1
|
Ju Y, Xu D, Liao MM, Sun Y, Bao WD, Yao F, Ma L. Barriers and opportunities in pancreatic cancer immunotherapy. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:199. [PMID: 39266715 PMCID: PMC11393360 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00681-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a fatal clinical challenge characterized by a dismal 5-year overall survival rate, primarily due to the lack of early diagnosis and limited therapeutic efficacy. Immunotherapy, a proven success in multiple cancers, has yet to demonstrate significant benefits in PDAC. Recent studies have revealed the immunosuppressive characteristics of the PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cells with suppressive properties, desmoplastic stroma, microbiome influences, and PDAC-specific signaling pathways. In this article, we review recent advances in understanding the immunosuppressive TME of PDAC, TME differences among various mouse models of pancreatic cancer, and the mechanisms underlying resistance to immunotherapeutic interventions. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of targeting cancer cell-intrinsic pathways and TME components to sensitize PDAC to immune therapies, providing insights into strategies and future perspectives to break through the barriers in improving pancreatic cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Ju
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Biomedicine and Health, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Dongzhi Xu
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Biomedicine and Health, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Miao-Miao Liao
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Biomedicine and Health, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Yutong Sun
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Wen-Dai Bao
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Biomedicine and Health, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Fan Yao
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Biomedicine and Health, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China.
- Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China.
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China.
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Meng H, Li L, Nan M, Ding Y, Li Y, Zhang M. ZG16 enhances the maturation of dendritic cells via induction of CD40 and contributes to the antitumor immunity in pancreatic cancer. Oncogene 2024:10.1038/s41388-024-03154-6. [PMID: 39261658 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03154-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical mediators of antigen priming and T-cell activation. Zymogen granule protein 16 (ZG16) is demonstrated as an anti-oncogene in T-cell mediated antitumor immunity, but its effect on DCs is largely unknown. Herein, we wonder whether ZG16 affects the activation of DCs in pancreatic cancer. Firstly, the increased ZG16 expression was observed during the maturation of DCs derived from mouse bone marrow or human peripheral blood. Then, overexpression of ZG16 or exogenous introduction of recombinant ZG16 protein induced the expression of MHC II, CD86, CD84, and CCR7 on the surface of DCs, thereby facilitating the secretion of proinflammatory mediators IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12/p70, supporting the promoting effect of ZG16 on DC maturation. By establishing the subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse models of pancreatic cancer, we confirmed that intraperitoneal injection of recombinant ZG16 protein (Re-mZG16) could induce tumor regression by stimulating DC maturation and enhancing antitumor responses of CD4 + , CD8 + , PD-1 + , and Ctla4+ cells. Besides, Re-mZG16 in combination with gemcitabine showed a synergistic effect in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that ZG16 inhibited the ubiquitination and degradation of CD40, which depended on the lectin domain of ZG16. In conclusion, this study provided a novel insight into the role of ZG16-CD40 axis in DC-based immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Meng
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Manman Nan
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yizhen Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingzhi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Poyia F, Neophytou CM, Christodoulou MI, Papageorgis P. The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer Immunotherapy: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9555. [PMID: 39273502 PMCID: PMC11395109 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179555] [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: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer comprises different subtypes, where most cases include ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is one of the deadliest tumor types, with a poor prognosis. In the majority of patients, the disease has already spread by the time of diagnosis, making full recovery unlikely and increasing mortality risk. Despite developments in its detection and management, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies as well as advances in immunotherapy, only in about 13% of PDAC patients does the overall survival exceed 5 years. This may be attributed, at least in part, to the highly desmoplastic tumor microenvironment (TME) that acts as a barrier limiting perfusion, drug delivery, and immune cell infiltration and contributes to the establishment of immunologically 'cold' conditions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to unravel the complexity of the TME that promotes PDAC progression and decipher the mechanisms of pancreatic tumors' resistance to immunotherapy. In this review, we provide an overview of the major cellular and non-cellular components of PDAC TME, as well as their biological interplays. We also discuss the current state of PDAC therapeutic treatments and focus on ongoing and future immunotherapy efforts and multimodal treatments aiming at remodeling the TME to improve therapeutic efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fotini Poyia
- Tumor Microenvironment, Metastasis and Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Christiana M Neophytou
- Apoptosis and Cancer Chemoresistance Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Maria-Ioanna Christodoulou
- Tumor Immunology and Biomarkers Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Panagiotis Papageorgis
- Tumor Microenvironment, Metastasis and Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Do CTP, Prochnau JY, Dominguez A, Wang P, Rao MK. The Road Ahead in Pancreatic Cancer: Emerging Trends and Therapeutic Prospects. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1979. [PMID: 39335494 PMCID: PMC11428787 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12091979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
This review explores the challenges and emerging trends in pancreatic cancer therapy. In particular, we focus on the tumor microenvironment and the potential of immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, characterized by its dense stromal architecture, presents unique challenges for effective treatment. Recent advancements have emphasized the role of the tumor microenvironment in therapeutic resistance and disease progression. We discuss novel strategies targeting the desmoplastic barrier and immunosuppressive cells to enhance immune cell infiltration and activation. Recent clinical trials, particularly those involving novel immunotherapeutic agents and tumor vaccines, are examined to understand their efficacy and limitations. Our analysis reveals that combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or drugs targeting epigenetic processes shows promise, improving overall survival rates and response to treatment. For instance, trials utilizing checkpoint inhibitors in combination with standard chemotherapies have extended disease-free survival by up to 6 months compared to chemotherapy alone. Importantly, vaccines targeting specific tumor neoantigens have shown the potential to increase patient survival. However, these approaches also face significant challenges, including overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and enhancing the delivery and efficacy of therapeutic agents. By providing an overview of both the promising results and the obstacles encountered, this review aims to highlight ongoing efforts to refine immunotherapy approaches for better patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris T P Do
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jack Y Prochnau
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Angel Dominguez
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Pei Wang
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Manjeet K Rao
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jin Y, Christenson ES, Zheng L, Li K. Neutrophils in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: bridging preclinical insights to clinical prospects for improved therapeutic strategies. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024; 20:945-958. [PMID: 38690749 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2348605] [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: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy characterized by a dismal five-year survival rate of less than 10%. Neutrophils are key components of the innate immune system, playing a pivotal role in the PDAC immune microenvironment. AREAS COVERED This review provides a comprehensive survey of the pivotal involvement of neutrophils in the tumorigenesis and progression of PDAC. Furthermore, it synthesizes preclinical and clinical explorations aimed at targeting neutrophils within the milieu of PDAC, subsequently proposing a conceptual framework to propel further inquiry focused on enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of PDAC through neutrophil-targeted strategies. PubMed and Web of Science databases were utilized for researching neutrophils in pancreatic cancer publications prior to 2024. EXPERT OPINION Neutrophils play roles in promoting tumor growth and metastasis in PDAC and are associated with poor prognosis. However, the heterogeneity and plasticity of neutrophils and their complex relationships with other immune cells and extracellular matrix also provide new insights for immunotherapy targeting neutrophils to achieve a better prognosis for PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Jin
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Eric S Christenson
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lei Zheng
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Cancer Convergence Institute at Johns Hopkins, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Keyu Li
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li J, Moresco P, Fearon DT. Intratumoral NKT cell accumulation promotes antitumor immunity in pancreatic cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2403917121. [PMID: 38980903 PMCID: PMC11260137 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403917121] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a potentially lethal disease lacking effective treatments. Its immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) allows it to evade host immunosurveillance and limits response to immunotherapy. Here, using the mouse KRT19-deficient (sgKRT19-edited) PDA model, we find that intratumoral accumulation of natural killer T (NKT) cells is required to establish an immunologically active TME. Mechanistically, intratumoral NKT cells facilitate type I interferon (IFN) production to initiate an antitumor adaptive immune response, and orchestrate the intratumoral infiltration of T cells, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. At the molecular level, NKT cells promote the production of type I IFN through the interaction of their CD40L with CD40 on myeloid cells. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of these observations, we find that administration of folinic acid to mice bearing PDA increases NKT cells in the TME and improves their response to anti-PD-1 antibody treatment. In conclusion, NKT cells have an essential role in the immune response to mouse PDA and are potential targets for immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayun Li
- Cancer Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY11724
| | - Philip Moresco
- Cancer Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY11724
- Graduate Program in Genetics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY11794
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY11794
| | - Douglas T. Fearon
- Cancer Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY11724
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10065
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li X, Hou W, Xiao C, Yang H, Zhao C, Cao D. Panoramic tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00970-6. [PMID: 39008192 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00970-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is notorious for its resistance to various treatment modalities. The genetic heterogeneity of PDAC, coupled with the presence of a desmoplastic stroma within the tumor microenvironment (TME), contributes to an unfavorable prognosis. The mechanisms and consequences of interactions among different cell types, along with spatial variations influencing cellular function, potentially play a role in the pathogenesis of PDAC. Understanding the diverse compositions of the TME and elucidating the functions of microscopic neighborhoods may contribute to understanding the immune microenvironment status in pancreatic cancer. As we delve into the spatial biology of the microscopic neighborhoods within the TME, aiding in deciphering the factors that orchestrate this intricate ecosystem. This overview delineates the fundamental constituents and the structural arrangement of the PDAC microenvironment, highlighting their impact on cancer cell biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Li
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanting Hou
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoxin Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China HospitaL, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China
| | - Heqi Yang
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengjian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China HospitaL, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Cao
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610017, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pan X, Han T, Zhao Z, Wang X, Fang X. Emerging Nanotechnology in Preclinical Pancreatic Cancer Immunotherapy: Driving Towards Clinical Applications. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:6619-6641. [PMID: 38975321 PMCID: PMC11227336 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s466459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The high malignant degree and poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) pose severe challenges to the basic research and clinical translation of next-generation therapies. The rise of immunotherapy has improved the treatment of a variety of solid tumors, while the application in PC is highly restricted by the challenge of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The latest progress of nanotechnology as drug delivery platform and immune adjuvant has improved drug delivery in a variety of disease backgrounds and enhanced tumor therapy based on immunotherapy. Based on the immune loop of PC and the status quo of clinical immunotherapy of tumors, this article discussed and critically analyzed the key transformation difficulties of immunotherapy adaptation to the treatment of PC, and then proposed the rational design strategies of new nanocarriers for drug delivery and immune regulation, especially the design of combined immunotherapy. This review also put forward prospective views on future research directions, so as to provide information for the new means of clinical treatment of PC combined with the next generation of nanotechnology and immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Pan
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zixuan Zhao
- The Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders of Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
- The Institute of Brain Science, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaosan Fang
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241000, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhu Y, Xiang M, Brulois KF, Lazarus NH, Pan J, Butcher EC. Endothelial cell Notch signaling programs cancer-associated fibroblasts to promote tumor immune evasion. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4538031. [PMID: 38947054 PMCID: PMC11213189 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4538031/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Stromal cells within the tumor tissue promote immune evasion as a critical strategy for cancer development and progression, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we explore the role of endothelial cells (ECs) in the regulation of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Using mouse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) models, we found that canonical Notch signaling in endothelial cells suppresses the recruitment of antitumor T cells and promotes tumor progression by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory functions of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Abrogation of endothelial Notch signaling modulates EC-derived angiocrine factors to enhance the pro-inflammatory activities of CAFs, which drive CXCL9/10-CXCR3-mediated T cell recruitment to inhibit tumor growth. Additionally, abrogation of endothelial Notch unleashed interferon gamma responses in the tumor microenvironment, upregulated PDL1 expression on tumor cells, and sensitized PDAC to PD1-based immunotherapy. Collectively, these data uncover a pivotal role of endothelial cells in shaping the immunosuppressive microenvironment, and suggest the potential of targeting EC-CAF interaction as a novel therapeutic modality to boost antitumor immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhu
