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Zeng Q, Zeng S, Dai X, Ding Y, Huang C, Ruan R, Xiong J, Tang X, Deng J. MDM2 inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy: Current status and perspective. Genes Dis 2024; 11:101279. [PMID: 39263534 PMCID: PMC11388719 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2024.101279] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) plays an essential role in the cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA repair, and oncogene activation through p53-dependent and p53-independent signaling pathways. Several preclinical studies have shown that MDM2 is involved in tumor immune evasion. Therefore, MDM2-based regulation of tumor cell-intrinsic immunoregulation and the immune microenvironment has attracted increasing research attention. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 have been widely used in the clinic. However, the effectiveness of a single agent is only approximately 20%-40%, which may be related to primary and secondary drug resistance caused by the dysregulation of oncoproteins. Here, we reviewed the role of MDM2 in regulating the immune microenvironment, tumor immune evasion, and hyperprogression during immunotherapy. In addition, we summarized preclinical and clinical findings on the use of MDM2 inhibitors in combination with immunotherapy in tumors with MDM2 overexpression or amplification. The results reveal that the inhibition of MDM2 could be a promising strategy for enhancing immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinru Zeng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Individual Cancer Therapy, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Shaocheng Zeng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Individual Cancer Therapy, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Xiaofeng Dai
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Individual Cancer Therapy, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Yun Ding
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Individual Cancer Therapy, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Chunye Huang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Individual Cancer Therapy, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Ruiwen Ruan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Individual Cancer Therapy, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Jianping Xiong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Individual Cancer Therapy, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Xiaomei Tang
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Chest Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Jun Deng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Individual Cancer Therapy, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
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Liu Y, Yang R, Zhang M, Yang B, Du Y, Feng H, Wang W, Xue B, Niu F, He P. Multi-omics landscape of Interferon-stimulated gene OASL reveals a potential biomarker in pan-cancer: from prognosis to tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1402951. [PMID: 39286258 PMCID: PMC11402691 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1402951] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background OASL (Oligoadenylate Synthetase-Like), an interferon-induced protein in the OAS family, plays a significant role in anti-viral response. Studies have demonstrated its association with prognosis of certain tumors. However, the mechanism through which OASL affects tumors is unclear. A systemic pan-cancer study of OASL needs to be illustrated. Methods Analysis of OASL expression across 33 tumors was conducted utilizing TCGA, GTEx and CPTAC databases. COX and Log-Rank regressions were employed to calculate the prognosis. We validated the impact of OASL on apoptosis, migration, and invasion in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Moreover, we employed seven algorithms in bulk data to investigate the association of OASL expression and immune cell infiltration within tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and ultimately validated at single-cell transcriptome level. Results We discovered elevated expression of OASL and its genetic heterogeneity in certain tumors, which link closely to prognosis. Validation experiments were conducted in PAAD and confirmed these findings. Additionally, OASL regulates immune checkpoint ligand such as programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), through IFN-γ/STAT1 and IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathways in tumor cells. Meanwhile, OASL affects macrophages infiltration in TIME. By these mechanisms OASL could cause dysfunction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in tumors. Discussion Multi-omics analysis reveals OASL as a prognostic and immunological biomarker in pan-cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Runyu Yang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mengyao Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bingyu Yang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yue Du
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Feng
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Busheng Xue
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fan Niu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pengcheng He
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Naskar S, Sriraman N, Sarkar A, Mahajan N, Sarkar K. Tumor antigen presentation and the associated signal transduction during carcinogenesis. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 261:155485. [PMID: 39088877 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Numerous developments have been achieved in the study and treatment of cancer throughout the decades that it has been common. After decades of research, about 100 different kinds of cancer have been found, each with unique subgroups within certain organs. This has significantly expanded our understanding of the illness. A mix of genetic, environmental, and behavioral variables contribute to the complicated and diverse process of cancer formation. Mutations, or changes in the DNA sequence, are crucial to the development of cancer. These mutations have the ability to downregulate the expression and function of Major Histocompatibility Complex class I (MHC I) and MHCII receptors, as well as activate oncogenes and inactivate tumor suppressor genes. Cancer cells use this tactic to avoid being recognized by cytotoxic CD8+T lymphocytes, which causes issues with antigen presentation and processing. This review goes into great length into the PI3K pathway, changes to MHC I, and positive impacts of tsMHC-II on disease-free survival and overall survival and the involvement of dendritic cells (DCs) in different tumor microenvironments. The vital functions that the PI3K pathway and its link to the mTOR pathway are highlighted and difficulties in developing effective cancer targeted therapies and feedback systems has also been mentioned, where resistance mechanisms include RAS-mediated oncogenic changes and active PI3K signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohom Naskar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India
| | - Nawaneetan Sriraman
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India
| | - Ankita Sarkar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India
| | - Nitika Mahajan
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India
| | - Koustav Sarkar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India.
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Burdett NL, Willis MO, Pandey A, Twomey L, Alaei S, Bowtell DDL, Christie EL. Timing of whole genome duplication is associated with tumor-specific MHC-II depletion in serous ovarian cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6069. [PMID: 39025846 PMCID: PMC11258338 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50137-y] [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] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Whole genome duplication is frequently observed in cancer, and its prevalence in our prior analysis of end-stage, homologous recombination deficient high grade serous ovarian cancer (almost 80% of samples) supports the notion that whole genome duplication provides a fitness advantage under the selection pressure of therapy. Here, we therefore aim to identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities in primary high grade serous ovarian cancer with whole genome duplication by assessing differentially expressed genes and pathways in 79 samples. We observe that MHC-II expression is lowest in tumors which have acquired whole genome duplication early in tumor evolution, and further demonstrate that reduced MHC-II expression occurs in subsets of tumor cells rather than in canonical antigen-presenting cells. Early whole genome duplication is also associated with worse patient survival outcomes. Our results suggest an association between the timing of whole genome duplication, MHC-II expression and clinical outcome in high grade serous ovarian cancer that warrants further investigation for therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki L Burdett
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Box Hill Hospital, Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC, 3128, Australia
| | | | - Ahwan Pandey
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Laura Twomey
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Sara Alaei
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - David D L Bowtell
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Elizabeth L Christie
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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Kaur K, Sanghu J, Memarzadeh S, Jewett A. Exploring the Potential of Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Targeting High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinomas. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:677. [PMID: 38932405 PMCID: PMC11209217 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060677] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOCs) likely consist of poorly differentiated stem-like cells (PDSLCs) and differentiated tumor cells. Conventional therapeutics are incapable of completely eradicating PDSLCs, contributing to disease progression and tumor relapse. Primary NK cells are known to effectively lyse PDSLCs, but they exhibit low or minimal cytotoxic potential against well-differentiated tumors. We have introduced and discussed the characteristics of super-charged NK (sNK) cells in this review. sNK cells, in comparison to primary NK cells, exhibit a significantly higher capability for the direct killing of both PDSLCs and well-differentiated tumors. In addition, sNK cells secrete significantly higher levels of cytokines, especially those known to induce the differentiation of tumors. In addition, we propose that a combination of sNK and chemotherapy could be one of the most effective strategies to eliminate the heterogeneous population of ovarian tumors; sNK cells can lyse both PDSLCs and well-differentiated tumors, induce the differentiation of PDSLCs, and could be used in combination with chemotherapy to target both well-differentiated and NK-induced differentiated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Jashan Sanghu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.S.); (S.M.)
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sanaz Memarzadeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.S.); (S.M.)
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
| | - Anahid Jewett
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, The Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology, University of California School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Chai C, Liang L, Mikkelsen NS, Wang W, Zhao W, Sun C, Bak RO, Li H, Lin L, Wang F, Luo Y. Single-cell transcriptome analysis of epithelial, immune, and stromal signatures and interactions in human ovarian cancer. Commun Biol 2024; 7:131. [PMID: 38278958 PMCID: PMC10817929 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05826-1] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive investigation of ovarian cancer (OC) progression at the single-cell level is crucial for enhancing our understanding of the disease, as well as for the development of better diagnoses and treatments. Here, over half a million single-cell transcriptome data were collected from 84 OC patients across all clinical stages. Through integrative analysis, we identified heterogeneous epithelial-immune-stromal cellular compartments and their interactions in the OC microenvironment. The epithelial cells displayed clinical subtype features with functional variance. A significant increase in distinct T cell subtypes was identified including Tregs and CD8+ exhausted T cells from stage IC2. Additionally, we discovered antigen-presenting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), with myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs) exhibiting enriched extracellular matrix (ECM) functionality linked to tumor progression at stage IC2. Furthermore, the NECTIN2-TIGIT ligand-receptor pair was identified to mediate T cells communicating with epithelial, fibroblast, endothelial, and other cell types. Knock-out of NECTIN2 using CRISPR/Cas9 inhibited ovarian cancer cell (SKOV3) proliferation, and increased T cell proliferation when co-cultured. These findings shed light on the cellular compartments and functional aspects of OC, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying stage IC2 and potential therapeutic strategies for OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaochao Chai
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Langchao Liang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | | | - Wei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wandong Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China
| | - Chengcheng Sun
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China
| | - Rasmus O Bak
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hanbo Li
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Fei Wang
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China.
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, 518083, China.
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Yonglun Luo
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China.
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, 518083, China.
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Luo Y, Chen D, Xing XL. Comprehensive Analyses Revealed Eight Immune Related Signatures Correlated With Aberrant Methylations as Prognosis and Diagnosis Biomarkers for Kidney Renal Papillary Cell Carcinoma. Clin Genitourin Cancer 2023; 21:537-545. [PMID: 37455213 DOI: 10.1016/j.clgc.2023.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP) is a common type of renal cell carcinoma. DNA methylation plays an important role in the development of several cancers. The aim of our study was to identify differentially expressed genes associated with abnormal DNA methylation as biomarkers for predicting the outcome of KIRP. METHOD We downloaded KIRP methylation data, RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data, and their corresponding clinical information from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. ChAMP and DEGseq2 packages in R software were used to screen differentially methylated probes (DMPs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify suitable immune related genes correlated with aberrant methylations as prognosis biomarkers. RESULTS We identified 8 DEGs (Cysteine And Glycine Rich Protein 1 [CSRP1], major histocompatibility complex, Class II, DM Beta [HLA-DMB], LIF Receptor Subunit Alpha [LIFR], Leukotriene B4 receptor 2 [LTB4R2], Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase 14 [MAP3K14], Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 2 Group F Member 1 [NR2F1], Secreted And Transmembrane 1 [SECTM1], and Vimentin [VIM]) that were independently associated with the overall survival (months) (OS) of KIRP. The time dependent area under the curve (AUC) for each receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of the risk assessment model at 1, 3, 5, and 10-years reached 0.8415, 0.8131, 0.7873, and 0.7667. The risk assessment model was correlated with several immune cells and factors. The AUC value of the diagnosis model using those 8 DEGs reached 0.99. CONCLUSIONS The risk assessment model constructed by those 8 DEGs was well able to predict the prognosis and diagnose of KIRP. However, whether the prognosis and diagnosis model could be applied in clinical practice requires further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueji Luo
- School of Basic Medicine, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Danna Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Liang Xing
- School of Public Health and Laboratory Medicine, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, Hunan, P. R. China.
