The CXCL11-CXCR3A axis influences the infiltration of CD274 and IDO1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

CXCL9 mediating the effect of thyroid disorders on oral and oropharyngeal cancer risk: A mediation Mendelian randomization study

INTRODUCTION

The established association between thyroid disorders (TD) and its two main subtypes-hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism-and the incidence of oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OCPC) has been substantiated. However, the direct causal relationship and potential intermediary mechanisms linking these conditions have not been clearly defined in prior studies.

MATERIAL & METHODS

This study employed univariate Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore those relationship. Instrumental variables from genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets for TD (n = 218,792), hyperthyroidism (n = 460,499), hypothyroidism (n = 213,990), and OCPC (n = 12,619), along with 41 intermediary inflammatory cytokines (n = 8293), were analyzed. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) method assessed the causal relationships, while summary MR analysis with pQTL datasets from decode and 91 inflammatory cytokines explored the cytokines' roles as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for OCPC. Multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis quantified the mediation effect of these cytokines in the TD-OCPC relationship.

RESULTS

UVMR analysis provided strong evidence for a causal relationship between TD (OR = 1.376, 95 % CI = 1.142-1.656, p = 0.001), hyperthyroidism (OR = 1.319, 95 % CI=1.129-1.541, p = 0.001), hypothyroidism (OR = 1.224, 95 % CI = 1.071-1.400, p = 0.003), and the risk of OCPC. CXCL9 was identified as a significant intermediary in mediating the risk of OCPC from TD and its two subtypes (OR = 1.218, 95 % CI = 1.016-1.461, P = 0.033), suggesting its potential as a predictive biomarker for OCPC. MVMR analysis further revealed that CXCL9 mediated 7.94 %, 14.4 %, and 18 % of the effects of TD, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism on OCPC risk, respectively.

DISCUSSION

This study not only elucidated the potential causal relationships between TD including its two subtypes and OCPC risk, but also highlighted CXCL9 as a pivotal mediator in this association.

Partial recovery of peripheral blood monocyte subsets in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients upon radio(chemo)therapy is associated with decreased plasma CXCL11

BACKGROUND

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents a common and heterogeneous malignancy of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. Surgery and radio(chemo)therapy are the standard treatment options and also have great influence on the composition of the tumor microenvironment and immune cell functions. However, the impact of radio(chemo)therapy on the distribution and characteristics of circulating monocyte subsets in HNSCC are not fully understood.

METHODS

Expression patterns of adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors CD11a (integrin-α L; LFA-1), CD11b (integrin-α M; Mac-1), CD11c (integrin-α X), CX3CR1 (CX3CL1 receptor) and checkpoint molecule PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand-1) were investigated upon radio(chemo)therapeutic treatment using flow cytometry. Furthermore, comprehensive analysis of plasma cytokines was performed before and after treatment using ELISA measurements.

RESULTS

Our data reveal a partial recovery of circulating monocytes in HNSCC patients upon radio(chemo)therapeutic treatment, with differential effects of the individual therapy regimen. PD-L1 expression on non-classical monocytes significantly correlates with the individual plasma levels of chemokine CXCL11 (C-X-C motif chemokine 11).

CONCLUSIONS

Further comprehensive investigations on larger patient cohorts are required to elucidate the meaningfulness of peripheral blood monocyte subsets and chemokine CXCL11 as potential bioliquid indicators in HNSCC with regard to therapy response and the individual immunological situation.

Inflammatory cytokines mediating the effect of oral lichen planus on oral cavity cancer risk: a univariable and multivariable mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

While observational studies and experimental data suggest a link between oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral cavity cancer (OCC), the causal relationship and the role of inflammatory cytokines remain unclear.

