1
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Lekan AA, Weiner LM. The Role of Chemokines in Orchestrating the Immune Response to Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:559. [PMID: 38339310 PMCID: PMC10854906 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are small molecules that function as chemotactic factors which regulate the migration, infiltration, and accumulation of immune cells. Here, we comprehensively assess the structural and functional role of chemokines, examine the effects of chemokines that are present in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor microenvironment (TME), specifically those produced by cancer cells and stromal components, and evaluate their impact on immune cell trafficking, both in promoting and suppressing anti-tumor responses. We further explore the impact of chemokines on patient outcomes in PDAC and their role in the context of immunotherapy treatments, and review clinical trials that have targeted chemokine receptors and ligands in the treatment of PDAC. Lastly, we highlight potential strategies that can be utilized to harness chemokines in order to increase cytotoxic immune cell infiltration and the anti-tumor effects of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louis M. Weiner
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3970 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA;
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2
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Chi A, Nguyen NP. Mechanistic rationales for combining immunotherapy with radiotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1125905. [PMID: 37377970 PMCID: PMC10291094 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1125905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy consisted mainly of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has led to significantly improved antitumor response. However, such response has been observed only in tumors possessing an overall responsive tumor immune micro-environment (TIME), in which the presence of functional tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is critical. Various mechanisms of immune escape from immunosurveillance exist, leading to different TIME phenotypes in correlation with primary or acquired resistance to ICIs. Radiotherapy has been shown to induce antitumor immunity not only in the irradiated primary tumor, but also at unirradiated distant sites of metastases. Such antitumor immunity is mainly elicited by radiation's stimulatory effects on antigenicity and adjuvanticity. Furthermore, it may be significantly augmented when irradiation is combined with immunotherapy, such as ICIs. Therefore, radiotherapy represents one potential therapeutic strategy to restore anti-tumor immunity in tumors presenting with an unresponsive TIME. In this review, the generation of anti-tumor immunity, its impairment, radiation's immunogenic properties, and the antitumor effects of combining radiation with immunotherapy will be comprehensively discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Chi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Capital Medical University Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Nam Phong Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
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3
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Liu H, Davila Gonzalez D, Viswanath DI, Vander Pol RS, Saunders SZ, Di Trani N, Xu Y, Zheng J, Chen S, Chua CYX, Grattoni A. Sustained Intratumoral Administration of Agonist CD40 Antibody Overcomes Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206873. [PMID: 36658712 PMCID: PMC10037694 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Agonist CD40 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) is a promising immunotherapeutic agent for cold-to-hot tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) conversion. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive and lethal cancer known as an immune desert, and therefore urgently needs more effective treatment. Conventional systemic treatment fails to effectively penetrate the characteristic dense tumor stroma. Here, it is shown that sustained low-dose intratumoral delivery of CD40 mAb via the nanofluidic drug-eluting seed (NDES) can modulate the TIME to reduce tumor burden in murine models. NDES achieves tumor reduction at a fourfold lower dosage than systemic treatment while avoiding treatment-related adverse events. Further, abscopal responses are shown where intratumoral treatment yields growth inhibition in distant untreated tumors. Overall, the NDES is presented as a viable approach to penetrate the PDAC immune barrier in a minimally invasive and effective manner, for the overarching goal of transforming treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan‐Chen Liu
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
| | - Daniel Davila Gonzalez
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
| | - Dixita Ishani Viswanath
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
- Texas A&M University College of Medicine2121 W Holcombe BlvdHoustonTX77003USA
| | - Robin Shae Vander Pol
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
| | - Shani Zakiya Saunders
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
| | - Nicola Di Trani
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
| | - Yitian Xu
- Center for Immunotherapy ResearchHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
- ImmunoMonitoring CoreHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
| | - Junjun Zheng
- Center for Immunotherapy ResearchHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
- ImmunoMonitoring CoreHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
| | - Shu‐Hsia Chen
- Center for Immunotherapy ResearchHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
- ImmunoMonitoring CoreHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
