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Szentkereszty M, Ladányi A, Gálffy G, Tóvári J, Losonczy G. Density of tumor-infiltrating NK and Treg cells is associated with 5 years progression-free and overall survival in resected lung adenocarcinoma. Lung Cancer 2024; 192:107824. [PMID: 38761665 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107824] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Surgical resection of pulmonary adenocarcinoma is considered to be curative but progression-free survival (PFS) has remained highly variable. Antitumor immune response may be important, however, the prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating natural killer (NK) and regulatory T (Treg) lymphocytes is uncertain. Resected pulmonary adenocarcinoma tissues (n = 115) were studied by immunohistochemical detection of NKp46 and FoxP3 positivity to identify NK and Treg cells, respectively. Association of cell densities with clinicopathological features and progression-free survival (PFS) as well as overall survival (OS) were analyzed with a follow-up time of 60 months. Both types of immune cells were accumulated predominantly in tumor stroma. NK cell density showed association with female gender, non-smoking and KRAS wild-type status. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, PFS and OS proved to be longer in patients with high NK or Treg cell densities (p = 0.0293 and p = 0.0375 for PFS, p = 0.0310 and p = 0.0448 for OS, respectively). Evaluating the prognostic effect of the combination of NK and Treg cell density values revealed that PFS and OS were significantly longer in NKhigh/Treghigh cases compared to the other groups combined (p = 0.0223 and p = 0.0325, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that high NK cell density was independent predictor of longer PFS while high NK and high Treg cell densities both proved significant predictors of longer OS. The NKhigh/Treghigh combination also proved to be an independent prognostic factor for both PFS and OS. In conclusion, NK and Treg cells can be components of the innate and adaptive immune response at action against progression of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márton Szentkereszty
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University Clinical Center, Budapest, Hungary; Tumor Pathology Center, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Ladányi
- Tumor Pathology Center, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary; National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Gálffy
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University Clinical Center, Budapest, Hungary; Pulmonology Hospital of Törökbálint, Törökbálint, Hungary
| | - József Tóvári
- National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Experimental Pharmacology, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Losonczy
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University Clinical Center, Budapest, Hungary.
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2
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Wang Z, Li M, Bi L, Hu X, Wang Y. Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Tumor Microenvironment. Onco Targets Ther 2024; 17:313-325. [PMID: 38617090 PMCID: PMC11016250 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s444214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and integrated system containing a variety of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and stromal cells. They are closely connected with cancer cells and influence the development and progression of cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an important complementary therapy for cancer treatment in China. It mainly eliminates cancer cells by regulating TME. The aim of this review is to systematically summarize the crosstalk between tumor cells and TME, and to summarize the research progress of TCM in regulating TME. The review is of great significance in revealing the therapeutic mechanism of action of TCM, and provides an opportunity for the combined application of TCM and immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengyao Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ling Bi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xueqing Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People’s Republic of China
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3
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Bode K, Wei S, Gruber I, Kissler S, Yi P. Beta Cells Deficient for Renalase Counteract Autoimmunity by Shaping Natural Killer Cell Activity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.29.582816. [PMID: 38496417 PMCID: PMC10942322 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.29.582816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) arises from autoimmune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Recent advancements in the technology of generating pancreatic beta cells from human pluripotent stem cells (SC-beta cells) have facilitated the exploration of cell replacement therapies for treating T1D. However, the persistent threat of autoimmunity poses a significant challenge to the survival of transplanted SC-beta cells. Genetic engineering is a promising approach to enhance immune resistance of beta cells as we previously showed by inactivating of the Renalase (Rnls) gene. Here we demonstrate that Rnls loss-of-function in beta cells shape autoimmunity by mediating a regulatory Natural Killer (NK) cell phenotype important for the induction of tolerogenic antigen presenting cells. Rnls-deficient beta cells mediate cell-cell-contact-independent induction of hallmark anti-inflammatory cytokine Tgfβ1 in NK cells. In addition, surface expression of key regulatory NK immune checkpoints CD47 and Ceacam1 are markedly elevated on beta cells deficient for Rnls. Enhanced glucose metabolism in Rnls mutant beta cells is responsible for upregulation of CD47 surface expression. These findings are crucial to a better understand how genetically engineered beta cells shape autoimmunity giving valuable insights for future therapeutic advancements to treat and cure T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Bode
- Section for Immunobiology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215
- Section for Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02115
| | - Siying Wei
- Section for Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02115
| | - Isabella Gruber
- Section for Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Stephan Kissler
- Section for Immunobiology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02115
- Diabetes Program, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge MA 02138
| | - Peng Yi
- Section for Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02115
- Diabetes Program, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge MA 02138
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4
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Kaur K, Jewett A. Osteoclasts and Probiotics Mediate Significant Expansion, Functional Activation and Supercharging in NK, γδ T, and CD3+ T Cells: Use in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cells 2024; 13:213. [PMID: 38334605 PMCID: PMC10854567 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Our previous studies have introduced osteoclasts (OCs) as major activators of NK cells. It was found that OCs exhibit the capabilities of inducing cell expansion as well as increasing the cytotoxic activity of NK cells by granule release and increasing the secretion of TNF-α and TRAIL, leading to increased lysis of tumors in short-term as well as long-term periods, respectively. OC- induced expanded NK cells were named supercharged NK cells (sNK) due to their significantly high functional activity as well as their significantly higher cell expansion rate. It is, however, unclear whether the OC-mediated effect in NK cells is specific or whether other cytotoxic immune cells can also be expanded and activated by OCs. We chose to focus on γδ T cells and pan T cells, which also include CD8+ T cells. In this paper, we report that OCs are capable of expanding and functionally activating both γδ T cells and pan T cells. Expanded γδ T and pan T cells were capable of secreting high levels of INF-γ, albeit with different dynamics to those of NK cells, and, moreover, they are unable to kill NK-specific targets. Since we used humanized-BLT (hu-BLT) mice as a model of human disease, we next determined whether NK and T cell activation through OCs is also evident in cells obtained from hu-BLT mice. Similar to humans, OCs were capable of increasing the cell expansion and secretion of IFN-γ in the culture of either NK or T cells from hu-BLT mice, providing yet further evidence that these mice are appropriate models to study human disease. Therefore, these studies indicated that CD3+ T or γδ T cells can proliferate and be supercharged by OCs similar to the NK cells; thus, they can be used individually or in combination in the cell therapy of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry and Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Dentistry and Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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5
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Neo SY, Oliveira MMS, Tong L, Chen Y, Chen Z, Cismas S, Burduli N, Malmerfelt A, Teo JKH, Lam KP, Alici E, Girnita L, Wagner AK, Westerberg LS, Lundqvist A. Natural killer cells drive 4-1BBL positive uveal melanoma towards EMT and metastatic disease. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:13. [PMID: 38191418 PMCID: PMC10775428 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02917-5] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammation in the eye is often associated with aggravated ocular diseases such as uveal melanoma (UM). Poor prognosis of UM is generally associated with high potential of metastatic liver dissemination. A strong driver of metastatic dissemination is the activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulating transcription factor ZEB1, and high expression of ZEB1 is associated with aggressiveness of UM. While ZEB1 expression can be also associated with immune tolerance, the underlying drivers of ZEB1 activation remain unclear. METHODS Transcriptomic, in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo analyses were used to investigate the impact on clinical prognosis of immune infiltration in the ocular tumor microenvironment. A metastatic liver dissemination model of was developed to address the role of natural killer (NK) cells in driving the migration of UM. RESULTS In a pan-cancer TCGA analysis, natural killer (NK) cells were associated with worse overall survival in uveal melanoma and more abundant in high-risk monosomy 3 tumors. Furthermore, uveal melanoma expressed high levels of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 4-1BB ligand, particularly in tumors with monosomy 3 and BAP1 mutations. Tumors expressing 4-1BB ligand induced CD73 expression on NK cells accompanied with the ability to promote tumor dissemination. Through ligation of 4-1BB, NK cells induced the expression of the ZEB1 transcription factor, leading to the formation of liver metastasis of uveal melanoma. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the present study demonstrates a role of NK cells in the aggravation of uveal melanoma towards metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Yong Neo
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mariana M S Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Le Tong
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Ziqing Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Sonia Cismas
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nutsa Burduli
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Malmerfelt
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joey Kay Hui Teo
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Kong-Peng Lam
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Evren Alici
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Leonard Girnita
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arnika K Wagner
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa S Westerberg
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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6
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Zhang H, Yang L, Wang T, Li Z. NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy. Bioact Mater 2024; 31:63-86. [PMID: 37601277 PMCID: PMC10432724 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.08.001] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells display a unique inherent ability to identify and eliminate virus-infected cells and tumor cells. They are particularly powerful for elimination of hematological cancers, and have attracted considerable interests for therapy of solid tumors. However, the treatment of solid tumors with NK cells are less effective, which can be attributed to the very complicated immunosuppressive microenvironment that may lead to the inactivation, insufficient expansion, short life, and the poor tumor infiltration of NK cells. Fortunately, the development of advanced nanotechnology has provided potential solutions to these issues, and could improve the immunotherapy efficacy of NK cells. In this review, we summarize the activation and inhibition mechanisms of NK cells in solid tumors, and the recent advances in NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy boosted by diverse nanomaterials. We also propose the challenges and opportunities for the clinical application of NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Li Yang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
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7
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Kang JY, Yang J, Lee H, Park S, Gil M, Kim KE. Systematic Multiomic Analysis of PKHD1L1 Gene Expression and Its Role as a Predicting Biomarker for Immune Cell Infiltration in Skin Cutaneous Melanoma and Lung Adenocarcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:359. [PMID: 38203530 PMCID: PMC10778817 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The identification of genetic factors that regulate the cancer immune microenvironment is important for understanding the mechanism of tumor progression and establishing an effective treatment strategy. Polycystic kidney and hepatic disease 1-like protein 1 (PKHD1L1) is a large transmembrane protein that is highly expressed in immune cells; however, its association with tumor progression remains unclear. Here, we systematically analyzed the clinical relevance of PKHD1L1 in the tumor microenvironment in multiple cancer types using various bioinformatic tools. We found that the PKHD1L1 mRNA expression levels were significantly lower in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) than in normal tissues. The decreased expression of PKHD1L1 was significantly associated with unfavorable overall survival (OS) in SKCM and LUAD. Additionally, PKHD1L1 expression was positively correlated with the levels of infiltrating B cells, cluster of differentiation (CD)-8+ T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, suggesting that the infiltration of immune cells could be associated with a good prognosis due to increased PKHD1L1 expression. Gene ontology (GO) analysis also revealed the relationship between PKHD1L1-co-altered genes and the activation of lymphocytes, including B and T cells. Collectively, this study shows that PKHD1L1 expression is positively correlated with a good prognosis via the induction of immune infiltration, suggesting that PKHD1L1 has potential prognostic value in SKCM and LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Young Kang
- Department of Health Industry, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.K.); (M.G.)