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Menglan Xiang
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Kevin F. Brulois
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Nicole H. Lazarus
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Junliang Pan
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Eugene C. Butcher
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Farhangnia P, Khorramdelazad H, Nickho H, Delbandi AA. Current and future immunotherapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer treatment. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:40. [PMID: 38835055 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01561-6] [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: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death, but despondently, the outlook and prognosis for this resistant type of tumor have remained grim for a long time. Currently, it is extremely challenging to prevent or detect it early enough for effective treatment because patients rarely exhibit symptoms and there are no reliable indicators for detection. Most patients have advanced or spreading cancer that is difficult to treat, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can only slightly prolong their life by a few months. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of pancreatic cancer, yet its effectiveness is limited by the tumor's immunosuppressive and hard-to-reach microenvironment. First, this article explains the immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and highlights a wide range of immunotherapy options, including therapies involving oncolytic viruses, modified T cells (T-cell receptor [TCR]-engineered and chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cell therapy), CAR natural killer cell therapy, cytokine-induced killer cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunomodulators, cancer vaccines, and strategies targeting myeloid cells in the context of contemporary knowledge and future trends. Lastly, it discusses the main challenges ahead of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hamid Nickho
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lee HK, Kim SY, Chung SH, Choi B, Kim JE, Yoon D, Jang SI, Yeo A, Kang HG, Lee J, Choi YH, Park JS, Sung Y, Kim JK, Chang EJ, Lee DK. Tumour-associated myeloid cells expressing IL-10R2/IL-22R1 as a potential biomarker for diagnosis and recurrence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1979-1989. [PMID: 38643339 PMCID: PMC11183123 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02676-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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor survival rate, largely due to the lack of early diagnosis. Although myeloid cells are crucial in the tumour microenvironment, whether their specific subset can be a biomarker of PDAC progression is unclear. METHODS We analysed IL-22 receptor expression in PDAC and peripheral blood. Additionally, we analysed gene expression profiles of IL-10R2+/IL-22R1+ myeloid cells and the presence of these cells using single-cell RNA sequencing and murine orthotropic PDAC models, respectively, followed by examining the immunosuppressive function of IL-10R2+/IL-22R1+ myeloid cells. Finally, the correlation between IL-10R2 expression and PDAC progression was evaluated. RESULTS IL-10R2+/IL-22R1+ myeloid cells were present in PDAC and peripheral blood. Blood IL-10R2+ myeloid cells displayed a gene expression signature associated with tumour-educated circulating monocytes. IL-10R2+/IL-22R1+ myeloid cells from human myeloid cell culture inhibited T cell proliferation. By mouse models for PDAC, we found a positive correlation between pancreatic tumour growth and increased blood IL-10R2+/IL-22R1+ myeloid cells. IL-10R2+/IL-22R1+ myeloid cells from an early phase of the PDAC model suppressed T cell proliferation and cytotoxicity. IL-10R2+ myeloid cells indicated tumour recurrence 130 days sooner than CA19-9 in post-pancreatectomy patients. CONCLUSIONS IL-10R2+/IL-22R1+ myeloid cells in the peripheral blood might be an early marker of PDAC prognosis.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/diagnosis
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/blood
- Humans
- Animals
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/blood
- Mice
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/blood
- Receptors, Interleukin/genetics
- Myeloid Cells/metabolism
- Myeloid Cells/pathology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/genetics
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology
- Interleukin-10 Receptor beta Subunit/genetics
- Female
- Male
- Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyung Keun Lee
- Severance Institute for Vascular and Metabolic Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, Korea
| | - So Young Kim
- Severance Institute for Vascular and Metabolic Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo-Hyun Chung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bongkun Choi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dohee Yoon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Ill Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Areum Yeo
- Severance Institute for Vascular and Metabolic Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Goo Kang
- Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jusung Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu, Korea
| | - Yoon Ha Choi
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea
| | - Joon Seong Park
- Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoolim Sung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Kyoung Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea.
- Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Eun-Ju Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Dong Ki Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pu LF, Li MM, Feng XJ, Zhang T, Hu LH, Zheng HM, Charwudzi A, Ding YY, Liu J, Liu ZL, Xiong SD. Accumulation of circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cell subsets: predicting poor clinical efficacy and prognosis through T cell suppression in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:1094-1107. [PMID: 38369808 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae032] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are implicated in the regulation of immune responses closely associated with poor clinical outcomes in cancer. However, the MDSC subtypes in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) have not been systematically investigated. So, we investigated the percentage of MDSC subsets in 78 newly diagnosed NHL patients by flow cytometry. The results showed that all MDSC subsets increased in NHL patients compared with healthy donors. Notably, MDSCs, monocytic MDSCs, and CD14 + CD66b + MDSCs significantly increased in NHL patients compared with those with lymphadenitis donors. polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs), early-stage MDSCs (e-MDSCs), and the International Prognostic Index were independent risk factors for poor clinical efficacy and were involved in constructing the nomogram for predicting clinical efficacy. Progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly shorter in patients with high level of MDSC subsets, and PMN-MDSCs emerged as an independent prognostic factor for PFS. PMN-MDSCs, e-MDSCs, and the International Prognostic Index were involved in constructing the nomogram for predicting PFS. Patients with a higher percentage of MDSCs, PMN-MDSCs, e-MDSCs, and CD14 + CD66b + MDSCs experienced a shorter overall survival compared with those with lower percentages. In addition, research on mechanisms found that T cell function was suppressed and mediated by the expansion of MDSCs via involving arginase-1 and interleukin-10 in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the increased circulating MDSC subsets predict poor clinical efficacy and prognosis in NHL, potentially involving T cell suppression through MDSC subset expansion. These findings indicate the potential of MDSC subsets as comprehensive diagnostic, prognostic biomarkers, and therapeutic targets for NHL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lian-Fang Pu
- Hematological Lab, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Man-Man Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Jiang Feng
- Hematological Lab, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Tun Zhang
- Hematological Lab, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin-Hui Hu
- Hematological Lab, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Min Zheng
- Hematological Lab, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Alice Charwudzi
- Hematological Lab, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang-Yang Ding
- Hematological Lab, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Liu
- Hematological Lab, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Ze-Lin Liu
- Hematological Lab, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Dao Xiong
- Hematological Lab, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Vendramini-Costa DB, Francescone R, Franco-Barraza J, Luong T, Graves M, de Aquino AM, Steele N, Gardiner JC, Dos Santos SAA, Ogier C, Malloy E, Borghaei L, Martinez E, Zhigarev DI, Tan Y, Lee H, Zhou Y, Cai KQ, Klein-Szanto AJ, Wang H, Andrake M, Dunbrack RL, Campbell K, Cukierman E. Netrin G1 Ligand is a new stromal immunomodulator that promotes pancreatic cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.15.594354. [PMID: 38798370 PMCID: PMC11118300 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.15.594354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Understanding pancreatic cancer biology is fundamental for identifying new targets and for developing more effective therapies. In particular, the contribution of the stromal microenvironment to pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis requires further exploration. Here, we report the stromal roles of the synaptic protein Netrin G1 Ligand (NGL-1) in pancreatic cancer, uncovering its pro-tumor functions in cancer-associated fibroblasts and in immune cells. We observed that the stromal expression of NGL-1 inversely correlated with patients' overall survival. Moreover, germline knockout (KO) mice for NGL-1 presented decreased tumor burden, with a microenvironment that is less supportive of tumor growth. Of note, tumors from NGL-1 KO mice produced less immunosuppressive cytokines and displayed an increased percentage of CD8 + T cells than those from control mice, while preserving the physical structure of the tumor microenvironment. These effects were shown to be mediated by NGL-1 in both immune cells and in the local stroma, in a TGF-β-dependent manner. While myeloid cells lacking NGL-1 decreased the production of immunosuppressive cytokines, NGL-1 KO T cells showed increased proliferation rates and overall polyfunctionality compared to control T cells. CAFs lacking NGL-1 were less immunosuppressive than controls, with overall decreased production of pro-tumor cytokines and compromised ability to inhibit CD8 + T cells activation. Mechanistically, these CAFs downregulated components of the TGF-β pathway, AP-1 and NFAT transcription factor families, resulting in a less tumor-supportive phenotype. Finally, targeting NGL-1 genetically or using a functionally antagonistic small peptide phenocopied the effects of chemotherapy, while modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), rather than eliminating it. We propose NGL-1 as a new local stroma and immunomodulatory molecule, with pro-tumor roles in pancreatic cancer. Statement of Significance Here we uncovered the pro-tumor roles of the synaptic protein NGL-1 in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer, defining a new target that simultaneously modulates tumor cell, fibroblast, and immune cell functions. This study reports a new pathway where NGL-1 controls TGF-β, AP-1 transcription factor members and NFAT1, modulating the immunosuppressive microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. Our findings highlight NGL-1 as a new stromal immunomodulator in pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
|
14
|
Lu J, Luo Y, Rao D, Wang T, Lei Z, Chen X, Zhang B, Li Y, Liu B, Xia L, Huang W. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer: therapeutic targets to overcome tumor immune evasion. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:39. [PMID: 38609997 PMCID: PMC11010322 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00505-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Paradoxically, tumor development and progression can be inhibited and promoted by the immune system. After three stages of immune editing, namely, elimination, homeostasis and escape, tumor cells are no longer restricted by immune surveillance and thus develop into clinical tumors. The mechanisms of immune escape include abnormalities in antitumor-associated immune cells, selection for immune resistance to tumor cells, impaired transport of T cells, and the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. A population of distinct immature myeloid cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), mediate immune escape primarily by exerting immunosuppressive effects and participating in the constitution of an immunosuppressive microtumor environment. Clinical trials have found that the levels of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of cancer patients are strongly correlated with tumor stage, metastasis and prognosis. Moreover, animal experiments have confirmed that elimination of MDSCs inhibits tumor growth and metastasis to some extent. Therefore, MDSCs may become the target of immunotherapy for many cancers, and eliminating MDSCs can help improve the response rate to cancer treatment and patient survival. However, a clear definition of MDSCs and the specific mechanism involved in immune escape are lacking. In this paper, we review the role of the MDSCs population in tumor development and the mechanisms involved in immune escape in different tumor contexts. In addition, we discuss the use of these cells as targets for tumor immunotherapy. This review not only contributes to a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the essential role of MDSCs in immune system reactions against tumors but also provides information to guide the development of cancer therapies targeting MDSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junli Lu
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yiming Luo
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Dean Rao
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Tiantian Wang
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhen Lei
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yiwei Li
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Bifeng Liu
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Limin Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Wenjie Huang
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ge S, Zhao Y, Liang J, He Z, Li K, Zhang G, Hua B, Zheng H, Guo Q, Qi R, Shi Z. Immune modulation in malignant pleural effusion: from microenvironment to therapeutic implications. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:105. [PMID: 38475858 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03211-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune microenvironment and immunotherapy have become the focus and frontier of tumor research, and the immune checkpoint inhibitors has provided novel strategies for tumor treatment. Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common end-stage manifestation of lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma and other thoracic malignancies, which is invasive and often accompanied by poor prognosis, affecting the quality of life of affected patients. Currently, clinical therapy for MPE is limited to pleural puncture, pleural fixation, catheter drainage, and other palliative therapies. Immunization is a new direction for rehabilitation and treatment of MPE. The effusion caused by cancer cells establishes its own immune microenvironment during its formation. Immune cells, cytokines, signal pathways of microenvironment affect the MPE progress and prognosis of patients. The interaction between them have been proved. The relevant studies were obtained through a systematic search of PubMed database according to keywords search method. Then through screening and sorting and reading full-text, 300 literatures were screened out. Exclude irrelevant and poor quality articles, 238 literatures were cited in the references. In this study, the mechanism of immune microenvironment affecting malignant pleural effusion was discussed from the perspectives of adaptive immune cells, innate immune cells, cytokines and molecular targets. Meanwhile, this study focused on the clinical value of microenvironmental components in the immunotherapy and prognosis of malignant pleural effusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shan Ge
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiao Street, Dongzhimen, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yuwei Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Jun Liang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Zhongning He
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Kai Li
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, No.10 Yangfangdiantieyilu, Haidian District, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - Guanghui Zhang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Baojin Hua
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Honggang Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Qiujun Guo
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Runzhi Qi
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China.
