac Oncol 2011; 6:824-33. [PMID: 21173711 DOI: 10.1097/jto.0b013e3182037b76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 238] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In addition to malignant neoplastic cells, cancer tissues also include immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, including an abundant collection of growth factors, proangiogenic mediators, cytokines, chemokines, and components of the extracellular matrix. The main physiological function of the immune cells is to monitor tissue homeostasis, to protect against invading pathogens, and to eliminate transformed or damaged cells. Between immune cells and malignant cells in the tumor stroma, there is in fact a complex interaction which has significant prognostic relevance as the immune system has both tumor-promoting and -inhibiting roles. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there is a marked infiltration of different types of immune cells, and the distribution, tissue localization, and cell types are significantly associated with progression and survival. Cancer immunotherapy has seen a significant progress during the last decade. An increased understanding of the mechanisms by which lung cancer cells escape the immune system, and the recognition of the key tumor antigens and immune system components in tumor ignorance have led to the development of several lung cancer vaccines. As the NSCLC prognosis in general is dismal, one may hope that future immunotherapy may be an effective adjunct to standard therapy, reversing immunologic tolerance in the tumor microenvironment. This review reports on the tumor stroma and in particular tumor-suppressing and -promoting roles of the immune system. Furthermore, it presents recent literature on relevant immune cell-related research in NSCLC.
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HLA-G regulators in cancer medicine: an outline of key requirements. Tumour Biol 2011; 32:1071-86. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-011-0213-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/08/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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Yan WH. Human leukocyte antigen-G in cancer: are they clinically relevant? Cancer Lett 2011; 311:123-30. [PMID: 21843913 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2011] [Revised: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 07/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The immunotolerant human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G has direct inhibitory effects on natural killer cells (NK), dendritic cells (DC), T cells and can induce tolerant regulatory cells. The expression of HLA-G has been correlated with the tolerance of the fetus, the acceptance of organ transplants, and the immune escape of tumor cells and virus-infected cells. In the context of malignancies, aberrant induction of HLA-G expression has been extensively investigated and its clinical relevance has been postulated. We here focus on the HLA-G expression in malignancies and its relevance to tumor cell immune escaping and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical College, Linhai, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
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Du L, Xiao X, Wang C, Zhang X, Zheng N, Wang L, Zhang X, Li W, Wang S, Dong Z. Human leukocyte antigen-G is closely associated with tumor immune escape in gastric cancer by increasing local regulatory T cells. Cancer Sci 2011; 102:1272-80. [PMID: 21466615 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2011.01951.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) plays an important role in tumor cell escape. We investigated HLA-G expression and regulatory T cells (Tregs) infiltrates in patients with gastric cancer (GC), analyzed their relationship with clinicopathologic features, and characterized their role in tumor immune escape. We also investigated the plasma soluble HLA-G level and its potential in the diagnosis of GC. Effect of HLA-G on Tregs was further assessed by coculture experiments in vitro. Most interestingly, HLA-G positive expression was detected in GC tissues and it was significantly correlated with the presence of tumor-infiltrating Tregs. Patients with HLA-G positive expression or high Tregs had significantly poorer survival at 5 years after operation. Multivariate analysis indicated that HLA-G positive expression was an independent prognostic factor of GC. The coculture experiment showed overexpression of HLA-G in GC cell lines significantly enhanced the frequency of Tregs when GC cells were directly cocultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cell. However, this effect disappeared when the indirect coculture system was applied. Some cytokines such as interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α significantly changed in the coculture system. Moreover, plasma soluble HLA-G level in GC patients was higher than that in normal controls. Taken together, our results indicated that HLA-G expression was closely associated with tumor progression and involved in tumor evasion by increasing the frequency of infiltrating Tregs locally. Thus, HLA-G might be a promising predictor for disease prognosis and a possible novel target for immunotherapy in GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutao Du
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Lin A, Zhang X, Zhou WJ, Ruan YY, Xu DP, Wang Q, Yan WH. Human leukocyte antigen-G expression is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Int J Cancer 2011; 129:1382-90. [PMID: 21128238 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 11/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G inhibits functions of immune component cells and promotes malignant cells evading from antitumor immunity. We investigated the clinical relevance of HLA-G expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In our study, HLA-G expression in 79 primary ESCC lesions and corresponding adjacent normal tissues were analyzed with immunohistochemistry. Soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in plasma was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 41 ESCC patients (including 19 case-matched lesions and plasma samples) and in 153 normal healthy controls. HLA-G expression was observed in 65.8% (52/79) of the ESCC lesions but not in adjacent normal esophageal tissues. HLA-G expression was more frequently observed in patients with advanced disease stage (III/IV vs. I/II, p = 0.01). Patients with HLA-G expression had a significantly worse survival, and HLA-G could be an independent prognostic factor. sHLA-G levels in plasma were significantly increased in patients compared to normal controls (median: 152.4 U/ml vs. 8.9 U/ml, p < 0.001). The area under receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve for sHLA-G in plasma was 0.992. However, no significant correlation was found between sHLA-G in plasma and clinical parameters studied. In conclusion, our findings indicated that HLA-G expression in ESCC is associated with poor survival and could be a prognostic indicator. Furthermore, increased levels of sHLA-G in plasma might be a useful preoperative biomarker for diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifen Lin
- Human Tissue Bank, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, China
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Amiot L, Ferrone S, Grosse-Wilde H, Seliger B. Biology of HLA-G in cancer: a candidate molecule for therapeutic intervention? Cell Mol Life Sci 2010; 68:417-31. [PMID: 21063893 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-010-0583-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2010] [Accepted: 10/22/2010] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Although the expression of the non-classical HLA class I molecule HLA-G was first reported to be restricted to the fetal-maternal interface on the extravillous cytotrophoblasts, the distribution of HLA-G in normal tissues appears broader than originally described. HLA-G expression was found in embryonic tissues, in adult immune privileged organs, and in cells of the hematopoietic lineage. More interestingly, under pathophysiological conditions HLA-G antigens may be expressed on various types of malignant cells suggesting that HLA-G antigen expression is one strategy used by tumor cells to escape immune surveillance. In this article, we will focus on HLA-G expression in cancers of distinct histology and its association with the clinical course of diseases, on the underlying molecular mechanisms of impaired HLA-G expression, on the immune tolerant function of HLA-G in tumors, and on the use of membrane-bound and soluble HLA-G as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker to identify tumors and to monitor disease stage, as well as on the use of HLA-G as a novel therapeutic target in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Amiot
- UPRES EA 4427 SeRAIC, University of Rennes 1, 2 av Prof Léon Bernard, 35043 RENNES Cedex, France
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