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Smart SK, Yeung TY, Santos MO, McSwain LF, Wang X, Frye SV, Earp HS, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK Is a Potential Therapeutic Target in Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2831. [PMID: 39199601 PMCID: PMC11352666 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Outcomes are poor in patients with advanced or relapsed Ewing sarcoma (EWS) and current treatments have significant short- and long-term side effects. New, less toxic and more effective treatments are urgently needed. MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK) promotes tumor cell survival, metastasis, and resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies in a variety of cancers. MERTK was ubiquitously expressed in five EWS cell lines and five patient samples. Moreover, data from CRISPR-based library screens indicated that EWS cell lines are particularly dependent on MERTK. Treatment with MRX-2843, a first-in-class, MERTK-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor currently in clinical trials, decreased the phosphorylation of MERTK and downstream signaling in a dose-dependent manner in A673 and TC106 cells and provided potent anti-tumor activity against all five EWS cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 178 to 297 nM. Inhibition of MERTK correlated with anti-tumor activity, suggesting MERTK inhibition as a therapeutic mechanism of MRX-2843. Combined treatment with MRX-2843 and BCL-2 inhibitors venetoclax or navitoclax provided enhanced therapeutic activity compared to single agents. These data highlight MERTK as a promising therapeutic target in EWS and provide rationale for the development of MRX-2843 for the treatment of EWS, especially in combination with BCL-2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherri K. Smart
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.K.S.); (T.Y.Y.); (L.F.M.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Tsz Y. Yeung
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.K.S.); (T.Y.Y.); (L.F.M.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Leon F. McSwain
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.K.S.); (T.Y.Y.); (L.F.M.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (X.W.); (S.V.F.)
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (X.W.); (S.V.F.)
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.K.S.); (T.Y.Y.); (L.F.M.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.K.S.); (T.Y.Y.); (L.F.M.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Tanim K, Holtzhausen A, Thapa A, Huelse JM, Graham DK, Earp HS. MERTK Inhibition as a Targeted Novel Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7660. [PMID: 39062902 PMCID: PMC11277220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this issue honoring the contributions of Greg Lemke, the Earp and Graham lab teams discuss several threads in the discovery, action, signaling, and translational/clinical potential of MERTK, originally called c-mer, a member of the TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. The 30-year history of the TAM RTK family began slowly as all three members were orphan RTKs without known ligands and/or functions when discovered by three distinct alternate molecular cloning strategies in the pre-genome sequencing era. The pace of understanding their physiologic and pathophysiologic roles has accelerated over the last decade. The activation of ligands bridging externalized phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) has placed these RTKs in a myriad of processes including neurodevelopment, cancer, and autoimmunity. The field is ripe for further advancement and this article hopefully sets the stage for further understanding and therapeutic intervention. Our review will focus on progress made through the collaborations of the Earp and Graham labs over the past 30 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.M. Tanim
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (K.M.T.); (A.T.); (J.M.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alisha Holtzhausen
- Lineburger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Aashis Thapa
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (K.M.T.); (A.T.); (J.M.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Justus M. Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (K.M.T.); (A.T.); (J.M.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (K.M.T.); (A.T.); (J.M.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- Lineburger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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3
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Li MC, Lai YL, Kuo PH, Reddy JS, Chen CM, Manimala J, Wang PC, Wu MS, Chang CY, Yang CM, Lin CY, Huang YC, Chiu CH, Chang L, Lin WH, Yeh TK, Yen WC, Hsieh HP. Discovery of Dual MER/AXL Kinase Inhibitors as Bifunctional Small Molecules for Inhibiting Tumor Growth and Enhancing Tumor Immune Microenvironment. J Med Chem 2024; 67:10906-10927. [PMID: 38913493 PMCID: PMC11247487 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
A series of bifunctional compounds have been discovered for their dual functionality as MER/AXL inhibitors and immune modulators. The furanopyrimidine scaffold, renowned for its suitability in kinase inhibitor discovery, offers at least three distinct pharmacophore access points. Insights from molecular modeling studies guided hit-to-lead optimization, which revealed that the 1,3-diketone side chain hybridized with furanopyrimidine scaffold that respectively combined amino-type substituent and 1H-pyrazol-4-yl substituent on the top and bottom of the aryl regions to produce 22 and 33, exhibiting potent antitumor activities in various syngeneic and xenograft models. More importantly, 33 demonstrated remarkable immune-modulating activity by upregulating the expression of total T-cells, cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells, and helper CD4+ T-cells in the spleen. These findings underscored the bifunctional capabilities of 33 (BPR5K230) with excellent oral bioavailability (F = 54.6%), inhibiting both MER and AXL while modulating the tumor microenvironment and highlighting its diverse applicability for further studies to advance its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mu-Chun Li
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
- Biomedical
Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei City 115202, Taiwan, ROC
| | - You-Liang Lai
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Hsien Kuo
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Julakanti Satyanarayana Reddy
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chih-Ming Chen
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Julakanti Manimala
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Chen Wang
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Shiem Wu
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chun-Yu Chang
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chen-Ming Yang
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chin-Yu Lin
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Chen Huang
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chun-Hsien Chiu
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ling Chang
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Hsing Lin
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Teng-Kuang Yeh
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wan-Ching Yen
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsing-Pang Hsieh
- Institute
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350401, Taiwan, ROC
- Biomedical
Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei City 115202, Taiwan, ROC
- Department
of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City 300044, Taiwan, ROC
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Yu L, Deng Y, Wang X, Santos C, Davis IJ, Earp HS, Liu P. Co-targeting JAK1/STAT6/GAS6/TAM signaling improves chemotherapy efficacy in Ewing sarcoma. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5292. [PMID: 38906855 PMCID: PMC11192891 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49667-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a pediatric bone and soft tissue tumor treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Despite intensive multimodality therapy, ~50% patients eventually relapse and die of the disease due to chemoresistance. Here, using phospho-profiling, we find Ewing sarcoma cells treated with chemotherapeutic agents activate TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MERTK) kinases to augment Akt and ERK signaling facilitating chemoresistance. Mechanistically, chemotherapy-induced JAK1-SQ phosphorylation releases JAK1 pseudokinase domain inhibition allowing for JAK1 activation. This alternative JAK1 activation mechanism leads to STAT6 nuclear translocation triggering transcription and secretion of the TAM kinase ligand GAS6 with autocrine/paracrine consequences. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of either JAK1 by filgotinib or TAM kinases by UNC2025 sensitizes Ewing sarcoma to chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. Excitingly, the TAM kinase inhibitor MRX-2843 currently in human clinical trials to treat AML and advanced solid tumors, enhances chemotherapy efficacy to further suppress Ewing sarcoma tumor growth in vivo. Our findings reveal an Ewing sarcoma chemoresistance mechanism with an immediate translational value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Yu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yu Deng
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Charlene Santos
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ian J Davis
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Pengda Liu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Li F, Xu L, Li C, Hu F, Su Y. Immunological role of Gas6/TAM signaling in hemostasis and thrombosis. Thromb Res 2024; 238:161-171. [PMID: 38723521 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The immune system is an emerging regulator of hemostasis and thrombosis. The concept of immunothrombosis redefines the relationship between coagulation and immunomodulation, and the Gas6/Tyro3-Axl-MerTK (TAM) signaling pathway builds the bridge across them. During coagulation, Gas6/TAM signaling pathway not only activates platelets, but also promotes thrombosis through endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells involved in inflammatory responses. Thrombosis appears to be a common result of a Gas6/TAM signaling pathway-mediated immune dysregulation. TAM TK and its ligands have been found to be involved in coagulation through the PI3K/AKT or JAK/STAT pathway in various systemic diseases, providing new perspectives in the understanding of immunothrombosis. Gas6/TAM signaling pathway serves as a breakthrough target for novel therapeutic strategies to improve disease management. Many preclinical and clinical studies of TAM receptor inhibitors are in process, confirming the pivotal role of Gas6/TAM signaling pathway in immunothrombosis. Therapeutics targeting the TAM receptor show potential both in anticoagulation management and immunotherapy. Here, we review the immunological functions of the Gas6/TAM signaling pathway in coagulation and its multiple mechanisms in diseases identified to date, and discuss the new clinical strategies that may generated by these roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanshu Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Liling Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China.