| | - Corrine Ying Xuan Chua
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
| | - Alessandro Grattoni
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Research Institute6670 Bertner AveHoustonTX77003USA
- Department of SurgeryHouston Methodist Hospital6565 Fannin St.HoustonTX77003USA
- Department of Radiation OncologyHouston Methodist Hospital6565 Fannin St.HoustonTX77003USA
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4
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McBrearty N, Cho C, Chen J, Zahedi F, Peck AR, Radaelli E, Assenmacher CA, Pavlak C, Devine A, Yu P, Lu Z, Zhang H, Li J, Pitarresi JR, Astsaturov I, Cukierman E, Rustgi AK, Stanger BZ, Rui H, Fuchs SY. Tumor-Suppressive and Immune-Stimulating Roles of Cholesterol 25-hydroxylase in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:228-239. [PMID: 36378658 PMCID: PMC9992122 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-22-0602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cholesterol dependence is an essential characteristic of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) catalyzes monooxygenation of cholesterol into 25-hydroxycholesterol, which is implicated in inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis and in cholesterol depletion. Here, we show that, within PDAC cells, accumulation of cholesterol was facilitated by the loss of CH25H. Methylation of the CH25H gene and decreased levels of CH25H expression occurred in human pancreatic cancers and was associated with poor prognosis. Knockout of Ch25h in mice accelerated progression of Kras-driven pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Conversely, restoration of CH25H expression in human and mouse PDAC cells decreased their viability under conditions of cholesterol deficit, and decelerated tumor growth in immune competent hosts. Mechanistically, the loss of CH25H promoted autophagy resulting in downregulation of MHC-I and decreased CD8+ T-cell tumor infiltration. Re-expression of CH25H in PDAC cells combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors notably inhibited tumor growth. We discuss additional benefits that PDAC cells might gain from inactivation of CH25H and the potential translational importance of these findings for therapeutic approaches to PDAC. IMPLICATIONS Loss of CH25H by pancreatic cancer cells may stimulate tumor progression and interfere with immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen McBrearty
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Christina Cho
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jinyun Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Farima Zahedi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Amy R. Peck
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Enrico Radaelli
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Charles-Antoine Assenmacher
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Clarice Pavlak
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anne Devine
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Pengfei Yu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zhen Lu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hongru Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jinyang Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine and Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jason R. Pitarresi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine and Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Igor Astsaturov
- Marvin and Concetta Greenberg Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Edna Cukierman
- Marvin and Concetta Greenberg Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anil K. Rustgi
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ben Z. Stanger
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine and Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hallgeir Rui
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Serge Y. Fuchs
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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5
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Zhu YH, Zheng JH, Jia QY, Duan ZH, Yao HF, Yang J, Sun YW, Jiang SH, Liu DJ, Huo YM. Immunosuppression, immune escape, and immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer: focused on the tumor microenvironment. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:17-48. [PMID: 36367669 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00741-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer, is characterized by poor treatment response and low survival time. The current clinical treatment for advanced PDAC is still not effective. In recent years, the research and application of immunotherapy have developed rapidly and achieved substantial results in many malignant tumors. However, the translational application in PDAC is still far from satisfactory and needs to be developed urgently. To carry out the study of immunotherapy, it is necessary to fully decipher the immune characteristics of PDAC. This review summarizes the recent progress of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of PDAC and highlights its link with immunotherapy. We describe the molecular cues and corresponding intervention methods, collate several promising targets and progress worthy of further study, and put forward the importance of integrated immunotherapy to provide ideas for future research of TME and immunotherapy of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Heng Zhu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Hao Zheng
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin-Yuan Jia
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Zong-Hao Duan
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Fei Yao
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Wei Sun
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shu-Heng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240, People's Republic of China.