| | - Jisun Yang
- Department of Cosmetic Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea;
| | - Haeryung Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (H.L.); (S.P.)
| | - Soochul Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (H.L.); (S.P.)
| | - Minchan Gil
- Department of Health Industry, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.K.); (M.G.)
| | - Kyung Eun Kim
- Department of Health Industry, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.K.); (M.G.)
- Department of Cosmetic Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea;
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8
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Tang R, Wang H, Tang M. Roles of tissue-resident immune cells in immunotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1332814. [PMID: 38130725 PMCID: PMC10733439 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1332814] [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: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common and lethal type of lung cancer, with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Immunotherapy offers hope for improving the survival and quality of life of NSCLC patients, but its efficacy depends on the tumor immune microenvironment (TME). Tissue-resident immune cells are a subset of immune cells that reside in various tissues and organs, and play an important role in fighting tumors. In NSCLC, tissue-resident immune cells are heterogeneous in their distribution, phenotype, and function, and can either promote or inhibit tumor progression and response to immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize the current understanding on the characteristics, interactions, and roles of tissue-resident immune cells in NSCLC. We also discuss the potential applications of tissue-resident immune cells in NSCLC immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), other immunomodulatory agents, and personalized cell-based therapies. We highlight the challenges and opportunities for developing targeted therapies for tissue-resident immune cells and optimizing existing immunotherapeutic approaches for NSCLC patients. We propose that tissue-resident immune cells are a key determinant of NSCLC outcome and immunotherapy response, and warrant further investigation in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Tang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- The School of Clinical Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, Luzhou, China
| | - Mingxi Tang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Department of Pathology, Yaan People's Hospital (Yaan Hospital of West China Hospital of Sichuan University), Yaan, Sichuan, China
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9
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Han WJ, He P. A novel tumor microenvironment-related gene signature with immune features for prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:13137-13154. [PMID: 37479755 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05042-0] [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: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is an aggressive subset of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the development of LUSC. We aim to identify potential therapeutic targets and a TME-related prognostic signature and for LUSC. METHODS TME-related genes were obtained from TCGA-LUSC dataset. LUSC samples were clustered by the non-negative matrix clustering algorithm (NMF). The prognostic signature was constructed through univariate Cox regression, multivariate Cox regression, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was carried out to explore the enrichment pathways. RESULTS This study constructed a prognostic signature which contained 12 genes: HHIPL2, PLK4, SLC6A4, LSM1, TSLP, P4HA1, AMH, CLDN5, NRTN, CDH2, PTGIS, and STX1A. Patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups according to the median risk score of this signature. Compared with low-risk group patients, patients in high-risk group patients had poorer overall survival, which demonstrated this signature was an independent prognostic factor. Besides, correlation analysis and GSEA results revealed that genes of this signature were correlated with immune cells and drug response. CONCLUSION Our novel signature based on 12 TME-related genes might be applied as an independent prognostic indicator. Importantly, the signature could be a promising biomarker and accurately predict the prognosis of LUSC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Jia Han
- Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
- Sichuan Second Hospital of TCM, Chengdu, China.
| | - Pengzhi He
- Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Sichuan Second Hospital of TCM, Chengdu, China
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10
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Ma S, Caligiuri MA, Yu J. Harnessing Natural Killer Cells for Lung Cancer Therapy. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3327-3339. [PMID: 37531223 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Although natural killer (NK) cells are garnering interest as a potential anticancer therapy because they selectively recognize and eliminate cancer cells, their use in treating solid tumors, including lung cancer, has been limited due to impediments to their efficacy, such as their limited ability to reach tumor tissues, the reduced antitumor activity of tumor-infiltrating NK cells, and the suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). This comprehensive review provides an in-depth analysis of the cross-talk between the lung cancer TME and NK cells. We highlight the various mechanisms used by the TME to modulate NK-cell phenotypes and limit infiltration, explore the role of the TME in limiting the antitumor activity of NK cells, and discuss the current challenges and obstacles that hinder the success of NK-cell-based immunotherapy for lung cancer. Potential opportunities and promising strategies to address these challenges have been implemented or are being developed to optimize NK-cell-based immunotherapy for lung cancer. Through critical evaluation of existing literature and emerging trends, this review provides a comprehensive outlook on the future of NK-cell-based immunotherapy for treating lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoubao Ma
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael A Caligiuri
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California
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11
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Brownlie D, von Kries A, Valenzano G, Wild N, Yilmaz E, Säfholm J, Al-Ameri M, Alici E, Ljunggren HG, Schliemann I, Aricak O, Haglund de Flon F, Michaëlsson J, Marquardt N. Accumulation of tissue-resident natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells, and CD8 + T cells towards the center of human lung tumors. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2233402. [PMID: 37448786 PMCID: PMC10337494 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2233402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Despite recent advances in tissue immunology, little is known about the spatial distribution of tissue-resident lymphocyte subsets in lung tumors. Using high-parameter flow cytometry, we identified an accumulation of tissue-resident lymphocytes including tissue-resident NK (trNK) cells and CD8+ tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells toward the center of human non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). Chemokine receptor expression patterns indicated different modes of tumor-infiltration and/or residency between trNK cells and CD8+ TRM cells. In contrast to CD8+ TRM cells, trNK cells and ILCs generally expressed low levels of immune checkpoint receptors independent of location in the tumor. Additionally, granzyme expression in trNK cells and CD8+ TRM cells was highest in the tumor center, and intratumoral CD49a+CD16- NK cells were functional and responded stronger to target cell stimulation than their CD49a- counterparts, indicating functional relevance of trNK cells in lung tumors. In summary, the present spatial mapping of lymphocyte subsets in human NSCLC provides novel insights into the composition and functionality of tissue-resident immune cells, suggesting a role for trNK cells and CD8+ TRM cells in lung tumors and their potential relevance for future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demi Brownlie
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Andreas von Kries
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Giampiero Valenzano
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Nicole Wild
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Emel Yilmaz
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jesper Säfholm
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mamdoh Al-Ameri
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Evren Alici
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Haematology Centre, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Igor Schliemann
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Cytology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ozan Aricak
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Cytology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Felix Haglund de Flon
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Cytology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jakob Michaëlsson
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Nicole Marquardt
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
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12
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Portale F, Di Mitri D. NK Cells in Cancer: Mechanisms of Dysfunction and Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119521. [PMID: 37298470 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells (NK) are innate lymphocytes endowed with the ability to recognize and kill cancer cells. Consequently, adoptive transfer of autologous or allogeneic NK cells represents a novel opportunity in cancer treatment that is currently under clinical investigation. However, cancer renders NK cells dysfunctional, thus restraining the efficacy of cell therapies. Importantly, extensive effort has been employed to investigate the mechanisms that restrain NK cell anti-tumor function, and the results have offered forthcoming solutions to improve the efficiency of NK cell-based therapies. The present review will introduce the origin and features of NK cells, summarize the mechanisms of action and causes of dysfunction of NK cells in cancer, and frame NK cells in the tumoral microenvironment and in the context of immunotherapies. Finally, we will discuss therapeutic potential and current limitations of NK cell adoptive transfer in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Portale
- Tumor Microenviroment Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Diletta Di Mitri
- Tumor Microenviroment Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Milan, Italy
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13
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Zhou Y, Cheng L, Liu L, Li X. NK cells are never alone: crosstalk and communication in tumour microenvironments. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:34. [PMID: 36797782 PMCID: PMC9933398 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01737-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune escape is a hallmark of cancer. The dynamic and heterogeneous tumour microenvironment (TME) causes insufficient infiltration and poor efficacy of natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy, which becomes a key factor triggering tumour progression. Understanding the crosstalk between NK cells and the TME provides new insights for optimising NK cell-based immunotherapy. Here, we present new advances in direct or indirect crosstalk between NK cells and 9 specialised TMEs, including immune, metabolic, innervated niche, mechanical, and microbial microenvironments, summarise TME-mediated mechanisms of NK cell function inhibition, and highlight potential targeted therapies for NK-TME crosstalk. Importantly, we discuss novel strategies to overcome the inhibitory TME and provide an attractive outlook for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Zhou
- grid.32566.340000 0000 8571 0482The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000 China ,grid.412643.60000 0004 1757 2902Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China ,Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lu Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lu Liu
- grid.412643.60000 0004 1757 2902Department of Pediatrics, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xun Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, China. .,Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China.
