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Ni L. Potential mechanisms of cancer stem-like progenitor T-cell bio-behaviours. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1817. [PMID: 39169517 PMCID: PMC11338842 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In situations involving continuous exposure to antigens, such as chronic infections or cancer, antigen-specific CD8+ T cells can become dysfunctional or exhausted. This change is marked by increased expression levels of inhibitory receptors (PD-1 and Tim-3). Stem-like progenitor exhausted (Tpex) cells, a subset of exhausted cells that express TCF-1 and are mainly found in the lymph nodes, demonstrate the ability to self-renew and exhibit a high rate of proliferation. Tpex cells can further differentiate into transitional intermediate exhausted (Tex-int) cells and terminally exhausted (Tex-term) cells. Alternatively, they can directly differentiate into Tex-term cells. Tpex cells are the predominant subset that respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), making them a prime candidate for improving the efficacy of ICI therapy. This review article aimed to present the latest developments in the field of Tpex formation, expansion, and differentiation in the context of cancer, as well as their responses to ICIs in cancer immunotherapy. Consequently, it may be possible to develop novel treatments that exclusively target Tpex cells, thus improving overall treatment outcomes. KEY POINTS: Tpex cells are located in lymph nodes and TLS. Several pathways control the differentiation trajectories of Tpex cells, including epigenetic factors, transcription factors, cytokines, age, sex, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Ni
- Institute for Immunology and School of Basic MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
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Xin X, Cheng X, Zeng F, Xu Q, Hou L. The Role of TGF-β/SMAD Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: from Mechanism to Therapy and Prognosis. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:1436-1451. [PMID: 38385079 PMCID: PMC10878151 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.89568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with high incidence and mortality, accounting for approximately 90% of liver cancer. The development of HCC is a complex process involving the abnormal activation or inactivation of multiple signaling pathways. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) signaling pathway regulates the development of HCC. TGF-β activates intracellular SMADs protein through membrane receptors, resulting in a series of biological cascades. Accumulating studies have demonstrated that TGF-β/SMAD signaling plays multiple regulatory functions in HCC. However, there is still controversy about the role of TGF-β/SMAD in HCC. Because it involves different pathogenic factors, disease stages, and cell microenvironment, as well as upstream and downstream relationships with other signaling pathways. This review will summary the regulatory mechanism of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway in HCC, involving the regulation of different pathogenic factors, different disease stages, different cell populations, microenvironments, and the interaction with microRNAs. In addition, we also introduced small molecule inhibitors, therapeutic vaccines, and traditional Chinese medicine extracts based on targeting the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway, which will provide future research direction for HCC therapy targeting the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xin
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiyu Cheng
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Fanxin Zeng
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, Sichuan province, China
| | - Qing Xu
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingling Hou
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
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Lan X, Zebley CC, Youngblood B. Cellular and molecular waypoints along the path of T cell exhaustion. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadg3868. [PMID: 37656775 PMCID: PMC10618911 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adg3868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Thirty years of foundational research investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms promoting T cell exhaustion are now enabling rational design of T cell-based therapies for the treatment of chronic infections and cancer. Once described as a static cell fate, it is now well appreciated that the developmental path toward exhaustion is composed of a heterogeneous pool of cells with varying degrees of effector potential that ultimately converge on a terminally differentiated state. Recent description of the developmental stages along the differentiation trajectory of T cell exhaustion has provided insight into past immunotherapeutic success and future opportunities. Here, we discuss the hallmarks of distinct developmental stages occurring along the path to T cell dysfunction and the impact of these discrete CD8+ T cell fates on cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lan
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Caitlin C. Zebley
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ben Youngblood
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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Anderson R, Rapoport BL, Steel HC, Theron AJ. Pro-Tumorigenic and Thrombotic Activities of Platelets in Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11927. [PMID: 37569299 PMCID: PMC10418868 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511927] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aside from their key protective roles in hemostasis and innate immunity, platelets are now recognized as having multifaceted, adverse roles in the pathogenesis, progression and outcome of many types of human malignancy. The most consistent and compelling evidence in this context has been derived from the notable association of elevated circulating platelet counts with the onset and prognosis of various human malignancies, particularly lung cancer, which represents the primary focus of the current review. Key topics include an overview of the association of lung cancer with the circulating platelet count, as well as the mechanisms of platelet-mediated, pro-tumorigenic immunosuppression, particularly the role of transforming growth factor beta 1. These issues are followed by a discussion regarding the pro-tumorigenic role of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs), the most abundant type of microparticles (MPs) in human blood. In this context, the presence of increased levels of PMPs in the blood of lung cancer patients has been associated with tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis, which correlate with disease progression and decreased survival times. The final section of the review addresses, firstly, the role of cancer-related platelet activation and thrombosis in the pathogenesis of secondary cardiovascular disorders and the associated mortality, particularly in lung cancer, which is second only to disease progression; secondly, the review addresses the potential role of antiplatelet agents in the adjunctive therapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Anderson
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (B.L.R.); (H.C.S.); (A.J.T.)