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Macy AM, Herrmann LM, Adams AC, Hastings KT. Major histocompatibility complex class II in the tumor microenvironment: functions of nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells. Curr Opin Immunol 2023; 83:102330. [PMID: 37130456 PMCID: PMC10524529 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2023.102330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex class-II-restricted presentation by nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells in the tumor microenvironment can regulate antitumor T-cell responses. In murine models, tumor cell-specific MHC class II expression decreases in vivo tumor growth, dependent on T cells. Tumor cell-specific MHC class II expression is associated with improved survival and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in human cancers. Antigen-presenting cancer-associated fibroblasts (apCAF) present MHC class-II-restricted antigens and activate CD4 T cells. The role of MHC class II on apCAFs depends on the cell of origin. MHC class II on tumoral lymphatic endothelial cells leads to expansion of regulatory T cells and increased in vivo tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Macy
- University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, 425 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 650 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023, USA
| | - Lauren M Herrmann
- University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, 425 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 650 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023, USA
| | - Anngela C Adams
- University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, 425 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 650 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023, USA
| | - K Taraszka Hastings
- University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, 425 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 650 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023, USA; University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, 1515 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
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Giriyappagoudar M, Vastrad B, Horakeri R, Vastrad C. Identification and Interaction Analysis of Molecular Markers in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Bioinformatics and Next-Generation Sequencing Data Analysis. Bioinform Biol Insights 2023; 17:11779322231186719. [PMID: 37529485 PMCID: PMC10387711 DOI: 10.1177/11779322231186719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Intense efforts have been made to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis, but the molecular mechanisms of PDAC are still not well understood. The purpose of this study is to further explore the molecular mechanism of PDAC through integrated bioinformatics analysis. Methods To identify the candidate genes in the carcinogenesis and progression of PDAC, next-generation sequencing (NGS) data set GSE133684 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses were performed. The protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed and the module analysis was performed using Integrated Interactions Database (IID) interactome database and Cytoscape. Subsequently, miRNA-DEG regulatory network and TF-DEG regulatory network were constructed using miRNet database, NetworkAnalyst database, and Cytoscape software. The expression levels of hub genes were validated based on Kaplan-Meier analysis, expression analysis, stage analysis, mutation analysis, protein expression analysis, immune infiltration analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results A total of 463 DEGs were identified, consisting of 232 upregulated genes and 233 downregulated genes. The enriched GO terms and pathways of the DEGs include vesicle organization, secretory vesicle, protein dimerization activity, lymphocyte activation, cell surface, transferase activity, transferring phosphorus-containing groups, hemostasis, and adaptive immune system. Four hub genes (namely, cathepsin B [CCNB1], four-and-a-half LIM domains 2 (FHL2), major histocompatibility complex, class II, DP alpha 1 (HLA-DPA1) and tubulin beta 1 class VI (TUBB1)) were obtained via taking interaction of different analysis results. Conclusions On the whole, the findings of this investigation enhance our understanding of the potential molecular mechanisms of PDAC and provide potential targets for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Basavaraj Vastrad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, K.L.E. Society’s College of Pharmacy, Gadag, India
| | - Rajeshwari Horakeri
- Department of Computer Science, Government First Grade College, Hubballi, India
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Wen M, Li Y, Qin X, Qin B, Wang Q. Insight into Cancer Immunity: MHCs, Immune Cells and Commensal Microbiota. Cells 2023; 12:1882. [PMID: 37508545 PMCID: PMC10378520 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells circumvent immune surveillance via diverse strategies. In accordance, a large number of complex studies of the immune system focusing on tumor cell recognition have revealed new insights and strategies developed, largely through major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs). As one of them, tumor-specific MHC-II expression (tsMHC-II) can facilitate immune surveillance to detect tumor antigens, and thereby has been used in immunotherapy, including superior cancer prognosis, clinical sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) therapy and tumor-bearing rejection in mice. NK cells play a unique role in enhancing innate immune responses, accounting for part of the response including immunosurveillance and immunoregulation. NK cells are also capable of initiating the response of the adaptive immune system to cancer immunotherapy independent of cytotoxic T cells, clearly demonstrating a link between NK cell function and the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. Eosinophils were shown to feature pleiotropic activities against a variety of solid tumor types, including direct interactions with tumor cells, and accessorily affect immunotherapeutic response through intricating cross-talk with lymphocytes. Additionally, microbial sequencing and reconstitution revealed that commensal microbiota might be involved in the modulation of cancer progression, including positive and negative regulatory bacteria. They may play functional roles in not only mucosal modulation, but also systemic immune responses. Here, we present a panorama of the cancer immune network mediated by MHCI/II molecules, immune cells and commensal microbiota and a discussion of prospective relevant intervening mechanisms involved in cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minting Wen
- School of Life Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yingjing Li
- School of Life Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaonan Qin
- School of Life Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bing Qin
- School of Life Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- School of Life Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Pankowska KA, Będkowska GE, Chociej-Stypułkowska J, Rusak M, Dąbrowska M, Osada J. Crosstalk of Immune Cells and Platelets in an Ovarian Cancer Microenvironment and Their Prognostic Significance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119279. [PMID: 37298230 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the deadliest gynecological cancers, largely due to the fast development of metastasis and drug resistance. The immune system is a critical component of the OC tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune cells such as T cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells (DC) play a key role in anti-tumor immunity. However, OC tumor cells are well known for evading immune surveillance by modulating the immune response through various mechanisms. Recruiting immune-suppressive cells such as regulatory T cells (Treg cells), macrophages, or myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) inhibit the anti-tumor immune response and promote the development and progression of OC. Platelets are also involved in immune evasion by interaction with tumor cells or through the secretion of a variety of growth factors and cytokines to promote tumor growth and angiogenesis. In this review, we discuss the role and contribution of immune cells and platelets in TME. Furthermore, we discuss their potential prognostic significance to help in the early detection of OC and to predict disease outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Aneta Pankowska
- Department of Haematological Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A Street, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Grażyna Ewa Będkowska
- Department of Haematological Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A Street, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Joanna Chociej-Stypułkowska
- Department of Haematological Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A Street, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Rusak
- Department of Haematological Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A Street, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Milena Dąbrowska
- Department of Haematological Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A Street, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Joanna Osada
- Department of Haematological Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A Street, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
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12
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Brune Z, Li D, Song S, Li DI, Castro I, Rasquinha R, Rice MR, Guo Q, Kampta K, Moss M, Lallo M, Pimenta E, Somerville C, Lapan M, Nelson V, Dos Santos CO, Blanc L, Pruitt K, Barnes BJ. Loss of IRF5 increases ribosome biogenesis leading to alterations in mammary gland architecture and metastasis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.01.538998. [PMID: 37292919 PMCID: PMC10246023 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.01.538998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite the progress made in identifying cellular factors and mechanisms that predict progression and metastasis, breast cancer remains the second leading cause of death for women in the US. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas and mouse models of spontaneous and invasive mammary tumorigenesis, we identified that loss of function of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is a predictor of metastasis and survival. Histologic analysis of Irf5 -/- mammary glands revealed expansion of luminal and myoepithelial cells, loss of organized glandular structure, and altered terminal end budding and migration. RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses of primary mammary epithelial cells from Irf5 +/+ and Irf5 -/- littermate mice revealed IRF5-mediated transcriptional regulation of proteins involved in ribosomal biogenesis. Using an invasive model of breast cancer lacking Irf5 , we demonstrate that IRF5 re-expression inhibits tumor growth and metastasis via increased trafficking of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and altered tumor cell protein synthesis. These findings uncover a new function for IRF5 in the regulation of mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis. Highlights Loss of IRF5 is a predictor of metastasis and survival in breast cancer.IRF5 contributes to the regulation of ribosome biogenesis in mammary epithelial cells.Loss of IRF5 function in mammary epithelial cells leads to increased protein translation.
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13
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Lin W, Singh V, Springer R, Choonoo G, Gupta N, Patel A, Frleta D, Zhong J, Owczarek T, Decker C, Macdonald L, Murphy A, Thurston G, Mohrs M, Ioffe E, Lu YF. Human CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocytes mediate potent tumor control in humanized immune system mice. Commun Biol 2023; 6:447. [PMID: 37185301 PMCID: PMC10130128 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04812-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancers can be limited by CD8 T cell dysfunction or HLA-I down-regulation. Tumor control mechanisms independent of CD8/HLA-I axis would overcome these limitations. Here, we report potent CD4 T cell-mediated tumor regression and memory responses in humanized immune system (HIS) mice implanted with HT-29 colorectal tumors. The regressing tumors showed increased CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) infiltration and enhanced tumor HLA-II expression compared to progressing tumors. The intratumoral CD4 T cell subset associated with tumor regression expressed multiple cytotoxic markers and exhibited clonal expansion. Notably, tumor control was abrogated by depletion of CD4 but not CD8 T cells. CD4 T cells derived from tumor-regressing mice exhibited HLA-II-dependent and tumor-specific killing ex vivo. Taken together, our study demonstrates a critical role of human CD4 CTLs in mediating tumor clearance independent of CD8 T cells and provides a platform to study human anti-tumor immunity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Lin
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Varan Singh
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Raynel Springer
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Gabrielle Choonoo
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Namita Gupta
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Aditi Patel
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Davor Frleta
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Jun Zhong
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Tomasz Owczarek
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Corinne Decker
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Lynn Macdonald
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Andrew Murphy
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Gavin Thurston
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Markus Mohrs
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Ella Ioffe
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Yi-Fen Lu
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA.