| | - Chun Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Fanlei Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yin Su
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China; Peking University People's Hospital, Qingdao, China
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Huang D, Chen Y, Yang J, Zhao B, Wang S, Chai T, Cui J, Zhou X, Shang Z. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 2-Substituted Aniline Pyrimidine Derivatives as Potent Dual Mer/c-Met Inhibitors. Molecules 2024; 29:475. [PMID: 38257391 PMCID: PMC10819570 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Mer and c-Met kinases, which are commonly overexpressed in various tumors, are ideal targets for the development of antitumor drugs. This study focuses on the design, synthesis, and evaluation of several 2-substituted aniline pyrimidine derivatives as highly potent dual inhibitors of Mer and c-Met kinases for effective tumor treatment. Compound 18c emerged as a standout candidate, demonstrating robust inhibitory activity against Mer and c-Met kinases, with IC50 values of 18.5 ± 2.3 nM and 33.6 ± 4.3 nM, respectively. Additionally, compound 18c displayed good antiproliferative activities on HepG2, MDA-MB-231, and HCT116 cancer cells, along with favorable safety profiles in hERG testing. Notably, it exhibited exceptional liver microsomal stability in vitro, with a half-life of 53.1 min in human liver microsome. Compound 18c also exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity and hindered migration of HCT116 cancer cells, as demonstrated in apoptosis and migration assays. These findings collectively suggest that compound 18c holds promise as a dual Mer/c-Met agent for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daowei Huang
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base-Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry for Drug, Shijiazhuang 050018, China
| | - Ying Chen
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Jixia Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China;
| | - Bingyang Zhao
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Shouying Wang
- School of Food Science and Biology, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China;
| | - Tingting Chai
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Jie Cui
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen 518116, China;
| | - Xiaolei Zhou
- School of Food Science and Biology, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China;
| | - Zhenhua Shang
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base-Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry for Drug, Shijiazhuang 050018, China
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7
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Chen R, Huang B, Lian M, Wei Y, Miao Q, Liang J, Ou Y, Liang X, Zhang H, Li Y, Xiao X, Wang Q, You Z, Chai J, Gershwin ME, Tang R, Ma X. A+T rich interaction domain protein 3a (Arid3a) impairs Mertk-mediated efferocytosis in cholestasis. J Hepatol 2023; 79:1478-1490. [PMID: 37659731 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Macrophages are key elements in the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver diseases. Arid3a plays a prominent role in the biologic properties of hematopoietic stem cells, B lymphocytes and tumor cells, but its ability to modulate macrophage function during cholestasis remains unknown. METHODS Gene and protein expression and cellular localization were assessed by q-PCR, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. We generated myeloid-specific Arid3a knockout mice and established three cholestatic murine models. The transcriptome was analyzed by RNA-seq. A specific inhibitor of the Mertk receptor was used in vitro and in vivo. Promoter activity was determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation-seq against Arid3a and a luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS In cholestatic murine models, myeloid-specific deletion of Arid3a alleviated cholestatic liver injury (accompanied by decreased accumulation of macrophages). Arid3a-deficient macrophages manifested a more reparative phenotype, which was eliminated by in vitro treatment with UNC2025, a specific inhibitor of the efferocytosis receptor Mertk. Efferocytosis of apoptotic cholangiocytes was enhanced in Arid3a-deficient macrophages via upregulation of Mertk. Arid3a negatively regulated Mertk transcription by directly binding to its promoter. Targeting Mertk in vivo effectively reversed the protective phenotype of Arid3a deficiency in macrophages. Arid3a was upregulated in hepatic macrophages and circulating monocytes in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Mertk was correspondingly upregulated and negatively correlated with Arid3a expression in PBC and PSC. Mertk+ cells were located in close proximity to cholangiocytes, while Arid3a+ cells were scattered among immune cells with greater spatial distances to hyperplastic cholangiocytes in PBC and PSC. CONCLUSIONS Arid3a promotes cholestatic liver injury by impairing Mertk-mediated efferocytosis of apoptotic cholangiocytes by macrophages during cholestasis. The Arid3a-Mertk axis is a promising novel therapeutic target for cholestatic liver diseases. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Macrophages play an important role in the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver diseases. This study reveals that macrophages with Arid3a upregulation manifest a pro-inflammatory phenotype and promote cholestatic liver injury by impairing Mertk-mediated efferocytosis of apoptotic cholangiocytes during cholestasis. Although we now offer a new paradigm to explain how efferocytosis is regulated in a myeloid cell autonomous manner, the regulatory effects of Arid3a on chronic liver diseases remain to be further elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiling Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Bingyuan Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Min Lian
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Yiran Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qi Miao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Jubo Liang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Yiyan Ou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Xueying Liang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Huayang Zhang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - You Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Qixia Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Zhengrui You
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Jin Chai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Digestive Diseases of PLA, Cholestatic Liver Diseases Center and Center for Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Ruqi Tang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China.
| | - Xiong Ma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai 200001, China; Institute of Aging & Tissue Regeneration, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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8
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Basak U, Sarkar T, Mukherjee S, Chakraborty S, Dutta A, Dutta S, Nayak D, Kaushik S, Das T, Sa G. Tumor-associated macrophages: an effective player of the tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1295257. [PMID: 38035101 PMCID: PMC10687432 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1295257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer progression is primarily caused by interactions between transformed cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). TAMs (tumor-associated macrophages) make up the majority of the invading immune components, which are further categorized as anti-tumor M1 and pro-tumor M2 subtypes. While M1 is known to have anti-cancer properties, M2 is recognized to extend a protective role to the tumor. As a result, the tumor manipulates the TME in such a way that it induces macrophage infiltration and M1 to M2 switching bias to secure its survival. This M2-TAM bias in the TME promotes cancer cell proliferation, neoangiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, matrix remodeling for metastatic support, and TME manipulation to an immunosuppressive state. TAMs additionally promote the emergence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are known for their ability to originate, metastasize, and relapse into tumors. CSCs also help M2-TAM by revealing immune escape and survival strategies during the initiation and relapse phases. This review describes the reasons for immunotherapy failure and, thereby, devises better strategies to impair the tumor-TAM crosstalk. This study will shed light on the understudied TAM-mediated tumor progression and address the much-needed holistic approach to anti-cancer therapy, which encompasses targeting cancer cells, CSCs, and TAMs all at the same time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udit Basak
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Tania Sarkar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Sumon Mukherjee
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Apratim Dutta
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Saikat Dutta
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Debadatta Nayak
- Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH), New Delhi, India
| | - Subhash Kaushik
- Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH), New Delhi, India
| | - Tanya Das
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Gaurisankar Sa
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
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9
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Ubil E, Zahid KR. Structure and functions of Mer, an innate immune checkpoint. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1244170. [PMID: 37936688 PMCID: PMC10626544 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1244170] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic tool that promotes the elimination of cancerous cells by a patient's own immune system. However, in the clinical setting, the number of cancer patients benefitting from immunotherapy is limited. Identification and targeting of other immune subsets, such as tumor-associated macrophages, and alternative immune checkpoints, like Mer, may further limit tumor progression and therapy resistance. In this review, we highlight the key roles of macrophage Mer signaling in immune suppression. We also summarize the role of pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes in tumor onset and progression and how Mer structure and activation can be targeted therapeutically to alter activation state. Preclinical and clinical studies focusing on Mer kinase inhibition have demonstrated the potential of targeting this innate immune checkpoint, leading to improved anti-tumor responses and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Ubil
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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10
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Happonen KE, Burrola PG, Lemke G. Regulation of brain endothelial cell physiology by the TAM receptor tyrosine kinase Mer. Commun Biol 2023; 6:916. [PMID: 37673933 PMCID: PMC10482977 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05287-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase Mer (gene name Mertk) acts in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) to tighten the blood-brain barrier (BBB) subsequent to viral infection, but how this is achieved is poorly understood. We find that Mer controls the expression and activity of a large cohort of BBB regulators, along with endothelial nitric oxide synthase. It also controls, via an Akt-Foxo1 pathway, the expression of multiple angiogenic genes. Correspondingly, EC-specific Mertk gene inactivation resulted in perturbed vascular sprouting and a compromised BBB after induced photothrombotic stroke. Unexpectedly, stroke lesions in the brain were also reduced in the absence of EC Mer, which was linked to reduced plasma expression of fibrinogen, prothrombin, and other effectors of blood coagulation. Together, these results demonstrate that Mer is a central regulator of angiogenesis, BBB integrity, and blood coagulation in the mature vasculature. They may also account for disease severity following infection with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa E Happonen
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Patrick G Burrola
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Greg Lemke
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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11
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Kelvin JM, Chimenti ML, Zhang DY, Williams EK, Moore SG, Humber GM, Baxter TA, Birnbaum LA, Qui M, Zecca H, Thapa A, Jain J, Jui NT, Wang X, Fu H, Du Y, Kemp ML, Lam WA, Graham DK, DeRyckere D, Dreaden EC. Development of constitutively synergistic nanoformulations to enhance chemosensitivity in T-cell leukemia. J Control Release 2023; 361:470-482. [PMID: 37543290 PMCID: PMC10544718 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Advances in multiagent chemotherapy have led to recent improvements in survival for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); however, a significant fraction do not respond to frontline chemotherapy or later relapse with recurrent disease, after which long-term survival rates remain low. To develop new, effective treatment options for these patients, we conducted a series of high-throughput combination drug screens to identify chemotherapies that synergize in a lineage-specific manner with MRX-2843, a small molecule dual MERTK and FLT3 kinase inhibitor currently in clinical testing for treatment of relapsed/refractory leukemias and solid tumors. Using experimental and computational approaches, we found that MRX-2843 synergized strongly-and in a ratio-dependent manner-with vincristine to inhibit both B-ALL and T-ALL cell line expansion. Based on these findings, we developed multiagent lipid nanoparticle formulations of these drugs that not only delivered defined drug ratios intracellularly in T-ALL, but also improved anti-leukemia activity following drug encapsulation. Synergistic and additive interactions were recapitulated in primary T-ALL patient samples treated with MRX-2843 and vincristine nanoparticle formulations, suggesting their clinical relevance. Moreover, the nanoparticle formulations reduced disease burden and prolonged survival in an orthotopic murine xenograft model of early thymic precursor T-ALL (ETP-ALL), with both agents contributing to therapeutic activity in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, nanoparticles containing MRX-2843 alone were ineffective in this model. Thus, MRX-2843 increased the sensitivity of ETP-ALL cells to vincristine in vivo. In this context, the additive particles, containing a higher dose of MRX-2843, provided more effective disease control than the synergistic particles. In contrast, particles containing an even higher, antagonistic ratio of MRX-2843 and vincristine were less effective. Thus, both the drug dose and the ratio-dependent interaction between MRX-2843 and vincristine significantly impacted therapeutic activity in vivo. Together, these findings present a systematic approach to high-throughput combination drug screening and multiagent drug delivery that maximizes the therapeutic potential of combined MRX-2843 and vincristine in T-ALL and describe a novel translational agent that could be used to enhance therapeutic responses to vincristine in patients with T-ALL. This broadly generalizable approach could also be applied to develop other constitutively synergistic combination products for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Kelvin
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Madison L Chimenti
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dan Y Zhang
- Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Evelyn K Williams
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Samuel G Moore
- Systems Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Gabrielle M Humber
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Travon A Baxter
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Lacey A Birnbaum
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Min Qui
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Henry Zecca
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Aashis Thapa
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Juhi Jain
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nathan T Jui
- Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Haian Fu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yuhong Du
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Melissa L Kemp
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Wilbur A Lam
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Erik C Dreaden
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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12
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Su C, Himes JE, Kirsch DG. Relationship between the tumor microenvironment and the efficacy of the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 378:201-232. [PMID: 37438018 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Activating and recruiting the immune system is critical for successful cancer treatment. Since the discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunotherapy has become the standard of care for many types of cancers. However, many patients fail to respond to immunotherapy. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of resistance and adjuvant therapies that can help sensitize patients to immunotherapies. Here, we will discuss how radiotherapy can change the tumor microenvironment and work synergistically with immunotherapy. We will examine different pre-clinical models focusing on their limitations and their unique advantages in studying the efficacy of treatments and the tumor microenvironment. We will also describe emerging findings from clinical trials testing the combination of immunotherapy and radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Su
- Molecular Cancer Biology Program and Medical Scientist Training Program, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jonathon E Himes
- Molecular Cancer Biology Program and Medical Scientist Training Program, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - David G Kirsch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States; Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States.