| | - Bernardo L. Rapoport
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (B.L.R.); (H.C.S.); (A.J.T.)
- The Medical Oncology Centre of Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
| | - Helen C. Steel
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (B.L.R.); (H.C.S.); (A.J.T.)
| | - Annette J. Theron
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (B.L.R.); (H.C.S.); (A.J.T.)
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5
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Lantern-shaped flexible RNA origami for Smad4 mRNA delivery and growth suppression of colorectal cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1307. [PMID: 36894556 PMCID: PMC9998469 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37020-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA delivery has shown high application value in the treatment of various diseases, but its effective delivery is still a major challenge at present. Herein, we propose a lantern-shaped flexible RNA origami for mRNA delivery. The origami is composed of a target mRNA scaffold and only two customized RGD-modified circular RNA staples, which can compress the mRNA into nanoscale and facilitate its endocytosis by cells. In parallel, the flexible structure of the lantern-shaped origami allows large regions of the mRNA to be exposed and translated, exhibiting a good balance between endocytosis and translation efficiency. The application of lantern-shaped flexible RNA origami in the context of the tumor suppressor gene, Smad4 in colorectal cancer models demonstrates promising potential for accurate manipulation of protein levels in in vitro and in vivo settings. This flexible origami strategy provides a competitive delivery method for mRNA-based therapies.
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Chandiran K, Suarez-Ramirez JE, Hu Y, Jellison ER, Ugur Z, Low JS, McDonald B, Kaech SM, Cauley LS. SMAD4 and TGFβ are architects of inverse genetic programs during fate-determination of antiviral CTLs. eLife 2022; 11:76457. [PMID: 35942952 PMCID: PMC9402230 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is an important differentiation factor for cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and alters the expression levels of several of homing receptors during infection. SMAD4 is part of the canonical signaling network used by members of the transforming growth factor family. For this study, genetically modified mice were used to determine how SMAD4 and TGFβ receptor II (TGFβRII) participate in transcriptional programming of pathogen-specific CTLs. We show that these molecules are essential components of opposing signaling mechanisms, and cooperatively regulate a collection of genes that determine whether specialized populations of pathogen-specific CTLs circulate around the body, or settle in peripheral tissues. TGFβ uses a canonical SMAD-dependent signaling pathway to downregulate Eomesodermin (EOMES), KLRG1, and CD62L, while CD103 is induced. Conversely, in vivo and in vitro data show that EOMES, KLRG1, CX3CR1, and CD62L are positively regulated via SMAD4, while CD103 and Hobit are downregulated. Intravascular staining also shows that signaling via SMAD4 promotes formation of long-lived terminally differentiated CTLs that localize in the vasculature. Our data show that inflammatory molecules play a key role in lineage determination of pathogen-specific CTLs, and use SMAD-dependent signaling to alter the expression levels of multiple homing receptors and transcription factors with known functions during memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Chandiran
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, United States
| | - Jenny E Suarez-Ramirez
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, United States
| | - Yinghong Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, United States
| | - Evan R Jellison
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, United States
| | - Zenep Ugur
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, United States
| | - Jun-Siong Low
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Bryan McDonald
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, United States
| | - Susan M Kaech
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, United States
| | - Linda S Cauley
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, United States
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