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14
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Jeong S, Jang N, Kim M, Choi IK. CD4 + cytotoxic T cells: an emerging effector arm of anti-tumor immunity. BMB Rep 2023; 56:140-144. [PMID: 36863358 PMCID: PMC10068340 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2023-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
While CD8+ cytotoxic T cells have long been considered the primary effector in controlling tumors, the involvement of CD4+ "helper" T cells in anti-tumor immunity has been underappreciated. The investigations of intra-tumoral T cells, fueled by the recent advances in genomic technologies, have led to a rethinking of the indirect role of CD4+ T cells that have traditionally been described as a "helper". Accumulating evidence from preclinical and clinical studies indicates that CD4+ T cells can acquire intrinsic cytotoxic properties and directly kill various types of tumor cells in a major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II)-dependent manner, as opposed to the indirect "helper" function, thus underscoring a potentially critical contribution of CD4+ cytotoxic T cells to immune responses against a wide range of tumor types. Here, we discuss the biological properties of anti-tumor CD4+ T cells with cytotoxic capability and highlight the emerging observations suggesting their more significant role in anti-tumor immunity than previously appreciated. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(3): 140-144].
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongmin Jeong
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
| | - Nawon Jang
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
| | - Minchae Kim
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
| | - Il-Kyu Choi
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
- New Biology Research Center (NBRC), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
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15
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Evidence for Extensive Duplication and Subfunctionalization of FCRL6 in Armadillo ( Dasypus novemcinctus). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054531. [PMID: 36901962 PMCID: PMC10003336 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054531] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The control of infections by the vertebrate adaptive immune system requires careful modulation to optimize defense and minimize harm to the host. The Fc receptor-like (FCRL) genes encode immunoregulatory molecules homologous to the receptors for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin (FCR). To date, nine different genes (FCRL1-6, FCRLA, FCRLB and FCRLS) have been identified in mammalian organisms. FCRL6 is located at a separate chromosomal position from the FCRL1-5 locus, has conserved synteny in mammals and is situated between the SLAMF8 and DUSP23 genes. Here, we show that this three gene block underwent repeated duplication in Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo) resulting in six FCRL6 copies, of which five appear functional. Among 21 mammalian genomes analyzed, this expansion was unique to D. novemcinctus. Ig-like domains that derive from the five clustered FCRL6 functional gene copies show high structural conservation and sequence identity. However, the presence of multiple non-synonymous amino acid changes that would diversify individual receptor function has led to the hypothesis that FCRL6 endured subfunctionalization during evolution in D. novemcinctus. Interestingly, D. novemcinctus is noteworthy for its natural resistance to the Mycobacterium leprae pathogen that causes leprosy. Because FCRL6 is chiefly expressed by cytotoxic T and NK cells, which are important in cellular defense responses against M. leprae, we speculate that FCRL6 subfunctionalization could be relevant for the adaptation of D. novemcinctus to leprosy. These findings highlight the species-specific diversification of FCRL family members and the genetic complexity underlying evolving multigene families critical for modulating adaptive immune protection.
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16
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Xu Y, Huang F, Guo W, Feng K, Zhu L, Zeng Z, Huang T, Cai YD. Characterization of chromatin accessibility patterns in different mouse cell types using machine learning methods at single-cell resolution. Front Genet 2023; 14:1145647. [PMID: 36936430 PMCID: PMC10014730 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1145647] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin accessibility is a generic property of the eukaryotic genome, which refers to the degree of physical compaction of chromatin. Recent studies have shown that chromatin accessibility is cell type dependent, indicating chromatin heterogeneity across cell lines and tissues. The identification of markers used to distinguish cell types at the chromosome level is important to understand cell function and classify cell types. In the present study, we investigated transcriptionally active chromosome segments identified by sci-ATAC-seq at single-cell resolution, including 69,015 cells belonging to 77 different cell types. Each cell was represented by existence status on 20,783 genes that were obtained from 436,206 active chromosome segments. The gene features were deeply analyzed by Boruta, resulting in 3897 genes, which were ranked in a list by Monte Carlo feature selection. Such list was further analyzed by incremental feature selection (IFS) method, yielding essential genes, classification rules and an efficient random forest (RF) classifier. To improve the performance of the optimal RF classifier, its features were further processed by autoencoder, light gradient boosting machine and IFS method. The final RF classifier with MCC of 0.838 was constructed. Some marker genes such as H2-Dmb2, which are specifically expressed in antigen-presenting cells (e.g., dendritic cells or macrophages), and Tenm2, which are specifically expressed in T cells, were identified in this study. Our analysis revealed numerous potential epigenetic modification patterns that are unique to particular cell types, thereby advancing knowledge of the critical functions of chromatin accessibility in cell processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaochen Xu
- Department of Mathematics, School of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - FeiMing Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
| | - KaiYan Feng
- Department of Computer Science, Guangdong AIB Polytechnic College, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenbing Zeng
- Department of Mathematics, School of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhenbing Zeng, ; Tao Huang, ; Yu-Dong Cai,
| | - Tao Huang
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhenbing Zeng, ; Tao Huang, ; Yu-Dong Cai,
| | - Yu-Dong Cai
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhenbing Zeng, ; Tao Huang, ; Yu-Dong Cai,
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17
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Gertych A, Walts AE, Cheng K, Liu M, John J, Lester J, Karlan BY, Orsulic S. Dynamic Changes in the Extracellular Matrix in Primary, Metastatic, and Recurrent Ovarian Cancers. Cells 2022; 11:3769. [PMID: 36497028 PMCID: PMC9736731 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and their extracellular matrix are active participants in cancer progression. While it is known that functionally different subpopulations of CAFs co-exist in ovarian cancer, it is unclear whether certain CAF subsets are enriched during metastatic progression and/or chemotherapy. Using computational image analyses of patient-matched primary high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas, synchronous pre-chemotherapy metastases, and metachronous post-chemotherapy metastases from 42 patients, we documented the dynamic spatiotemporal changes in the extracellular matrix, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, immune cells, and CAF subsets expressing different extracellular matrix components. Among the different CAF subsets, COL11A1+ CAFs were associated with linearized collagen fibers and exhibited the greatest enrichment in pre- and post-chemotherapy metastases compared to matched primary tumors. Although pre- and post-chemotherapy metastases were associated with increased CD8+ T cell infiltration, the infiltrate was not always evenly distributed between the stroma and cancer cells, leading to an increased frequency of the immune-excluded phenotype where the majority of CD8+ T cells are present in the tumor stroma but absent from the tumor parenchyma. Overall, most of the differences in the tumor microenvironment were observed between primary tumors and metastases, while fewer differences were observed between pre- and post-treatment metastases. These data suggest that the tumor microenvironment is largely determined by the primary vs. metastatic location of the tumor while chemotherapy does not have a significant impact on the host microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Gertych
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Ann E. Walts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Keyi Cheng
- Department of Mathematics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Manyun Liu
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
| | - Joshi John
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jenny Lester
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Beth Y. Karlan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sandra Orsulic
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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18
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Rajtak A, Ostrowska-Leśko M, Żak K, Tarkowski R, Kotarski J, Okła K. Integration of local and systemic immunity in ovarian cancer: Implications for immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1018256. [PMID: 36439144 PMCID: PMC9684707 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1018256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease that induces many local and systemic changes in immunity. The difficult nature of ovarian cancer stems from the lack of characteristic symptoms that contributes to a delayed diagnosis and treatment. Despite the enormous progress in immunotherapy, its efficacy remains limited. The heterogeneity of tumors, lack of diagnostic biomarkers, and complex immune landscape are the main challenges in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Integrative approaches that combine the tumor microenvironment - local immunity - together with periphery - systemic immunity - are urgently needed to improve the understanding of the disease and the efficacy of treatment. In fact, multiparametric analyses are poised to improve our understanding of ovarian tumor immunology. We outline an integrative approach including local and systemic immunity in ovarian cancer. Understanding the nature of both localized and systemic immune responses will be crucial to boosting the efficacy of immunotherapies in ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Rajtak
- 1st Chair and Department of Oncological Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Marta Ostrowska-Leśko
- 1st Chair and Department of Oncological Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
- Chair and Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Klaudia Żak
- 1st Chair and Department of Oncological Gynaecology and Gynaecology, Student Scientific Association, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Rafał Tarkowski
- 1st Chair and Department of Oncological Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jan Kotarski
- 1st Chair and Department of Oncological Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Karolina Okła
- 1st Chair and Department of Oncological Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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19
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Schoutrop E, Moyano-Galceran L, Lheureux S, Mattsson J, Lehti K, Dahlstrand H, Magalhaes I. Molecular, cellular and systemic aspects of epithelial ovarian cancer and its tumor microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:207-223. [PMID: 35395389 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer encompasses a heterogeneous group of malignancies that involve the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the peritoneal cavity. Despite major advances made within the field of cancer, the majority of patients with ovarian cancer are still being diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease due to lack of effective screening tools. The overall survival of these patients has, therefore, not substantially improved over the past decades. Most patients undergo debulking surgery and treatment with chemotherapy, but often micrometastases remain and acquire resistance to the therapy, eventually leading to disease recurrence. Here, we summarize the current knowledge in epithelial ovarian cancer development and metastatic progression. For the most common subtypes, we focus further on the properties and functions of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, including the extracellular matrix. Current and future treatment modalities are discussed and finally we provide an overview of the different experimental models used to develop novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Schoutrop
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lidia Moyano-Galceran
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stephanie Lheureux
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonas Mattsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Gloria and Seymour Epstein Chair in Cell Therapy and Transplantation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kaisa Lehti
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Hanna Dahlstrand
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Medical unit Pelvic Cancer, Theme Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Isabelle Magalhaes
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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20
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Wu G, Xiao G, Yan Y, Guo C, Hu N, Shen S. Bioinformatics analysis of the clinical significance of HLA class II in breast cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e31071. [PMID: 36221383 PMCID: PMC9543021 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000031071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II plays critical roles in antigen presentation and the initiation of immune responses. However, the correlation between the HLA class II gene expression level and the survival of patients with breast cancer is still under investigation. We analyzed microarray and RNA-Seq data of breast cancer from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA), genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) and Oncomine databases by using bioinformatics tools. The expression of the HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQA2, and HLA-DQB2 genes was significantly upregulated in breast cancer. Higher expression levels of HLA class II genes in breast cancer, especially HLA-DOB and HLA-DQB2, were significantly associated with better overall survival. Furthermore, the expression of HLA class II genes was more closely associated with survival in breast cancer than in other cancer types. CD48 coexpressed with both HLA-DOB and HLA-DQB2 was also positively associated with the overall survival of breast cancer patients. The results indicated that HLA class II and CD48 may enhance antitumor immunity, and their expression patterns may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guihua Wu
- Finance Section, Yuebei People’s Hospital, Shantou University, Shaoguan, China
| | - Gaofang Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Yuebei People’s Hospital, Shantou University, Shaoguan, China
| | - Yuhang Yan
- Breast Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People’s Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Chengwei Guo
- Department of Radiology, 82 Group Hospital of PLA, Baoding, China
| | - Ningdong Hu
- Thoracic surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People’s Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Sandi Shen
- Breast Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People’s Hospital, Qingyuan, China
- *Correspondence: Sandi Shen, Breast Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People’s Hospital, 21 Yinquan South Road, Qingyuan 511518, China (e-mail: )
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21
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Construction of Prognostic Risk Model for Small Cell Lung Cancer Based on Immune-Related Genes. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7116080. [PMID: 36245844 PMCID: PMC9554662 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7116080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly invasive and fatal malignancy. Research at the present stage implied that the expression of immune-related genes is associated with the prognosis in SCLC. Accordingly, it is essential to explore effective immune-related molecular markers to judge prognosis and treat SCLC. Our research obtained SCLC dataset from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and subjected mRNAs in it to differential expression analysis. Differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were intersected with immune-related genes to yield immune-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The functions of these DEGs were revealed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Thereafter, we categorized 3 subtypes of immune-related DEGs via K-means clustering. Kaplan-Meier curves analyzed the effects of 3 subtypes on SCLC patients' survival. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and ESTIMATE validated that the activation of different immune gene subtypes differed significantly. Finally, an immune-related-7-gene assessment model was constructed by univariate-Lasso-multiple Cox regression analyses. Riskscores, Kaplan-Meier curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and independent prognostic analyses validated the prognostic value of the immune-related-7-gene assessment model. As suggested by GSEA, there was a prominent difference in cytokine-related pathways between high- and low-risk groups. As the analysis went further, we discovered a statistically significant difference in the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) proteins and costimulatory molecules expressed on the surface of CD274, CD152, and T lymphocytes in different groups. In a word, we started with immune-related genes to construct the prognostic model for SCLC, which could effectively evaluate the clinical outcomes and offer guidance for the treatment and prognosis of SCLC patients.