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14
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Wang F, Yang M, Luo W, Zhou Q. Characteristics of tumor microenvironment and novel immunotherapeutic strategies for non-small cell lung cancer. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER CENTER 2022; 2:243-262. [PMID: 39036549 PMCID: PMC11256730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jncc.2022.10.002] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment approach of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Monoclonal antibodies against programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) are widely used in clinical practice, but other antibodies that can circumvent innate and acquired resistance are bound to undergo preclinical and clinical studies. However, tumor cells can develop and facilitate the tolerogenic nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in tumor progression. Therefore, the immune escape mechanisms exploited by growing lung cancer involve a fine interplay between all actors in the TME. A better understanding of the molecular biology of lung cancer and the cellular/molecular mechanisms involved in the crosstalk between lung cancer cells and immune cells in the TME could identify novel therapeutic weapons in the old war against lung cancer. This article discusses the role of TME in the progression of lung cancer and pinpoints possible advances and challenges of immunotherapy for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research, Cancer Institute, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen-Peking University-Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mingyi Yang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weichi Luo
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Deng X, Terunuma H. Harnessing NK Cells to Control Metastasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122018. [PMID: 36560427 PMCID: PMC9781233 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, tumor immunotherapy has produced remarkable results in tumor treatment. Nevertheless, its effects are severely limited in patients with low or absent pre-existing T cell immunity. Accordingly, metastasis remains the major cause of tumor-associated death. On the other hand, natural killer (NK) cells have the unique ability to recognize and rapidly act against tumor cells and surveil tumor cell dissemination. The role of NK cells in metastasis prevention is undisputable as an increase in the number of these cells mostly leads to a favorable prognosis. Hence, it is reasonable to consider that successful metastasis involves evasion of NK-cell-mediated immunosurveillance. Therefore, harnessing NK cells to control metastasis is promising. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are the seeds for distant metastasis, and the number of CTCs detected in the blood of patients with tumor is associated with a worse prognosis, whereas NK cells can eliminate highly motile CTCs especially in the blood. Here, we review the role of NK cells during metastasis, particularly the specific interactions of NK cells with CTCs, which may provide essential clues on how to harness the power of NK cells against tumor metastasis. As a result, a new way to prevent or treat metastatic tumor may be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewen Deng
- Biotherapy Institute of Japan Inc., 2-4-8 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0051, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-5632-6080; Fax: +81-3-5632-6083
| | - Hiroshi Terunuma
- Biotherapy Institute of Japan Inc., 2-4-8 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0051, Japan
- N2 Clinic Yotsuya, 5F 2-6 Samon-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0017, Japan
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16
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He F, Furones AR, Landegren N, Fuxe J, Sarhan D. Sex dimorphism in the tumor microenvironment - From bench to bedside and back. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:166-179. [PMID: 35278635 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cancer represents a significant cause of death and suffering in both the developed and developing countries. Key underlying issues in the mortality of cancer are delayed diagnosis and resistance to treatments. However, improvements in biomarkers represent one important step that can be taken for alleviating the suffering caused by malignancy. Precision-based medicine is promising for revolutionizing diagnostic and treatment strategies for cancer patients worldwide. Contemporary methods, including various omics and systems biology approaches, as well as advanced digital imaging and artificial intelligence, allow more accurate assessment of tumor characteristics at the patient level. As a result, treatment strategies can be specifically tailored and adapted for individual and/or groups of patients that carry certain tumor characteristics. This includes immunotherapy, which is based on characterization of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and, more specifically, the presence and activity of immune cell subsets. Unfortunately, while it is increasingly clear that gender strongly affects immune regulation and response, there is a knowledge gap concerning differences in sex-specific immune responses and how these contribute to the immunosuppressive TME and the response to immunotherapy. In fact, sex dimorphism is poorly understood in cancer progression and is typically ignored in current clinical practice. In this review, we aim to survey the available literature and highlight the existing knowledge gap in order to encourage further studies that would contribute to understanding both gender-biased immunosuppression in the TME and the driver of tumor progression towards invasive and metastatic disease. The review highlights the need to include sex optimized/genderized medicine as a new concept in future medicine cancer diagnostics and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Urology, First affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Andrea Rodgers Furones
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; Tumor Immunology Department, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Nils Landegren
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 23, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
| | - Jonas Fuxe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dhifaf Sarhan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
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17
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Yenyuwadee S, Aliazis K, Wang Q, Christofides A, Shah R, Patsoukis N, Boussiotis VA. Immune cellular components and signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:187-201. [PMID: 35985559 PMCID: PMC10735089 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
During the past decade there has been a revolution in cancer therapeutics by the emergence of antibody-based and cell-based immunotherapies that modulate immune responses against tumors. These new therapies have extended and improved the therapeutic efficacy of chemo-radiotherapy and have offered treatment options to patients who are no longer responding to these classic anti-cancer treatments. Unfortunately, tumor eradication and long-lasting responses are observed in a small fraction of patients, whereas the majority of patients respond only transiently. These outcomes indicate that the maximum potential of immunotherapy has not been reached due to incomplete knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that guide the development of successful anti-tumor immunity and its failure. In this review, we discuss recent discoveries about the immune cellular composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the role of key signaling mechanisms that compromise the function of immune cells leading to cancer immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasitorn Yenyuwadee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Konstantinos Aliazis
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Qi Wang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Anthos Christofides
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Rushil Shah
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
| | - Nikolaos Patsoukis
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Vassiliki A Boussiotis
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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18
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells comprise a unique population of innate lymphoid cells endowed with intrinsic abilities to identify and eliminate virally infected cells and tumour cells. Possessing multiple cytotoxicity mechanisms and the ability to modulate the immune response through cytokine production, NK cells play a pivotal role in anticancer immunity. This role was elucidated nearly two decades ago, when NK cells, used as immunotherapeutic agents, showed safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients with advanced-stage leukaemia. In recent years, following the paradigm-shifting successes of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered adoptive T cell therapy and the advancement in technologies that can turn cells into powerful antitumour weapons, the interest in NK cells as a candidate for immunotherapy has grown exponentially. Strategies for the development of NK cell-based therapies focus on enhancing NK cell potency and persistence through co-stimulatory signalling, checkpoint inhibition and cytokine armouring, and aim to redirect NK cell specificity to the tumour through expression of CAR or the use of engager molecules. In the clinic, the first generation of NK cell therapies have delivered promising results, showing encouraging efficacy and remarkable safety, thus driving great enthusiasm for continued innovation. In this Review, we describe the various approaches to augment NK cell cytotoxicity and longevity, evaluate challenges and opportunities, and reflect on how lessons learned from the clinic will guide the design of next-generation NK cell products that will address the unique complexities of each cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara J Laskowski
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander Biederstädt
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine III: Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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19
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Functional crosstalk and regulation of natural killer cells in tumor microenvironment: Significance and potential therapeutic strategies. Genes Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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20
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Harnessing natural killer cells for cancer immunotherapy: dispatching the first responders. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:559-577. [PMID: 35314852 PMCID: PMC10019065 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00413-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have crucial roles in the innate immunosurveillance of cancer and viral infections. They are 'first responders' that can spontaneously recognize abnormal cells in the body, rapidly eliminate them through focused cytotoxicity mechanisms and potently produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that recruit and activate other immune cells to initiate an adaptive response. From the initial discovery of the diverse cell surface receptors on NK cells to the characterization of regulatory events that control their function, our understanding of the basic biology of NK cells has improved dramatically in the past three decades. This advanced knowledge has revealed increased mechanistic complexity, which has opened the doors to the development of a plethora of exciting new therapeutics that can effectively manipulate and target NK cell functional responses, particularly in cancer patients. Here, we summarize the basic mechanisms that regulate NK cell biology, review a wide variety of drugs, cytokines and antibodies currently being developed and used to stimulate NK cell responses, and outline evolving NK cell adoptive transfer approaches to treat cancer.
