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Tsutsumi E, Macy AM, LoBello J, Hastings KT, Kim S. Tumor immune microenvironment permissive to metastatic progression of ING4-deficient breast cancer. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304194. [PMID: 38968186 PMCID: PMC11226078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304194] [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: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Deficiencies in the ING4 tumor suppressor are associated with advanced stage tumors and poor patient survival in cancer. ING4 was shown to inhibit NF-kB in several cancers. As NF-kB is a key mediator of immune response, the ING4/NF-kB axis is likely to manifest in tumor-immune modulation but has not been investigated. To characterize the tumor immune microenvironment associated with ING4-deficient tumors, three approaches were employed in this study: First, tissue microarrays composed of 246 primary breast tumors including 97 ING4-deficient tumors were evaluated for the presence of selective immune markers, CD68, CD4, CD8, and PD-1, using immunohistochemical staining. Second, an immune-competent mouse model of ING4-deficient breast cancer was devised utilizing CRISPR-mediated deletion of Ing4 in a Tp53 deletion-derived mammary tumor cell line; mammary tumors were evaluated for immune markers using flow cytometry. Lastly, the METABRIC gene expression dataset was evaluated for patient survival related to the immune markers associated with Ing4-deleted tumors. The results showed that CD68, CD4, CD8, or PD-1, was not significantly associated with ING4-deficient breast tumors, indicating no enrichment of macrophages, T cells, or exhausted T cell types. In mice, Ing4-deleted mammary tumors had a growth rate comparable to Ing4-intact tumors but showed increased tumor penetrance and metastasis. Immune marker analyses of Ing4-deleted tumors revealed a significant increase in tumor-associated macrophages (Gr-1loCD11b+F4/80+) and a decrease in granzyme B-positive (GzmB+) CD4+ T cells, indicating a suppressive and/or less tumoricidal immune microenvironment. The METABRIC data analyses showed that low expression of GZMB was significantly associated with poor patient survival, as was ING4-low expression, in the basal subtype of breast cancer. Patients with GZMB-low/ING4-low tumors had the worst survival outcomes (HR = 2.80, 95% CI 1.36-5.75, p = 0.0004), supportive of the idea that the GZMB-low immune environment contributes to ING4-deficient tumor progression. Collectively, the study results demonstrate that ING4-deficient tumors harbor a microenvironment that contributes to immune evasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Tsutsumi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomic Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Anne M. Macy
- Department of Dermatology, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
- Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Janine LoBello
- Cancer Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Karen T. Hastings
- Department of Dermatology, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
- Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Suwon Kim
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomic Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
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2
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Fokken C, Silbern I, Shomroni O, Pan KT, Ryazanov S, Leonov A, Winkler N, Urlaub H, Griesinger C, Becker D. Interfering with aggregated α-synuclein in advanced melanoma leads to a major upregulation of MHC class II proteins. Melanoma Res 2024:00008390-990000000-00157. [PMID: 38950202 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most serious and deadly form of skin cancer and with progression to advanced melanoma, the intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein is upregulated to high levels. While toxic to dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease, α-synuclein is highly beneficial for primary and metastatic melanoma cells. To gain detailed insights into this exact opposite role of α-synuclein in advanced melanoma, we performed proteomic studies of high-level α-synuclein-expressing human melanoma cell lines that were treated with the diphenyl-pyrazole small-molecule compound anle138b, which binds to and interferes with the oligomeric structure of α-synuclein. We also performed proteomic and transcriptomic studies of human melanoma xenografts that were treated systemically with the anle138b compound. The results reveal that interfering with oligomerized α-synuclein in the melanoma cells in these tumor xenografts led to a substantial upregulation and expression of major histocompatibility complex proteins, which are pertinent to enhancing anti-melanoma immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Fokken
- Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences
| | - Ivan Silbern
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences
- Bioanalytics Research Group, Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen
| | - Orr Shomroni
- NGS-Integrative Genomics Core Unit (NIG), Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen
| | - Kuan-Ting Pan
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences
| | - Sergey Ryazanov
- Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences
| | - Andrei Leonov
- Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences
| | - Nadine Winkler
- Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences