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13
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Cruz Cruz J, Allison KC, Page LS, Jenkins AJ, Wang X, Earp HS, Frye SV, Graham DK, Verneris MR, Lee-Sherick AB. Inhibiting efferocytosis reverses macrophage-mediated immunosuppression in the leukemia microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1146721. [PMID: 36960055 PMCID: PMC10027704 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1146721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies show that the spleen and bone marrow can serve as leukemia microenvironments in which macrophages play a significant role in immune evasion and chemoresistance. We hypothesized that the macrophage driven tolerogenic process of efferocytosis is a major contributor to the immunosuppressive leukemia microenvironment and that this was driven by aberrant phosphatidylserine expression from cell turnover and cell membrane dysregulation. Methods Since MerTK is the prototypic efferocytosis receptor, we assessed whether the MerTK inhibitor MRX2843, which is currently in clinical trials, would reverse immune evasion and enhance immune-mediated clearance of leukemia cells. Results We found that inhibition of MerTK decreased leukemia-associated macrophage expression of M2 markers PD-L1, PD-L2, Tim-3, CD163 and Arginase-1 compared to vehicle-treated controls. Additionally, MerTK inhibition led to M1 macrophage repolarization including elevated CD86 and HLA-DR expression, and increased production of T cell activating cytokines, including IFN-β, IL-18, and IL-1β through activation of NF-κB. Collectively, this macrophage repolarization had downstream effects on T cells within the leukemia microenvironment, including decreased PD-1+Tim-3+ and LAG3+ checkpoint expression, and increased CD69+CD107a+ expression. Discussion These results demonstrate that MerTK inhibition using MRX2843 altered the leukemia microenvironment from tumor-permissive toward immune responsiveness to leukemia and culminated in improved immune-mediated clearance of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn Cruz Cruz
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Kristen C. Allison
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Lauren S. Page
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alexis J. Jenkins
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michael R. Verneris
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alisa B. Lee-Sherick
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
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14
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Lambo DJ, Lebedenko CG, McCallum PA, Banerjee IA. Molecular dynamics, MMGBSA, and docking studies of natural products conjugated to tumor-targeted peptide for targeting BRAF V600E and MERTK receptors. Mol Divers 2023; 27:389-423. [PMID: 35505173 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10430-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed that MERTK and BRAF V600E receptors have been found to be over-expressed in several types of cancers including melanoma, making these receptors targets for drug design. In this study, we have designed novel peptide conjugates with the natural products vanillic acid, thiazole-2-carboxylic acid, cinnamic acid, theanine, and protocatechuic acid. Each of these compounds was conjugated with the tumor targeting peptide sequence TAASGVRSMH, known to bind to NG2 and target tumor neovasculature. We examined their binding affinities and stability with MERTK and BRAF V600E receptors using molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies. Compared to the neat compounds, the peptide conjugates displayed higher binding affinity toward both receptors. In the case of MERTK, the most stable complexes were formed with di-theaninate-peptide, vanillate-peptide, and thiazole-2-amido peptide conjugates and binding occurred in the hinge region. Additionally, it was discovered that the peptide alone also had high binding ability and stability with the MERTK receptor. In the case of BRAF V600E, the peptide conjugates of protocatechuate, vanillate and thiazole-2-amido peptide conjugates showed the formation of the most stable complexes and binding occurred in the ATP binding cleft. Further analysis revealed that the number of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions played a critical role in enhanced stability of the complexes. Docking studies also revealed that binding affinities for NG2 were similar to MERTK and higher for BRAF V600E. MMGBSA studies of the trajectories revealed that the protocatechuate-peptide conjugate showed the highest binding energy with BRAF V600E while the peptide-TAASGVRSMH showed the highest binding energy with MERTK. ADME studies revealed that each of the compounds showed medium to high permeability toward MDCK cells and were not hERG blockers. Furthermore, the conjugates were not CYP inhibitors or substrates, but they were found to be Pgp substrates. Our results indicated that the protocatechuate-TAASGVRSMH, thiazole-2-amido-TAASGVRSMH, and vanillate-TAASGVRSMH conjugates may be furthered developed for in vitro and in vivo studies as novel tumor targeting compounds for tumor cells over-expressing BRAF V600E, while di-theaninate-amido-TAASGVRSMH and thiazole-2-amido-TAASGVRSMH conjugates may be developed for targeting MERTK receptors. These studies provide insight into the molecular interactions of natural product-peptide conjugates and their potential for binding to and targeting MERTK and BRAF V600E receptors in developing new therapeutics for targeting cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic J Lambo
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA
| | - Charlotta G Lebedenko
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA
| | - Paige A McCallum
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA
| | - Ipsita A Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA.
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15
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Therapeutic Targeting of MERTK and BCL-2 in T-Cell and Early T-Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246142. [PMID: 36551626 PMCID: PMC9776749 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) accounts for 15% of childhood ALL. The early T-precursor (ETP-ALL) subset is characterized by an immature T-cell phenotype, chemoresistance, and high rates of induction failure. MERTK receptor tyrosine kinase is ectopically expressed in half of T-ALLs, particularly those with an immature T-cell phenotype, suggesting a role in ETP-ALL. The anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) is essential for ETP-ALL cell survival. Here, we show that MERTK and BCL-2 mRNA and protein are preferentially expressed in ETP-ALL patient samples. The dual MERTK/FLT3 inhibitor MRX-2843 decreased MERTK activation and downstream signaling, inhibited cell expansion, and induced cell death in ETP-ALL cell lines. Further, 54% (21/39) of primary T-ALL patient samples were sensitive to MERTK inhibition. Treatment with MRX-2843 significantly reduced leukemia burden and prolonged survival in cell-line-derived T-ALL and ETP-ALL xenograft models. In a patient-derived ETP-ALL xenograft model, treatment with MRX-2843 markedly reduced peripheral blood leukemia and spleen weight compared to vehicle-treated mice and prolonged survival. MRX-2843 also synergized with venetoclax to provide enhanced anti-leukemia activity in ETP-ALL cell cultures, with a dose ratio of 1:20 MRX-2843:venetoclax providing optimal synergy. These data demonstrate the therapeutic potential of MRX-2843 in patients with T-ALL and provide rationale for clinical development. MRX-2843 monotherapy is currently being tested in patients with relapsed leukemia (NCT04872478). Further, our data indicate that combined MERTK and BCL-2 inhibition may be particularly effective for treatment of ETP-ALL.
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16
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Silina L, Dufour F, Rapinat A, Reyes C, Gentien D, Maksut F, Radvanyi F, Verrelle P, Bernard-Pierrot I, Mégnin-Chanet F. Tyro3 Targeting as a Radiosensitizing Strategy in Bladder Cancer through Cell Cycle Dysregulation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158671. [PMID: 35955805 PMCID: PMC9368768 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is a common cancer; it is the tenth most common cancer in the world. Around one fourth of all diagnosed patients have muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), characterized by advanced tumors and which remains a lethal disease. The standard treatment for MIBC is the bladder removal by surgery. However, bladder-preserving alternatives are emerging by combining chemotherapy, radiotherapy and minimal surgery, aiming to increase the patient’s quality of life. The aim of the study was to improve these treatments by investigating a novel approach where in addition to radiotherapy, a receptor, TYRO3, a member of TAM receptor tyrosine kinase family known to be highly expressed on the bladder cancer cells and involved in the control of cell survival is targeted. For this, we evaluated the influence of TYRO3 expression levels on a colony or cell survival assays, DNA damage, γH2AX foci formation, gene expression profiling and cell cycle regulation, after radiation on different bladder cell models. We found that TYRO3 expression impacts the radiation response via the cell cycle dysregulation with noeffets on the DNA repair. Therefore, targeting TYRO3 is a promising sensitization marker that could be clinically employed in future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Silina
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR144, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
- INSERM U 1196/CNRS UMR 9187, Paris-Saclay Research University, 91405 Orsay, France
- Institut Curie, Bat. 112, Rue H. Becquerel, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Florent Dufour
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR144, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Audrey Rapinat
- Genomics Platform, Translational Research Department, Research Center, Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Reyes
- Genomics Platform, Translational Research Department, Research Center, Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - David Gentien
- Genomics Platform, Translational Research Department, Research Center, Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Fatlinda Maksut
- INSERM U 1196/CNRS UMR 9187, Paris-Saclay Research University, 91405 Orsay, France
- Institut Curie, Bat. 112, Rue H. Becquerel, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - François Radvanyi
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR144, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Verrelle
- INSERM U 1196/CNRS UMR 9187, Paris-Saclay Research University, 91405 Orsay, France
- Institut Curie, Bat. 112, Rue H. Becquerel, 91405 Orsay, France
- Institut Curie-Hospital, Radiation Oncology Department, 75005 Paris, France
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Isabelle Bernard-Pierrot
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR144, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Frédérique Mégnin-Chanet
- INSERM U 1196/CNRS UMR 9187, Paris-Saclay Research University, 91405 Orsay, France
- Institut Curie, Bat. 112, Rue H. Becquerel, 91405 Orsay, France
- Correspondence:
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17
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Wang L, Zhou Y, Wu X, Ma X, Li B, Ding R, Stashko MA, Wu Z, Wang X, Li Z. The Synthesis and Initial Evaluation of MerTK Targeted PET Agents. Molecules 2022; 27:1460. [PMID: 35268561 PMCID: PMC8911752 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27051460] [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: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MerTK (Mer tyrosine kinase), a receptor tyrosine kinase, is ectopically or aberrantly expressed in numerous human hematologic and solid malignancies. Although a variety of MerTK targeting therapies are being developed to enhance outcomes for patients with various cancers, the sensitivity of tumors to MerTK suppression may not be uniform due to the heterogeneity of solid tumors and different tumor stages. In this report, we develop a series of radiolabeled agents as potential MerTK PET (positron emission tomography) agents. In our initial in vivo evaluation, [18F]-MerTK-6 showed prominent uptake rate (4.79 ± 0.24%ID/g) in B16F10 tumor-bearing mice. The tumor to muscle ratio reached 1.86 and 3.09 at 0.5 and 2 h post-injection, respectively. In summary, [18F]-MerTK-6 is a promising PET agent for MerTK imaging and is worth further evaluation in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; (L.W.); (X.W.); (X.M.); (Z.L.)
| | - Yubai Zhou
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (B.L.); (R.D.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Xuedan Wu
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; (L.W.); (X.W.); (X.M.); (Z.L.)
| | - Xinrui Ma
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; (L.W.); (X.W.); (X.M.); (Z.L.)
| | - Bing Li
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (B.L.); (R.D.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Ransheng Ding
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (B.L.); (R.D.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Michael A. Stashko
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (B.L.); (R.D.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Zhanhong Wu
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; (L.W.); (X.W.); (X.M.); (Z.L.)