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21
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Baci D, Cekani E, Imperatori A, Ribatti D, Mortara L. Host-Related Factors as Targetable Drivers of Immunotherapy Response in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Front Immunol 2022; 13:914890. [PMID: 35874749 PMCID: PMC9298844 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.914890] [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: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite some significant therapeutic breakthroughs leading to immunotherapy, a high percentage of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) do not respond to treatment on relapse, thus experiencing poor prognosis and survival. The unsatisfying results could be related to the features of the tumor immune microenvironment and the dynamic interactions between a tumor and immune infiltrate. Host-tumor interactions strongly influence the course of disease and response to therapies. Thus, targeting host-associated factors by restoring their physiologic functions altered by the presence of a tumor represents a new therapeutic approach to control tumor development and progression. In NSCLC, the immunogenic tumor balance is shifted negatively toward immunosuppression due to the release of inhibitory factors as well as the presence of immunosuppressive cells. Among these cells, there are myeloid-derived suppressor cells, regulatory T cells that can generate a tumor-permissive milieu by reprogramming the cells of the hosts such as tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and mast cells that acquire tumor-supporting phenotypes and functions. This review highlights the current knowledge of the involvement of host-related factors, including innate and adaptive immunity in orchestrating the tumor cell fate and the primary resistance mechanisms to immunotherapy in NSCLC. Finally, we discuss combinational therapeutic strategies targeting different aspects of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) to prime the host response. Further research dissecting the characteristics and dynamic interactions within the interface host-tumor is necessary to improve a patient fitness immune response and provide answers regarding the immunotherapy efficacy, with the aim to develop more successful treatments for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Baci
- Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS-Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy.,Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Elona Cekani
- Medical Oncology Clinic, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Imperatori
- Center for Thoracic Surgery, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Mortara
- Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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22
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Boyd-Gibbins N, Karagiannis P, Hwang DW, Kim SI. iPSCs in NK Cell Manufacturing and NKEV Development. Front Immunol 2022; 13:890894. [PMID: 35874677 PMCID: PMC9305199 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.890894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapies for cancer can complement existing T cell therapies while benefiting from advancements already made in the immunotherapy field. For NK cell manufacturing, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer advantages including eliminating donor variation and providing an ideal platform for genome engineering. At the same time, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have become a major research interest, and purified NK cell extracellular vesicles (NKEVs) have been shown to reproduce the key functions of their parent NK cells. NKEVs have the potential to be developed into a standalone therapeutic with reduced complexity and immunogenicity compared to cell therapies. This review explores the role iPSC technology can play in both NK cell manufacturing and NKEV development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Karagiannis
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Do Won Hwang
- Research and Development Center, THERABEST Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Shin-Il Kim
- THERABEST Japan, Inc., Kobe, Japan
- Research and Development Center, THERABEST Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Shin-Il Kim,
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23
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Franklin M, Connolly E, Hussell T. Recruited and Tissue-Resident Natural Killer Cells in the Lung During Infection and Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:887503. [PMID: 35844626 PMCID: PMC9284027 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.887503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are an important component of the innate immune system, and have a key role in host defense against infection and in tumor surveillance. Tumors and viruses employ remarkably similar strategies to avoid recognition and killing by NK cells and so much can be learnt by comparing NK cells in these disparate diseases. The lung is a unique tissue environment and immune cells in this organ, including NK cells, exist in a hypofunctional state to prevent activation against innocuous stimuli. Upon infection, rapid NK cell infiltration into the lung occurs, the amplitude of which is determined by the extent of inflammation and damage. Activated NK cells kill infected cells and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines to recruit cells of the adaptive immune system. More recent evidence has shown that NK cells also play an additional role in resolution of inflammation. In lung cancer however, NK cell recruitment is impaired and those that are present have reduced functionality. The majority of lung NK cells are circulatory, however recently a small population of tissue-resident lung NK cells has been described. The specific role of this subset is yet to be determined, but they show similarity to resident memory T cell subsets. Whether resident or recruited, NK cells are important in the control of pulmonary infections, but equally, can drive excessive inflammation if not regulated. In this review we discuss how NK cells are recruited, controlled and retained in the specific environment of the lung in health and disease. Understanding these mechanisms in the context of infection may provide opportunities to promote NK cell recruitment and function in the lung tumor setting.
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24
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Ran GH, Lin YQ, Tian L, Zhang T, Yan DM, Yu JH, Deng YC. Natural killer cell homing and trafficking in tissues and tumors: from biology to application. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:205. [PMID: 35768424 PMCID: PMC9243142 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01058-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, a subgroup of innate lymphoid cells, act as the first line of defense against cancer. Although some evidence shows that NK cells can develop in secondary lymphoid tissues, NK cells develop mainly in the bone marrow (BM) and egress into the blood circulation when they mature. They then migrate to and settle down in peripheral tissues, though some special subsets home back into the BM or secondary lymphoid organs. Owing to its success in allogeneic adoptive transfer for cancer treatment and its "off-the-shelf" potential, NK cell-based immunotherapy is attracting increasing attention in the treatment of various cancers. However, insufficient infiltration of adoptively transferred NK cells limits clinical utility, especially for solid tumors. Expansion of NK cells or engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) NK cells ex vivo prior to adoptive transfer by using various cytokines alters the profiles of chemokine receptors, which affects the infiltration of transferred NK cells into tumor tissue. Several factors control NK cell trafficking and homing, including cell-intrinsic factors (e.g., transcriptional factors), cell-extrinsic factors (e.g., integrins, selectins, chemokines and their corresponding receptors, signals induced by cytokines, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), etc.), and the cellular microenvironment. Here, we summarize the profiles and mechanisms of NK cell homing and trafficking at steady state and during tumor development, aiming to improve NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang He Ran
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical, Jiamusi University, 154007, Jiamusi, China
- Institute of Materia Medica, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Qing Lin
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical, Jiamusi University, 154007, Jiamusi, China
- Institute of Materia Medica, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Tian
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical, Jiamusi University, 154007, Jiamusi, China.
| | - Dong Mei Yan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical, Jiamusi University, 154007, Jiamusi, China.
| | - Jian Hua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 91010, USA.
| | - You Cai Deng
- Institute of Materia Medica, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China.
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China.
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25
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Wong DCP, Lee EHC, Er J, Yow I, Koean RAG, Ang O, Xiao J, Low BC, Ding JL. Lung Cancer Induces NK Cell Contractility and Cytotoxicity Through Transcription Factor Nuclear Localization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:871326. [PMID: 35652099 PMCID: PMC9149376 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.871326] [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: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Actomyosin-mediated cellular contractility is highly conserved for mechanotransduction and signalling. While this phenomenon has been observed in adherent cell models, whether/how contractile forces regulate the function of suspension cells like natural killer (NK) cells during cancer surveillance, is unknown. Here, we demonstrated in coculture settings that the evolutionarily conserved NK cell transcription factor, Eomes, undergoes nuclear shuttling during lung cancer cell surveillance. Biophysical and biochemical analyses revealed mechanistic enhancement of NK cell actomyosin-mediated contractility, which is associated with nuclear flattening, thus enabling nuclear entry of Eomes associated with enhanced NK cytotoxicity. We found that NK cells responded to the presumed immunosuppressive TGFβ in the NK-lung cancer coculture medium to sustain its intracellular contractility through myosin light chain phosphorylation, thereby promoting Eomes nuclear localization. Therefore, our results demonstrate that lung cancer cells provoke NK cell contractility as an early phase activation mechanism and that Eomes is a plausible mechano-responsive protein for increased NK cytotoxicity. There is scope for strategic application of actomyosin-mediated contractility modulating drugs ex vivo, to reinvigorate NK cells prior to adoptive cancer immunotherapy in vivo (177 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Chen Pei Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Mechanobiology Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - E Hui Clarissa Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Junzhi Er
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ivan Yow
- Mechanobiology Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Owen Ang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jingwei Xiao
- Mechanobiology Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon Chuan Low
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Mechanobiology Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,University Scholars Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jeak Ling Ding
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Zhan Y, Wen Y, Du LJ, Wang XX, Tang SY, Kong PF, Huang WG, Tang XG. Effects of Maren Pills on the Intestinal Microflora and Short-Chain Fatty Acid Profile in Drug-Induced Slow Transit Constipation Model Rats. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:804723. [PMID: 35496291 PMCID: PMC9039019 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.804723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Slow transit constipation (STC) is becoming a common and frequently occurring disease in today’s society, and it is necessary to explore the safe and effective treatment of STC. Method: Our study aimed to investigate whether the laxative effect of Maren pills (MRW) is associated with the regulation of intestinal microflora and intestinal metabolism in the colon. Loperamide hydrochloride-induced STC rats received MRW intragastrically for two consecutive weeks to evaluate the laxative effect of MRW involving the regulation of intestinal microflora, intestinal metabolism, and 5-HT signaling pathway. Intestinal microflora was detected by 16s rDNA sequencing, intestinal metabolism of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was detected by HPLC, and the 5-HT signaling pathway was detected by WB, ELISA, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Our results revealed that the treatments with MRW increased not only the body weight, 24-h fecal number, 24-h wet fecal weight, 24-h dry fecal weight, fecal water content, and the intestinal propulsion rate but also the colonic goblet cell number, colonic Muc-2 protein expression, and colonic mucus layer thickness in the STC model rats. Moreover, MRW activated the 5-HT pathway by increasing the levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, 5-HT4R, CFTR, cAMP, and PKA in the colon tissue of STC rats. The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that MRW improved the colonic microflora structure in colonic contents of STC rats, mainly by increasing Lactobacillus and decreasing Prevotella. Finally, we found that MRW regulated the SCFA metabolism in the colonic contents of the STC rats, mainly by increasing the contents of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid; the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was positively correlated with either contents of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid, and the relative abundance of Clostridium was negatively correlated. Conclusion: Our study further showed that MRW could improve constipation in STC rats, and the mechanism may be by regulating the intestinal microflora structure and improving the metabolism of SCFAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhan
- Department of Anorectal, Affiliated Hospital of Integrative Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine of Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, China
- Department of Anorectal, Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Wen
- Department of Anorectal, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Li-Juan Du
- Department of Anorectal, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao-Xiang Wang
- Department of Digestive medicine, Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Shi-Yu Tang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Peng-Fei Kong
- Department of Anorectal Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Wei-Guo Huang
- Department of Anorectal, Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xue-Gui Tang
- Department of Anorectal Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
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27
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Zhang W, Zhao Z, Li F. Natural killer cell dysfunction in cancer and new strategies to utilize NK cell potential for cancer immunotherapy. Mol Immunol 2022; 144:58-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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28