- Bioanalytics Research Group, Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen
| | - Christian Griesinger
- Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences
- Cluster of Excellence 'Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells' (MBExC), Georg-August-University Göttingen
| | - Dorothea Becker
- Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences
- Institute for Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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3
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Liu S, Li G, Yin X, Zhou Y, Luo D, Yang Z, Zhang J, Wang J. Comprehensive investigation of malignant epithelial cell-related genes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: development of a prognostic signature and exploration of tumor microenvironment interactions. J Transl Med 2024; 22:607. [PMID: 38951896 PMCID: PMC11218120 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05426-x] [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: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a prevalent malignancy with complex heterogeneity within epithelial cells, which plays a crucial role in tumor progression and immune regulation. Yet, the clinical importance of the malignant epithelial cell-related genes (MECRGs) in ccRCC remains insufficiently understood. This research aims to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the functions and clinical relevance of malignant epithelial cell-related genes in ccRCC, providing valuable understanding of the molecular mechanisms and offering potential targets for treatment strategies. Using data from single-cell sequencing, we successfully identified 219 MECRGs and established a prognostic model MECRGS (MECRGs' signature) by synergistically analyzing 101 machine-learning models using 10 different algorithms. Remarkably, the MECRGS demonstrated superior predictive performance compared to traditional clinical features and 92 previously published signatures across six cohorts, showcasing its independence and accuracy. Upon stratifying patients into high- and low-MECRGS subgroups using the specified cut-off threshold, we noted that patients with elevated MECRGS scores displayed characteristics of an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and showed worse outcomes after immunotherapy. Additionally, we discovered a distinct ccRCC tumor cell subtype characterized by the high expressions of PLOD2 (procollagen-lysine,2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2) and SAA1 (Serum Amyloid A1), which we further validated in the Renji tissue microarray (TMA) cohort. Lastly, 'Cellchat' revealed potential crosstalk patterns between these cells and other cell types, indicating their potential role in recruiting CD163 + macrophages and regulatory T cells (Tregs), thereby establishing an immunosuppressive TME. PLOD2 + SAA1 + cancer cells with intricate crosstalk patterns indeed show promise for potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyang Liu
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ge Li
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomao Yin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihan Zhou
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongmei Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Shanghai Gongli Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenggang Yang
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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Kirkpatrick C, Lu YCW. Deciphering CD4 + T cell-mediated responses against cancer. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:1209-1220. [PMID: 38725218 PMCID: PMC11166516 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23730] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
It's been long thought that CD8+ cytotoxic T cells play a major role in T cell-mediated antitumor responses, whereas CD4+ T cells merely provide some assistance to CD8+ T cells as the "helpers." In recent years, numerous studies support the notion that CD4+ T cells play an indispensable role in antitumor responses. Here, we summarize and discuss the current knowledge regarding the roles of CD4+ T cells in antitumor responses and immunotherapy, with a focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind these observations. These new insights on CD4+ T cells may pave the way to further optimize cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Kirkpatrick
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Yong-Chen William Lu
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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Narmada BC, Khakpoor A, Shirgaonkar N, Narayanan S, Aw PPK, Singh M, Ong KH, Owino CO, Ng JWT, Yew HC, Binte Mohamed Nasir NS, Au VB, Sng R, Kaliaperumal N, Khine HHTW, di Tocco FC, Masayuki O, Naikar S, Ng HX, Chia SL, Seah CXY, Alnawaz MH, Wai CLY, Tay AYL, Mangat KS, Chew V, Yu W, Connolly JE, Periyasamy G, Plissonnier ML, Levrero M, Lim SG, DasGupta R. Single-cell landscape of functionally cured chronic hepatitis B patients reveals activation of innate and altered CD4-CTL-driven adaptive immunity. J Hepatol 2024; 81:42-61. [PMID: 38423478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss or functional cure (FC) is considered the optimal therapeutic outcome for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, the immune-pathological biomarkers and underlying mechanisms of FC remain unclear. In this study we comprehensively interrogate disease-associated cell states identified within intrahepatic tissue and matched PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) from