| | - Zhan Shi
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiao Street, Dongzhimen, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100700, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Basnet A, Landreth KM, Nohoesu R, Santiago SP, Geldenhuys WJ, Boone BA, Liu TW. Targeting myeloperoxidase limits myeloid cell immunosuppression enhancing immune checkpoint therapy for pancreatic cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:57. [PMID: 38367056 PMCID: PMC10874341 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03647-z] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a devastating disease characterized by an extreme resistance to current therapies, including immune checkpoint therapy. The limited success of immunotherapies can be attributed to a highly immunosuppressive pancreatic cancer microenvironment characterized by an extensive infiltration of immune suppressing myeloid cells. While there are several pathways through which myeloid cells contribute to immunosuppression, one important mechanism is the increased production of reactive oxygen species. Here, we evaluated the contribution of myeloperoxidase, a myeloid-lineage restricted enzyme and primary source of reactive oxygen species, to regulate immune checkpoint therapy response in preclinical pancreatic cancer models. We compared treatment outcome, immune composition and characterized myeloid cells using wild-type, myeloperoxidase-deficient, and myeloperoxidase inhibitor treated wild-type mice using established subcutaneous pancreatic cancer models. Loss of host myeloperoxidase and pharmacological inhibition of myeloperoxidase in combination with immune checkpoint therapy significantly delayed tumor growth. The tumor microenvironment and systemic immune landscape demonstrated significant decreases in myeloid cells, exhausted T cells and T regulatory cell subsets when myeloperoxidase was deficient. Loss of myeloperoxidase in isolated myeloid cell subsets from tumor-bearing mice resulted in decreased reactive oxygen species production and T cell suppression. These data suggest that myeloperoxidase contributes to an immunosuppressive microenvironment and immune checkpoint therapy resistance where myeloperoxidase inhibitors have the potential to enhance immunotherapy response. Repurposing myeloperoxidase specific inhibitors may provide a promising therapeutic strategy to expand therapeutic options for pancreatic cancer patients to include immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angisha Basnet
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Kaitlyn M Landreth
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Remi Nohoesu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Stell P Santiago
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Laboratory Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Werner J Geldenhuys
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Brian A Boone
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Tracy W Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhang H, Xu W, Zhu H, Chen X, Tsai HI. Overcoming the limitations of immunotherapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Combining radiotherapy and metabolic targeting therapy. J Cancer 2024; 15:2003-2023. [PMID: 38434964 PMCID: PMC10905401 DOI: 10.7150/jca.92502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
As a novel anticancer therapy, immunotherapy has demonstrated robust efficacy against a few solid tumors but poor efficacy against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This poor outcome is primarily attributable to the intrinsic cancer cell resistance and T-cell exhaustion, which is also the reason for the failure of conventional therapy. The present review summarizes the current PDAC immunotherapy avenues and the underlying resistance mechanisms. Then, the review discusses synergistic combination therapies, such as radiotherapy (RT) and metabolic targeting. Research suggests that RT boosts the antigen of PDAC, which facilitates the anti-tumor immune cell infiltration and exerts function. Metabolic reprogramming contributes to restoring the exhausted T cell function. The current review will help in tailoring combination regimens to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. In addition, it will help provide new approaches to address the limitations of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) by examining the relationship among immunotherapy, RT, and metabolism targeting therapy in PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Wenjin Xu
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Haitao Zhu
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xuelian Chen
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hsiang-I Tsai
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Joseph AM, Al Aiyan A, Al-Ramadi B, Singh SK, Kishore U. Innate and adaptive immune-directed tumour microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1323198. [PMID: 38384463 PMCID: PMC10879611 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1323198] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the most deadly and aggressive cancers in the world, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), typically manifests at an advanced stage. PDAC is becoming more common, and by the year 2030, it is expected to overtake lung cancer as the second greatest cause of cancer-related death. The poor prognosis can be attributed to a number of factors, including difficulties in early identification, a poor probability of curative radical resection, limited response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and its immunotherapy resistance. Furthermore, an extensive desmoplastic stroma that surrounds PDAC forms a mechanical barrier that prevents vascularization and promotes poor immune cell penetration. Phenotypic heterogeneity, drug resistance, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment are the main causes of PDAC aggressiveness. There is a complex and dynamic interaction between tumor cells in PDAC with stromal cells within the tumour immune microenvironment. The immune suppressive microenvironment that promotes PDAC aggressiveness is contributed by a range of cellular and humoral factors, which itself are modulated by the cancer. In this review, we describe the role of innate and adaptive immune cells, complex tumor microenvironment in PDAC, humoral factors, innate immune-mediated therapeutic advances, and recent clinical trials in PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ann Mary Joseph
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (CAVM), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmad Al Aiyan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (CAVM), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Basel Al-Ramadi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shiv K. Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, University Medical Center, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Uday Kishore
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (CAVM), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
León-Letelier RA, Dou R, Vykoukal J, Yip-Schneider MT, Maitra A, Irajizad E, Wu R, Dennison JB, Do KA, Zhang J, Schmidt CM, Hanash S, Fahrmann JF. Contributions of the Microbiome-Derived Metabolome for Risk Assessment and Prognostication of Pancreatic Cancer. Clin Chem 2024; 70:102-115. [PMID: 38175578 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvad186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence implicates microbiome involvement in the development and progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Studies suggest that reflux of gut or oral microbiota can lead to colonization in the pancreas, resulting in dysbiosis that culminates in release of microbial toxins and metabolites that potentiate an inflammatory response and increase susceptibility to PDAC. Moreover, microbe-derived metabolites can exert direct effector functions on precursors and cancer cells, as well as other cell types, to either promote or attenuate tumor development and modulate treatment response. CONTENT The occurrence of microbial metabolites in biofluids thereby enables risk assessment and prognostication of PDAC, as well as having potential for design of interception strategies. In this review, we first highlight the relevance of the microbiome for progression of precancerous lesions in the pancreas and, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, provide supporting evidence that microbe-derived metabolites manifest in pancreatic cystic fluid and are associated with malignant progression of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm(s). We secondly summarize the biomarker potential of microbe-derived metabolite signatures for (a) identifying individuals at high risk of developing or harboring PDAC and (b) predicting response to treatment and disease outcomes. SUMMARY The microbiome-derived metabolome holds considerable promise for risk assessment and prognostication of PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A León-Letelier
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rongzhang Dou
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jody Vykoukal
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Michele T Yip-Schneider
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Anirban Maitra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology and Sheikh Ahmed Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ehsan Irajizad
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ranran Wu
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jennifer B Dennison
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kim-An Do
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - C Max Schmidt
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Samir Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Johannes F Fahrmann
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Jia X, Xi J, Tian B, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Wang F, Li Z, Long J, Wang J, Fan GH, Li Q. The Tautomerase Activity of Tumor Exosomal MIF Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Progression by Modulating MDSC Differentiation. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:72-90. [PMID: 37956411 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease that is largely resistant to immunotherapy, in part because of the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Much evidence suggests that tumor-derived exosomes (TDE) contribute to the immunosuppressive activity mediated by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) within the pancreatic cancer TME. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we report that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in TDEs has a key role in inducing MDSC formation in pancreatic cancer. We identified MIF in both human and murine pancreatic cancer-derived exosomes. Upon specific shRNA-mediated knockdown of MIF, the ability of pancreatic cancer-derived exosomes to promote MDSC differentiation was abrogated. This phenotype was rescued by reexpression of the wild-type form of MIF rather than a tautomerase-null mutant or a thiol-protein oxidoreductase-null mutant, indicating that both MIF enzyme activity sites play a role in exosome-induced MDSC formation in pancreatic cancer. RNA sequencing data indicated that MIF tautomerase regulated the expression of genes required for MDSC differentiation, recruitment, and activation. We therefore developed a MIF tautomerase inhibitor, IPG1576. The inhibitor effectively inhibited exosome-induced MDSC differentiation in vitro and reduced tumor growth in an orthotopic pancreatic cancer model, which was associated with decreased numbers of MDSCs and increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells in the TME. Collectively, our findings highlight a pivotal role for MIF in exosome-induced MDSC differentiation in pancreatic cancer and underscore the potential of MIF tautomerase inhibitors to reverse the immunosuppressive pancreatic cancer microenvironment, thereby augmenting anticancer immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuebing Jia
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Institute of Pancreatic Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianbei Xi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Binle Tian
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Institute of Pancreatic Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Zhilong Wang
- Department of Oncology, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Autoimmune Disease, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Long
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - JianFei Wang
- Excecutive Office, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Laboratory Animal Research Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Huang Fan
- Excecutive Office, Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Li
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Institute of Pancreatic Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tay AHM, Cinotti R, Sze NSK, Lundqvist A. Inhibition of ERO1a and IDO1 improves dendritic cell infiltration into pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264012. [PMID: 38187398 PMCID: PMC10766682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal and treatment resistant cancers. Due to its desmoplastic and hypoxic nature along with an abundance of myeloid cell infiltration and scarce T cell infiltration, PDAC is considered a cold tumor. Methods Here we sought to investigate myeloid cell infiltration and composition in PDAC spheroids by targeting the hypoxia-associated pathways endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase 1 alpha (ERO1a) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). Using MiaPaCa2 spheroids with hypoxic core, we assessed the roles of ERO1a and IDO1 inhibition in modulating monocyte infiltration and differentiation, followed by characterizing immunomodulatory factors secreted using LC-MS/MS. Results Inhibition of ERO1a and IDO1 significantly improved monocyte infiltration and differentiation into dendritic cells. LC-MS/MS analysis of the PDAC spheroid secretome identified downregulation of hypoxia and PDAC pathways, and upregulation of antigen presentation pathways upon inhibition of ERO1a and IDO1. Furthermore, immunomodulatory factors involved in immune infiltration and migration including interleukin-8, lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1, and transgelin-2, were upregulated upon inhibition of ERO1a and IDO1. Discussion Collectively, our results show that inhibition of ERO1a and IDO1 modulates the tumor microenvironment associated with improved monocyte infiltration and differentiation into dendritic cells to potentially influence therapeutic responses in patients with PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Apple Hui Min Tay
- School of Biological Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Riccardo Cinotti
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Newman Sui Kwan Sze