| | - De-Jun Liu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yan-Miao Huo
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Ware MB, Wolfarth AA, Goon JB, Ezeanya UI, Dhar S, Ferrando-Martinez S, Lee BH. The Role of Interleukin-7 in the Formation of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures and Their Prognostic Value in Gastrointestinal Cancers. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOTHERAPY AND PRECISION ONCOLOGY 2022; 5:105-117. [PMID: 36483588 PMCID: PMC9714415 DOI: 10.36401/jipo-22-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapies for the treatment of solid tumors continue to develop in preclinical and clinical research settings. Unfortunately, for many patients the tumor fails to respond or becomes resistant to therapies such as checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) targeting programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4). In many cancers, failed response to CPIs can be attributed to poor T cell infiltration, dominant immunosuppression, and exhausted immune responses. In gastrointestinal (GI) cancers T cell infiltration can be dismal, with several reports finding that CD8+ T cells compose less than 2% of all cells within the tumor. Organized aggregates of lymphocytes, antigen-presenting cells, and vessels, together termed tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), are hypothesized to be a major source of T cells within solid tumors. The intratumoral formation of these organized immune centers appears to rely on intricate cytokine and chemokine signaling to heterogeneous cell populations such as B and T cells, innate lymphoid cells, fibroblasts, and dendritic cells. In GI cancers, the presence and density of TLSs provide prognostic value for predicting outcome and survival. Further, TLS presence and density associates with favorable responses to CPIs in many cancers. This review highlights the prognostic value of TLSs in GI cancers, the role of the homeostatic cytokine interleukin-7 (IL-7) in TLS formation, and the induction of TLSs in solid tumors by novel therapeutics.
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7
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Ravindranathan S, Passang T, Li JM, Wang S, Dhamsania R, Ware MB, Zaidi MY, Zhu J, Cardenas M, Liu Y, Gumber S, Robinson B, Sen-Majumdar A, Zhang H, Chandrakasan S, Kissick H, Frey AB, Thomas SN, El-Rayes BF, Lesinski GB, Waller EK. Targeting vasoactive intestinal peptide-mediated signaling enhances response to immune checkpoint therapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6418. [PMID: 36302761 PMCID: PMC9613684 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34242-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A paucity of effector T cells within tumors renders pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) resistant to immune checkpoint therapies. While several under-development approaches target immune-suppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment, there is less focus on improving T cell function. Here we show that inhibiting vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor (VIP-R) signaling enhances anti-tumor immunity in murine PDAC models. In silico data mining and immunohistochemistry analysis of primary tumors indicate overexpression of the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in human PDAC tumors. Elevated VIP levels are also present in PDAC patient plasma and supernatants of cultured PDAC cells. Furthermore, T cells up-regulate VIP receptors after activation, identifying the VIP signaling pathway as a potential target to enhance T cell function. In mouse PDAC models, VIP-R antagonist peptides synergize with anti-PD-1 antibody treatment in improving T cell recruitment into the tumors, activation of tumor-antigen-specific T cells, and inhibition of T cell exhaustion. In contrast to the limited single-agent activity of anti-PD1 antibodies or VIP-R antagonist peptides, combining both therapies eliminate tumors in up to 40% of animals. Furthermore, tumor-free mice resist tumor re-challenge, indicating anti-cancer immunological memory generation. VIP-R signaling thus represents a tumor-protective immune-modulatory pathway that is targetable in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sruthi Ravindranathan
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Tenzin Passang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jian-Ming Li
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shuhua Wang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rohan Dhamsania
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael Brandon Ware
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mohammad Y Zaidi
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jingru Zhu
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maria Cardenas
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yuan Liu
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sanjeev Gumber
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brian Robinson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Hanwen Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Haydn Kissick
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Centre, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Susan N Thomas
- Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bassel F El-Rayes
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gregory B Lesinski
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Edmund K Waller
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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8