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Fridman WH, Meylan M, Petitprez F, Sun CM, Italiano A, Sautès-Fridman C. B cells and tertiary lymphoid structures as determinants of tumour immune contexture and clinical outcome. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:441-457. [PMID: 35365796 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00619-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 91.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
B cells are a major component of the tumour microenvironment, where they are predominantly associated with tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). In germinal centres within mature TLS, B cell clones are selectively activated and amplified, and undergo antibody class switching and somatic hypermutation. Subsequently, these B cell clones differentiate into plasma cells that can produce IgG or IgA antibodies targeting tumour-associated antigens. In tumours without mature TLS, B cells are either scarce or differentiate into regulatory cells that produce immunosuppressive cytokines. Indeed, different tumours vary considerably in their TLS and B cell content. Notably, tumours with mature TLS, a high density of B cells and plasma cells, as well as the presence of antibodies to tumour-associated antigens are typically associated with favourable clinical outcomes and responses to immunotherapy compared with those lacking these characteristics. However, polyclonal B cell activation can also result in the formation of immune complexes that trigger the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by macrophages and neutrophils. In complement-rich tumours, IgG antibodies can also activate the complement cascade, resulting in the production of anaphylatoxins that sustain tumour-promoting inflammation and angiogenesis. Herein, we review the phenotypic heterogeneity of intratumoural B cells and the importance of TLS in their generation as well as the potential of B cells and TLS as prognostic and predictive biomarkers. We also discuss novel therapeutic approaches that are being explored with the aim of increasing mature TLS formation, B cell differentiation and anti-tumour antibody production within tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolf H Fridman
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Cité, Equipe inflammation, complément et cancer, Paris, France. .,Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France.
| | - Maxime Meylan
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Cité, Equipe inflammation, complément et cancer, Paris, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Florent Petitprez
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Cheng-Ming Sun
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Cité, Equipe inflammation, complément et cancer, Paris, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Italiano
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Department of Medicine, Institute Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | - Catherine Sautès-Fridman
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Cité, Equipe inflammation, complément et cancer, Paris, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France
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29
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Oswald E, Bug D, Grote A, Lashuk K, Bouteldja N, Lenhard D, Löhr A, Behnke A, Knauff V, Edinger A, Klingner K, Gaedicke S, Niedermann G, Merhof D, Feuerhake F, Schueler J. Immune cell infiltration pattern in non-small cell lung cancer PDX models is a model immanent feature and correlates with a distinct molecular and phenotypic make-up. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004412. [PMID: 35483746 PMCID: PMC9052060 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004412] [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] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The field of cancer immunology is rapidly moving towards innovative therapeutic strategies, resulting in the need for robust and predictive preclinical platforms reflecting the immunological response to cancer. Well characterized preclinical models are essential for the development of predictive biomarkers in the oncology as well as the immune-oncology space. In the current study, gold standard preclinical models are being refined and combined with novel image analysis tools to meet those requirements. METHODS A panel of 14 non-small cell lung cancer patient-derived xenograft models (NSCLC PDX) was propagated in humanized NOD/Shi-scid/IL-2Rnull mice. The models were comprehensively characterized for relevant phenotypic and molecular features, including flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, histology, whole exome sequencing and cytokine secretion. RESULTS Models reflecting hot (>5% tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes/TILs) as opposed to cold tumors (<5% TILs) significantly differed regarding their cytokine profiles, molecular genetic aberrations, stroma content, and programmed cell death ligand-1 status. Treatment experiments including anti cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, anti-programmed cell death 1 or the combination thereof across all 14 models in the single mouse trial format showed distinctive tumor growth response and spatial immune cell patterns as monitored by computerized analysis of digitized whole-slide images. Image analysis provided for the first time qualitative evaluation of the extent to which PDX models retain the histological features from their original human donors. CONCLUSIONS Deep phenotyping of PDX models in a humanized setting by combinations of computational pathology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and proteomics enables the exhaustive analysis of innovative preclinical models and paves the way towards the development of translational biomarkers for immuno-oncology drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Oswald
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Gemany GmbH, Charles River Laboratories Inc, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Bug
- Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anne Grote
- Department of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kanstantsin Lashuk
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Gemany GmbH, Charles River Laboratories Inc, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nassim Bouteldja
- Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Dorothee Lenhard
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Gemany GmbH, Charles River Laboratories Inc, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anne Löhr
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Gemany GmbH, Charles River Laboratories Inc, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anke Behnke
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Gemany GmbH, Charles River Laboratories Inc, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Volker Knauff
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Gemany GmbH, Charles River Laboratories Inc, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anna Edinger
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Gemany GmbH, Charles River Laboratories Inc, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Klingner
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Gemany GmbH, Charles River Laboratories Inc, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simone Gaedicke
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gabriele Niedermann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dorit Merhof
- Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Julia Schueler
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Gemany GmbH, Charles River Laboratories Inc, Freiburg, Germany
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30
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Wang Y, Fang Y, Zhao F, Gu J, Lv X, Xu R, Zhang B, Fang Z, Li Y. Identification of GGT5 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker for Gastric Cancer and its Correlation With Immune Cell Infiltration. Front Genet 2022; 13:810292. [PMID: 35368661 PMCID: PMC8971189 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.810292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system. Recent studies revealed that high gamma-glutamyl-transferase 5 (GGT5) expression was associated with a poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients. In the present study, we aimed to confirm the expression and prognostic value of GGT5 and its correlation with immune cell infiltration in gastric cancer. First, we compared the differential expression of GGT5 between gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric mucosa in the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and GEO NCBI databases using the most widely available data. Then, the Kaplan-Meier method, Cox regression, and univariate logistic regression were applied to explore the relationships between GGT5 and clinical characteristics. We also investigated the correlation of GGT5 with immune cell infiltration, immune-related genes, and immune checkpoint genes. Finally, we estimated enrichment of gene ontologies categories and relevant signaling pathways using GO annotations, KEGG, and GSEA pathway data. The results showed that GGT5 was upregulated in gastric cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. High GGT5 expression was significantly associated with T stage, histological type, and histologic grade (p < 0.05). Moreover, gastric cancer patients with high GGT5 expression showed worse 10-years overall survival (p = 0.008) and progression-free intervals (p = 0.006) than those with low GGT5 expression. Multivariate analysis suggested that high expression of GGT5 was an independent risk factor related to the worse overall survival of gastric cancer patients. A nomogram model for predicting the overall survival of GC was constructed and computationally validated. GGT5 expression was positively correlated with the infiltration of natural killer cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells but negatively correlated with Th17 infiltration. Additionally, we found that GGT5 was positively co-expressed with immune-related genes and immune checkpoint genes. Functional analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes relative to GGT5 were mainly involved in the biological processes of immune and inflammatory responses. In conclusion, GGT5 may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker and a potential immunological therapeutic target for GC, since it is associated with immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuli Wang
- Department of Oncology II, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of Oncology II, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fanchen Zhao
- Department of Oncology II, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiefei Gu
- Information Center, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Lv
- Department of Oncology II, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongzhong Xu
- Department of Oncology II, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Oncology II, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhihong Fang
- Department of Oncology II, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhihong Fang, ; Yan Li,
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Oncology I, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhihong Fang, ; Yan Li,
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31
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Nai A, Ma F, He Z, Zeng S, Bashir S, Song J, Xu M. Development and Validation of a 7-Gene Inflammatory Signature Forecasts Prognosis and Diverse Immune Landscape in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:822739. [PMID: 35372503 PMCID: PMC8964604 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.822739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Inflammatory responses are strongly linked with tumorigenesis and cancer development. This research aimed to construct and validate a novel inflammation response–related risk predictive signature for forecasting the prognosis of patients with LUAD. Methods: Differential expression analysis, univariate Cox, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses of 200 inflammatory response–related genes (IRRG) were performed to establish a risk predictive model in the TCGA training cohort. The performance of the IRRG model was verified in eight GEO datasets. GSEA analysis, ESTIMATE algorithms, and ssGSEA analysis were applied to elucidate the possible mechanisms. Furthermore, the relationship analysis between risk score, model genes, and chemosensitivity was performed. Last, we verified the protein expression of seven model genes by immunohistochemical staining or Western blotting. Results: We constructed a novel inflammatory response–related 7-gene signature (MMP14, BTG2, LAMP3, CCL20, TLR2, IL7R, and PCDH7). Patients in the high-risk group presented markedly decreased survival time in the TCGA cohort and eight GEO cohorts than the low-risk group. Interestingly, multiple pathways related to immune response were suppressed in high-risk groups. The low infiltration levels of B cell, dendritic cell, natural killer cell, and eosinophil can significantly affect the unsatisfactory prognosis of the high-risk group in LUAD. Moreover, the tumor cells’ sensitivity to anticancer drugs was markedly related to risk scores and model genes. The protein expression of seven model genes was consistent with the mRNA expression. Conclusion: Our IRRG prognostic model can effectively forecast LUAD prognosis and is tightly related to immune infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitao Nai
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Ma
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zirui He
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuwen Zeng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shoaib Bashir
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Song
- Department of Oncology, ZhongShan Torch Development Zone Hospital, Zhongshan, China
- *Correspondence: Meng Xu, ; Jian Song,
| | - Meng Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Meng Xu, ; Jian Song,
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32
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Cytokine-Induced Senescence in the Tumor Microenvironment and Its Effects on Anti-Tumor Immune Responses. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061364. [PMID: 35326515 PMCID: PMC8946098 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In contrast to surgical excision, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, immune checkpoint blockade therapies primarily influence cells in the tumor microenvironment, especially the tumor-associated lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells. Besides complete remission of tumor lesions, in some patients, early tumor regression is followed by a consolidation phase where residing tumors remain dormant. Whereas the cytotoxic mechanisms of the regression phase (i.e., apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis, and immune cell-mediated cell death) have been extensively described, the mechanisms underlying the dormant state are still a matter of debate. Here, we propose immune-mediated induction of senescence in cancers as one important player. Senescence can be achieved by tumor-associated antigen-specific T helper 1 cells, cytokines or antibodies targeting immune checkpoints. This concept differs from cytotoxic treatment, which often targets the genetic makeup of cancer cells. The immune system's ability to establish "defensive walls" around tumors also places the tumor microenvironment into the fight against cancer. Those "defensive walls" isolate the tumor cells instead of increasing the selective pressure. They also keep the tumor cells in a non-proliferating state, thereby correcting the derailed tissue homeostasis. In conclusion, strengthening the senescence surveillance of tumors by the immune cells of the microenvironment is a future goal to dampen this life-threatening disease.