- School of Biological Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wang M, Wang W, You S, Hou Z, Ji M, Xue N, Du T, Chen X, Jin J. ACAT1 deficiency in myeloid cells promotes glioblastoma progression by enhancing the accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:4733-4747. [PMID: 38045043 PMCID: PMC10692383 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.09.005] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and lethal brain tumor with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In this environment, myeloid cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), play a pivotal role in suppressing antitumor immunity. Lipometabolism is closely related to the function of myeloid cells. Here, our study reports that acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1), the key enzyme of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and ketogenesis, is significantly downregulated in the MDSCs infiltrated in GBM patients. To investigate the effects of ACAT1 on myeloid cells, we generated mice with myeloid-specific (LyzM-cre) depletion of ACAT1. The results show that these mice exhibited a remarkable accumulation of MDSCs and increased tumor progression both ectopically and orthotopically. The mechanism behind this effect is elevated secretion of C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL1) of macrophages (Mφ). Overall, our findings demonstrate that ACAT1 could serve as a promising drug target for GBM by regulating the function of MDSCs in the TME.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingjin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Weida Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Shen You
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zhenyan Hou
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ming Ji
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Nina Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Tingting Du
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xiaoguang Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jing Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhou J, Wang H, Shu T, Wang J, Yang W, Li J, Ding L, Liu M, Sun H, Wong J, Lai PBS, Tsang SW, Ward SE, Chow KL, Sung JJY, Sze-Lok Cheng A. Myeloid-intrinsic cell cycle-related kinase drives immunosuppression to promote tumorigenesis. iScience 2023; 26:107626. [PMID: 37731616 PMCID: PMC10507137 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107626] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Massive expansion of immature and suppressive myeloid cells is a common feature of malignant solid tumors. Over-expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 20, also known as cell cycle-related kinase (CCRK), in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) correlates with reduced patient survival and low immunotherapy responsiveness. Beyond tumor-intrinsic oncogenicity, here we demonstrated that CCRK is upregulated in myeloid cells in tumor-bearing mice and in patients with HCC. Intratumoral injection of Ccrk-knockdown myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) increased tumor-infiltrating CD8+T cells and suppressed HCC tumorigenicity. Using an indel mutant transgenic model, we showed that Ccrk inactivation in myeloid cells conferred a mature phenotype with elevated IL-12 production, driving Th1 responses and CD8+T cell cytotoxicity to reduce orthotopic tumor growth and prolong survival. Mechanistically, CCRK activates STAT3/E4BP4 signaling in MDSCs to acquire immunosuppressive activity through transcriptional IL-10 induction and IL-12 suppression. Taken together, our findings unravel mechanistic insights into MDSC-mediated immunosuppression and offer a therapeutic kinase-target for cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingying Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Huanyu Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Ting Shu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Weiqin Yang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Jingqing Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Lipeng Ding
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hanyong Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - John Wong
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Paul Bo-san Lai
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Shun-Wa Tsang
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Simon E. Ward
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - King-Lau Chow
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Joseph Jao-yiu Sung
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Alfred Sze-Lok Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Globig AM, Zhao S, Roginsky J, Maltez VI, Guiza J, Avina-Ochoa N, Heeg M, Araujo Hoffmann F, Chaudhary O, Wang J, Senturk G, Chen D, O'Connor C, Pfaff S, Germain RN, Schalper KA, Emu B, Kaech SM. The β 1-adrenergic receptor links sympathetic nerves to T cell exhaustion. Nature 2023; 622:383-392. [PMID: 37731001 PMCID: PMC10871066 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are essential components of the immune response against viral infections and tumours, and are capable of eliminating infected and cancerous cells. However, when the antigen cannot be cleared, T cells enter a state known as exhaustion1. Although it is clear that chronic antigen contributes to CD8+ T cell exhaustion, less is known about how stress responses in tissues regulate T cell function. Here we show a new link between the stress-associated catecholamines and the progression of T cell exhaustion through the β1-adrenergic receptor ADRB1. We identify that exhausted CD8+ T cells increase ADRB1 expression and that exposure of ADRB1+ T cells to catecholamines suppresses their cytokine production and proliferation. Exhausted CD8+ T cells cluster around sympathetic nerves in an ADRB1-dependent manner. Ablation of β1-adrenergic signalling limits the progression of T cells towards the exhausted state in chronic infection and improves effector functions when combined with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in melanoma. In a pancreatic cancer model resistant to ICB, β-blockers and ICB synergize to boost CD8+ T cell responses and induce the development of tissue-resident memory-like T cells. Malignant disease is associated with increased catecholamine levels in patients2,3, and our results establish a connection between the sympathetic stress response, tissue innervation and T cell exhaustion. Here, we uncover a new mechanism by which blocking β-adrenergic signalling in CD8+ T cells rejuvenates anti-tumour functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Maria Globig
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Steven Zhao
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Roginsky
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Vivien I Maltez
- Lymphocyte Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Juan Guiza
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Natalia Avina-Ochoa
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Maximilian Heeg
- Division of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Filipe Araujo Hoffmann
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Omkar Chaudhary
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gokhan Senturk
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dan Chen
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carolyn O'Connor
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Samuel Pfaff
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ronald N Germain
- Lymphocyte Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kurt A Schalper
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brinda Emu
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Susan M Kaech
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhang B, Sun J, Guan H, Guo H, Huang B, Chen X, Chen F, Yuan Q. Integrated single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing revealed the molecular characteristics and prognostic roles of neutrophils in pancreatic cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:9718-9742. [PMID: 37728418 PMCID: PMC10564426 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, one of the most prevalent tumors of the digestive system, has a dismal prognosis. Cancer of the pancreas is distinguished by an inflammatory tumor microenvironment rich in fibroblasts and different immune cells. Neutrophils are important immune cells that infiltrate the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer tumors. The purpose of this work was to examine the complex mechanism by which neutrophils influence the carcinogenesis and development of pancreatic cancer and to construct a survival prediction model based on neutrophil marker genes. We incorporated the GSE111672 dataset, comprising RNA expression data from 27,000 cells obtained from 3 patients with PC, and conducted single-cell data analysis. Thorough investigation of pancreatic cancer single-cell RNA sequencing data found 350 neutrophil marker genes. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), GSE28735, GSE62452, GSE57495, and GSE85916 datasets to gather pancreatic cancer tissue transcriptome data, and consistent clustering was used to identify two categories for analyzing the influence of neutrophils on pancreatic cancer. Using the Random Forest algorithm and Cox regression analysis, a survival prediction model for pancreatic cancer was developed, the model showed independent performance for survival prognosis, clinic pathological features, immune infiltration, and drug sensitivity. Multivariate Cox analysis findings revealed that the risk scores derived from predictive models is independent prognostic markers for pancreatic patients. In conclusion, based on neutrophil marker genes, this research created a molecular typing and prognostic grading system for pancreatic cancer, this system was very accurate in predicting the prognosis, tumor immune microenvironment status, and pharmacological treatment responsiveness of pancreatic cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Biao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Jiaao Sun
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Hewen Guan
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Bingqian Huang
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Qihang Yuan
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Rohila D, Park IH, Pham TV, Weitz J, Hurtado de Mendoza T, Madheswaran S, Ishfaq M, Beaman C, Tapia E, Sun S, Patel J, Tamayo P, Lowy AM, Joshi S. Syk Inhibition Reprograms Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Overcomes Gemcitabine-Induced Immunosuppression in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 2023; 83:2675-2689. [PMID: 37306759 PMCID: PMC10416758 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-3645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an insidious disease with a low 5-year survival rate. PDAC is characterized by infiltration of abundant tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), which promote immune tolerance and immunotherapeutic resistance. Here we report that macrophage spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) promotes PDAC growth and metastasis. In orthotopic PDAC mouse models, genetic deletion of myeloid Syk reprogrammed macrophages into immunostimulatory phenotype, increased the infiltration, proliferation, and cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells, and repressed PDAC growth and metastasis. Furthermore, gemcitabine (Gem) treatment induced an immunosuppressive microenvironment in PDAC by promoting protumorigenic polarization of macrophages. In contrast, treatment with the FDA-approved Syk inhibitor R788 (fostamatinib) remodeled the tumor immune microenvironment, "re-educated" protumorigenic macrophages towards an immunostimulatory phenotype and boosted CD8+ T-cell responses in Gem-treated PDAC in orthotopic mouse models and an ex vivo human pancreatic slice culture model. These findings illustrate the potential of Syk inhibition for enhancing the antitumor immune responses in PDAC and support the clinical evaluation of R788 either alone or together with Gem as a potential treatment strategy for PDAC. SIGNIFICANCE Syk blockade induces macrophage polarization to an immunostimulatory phenotype, which enhances CD8+ T-cell responses and improves gemcitabine efficacy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a clinically challenging malignancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Rohila
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - In Hwan Park
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Timothy V. Pham
- Office of Cancer Genomics, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Jonathan Weitz
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | | | - Suresh Madheswaran
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Mehreen Ishfaq
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Cooper Beaman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Elisabette Tapia
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Siming Sun
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Jay Patel
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Pablo Tamayo
- Office of Cancer Genomics, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Andrew M. Lowy
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Shweta Joshi
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, California
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Patterson MT, Burrack AL, Xu Y, Hickok GH, Schmiechen ZC, Becker S, Cruz-Hinojoza E, Schrank PR, Kennedy AE, Firulyova MM, Miller EA, Zaitsev K, Williams JW, Stromnes IM. Tumor-specific CD4 T cells instruct monocyte fate in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112732. [PMID: 37402168 PMCID: PMC10448358 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) orchestrates a suppressive tumor microenvironment that fosters immunotherapy resistance. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the principal immune cell infiltrating PDA and are heterogeneous. Here, by employing macrophage fate-mapping approaches and single-cell RNA sequencing, we show that monocytes give rise to most macrophage subsets in PDA. Tumor-specific CD4, but not CD8, T cells promote monocyte differentiation into MHCIIhi anti-tumor macrophages. By conditional major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II deletion on monocyte-derived macrophages, we show that tumor antigen presentation is required for instructing monocyte differentiation into anti-tumor macrophages, promoting Th1 cells, abrogating Treg cells, and mitigating CD8 T cell exhaustion. Non-redundant IFNγ and CD40 promote MHCIIhi anti-tumor macrophages. Intratumoral monocytes adopt a pro-tumor fate indistinguishable from that of tissue-resident macrophages following loss of macrophage MHC class II or tumor-specific CD4 T cells. Thus, tumor antigen presentation by macrophages to CD4 T cells dictates TAM fate and is a major determinant of macrophage heterogeneity in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Patterson
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Adam L Burrack
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Yingzheng Xu
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Grant H Hickok
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Zoe C Schmiechen
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Samuel Becker
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Eduardo Cruz-Hinojoza
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Patricia R Schrank
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Ainsley E Kennedy
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Maria M Firulyova
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia; National Medical Research Center, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ebony A Miller
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Konstantin Zaitsev
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Jesse W Williams
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA.