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (B.L.); (R.D.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Zibo Li
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; (L.W.); (X.W.); (X.M.); (Z.L.)
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18
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Lin J, Xu A, Jin J, Zhang M, Lou J, Qian C, Zhu J, Wang Y, Yang Z, Li X, Yu W, Liu B, Tao H. MerTK-mediated efferocytosis promotes immune tolerance and tumor progression in osteosarcoma through enhancing M2 polarization and PD-L1 expression. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2024941. [PMID: 35036076 PMCID: PMC8757471 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.2024941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The poor progress of immunotherapy on osteosarcoma patients requires deeper delineation of immune tolerance mechanisms in the osteosarcoma microenvironment and a new therapeutic strategy. Clearance of apoptotic cells by phagocytes, a process termed “efferocytosis,” is ubiquitous in tumors and mediates the suppression of innate immune inflammatory response. Considering the massive infiltrated macrophages in osteosarcoma, efferocytosis probably serves as a potential target, but is rarely studied in osteosarcoma. Here, we verified M2 polarization and PD-L1 expression of macrophages following efferocytosis. Pharmacological inhibition and genetic knockdown were used to explore the underlying pathway. Moreover, tumor progression and immune landscape were evaluated following inhibition of efferocytosis in osteosarcoma model. Our study indicated that efferocytosis promoted PD-L1 expression and M2 polarization of macrophages. Ëfferocytosis was mediated by MerTK receptor in osteosarcoma and regulated the phenotypes of macrophages through the p38/STAT3 pathway. By establishing the murine osteosarcoma model, we emphasized that inhibition of MerTK suppressed tumor growth and enhanced the T cell cytotoxic function by increasing the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and decreasing their exhaustion. Our findings demonstrate that MerTK-mediated efferocytosis promotes osteosarcoma progression by enhancing M2 polarization of macrophages and PD-L1-induced immune tolerance, which were regulated through the p38/STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinti Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Ankai Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Jiakang Jin
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Man Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Jianan Lou
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Chao Qian
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Jian Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Yitian Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Zhengming Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Xiumao Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Wei Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Huimin Tao
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
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19
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Potjewyd FM, Annor‐Gyamfi JK, Aubé J, Chu S, Conlon IL, Frankowski KJ, Guduru SKR, Hardy BP, Hopkins MD, Kinoshita C, Kireev DB, Mason ER, Moerk CT, Nwogbo F, Pearce KH, Richardson TI, Rogers DA, Soni DM, Stashko M, Wang X, Wells C, Willson TM, Frye SV, Young JE, Axtman AD. Use of AD Informer Set compounds to explore validity of novel targets in Alzheimer's disease pathology. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA: TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS 2022; 8:e12253. [PMID: 35434254 PMCID: PMC9005681 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Introduction A chemogenomic set of small molecules with annotated activities and implicated roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD) called the AD Informer Set was recently developed and made available to the AD research community: https://treatad.org/data‐tools/ad‐informer‐set/. Methods Small subsets of AD Informer Set compounds were selected for AD‐relevant profiling. Nine compounds targeting proteins expressed by six AD‐implicated genes prioritized for study by Target Enablement to Accelerate Therapy Development for Alzheimer's Disease (TREAT‐AD) teams were selected for G‐protein coupled receptor (GPCR), amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau, and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies. Four non‐overlapping compounds were analyzed in microglial cytotoxicity and phagocytosis assays. Results The nine compounds targeting CAPN2, EPHX2, MDK, MerTK/FLT3, or SYK proteins were profiled in 46 to 47 primary GPCR binding assays. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)‐derived neurons were treated with the same nine compounds and secretion of Aβ peptides (Aβ40 and Aβ42) as well as levels of phosphophorylated tau (p‐tau, Thr231) and total tau (t‐tau) peptides measured at two concentrations and two timepoints. Finally, CD1 mice were dosed intravenously to determine preliminary PK and/or brain‐specific penetrance values for these compounds. As a final cell‐based study, a non‐overlapping subset of four compounds was selected based on single‐concentration screening for analysis of both cytotoxicity and phagocytosis in murine and human microglia cells. Discussion We have demonstrated the utility of the AD Informer Set in the validation of novel AD hypotheses using biochemical, cellular (primary and immortalized), and in vivo studies. The selectivity for their primary targets versus essential GPCRs in the brain was established for our compounds. Statistical changes in tau, p‐tau, Aβ40, and/or Aβ42 and blood–brain barrier penetrance were observed, solidifying the utility of specific compounds for AD. Single‐concentration phagocytosis results were validated as predictive of dose–response findings. These studies established workflows, validated assays, and illuminated next steps for protein targets and compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances M. Potjewyd
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Structural Genomics Consortium Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Joel K. Annor‐Gyamfi
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Structural Genomics Consortium Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Shaoyou Chu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
| | - Ivie L. Conlon
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Kevin J. Frankowski
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Shiva K. R. Guduru
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Brian P. Hardy
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Megan D. Hopkins
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Chizuru Kinoshita
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
| | - Dmitri B. Kireev
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Emily R. Mason
- Department of Medicine Division of Clinical Pharmacology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis Indiana USA
| | - Charles T. Moerk
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
| | - Felix Nwogbo
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Kenneth H. Pearce
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Timothy I. Richardson
- Department of Medicine Division of Clinical Pharmacology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis Indiana USA
| | - David A. Rogers
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Disha M. Soni
- Department of Medicine Division of Clinical Pharmacology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis Indiana USA
| | - Michael Stashko
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Carrow Wells
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Structural Genomics Consortium Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Timothy M. Willson
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Structural Genomics Consortium Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Jessica E. Young
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
| | - Alison D. Axtman
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry Structural Genomics Consortium Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
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20
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Bleijs M, Pleijte C, Engels S, Ringnalda F, Meyer-Wentrup F, van de Wetering M, Clevers H. EWSR1-WT1 Target Genes and Therapeutic Options Identified in a Novel DSRCT In Vitro Model. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236072. [PMID: 34885181 PMCID: PMC8657306 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236072] [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: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an extremely rare soft tissue sarcoma arising in the abdomen of adolescents and young adults. This sarcoma is driven by a single genomic rearrangement, resulting in the expression of the EWSR1-WT1 fusion gene. No effective treatment exists for DSRCT patients, which highlights the need for preclinical models to study disease progression and drug sensitivity. The aim of this study is to develop a pre-clinical DSRCT in vitro model, which enables investigating the molecular target genes of the EWSR1-WT1 fusion gene and allows for medium-throughput drug screening to discover new therapeutic options. Abstract Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma with a lack of effective treatment options and a poor prognosis. DSRCT is characterized by a chromosomal translocation, resulting in the EWSR1-WT1 gene fusion. The molecular mechanisms driving DSRCT are poorly understood, and a paucity of preclinical models hampers DSRCT research. Here, we establish a novel primary patient-derived DSRCT in vitro model, recapitulating the original tumor. We find that EWSR1-WT1 expression affects cell shape and cell survival, and we identify downstream target genes of the EWSR1-WT1 fusion. Additionally, this preclinical in vitro model allows for medium-throughput drug screening. We discover sensitivity to several drugs, including compounds targeting RTKs. MERTK, which has been described as a therapeutic target for several malignancies, correlates with EWSR1-WT1 expression. Inhibition of MERTK with the small-molecule inhibitor UNC2025 results in reduced proliferation of DSRCT cells in vitro, suggesting MERTK as a therapeutic target in DSRCT. This study underscores the usefulness of preclinical in vitro models for studying molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margit Bleijs
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.B.); (C.P.); (S.E.); (F.R.); (F.M.-W.); (M.v.d.W.)
- Oncode Institute, 3521 AL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Corine Pleijte
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.B.); (C.P.); (S.E.); (F.R.); (F.M.-W.); (M.v.d.W.)
- Oncode Institute, 3521 AL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sem Engels
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.B.); (C.P.); (S.E.); (F.R.); (F.M.-W.); (M.v.d.W.)
- Oncode Institute, 3521 AL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Femke Ringnalda
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.B.); (C.P.); (S.E.); (F.R.); (F.M.-W.); (M.v.d.W.)
- Oncode Institute, 3521 AL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Friederike Meyer-Wentrup
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.B.); (C.P.); (S.E.); (F.R.); (F.M.-W.); (M.v.d.W.)
| | - Marc van de Wetering
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.B.); (C.P.); (S.E.); (F.R.); (F.M.-W.); (M.v.d.W.)
| | - Hans Clevers
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.B.); (C.P.); (S.E.); (F.R.); (F.M.-W.); (M.v.d.W.)