patients with CHB or after FC, at the resolution of single cells, to provide novel insights into putative mechanisms underlying FC. METHODS We combined single-cell transcriptomics (single-cell RNA sequencing) with multiparametric flow cytometry-based immune phenotyping, and multiplexed immunofluorescence to elucidate the immunopathological cell states associated with CHB vs. FC. RESULTS We found that the intrahepatic environment in CHB and FC displays specific cell identities and molecular signatures that are distinct from those found in matched PBMCs. FC is associated with the emergence of an altered adaptive immune response marked by CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and an activated innate response represented by liver-resident natural killer cells, specific Kupffer cell subtypes and marginated neutrophils. Surprisingly, we found MHC class II-expressing hepatocytes in patients achieving FC, as well as low but persistent levels of covalently closed circular DNA and pregenomic RNA, which may play an important role in FC. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides conceptually novel insights into the immuno-pathological control of HBV cure, and opens exciting new avenues for clinical management, biomarker discovery and therapeutic development. We believe that the discoveries from this study, as it relates to the activation of an innate and altered immune response that may facilitate sustained, low-grade inflammation, may have broader implications in the resolution of chronic viral hepatitis. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS This study dissects the immuno-pathological cell states associated with functionally cured chronic hepatitis B (defined by the loss of HBV surface antigen or HBsAg). We identified the sustained presence of very low viral load, accessory antigen-presenting hepatocytes, adaptive-memory-like natural killer cells, and the emergence of helper CD4 T cells with cytotoxic or effector-like signatures associated with functional cure, suggesting previously unsuspected alterations in the adaptive immune response, as well as a key role for the innate immune response in achieving or maintaining functional cure. Overall, the insights generated from this study may provide new avenues for the development of alternative therapies as well as patient surveillance for better clinical management of chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balakrishnan Chakrapani Narmada
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 60 Biopolis St., #02-01 Genome, Singapore 138672; Experimental Drug Development Centre, A∗STAR, 10 Biopolis Way, Chromos, Singapore 138670, Singapore
| | - Atefeh Khakpoor
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Niranjan Shirgaonkar
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 60 Biopolis St., #02-01 Genome, Singapore 138672
| | - Sriram Narayanan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Pauline Poh Kim Aw
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 60 Biopolis St., #02-01 Genome, Singapore 138672
| | - Malay Singh
- Bioinformatics Institute, A∗STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Kok Haur Ong
- Bioinformatics Institute, A∗STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Collins Oduor Owino
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 60 Biopolis St., #02-01 Genome, Singapore 138672; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jane Wei Ting Ng
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hui Chuing Yew
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Veonice Bijin Au
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Reina Sng
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Nivashini Kaliaperumal
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Htet Htet Toe Wai Khine
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Otsuka Masayuki
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Shamita Naikar
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Hui Xin Ng
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Su Li Chia
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Myra Hj Alnawaz
- Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Chris Lee Yoon Wai
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amy Yuh Ling Tay
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kamarjit Singh Mangat
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Valerie Chew
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Weimiao Yu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore; Bioinformatics Institute, A∗STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - John Edward Connolly
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Giridharan Periyasamy
- Experimental Drug Development Centre, A∗STAR, 10 Biopolis Way, Chromos, Singapore 138670, Singapore
| | | | - Massimo Levrero
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Lyon, France; Department of Hepatology, Hôpital Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; University of Lyon Claude Bernard 1 (UCLB1), Lyon, France; Department of Medicine SCIAC and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) Center for Life Nanosciences (CLNS), University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Seng Gee Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A∗STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore; Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore.
| | - Ramanuj DasGupta
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), 60 Biopolis St., #02-01 Genome, Singapore 138672.