| | - Ingunn M Stromnes
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Masonic Cancer Center and University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Liu X, Hogg GD, Zuo C, Borcherding NC, Baer JM, Lander VE, Kang LI, Knolhoff BL, Ahmad F, Osterhout RE, Galkin AV, Bruey JM, Carter LL, Mpoy C, Vij KR, Fields RC, Schwarz JK, Park H, Gupta V, DeNardo DG. Context-dependent activation of STING-interferon signaling by CD11b agonists enhances anti-tumor immunity. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:1073-1090.e12. [PMID: 37236195 PMCID: PMC10281762 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Chronic activation of inflammatory pathways and suppressed interferon are hallmarks of immunosuppressive tumors. Previous studies have shown that CD11b integrin agonists could enhance anti-tumor immunity through myeloid reprograming, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein we find that CD11b agonists alter tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) phenotypes by repressing NF-κB signaling and activating interferon gene expression simultaneously. Repression of NF-κB signaling involves degradation of p65 protein and is context independent. In contrast, CD11b agonism induces STING/STAT1 pathway-mediated interferon gene expression through FAK-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, with the magnitude of induction dependent on the tumor microenvironment and amplified by cytotoxic therapies. Using tissues from phase I clinical studies, we demonstrate that GB1275 treatment activates STING and STAT1 signaling in TAMs in human tumors. These findings suggest potential mechanism-based therapeutic strategies for CD11b agonists and identify patient populations more likely to benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuting Liu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Graham D Hogg
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chong Zuo
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nicholas C Borcherding
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - John M Baer
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Varintra E Lander
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Liang-I Kang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Brett L Knolhoff
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Faiz Ahmad
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Cedric Mpoy
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kiran R Vij
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ryan C Fields
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Julie K Schwarz
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Haeseong Park
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Vineet Gupta
- Drug Discovery Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David G DeNardo
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Burrack AL, Spartz EJ, Rollins MR, Miller EA, Firulyova M, Cruz E, Goldberg MF, Wang IX, Nanda H, Shen S, Zaitsev K, Stromnes IM. Cxcr3 constrains pancreatic cancer dissemination through instructing T cell fate. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:1461-1478. [PMID: 36472588 PMCID: PMC10198906 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03338-7] [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: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal and metastatic malignancy resistant to therapy. Elucidating how pancreatic tumor-specific T cells differentiate and are maintained in vivo could inform novel therapeutic avenues to promote T cell antitumor activity. Here, we show that the spleen is a critical site harboring tumor-specific CD8 T cells that functionally segregate based on differential Cxcr3 and Klrg1 expression. Cxcr3+ Klrg1- T cells express the memory stem cell marker Tcf1, whereas Cxcr3-Klrg1 + T cells express GzmB consistent with terminal differentiation. We identify a Cxcr3+ Klrg1+ intermediate T cell subpopulation in the spleen that is highly enriched for tumor specificity. However, tumor-specific T cells infiltrating primary tumors progressively downregulate both Cxcr3 and Klrg1 while upregulating exhaustion markers PD-1 and Lag-3. We show that antigen-specific T cell infiltration into PDA is Cxcr3 independent. Further, Cxcr3-deficiency results in enhanced antigen-specific T cell IFNγ production in primary tumors, suggesting that Cxcr3 promotes loss of effector function. Ultimately, however, Cxcr3 was critical for mitigating cancer cell dissemination following immunotherapy with CD40 agonist + anti-PD-L1 or T cell receptor engineered T cell therapy targeting mesothelin. In the absence of Cxcr3, splenic Klrg1 + GzmB + antitumor T cells wain while pancreatic cancer disseminates suggesting a role for these cells in eliminating circulating metastatic tumor cells. Intratumoral myeloid cells are poised to produce Cxcl10, whereas splenic DC subsets produce Cxcl9 following immunotherapy supporting differential roles for these chemokines on T cell differentiation. Together, our study supports that Cxcr3 mitigates tumor cell dissemination by impacting peripheral T cell fate rather than intratumoral T cell trafficking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Burrack
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Ellen J Spartz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Meagan R Rollins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Ebony A Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Maria Firulyova
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Eduardo Cruz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Michael F Goldberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Iris X Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Hezkiel Nanda
- Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Clinical Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Steven Shen
- Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Clinical Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Konstantin Zaitsev
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ingunn M Stromnes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA.
- Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, USA.
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Cardot-Ruffino V, Bollenrucher N, Delius L, Wang SJ, Brais LK, Remland J, Keheler CE, Sullivan KM, Abrams TA, Biller LH, Enzinger PC, McCleary NJ, Patel AK, Rubinson DA, Schlechter B, Slater S, Yurgelun MB, Cleary JM, Perez K, Dougan M, Ng K, Wolpin BM, Singh H, Dougan SK. G-CSF rescue of FOLFIRINOX-induced neutropenia leads to systemic immune suppression in mice and humans. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006589. [PMID: 37344102 PMCID: PMC10314699 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is routinely administered for prophylaxis or treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Chronic myelopoiesis and granulopoiesis in patients with cancer has been shown to induce immature monocytes and neutrophils that contribute to both systemic and local immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. The effect of recombinant G-CSF (pegfilgrastim or filgrastim) on the production of myeloid-derived suppressive cells is unknown. Here we examined patients with pancreatic cancer, a disease known to induce myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and for which pegfilgrastim is routinely administered concurrently with FOLFIRINOX but not with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy regimens. METHODS Serial blood was collected from patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma newly starting on FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine/n(ab)paclitaxel combination chemotherapy regimens. Neutrophil and monocyte frequencies were determined by flow cytometry from whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cell fractions. Serum cytokines were evaluated pretreatment and on-treatment. Patient serum was used in vitro to differentiate healthy donor monocytes to MDSCs as measured by downregulation of major histocompatibility complex II (HLA-DR) and the ability to suppress T-cell proliferation in vitro. C57BL/6 female mice with pancreatic tumors were treated with FOLFIRINOX with or without recombinant G-CSF to directly assess the role of G-CSF on induction of immunosuppressive neutrophils. RESULTS Patients receiving FOLFIRINOX with pegfilgrastim had increased serum G-CSF that correlated with an induction of granulocytic MDSCs. This increase was not observed in patients receiving gemcitabine/n(ab)paclitaxel without pegfilgrastim. Interleukin-18 also significantly increased in serum on FOLFIRINOX treatment. Patient serum could induce MDSCs as determined by in vitro functional assays, and this suppressive effect increased with on-treatment serum. Induction of MDSCs in vitro could be recapitulated by addition of recombinant G-CSF to healthy serum, indicating that G-CSF is sufficient for MDSC differentiation. In mice, neutrophils isolated from spleen of G-CSF-treated mice were significantly more capable of suppressing T-cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS Pegfilgrastim use contributes to immune suppression in both humans and mice with pancreatic cancer. These results suggest that use of recombinant G-CSF as supportive care, while critically important for mitigating neutropenia, may complicate efforts to induce antitumor immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoire Cardot-Ruffino
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Naima Bollenrucher
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Luisa Delius
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - S Jennifer Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lauren K Brais
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joshua Remland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - C Elizabeth Keheler
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Keri M Sullivan
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas A Abrams
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Leah H Biller
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter C Enzinger
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nadine J McCleary
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anuj K Patel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Douglas A Rubinson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Benjamin Schlechter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Slater
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew B Yurgelun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James M Cleary
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kimberly Perez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Dougan
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kimmie Ng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian M Wolpin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Harshabad Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Myo Min KK, Ffrench CB, Jessup CF, Shepherdson M, Barreto SG, Bonder CS. Overcoming the Fibrotic Fortress in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Challenges and Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2354. [PMID: 37190281 PMCID: PMC10137060 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
An overabundance of desmoplasia in the tumour microenvironment (TME) is one of the defining features that influences pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development, progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Desmoplasia is characterised by the recruitment and activation of fibroblasts, heightened extracellular matrix deposition (ECM) and reduced blood supply, as well as increased inflammation through an influx of inflammatory cells and cytokines, creating an intrinsically immunosuppressive TME with low immunogenic potential. Herein, we review the development of PDAC, the drivers that initiate and/or sustain the progression of the disease and the complex and interwoven nature of the cellular and acellular components that come together to make PDAC one of the most aggressive and difficult to treat cancers. We review the challenges in delivering drugs into the fortress of PDAC tumours in concentrations that are therapeutic due to the presence of a highly fibrotic and immunosuppressive TME. Taken together, we present further support for continued/renewed efforts focusing on aspects of the extremely dense and complex TME of PDAC to improve the efficacy of therapy for better patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kay K. Myo Min
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (K.K.M.M.); (C.B.F.)
| | - Charlie B. Ffrench
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (K.K.M.M.); (C.B.F.)
| | - Claire F. Jessup
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Mia Shepherdson
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- Hepatopancreatobiliary & Liver Transplant Unit, Division of Surgery & Perioperative Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Savio George Barreto
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- Hepatopancreatobiliary & Liver Transplant Unit, Division of Surgery & Perioperative Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Claudine S. Bonder
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (K.K.M.M.); (C.B.F.)