- Oncode Institute, 3521 AL Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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21
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Yan D, Earp HS, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. Targeting MERTK and AXL in EGFR Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5639. [PMID: 34830794 PMCID: PMC8616094 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MERTK and AXL are members of the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases and are abnormally expressed in 69% and 93% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), respectively. Expression of MERTK and/or AXL provides a survival advantage for NSCLC cells and correlates with lymph node metastasis, drug resistance, and disease progression in patients with NSCLC. The TAM receptors on host tumor infiltrating cells also play important roles in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Thus, MERTK and AXL are attractive biologic targets for NSCLC treatment. Here, we will review physiologic and oncologic roles for MERTK and AXL with an emphasis on the potential to target these kinases in NSCLCs with activating EGFR mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yan
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
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22
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Powell RM, Peeters MJW, Rahbech A, Aehnlich P, Seremet T, thor Straten P. Small Molecule Inhibitors of MERTK and FLT3 Induce Cell Cycle Arrest in Human CD8 + T Cells. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9111294. [PMID: 34835225 PMCID: PMC8617686 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111294] [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: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in the development of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases inhibitors (RTKIs) for cancer treatment, as dysregulation of RTK expression can govern oncogenesis. Among the newer generations of RTKIs, many target Mer Tyrosine Kinase (MERTK) and Fms related RTK 3 (FLT3). Next to being overexpressed in many cancers, MERTK and FLT3 have important roles in immune cell development and function. In this study, we address how the new generation and potent RTKIs of MERTK/FLT3 affect human primary CD8+ T cell function. Using ex vivo T cell receptor (TCR)-activated CD8+ T cells, we demonstrate that use of dual MERTK/FLT3 inhibitor UNC2025 restricts CD8+ T proliferation at the G2 phase, at least in part by modulation of mTOR signaling. Cytokine production and activation remain largely unaffected. Finally, we show that activated CD8+ T cells express FLT3 from day two post activation, and FLT3 inhibition with AC220 (quizartinib) or siRNA-mediated knockdown affects cell cycle kinetics. These results signify that caution is needed when using potent RTKIs in the context of antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M. Powell
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (R.M.P.); (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.); (P.A.); (T.S.)
| | - Marlies J. W. Peeters
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (R.M.P.); (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.); (P.A.); (T.S.)
| | - Anne Rahbech
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (R.M.P.); (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.); (P.A.); (T.S.)
| | - Pia Aehnlich
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (R.M.P.); (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.); (P.A.); (T.S.)
| | - Tina Seremet
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (R.M.P.); (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.); (P.A.); (T.S.)
| | - Per thor Straten
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (R.M.P.); (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.); (P.A.); (T.S.)
- Inflammation and Cancer Group, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence:
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23
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Lindsay RS, Whitesell JC, Dew KE, Rodriguez E, Sandor AM, Tracy D, Yannacone SF, Basta BN, Jacobelli J, Friedman RS. MERTK on mononuclear phagocytes regulates T cell antigen recognition at autoimmune and tumor sites. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20200464. [PMID: 34415994 PMCID: PMC8383814 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding mechanisms of immune regulation is key to developing immunotherapies for autoimmunity and cancer. We examined the role of mononuclear phagocytes during peripheral T cell regulation in type 1 diabetes and melanoma. MERTK expression and activity in mononuclear phagocytes in the pancreatic islets promoted islet T cell regulation, resulting in reduced sensitivity of T cell scanning for cognate antigen in prediabetic islets. MERTK-dependent regulation led to reduced T cell activation and effector function at the disease site in islets and prevented rapid progression of type 1 diabetes. In human islets, MERTK-expressing cells were increased in remaining insulin-containing islets of type 1 diabetic patients, suggesting that MERTK protects islets from autoimmune destruction. MERTK also regulated T cell arrest in melanoma tumors. These data indicate that MERTK signaling in mononuclear phagocytes drives T cell regulation at inflammatory disease sites in peripheral tissues through a mechanism that reduces the sensitivity of scanning for antigen leading to reduced responsiveness to antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin S. Lindsay
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO
| | - Jennifer C. Whitesell
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO
- Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, Aurora, CO
| | - Kristen E. Dew
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO
| | - Erika Rodriguez
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO
- Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, Aurora, CO
| | - Adam M. Sandor
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO
| | - Dayna Tracy
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO
| | - Seth F. Yannacone
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO
| | | | - Jordan Jacobelli
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO
- Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, Aurora, CO
| | - Rachel S. Friedman
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO
- Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, Aurora, CO
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24
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Aehnlich P, Powell RM, Peeters MJW, Rahbech A, thor Straten P. TAM Receptor Inhibition-Implications for Cancer and the Immune System. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061195. [PMID: 33801886 PMCID: PMC7998716 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary TAM receptors are a family of receptor tyrosine kinases, comprising Tyro3, Axl and MerTK. Their primary role is in digestion of dying cells by macrophages without alarming the immune system. TAM receptors are also expressed by cancer cells in which signaling is oncogenic, and for this reason there is growing interest and research into TAM inhibition. This approach to cancer treatment may, however, come into conflict with beneficial and costimulatory TAM receptor signaling in T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. The aim of this review is to explore in detail the effects of TAM receptor inhibition on cancer cells and immune cells, and how the ramifications of this inhibition may affect cancer treatment in humans. Abstract Tyro3, Axl and MerTK (TAM) receptors are receptor tyrosine kinases which play important roles in efferocytosis and in the balancing of immune responses and inflammation. TAM receptor activation is induced upon binding of the ligands protein S (Pros1) or growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) which act as bridging molecules for binding of phosphatidyl serine (PtdSer) exposed on apoptotic cell membranes. Upon clearance of apoptotic cell material, TAM receptor activation on innate cells suppresses proinflammatory functions, thereby ensuring the immunologically silent removal of apoptotic material in the absence of deleterious immune responses. However, in T cells, MerTK signaling is costimulatory and promotes activation and functional output of the cell. MerTK and Axl are also aberrantly expressed in a range of both hematological and solid tumor malignancies, including breast, lung, melanoma and acute myeloid leukemia, where they have a role in oncogenic signaling. Consequently, TAM receptors are being investigated as therapeutic targets using small molecule inhibitors and have already demonstrated efficacy in mouse tumor models. Thus, inhibition of TAM signaling in cancer cells could have therapeutic value but given the opposing roles of TAM signaling in innate cells and T cells, TAM inhibition could also jeopardize anticancer immune responses. This conflict is discussed in this review, describing the effects of TAM inhibition on cancer cells as well as immune cells, while also examining the intricate interplay of cancer and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Aehnlich
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: (P.A.); (R.M.P.); (P.t.S.)
| | - Richard Morgan Powell
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: (P.A.); (R.M.P.); (P.t.S.)
| | - Marlies J. W. Peeters
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Anne Rahbech
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Per thor Straten
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (P.A.); (R.M.P.); (P.t.S.)
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25
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Hoque M, Wai Wong S, Recasens A, Abbassi R, Nguyen N, Zhang D, Stashko MA, Wang X, Frye S, Day BW, Baell J, Munoz L. MerTK activity is not necessary for the proliferation of glioblastoma stem cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 186:114437. [PMID: 33571503 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
MerTK has been identified as a promising target for therapeutic intervention in glioblastoma. Genetic studies documented a range of oncogenic processes that MerTK targeting could influence, however robust pharmacological validation has been missing. The aim of this study was to assess therapeutic potential of MerTK inhibitors in glioblastoma therapy. Unlike previous studies, our work provides several lines of evidence that MerTK activity is dispensable for glioblastoma growth. We observed heterogeneous responses to MerTK inhibitors that could not be correlated to MerTK inhibition or MerTK expression in cells. The more selective MerTK inhibitors UNC2250 and UNC2580A lack the anti-proliferative potency of less-selective inhibitors exemplified by UNC2025. Functional assays in MerTK-high and MerTK-deficient cells further demonstrate that the anti-cancer efficacy of UNC2025 is MerTK-independent. However, despite its efficacy in vitro, UNC2025 failed to attenuate glioblastoma growth in vivo. Gene expression analysis from cohorts of glioblastoma patients identified that MerTK expression correlates negatively with proliferation and positively with quiescence genes, suggesting that MerTK regulates dormancy rather than proliferation in glioblastoma. In summary, this study demonstrates the importance of orthogonal inhibitors and disease-relevant models in target validation studies and raises a possibility that MerTK inhibitors could be used to target dormant glioblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monira Hoque
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Siu Wai Wong
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ariadna Recasens
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ramzi Abbassi
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Dehui Zhang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael A Stashko
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen Frye
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bryan W Day
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Jonathan Baell
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, People's Republic of China
| | - Lenka Munoz
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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26
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Zhou X, Liu X, Huang L. Macrophage-Mediated Tumor Cell Phagocytosis: Opportunity for Nanomedicine Intervention. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2021; 31:2006220. [PMID: 33692665 PMCID: PMC7939128 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202006220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages are one of the most abundant non-malignant cells in the tumor microenvironment, playing critical roles in mediating tumor immunity. As important innate immune cells, macrophages possess the potential to engulf tumor cells and present tumor-specific antigens for adaptive antitumor immunity induction, leading to growing interest in targeting macrophage phagocytosis for cancer immunotherapy. Nevertheless, live tumor cells have evolved to evade phagocytosis by macrophages via the extensive expression of anti-phagocytic molecules, such as CD47. In addition, macrophages also rapidly recognize and engulf apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) in the tumor microenvironment, which inhibits inflammatory responses and facilitates immune escape of tumor cells. Thus, intervention of macrophage phagocytosis by blocking anti-phagocytic signals on live tumor cells or inhibiting tumor efferocytosis presents a promising strategy for the development of cancer immunotherapies. Here, the regulation of macrophage-mediated tumor cell phagocytosis is first summarized, followed by an overview of strategies targeting macrophage phagocytosis for the development of antitumor therapies. Given the potential off-target effects associated with the administration of traditional therapeutics (for example, monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors), we highlight the opportunity for nanomedicine in macrophage phagocytosis intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefei Zhou
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education and Center for Bionanoengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Xiangrui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education and Center for Bionanoengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Leaf Huang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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27
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Carter JL, Hege K, Yang J, Kalpage HA, Su Y, Edwards H, Hüttemann M, Taub JW, Ge Y. Targeting multiple signaling pathways: the new approach to acute myeloid leukemia therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:288. [PMID: 33335095 PMCID: PMC7746731 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00361-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults and the second most common form of acute leukemia in children. Despite this, very little improvement in survival rates has been achieved over the past few decades. This is partially due to the heterogeneity of AML and the need for more targeted therapeutics than the traditional cytotoxic chemotherapies that have been a mainstay in therapy for the past 50 years. In the past 20 years, research has been diversifying the approach to treating AML by investigating molecular pathways uniquely relevant to AML cell proliferation and survival. Here we review the development of novel therapeutics in targeting apoptosis, receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, hedgehog (HH) pathway, mitochondrial function, DNA repair, and c-Myc signaling. There has been an impressive effort into better understanding the diversity of AML cell characteristics and here we highlight important preclinical studies that have supported therapeutic development and continue to promote new ways to target AML cells. In addition, we describe clinical investigations that have led to FDA approval of new targeted AML therapies and ongoing clinical trials of novel therapies targeting AML survival pathways. We also describe the complexity of targeting leukemia stem cells (LSCs) as an approach to addressing relapse and remission in AML and targetable pathways that are unique to LSC survival. This comprehensive review details what we currently understand about the signaling pathways that support AML cell survival and the exceptional ways in which we disrupt them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna L Carter
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,MD/PhD Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Katie Hege
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jay Yang
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Hasini A Kalpage
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yongwei Su
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Maik Hüttemann
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Yubin Ge
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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28
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Koo J, Hayashi M, Verneris MR, Lee-Sherick AB. Targeting Tumor-Associated Macrophages in the Pediatric Sarcoma Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2020; 10:581107. [PMID: 33381449 PMCID: PMC7769312 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.581107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
For many pediatric sarcoma patients, multi-modal therapy including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery is sufficient to cure their disease. However, event-free and overall survival rates for patients with more advanced disease are grim, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Within many pediatric sarcomas, the normal immune response, including recognition and destruction of cancer cells, is lost due to the highly immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In this setting, tumor cells evade immune detection and capitalize on the immune suppressed microenvironment, leading to unchecked proliferation and metastasis. Recent preclinical and clinical approaches are aimed at understanding this immune suppressive microenvironment and employing cancer immunotherapy in an attempt to overcome this, by renewing the ability of the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. While there are several factors that drive the attenuation of immune responses in the sarcoma TME, one of the most remarkable are tumor associated macrophage (TAMs). TAMs suppress immune cytolytic function, promote tumor growth and metastases, and are generally associated with a poor prognosis in most pediatric sarcoma subtypes. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying TAM-facilitated immune evasion and tumorigenesis and discuss the potential therapeutic application of TAM-focused drugs in the treatment of pediatric sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Koo
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Masanori Hayashi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Michael R Verneris
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alisa B Lee-Sherick
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
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29
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Baillache DJ, Unciti-Broceta A. Recent developments in anticancer kinase inhibitors based on the pyrazolo[3,4- d]pyrimidine scaffold. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:1112-1135. [PMID: 33479617 PMCID: PMC7652001 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00227e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines have become of significant interest for the medicinal chemistry community as a privileged scaffold for the development of kinase inhibitors to treat a range of diseases, including cancer. This fused nitrogen-containing heterocycle is an isostere of the adenine ring of ATP, allowing the molecules to mimic hinge region binding interactions in kinase active sites. Similarities in kinase ATP sites can be exploited to direct the activity and selectivity of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines to multiple oncogenic targets through focussed chemical modification. As a result, pharma and academic efforts have succeeded in progressing several pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines to clinical trials, including the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib, which has been approved for the treatment of several B-cell cancers. In this review, we examine the pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines currently in clinical trials for oncology patients, as well as those published in the literature during the last 5 years for different anticancer indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Baillache
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre , Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine , University of Edinburgh , Crewe Road South , Edinburgh EH4 2XR , UK .