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33
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Genova C, Dellepiane C, Carrega P, Sommariva S, Ferlazzo G, Pronzato P, Gangemi R, Filaci G, Coco S, Croce M. Therapeutic Implications of Tumor Microenvironment in Lung Cancer: Focus on Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Front Immunol 2022; 12:799455. [PMID: 35069581 PMCID: PMC8777268 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.799455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been revolutionized by the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) directed against programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1), or cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4). In spite of these improvements, some patients do not achieve any benefit from ICI, and inevitably develop resistance to therapy over time. Tumor microenvironment (TME) might influence response to immunotherapy due to its prominent role in the multiple interactions between neoplastic cells and the immune system. Studies investigating lung cancer from the perspective of TME pointed out a complex scenario where tumor angiogenesis, soluble factors, immune suppressive/regulatory elements and cells composing TME itself participate to tumor growth. In this review, we point out the current state of knowledge involving the relationship between tumor cells and the components of TME in NSCLC as well as their interactions with immunotherapy providing an update on novel predictors of benefit from currently employed ICI or new therapeutic targets of investigational agents. In first place, increasing evidence suggests that TME might represent a promising biomarker of sensitivity to ICI, based on the presence of immune-modulating cells, such as Treg, myeloid derived suppressor cells, and tumor associated macrophages, which are known to induce an immunosuppressive environment, poorly responsive to ICI. Consequently, multiple clinical studies have been designed to influence TME towards a pro-immunogenic state and subsequently improve the activity of ICI. Currently, the mostly employed approach relies on the association of "classic" ICI targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and novel agents directed on molecules, such as LAG-3 and TIM-3. To date, some trials have already shown promising results, while a multitude of prospective studies are ongoing, and their results might significantly influence the future approach to cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Genova
- UO Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Specialità Mediche (DIMI), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Dellepiane
- Lung Cancer Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Carrega
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sara Sommariva
- SuPerconducting and Other INnovative Materials and Devices Institute, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR-SPIN), Genova, Italy
- Life Science Computational Laboratory (LISCOMP), IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Guido Ferlazzo
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Paolo Pronzato
- UO Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Rosaria Gangemi
- UO Bioterapie, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Gilberto Filaci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Specialità Mediche (DIMI), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
- UO Bioterapie, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Simona Coco
- Lung Cancer Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Michela Croce
- UO Bioterapie, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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34
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Yao F, Zhan Y, Pu Z, Lu Y, Chen J, Deng J, Wu Z, Chen B, Chen J, Tian K, Ni Y, Mou L. LncRNAs Target Ferroptosis-Related Genes and Impair Activation of CD4 + T Cell in Gastric Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:797339. [PMID: 34966745 PMCID: PMC8710671 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.797339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant disease of the digestive tract and a life-threatening disease worldwide. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death caused by lipid peroxidation, is reported to be highly correlated with gastric tumorigenesis and immune cell activity. However, the underlying relationship between ferroptosis and the tumor microenvironment in GC and potential intervention strategies have not been unveiled. In this study, we profiled the transcriptome and prognosis data of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in GC samples of the TCGA-STAD dataset. The infiltrating immune cells in GC were estimated using the CIBERSORT and XCELL algorithms. We found that the high expression of the hub FRGs (MYB, PSAT1, TP53, and LONP1) was positively correlated with poor overall survival in GC patients. The results were validated in an external GC cohort (GSE62254). Further immune cell infiltration analysis revealed that CD4+ T cells were the major infiltrated cells in the tumor microenvironment of GC. Moreover, the hub FRGs were significantly positively correlated with activated CD4+ T cell infiltration, especially Th cells. The gene features in the high-FRG score group were enriched in cell division, DNA repair, protein folding, T cell receptor, Wnt and NIK/NF-kappaB signaling pathways, indicating that the hub FRGs may mediate CD4+ T cell activation by these pathways. In addition, an upstream transcriptional regulation network of the hub FRGs by lncRNAs was also developed. Three lncRNAs (A2M-AS1, C2orf27A, and ZNF667-AS1) were identified to be related to the expression of the hub FRGs. Collectively, these results showed that lncRNA A2M-AS1, C2orf27A, and ZNF667-AS1 may target the hub FRGs and impair CD4+ T cell activation, which finally leads to poor prognosis of GC. Effective interventions for the above lncRNAs and the hub FRGs can help promote CD4+ T cell activation in GC patients and improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. These findings provide a novel idea of GC immunotherapy and hold promise for future clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuwen Yao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yongqiang Zhan
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zuhui Pu
- Imaging Department, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine , Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiao Chen
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Deng
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zijing Wu
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Binhua Chen
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinjun Chen
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kuifeng Tian
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yong Ni
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lisha Mou
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Medical Engineering Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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35
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Velichinskii RA, Streltsova MA, Kust SA, Sapozhnikov AM, Kovalenko EI. The Biological Role and Therapeutic Potential of NK Cells in Hematological and Solid Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111385. [PMID: 34768814 PMCID: PMC8584101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy due to their potent antitumor activity. The main advantage of using NK cells as cytotoxic effectors over T cells is a reduced risk of graft versus host disease. At present, several variants of NK-cell-based therapies are undergoing clinical trials and show considerable effectiveness for hematological tumors. In these types of cancers, the immune cells themselves often undergo malignant transformation, which determines the features of the disease. In contrast, the current use of NK cells as therapeutic agents for the treatment of solid tumors is much less promising. Most studies are at the stage of preclinical investigation, but few progress to clinical trials. Low efficiency of NK cell migration and functional activity in the tumor environment are currently considered the major barriers to NK cell anti-tumor therapies. Various therapeutic combinations, genetic engineering methods, alternative sources for obtaining NK cells, and other techniques are aiming at the development of promising NK cell anticancer therapies, regardless of tumorigenesis. In this review, we compare the role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of hematological and solid tumors and discuss current prospects of NK-cell-based therapy for hematological and solid tumors.