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Cozzolino M, Gyöngyösi A, Korpos E, Gogolak P, Naseem MU, Kállai J, Lanyi A, Panyi G. The Voltage-Gated Hv1 H+ Channel Is Expressed in Tumor-Infiltrating Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076216. [PMID: 37047188 PMCID: PMC10094655 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are key determinants of the immunosuppressive microenvironment in tumors. As ion channels play key roles in the physiology/pathophysiology of immune cells, we aimed at studying the ion channel repertoire in tumor-derived polymorphonuclear (PMN-MDSC) and monocytic (Mo-MDSC) MDSCs. Subcutaneous tumors in mice were induced by the Lewis lung carcinoma cell line (LLC). The presence of PMN-MDSC (CD11b+/Ly6G+) and Mo-MDSCs (CD11b+/Ly6C+) in the tumor tissue was confirmed using immunofluorescence microscopy and cells were identified as CD11b+/Ly6G+ PMN-MDSCs and CD11b+/Ly6C+/F4/80−/MHCII− Mo-MDSCs using flow cytometry and sorting. The majority of the myeloid cells infiltrating the LLC tumors were PMN-MDSC (~60%) as compared to ~10% being Mo-MDSCs. We showed that PMN- and Mo-MDSCs express the Hv1 H+ channel both at the mRNA and at the protein level and that the biophysical and pharmacological properties of the whole-cell currents recapitulate the hallmarks of Hv1 currents: ~40 mV shift in the activation threshold of the current per unit change in the extracellular pH, high H+ selectivity, and sensitivity to the Hv1 inhibitor ClGBI. As MDSCs exert immunosuppression mainly by producing reactive oxygen species which is coupled to Hv1-mediated H+ currents, Hv1 might be an attractive target for inhibition of MDSCs in tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cozzolino
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (M.C.); (E.K.); (M.U.N.)
| | - Adrienn Gyöngyösi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.G.); (P.G.); (J.K.); (A.L.)
| | - Eva Korpos
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (M.C.); (E.K.); (M.U.N.)
- ELKH-DE Cell Biology and Signaling Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Peter Gogolak
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.G.); (P.G.); (J.K.); (A.L.)
| | - Muhammad Umair Naseem
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (M.C.); (E.K.); (M.U.N.)
| | - Judit Kállai
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.G.); (P.G.); (J.K.); (A.L.)
- ELKH-DE Cell Biology and Signaling Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Arpad Lanyi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.G.); (P.G.); (J.K.); (A.L.)
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (M.C.); (E.K.); (M.U.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-52-352201
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wu Z, Thierry K, Bachy S, Zhang X, Gamradt P, Hernandez-Vargas H, Mikaelian I, Tonon L, Pommier R, Zhao Y, Bertolino P, Hennino A. Pericyte stem cells induce Ly6G + cell accumulation and immunotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56524. [PMID: 36802267 PMCID: PMC10074138 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the identification of a cell population that shares pericyte, stromal and stemness features, does not harbor the KrasG12D mutation and drives tumoral growth in vitro and in vivo. We term these cells pericyte stem cells (PeSCs) and define them as CD45- EPCAM- CD29+ CD106+ CD24+ CD44+ cells. We perform studies with p48-Cre;KrasG12D (KC), pdx1-Cre;KrasG12D ;Ink4a/Arffl/fl (KIC) and pdx1-Cre;KrasG12D ;p53R172H (KPC) and tumor tissues from PDAC and chronic pancreatitis patients. We also perform single-cell RNAseq analysis and reveal a unique signature of PeSC. Under steady-state conditions, PeSCs are barely detectable in the pancreas but present in the neoplastic microenvironment both in humans and mice. The coinjection of PeSCs and tumor epithelial cells leads to increased tumor growth, differentiation of Ly6G+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and a decreased amount of F4/80+ macrophages and CD11c+ dendritic cells. This population induces resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy when coinjected with epithelial tumor cells. Our data reveal the existence of a cell population that instructs immunosuppressive myeloid cell responses to bypass PD-1 targeting and thus suggest potential new approaches for overcoming resistance to immunotherapy in clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhichong Wu
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kevin Thierry
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Sophie Bachy
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Xinyi Zhang
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Pia Gamradt
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Hector Hernandez-Vargas
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Ivan Mikaelian
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Laurie Tonon
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Roxanne Pommier
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Yajie Zhao
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Department of Geriatrics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Philippe Bertolino
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Ana Hennino
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas are distinguished by their robust desmoplasia, or fibroinflammatory response. Dominated by non-malignant cells, the mutated epithelium must therefore combat, cooperate with or co-opt the surrounding cells and signalling processes in its microenvironment. It is proposed that an invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma represents the coordinated evolution of malignant and non-malignant cells and mechanisms that subvert and repurpose normal tissue composition, architecture and physiology to foster tumorigenesis. The complex kinetics and stepwise development of pancreatic cancer suggests that it is governed by a discrete set of organizing rules and principles, and repeated attempts to target specific components within the microenvironment reveal self-regulating mechanisms of resistance. The histopathological and genetic progression models of the transforming ductal epithelium must therefore be considered together with a programme of stromal progression to create a comprehensive picture of pancreatic cancer evolution. Understanding the underlying organizational logic of the tumour to anticipate and pre-empt the almost inevitable compensatory mechanisms will be essential to eradicate the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunil R Hingorani
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Velasco RM, García AG, Sánchez PJ, Sellart IM, Sánchez-Arévalo Lobo VJ. Tumour microenvironment and heterotypic interactions in pancreatic cancer. J Physiol Biochem 2023; 79:179-192. [PMID: 35102531 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-022-00875-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a disease with a survival rate of 9%; this is due to its chemoresistance and the large tumour stroma that occupies most of the tumour mass. It is composed of a large number of cells of the immune system, such as Treg cells, tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), myeloid suppressor cells (MDCs) and tumour-associated neutrophiles (TANs) that generate an immunosuppressive environment by the release of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) provide a protective coverage that would difficult the access of chemotherapy to the tumour. According to this, new therapies that could remodel this heterogeneous tumour microenvironment, such as adoptive T cell therapies (ACT), immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), and CD40 agonists, should be developed for targeting PDA. This review organizes the different cell populations found in the tumour stroma involved in tumour progression in addition to the different therapies that are being studied to counteract the tumour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Muñoz Velasco
- Molecular Oncology Group, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Biosanitary Research Institute, Francisco de Vitoria University, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, UFV, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Pathology Department, Av. Córdoba, s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana García García
- Molecular Oncology Group, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Biosanitary Research Institute, Francisco de Vitoria University, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, UFV, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Pathology Department, Av. Córdoba, s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Jiménez Sánchez
- Molecular Oncology Group, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Biosanitary Research Institute, Francisco de Vitoria University, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, UFV, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Pathology Department, Av. Córdoba, s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Montanuy Sellart
- Molecular Oncology Group, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Biosanitary Research Institute, Francisco de Vitoria University, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, UFV, Spain
| | - Víctor Javier Sánchez-Arévalo Lobo
- Molecular Oncology Group, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Biosanitary Research Institute, Francisco de Vitoria University, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, UFV, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Pathology Department, Av. Córdoba, s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Ye L, Shi S, Chen W. Innate immunity in pancreatic cancer: Lineage tracing and function. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1081919. [PMID: 36726981 PMCID: PMC9884680 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1081919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasingly, patients with gastrointestinal tumors can benefit from immunotherapy, but not patients with pancreatic cancer. While this lack of benefit has been attributed to lower T-cell infiltration in pancreatic cancer, other studies have demonstrated the presence of numerous T cells in pancreatic cancer, suggesting another mechanism for the poor efficacy of immunotherapy. Single-cell RNA sequencing studies on the pancreatic cancer immune microenvironment have demonstrated the predominance of innate immune cells (e.g., macrophages, dendritic cells, mast cells, and innate immune lymphoid cells). Therefore, in-depth research on the source and function of innate immune lymphocytes in pancreatic cancer could guide pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Longyun Ye
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Saimeng Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine Research, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China,Cancer Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Wei Chen,
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Du W, Menjivar RE, Donahue KL, Kadiyala P, Velez-Delgado A, Brown KL, Watkoske HR, He X, Carpenter ES, Angeles CV, Zhang Y, Pasca di Magliano M. WNT signaling in the tumor microenvironment promotes immunosuppression in murine pancreatic cancer. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20220503. [PMID: 36239683 PMCID: PMC9577101 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is associated with activation of WNT signaling. Whether this signaling pathway regulates the tumor microenvironment has remained unexplored. Through single-cell RNA sequencing of human pancreatic cancer, we discovered that tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells express TCF7, encoding for the transcription factor TCF1. We conditionally inactivated Tcf7 in CD4 expressing T cells in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer and observed changes in the tumor immune microenvironment, including more CD8+ T cells and fewer regulatory T cells, but also compensatory upregulation of PD-L1. We then used a clinically available inhibitor of Porcupine, a key component of WNT signaling, and observed similar reprogramming of the immune response. WNT signaling inhibition has limited therapeutic window due to toxicity, and PD-L1 blockade has been ineffective in PDA. Here, we show that combination targeting reduces pancreatic cancer growth in an experimental model and might benefit the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Du
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Rosa E. Menjivar
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | | | - Padma Kadiyala
- Immunology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Ashley Velez-Delgado
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | | | | | - Xi He
- College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Eileen S. Carpenter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Christina V. Angeles
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Yaqing Zhang
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Marina Pasca di Magliano
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Gulhati P, Schalck A, Jiang S, Shang X, Wu CJ, Hou P, Ruiz SH, Soto LS, Parra E, Ying H, Han J, Dey P, Li J, Deng P, Sei E, Maeda DY, Zebala JA, Spring DJ, Kim M, Wang H, Maitra A, Moore D, Clise-Dwyer K, Wang YA, Navin NE, DePinho RA. Targeting T cell checkpoints 41BB and LAG3 and myeloid cell CXCR1/CXCR2 results in antitumor immunity and durable response in pancreatic cancer. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:62-80. [PMID: 36585453 PMCID: PMC9925045 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00500-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered non-immunogenic, with trials showing its recalcitrance to PD1 and CTLA4 immune checkpoint therapies (ICTs). Here, we sought to systematically characterize the mechanisms underlying de novo ICT resistance and to identify effective therapeutic options for PDAC. We report that agonist 41BB and antagonist LAG3 ICT alone and in combination, increased survival and antitumor immunity, characterized by modulating T cell subsets with antitumor activity, increased T cell clonality and diversification, decreased immunosuppressive myeloid cells and increased antigen presentation/decreased immunosuppressive capability of myeloid cells. Translational analyses confirmed the expression of 41BB and LAG3 in human PDAC. Since single and dual ICTs were not curative, T cell-activating ICTs were combined with a CXCR1/2 inhibitor targeting immunosuppressive myeloid cells. Triple therapy resulted in durable complete responses. Given similar profiles in human PDAC and the availability of these agents for clinical testing, our findings provide a testable hypothesis for this lethal disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pat Gulhati
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Aislyn Schalck
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shan Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoying Shang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chang-Jiun Wu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pingping Hou
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sharia Hernandez Ruiz
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luisa Solis Soto
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Edwin Parra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Haoqiang Ying
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jincheng Han
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Prasenjit Dey
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pingna Deng
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Emi Sei
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Denise J Spring
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael Kim
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Huamin Wang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anirban Maitra
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dirk Moore
- Department of Biostatistics, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Karen Clise-Dwyer
- Department of Hematopoietic Biology and Malignancy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Y Alan Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Brown Center for Immunotherapy, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Nicholas E Navin
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Senturk ZN, Akdag I, Deniz B, Sayi-Yazgan A. Pancreatic cancer: Emerging field of regulatory B-cell-targeted immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1152551. [PMID: 37033931 PMCID: PMC10076755 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer, is characterized by a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. Current treatments for PDAC, are ineffective due to a prominent immunosuppressive PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME). Although B lymphocytes are highly infiltrated into PDAC, the importance of B lymphocytes in tumorigenesis is largely neglected. B cells play a dual role in the PDAC tumor microenvironment, acting as either anti-tumorigenic or pro-tumorigenic depending on where they are localized. Tumor-infiltrating B cells, which reside in ectopic lymph nodes, namely tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), produce anti-tumor antibodies and present tumor antigens to T cells to contribute to cancer immunosurveillance. Alternatively, regulatory B cells (Bregs), dispersed inside the TME, contribute to the dampening of anti-tumor immune responses by secreting anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and IL-35), which promote tumor growth and metastasis. Determining the role of Bregs in the PDAC microenvironment is thus becoming increasingly attractive for developing novel immunotherapeutic approaches. In this minireview, we shed light on the emerging role of B cells in PDAC development and progression, with an emphasis on regulatory B cells (Bregs). Furthermore, we discussed the potential link of Bregs to immunotherapies in PDAC. These current findings will help us in understanding the full potential of B cells in immunotherapy.