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22
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Yan P, Li Z, Xian S, Wang S, Fu Q, Zhu J, Yue X, Zhang X, Chen S, Zhang W, Lu J, Yin H, Huang R, Huang Z. Construction of the prognostic enhancer RNA regulatory network in osteosarcoma. Transl Oncol 2022; 25:101499. [PMID: 36001923 PMCID: PMC9421318 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101499] [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: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Our enhancer RNAs-based prognostic model showed good predictive ability in osteosarcoma. CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPA) may regulate CD8A molecule (CD8A). CD8A activation may promote CD3E molecule (CD3E) expression and activate allograft rejection in CD8+ T cells. Above signal axis provided new insights in the mechanism of osteosarcoma tumorigenesis.
Background Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common malignant tumor in osteoarticular system, the 5-year overall survival of which is poor. Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) have been implicated in the tumorigenesis of various cancer types, whereas their roles in OS tumorigenesis remains largely unclear. Methods Differentially expressed eRNAs (DEEs), transcription factors (DETFs), target genes (DETGs) were identified using limma (Linear Models for Microarray Analysis) package. Prognosis-related DEEs were accessed by univariate Cox regression analysis. A multivariate model was constructed to evaluate the prognosis of OS samples. Prognosis-related DEEs, DETFs, DETGs, immune cells, and hallmark gene sets were co-analyzed to construct an regulatory network. Specific inhibitors were also filtered by connectivity Map analysis. External validation and scRNA-seq analysis were performed to verify our key findings. Results 3,981 DETGs, 468 DEEs, 51 DETFs, and 27 differentially expressed hallmark gene sets were identified. A total of Multivariate risk predicting model based on 18 prognosis-related DEEs showed a high accuracy (area under curve (AUC) = 0.896). GW-8510 was the candidate inhibitor targeting prognosis-related DEEs (mean = 0.670, p < 0.001). Based on the OS tumorigenesis-related regulation network, we identified that CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPA, DETF) may regulate CD8A molecule (CD8A, DEE), thereby promoting the transcription of CD3E molecule (CD3E, DETG), which may affect allograft rejection based on CD8+ T cells. Conclusion We constructed an eRNA-based prognostic model for predicting the OS patients’ prognosis and explored the potential regulation network for OS tumorigenesis by an integrated bioinformatics analysis, providing promising therapeutic targets for OS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penghui Yan
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Zhenyu Li
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shuyuan Xian
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Siqiao Wang
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Qing Fu
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiwen Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xi Yue
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xinkun Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Shaofeng Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Burn Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jianyu Lu
- Department of Burn Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Huabin Yin
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200065, China.
| | - Runzhi Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Department of Burn Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Zongqiang Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
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Lamberti MJ, Montico B, Ravo M, Nigro A, Giurato G, Iorio R, Tarallo R, Weisz A, Stellato C, Steffan A, Dolcetti R, Casolaro V, Faè DA, Dal Col J. Integration of miRNA:mRNA Co-Expression Revealed Crucial Mechanisms Modulated in Immunogenic Cancer Cell Death. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081896. [PMID: 36009442 PMCID: PMC9405340 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer represents a functionally unique therapeutic response that can induce tumor-targeting immune responses. ICD is characterized by the exposure and release of numerous damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which confer adjuvanticity to dying cancer cells. The spatiotemporally defined emission of DAMPs during ICD has been well described, whereas the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate ICD hallmarks have not yet been deeply elucidated. Here, we aimed to examine the involvement of miRNAs and their putative targets using well-established in vitro models of ICD. To this end, B cell lymphoma (Mino) and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines were exposed to two different ICD inducers, the combination of retinoic acid (RA) and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and doxorubicin, and to non ICD inducers such as gamma irradiation. Then, miRNA and mRNA profiles were studied by next generation sequencing. Co-expression analysis identified 16 miRNAs differentially modulated in cells undergoing ICD. Integrated miRNA-mRNA functional analysis revealed candidate miRNAs, mRNAs, and modulated pathways associated with Immune System Process (GO Term). Specifically, ICD induced a distinctive transcriptional signature hallmarked by regulation of antigen presentation, a crucial step for proper activation of immune system antitumor response. Interestingly, the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) pathway was upregulated whereas class II (MHC-II) was downregulated. Analysis of MHC-II associated transcripts and HLA-DR surface expression confirmed inhibition of this pathway by ICD on lymphoma cells. miR-4284 and miR-212-3p were the strongest miRNAs upregulated by ICD associated with this event and miR-212-3p overexpression was able to downregulate surface expression of HLA-DR. It is well known that MHC-II expression on tumor cells facilitates the recruitment of CD4+ T cells. However, the interaction between tumor MHC-II and inhibitory coreceptors on tumor-associated lymphocytes could provide an immunosuppressive signal that directly represses effector cytotoxic activity. In this context, MHC-II downregulation by ICD could enhance antitumor immunity. Overall, we found that the miRNA profile was significantly altered during ICD. Several miRNAs are predicted to be involved in the regulation of MHC-I and II pathways, whose implication in ICD is demonstrated herein for the first time, which could eventually modulate tumor recognition and attack by the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Julia Lamberti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
- INBIAS, CONICET-UNRC, Río Cuarto, Córdoba 5800, Argentina
- Correspondence: (M.J.L.); (J.D.C.); Tel.: +54-358-4676437 (M.J.L.); +39-089-965210 (J.D.C.)
| | - Barbara Montico
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Maria Ravo
- Genomix Life Srl, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Annunziata Nigro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Cristiana Stellato
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Vincenzo Casolaro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Damiana Antonia Faè
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Jessica Dal Col
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.J.L.); (J.D.C.); Tel.: +54-358-4676437 (M.J.L.); +39-089-965210 (J.D.C.)
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24
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Promising prognostic value of Transglutaminase type 2 and its correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells in skin cutaneous melanoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:294. [PMID: 35725560 PMCID: PMC9209462 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01087-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Tissue Transglutaminases (TGs) are crosslinking enzymes with pleiotropic functions that have been linked to the development and progression of numerous cancers, with a recent focus on their ability to remodel the tumor microenvironment. Although several pieces of evidence demonstrated their importance in the regulation of the major signaling pathways that control oncogenesis, the correlation between TGs with clinical and pathological features remains controversial and to be further explored. Moreover, an assessment of the TGs alterations together with a functional analysis associated with clinical features and prognostic values are still lacking and would help to understand these intricacies, particularly in human cancers. In the present study, we processed data from numerous public datasets to investigate TGs distribution and prognostic signature in cancer patients. Here, we found that skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) shows the highest abundance of TGs mutations among the other human cancers. Interestingly, among all the TGs, TG2 is the only member whose expression is associated with a better overall survival in SKCM, although its expression increases with the worsening of the tumor phenotype. Our analysis revealed a strong positive association between TG2 expression and anti-tumoral immune response, which would explain the relationship between high mRNA levels and better overall survival. Our data suggest that TG2 may be presented as a new promising immune biomarker of prognosis in SKCM, which may contribute to identifying patients who would benefit the most from adjuvant immunotherapy.