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Jegatheeswaran S, Mathews JA, Crome SQ. Searching for the Elusive Regulatory Innate Lymphoid Cell. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 207:1949-1957. [PMID: 34607908 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The complex nature of the innate lymphoid cell (ILC) family and wide range of ILC effector functions has been the focus of intense research. In addition to important roles in host defense, ILCs have central roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis and can promote immune tolerance. Alterations within the microenvironment can impart new functions on ILCs, and can even induce conversion to a distinct ILC family member. Complicating current definitions of ILCs are recent findings of distinct regulatory ILC populations that limit inflammatory responses or recruit other immunosuppressive cells such as regulatory T cells. Whether these populations are distinct ILC family members or rather canonical ILCs that exhibit immunoregulatory functions due to microenvironment signals has been the subject of much debate. In this review, we highlight studies identifying regulatory populations of ILCs that span regulatory NK-like cells, regulatory ILCs, and IL-10-producing ILC2s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinthuja Jegatheeswaran
- Department of Immunology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and.,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessica A Mathews
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah Q Crome
- Department of Immunology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and .,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Bergantini L, d'Alessandro M, Cameli P, Otranto A, Finco T, Curatola G, Sestini P, Bargagli E. Prognostic role of NK cell percentages in bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with different fibrotic interstitial lung diseases. Clin Immunol 2021; 230:108827. [PMID: 34428741 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2021.108827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BAL cellularity and lymphocyte immunophenotyping offer insights into lung inflammatory status. Natural killer (NK) cells are efficient effector cells, producing pro-inflammatory cytokines. A better understanding of the biology of NK cells in BAL in the lungs is necessary to improve the pathogenesis of fibrotic ILD and develop prospective targeted treatments. Our aim was to analyse NK and NKT-like cell percentages in BAL from 159 patients with different ILD: f-HP, f-NSIP, IPF and CTD-ILD, to evaluate their potential diagnostic/prognostic role. BAL NK cell percentages showed significantly higher values in IPF than in f-HP and f-NSIP, while BAL NKT-like cells showed significantly lower values in the f-NSIP than the f-HP and IPF. A cut-off of 4%NK cells in BAL of IPF showed a significant difference in survival rate. It suggests a possible new marker of survival and raises the possibility of new targeted approach in treatment and management of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bergantini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neuroscience, Respiratory Disease and Lung Transplant Unit, Siena University, Siena, Italy.
| | - Miriana d'Alessandro
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neuroscience, Respiratory Disease and Lung Transplant Unit, Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Cameli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neuroscience, Respiratory Disease and Lung Transplant Unit, Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | - Ambra Otranto
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neuroscience, Respiratory Disease and Lung Transplant Unit, Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | - Tommaso Finco
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neuroscience, Respiratory Disease and Lung Transplant Unit, Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curatola
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neuroscience, Respiratory Disease and Lung Transplant Unit, Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | - Piersante Sestini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neuroscience, Respiratory Disease and Lung Transplant Unit, Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Bargagli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neuroscience, Respiratory Disease and Lung Transplant Unit, Siena University, Siena, Italy
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Ahluwalia P, Ahluwalia M, Mondal AK, Sahajpal NS, Kota V, Rojiani MV, Kolhe R. Natural Killer Cells and Dendritic Cells: Expanding Clinical Relevance in the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164037. [PMID: 34439191 PMCID: PMC8394984 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major subtype of lung cancer that accounts for almost 85% of lung cancer cases worldwide. Although recent advances in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy have helped in the clinical management of these patients, the survival rate in advanced stages remains dismal. Furthermore, there is a critical lack of accurate prognostic and stratification markers for emerging immunotherapies. To harness immune response modalities for therapeutic benefits, a detailed understanding of the immune cells in the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) is required. Among the diverse immune cells, natural killer (NK cells) and dendritic cells (DCs) have generated tremendous interest in the scientific community. NK cells play a critical role in tumor immunosurveillance by directly killing malignant cells. DCs link innate and adaptive immune systems by cross-presenting the antigens to T cells. The presence of an immunosuppressive milieu in tumors can lead to inactivation and poor functioning of NK cells and DCs, which results in an adverse outcome for many cancer patients, including those with NSCLC. Recently, clinical intervention using modified NK cells and DCs have shown encouraging response in advanced NSCLC patients. Herein, we will discuss prognostic and predictive aspects of NK cells and DC cells with an emphasis on NSCLC. Additionally, the discussion will extend to potential strategies that seek to enhance the anti-tumor functionality of NK cells and DCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Ahluwalia
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (A.K.M.); (N.S.S.)
| | - Meenakshi Ahluwalia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Ashis K. Mondal
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (A.K.M.); (N.S.S.)
| | - Nikhil S. Sahajpal
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (A.K.M.); (N.S.S.)
| | - Vamsi Kota
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Mumtaz V. Rojiani
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
| | - Ravindra Kolhe
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (P.A.); (A.K.M.); (N.S.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-706-721-2771; Fax: +1-706-434-6053
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Fuertes MB, Domaica CI, Zwirner NW. Leveraging NKG2D Ligands in Immuno-Oncology. Front Immunol 2021; 12:713158. [PMID: 34394116 PMCID: PMC8358801 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.713158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) revolutionized the field of immuno-oncology and opened new avenues towards the development of novel assets to achieve durable immune control of cancer. Yet, the presence of tumor immune evasion mechanisms represents a challenge for the development of efficient treatment options. Therefore, combination therapies are taking the center of the stage in immuno-oncology. Such combination therapies should boost anti-tumor immune responses and/or target tumor immune escape mechanisms, especially those created by major players in the tumor microenvironment (TME) such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAM). Natural killer (NK) cells were recently positioned at the forefront of many immunotherapy strategies, and several new approaches are being designed to fully exploit NK cell antitumor potential. One of the most relevant NK cell-activating receptors is NKG2D, a receptor that recognizes 8 different NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL), including MICA and MICB. MICA and MICB are poorly expressed on normal cells but become upregulated on the surface of damaged, transformed or infected cells as a result of post-transcriptional or post-translational mechanisms and intracellular pathways. Their engagement of NKG2D triggers NK cell effector functions. Also, MICA/B are polymorphic and such polymorphism affects functional responses through regulation of their cell-surface expression, intracellular trafficking, shedding of soluble immunosuppressive isoforms, or the affinity of NKG2D interaction. Although immunotherapeutic approaches that target the NKG2D-NKG2DL axis are under investigation, several tumor immune escape mechanisms account for reduced cell surface expression of NKG2DL and contribute to tumor immune escape. Also, NKG2DL polymorphism determines functional NKG2D-dependent responses, thus representing an additional challenge for leveraging NKG2DL in immuno-oncology. In this review, we discuss strategies to boost MICA/B expression and/or inhibit their shedding and propose that combination strategies that target MICA/B with antibodies and strategies aimed at promoting their upregulation on tumor cells or at reprograming TAM into pro-inflammatory macrophages and remodeling of the TME, emerge as frontrunners in immuno-oncology because they may unleash the antitumor effector functions of NK cells and cytotoxic CD8 T cells (CTL). Pursuing several of these pipelines might lead to innovative modalities of immunotherapy for the treatment of a wide range of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Beatriz Fuertes
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Inés Domaica
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Norberto Walter Zwirner
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Hamilton G, Plangger A. The Impact of NK Cell-Based Therapeutics for the Treatment of Lung Cancer for Biologics: Targets and Therapy. Biologics 2021; 15:265-277. [PMID: 34262255 PMCID: PMC8273903 DOI: 10.2147/btt.s290305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer has a dismal prognosis and novel targeted therapies leave still room for major improvements and better outcomes. Immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoint (IC) proteins, either as single agents or in combination with chemotherapy, is active but responders constitute only approximately 10-15% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Other effector immune cells such as CAR-T cells or NK cells may help to overcome the limitations of the IC inhibitor therapies for lung cancer. NK cells can kill tumor cells without previous priming and are present in the circulatory system and lymphoid organs. Tissue-residing NK cells differ from peripheral effector cells and, in case of the lung, comprise CD56bright CD16-negative populations showing high cytokine release but low cytotoxicity in contrast to the circulating CD56dim CD16-positive NK cells exhibiting high cytotoxic efficacy. This local attenuation of NK cell killing potency seems due to a specific stage of NK differentiation, immunosuppressive factors as well as presence of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (TREGs). Improved NK cell-based immunotherapies involve IL-2-stimulated effector cells, NK cells expanded with the help of cytokines, permanent NK cell lines, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived NK cells and NK cells armed with chimeric antigen receptors. Compared to CAR T cell therapy, NK cells administration is devoid of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and cytokine-release syndrome. Although NK cells are clearly active against lung cancer cells, the low-cytotoxicity differentiation state in lung tumors, the presence of immunosuppressive leucocyte populations, limited infiltration and adverse conditions of the microenvironment need to be overcome. This goal may be achieved in the future using large numbers of activated and armed NK cells as provided by novel methods in NK cell isolation, expansion and stimulation of cytotoxic activity, including combinations with monoclonal antibodies in antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC). This review discusses the basic characteristics of NK cells and the potential of NK cell preparations in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Hamilton
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adelina Plangger
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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41
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Hu Z, Xu X, Wei H. The Adverse Impact of Tumor Microenvironment on NK-Cell. Front Immunol 2021; 12:633361. [PMID: 34177887 PMCID: PMC8226132 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.633361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells are considered an important component of innate immunity, which is the first line of defensing against tumors and viral infections in the absence of prior sensitization. NK cells express an array of germline-encoded receptors, which allow them to eliminate abnormal cells and were previously considered a homogenous population of innate lymphocytes, with limited phenotypic and functional diversity. Although their characteristics are related to their developmental origins, other factors, such as tumors and viral infections, can influence their phenotype. Here, we provide an overview of NK cells in the context of the tumor microenvironment, with a primary focus on their phenotypes, functions, and roles in tumor micro-environment. A comprehensive understanding of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment will provide a theoretical basis for the development of NK cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Hu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
| | - Xiuxiu Xu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
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42
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Hijacked Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment: Molecular Mechanisms of Immunosuppression and Cues to Improve T Cell-Based Immunotherapy of Solid Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115736. [PMID: 34072260 PMCID: PMC8199456 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been expanding in recent years in the context of interactions among different cell types, through direct cell–cell communication as well as through soluble factors. It has become evident that the development of a successful antitumor response depends on several TME factors. In this context, the number, type, and subsets of immune cells, as well as the functionality, memory, and exhaustion state of leukocytes are key factors of the TME. Both the presence and functionality of immune cells, in particular T cells, are regulated by cellular and soluble factors of the TME. In this regard, one fundamental reason for failure of antitumor responses is hijacked immune cells, which contribute to the immunosuppressive TME in multiple ways. Specifically, reactive oxygen species (ROS), metabolites, and anti-inflammatory cytokines have central roles in generating an immunosuppressive TME. In this review, we focused on recent developments in the immune cell constituents of the TME, and the micromilieu control of antitumor responses. Furthermore, we highlighted the current challenges of T cell-based immunotherapies and potential future strategies to consider for strengthening their effectiveness.