METHODS

This study employed a univariable and multivariable Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal relationship between OLP and the risk of OCC. Additionally, the potential role of inflammatory cytokines in modulating this association was explored. Instrumental variables were derived from genetic variants associated with OLP (n = 377,277) identified in Finngen R9 datasets, with 41 inflammatory cytokines as potential mediators, and OCC (n = 4,151) as the outcome variable. Analytical methods including Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW), Weighted Median, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO were utilized to assess the causal links among OLP, inflammatory cytokines, and OCC risk. Multivariable MR (MVMR) was then applied to quantify the mediating effects of these cytokines in the relationship between OLP and increased OCC risk.

RESULTS

MR analysis provided strong evidence of a causal relationship between OLP (OR = 1.417, 95% CI = 1.167-1.721, p < 0.001) and the risk of OCC. Furthermore, two inflammatory cytokines significantly influenced by OLP, IL-13 (OR = 1.088, 95% CI: 1.007-1.175, P = 0.032) and IL-9 (OR = 1.085, 95% CI: 1.005-1.171, P = 0.037), were identified. Subsequent analysis revealed a significant causal association only between IL-13 (OR = 1.408, 95% CI: 1.147-1.727, P = 0.001) and higher OCC risk, establishing it as a potential mediator. Further, MVMR analysis indicated that IL-13 (OR = 1.437, 95% CI = 1.139-1.815, P = 0.002) mediated the relationship between OLP and OCC, accounting for 8.13% of the mediation.

CONCLUSION

This study not only elucidates the potential causal relationship between OLP and the risk of OCC but also highlights the pivotal mediating role of IL-13 in this association.

The Role of CXCL11 and its Receptors in Cancer: Prospective but Challenging Clinical Targets

Chemokine ligand 11 is a member of the CXC chemokine family and exerts its biological function mainly through binding to CXCR3 and CXCR7. The CXCL11 gene is ubiquitously overexpressed in various human malignant tumors; however, its specific mechanisms vary among different cancer types. Recent studies have found that CXCL11 is involved in the activation of multiple oncogenic signaling pathways and is closely related to tumorigenesis, progression, chemotherapy tolerance, immunotherapy efficacy, and poor prognosis. Depending on the specific expression of its receptor subtype, CXCL11 also has a complex 2-fold role in tumours; therefore, directly targeting the structure-function of CXCL11 and its receptors may be a challenging task. In this review, we summarize the biological functions of CXCL11 and its receptors and their roles in various types of malignant tumors and point out the directions for clinical applications.

Research progress of CXCR3 inhibitors

The human CXCR3 receptor was initially identified and cloned in the mid-1990s. In the process of understanding CXCR3, it gradually found that it plays an important role in the process of a variety of diseases, including inflammation, immune diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system diseases, etc., which attracted the attention of many researchers. Subsequently, some small molecule inhibitors targeting CXCR3 receptors were also developed. Unfortunately, no CXCR3 inhibitors have been approved for marketing by FDA. Up to now, only one CXCR3 small molecule inhibitor has entered the clinical trial stage, but it has not achieved ideal results in the end. Therefore, there is still much to think about and explore for the development of CXCR3 inhibitors. This article reviews the important role of CXCR3 in various physiological and pathological processes and some small molecule inhibitors of CXCR3.

Endothelial Indoleamine-2,3-Dioxygenase-1 is not Critically Involved in Regulating Antitumor Immunity in the Central Nervous System

The vascular niche of malignant gliomas is a key compartment that shapes the immunosuppressive brain tumor microenvironment (TME). The blood-brain-barrier (BBB) consisting of specialized endothelial cells (ECs) and perivascular cells forms a tight anatomical and functional barrier critically controlling transmigration and effector function of immune cells. During neuroinflammation and tumor progression, the metabolism of the essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) to metabolites such as kynurenine has long been identified as an important metabolic pathway suppressing immune responses. Previous studies have demonstrated that indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1), a key rate-limiting enzyme in tryptophan catabolism, is expressed within the TME of high-grade gliomas. Here, we investigate the role of endothelial IDO1 (eIDO1) expression for brain tumor immunity. Single-cell RNA sequencing data revealed that in human glioma tissue, IDO1 is predominantly expressed by activated ECs showing a JAK/STAT signaling pathway-related CXCL11⁺ gene expression signature. In a syngeneic experimental glioma model, eIDO1 is induced by low-dose tumor irradiation. However, cell type-specific ablation of eIDO1 in experimental gliomas did not alter frequency and phenotype of tumor-infiltrating T cells nor tumor growth. Taken together these data argue against a dominant role of eIDO1 for brain tumor immunity.