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25
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Rodriguez GM, Galpin KJ, Cook DP, Yakubovich E, Maranda V, Macdonald EA, Wilson-Sanchez J, Thomas AL, Burdette JE, Vanderhyden BC. The Tumor Immune Profile of Murine Ovarian Cancer Models: An Essential Tool For Ovarian Cancer Immunotherapy Research. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:417-433. [PMID: 36311166 PMCID: PMC9616009 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic cancer with an imperative need for new treatments. Immunotherapy has had marked success in some cancer types; however, clinical trials studying the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of EOC benefited less than 15% of patients. Given that EOC develops from multiple tissues in the reproductive system and metastasizes widely throughout the peritoneal cavity, responses to immunotherapy are likely hindered by heterogeneous tumor microenvironments (TME) containing a variety of immune profiles. To fully characterize and compare syngeneic model systems that may reflect this diversity, we determined the immunogenicity of six ovarian tumor models in vivo, the T and myeloid profile of orthotopic tumors and the immune composition and cytokine profile of ascites, by single-cell RNA sequencing, flow cytometry and IHC. The selected models reflect the different cellular origins of EOC (ovarian and fallopian tube epithelium) and harbor mutations relevant to human disease, including Tp53 mutation, PTEN suppression, and constitutive KRAS activation. ID8-p53-/- and ID8-C3 tumors were most highly infiltrated by T cells, whereas STOSE and MOE-PTEN/KRAS tumors were primarily infiltrated by tumor associated macrophages and were unique in MHC class I and II expression. MOE-PTEN/KRAS tumors were capable of forming T cell clusters. This panel of well-defined murine EOC models reflects some of the heterogeneity found in human disease and can serve as a valuable resource for studies that aim to test immunotherapies, explore the mechanisms of immune response to therapy, and guide selection of treatments for patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galaxia M. Rodriguez
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristianne J.C. Galpin
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - David P. Cook
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edward Yakubovich
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vincent Maranda
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth A. Macdonald
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juliette Wilson-Sanchez
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anjali L. Thomas
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joanna E. Burdette
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Barbara C. Vanderhyden
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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26
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Sasamoto N, Stewart PA, Wang T, Yoder SJ, Chellappan S, Hecht JL, Fridley BL, Terry KL, Tworoger SS. Lifetime ovulatory years and ovarian cancer gene expression profiles. J Ovarian Res 2022; 15:59. [PMID: 35562768 PMCID: PMC9102743 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-022-00995-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Greater ovulatory years is associated with increased ovarian cancer risk. Although ovulation leads to an acute pro-inflammatory local environment, how long-term exposure to ovulation impacts ovarian carcinogenesis is not fully understood. Thus, we examined the association between gene expression profiles of ovarian tumors and lifetime ovulatory years to enhance understanding of associated biological pathways. METHODS RNA sequencing data was generated on 234 invasive ovarian cancer tumors that were high-grade serous, poorly differentiated, or high-grade endometrioid from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), NHSII, and the New England Case Control Study. We used linear regression to identify differentially expressed genes by estimated ovulatory years, adjusted for birth decade and cohort, overall and stratified by menopausal status at diagnosis. We used false discovery rates (FDR) to account for multiple testing. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) with Cancer Hallmarks, KEGG, and Reactome databases was used to identify biological pathways associated with ovulatory years. RESULTS No individual genes were significantly differentially expressed by ovulatory years (FDR > 0.19). However, GSEA identified several pathways that were significantly associated with ovulatory years, including downregulation of pathways related to inflammation and proliferation (FDR < 1.0 × 10-5). Greater ovulatory years were more strongly associated with downregulation of genes related to proliferation (e.g., E2F targets, FDR = 1.53 × 10-24; G2M checkpoints, FDR = 3.50 × 10-22) among premenopausal versus postmenopausal women at diagnosis. The association of greater ovulatory years with downregulation of genes involved in inflammatory response such as interferon gamma response pathways (FDR = 7.81 × 10-17) was stronger in postmenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide novel insight into the biological pathways that link ovulatory years to ovarian carcinogenesis, which may lead to development of targeted prevention strategies for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Sasamoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Paul A Stewart
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Tianyi Wang
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Sean J Yoder
- Molecular Genomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Srikumar Chellappan
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jonathan L Hecht
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brooke L Fridley
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Kathryn L Terry
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shelley S Tworoger
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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27
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Regulation of the antigen presentation machinery in cancer and its implication for immune surveillance. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:825-837. [PMID: 35343573 PMCID: PMC9162455 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Evading immune destruction is one of the hallmarks of cancer. A key mechanism of immune evasion deployed by tumour cells is to reduce neoantigen presentation through down-regulation of the antigen presentation machinery. MHC-I and MHC-II proteins are key components of the antigen presentation machinery responsible for neoantigen presentation to CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes, respectively. Their expression in tumour cells is modulated by a complex interplay of genomic, transcriptomic and post translational factors involving multiple intracellular antigen processing pathways. Ongoing research investigates mechanisms invoked by cancer cells to abrogate MHC-I expression and attenuate anti-tumour CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response. The discovery of MHC-II on tumour cells has been less characterized. However, this finding has triggered further interest in utilising tumour-specific MHC-II to harness sustained anti-tumour immunity through the activation of CD4+ T helper cells. Tumour-specific expression of MHC-I and MHC-II has been associated with improved patient survival in most clinical studies. Thus, their reactivation represents an attractive way to unleash anti-tumour immunity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of physiologically conserved or novel mechanisms utilised by tumour cells to reduce MHC-I or MHC-II expression. It outlines current approaches employed at the preclinical and clinical trial interface towards reversing these processes in order to improve response to immunotherapy and survival outcomes for patients with cancer.
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28
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Darragh LB, Karam SD. Amateur antigen-presenting cells in the tumor microenvironment. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:153-164. [PMID: 34570920 PMCID: PMC9899420 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Presentation of tumor antigens is a critical step in producing a robust antitumor immune response. Classically tumor antigens are thought to be presented to both CD8 and CD4 T cells by professional antigen-presenting cells (pAPCs) like dendritic cells using major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) I and II. But recent evidence suggests that in the tumor microenvironment (TME) cells other than pAPCs are capable of presenting tumor antigens on both MHC I and II. The evidence currently available on tumor antigen presentation by epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells (VECs), fibroblasts, and cancer cells is reviewed herein. We refer to these cell types in the TME as "amateur" APCs (aAPCs). These aAPCs greatly outnumber pAPCs in the TME and could, potentially, play a significant role in priming an antitumor immune response. This new evidence supports a different perspective on antigen presentation and suggests new approaches that can be taken in designing immunotherapies to increase T cell priming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel B. Darragh
- Department of Immunology, University of Colorado Denver–Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sana D. Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver–Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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29
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Rana N, Privitera G, Kondolf HC, Bulek K, Lechuga S, De Salvo C, Corridoni D, Antanaviciute A, Maywald RL, Hurtado AM, Zhao J, Huang EH, Li X, Chan ER, Simmons A, Bamias G, Abbott DW, Heaney JD, Ivanov AI, Pizarro TT. GSDMB is increased in IBD and regulates epithelial restitution/repair independent of pyroptosis. Cell 2022; 185:283-298.e17. [PMID: 35021065 PMCID: PMC8879997 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Gasdermins are a family of structurally related proteins originally described for their role in pyroptosis. Gasdermin B (GSDMB) is currently the least studied, and while its association with genetic susceptibility to chronic mucosal inflammatory disorders is well established, little is known about its functional relevance during active disease states. Herein, we report increased GSDMB in inflammatory bowel disease, with single-cell analysis identifying epithelial specificity to inflamed colonocytes/crypt top colonocytes. Surprisingly, mechanistic experiments and transcriptome profiling reveal lack of inherent GSDMB-dependent pyroptosis in activated epithelial cells and organoids but instead point to increased proliferation and migration during in vitro wound closure, which arrests in GSDMB-deficient cells that display hyper-adhesiveness and enhanced formation of vinculin-based focal adhesions dependent on PDGF-A-mediated FAK phosphorylation. Importantly, carriage of disease-associated GSDMB SNPs confers functional defects, disrupting epithelial restitution/repair, which, altogether, establishes GSDMB as a critical factor for restoration of epithelial barrier function and the resolution of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitish Rana
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Departments of Physiology & Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Giuseppe Privitera
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Hannah C Kondolf
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Katarzyna Bulek
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Learner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Susana Lechuga
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Learner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Carlo De Salvo
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Daniele Corridoni
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Agne Antanaviciute
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca L Maywald
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Alexander M Hurtado
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Junjie Zhao
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Learner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Emina H Huang
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Colon & Rectal Surgery, Learner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Xiaoxia Li
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Learner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - E Ricky Chan
- Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Alison Simmons
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgos Bamias
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Ethnikon & Kapodistriakon University of Athens, Laikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Derek W Abbott
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jason D Heaney
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andrei I Ivanov
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Learner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Theresa T Pizarro
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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30
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Schwarz A, Roeder I, Seifert M. Comparative Gene Expression Analysis Reveals Similarities and Differences of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Phases. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14010256. [PMID: 35008420 PMCID: PMC8750437 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a slowly progressing blood cancer that primarily affects elderly people. Without successful treatment, CML progressively develops from the chronic phase through the accelerated phase to the blast crisis, and ultimately to death. Nowadays, the availability of targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies has led to long-term disease control for the vast majority of patients. Nevertheless, there are still patients that do not respond well enough to TKI therapies and available targeted therapies are also less efficient for patients in accelerated phase or blast crises. Thus, a more detailed characterization of molecular alterations that distinguish the different CML phases is still very important. We performed an in-depth bioinformatics analysis of publicly available gene expression profiles of the three CML phases. Pairwise comparisons revealed many differentially expressed genes that formed a characteristic gene expression signature, which clearly distinguished the three CML phases. Signaling pathway expression patterns were very similar between the three phases but differed strongly in the number of affected genes, which increased with the phase. Still, significant alterations of MAPK, VEGF, PI3K-Akt, adherens junction and cytokine receptor interaction signaling distinguished specific phases. Our study also suggests that one can consider the phase-wise CML development as a three rather than a two-step process. This is in accordance with the phase-specific expression behavior of 24 potential major regulators that we predicted by a network-based approach. Several of these genes are known to be involved in the accumulation of additional mutations, alterations of immune responses, deregulation of signaling pathways or may have an impact on treatment response and survival. Importantly, some of these genes have already been reported in relation to CML (e.g., AURKB, AZU1, HLA-B, HLA-DMB, PF4) and others have been found to play important roles in different leukemias (e.g., CDCA3, RPL18A, PRG3, TLX3). In addition, increased expression of BCL2 in the accelerated and blast phase indicates that venetoclax could be a potential treatment option. Moreover, a characteristic signaling pathway signature with increased expression of cytokine and ECM receptor interaction pathway genes distinguished imatinib-resistant patients from each individual CML phase. Overall, our comparative analysis contributes to an in-depth molecular characterization of similarities and differences of the CML phases and provides hints for the identification of patients that may not profit from an imatinib therapy, which could support the development of additional treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemarie Schwarz
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry (IMB), Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.); (I.R.)