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43
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Jiang L, Zhang G, Li Y, Shi G, Li M. Potential Application of Plant-Based Functional Foods in the Development of Immune Boosters. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:637782. [PMID: 33959009 PMCID: PMC8096308 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.637782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune dysfunction, which is responsible for the development of human diseases including cancer, is caused by a variety of factors. Therefore, regulation of the factors influencing the immune response is a potentially effective strategy to counter diseases. Presently, several immune adjuvants are used in clinical practice to enhance the immune response and host defense ability; however, synthetic drugs can exert negative side effects. Thus, the search for natural products of plant origin as new leads for the development of potent and safe immune boosters is gaining considerable research interest. Plant-based functional foods have been shown to exert several immunomodulatory effects in humans; therefore, the application of new agents to enhance immunological and specific host defenses is a promising approach. In this comprehensive review, we have provided an up-to-date report on the use as well as the known and potential mechanisms of bioactive compounds obtained from plant-based functional foods as natural immune boosters. Plant-based bioactive compounds promote immunity through multiple mechanisms, including influencing the immune organs, cellular immunity, humoral immunity, nonspecific immunity, and immune-related signal transduction pathways. Enhancement of the immune response in a natural manner represents an excellent prospect for disease prevention and treatment and is worthy of further research and development using approaches of modern science and technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Guoqing Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hohhot, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Ye Li
- Inner Mongolia Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hohhot, China
| | | | - Minhui Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China.,Pharmaceutical Laboratory, Inner Mongolia Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hohhot, China.,Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Characteristic Geoherbs Resources Protection and Utilization, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China
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44
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Bödder J, Zahan T, van Slooten R, Schreibelt G, de Vries IJM, Flórez-Grau G. Harnessing the cDC1-NK Cross-Talk in the Tumor Microenvironment to Battle Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 11:631713. [PMID: 33679726 PMCID: PMC7933030 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.631713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapeutic approaches have revolutionized the treatment of several diseases such as cancer. The main goal of immunotherapy for cancer is to modulate the anti-tumor immune responses by favoring the recognition and destruction of tumor cells. Recently, a better understanding of the suppressive effect of the tumor microenvironment (TME) on immune cells, indicates that restoring the suppressive effect of the TME is crucial for an efficient immunotherapy. Natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) are cell types that are currently administered to cancer patients. NK cells are used because of their ability to kill tumor cells directly via cytotoxic granzymes. DCs are employed to enhance anti-tumor T cell responses based on their ability to present antigens and induce tumor-antigen specific CD8+ T cell responses. In preclinical models, a particular DC subset, conventional type 1 DCs (cDC1s) is shown to be specialized in cross-presenting extracellular antigens to CD8+ T cells. This feature makes them a promising DC subset for cancer treatment. Within the TME, cDC1s show a bidirectional cross-talk with NK cells, resulting in a higher cDC1 recruitment, differentiation, and maturation as well as activation and stimulation of NK cells. Consequently, the presence of cDC1s and NK cells within the TME might be of utmost importance for the success of immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the function of cDC1s and NK cells, their bidirectional cross-talk and potential strategies that could improve cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Bödder
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tasmin Zahan
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rianne van Slooten
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Gerty Schreibelt
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - I Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Georgina Flórez-Grau
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Gauthier M, Laroye C, Bensoussan D, Boura C, Decot V. Natural Killer cells and monoclonal antibodies: Two partners for successful antibody dependent cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 160:103261. [PMID: 33607229 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies targeting tumors are one of the most important discoveries in the field of cancer. Although several effective antibodies have been developed, a relapse may occur. One of their mechanisms of action is Antibody Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity (ADCC), by engaging the Fc γ receptor CD16 expressing Natural Killer cells, innate lymphoid cells involved in cancer immunosurveillance and able to kill tumor cells. A lack of NK cells observed in many cancers may therefore be a cause of the low efficacy of antibodies observed in some clinical situations. Here we review clear evidences of the essential partnership between NK cells and antibodies showed in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical trials in different indications, describe the hurdles and ways to enhance ADCC and the evolution of monoclonal antibody therapy. NK cell adoptive immunotherapy combined with monoclonal antibodies may overcome the resistance to the treatment and enhance their efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Gauthier
- Lorraine University, CNRS UMR 7365, Team 6, Campus Santé, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France; CHRU Nancy, Cell Therapy and Tissue Bank Unit, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France
| | - Caroline Laroye
- Lorraine University, CNRS UMR 7365, Team 6, Campus Santé, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France; CHRU Nancy, Cell Therapy and Tissue Bank Unit, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France
| | - Danièle Bensoussan
- Lorraine University, CNRS UMR 7365, Team 6, Campus Santé, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France; CHRU Nancy, Cell Therapy and Tissue Bank Unit, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France
| | - Cédric Boura
- Lorraine University, CNRS UMR7039, Team BioSIS, Campus Santé, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France
| | - Véronique Decot
- Lorraine University, CNRS UMR 7365, Team 6, Campus Santé, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France; CHRU Nancy, Cell Therapy and Tissue Bank Unit, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France.
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46
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Peterson EE, Barry KC. The Natural Killer-Dendritic Cell Immune Axis in Anti-Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 11:621254. [PMID: 33613552 PMCID: PMC7886798 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.621254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial mediators of productive immune responses to infection and disease. NK cells and a subtype of DCs, the type 1 conventional DCs (cDC1s), are individually important for regulating immune responses to cancer in mice and humans. Recent work has found that NK cells and cDC1s engage in intercellular cross-talk integral to initiating and coordinating adaptive immunity to cancer. This NK cell-cDC1 axis has been linked to increased overall survival and responses to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in metastatic melanoma patients. Here, we review recent findings on the role of NK cells and cDC1s in protective immune responses to cancer and immunotherapy, as well as current therapies targeting this NK cell-cDC1 axis. Further, we explore the concept that intercellular cross-talk between NK cells and cDC1s may be key for many of the positive prognostic associations seen with NK cells and DCs individually. It is clear that increasing our understanding of the NK cell-cDC1 innate immune cell axis will be critical for the generation of novel therapies that can modulate anti-cancer immunity and increase patient responses to common immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Peterson
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kevin C Barry
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
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Yang N, Lode K, Berzaghi R, Islam A, Martinez-Zubiaurre I, Hellevik T. Irradiated Tumor Fibroblasts Avoid Immune Recognition and Retain Immunosuppressive Functions Over Natural Killer Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 11:602530. [PMID: 33584669 PMCID: PMC7874190 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.602530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that radiotherapy is able to induce anti-tumor immune responses in addition to mediating direct cytotoxic effects. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are central constituents of the tumor stroma and participate actively in tumor immunoregulation. However, the capacity of CAFs to influence immune responses in the context of radiotherapy is still poorly understood. This study was undertaken to determine whether ionizing radiation alters the CAF-mediated immunoregulatory effects on natural killer (NK) cells. CAFs were isolated from freshly resected non-small cell lung cancer tissues, while NK cells were prepared from peripheral blood of healthy donors. Functional assays to study NK cell immune activation included proliferation rates, expression of cell surface markers, secretion of immunomodulators, cytotoxic assays, as well as production of intracellular activation markers such as perforin and granzyme B. Our data show that CAFs inhibit NK cell activation by reducing their proliferation rates, the cytotoxic capacity, the extent of degranulation, and the surface expression of stimulatory receptors, while concomitantly enhancing surface expression of inhibitory receptors. Radiation delivered as single high-dose or in fractioned regimens did not reverse the immunosuppressive features exerted by CAFs over NK cells in vitro, despite triggering enhanced surface expression of several checkpoint ligands on irradiated CAFs. In summary, CAFs mediate noticeable immune inhibitory effects on cytokine-activated NK cells during co-culture in a donor-independent manner. However, ionizing radiation does not interfere with the CAF-mediated immunosuppressive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Yang
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kristin Lode
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Rodrigo Berzaghi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ashraful Islam
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Inigo Martinez-Zubiaurre
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Turid Hellevik
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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