EphA2 Promotes the Development of Cervical Cancer through the CXCL11/PD-L1 Pathway

Erythropoietin-producing hepatoma receptor A2 (EphA2), receptor tyrosine kinase, the most widespread member of the largest receptor tyrosine kinase family, plays a critical role in physiological and pathological conditions. In recent years, the role of EphA2 in the occurrence and development of cancer has become a research hotspot and is considered a promising potential target. Our previous studies have shown that EphA2 has an indisputable cancer-promoting role in cervical cancer, but its related mechanism requires further research. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was performed on EphA2 knockdown cervical cancer cells and the control group. An analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that EphA2 may exert its cancer-promoting effect through C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CXCL11). In addition, we found that EphA2 could further regulate programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) through CXCL11. This has also been further demonstrated in in vivo experiments. Our study demonstrated that EphA2 plays a tumor-promoting role in cervical carcinoma through the CXCL11/PD-L1 pathway, providing new guidance for the targeted therapy and combination therapy of cervical carcinoma.

CXCR3 isoform A promotes head and neck cancer progression by enhancing stem-like property and chemoresistance

The chemokine network orchestrates the cancer stem-like property and consequently participates in cancer progression. CXCR3 contributes cancer progressive property and immunomodulation in the tumor microenvironment. The two major isoforms of CXCR3 are scrutinized and the divergence is showed that CXCR3A promotes cancer cell growth and motility while CXCR3B functions contrarily in many studies. However, rare studies illustrate the role of CXCR3 isoforms in cancer stem-like property and chemoresistance, especially in head and neck cancer (HNC). First, we used immunohistochemistry staining to evaluate expression levels of CXCR3, CXCR3B, and Sox2 cancer stem cell (CSC) marker and association with tumor progression in HNC tissues. Results showed that high levels of CXCR3 were significantly associated with advanced stage (p <0.01), regional lymph node metastasis (p <0.05), and poor differentiation (p <0.005) and further correlated with worse survival rate in oral cancer patients (p = 0.036). Higher levels of CXCR3B were found in regional lymphatic invasion of HNC and progressive stage of squamous cell carcinoma. Elevated Sox2 expression was significantly associated with the advanced stage of HNC in the oral cavity, and demonstrated a co-expression pattern with CXCR3B. Furthermore, lentivirus-mediated overexpression of CXCR3A and CXCR3B in SAS human oral cancer cells promoted cell mobility. CXCR3A overexpression enhanced sphere-forming ability and chemoresistance of CSCs by upregulating stemness-related genes. This study first provides a novel insight of CXCR3 isoform A in HNC cancer progression via regulating cancer stem-like properties and chemoresistance, suggesting that CXCR3A may be a prognostic marker and novel target for HNC therapy.

Update on lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) in cancers: from biological properties to clinical applications

Immunotherapy that targets checkpoints, especially programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed cell death ligand 1, has revolutionized cancer therapy regimens. The overall response rate to mono-immunotherapy, however, is limited, emphasizing the need to potentiate the efficacy of these regimens. The functions of immune cells are modulated by multiple stimulatory and inhibitory molecules, including lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3). LAG-3 is co-expressed together with other inhibitory checkpoints and plays key roles in immune suppression. Increasing evidence, particularly in the last 5 years, has shown the potential of LAG-3 blockade in anti-tumor immunity. This review provides an update on the biological properties and clinical applications of LAG-3 in cancers.