| | - Ingo Roeder
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry (IMB), Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.); (I.R.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), D-01307 Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf (HZDR), D-01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Seifert
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry (IMB), Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.); (I.R.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), D-01307 Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf (HZDR), D-01328 Dresden, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Craig DJ, Bailey MM, Noe OB, Williams KK, Stanbery L, Hamouda DM, Nemunaitis JJ. Subclonal landscape of cancer drives resistance to immune therapy. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2022; 30:100507. [PMID: 35007928 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumor mutation burden (TMB) is often used as a biomarker for immunogenicity and prerequisite for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that not all tumors with high TMB respond to ICIs as expected. It has been shown that the ability of T-cells to infiltrate the tumor microenvironment and elicit a specific immune response is dependent not only on the TMB, but also on intra-tumor heterogeneity and the fraction of low-frequency subclonal mutations that make up the tumor. High intra-tumor heterogeneity leads to inefficient recognition of tumor neoantigens by T-cells due to their diluted frequency and spatial heterogeneity. Clinical studies have shown that tumors with a high degree of intra-tumor heterogeneity respond poorly to ICI therapy, and previous cytotoxic treatment may increase the intra-tumor heterogeneity and render second-line ICI therapy less effective. This paper reviews the role of ICI therapy when following chemotherapy or radiation to determine if they may be better suited as first-line therapy in patients with high TMB, low intra-tumor heterogeneity, and high PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Craig
- University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | | | - Olivia B Noe
- University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
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Tariq F, Khan W, Ahmad W, Riaz SK, Khan M, Sherwani S, Haque S, Malik MFA, Iftikhar MJ, Khan S, Haq F. Effect of MHC Linked 7-Gene Signature on Delayed Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11111129. [PMID: 34834481 PMCID: PMC8625636 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11111129] [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: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated immune response significantly affects hepatocellular carcinoma's (HCC) prognosis. Human Leukocyte Antigens are key in devising immune responses against HCC. Here, we investigated how HLAs modulate HCC development at the transcriptomic level. RNA-seq data of 576 patients from two independent cohorts was retrieved. The clinicopathological relevance of all HLA genes was investigated using Fisher-Exact, correlation, and Kaplan-Meier and cox regression survival tests. Clustering of ~800 immune-related genes against HLAs was completed using a ward-agglomerative method. Networks were generated using 40 HLA associated unique genes and hub genes were investigated. HLAs including HLA-DMA, HLA-DMB, HLA-DOA and HLA-DRB6 were associated with delayed recurrence in both discovery (204 HCC cases) and validation (372 HCC cases) cohorts. Clustering analyses revealed 40 genes associated with these four HLAs in both cohorts. A set of seven genes (NCF4, TYROBP, LCP2, ZAP70, PTPRC, FYN and WAS) was found co-expressed at gene-gene interaction level in both cohorts. Furthermore, survival analysis revealed seven HLA-linked genes as predictors of delayed recurrence. Multivariate analysis also predicted that mean expression of 7-gene is an independent predictor of delayed recurrence in both cohorts. We conclude that the expression of 7-gene signature may lead to improved patient prognosis. Further studies are required for consideration in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fomaz Tariq
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; (F.T.); (W.K.); (W.A.); (S.K.R.); (M.F.A.M.)
| | - Walizeb Khan
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; (F.T.); (W.K.); (W.A.); (S.K.R.); (M.F.A.M.)
| | - Washaakh Ahmad
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; (F.T.); (W.K.); (W.A.); (S.K.R.); (M.F.A.M.)
| | - Syeda Kiran Riaz
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; (F.T.); (W.K.); (W.A.); (S.K.R.); (M.F.A.M.)
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
- College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840-77845, USA
| | - Mahvish Khan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Ha’il University, Ha’il 55211, Saudi Arabia; (M.K.); (S.S.)
| | - Subuhi Sherwani
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Ha’il University, Ha’il 55211, Saudi Arabia; (M.K.); (S.S.)
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia;
- Faculty of Medicine, Görükle Campus, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa 16059, Turkey
| | - Muhammad Faraz Arshad Malik
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; (F.T.); (W.K.); (W.A.); (S.K.R.); (M.F.A.M.)
| | | | - Saif Khan
- Department of Basic Dental and Medical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Ha’il University, Ha’il 55211, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (S.K.); (F.H.)
| | - Farhan Haq
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; (F.T.); (W.K.); (W.A.); (S.K.R.); (M.F.A.M.)
- Correspondence: (S.K.); (F.H.)
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Construction and validation of a novel immune and tumor mutation burden-based prognostic model in lung adenocarcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:1183-1197. [PMID: 34635925 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03066-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the most common type of cancer, is hard to diagnose and has an unfavorable prognosis. Tumor mutation burden (TMB) is a useful predictor and can also determine the efficacy of immunotherapy in various cancers. The present study focused on unraveling the association between immune infiltration and TMB and developing an immune- and TMB-related prognostic model to predict LUAD patients' prognosis. The results revealed that the immune-related prognostic model (IPM) based on TMB was capable of classifying LUAD patients in all cohorts into different risk groups. The IPM was useful and had a significant correlation with LUAD patients' overall survival (OS). Based on the multivariate Cox analysis results, the IPM was proved to be an independent predictive biomarker. Furthermore, the five hub genes and the immune-related model were related to different immune infiltrating cells. The IPM was related to immune checkpoints. At last, an effective nomogram was established to predict LUAD patients' prognosis. To conclude, our IPM is effective in predicting LUAD patients' prognosis and provides novel insights into immunotherapy for LUAD.
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Leary A, Tan D, Ledermann J. Immune checkpoint inhibitors in ovarian cancer: where do we stand? Ther Adv Med Oncol 2021; 13:17588359211039899. [PMID: 34422119 PMCID: PMC8377306 DOI: 10.1177/17588359211039899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous retrospective studies have demonstrated that the density of intra-tumoral immune cell infiltration is prognostic in epithelial ovarian cancer (OC). These observations together with reports of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in advanced OC provided the rationale for investigating the benefit of programmed death-1 (PD1) or PD-L1 inhibition in OC. Unfortunately clinical trials to date evaluating PD1/PD-L1 inhibition in patients with relapsed OC have been disappointing. In this review we will discuss early results from single agent PD1/PD-L1 inhibitors and the strategies to enhance benefit from immune-oncology agents in OC, including proposing anti-PD-L1 in combination with other agents (cytotoxics, anti-angiogenics, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. (PARP) inhibitors, targeted therapies or other immunotherapies), as well as evaluating these agents earlier in the disease course, or in biomarker selected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Leary
- Institut Gustave Roussy, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, Villejuif 94805, France, Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM U981, Villejuif, France
| | - David Tan
- Department of Haematology–Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jonathan Ledermann
- UCL Cancer Institute, Cancer Research UK and UCL Trials Centre, London, UK
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Cancer Cell-Specific Major Histocompatibility Complex II Expression as a Determinant of the Immune Infiltrate Organization and Function in the NSCLC Tumor Microenvironment. J Thorac Oncol 2021; 16:1694-1704. [PMID: 34048945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In patients with NSCLC, the prognostic significance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) immune composition has been revealed using single- or dual-marker staining on sequential tissue sections. Although these studies reveal that relative abundance and localization of immune cells are important parameters, deeper analyses of the NSCLC TME are necessary to refine the potential application of these findings to clinical care. Currently, the complex spatial relationships between cells of the NSCLC TME and potential drivers contributing to its immunologic composition remain unknown. METHODS We used multispectral quantitative imaging on the lung adenocarcinoma TME in 153 patients with resected tumors. On a single slide per patient, we evaluated the TME with markers for CD3, CD8, CD14, CD19, major histocompatibility complex II (MHCII), cytokeratin, and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Image analysis, including tissue segmentation, phenotyping, and spatial localization, was performed. RESULTS Specimens wherein greater than or equal to 5% of lung cancer cells expressed MHCII (MHCIIhi TME) had increased levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD14+ cell infiltration. In the MHCIIhi TME, the immune infiltrate was closer to cancer cells and expressed an activated phenotype. Morphologic image analysis revealed cancer cells in the MHCIIhi TME more frequently interfaced with CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Patients with an MHCIIhi TME experienced improved overall survival (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS Lung cancer cell-specific expression of MHCII associates with levels of immune cell infiltration, spatial localization, and activation status within the TME. This suggests that cancer cell-specific expression of MHCII may represent a biomarker for the immune system's recognition and activation against the tumor.