Collapse
|
40
|
Zhang B, Hu Q, Li Y, Xu C, Xie X, Liu P, Xu M, Gong S, Wu H. Diaphanous-related formin subfamily: Novel prognostic biomarkers and tumor microenvironment regulators for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:910950. [PMID: 36589226 PMCID: PMC9797685 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.910950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The diaphanous-related formin subfamily includes diaphanous homolog 1 (DIAPH1), DIAPH2, and DIAPH3. DIAPHs play a role in the regulation of actin nucleation and polymerization and in microtubule stability. DIAPH3 also regulates the assembly and bipolarity of mitotic spindles. Accumulating evidence has shown that DIAPHs are anomalously regulated during malignancy. In this study, we reviewed The Cancer Genome Atlas database and found that DIAPHs are abundantly expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Furthermore, we analyzed the gene alteration profiles, protein expression, prognosis, and immune reactivity of DIAPHs in PAAD using data from several well-established databases. In addition, we conducted gene set enrichment analysis to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the roles of DIAPHs in the carcinogenesis of PAAD. Finally, we performed the experimental validation of DIAPHs expression in several pancreatic cancer cell lines and tissues of patients. This study demonstrated significant correlations between DIAPHs expression and clinical prognosis, oncogenic signature gene sets, T helper 2 cell infiltration, plasmacytoid dendritic cell infiltration, myeloid-derived suppressor cell infiltration, ImmunoScore, and immune checkpoints in PAAD. These data may provide important information regarding the role and mechanisms of DIAPHs in tumorigenesis and PAAD immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bixi Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Qing Hu
- Department of Pathology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanchun Li
- Department of Pathology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Canxia Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoran Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Meihua Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Siming Gong
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,Center for Precision Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, United States,*Correspondence: Hao Wu,
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Antuamwine BB, Bosnjakovic R, Hofmann-Vega F, Wang X, Theodosiou T, Iliopoulos I, Brandau S. N1 versus N2 and PMN-MDSC: A critical appraisal of current concepts on tumor-associated neutrophils and new directions for human oncology. Immunol Rev 2022; 314:250-279. [PMID: 36504274 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Research on tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN) currently surges because of the well-documented strong clinical relevance of tumor-infiltrating neutrophils. This relevance is illustrated by strong correlations between high frequencies of intratumoral neutrophils and poor outcome in the majority of human cancers. Recent high-dimensional analysis of murine neutrophils provides evidence for unexpected plasticity of neutrophils in murine models of cancer and other inflammatory non-malignant diseases. New analysis tools enable deeper insight into the process of neutrophil differentiation and maturation. These technological and scientific developments led to the description of an ever-increasing number of distinct transcriptional states and associated phenotypes in murine models of disease and more recently also in humans. At present, functional validation of these different transcriptional states and potential phenotypes in cancer is lacking. Current functional concepts on neutrophils in cancer rely mainly on the myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) concept and the dichotomous and simple N1-N2 paradigm. In this manuscript, we review the historic development of those concepts, critically evaluate these concepts against the background of our own work and provide suggestions for a refinement of current concepts in order to facilitate the transition of TAN research from experimental insight to clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benedict Boateng Antuamwine
- Experimental and Translational Research, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rebeka Bosnjakovic
- Experimental and Translational Research, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Francisca Hofmann-Vega
- Experimental and Translational Research, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Xi Wang
- Experimental and Translational Research, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Theodosios Theodosiou
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioannis Iliopoulos
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Sven Brandau
- Experimental and Translational Research, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Essen-Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Lander VE, Belle JI, Kingstonl NL, Herndon JM, Hogg GD, Liu X, Kang LI, Knolhoff BL, Bogner SJ, Baer JM, Zuo C, Borcherding NC, Lander DP, Mpoy C, Scott J, Zahner M, Rogers BE, Schwarz JK, Kim H, DeNardo DG. Stromal Reprogramming by FAK Inhibition Overcomes Radiation Resistance to Allow for Immune Priming and Response to Checkpoint Blockade. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:2774-2799. [PMID: 36165893 PMCID: PMC9722639 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-0192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The effects of radiotherapy (RT) on tumor immunity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are not well understood. To better understand if RT can prime antigen-specific T-cell responses, we analyzed human PDAC tissues and mouse models. In both settings, there was little evidence of RT-induced T-cell priming. Using in vitro systems, we found that tumor-stromal components, including fibroblasts and collagen, cooperate to blunt RT efficacy and impair RT-induced interferon signaling. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibition rescued RT efficacy in vitro and in vivo, leading to tumor regression, T-cell priming, and enhanced long-term survival in PDAC mouse models. Based on these data, we initiated a clinical trial of defactinib in combination with stereotactic body RT in patients with PDAC (NCT04331041). Analysis of PDAC tissues from these patients showed stromal reprogramming mirroring our findings in genetically engineered mouse models. Finally, the addition of checkpoint immunotherapy to RT and FAK inhibition in animal models led to complete tumor regression and long-term survival. SIGNIFICANCE Checkpoint immunotherapeutics have not been effective in PDAC, even when combined with RT. One possible explanation is that RT fails to prime T-cell responses in PDAC. Here, we show that FAK inhibition allows RT to prime tumor immunity and unlock responsiveness to checkpoint immunotherapy. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2711.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Varintra E. Lander
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jad I. Belle
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Natalie L. Kingstonl
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - John M. Herndon
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Graham D. Hogg
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xiuting Liu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Liang-I Kang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Brett L. Knolhoff
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Savannah J. Bogner
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - John M. Baer
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chong Zuo
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nicholas C. Borcherding
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Daniel P. Lander
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Cedric Mpoy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jalen Scott
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael Zahner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Buck E. Rogers
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Julie K. Schwarz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - David G. DeNardo
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Zhao J, Dong Y, Zhang Y, Wang J, Wang Z. Biophysical heterogeneity of myeloid-derived microenvironment to regulate resistance to cancer immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 191:114585. [PMID: 36273512 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite the advances in immunotherapy for cancer treatment, patients still obtain limited benefits, mostly owing to unrestrained tumour self-expansion and immune evasion that exploits immunoregulatory mechanisms. Traditionally, myeloid cells have a dominantly immunosuppressive role. However, the complicated populations of the myeloid cells and their multilateral interactions with tumour/stromal/lymphoid cells and physical abnormalities in the tumour microenvironment (TME) determine their heterogeneous functions in tumour development and immune response. Tumour-associated myeloid cells (TAMCs) include monocytes, tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), dendritic cells (DCs), and granulocytes. Single-cell profiling revealed heterogeneous TAMCs composition, sub-types, and transcriptomic signatures across 15 human cancer types. We systematically reviewed the biophysical heterogeneity of TAMC composition and pro/anti-tumoral and immuno-suppressive/stimulating properties of myeloid-derived microenvironments. We also summarised comprehensive clinical strategies to overcome resistance to immunotherapy from three dimensions: targeting TAMCs, reversing physical abnormalities, utilising nanomedicines, and finally, put forward futuristic perspectives for scientific and clinical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yiting Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yundi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
| | - Zhijie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Oncolytic virus-mediated reducing of myeloid-derived suppressor cells enhances the efficacy of PD-L1 blockade in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 72:1285-1300. [PMID: 36436021 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03334-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is often refractory to treatment with gemcitabine (GEM) and immune checkpoint inhibitors including anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody. However, the precise relationship between GEM-resistant PDAC and development of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the immunosuppressive TME in parental and GEM-resistant PDAC tumors and assessed the therapeutic potential of combination therapy with the telomerase-specific replication-competent oncolytic adenovirus OBP-702, which induces tumor suppressor p53 protein and PD-L1 blockade against GEM-resistant PDAC tumors. Mouse PDAC cells (PAN02) and human PDAC cells (MIA PaCa-2, BxPC-3) were used to establish GEM-resistant PDAC lines. PD-L1 expression and the immunosuppressive TME were analyzed using parental and GEM-resistant PDAC cells. A cytokine array was used to investigate the underlying mechanism of immunosuppressive TME induction by GEM-resistant PAN02 cells. The GEM-resistant PAN02 tumor model was used to evaluate the antitumor effect of combination therapy with OBP-702 and PD-L1 blockade. GEM-resistant PDAC cells exhibited higher PD-L1 expression and produced higher granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) levels compared with parental cells, inducing an immunosuppressive TME and the accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). OBP-702 significantly inhibited GEM-resistant PAN02 tumor growth by suppressing GM-CSF-mediated MDSC accumulation. Moreover, combination treatment with OBP-702 significantly enhanced the antitumor efficacy of PD-L1 blockade against GEM-resistant PAN02 tumors. The present results suggest that combination therapy involving OBP-702 and PD-L1 blockade is a promising antitumor strategy for treating GEM-resistant PDAC with GM-CSF-induced immunosuppressive TME formation.