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Wang H, Lu L, Liang X, Chen Y. Identification of prognostic genes in the pancreatic adenocarcinoma immune microenvironment by integrated bioinformatics analysis. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:1757-1769. [PMID: 34854950 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03110-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is one of the most common causes of death among solid tumors, and its pathogenesis remains to be clarified. This study aims to elucidate the value of immune/stromal-related genes in the prognosis of PAAD through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis based on the immune microenvironment and validated in Chinese pancreatic cancer patients. METHODS Gene expression profiles of pancreatic cancer patients were obtained from TCGA database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified based on the ESTIMATE algorithm. Gene co-expression networks were constructed using WGCNA. In the key module, survival analysis was used to reveal the prognostic value. Subsequently, we performed functional enrichment analysis to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The relationship between tumor immune infiltration and hub genes was analyzed by TIMER and CIBERSORT. Finally, it was validated in the GEO database and in tissues of Chinese pancreatic cancer patients. RESULTS In the TCGA pancreatic cancer cohort, a low immune/stromal score was associated with a good prognosis. After bioinformatic analysis, 57 genes were identified to be significantly associated with pancreatic cancer prognosis. Among them, up-regulation of four genes (COL6A3, PLAU, MMP11 and MMP14) indicated poor prognosis and was associated with multiple immune cell infiltration. IHC results showed that PLAU protein levels from Chinese pancreatic cancer tissues were significantly higher than those from adjacent non-tumor tissues and were also associated with tumor TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PLAU may serve as a new diagnostic and therapeutic target, which is highly expressed in Chinese pancreatic cancer tissues and associated with lymph node metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haolan Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Liqing Lu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Xujun Liang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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9
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Selective Elimination of Senescent Fibroblasts by Targeting the Cell Surface Protein ACKR3. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126531. [PMID: 35742971 PMCID: PMC9223754 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of senescent cells in aging tissues is associated with age-related diseases and functional decline. Thus, senolysis, a therapy aimed at rejuvenation by removing senescent cells from the body, is being developed. However, this therapy requires the identification of membrane surface antigens that are specifically expressed on senescent cells for their selective elimination. We showed that atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3), a receptor of the CXC motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12) implicated in cancer, inflammation, and cardiovascular disorders, is selectively expressed on the surface of senescent human fibroblasts but not on proliferating cells. Importantly, the differential presence of ACKR3 enabled the isolation of senescent cells by flow cytometry using anti-ACKR3 antibodies. Furthermore, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays revealed that cell surface ACKR3 preferentially sensitizes senescent but not dividing fibroblasts to cell injury by natural killer cells. Conclusively, the selective expression of ACKR3 on the surface of senescent cells allows the preferential elimination of senescent cells. These results might contribute to the future development of novel senolysis approaches.
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10
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Hung YH, Chen LT, Hung WC. The Trinity: Interplay among Cancer Cells, Fibroblasts, and Immune Cells in Pancreatic Cancer and Implication of CD8 + T Cell-Orientated Therapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040926. [PMID: 35453676 PMCID: PMC9026398 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The microenvironment in tumors is complicated and is constituted by different cell types and stromal proteins. Among the cell types, the abundance of cancer cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells is high and these cells work as the “Trinity” in promoting tumorigenesis. Although unidirectional or bidirectional crosstalk between two independent cell types has been well characterized, the multi-directional interplays between cancer cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells in vitro and in vivo are still unclear. We summarize recent studies in addressing the interaction of the “Trinity” members in the tumor microenvironment and propose a functional network for how these members communicate with each other. In addition, we discuss the underlying mechanisms mediating the interplay. Moreover, correlations of the alterations in the distribution and functionality of cancer cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells under different circumstances are reviewed. Finally, we point out the future application of CD8+ T cell-oriented therapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsuan Hung
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
| | - Li-Tzong Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (L.-T.C.); (W.-C.H.)
| | - Wen-Chun Hung
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (L.-T.C.); (W.-C.H.)
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11
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Hussain A. Therapeutic applications of engineered chimeric antigen receptors-T cell for cancer therapy. BENI-SUEF UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43088-022-00238-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Findings of new targeted treatments with adequate safety evaluations are essential for better cancer cures and mortality rates. Immunotherapy holds promise for patients with relapsed disease, with the ability to elicit long-term remissions. Emerging promising clinical results in B-cell malignancy using gene-altered T-lymphocytes uttering chimeric antigen receptors have sparked a lot of interest. This treatment could open the path for a major difference in the way we treat tumors that are resistant or recurring.
Main body
Genetically altered T cells used to produce tumor-specific chimeric antigen receptors are resurrected fields of adoptive cell therapy by demonstrating remarkable success in the treatment of malignant tumors. Because of the molecular complexity of chimeric antigen receptors-T cells, a variety of engineering approaches to improve safety and effectiveness are necessary to realize larger therapeutic uses. In this study, we investigate new strategies for enhancing chimeric antigen receptors-T cell therapy by altering chimeric antigen receptors proteins, T lymphocytes, and their relations with another solid tumor microenvironment (TME) aspects. Furthermore, examine the potential region of chimeric antigen receptors-T cells therapy to become a most effective treatment modality, taking into account the basic and clinical and practical aspect.