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Roerden M, Märklin M, Salih HR, Bethge WA, Klein R, Rammensee HG, Nelde A, Walz JS. Expression levels of HLA-DR in acute myeloid leukemia: implications for antigenicity and clinical outcome. Leuk Lymphoma 2021; 62:1907-1919. [PMID: 33648413 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2021.1885659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Low human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression might compromise CD4+ T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Its immunological and clinical significance however remain undefined in non-promyelocytic acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Taking advantage of mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidome analysis of primary AML samples (n = 31), we studied the implications of low HLA-DR expression for antigen presentation and analyzed its association with disease characteristics and survival within a cohort of 399 AML patients. Remarkably, overall HLA-DR/DQ immunopeptidome diversity was preserved in AML with low HLA-DR expression (HLA-DRlow AML) and was associated with a shift in HLA-DR/DQ allotype abundances (HLA-DQ to HLA-DR/DQ ligand ratio 0.36 vs 0.19 in HLA-DRlow and HLA-DRhigh patients, respectively). Consistent with unimpaired antigenicity, survival was similar in HLA-DRlow and HLA-DRhigh patients. Demonstrating for the first time that overall HLA-DR/DQ antigen presentation is preserved in HLA-DRlow AML, our findings provide a rationale for the non-inferior outcome observed in HLA-DRlow AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malte Roerden
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Märklin
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helmut R Salih
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang A Bethge
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Reinhild Klein
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annika Nelde
- Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Juliane S Walz
- Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Thibodeau J, Bourgeois-Daigneault MC, Lapointe R. Targeting the MHC Class II antigen presentation pathway in cancer immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:908-916. [PMID: 23162758 PMCID: PMC3489746 DOI: 10.4161/onci.21205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of immunotherapy relies on the participation of all arms of the immune system and the role of CD4+ T lymphocytes in preventing tumor growth is now well established. Understanding how tumors evade immune responses holds the key to the development of cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we discuss how MHC Class II expression varies in cancer cells and how this influences antitumor immune responses. We also discuss the means that are currently available for harnessing the MHC Class II antigen presentation pathway for the development of efficient vaccines to activate the immune system against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Thibodeau
- Laboratoire d'Immunologie Moléculaire; Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie; Université de Montréal; Montréal, QC Canada
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Baş Y, Koç N, Helvacı K, Koçak C, Akdeniz R, Şahin HHK. Clinical and pathological significance of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in high grade serous ovarian cancer. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:100994. [PMID: 33333370 PMCID: PMC7736714 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) / programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and its relationship to tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and prognosis. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples of 94 HGSOC cases were included in the study. Immunohistochemical analysis (CD3, CD4, CD8, PD-1 and PD-L1) was performed. Samples were analyzed for expression of immune proteins in the peritumoral stromal and intratumoral areas, scored, and expression was correlated with overall survival, stage, and age. PD-L1 staining ratio with a score greater than 0 was found to have lower survival. There were two positive staining patterns, patchy/diffuse and patchy/focal patterns, in 24 (25.5%) cases. Considering the threshold value ≥5%, we demonstrated that the PD-L1 positive cancer cell membrane immunoreactivity rate and patchy/diffuse PD-L1 expression were 9.6% (n = 9). There was statistically significant relationship between high PD-1 scores and PD-L1 cases of ≥ 5%. A statistically significant difference was found between PD-L1 staining and survival in patients with a threshold ≥ 5%. However an appropriate rate for treatment was determined in 9.6% cases. There was a statistically significant correlation between PD-1 positive TIL score and intratumoral CD3, peritumoral stromal CD3, intratumoral CD4 and intratumoral CD8 positive cells. Survival was lower in cases with higher PD-L1 positive stromal TIL score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yılmaz Baş
- Department of Pathology, Hitit University Faculty of Medicine, Çorum Turkey.
| | - Nermin Koç
- Department of Pathology, Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Pediatric Research and Training Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
| | - Kaan Helvacı
- Department of Oncology, Hitit University Faculty of Medicine, Çorum, Turkey.
| | - Cem Koçak
- Department of Statistics, Hitit University Faculty of Health Sciences/Nursing, Çorum Turkey.
| | - Raşit Akdeniz
- Department of Pathology, Hitit University Erol Olçok Education and Research Hospital, Çorum, Turkey.
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Kadioglu O, Saeed M, Mahmoud N, Azawi S, Mrasek K, Liehr T, Efferth T. Identification of potential novel drug resistance mechanisms by genomic and transcriptomic profiling of colon cancer cells with p53 deletion. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:959-974. [PMID: 33515271 PMCID: PMC7904745 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-02979-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
TP53 (p53) is a pivotal player in tumor suppression with fifty percent of all invasive tumors displaying mutations in the TP53 gene. In the present study, we characterized colon cancer cells (HCT116 p53 −/−) with TP53 deletion, a sub-line derived from HCT116-p53 +/+ cells. RNA sequencing and network analyses were performed to identify novel drug resistance mechanisms. Chromosomal aberrations were identified by multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH) and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). Numerous genes were overexpressed in HCT116 p53 −/− cells: RND3/RhoE (235.6-fold up-regulated), DCLK1 (60.2-fold up-regulated), LBH (31.9-fold up-regulated), MYB (28.9-fold up-regulated), TACSTD2 (110.1-fold down-regulated), NRIP1 (81.5-fold down-regulated) and HLA-DMB (69.7-fold down-regulated) are among the identified genes with potential influence on multidrug resistance (MDR) and they are associated with cancer progression and tumorigenesis, according to previously published studies. Probably due to TP53 deletion, disturbances in DNA repair and apoptosis are leading to aberrancies in cellular and organismal organization, ultimately increasing tumorigenesis and cancer progression potential. With NFκB, PI3K and HSP70, being at the center of merged protein network, and TH1-2 pathways, being among the influenced pathways, it can be speculated that the inflammatory pathway contributes to a resistance phenotype together with cell cycle regulation and heat-shock response. HCT116-p53 −/− cells have more chromosomal aberrations, gains and losses in copy numbers than HCT116-p53 +/+ cells. In conclusion, numerous genomic aberrations, which might be associated with yet unknown drug resistance mechanisms, were identified. This may have important implications for future treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onat Kadioglu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mohamed Saeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nuha Mahmoud
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Shaymaa Azawi
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Kristin Mrasek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Liehr
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
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Inflammation and immunity in ovarian cancer. EJC Suppl 2020; 15:56-66. [PMID: 33240443 PMCID: PMC7569134 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcsup.2019.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The standard first-line therapy for ovarian cancer is a combination of surgery and carboplatin/paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. Patients with longer survival and improved response to chemotherapy usually present T-cell inflamed tumours. The presence of tumour-infiltrating T cells (TILs) notably varies among the different subtypes of ovarian tumours, being highest in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, intermediate in endometrioid tumours, and lowest in low-grade serous, mucinous and clear cell tumours. Interestingly, the presence of TILs is often accompanied by a strong immunosuppressive tumour environment. A better understanding of the immune response against ovarian cancer and the tumour immune evasion mechanisms will enable improved prognostication, response prediction and immunotherapy of this disease. This article provides an overview of some ovarian cancer cell features relevant for antitumour response, such as tumour-associated antigens, including neoantigens, expression of inhibitory molecules, and other mechanisms of immune evasion. Moreover, we describe relevant immune cell types found in epithelial ovarian tumours, including T and B lymphocytes, regulatory T cells, natural killer cells, tumour-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and neutrophils. We focus on how these components influence the burden of the tumour and the clinical outcome. The presence of spontaneous tumour-specific T lymphocytes and the existence of multiple immune evasion mechanisms in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) support the immunogenicity of this tumour. Tumour-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs) have been associated with disease outcome in EOC, indicating their clinical significance. The subtypes of EOC, mutations in TP53 and breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility protein 1/2 and the immune expression signature are factors associated to TIL density in EOC. The tumour microenvironment in EOC consists of a dynamic and complex network of soluble factors, inhibitory receptors and immunosuppressive cells.
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Hao J, Yu H, Zhang T, An R, Xue Y. Prognostic impact of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in high grade serous ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920967241. [PMID: 33193829 PMCID: PMC7607723 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920967241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are involved in the antitumor immune response. The association between prognosis in patients with TILs and high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) remains obscure, with some studies reporting conflicting results. Methods We conducted an extensive literature search of electronic databases and retrieved prognostic data of each selected subtype of TILs, including CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD103+, and PD-1+ TILs. The fixed-effects model was applied to derive the pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of these markers. Results The systematic review process yielded 19 eligible studies comprising 6004 patients with HGSOC. We compared TIL-positive and TIL-negative patients, and the pooled HRs from the multivariate analysis revealed that intraepithelial CD8+ TILs were positively correlated with progression-free survival (PFS, HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25-0.67) and overall survival (OS, HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.86-0.9); stromal CD8+ TILs were positively correlated with OS (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.36-0.87). Furthermore, the pooled HRs from univariate analysis demonstrated that intraepithelial CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD103+ TILs were positively associated with OS (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.44-0.72; HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16-0.59; HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.42-0.60, and HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.44-0.74, respectively); stromal CD4+ and CD8+ TILs were significantly associated with OS (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.32-0.94 and HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.58-0.97, respectively). However, the pooled HR from the multivariate analysis revealed that PD-1+ TILs were not associated with the OS of patients with HGSOC (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.90-1.04). Conclusion This meta-analysis provided evidence of the association of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD103+ TILs with the survival benefits (OS and PFS) of patients with HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiatao Hao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Hui Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Taohong Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ruifang An
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China
| | - Yan Xue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, China
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Davis RS. Roles for the FCRL6 Immunoreceptor in Tumor Immunology. Front Immunol 2020; 11:575175. [PMID: 33162991 PMCID: PMC7591390 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.575175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the Fc receptor-like (FCRL1-6) gene family encode transmembrane glycoproteins that are preferentially expressed by B cells and generally repress responses via cytoplasmic tyrosine-based regulation. Given their distribution and function, there is a growing appreciation for their roles in lymphoproliferative disorders and as immunotherapeutic targets. In contrast to FCRL1-5, FCRL6 is distinctly expressed outside the B lineage by cytotoxic T and NK lymphocytes. Its restricted expression by these orchestrators of cell-mediated immunity, along with its inhibitory properties and extracellular interactions with MHCII/HLA-DR, represent a newly appreciated axis with relevance in tolerance and cancer defense. The significance of FCRL6 in this arena has been recently demonstrated by its upregulation in HLA-DR+ tumor samples from melanoma, breast, and lung cancer patients who relapsed following PD-1 blockade. These findings imply a potential mechanistic role for FCRL6 in adaptive evasion to immune checkpoint therapy. Here we review these new developments in the FCRL field and identify new evidence for the prognostic significance of FCRL6 in malignancies that collectively indicate its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall S Davis