Collapse
|
45
|
Dixit A, Sarver A, Zettervall J, Huang H, Zheng K, Brekken RA, Provenzano PP. Targeting TNF-α-producing macrophages activates antitumor immunity in pancreatic cancer via IL-33 signaling. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e153242. [PMID: 36256464 PMCID: PMC9746819 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.153242] [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: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains resistant to immune therapies, largely owing to robustly fibrotic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. It has been postulated that excessive accumulation of immunosuppressive myeloid cells influences immunotherapy resistance, and recent studies targeting macrophages in combination with checkpoint blockade have demonstrated promising preclinical results. Yet our understanding of tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) function, complexity, and diversity in PDA remains limited. Our analysis reveals significant macrophage heterogeneity, with bone marrow-derived monocytes serving as the primary source for immunosuppressive TAMs. These cells also serve as a primary source of TNF-α, which suppresses expression of the alarmin IL-33 in carcinoma cells. Deletion of Ccr2 in genetically engineered mice decreased monocyte recruitment, resulting in profoundly decreased TNF-α and increased IL-33 expression, decreased metastasis, and increased survival. Moreover, intervention studies targeting CCR2 with a new orthosteric inhibitor (CCX598) rendered PDA susceptible to checkpoint blockade, resulting in reduced metastatic burden and increased survival. Our data indicate that this shift in antitumor immunity is influenced by increased levels of IL-33, which increases dendritic cell and cytotoxic T cell activity. These data demonstrate that interventions to disrupt infiltration of immunosuppressive macrophages, or their signaling, have the potential to overcome barriers to effective immunotherapeutics for PDA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Dixit
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- University of Minnesota Physical Sciences in Oncology Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Aaron Sarver
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jon Zettervall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- University of Minnesota Physical Sciences in Oncology Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Huocong Huang
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research and Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kexin Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Rolf A. Brekken
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research and Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Paolo P. Provenzano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- University of Minnesota Physical Sciences in Oncology Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation
- Institute for Engineering in Medicine
- Stem Cell Institute; and
- Center for Multiparametric Imaging of Tumor Immune Microenvironments, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Hashimoto A, Handa H, Hata S, Hashimoto S. Orchestration of mesenchymal plasticity and immune evasiveness via rewiring of the metabolic program in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1005566. [PMID: 36408139 PMCID: PMC9669439 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1005566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most fatal cancer in humans, due to its difficulty of early detection and its high metastatic ability. The occurrence of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in preinvasive pancreatic lesions has been implicated in the early dissemination, drug resistance, and cancer stemness of PDAC. PDAC cells also have a reprogrammed metabolism, regulated by driver mutation-mediated pathways, a desmoplastic tumor microenvironment (TME), and interactions with stromal cells, including pancreatic stellate cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells. Such metabolic reprogramming and its functional metabolites lead to enhanced mesenchymal plasticity, and creates an acidic and immunosuppressive TME, resulting in the augmentation of protumor immunity via cancer-associated inflammation. In this review, we summarize our recent understanding of how PDAC cells acquire and augment mesenchymal features via metabolic and immunological changes during tumor progression, and how mesenchymal malignancies induce metabolic network rewiring and facilitate an immune evasive TME. In addition, we also present our recent findings on the interesting relevance of the small G protein ADP-ribosylation factor 6-based signaling pathway driven by KRAS/TP53 mutations, inflammatory amplification signals mediated by the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 and RNA-binding protein ARID5A on PDAC metabolic reprogramming and immune evasion, and finally discuss potential therapeutic strategies for the quasi-mesenchymal subtype of PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ari Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Ari Hashimoto, ; Shigeru Hashimoto,
| | - Haruka Handa
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Soichiro Hata
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shigeru Hashimoto
- Division of Molecular Psychoimmunology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Ari Hashimoto, ; Shigeru Hashimoto,
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Kumar S, Schoonderwoerd MJA, Kroonen JS, de Graaf IJ, Sluijter M, Ruano D, González-Prieto R, Verlaan-de Vries M, Rip J, Arens R, de Miranda NFCC, Hawinkels LJAC, van Hall T, Vertegaal ACO. Targeting pancreatic cancer by TAK-981: a SUMOylation inhibitor that activates the immune system and blocks cancer cell cycle progression in a preclinical model. Gut 2022; 71:2266-2283. [PMID: 35074907 PMCID: PMC9554032 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-324834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has the characteristics of high-density desmoplastic stroma, a distinctive immunosuppressive microenvironment and is profoundly resistant to all forms of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, leading to a 5-year survival rate of 9%. Our study aims to add novel small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of PDAC. DESIGN We have studied whether TAK-981, a novel highly selective and potent small molecule inhibitor of the small ubiquitin like modifier (SUMO) activating enzyme E1 could be used to treat a preclinical syngeneic PDAC mouse model and we have studied the mode of action of TAK-981. RESULTS We found that SUMOylation, a reversible post-translational modification required for cell cycle progression, is increased in PDAC patient samples compared with normal pancreatic tissue. TAK-981 decreased SUMOylation in PDAC cells at the nanomolar range, thereby causing a G2/M cell cycle arrest, mitotic failure and chromosomal segregation defects. TAK-981 efficiently limited tumour burden in the KPC3 syngeneic mouse model without evidence of systemic toxicity. In vivo treatment with TAK-981 enhanced the proportions of activated CD8 T cells and natural killer (NK) cells but transiently decreased B cell numbers in tumour, peripheral blood, spleen and lymph nodes. Single cell RNA sequencing revealed activation of the interferon response on TAK-981 treatment in lymphocytes including T, B and NK cells. TAK-981 treatment of CD8 T cells ex vivo induced activation of STAT1 and interferon target genes. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that pharmacological inhibition of the SUMO pathway represents a potential strategy to target PDAC via a dual mechanism: inhibiting cancer cell cycle progression and activating anti-tumour immunity by inducing interferon signalling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kumar
- Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jessie S Kroonen
- Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ilona J de Graaf
- Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Sluijter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dina Ruano
- Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Román González-Prieto
- Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jasper Rip
- Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ramon Arens
- Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alfred C O Vertegaal
- Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Zhang T, Ren Y, Yang P, Wang J, Zhou H. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:897. [PMID: 36284087 PMCID: PMC9596464 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05351-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer with a prominent extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and poor prognosis. High levels of ECM proteins derived from tumour cells reduce the efficacy of conventional cancer treatment paradigms and contribute to tumour progression and metastasis. As abundant tumour-promoting cells in the ECM, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are promising targets for novel anti-tumour interventions. Nonetheless, related clinical trials are hampered by the lack of specific markers and elusive differences between CAF subtypes. Here, we review the origins and functional diversity of CAFs and show how they create a tumour-promoting milieu, focusing on the crosstalk between CAFs, tumour cells, and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment. Furthermore, relevant clinical advances and potential therapeutic strategies relating to CAFs are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Zhang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yanxian Ren
- grid.412643.60000 0004 1757 2902Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Yang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jufang Wang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Heng Zhou
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Poh AR, O'Brien M, Chisanga D, He H, Baloyan D, Traichel J, Dijkstra C, Chopin M, Nutt S, Whitehead L, Boon L, Parkin A, Lowell C, Pajic M, Shi W, Nikfarjam M, Ernst M. Inhibition of HCK in myeloid cells restricts pancreatic tumor growth and metastasis. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111479. [PMID: 36223746 PMCID: PMC11299506 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111479] [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: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease with a low 5-year survival rate and is associated with poor response to therapy. Elevated expression of the myeloid-specific hematopoietic cell kinase (HCK) is observed in PDAC and correlates with reduced patient survival. To determine whether aberrant HCK signaling in myeloid cells is involved in PDAC growth and metastasis, we established orthotopic and intrasplenic PDAC tumors in wild-type and HCK knockout mice. Genetic ablation of HCK impaired PDAC growth and metastasis by inducing an immune-stimulatory endotype in myeloid cells, which in turn reduced the desmoplastic microenvironment and enhanced cytotoxic effector cell infiltration. Consequently, genetic ablation or therapeutic inhibition of HCK minimized metastatic spread, enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapy, and overcame resistance to anti-PD1, anti-CTLA4, or stimulatory anti-CD40 immunotherapy. Our results provide strong rationale for HCK to be developed as a therapeutic target to improve the response of PDAC to chemo- and immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh R Poh
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Megan O'Brien
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - David Chisanga
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne and Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - David Baloyan
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Jasmin Traichel
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Christine Dijkstra
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Michaël Chopin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and University of Melbourne Department of Medical Biology, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Stephen Nutt
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and University of Melbourne Department of Medical Biology, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Lachlan Whitehead
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and University of Melbourne Department of Medical Biology, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | | | - Ashleigh Parkin
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Clifford Lowell
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94131, USA
| | - Marina Pajic
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Wei Shi
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia; Department of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne and Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Matthias Ernst
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Bahwal SA, Chen JJ, E L, Hao T, Chen J, Carruthers VB, Lai J, Zhou X. Attenuated Toxoplasma gondii enhances the antitumor efficacy of anti-PD1 antibody by altering the tumor microenvironment in a pancreatic cancer mouse model. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022; 148:2743-2757. [PMID: 35556163 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04036-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether attenuated Toxoplasma is efficacious against solid tumors of pancreatic cancer and whether attenuated Toxoplasma improves the antitumor activity of αPD-1 antibody on pancreatic cancer. METHODS The therapeutic effects of attenuated Toxoplasma NRTUA strain monotherapy and combination therapy of NRTUA with anti-PD-1 antibody on PDAC tumor volume and tumor weight of Pan02 tumor-bearing mice were investigated. We characterized the effects of combination therapy of NRTUA with anti-PD-1 antibody on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor-specific IFN-γ by using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and ELISA. The antitumor mechanisms of combination therapy of NRTUA with anti-PD-1 antibody were investigated via depletion of CD8+ T cells and IL-12. RESULTS NRTUA strain treatment inhibited tumor growth in a subcutaneous mouse model of PDAC through activating dendritic cells and increasing CD8+ T cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. More importantly, combination therapy of NRTUA with anti-PD-1 antibody elicited a significant antitumor immune response and synergistically controlled tumor growth in Pan02 tumor-bearing mice. Specifically, the combination treatment led to elevation of CD8+ T cell infiltration mediated by dendritic cell-secreted IL-12 and to tumor-specific IFN-γ production in the PDAC tumor microenvironment. Also, the combination treatment markedly reduced the immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cell population in PDAC mice. CONCLUSION These findings could provide a novel immunotherapy approach to treating solid tumors of PDAC and overcoming resistance to anti-PD-1 agents in PDAC tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Said Ahmed Bahwal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sun Yat-Sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jane J Chen
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Lilin E
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sun Yat-Sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Taofang Hao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sun Yat-Sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jiancong Chen
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Vern B Carruthers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5620, USA.
| | - Jiaming Lai
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Xingwang Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sun Yat-Sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| |
Collapse
|