Short conclusions
Chimeric antigen receptors-T cells have shown promise in the therapy of hematological cancers. Recent advancements in protein and cell editing, as well as genome-editing technologies, have paved the way for multilayered T cell therapy techniques that can address numerous important demands. At around the same time, there is crosstalk between various intended aspects within the chimeric antigen receptors-T cell diverse biological complexity and possibilities. These breakthroughs substantially improve the ability to comprehend these complex interactions in future solid tumor chimeric antigen receptor-T cell treatment and open up new treatment options for patients that are currently incurable.
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Wang L, Sun W, Zhang G, Huo J, Tian Y, Zhang Y, Yang X, Liu Y. T-cell activation is associated with high-grade serous ovarian cancer survival. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2022; 48:2189-2197. [PMID: 35334503 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15234] [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: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is an aggressive disease that is largely resistant to today's immunotherapies. Here, we aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of CTLA4, PD-1, and T-cell activation status in HGSOC. METHODS Using a publicly accessed microarray dataset including 260 HGSOC samples, we calculated Kaplan-Meier survival curves for overall survival (OS), evaluated associations with multivariate Cox regression models to evaluate the associations, and summarized using a hazard ratio (HR). The correlations between PD-1 gene expression and that of other genes were calculated by Pearson correlation. RESULTS Multivariate survival analyses showed that high PD-1 expression but not CTLA4 was associated with longer OS (HR = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52-0.91; p = 0.01), and that higher T-cell activation score was associated with better outcome (HR = 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.58-0.95; p = 0.02). The top three PD-1 highly correlated genes were SIRPG (r = 0.90, p < 2E-16), FASL (r = 0.89, p < 2E-16), and CD8a (r = 0.87, p < 2E-16). HGSOC patients' OS is positively associated T-cell activation score and PD-1 expression but not CTLA4. CONCLUSION T cell activation score may serve as a candidate for personalized immunotherapy in HGSOC. The application of anti-PD-1 therapy to HGSOC should be cautious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Cangzhou Medical College, Cangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wenjie Sun
- Science and Technology Experiment Center, Cangzhou Medical College, Cangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Guoan Zhang
- Science and Technology Experiment Center, Cangzhou Medical College, Cangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jingrui Huo
- Science and Technology Experiment Center, Cangzhou Medical College, Cangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yi Tian
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Cangzhou Medical College, Cangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Science and Technology Experiment Center, Cangzhou Medical College, Cangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohui Yang
- Science and Technology Experiment Center, Cangzhou Medical College, Cangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yingfu Liu
- Cangzhou Nanobody Technology Innovation Center, Cangzhou Medical College, Cangzhou, P.R. China
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Tang S, Shi L, Luker BT, Mickler C, Suresh B, Lesinski GB, Fan D, Liu Y, Luo M. Modulation of the tumor microenvironment by armed vesicular stomatitis virus in a syngeneic pancreatic cancer model. Virol J 2022; 19:32. [PMID: 35197076 PMCID: PMC8867845 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01757-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The immunosuppressive microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a major factor that limits the benefits of immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint blockade. One viable strategy for reverting the immunosuppressive conditions is the use of an oncolytic virus (OV) in combination with other immunotherapy approaches. Infection of PDAC cells with a robust OV can change the tumor microenvironment and increase tumor antigen release by its lytic activities. These changes in the tumor may improve responses to immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint blockade. However, a more potent OV may be required for efficiently infecting pancreatic tumors that may be resistant to OV. Methods Vesicular stomatitis virus, a rapid replicating OV, was armed to express the Smac protein during virus infection (VSV-S). Adaptation by limited dilution largely increased the selective infection of pancreatic cancer cells by VSV-S. The engineered OV was propagated to a large quantity and evaluated for their antitumor activities in an animal model. Results In a syngeneic KPC model, intratumoral injection of VSV-S inhibited tumor growth, and induced increasing tumor infiltration of neutrophils and elimination of myeloid derived suppressor cells and macrophages in the tumor. More importantly, M2-like macrophages were eliminated preferentially over those with an M1 phenotype. Reduced levels of arginase 1, TGF-β and IL-10 in the tumor also provided evidence for reversion of the immunosuppressive conditions by VSV-S infection. In several cases, tumors were completely cleared by VSV-S treatment, especially when combined with anti-PD-1 therapy. A long-term survival of 44% was achieved. Conclusions The improved OV, VSV-S, was shown to drastically alter the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment when intratumorally injected. Our results suggest that the combination of potent OV treatment with immune checkpoint blockade may be a promising strategy to treat pancreatic cancer more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Tang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA
| | - Breona T Luker
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA
| | - Channen Mickler
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA
| | - Bhavana Suresh
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA
| | - Gregory B Lesinski
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Daping Fan
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.,Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA
| | - Ming Luo
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA. .,Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302, USA.