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, and Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, The Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Sabbatino F, Liguori L, Polcaro G, Salvato I, Caramori G, Salzano FA, Casolaro V, Stellato C, Dal Col J, Pepe S. Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen System as A Predictive Biomarker for Checkpoint-Based Immunotherapy in Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197295. [PMID: 33023239 PMCID: PMC7582904 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy have clearly shown that checkpoint-based immunotherapy is effective in a small subgroup of cancer patients. However, no effective predictive biomarker has been identified so far. The major histocompatibility complex, better known in humans as human leukocyte antigen (HLA), is a very polymorphic gene complex consisting of more than 200 genes. It has a crucial role in activating an appropriate host immune response against pathogens and tumor cells by discriminating self and non-self peptides. Several lines of evidence have shown that down-regulation of expression of HLA class I antigen derived peptide complexes by cancer cells is a mechanism of tumor immune escape and is often associated to poor prognosis in cancer patients. In addition, it has also been shown that HLA class I and II antigen expression, as well as defects in the antigen processing machinery complex, may predict tumor responses in cancer immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the role of HLA in predicting tumor responses to checkpoint-based immunotherapy is still debated. In this review, firstly, we will describe the structure and function of the HLA system. Secondly, we will summarize the HLA defects and their clinical significance in cancer patients. Thirdly, we will review the potential role of the HLA as a predictive biomarker for checkpoint-based immunotherapy in cancer patients. Lastly, we will discuss the potential strategies that may restore HLA function to implement novel therapeutic strategies in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Sabbatino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Oncology Unit, AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Luigi Liguori
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Polcaro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Ilaria Salvato
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Pulmonary Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, Morphological and Functional Imaging (BIOMORF), University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Gaetano Caramori
- Pulmonary Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, Morphological and Functional Imaging (BIOMORF), University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Francesco A. Salzano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Vincenzo Casolaro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Cristiana Stellato
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Jessica Dal Col
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-08996-5210
| | - Stefano Pepe
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ’Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy; (F.S.); (G.P.); (I.S.); (F.A.S.); (V.C.); (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Oncology Unit, AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona, 84131 Salerno, Italy
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Balhorn R, Balhorn MC. Therapeutic applications of the selective high affinity ligand drug SH7139 extend beyond non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to many other types of solid cancers. Oncotarget 2020; 11:3315-3349. [PMID: 32934776 PMCID: PMC7476732 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
SH7139, the first of a series of selective high affinity ligand (SHAL) oncology drug candidates designed to target and bind to the HLA-DR proteins overexpressed by B-cell lymphomas, has demonstrated exceptional efficacy in the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma xenografts in mice and a safety profile that may prove to be unprecedented for an oncology drug. The aim of this study was to determine how frequently the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139 are expressed by different subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and by other solid cancers that have been reported to express HLA-DR. Binding studies conducted with SH7129, a biotinylated analog of SH7139, reveal that more than half of the biopsy sections obtained from patients with different types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma express the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139. Similar analyses of tumor biopsy tissue obtained from patients diagnosed with eighteen other solid cancers show the majority of these tumors also express the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139. Cervical, ovarian, colorectal and prostate cancers expressed the most HLA-DR. Only a few esophageal and head and neck tumors bound the diagnostic. Within an individual’s tumor, cell to cell differences in HLA-DR target expression varied by only 2 to 3-fold while the expression levels in tumors obtained from different patients varied as much as 10 to 100-fold. The high frequency with which SH7129 was observed to bind to these cancers suggests that many patients diagnosed with B-cell lymphomas, myelomas, and other non-hematological cancers should be considered potential candidates for new therapies such as SH7139 that target HLA-DR-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rod Balhorn
- SHAL Technologies Inc., Livermore, CA 94550, USA
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45
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Morand S, Stanbery L, Walter A, Rocconi RP, Nemunaitis J. BRCA1/2 Mutation Status Impact on Autophagy and Immune Response: Unheralded Target. JNCI Cancer Spectr 2020; 4:pkaa077. [PMID: 33409454 PMCID: PMC7771003 DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkaa077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BRCA1 and possibly BRCA2 proteins may relate to the regulation of autophagy. Autophagy plays a key role in immune response from both a tumor and immune effector cell standpoint. In cells with BRCA mutations, increased autophagy leads to elevated expression of major histocompatibility complex class II but may cause subclonal neoantigen presentation, which may impair the immune response related to clonal neoantigen visibility. We review evidence of BRCA1/2 regulation of autophagy, immune response, and antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Morand
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Rodney P Rocconi
- University of South Alabama - Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, AL, USA
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Guan X, Guan Z, Song C. Expression profile analysis identifies key genes as prognostic markers for metastasis of osteosarcoma. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:104. [PMID: 32256213 PMCID: PMC7106759 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01179-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background OS is the most common malignant tumor of bone which was featured with osteoid or immature bone produced by the malignant cells, and biomarkers are urgently needed to identify patients with this aggressive disease. Methods We downloaded gene expression profiles from GEO and TARGET datasets for OS, respectively, and performed WGCNA to identify the key module. Whereafter, functional annotation and GSEA demonstrated the relationships between target genes and OS. Results In this study, we discovered four key genes-ALOX5AP, HLA-DMB, HLA-DRA and SPINT2 as new prognostic markers and confirmed their relationship with OS metastasis in the validation set. Conclusions In conclusion, ALOX5AP, HLA-DMB, HLA-DRA and SPINT2 were identified by bioinformatics analysis as possible prognostic markers for OS metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Guan
- 1Center for Cancer Bioinformatics, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Guan
- 2Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Spinal Diseases, 49 North Garden Rd Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Chunli Song
- 2Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Spinal Diseases, 49 North Garden Rd Haidian District, Beijing, China
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Hamzeh O, Alkhateeb A, Zheng J, Kandalam S, Rueda L. Prediction of tumor location in prostate cancer tissue using a machine learning system on gene expression data. BMC Bioinformatics 2020; 21:78. [PMID: 32164523 PMCID: PMC7068980 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-020-3345-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Finding the tumor location in the prostate is an essential pathological step for prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. The location of the tumor - the laterality - can be unilateral (the tumor is affecting one side of the prostate), or bilateral on both sides. Nevertheless, the tumor can be overestimated or underestimated by standard screening methods. In this work, a combination of efficient machine learning methods for feature selection and classification are proposed to analyze gene activity and select them as relevant biomarkers for different laterality samples. RESULTS A data set that consists of 450 samples was used in this study. The samples were divided into three laterality classes (left, right, bilateral). The aim of this work is to understand the genomic activity in each class and find relevant genes as indicators for each class with nearly 99% accuracy. The system identified groups of differentially expressed genes (RTN1, HLA-DMB, MRI1) that are able to differentiate samples among the three classes. CONCLUSION The proposed method was able to detect sets of genes that can identify different laterality classes. The resulting genes are found to be strongly correlated with disease progression. HLA-DMB and EIF4G2, which are detected in the set of genes can detect the left laterality, were reported earlier to be in the same pathway called Allograft rejection SuperPath.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama Hamzeh
- School of Computer Science, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, N9B 3P4 ON Canada
| | - Abedalrhman Alkhateeb
- School of Computer Science, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, N9B 3P4 ON Canada
| | - Julia Zheng
- School of Computer Science, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, N9B 3P4 ON Canada
| | - Srinath Kandalam
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, N9B 3P4 ON Canada
| | - Luis Rueda
- School of Computer Science, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, N9B 3P4 ON Canada
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Histone deacetylase inhibition promotes intratumoral CD8 + T-cell responses, sensitizing murine breast tumors to anti-PD1. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:2081-2094. [PMID: 31720815 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02430-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors impair tumor cell proliferation and alter gene expression. However, the impact of these changes on anti-tumor immunity is poorly understood. Here, we showed that the class I HDAC inhibitor, entinostat (ENT), promoted the expression of immune-modulatory molecules, including MHCII, costimulatory ligands, and chemokines on murine breast tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. ENT also impaired tumor growth in vivo-an effect that was dependent on both CD8+ T cells and IFNγ. Moreover, ENT promoted intratumoral T-cell clonal expansion and enhanced their functional activity. Importantly, ENT sensitized normally unresponsive tumors to the effects of PD1 blockade, predominantly through increases in T-cell proliferation. Our findings suggest that class I HDAC inhibitors impair tumor growth by enhancing the proliferative and functional capacity of CD8+ T cells and by sensitizing tumor cells to T-cell recognition.
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Expressions of HLA Class II Genes in Cutaneous Melanoma Were Associated with Clinical Outcome: Bioinformatics Approaches and Systematic Analysis of Public Microarray and RNA-Seq Datasets. Diagnostics (Basel) 2019; 9:diagnostics9020059. [PMID: 31212865 PMCID: PMC6628136 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics9020059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, encoded by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes, play important roles in antigen presentation and initiation of immune responses. However, the correlation between HLA class II gene expression level and patient survival and disease progression in cutaneous melanoma is still under investigation. In the present study, we analyzed microarray and RNA-Seq data of cutaneous melanoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) using different bioinformatics tools. Survival analysis revealed higher expression level of HLA class II genes in cutaneous melanoma, especially HLA-DP and -DR, was significantly associated with better overall survival. Furthermore, the expressions of HLA class II genes were most closely associated with survival in cutaneous melanoma as compared with other cancer types. The expression of HLA class II co-expressed genes, which were found to associate with antigen processing, immune response, and inflammatory response, was also positively associated with overall survival in cutaneous melanoma. Therefore, the results indicated that increased HLA class II expression may contribute to enhanced anti-tumor immunity and related inflammatory response via presenting tumor antigens to the immune system. The expression pattern of HLA class II genes may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic targets in cutaneous melanoma.
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50
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Axelrod ML, Cook RS, Johnson DB, Balko JM. Biological Consequences of MHC-II Expression by Tumor Cells in Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:2392-2402. [PMID: 30463850 PMCID: PMC6467754 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-3200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 278] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a key pillar of cancer treatment. To build upon the recent successes of immunotherapy, intense research efforts are aimed at a molecular understanding of antitumor immune responses, identification of biomarkers of immunotherapy response and resistance, and novel strategies to circumvent resistance. These studies are revealing new insight into the intricacies of tumor cell recognition by the immune system, in large part through MHCs. Although tumor cells widely express MHC-I, a subset of tumors originating from a variety of tissues also express MHC-II, an antigen-presenting complex traditionally associated with professional antigen-presenting cells. MHC-II is critical for antigen presentation to CD4+ T lymphocytes, whose role in antitumor immunity is becoming increasingly appreciated. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that tumor-specific MHC-II associates with favorable outcomes in patients with cancer, including those treated with immunotherapies, and with tumor rejection in murine models. Herein, we will review current research regarding tumor-enriched MHC-II expression and regulation in a range of human tumors and murine models, and the possible therapeutic applications of tumor-specific MHC-II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L Axelrod
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Rebecca S Cook
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Justin M Balko
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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