| | - Asier Unciti-Broceta
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre , Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine , University of Edinburgh , Crewe Road South , Edinburgh EH4 2XR , UK .
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30
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Giroud P, Renaudineau S, Gudefin L, Calcei A, Menguy T, Rozan C, Mizrahi J, Caux C, Duong V, Valladeau-Guilemond J. Expression of TAM-R in Human Immune Cells and Unique Regulatory Function of MerTK in IL-10 Production by Tolerogenic DC. Front Immunol 2020; 11:564133. [PMID: 33101282 PMCID: PMC7546251 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.564133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells are a key component of the immune infiltrate often correlated with a poor prognosis due to their capacities to sustain an immunosuppressive environment. Among membrane receptors implicated in myeloid cell functions, Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK, which are a family of tyrosine kinase receptors (TAM-R), have been described in the regulation of innate cell functions. Here, we have identified MerTK among TAM-R as the major marker of both human M2 macrophages and tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC). In situ, MerTK expression was found within the immune infiltrate in multiple solid tumors, highlighting its potential role in cancer immunity. TAM-R ligands Gas6 and PROS1 were found to be constitutively produced by myeloid cells in vitro. Importantly, we describe a novel function of MerTK/PROS1 axis in the regulation of IL-10 production by tolerogenic DC. Finally, the analysis of TAM-R expression within the lymphoid compartment following activation revealed that MerTK, but not Axl or Tyro3, is expressed on activated B lymphocytes and regulatory T cells, as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Thus, our findings deepen the implication of MerTK in the regulation of myeloid cell-mediated immunosuppression and identified new cellular targets expressing MerTK that could participate in the antitumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Giroud
- Elsalys Biotech SA, Lyon, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Christophe Caux
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | - Jenny Valladeau-Guilemond
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
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31
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Huelse J, Fridlyand D, Earp S, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107577. [PMID: 32417270 PMCID: PMC9847360 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Diana Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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32
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Huelse JM, Fridlyand DM, Earp S, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020. [PMID: 32417270 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107577107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Diana M Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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33
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Asare PF, Roscioli E, Hurtado PR, Tran HB, Mah CY, Hodge S. LC3-Associated Phagocytosis (LAP): A Potentially Influential Mediator of Efferocytosis-Related Tumor Progression and Aggressiveness. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1298. [PMID: 32850405 PMCID: PMC7422669 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
One aim of cancer therapies is to induce apoptosis of tumor cells. Efficient removal of the apoptotic cells requires coordinated efforts between the processes of efferocytosis and LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP). However, this activity has also been shown to produce anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive signals that can be utilized by live tumor cells to evade immune defense mechanisms, resulting in tumor progression and aggressiveness. In the absence of LAP, mice exhibit suppressed tumor growth during efferocytosis, while LAP-sufficient mice show enhanced tumor progression. Little is known about how LAP or its regulators directly affect efferocytosis, tumor growth and treatment responses, and identifying the mechanisms involved has the potential to lead to the discovery of novel approaches to target cancer cells. Also incompletely understood is the direct effect of apoptotic cancer cells on LAP. This is particularly important as induction of apoptosis by current cytotoxic cancer therapies can potentially stimulate LAP following efferocytosis. Herein, we highlight the current understanding of the role of LAP and its relationship with efferocytosis in the tumor microenvironment with a view to presenting novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick F. Asare
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Eugene Roscioli
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Plinio R. Hurtado
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Renal Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Hai B. Tran
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Chui Yan Mah
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sandra Hodge
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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34
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Chen Y, Favata M, Pusey M, Li J, Lo Y, Ye M, Wynn R, Wang X, Yao W, Chen Y. Identification of pAKT as a pharmacodynamic marker for MER kinase in human melanoma G361 cells. Biomark Res 2020; 8:4. [PMID: 32042425 PMCID: PMC7001211 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-020-0184-9] [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: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The MER signaling pathway represents an attractive therapeutic target for human cancers. Growth arrest–specific protein 6 (GAS6)–induced MER phosphorylation is often unstable and difficult to detect without pervanadate pretreatment in human cancer cells, posing a challenge for the development of selective MER kinase inhibitors. Here, we identified phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) as a specific pharmacodynamic marker for MER kinase inhibitors in human melanoma G361 cells. Methods The expression of MER, TYRO3, and AXL were profiled among multiple human cancer cells. To determine whether they play a role in the activation of pAKT, MER and TYRO3 were selectively depleted by small, interfering RNA knockdown. In addition, using AKT phosphorylation as a readout, a high-throughput cell-based assay was established in G361 cells for evaluation of the potency of potential inhibitors of MER pathway activation. Results We demonstrated that high levels of MER and TYRO3, but not AXL, were expressed in G361 cells. In these cells, pAKT was induced by GAS6 treatment, which could be reversed by AXL/MER inhibitors. We showed that GAS6-induced pAKT is only dependent on MER kinase, but not TYRO3, in G361 cells. Furthermore, we observed a correlation in potency between inhibition of pAKT in G361 cells and pMER in MER-overexpressing Ba/F3 cells by these inhibitors. Conclusions In summary, we have demonstrated that GAS6-induced pAKT is a possible pharmacodynamic marker for the inhibition of MER kinase, and we have successfully developed a cell-based functional assay for screening small-molecule inhibitors of MER kinase for potential therapeutic utility in treating GAS6/MER-deregulated human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyu Chen
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Margaret Favata
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Michelle Pusey
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Jun Li
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Yvonne Lo
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Min Ye
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Richard Wynn
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Xiaozhao Wang
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Wenqing Yao
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Yingnan Chen
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
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35
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Peeters MJW, Rahbech A, Thor Straten P. TAM-ing T cells in the tumor microenvironment: implications for TAM receptor targeting. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:237-244. [PMID: 31664482 PMCID: PMC7000491 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02421-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The TAM receptors-TYRO3, AXL, MERTK-are pleiotropically expressed receptors in both healthy and diseased tissue. A complex of the ligands Protein S (PROS1) or Growth Arrest-Specific 6 (GAS6) with apoptotic phosphatidylserine activates the TAM receptors. Hence, this receptor family is essential for the efferocytosis of apoptotic material by antigen-presenting cells. In addition, TAM receptors are expressed by virtually all cells of the tumor microenvironment. They are also potent oncogenes, frequently overexpressed in cancer and involved in survival and therapy resistance. Due to their pro-oncogenic and immune-inhibitory traits, TAM receptors have emerged as promising targets for cancer therapy. Recently, TAM receptors have been described to function as costimulatory molecules on human T cells. TAM receptors' ambivalent functions on many different cell types therefore make therapeutic targeting not straight-forward. In this review we summarize our current knowledge of the function of TAM receptors in the tumor microenvironment. We place particular focus on TAM receptors and the recently unraveled role of MERTK in activated T cells and potential consequences for anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies J W Peeters
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 25C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anne Rahbech
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 25C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Per Thor Straten
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 25C, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Inflammation and Cancer Group, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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36
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Ghosh Roy S. TAM receptors: A phosphatidylserine receptor family and its implications in viral infections. TAM RECEPTORS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 2020; 357:81-122. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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37
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Peeters MJW, Dulkeviciute D, Draghi A, Ritter C, Rahbech A, Skadborg SK, Seremet T, Carnaz Simões AM, Martinenaite E, Halldórsdóttir HR, Andersen MH, Olofsson GH, Svane IM, Rasmussen LJ, Met Ö, Becker JC, Donia M, Desler C, Thor Straten P. MERTK Acts as a Costimulatory Receptor on Human CD8 + T Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:1472-1484. [PMID: 31266785 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) is known to be expressed on antigen-presenting cells and function as oncogenic drivers and as inhibitors of inflammatory responses. Both human and mouse CD8+ T cells are thought to be negative for TAM receptor expression. In this study, we show that T-cell receptor (TCR)-activated human primary CD8+ T cells expressed MERTK and the ligand PROS1 from day 2 postactivation. PROS1-mediated MERTK signaling served as a late costimulatory signal, increasing proliferation and secretion of effector and memory-associated cytokines. Knockdown and inhibition studies confirmed that this costimulatory effect was mediated through MERTK. Transcriptomic and metabolic analyses of PROS1-blocked CD8+ T cells demonstrated a role of the PROS1-MERTK axis in differentiation of memory CD8+ T cells. Finally, using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from melanoma patients, we show that MERTK signaling on T cells improved TIL expansion and TIL-mediated autologous cancer cell killing. We conclude that MERTK serves as a late costimulatory signal for CD8+ T cells. Identification of this costimulatory function of MERTK on human CD8+ T cells suggests caution in the development of MERTK inhibitors for hematologic or solid cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies J W Peeters