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Goulart MR, Stasinos K, Fincham REA, Delvecchio FR, Kocher HM. T cells in pancreatic cancer stroma. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:7956-7968. [PMID: 35046623 PMCID: PMC8678814 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i46.7956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly devastating disease with a dismal 5-year survival rate. PDAC has a complex tumour microenvironment; characterised by a robust desmoplastic stroma, extensive infiltration of immunesuppressive cells such as immature myeloid cells, tumour-associated macrophages, neutrophils and regulatory T cells, and the presence of exhausted and senescent T cells. The cross-talk between cells in this fibrotic tumour establishes an immune-privileged microenvironment that supports tumour cell escape from immune-surveillance, disease progression and spread to distant organs. PDAC tumours, considered to be non-immunogenic or cold, express low mutation burden, low infiltration of CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes that are localised along the invasive margin of the tumour border in the surrounding fibrotic tissue, and often display an exhausted phenotype. Here, we review the role of T cells in pancreatic cancer, examine the complex interactions of these crucial effector units within pancreatic cancer stroma and shed light on the increasingly attractive use of T cells as therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R Goulart
- Centre for Tumour Biology Barts Cancer Institute-A CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Stasinos
- Centre for Tumour Biology Barts Cancer Institute-A CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
- Barts and the London HPB Centre, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London E1 1BB, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Elizabeth Ann Fincham
- Centre for Tumour Biology Barts Cancer Institute-A CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca R Delvecchio
- Centre for Tumour Biology Barts Cancer Institute-A CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
- Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Hemant M Kocher
- Centre for Tumour Biology Barts Cancer Institute-A CRUK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
- Barts and the London HPB Centre, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London E1 1BB, United Kingdom
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Du Y, Cao J, Jiang X, Cai X, Wang B, Wang Y, Wang X, Xue B. Comprehensive analysis of CXCL12 expression reveals the significance of inflammatory fibroblasts in bladder cancer carcinogenesis and progression. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:613. [PMID: 34801033 PMCID: PMC8606085 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02314-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer (BLCA) is the most common genitourinary tumor but lacks specific diagnostic biomarkers. Recent years have witnessed significant advances in the use and approval of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy to manage BLCA at advanced stages when platinum-based therapy has failed. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is essential in impacting BLCA patients' prognosis and responsiveness to ICB therapy. CXCL12 is a stromal secreted factor that was essentially involved in regulating the TME among cancers. In this article, we thoroughly investigated the TME regulating roles of CXCL12 in BLCA and revealed its critical involvement in the development of BLCA, which was closely correlated with inflammatory fibroblasts (iCAFs). Methods We examined the gene expression profiles in the TCGA and GEO database to reveal the potential association of CXCL12 with the carcinogenesis and prognosis of BLCA. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to explore the accuracy of CXCL12 along with multiple iCAFs-associated genes in the diagnosis of BLCA. The MCP-COUNTER, ESTIMATE, and TIDE algorithms were applied to estimate the TME components and predict immunotherapy responsiveness. An iCAFs signature was constructed using the ssGSEA algorithm. The "maftool" R package analyzed the oncogenic mutations in BLCA patients. Bioinformatics analysis results were further validated through immunohistochemistry of clinical samples. IMvigor210 cohort was used to validate bioinformatic predictions of therapeutic responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Results This manuscript revealed a significantly reduced expression of CXCL12 in BLCA compared with normal tissue. The expressions of various marker genes for iCAFs were also reduced considerably in BLCA tissues, highlighting the reduction of iCAFs in the pathogenesis of BLCA. Further studies revealed that CXCL12 and iCAFs were associated with pathological features, TME remodeling and aging in BLCA patients. The iCAFs signature further confirmed the intricate immunomodulatory roles of iCAFs in BLCA. Gene mutation analysis revealed the essential relationship between iCAFs and the mutation frequency of oncogenic genes, including TP53 and FGFR3. Meantimes, iCAFs levels also significantly affected BLCA patients' mutations in the TP53 and RTK-RAS pathways. Finally, our results confirmed