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Zhu Z, Huang J, Zhang Y, Hou W, Chen F, Mo YY, Zhang Z. Landscape of tumoral ecosystem for enhanced anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by gut Akkermansia muciniphila. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114306. [PMID: 38819989 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114306] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Gut Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk) has been implicated in impacting immunotherapy or oncogenesis. This study aims to dissect the Akk-associated tumor immune ecosystem (TIME) by single-cell profiling coupled with T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing. We adopted mouse cancer models under anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, combined with oral administration of three forms of Akk, including live Akk, pasteurized Akk (Akk-past), or its membrane protein Amuc_1100 (Amuc). We show that live Akk is most effective in activation of CD8 T cells by rescuing the exhausted type into cytotoxic subpopulations. Remarkably, only live Akk activates MHC-II-pDC pathways, downregulates CXCL3 in Bgn(+)Dcn(+) cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), blunts crosstalk between Bgn(+)Dcn(+) CAFs and PD-L1(+) neutrophils by a CXCL3-PD-L1 axis, and further suppresses the crosstalk between PD-L1(+) neutrophils and CD8 T cells, leading to the rescue of exhausted CD8 T cells. Together, this comprehensive picture of the tumor ecosystem provides deeper insights into immune mechanisms associated with gut Akk-dependent anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuxian Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Jianguo Huang
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, a division of Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR 97213, USA
| | - Yanling Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Weiwei Hou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yin-Yuan Mo
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014 , China.
| | - Ziqiang Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Pudong Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201399, China.
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7
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Feng HR, Shen XN, Zhu XM, Zhong WT, Zhu DX, Zhao J, Chen YJ, Shen F, Liu K, Liang L. Unveiling major histocompatibility complex-mediated pan-cancer immune features by integrated single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing. Cancer Lett 2024; 597:217062. [PMID: 38878852 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer therapy, yet persistent challenges such as low response rate and significant heterogeneity necessitate attention. The pivotal role of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in ICI efficacy, its intricate impacts and potentials as a prognostic marker, warrants comprehensive exploration. This study integrates single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), bulk RNA-seq, and spatial transcriptomic analyses to unveil pan-cancer immune characteristics governed by the MHC transcriptional feature (MHC.sig). Developed through scRNA-seq analysis of 663,760 cells across diverse cohorts and validated in 30 solid cancer types, the MHC.sig demonstrates a robust correlation between immune-related genes and infiltrating immune cells, highlighting its potential as a universal pan-cancer marker for anti-tumor immunity. Screening the MHC.sig for therapeutic targets using CRISPR data identifies potential genes for immune therapy synergy and validates its predictive efficacy for ICIs responsiveness across diverse datasets and cancer types. Finally, analysis of cellular communication patterns reveals interactions between C1QC+macrophages and malignant cells, providing insights into potential therapeutic agents and their sensitivity characteristics. This comprehensive analysis positions the MHC.sig as a promising marker for predicting immune therapy outcomes and guiding combinatorial therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Ran Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Nan Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ming Zhu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Tao Zhong
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510030, People's Republic of China
| | - De-Xiang Zhu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200336, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Jie Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, Xiamen, 361015, People's Republic of China; Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Feng Shen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, Xiamen, 361015, People's Republic of China.