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Donata Dulkeviciute
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arianna Draghi
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cathrin Ritter
- Translational Skin Cancer Research, University Hospital Essen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Essen and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne Rahbech
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Signe K Skadborg
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Seremet
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ana Micaela Carnaz Simões
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Evelina Martinenaite
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gitte Holmen Olofsson
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lene Juel Rasmussen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Özcan Met
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Inflammation and Cancer Group, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jürgen C Becker
- Translational Skin Cancer Research, University Hospital Essen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Essen and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marco Donia
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Desler
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Per Thor Straten
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Inflammation and Cancer Group, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Park M, Kang KW. Phosphatidylserine receptor-targeting therapies for the treatment of cancer. Arch Pharm Res 2019; 42:617-628. [PMID: 31172440 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-019-01167-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Asymmetric distribution of phospholipids across the plasma membrane is a unique characteristic of eukaryotic cells. Phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin are exposed in the outer leaflet, and phosphatidylserine (PS) is predominantly located in the inner leaflet. Redistribution of PS to the cell surface can be observed in several physiological conditions, such as apoptosis and platelet activation, or in pathological conditions, such as the release of microvesicles/exosomes from tumor tissues. PS binding to the phosphatidylserine receptor (PSR) on immune cells initiates immunosuppressive pathways that can lead to immune evasion by cancer cells. Conversely, PSR activation of cancer cells plays an important role in their survival, proliferation and metastasis. Herein, we briefly summarize both recent advances in our understanding of the pathological roles of PS and its receptor in cancer biology, as well as relevant pharmacological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miso Park
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Keon Wook Kang
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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39
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Myers KV, Amend SR, Pienta KJ. Targeting Tyro3, Axl and MerTK (TAM receptors): implications for macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:94. [PMID: 31088471 PMCID: PMC6515593 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1022-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages are an abundant cell type in the tumor microenvironment. These macrophages serve as a promising target for treatment of cancer due to their roles in promoting cancer progression and simultaneous immunosuppression. The TAM receptors (Tyro3, Axl and MerTK) are promising therapeutic targets on tumor-associated macrophages. The TAM receptors are a family of receptor tyrosine kinases with shared ligands Gas6 and Protein S that skew macrophage polarization towards a pro-tumor M2-like phenotype. In macrophages, the TAM receptors also promote apoptotic cell clearance, a tumor-promoting process called efferocytosis. The TAM receptors bind the "eat-me" signal phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cell membranes using Gas6 and Protein S as bridging ligands. Post-efferocytosis, macrophages are further polarized to a pro-tumor M2-like phenotype and secrete increased levels of immunosuppressive cytokines. Since M2 polarization and efferocytosis are tumor-promoting processes, the TAM receptors on macrophages serve as exciting targets for cancer therapy. Current TAM receptor-directed therapies in preclinical development and clinical trials may have anti-cancer effects though impacting macrophage phenotype and function in addition to the cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla V. Myers
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Sarah R. Amend
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Kenneth J. Pienta
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
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40
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Kasikara C, Davra V, Calianese D, Geng K, Spires TE, Quigley M, Wichroski M, Sriram G, Suarez-Lopez L, Yaffe MB, Kotenko SV, De Lorenzo MS, Birge RB. Pan-TAM Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor BMS-777607 Enhances Anti–PD-1 mAb Efficacy in a Murine Model of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2019; 79:2669-2683. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-2614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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41
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Yokoyama Y, Lew ED, Seelige R, Tindall EA, Walsh C, Fagan PC, Lee JY, Nevarez R, Oh J, Tucker KD, Chen M, Diliberto A, Vaaler H, Smith KM, Albert A, Li G, Bui JD. Immuno-oncological Efficacy of RXDX-106, a Novel TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MER) Family Small-Molecule Kinase Inhibitor. Cancer Res 2019; 79:1996-2008. [PMID: 30723115 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Expression of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MER) family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) has been associated with cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. In immune cells, TAM RTKs can dampen inflammation in favor of homeostatic wound-healing responses, thus potentially contributing to the evasion of cancer cells from immune surveillance. Here we characterize the small-molecule RXDX-106 as a selective and potent pan-TAM RTK inhibitor with slow dissociation kinetics and significant antitumor activity in multiple syngeneic tumor models. Expression of AXL and MER on both immune and tumor cells increased during tumor progression. Tumor growth inhibition (TGI) following treatment with RXDX-106 was observed in wild-type mice and was abrogated in immunodeficient mice, suggesting that the antitumor activity of RXDX-106 is, in part, due to the presence of immune cells. RXDX-106-mediated TGI was associated with increased tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, M1-polarized intratumoral macrophages, and activation of natural killer cells. RXDX-106 proportionally increased intratumoral CD8+ T cells and T-cell function as indicated by both IFNγ production and LCK phosphorylation (pY393). RXDX-106 exhibited its effects via direct actions on TAM RTKs expressed on intratumoral macrophages and dendritic cells, leading to indirect activation of other immune cells in the tumor. RXDX-106 also potentiated the effects of an immune checkpoint inhibitor, α-PD-1 Ab, resulting in enhanced antitumor efficacy and survival. Collectively, these results demonstrate the capacity of RXDX-106 to inhibit tumor growth and progression and suggest it may serve as an effective therapy against multiple tumor types. SIGNIFICANCE: The pan-TAM small-molecule kinase inhibitor RXDX-106 activates both innate and adaptive immunity to inhibit tumor growth and progression, indicating its clinical potential to treat a wide variety of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Yokoyama
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Erin D Lew
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California.
| | - Ruth Seelige
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Colin Walsh
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | | | - Jack Y Lee
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Robin Nevarez
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Joanne Oh
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | | | - Marissa Chen
- Diagnostics, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | | | | | | | - Amanda Albert
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Gary Li
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Jack D Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.
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42
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Sinik L, Minson KA, Tentler JJ, Carrico J, Bagby SM, Robinson WA, Kami R, Burstyn-Cohen T, Eckhardt SG, Wang X, Frye SV, Earp HS, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. Inhibition of MERTK Promotes Suppression of Tumor Growth in BRAF Mutant and BRAF Wild-Type Melanoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:278-288. [PMID: 30482852 PMCID: PMC9787186 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Molecularly-targeted agents have improved outcomes for a subset of patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma, but treatment of resistant and BRAF wild-type tumors remains a challenge. The MERTK receptor tyrosine kinase is aberrantly expressed in melanoma and can contribute to oncogenic phenotypes. Here we report the effect of treatment with a MERTK-selective small molecule inhibitor, UNC2025, in preclinical models of melanoma. In melanoma cell lines, treatment with UNC2025 potently inhibited phosphorylation of MERTK and downstream signaling, induced cell death, and decreased colony formation. In patient-derived melanoma xenograft models, treatment with UNC2025 blocked or significantly reduced tumor growth. Importantly, UNC2025 had similar biochemical and functional effects in both BRAF-mutated and BRAF wild-type models and irrespective of NRAS mutational status, implicating MERTK inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy in tumors that are not amenable to BRAF-targeting and for which there are limited treatment options. In BRAF-mutated cell lines, combined treatment with UNC2025 and the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib provided effective inhibition of oncogenic signaling through ERK, AKT, and STAT6, increased induction of cell death, and decreased colony-forming potential. Similarly, in NRAS-mutated cell lines, addition of UNC2025 to cobimetinib therapy increased cell death and decreased colony-forming potential. In a BRAF-mutated patient-derived xenograft, treatment with combined UNC2025 and vemurafenib was well-tolerated and significantly decreased tumor growth compared with vemurafenib alone. These data support the use of UNC2025 for treatment of melanoma, irrespective of BRAF or NRAS mutational status, and suggest a role for MERTK and targeted combination therapy in BRAF and NRAS-mutated melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Sinik
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Katherine A Minson
- Aflac Cancer Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - John J Tentler
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jacqueline Carrico
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Stacey M Bagby
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - William A Robinson
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Rotem Kami
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tal Burstyn-Cohen
- Institute for Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - S Gail Eckhardt
- Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - H Shelton Earp
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, Georgia.