the significant exclusion of CD8 + T cells by iCAFs, which further influenced the immunotherapy responsiveness in BLCA patients. Conclusions This article highlighted the impact of CXCL12 on the pathogenesis and progression of BLCA. The reduced expression levels of iCAFs markers, including CXCL12, were highly accurate in the diagnosis of BLCA, suggesting the reduction of iCAFs accompanied bladder carcinogenesis. However, both CXCL12 and iCAFs significantly impacted the prognosis and immunotherapy responsiveness for BLCA patients by remodeling the TME. Our results critically suggested the dual roles of iCAFs in the carcinogenesis and progression of BLCA. Further exploration of iCAFs might unravel potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for BLCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- YiHeng Du
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China.,Department of Urology, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Suzhou, 215028, China
| | - Jin Cao
- Department of Pathology, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Suzhou, 215028, China
| | - Xiang Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Suzhou, 215028, China
| | - XiaoWei Cai
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Suzhou, 215028, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Suzhou, 215028, China
| | - XiZhi Wang
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Suzhou, 215028, China.
| | - BoXin Xue
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China.
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Lu C, Liu Z, Klement JD, Yang D, Merting AD, Poschel D, Albers T, Waller JL, Shi H, Liu K. WDR5-H3K4me3 epigenetic axis regulates OPN expression to compensate PD-L1 function to promote pancreatic cancer immune escape. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e002624. [PMID: 34326167 PMCID: PMC8323468 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite PD-L1 (Programmed death receptor ligand-1) expression on tumor cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes tumor infiltration in the tumor microenvironment, human pancreatic cancer stands out as one of the human cancers that does not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy. Epigenome dysregulation has emerged as a major mechanism in T cell exhaustion and non-response to ICI immunotherapy, we, therefore, aimed at testing the hypothesis that an epigenetic mechanism compensates PD-L1 function to render pancreatic cancer non-response to ICI immunotherapy. METHODS Two orthotopic pancreatic tumor mouse models were used for chromatin immunoprecipitation-Seq and RNA-Seq to identify genome-wide dysregulation of H3K4me3 and gene expression. Human pancreatic tumor and serum were analyzed for osteopontin (OPN) protein level and for correlation with patient prognosis. OPN and PD-L1 cellular location were determined in the tumors using flow cytometry. The function of WDR5-H3K4me3 axis in OPN expression were determined by Western blotting. The function of H3K4me3-OPN axis in pancreatic cancer immune escape and response to ICI immunotherapy was determined in an orthotopic pancreatic tumor mouse model. RESULTS Mouse pancreatic tumors have a genome-wide increase in H3K4me3 deposition as compared with normal pancreas. OPN and its receptor CD44 were identified being upregulated in pancreatic tumors by their promoter H3K4me3 deposition. OPN protein is increased in both tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in human pancreatic carcinoma and is inversely correlated with pancreatic cancer patient survival. OPN is primarily expressed in tumor cells and monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs), whereas PD-L1 is expressed in tumor cells, M-MDSCs, polymorphonuclear MDSCs and tumor-associated macrophages. WDR5 is essential for H3K4me3-specific histone methyltransferase activity that regulates OPN expression in tumor cells and MDSCs. Inhibition of WDR5 significantly decreased OPN protein level. Inhibition of WDR5 or knocking out of OPN suppressed orthotopic mouse pancreatic tumor growth. Inhibition of WDR5 also significantly increased efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in suppression of mouse pancreatic tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS OPN compensates PD-L1 function to promote pancreatic cancer immune escape. Pharmacological inhibition of the WDR5-H3K4me3 epigenetic axis is effective in suppressing pancreatic tumor immune escape and in improving efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunwan Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhuoqi Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - John D Klement
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Dafeng Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Alyssa D Merting
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Dakota Poschel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Thomas Albers
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jennifer L Waller
- Department of Population Health Science, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Huidong Shi
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kebin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA
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