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li Liang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Sun X, Nagahama Y, Singh SK, Kozakai Y, Nabeshima H, Fukushima K, Tanaka H, Motooka D, Fukui E, Vivier E, Diez D, Akira S. Deletion of the mRNA endonuclease Regnase-1 promotes NK cell anti-tumor activity via OCT2-dependent transcription of Ifng. Immunity 2024; 57:1360-1377.e13. [PMID: 38821052 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.05.006] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Limited infiltration and activity of natural killer (NK) and T cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) correlate with poor immunotherapy responses. Here, we examined the role of the endonuclease Regnase-1 on NK cell anti-tumor activity. NK cell-specific deletion of Regnase-1 (Reg1ΔNK) augmented cytolytic activity and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production in vitro and increased intra-tumoral accumulation of Reg1ΔNK-NK cells in vivo, reducing tumor growth dependent on IFN-γ. Transcriptional changes in Reg1ΔNK-NK cells included elevated IFN-γ expression, cytolytic effectors, and the chemokine receptor CXCR6. IFN-γ induced expression of the CXCR6 ligand CXCL16 on myeloid cells, promoting further recruitment of Reg1ΔNK-NK cells. Mechanistically, Regnase-1 deletion increased its targets, the transcriptional regulators OCT2 and IκBζ, following interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18 stimulation, and the resulting OCT2-IκBζ-NF-κB complex induced Ifng transcription. Silencing Regnase-1 in human NK cells increased the expression of IFNG and POU2F2. Our findings highlight NK cell dysfunction in the TME and propose that targeting Regnase-1 could augment active NK cell persistence for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sun
- Laboratory of Host Defense, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Quantitative Immunology Unit, WPI-IFReC, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Joint Research Chair of Innate Immunity for Drug Discovery, WPI-IFReC, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yasuharu Nagahama
- Laboratory of Host Defense, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Host Defense Laboratory, Immunology Unit, Department of Medical Innovations, Osaka Research Center for Drug Discovery, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 5-1-35 Saito-aokita, Minoh, Osaka 562-0029, Japan; Joint Research Chair of Innate Immunity for Drug Discovery, WPI-IFReC, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shailendra Kumar Singh
- Laboratory of Host Defense, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Joint Research Chair of Innate Immunity for Drug Discovery, WPI-IFReC, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuuki Kozakai
- Laboratory of Host Defense, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nabeshima
- Laboratory of Host Defense, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Host Defense Laboratory, Immunology Unit, Department of Medical Innovations, Osaka Research Center for Drug Discovery, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 5-1-35 Saito-aokita, Minoh, Osaka 562-0029, Japan; Joint Research Chair of Innate Immunity for Drug Discovery, WPI-IFReC, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kiyoharu Fukushima
- Laboratory of Host Defense, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Joint Research Chair of Innate Immunity for Drug Discovery, WPI-IFReC, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Host Defense, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroki Tanaka
- Laboratory of Host Defense, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daisuke Motooka
- NGS Core Facility of the Genome Information Research Center, RIMD, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Eriko Fukui
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Eric Vivier
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France; Innate Pharma Research Laboratories, Marseille, France; APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille-Immunopole, Marseille, France
| | - Diego Diez
- Quantitative Immunology Unit, WPI-IFReC, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shizuo Akira
- Laboratory of Host Defense, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Joint Research Chair of Innate Immunity for Drug Discovery, WPI-IFReC, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Host Defense, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Center for Advanced Modalities and Drug Delivery System (CAMaD), Osaka University, 2-8 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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9
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Ryu KB, Seo JA, Lee K, Choi J, Yoo G, Ha JH, Ahn MR. Drug-Resistance Biomarkers in Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Organoid and Fibroblast Co-Culture System. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:5794-5811. [PMID: 38921017 PMCID: PMC11202770 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060346] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer, the third most commonly occurring tumor worldwide, poses challenges owing to its high mortality rate and persistent drug resistance in metastatic cases. We investigated the tumor microenvironment, emphasizing the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the progression and chemoresistance of colorectal cancer. We used an indirect co-culture system comprising colorectal cancer organoids and cancer-associated fibroblasts to simulate the tumor microenvironment. Immunofluorescence staining validated the characteristics of both organoids and fibroblasts, showing high expression of epithelial cell markers (EPCAM), colon cancer markers (CK20), proliferation markers (KI67), and fibroblast markers (VIM, SMA). Transcriptome profiling was conducted after treatment with anticancer drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin, to identify chemoresistance-related genes. Changes in gene expression in the co-cultured colorectal cancer organoids following anticancer drug treatment, compared to monocultured organoids, particularly in pathways related to interferon-alpha/beta signaling and major histocompatibility complex class II protein complex assembly, were identified. These two gene groups potentially mediate drug resistance associated with JAK/STAT signaling. The interaction between colorectal cancer organoids and fibroblasts crucially modulates the expression of genes related to drug resistance. These findings suggest that the interaction between colorectal cancer organoids and fibroblasts significantly influences gene expression related to drug resistance, highlighting potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for overcoming chemoresistance. Enhanced understanding of the interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment can lead to advancements in personalized medical research..