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43
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Zhao J, Zhang D, Zhang W, Stashko MA, DeRyckere D, Vasileiadi E, Parker RE, Hunter D, Liu Q, Zhang Y, Norris-Drouin J, Li B, Drewry DH, Kireev D, Graham DK, Earp HS, Frye SV, Wang X. Highly Selective MERTK Inhibitors Achieved by a Single Methyl Group. J Med Chem 2018; 61:10242-10254. [PMID: 30347155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Although all kinases share the same ATP binding pocket, subtle differences in the residues that form the pocket differentiate individual kinases' affinity for ATP competitive inhibitors. We have found that by introducing a single methyl group, the selectivity of our MERTK inhibitors over another target, FLT3, was increased up to 1000-fold (compound 31). Compound 19 was identified as an in vivo tool compound with subnanomolar activity against MERTK and 38-fold selectivity over FLT3 in vitro. The potency and selectivity of 19 for MERTK over FLT3 were confirmed in cell-based assays using human cancer cell lines. Compound 19 had favorable pharmacokinetic properties in mice. Phosphorylation of MERTK was decreased by 75% in bone marrow leukemia cells from mice treated with 19 compared to vehicle-treated mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jichen Zhao
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Dehui Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Meryx, Inc. , 450 West Drive , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Weihe Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Michael A Stashko
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Eleana Vasileiadi
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Rebecca E Parker
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Debra Hunter
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Qingyang Liu
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Yuewei Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Jacqueline Norris-Drouin
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Bing Li
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - David H Drewry
- Meryx, Inc. , 450 West Drive , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Meryx, Inc. , 450 West Drive , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Henry Shelton Earp
- Meryx, Inc. , 450 West Drive , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Department of Pharmacology , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Meryx, Inc. , 450 West Drive , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
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44
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Lee-Sherick AB, Jacobsen KM, Henry CJ, Huey MG, Parker RE, Page LS, Hill AA, Wang X, Frye SV, Earp HS, Jordan CT, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK inhibition alters the PD-1 axis and promotes anti-leukemia immunity. JCI Insight 2018; 3:97941. [PMID: 30385715 PMCID: PMC6238750 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.97941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
MERTK is ectopically expressed and promotes survival in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells and is thus a potential therapeutic target. Here we demonstrate both direct therapeutic effects of MERTK inhibition on leukemia cells and induction of anti-leukemia immunity via suppression of the coinhibitory PD-1 axis. A MERTK-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, MRX-2843, mediated therapeutic anti-leukemia effects in immunocompromised mice bearing a MERTK-expressing human leukemia xenograft. In addition, inhibition of host MERTK by genetic deletion (Mertk-/- mice) or treatment with MRX-2843 significantly decreased tumor burden and prolonged survival in immune-competent mice inoculated with a MERTK-negative ALL, suggesting immune-mediated therapeutic activity. In this context, MERTK inhibition led to significant decreases in expression of the coinhibitory ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 on CD11b+ monocytes/macrophages in the leukemia microenvironment. Furthermore, although T cells do not express MERTK, inhibition of MERTK indirectly decreased PD-1 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and decreased the incidence of splenic FOXP3+ Tregs at sites of leukemic infiltration, leading to increased T cell activation. These data demonstrate direct and immune-mediated therapeutic activities in response to MERTK inhibition in ALL models and provide validation of a translational agent targeting MERTK for modulation of tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristen M. Jacobsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Curtis J. Henry
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Madeline G. Huey
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rebecca E. Parker
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | | | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
- Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Craig T. Jordan
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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McDaniel NK, Cummings CT, Iida M, Hülse J, Pearson HE, Vasileiadi E, Parker RE, Orbuch RA, Ondracek OJ, Welke NB, Kang GH, Davies KD, Wang X, Frye SV, Earp HS, Harari PM, Kimple RJ, DeRyckere D, Graham DK, Wheeler DL. MERTK Mediates Intrinsic and Adaptive Resistance to AXL-targeting Agents. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:2297-2308. [PMID: 30093568 PMCID: PMC6215511 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-1239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MERTK) family receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) play an important role in promoting growth, survival, and metastatic spread of several tumor types. AXL and MERTK are overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), malignancies that are highly metastatic and lethal. AXL is the most well-characterized TAM receptor and mediates resistance to both conventional and targeted cancer therapies. AXL is highly expressed in aggressive tumor types, and patients with cancer are currently being enrolled in clinical trials testing AXL inhibitors. In this study, we analyzed the effects of AXL inhibition using a small-molecule AXL inhibitor, a monoclonal antibody (mAb), and siRNA in HNSCC, TNBC, and NSCLC preclinical models. Anti-AXL-targeting strategies had limited efficacy across these different models that, our data suggest, could be attributed to upregulation of MERTK. MERTK expression was increased in cell lines and patient-derived xenografts treated with AXL inhibitors and inhibition of MERTK sensitized HNSCC, TNBC, and NSCLC preclinical models to AXL inhibition. Dual targeting of AXL and MERTK led to a more potent blockade of downstream signaling, synergistic inhibition of tumor cell expansion in culture, and reduced tumor growth in vivo Furthermore, ectopic overexpression of MERTK in AXL inhibitor-sensitive models resulted in resistance to AXL-targeting strategies. These observations suggest that therapeutic strategies cotargeting both AXL and MERTK could be highly beneficial in a variety of tumor types where both receptors are expressed, leading to improved survival for patients with lethal malignancies. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(11); 2297-308. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nellie K McDaniel
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Christopher T Cummings
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Mari Iida
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Justus Hülse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hannah E Pearson
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Eleana Vasileiadi
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rebecca E Parker
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rachel A Orbuch
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Olivia J Ondracek
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Noah B Welke
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Grace H Kang
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Kurtis D Davies
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Paul M Harari
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Randall J Kimple
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
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Abstract
Within the course of a single minute, millions of cells in the human body will undergo programmed cell death in response to physiological or pathological cues. The diminished energetic capacity of an apoptotic cell renders the cell incapable of sustaining plasma membrane integrity. Under these circumstances, intracellular contents that might leak into the surrounding tissue microenvironment, a process referred to as secondary necrosis, could induce inflammation and tissue damage. Remarkably, in most cases of physiologically rendered apoptotic cell death, inflammation is avoided because a mechanism to swiftly remove apoptotic cells from the tissue prior to their secondary necrosis becomes activated. This mechanism, referred to as efferocytosis, uses phagocytes to precisely identify and engulf neighboring apoptotic cells. In doing so, efferocytosis mantains tissue homeostasis that would otherwise be disrupted by normal cellular turnover and exacerbated further when the burden of apoptotic cells becomes elevated due to disease or insult. Efferocytosis also supports the resolution of inflammation, restoring tissue homesostasis. The importance of efferocytosis in health and disease underlies the increasing research efforts to understand the mechanisms by which efferocytosis occurs, and how a failure in the efferocytic machinery contributes to diseases, or conversely, how cancers effectively use the existing efferocytic machinery to generate a tumor-tolerant, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We discuss herein the molecular mechanisms of efferocytosis, how the process of efferocytosis might support a tumor ‘wound healing’ phenotype, and efforts to target efferocytosis as an adjunct to existing tumor treatments.
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Abstract
The human body loses several billions of cells daily. When cells die in vivo, the corpse of each dead cell is immediately cleared. Specifically, dead cells are efficiently recognized and cleared by multiple types of neighboring phagocytes. Early research on cell death focused more on molecular mechanisms of cell death regulation while the cellular corpses were merely considered cellular debris. However, it has come to light that various biological stimuli following cell death are important for immune regulation. Clearance of normal dead cells occurs silently in immune tolerance. Exogenous or mutated antigens of malignant or infected cells can initiate adaptive immunity, thereby inducing immunogenicity by adjuvant signals. Several pathogens and cancer cells have strategies to limit the adjuvant signals and escape immune surveillance. In this review, we present an overview of the mechanisms of dead cell clearance and its immune regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Wan Yoon
- Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University, Asan 31499, Korea
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48
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Miller MA, Kim E, Cuccarese MF, Plotkin AL, Prytyskach M, Kohler RH, Pittet MJ, Weissleder R. Near infrared imaging of Mer tyrosine kinase (MERTK) using MERi-SiR reveals tumor associated macrophage uptake in metastatic disease. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:42-45. [PMID: 29185561 DOI: 10.1039/c7cc07581b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase Mer (MERTK) is a promising drug target in cancer, where it can influence the metastasis-promoting signaling of both tumor cells and immune cells alike; however, no small molecule probes currently exist to selectively image Mer. In this work, we design and synthesize a selective near-infrared fluorescent molecular probe of Mer (MERi-SiR). Confocal microscopy of metastases in mice reveals predominant probe accumulation in Mer-expressing tumor-associated macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles A Miller
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Shi C, Li X, Wang X, Ding N, Ping L, Shi Y, Mi L, Lai Y, Song Y, Zhu J. The proto-oncogene Mer tyrosine kinase is a novel therapeutic target in mantle cell lymphoma. J Hematol Oncol 2018; 11:43. [PMID: 29554921 PMCID: PMC5859520 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-018-0584-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an incurable B cell-derived malignant tumor with a median overall survival of 4-5 years. Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in leukemia, melanoma, and gastric cancer, and plays a pivotal role in the process of oncogenesis. This study assessed the role of MerTK in MCL for the first time. METHODS Immunohistochemistry and western blot were performed to figure out expression of MerTK in MCL. MerTK inhibition by either shRNA or treatment with UNC2250 (a MerTK-selective small molecular inhibitor) was conducted in MCL cell lines. MCL-cell-derived xenograft models were established to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of UNC2250 in vivo. RESULTS MerTK was ectopically expressed in four of six MCL cell lines. Sixty-five of 132 (48.9%) MCL patients showed positive expression of MerTK. MerTK inhibition by either shRNA or treatment with UNC2250 decreased activation of downstream AKT and p38, inhibited proliferation and invasion in MCL cells, and sensitized MCL cells to treatment with vincristine in vitro and doxorubicin in vitro and in vivo. UNC2250 induced G2/M phase arrest and prompted apoptosis in MCL cells, accompanied by increased expression of Bax, cleaved caspase 3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and decreased expression of Bcl-2, Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL. Moreover, UNC2250 delayed disease progression in MCL-cell-derived xenograft models. CONCLUSIONS Our data prove that ectopic MerTK may be a novel therapeutic target in MCL, and further pre-clinical or even clinical studies of UNC2250 or new MerTK inhibitors are essential and of great significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cunzhen Shi
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Lymphoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142 China
| | - Xiangqun Li
- Beijing Doing Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd, Songyubei Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Xiaogan Wang
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Lymphoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142 China
| | - Ning Ding
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Lymphoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142 China
| | - Lingyan Ping
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Lymphoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142 China
| | - Yunfei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142 China
| | - Lan Mi
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142 China
| | - Yumei Lai
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142 China
| | - Yuqin Song
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Lymphoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142 China
| | - Jun Zhu
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Lymphoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142 China
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50
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Cosemans JMEM. At the MERcy of platelet primers. J Thromb Haemost 2018; 16:349-351. [PMID: 29194956 DOI: 10.1111/jth.13915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J M E M Cosemans
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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