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ji-hye Ha
- Clinical Research Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju 28159, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (K.-B.R.)
| | - Mee Ryung Ahn
- Clinical Research Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju 28159, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (K.-B.R.)
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10
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Li S, Wang M, Liu B, Lv Y, Man J, Liang M, Qiao H. Analysis of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions identified a novel biomarker LINC00657 to improve prognosis prediction of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 137:112432. [PMID: 38865751 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Identification of novel biomarkers can potentially help explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of PTC. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in cancer development. However, understanding the role of lncRNA in PTC remains challenging. METHODS Based on the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) theory, we constructed a comprehensive PTC-related lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. To evaluate the prognostic power, we performed survival analysis for patients with PTC with low and high lncRNA expression levels, and examined the relationship between lncRNA and immune-related functions. RESULTS We identified a hub node, long intergenic non-coding RNA, LINC00657, as a novel prognostic biomarker in PTC. LINC00657 was differentially expressed between tumor and adjacent normal samples. Low LINC00657 expression levels was significantly associated with better survival outcome. Our functional analyses showed that LINC00657 was related with infiltration of CD8+ T cell and macrophage; immune check point molecules; and immune metagenes such as IgG, LCK, MHC_I/II and etc. These results suggest that LINC00657 is an immune-related biomarker with potential clinical applicability. Additionally, cancer-related signaling pathway and high frequency of gene BRAF mutation were found in PTC samples with high LINC00657 expression level, which were consistent with previous findings. CONCLUSION LINC00657 is an immune-related biomarker that can potentially improve prognosis prediction in PTC. Our study provided new treatment target of PTC in clinical practice and offered the novel insights in elucidating the functional role of lncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China; Department of Endocrinology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Mingli Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Bing Liu
- The Fourth Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yichen Lv
- The Fourth Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jianting Man
- The Fourth Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Meihua Liang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
| | - Hong Qiao
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
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11
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Li W, Chen QW, Fan JX, Han ZY, Song WF, Zeng X, Zhang XZ. Bacterial Biohybrids for Invasion of Tumor Cells Promote Antigen Cross-Presentation Through Gap Junction. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2402532. [PMID: 38563503 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202402532] [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] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Due to inherent differences in cellular composition and metabolic behavior with host cells, tumor-harbored bacteria can discriminatorily affect tumor immune landscape. However, the mechanisms by which intracellular bacteria affect antigen presentation process between tumor cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are largely unknown. The invasion behavior of attenuated Salmonella VNP20009 (VNP) into tumor cells is investigated and an attempt is made to modulate this behavior by modifying positively charged polymers on the surface of VNP. It is found that non-toxic chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) modified VNP (VNP@COS) bolsters the formation of gap junction between tumor cells and APCs by enhancing the ability of VNP to infect tumor cells. On this basis, a bacterial biohybrid is designed to promote in situ antigen cross-presentation through intracellular bacteria induced gap junction. This bacterial biohybrid also enhances the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules on the surface of tumor cells through the incorporation of Mdivi-1 coupled with VNP@COS. This strategic integration serves to heighten the immunogenic exposure of tumor antigens; while, preserving the cytotoxic potency of T cells. A strategy is proposed to precisely controlling the function and local effects of microorganisms within tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Qi-Wen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Jin-Xuan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Zi-Yi Han
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Fang Song
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Xuan Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Xian-Zheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China
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12
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Kong Y, Li C, Liu J, Wu S, Zhang M, Allison DB, Hassan F, He D, Wang X, Mao F, Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Li Z, Wang C, Liu X. Single-cell analysis identifies PLK1 as a driver of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in LUAD. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011309. [PMID: 38885192 PMCID: PMC11182521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
PLK1 (Polo-like kinase 1) plays a critical role in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Recent studies have unveiled that targeting PLK1 improves the efficacy of immunotherapy, highlighting its important role in the regulation of tumor immunity. Nevertheless, our understanding of the intricate interplay between PLK1 and the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains incomplete. Here, using genetically engineered mouse model and single-cell RNA-seq analysis, we report that PLK1 promotes an immunosuppressive TME in LUAD, characterized with enhanced M2 polarization of tumor associated macrophages (TAM) and dampened antigen presentation process. Mechanistically, elevated PLK1 coincides with increased secretion of CXCL2 cytokine, which promotes M2 polarization of TAM and diminishes expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC-II) in professional antigen-presenting cells. Furthermore, PLK1 negatively regulates MHC-II expression in cancer cells, which has been shown to be associated with compromised tumor immunity and unfavorable patient outcomes. Taken together, our results reveal PLK1 as a novel modulator of TME in LUAD and provide possible therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Kong
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Chaohao Li
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jinpeng Liu
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Sai Wu
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Derek B. Allison
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Faisal Hassan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Daheng He
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Fengyi Mao
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Qiongsi Zhang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Yanquan Zhang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Zhiguo Li
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Chi Wang
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Xiaoqi Liu
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
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13
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Larkin RM, Lopez DC, Robbins YL, Lassoued W, Canubas K, Warner A, Karim B, Vulikh K, Hodge JW, Floudas CS, Gulley JL, Gallia GL, Allen CT, London NR. Augmentation of tumor expression of HLA-DR, CXCL9, and CXCL10 may improve olfactory neuroblastoma immunotherapeutic responses. J Transl Med 2024; 22:524. [PMID: 38822345 PMCID: PMC11140921 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05339-9] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare malignancy of the anterior skull base typically treated with surgery and adjuvant radiation. Although outcomes are fair for low-grade disease, patients with high-grade, recurrent, or metastatic disease oftentimes respond poorly to standard treatment methods. We hypothesized that an in-depth evaluation of the olfactory neuroblastoma tumor immune microenvironment would identify mechanisms of immune evasion in high-grade olfactory neuroblastoma as well as rational targetable mechanisms for future translational immunotherapeutic approaches. METHODS Multispectral immunofluorescence and RNAScope evaluation of the tumor immune microenvironment was performed on forty-seven clinically annotated olfactory neuroblastoma samples. A retrospective chart review was performed and clinical correlations assessed. RESULTS A significant T cell infiltration was noted in olfactory neuroblastoma samples with a stromal predilection, presence of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and sparse natural killer cells. A striking decrease was observed in MHC-I expression in high-grade olfactory neuroblastoma compared to low-grade disease, representing a mechanism of immune evasion in high-grade disease. Mechanistically, the immune effector stromal predilection appears driven by low tumor cell MHC class II (HLA-DR), CXCL9, and CXCL10 expression as those tumors with increased tumor cell expression of each of these mediators correlated with significant increases in T cell infiltration. CONCLUSION These data suggest that immunotherapeutic strategies that augment tumor cell expression of MHC class II, CXCL9, and CXCL10 may improve parenchymal trafficking of immune effector cells in olfactory neuroblastoma and augment immunotherapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley M Larkin
- Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumor Program, Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Diana C Lopez
- Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumor Program, Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yvette L Robbins
- Section on Translational Tumor Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wiem Lassoued
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth Canubas
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Warner
- Molecular Histopathology Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Baktiar Karim
- Molecular Histopathology Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Ksenia Vulikh
- Molecular Histopathology Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - James W Hodge
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Charalampos S Floudas
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James L Gulley
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gary L Gallia
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Clint T Allen
- Section on Translational Tumor Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nyall R London
- Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumor Program, Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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14
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Liu Q, Zhang X, Song Y, Si J, Li Z, Dong Q. Construction and analysis of a reliable five-gene prognostic signature for colon adenocarcinoma associated with the wild-type allelic state of the COL6A6 gene. Transl Cancer Res 2024; 13:2475-2496. [PMID: 38881933 PMCID: PMC11170513 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-23-463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Background Tumors emerge by acquiring a number of mutations over time. The first mutation provides a selective growth advantage compared to adjacent epithelial cells, allowing the cell to create a clone that can outgrow the cells that surround it. Subsequent mutations determine the risk of the tumor progressing to metastatic cancer. Some secondary mutations may inhibit the aggressiveness of the tumor while still increasing the survival of the clone. Meaningful mutations in genes may provide a strong molecular foundation for developing novel therapeutic strategies for cancer. Methods The somatic mutation and prognosis in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) were analyzed. The copy number variation (CNV) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the collagen type VI alpha 6 chain (COL6A6) mutation (COL6A6-MUT) and the COL6A6 wild-type (COL6A6-WT) subgroups were evaluated. The independent prognostic signatures based on COL6A6-allelic state were determined to construct a Cox model. The biological characteristics and the immune microenvironment between the two risk groups were compared. Results COL6A6 was found to be highly mutated in COAD at a frequency of 9%. Patients with COL6A6-MUT had a good overall survival (OS) compared to those with COL6A6-WT, who had a different CNV pattern. Significant differences in gene expression were established for 593 genes between the COL6A6-MUT and COL6A6-WT samples. Among them, MUC16, ASNSP1, PRR18, PEG10, and RPL26P8 were determined to be independent prognostic factors. The internally validated prognostic risk model, constructed using these five genes, demonstrated its value by revealing a significant difference in patient prognosis between the high-risk and low-risk groups. Specifically, patients in the high-risk group exhibited a considerably worse prognosis than did those in the low-risk group. The high-risk group had a significantly higher proportion of patients over 60 years of age and patients in stage III. Moreover, the tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) score and the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) family genes were all higher in the high-risk group than that in the low-risk group. Conclusions The allelic state of COL6A6 and the five associated DEGs were identified as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of COAD and may be therapeutic targets in COAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Liu
- Second Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaohua Zhang
- Gastroenterology Center, Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (Qingdao Hiser Hospital), Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yan Song
- Outpatient Department, Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (Qingdao Hiser Hospital), Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Junli Si
- Second Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhaoshui Li
- Qingdao University, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao, China
| | - Quanjiang Dong
- Central Laboratories, Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Qingdao, China
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15
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Wang B, Liu Y, Xiong F, Wang C. Improved Immunotherapy Outcomes via Cuproptosis Upregulation of HLA-DRA Expression: Promoting the Aggregation of CD4 + and CD8 +T Lymphocytes in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:678. [PMID: 38931345 PMCID: PMC11206763 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060678] [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: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown promising clinical results in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), but low clinical target response rates due to dysfunction of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and an inhibitory tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) have largely limited the associated clinical benefits. In the present study, we explored the feasibility of enhancing tumor-specific-MHC-II-HLA-DRA expression, counteracting the TIME's suppressive effects, thereby improving the sensitivity of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy from the standpoint of cuproptosis. Immunohistochemical staining and in vitro experiments validated the expression of HLA-DRA in ccRCC and its positive impact on ICI therapy. Subsequently, we observed that cuproptosis upregulated HLA-DRA expression in a dose-dependent manner, further confirming the link between cuproptosis and HLA-DRA. In vivo experiments showed that cuproptosis increased the sensitivity to ICI treatment, and implementing cuproptosis alongside anti-PD-1 treatment curtailed tumor growth. Mechanistically, cuproptosis upregulates HLA-DRA expression at the transcriptional level in a dose-dependent manner by inducing the production of reactive oxygen species; high levels of HLA-DRA promote the expression of chemokines CCL5, CXCL9, and CXCL10 in the TIME, inhibiting the development of a pro-tumor microenvironment by promoting the infiltration of CD4+T and CD8+T cells, thereby synergizing ICI therapy and exerting anti-tumor effects. Taken together, this work highlights the role of cuproptosis in mediating TIME remodeling and synergistic immunotherapy, providing new evidence that cuproptosis can evoke effective anti-tumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Chunyang Wang
- Urology Surgery Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Youzheng Street #37, Nangang District, Harbin 150001, China
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16
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Ono M, Satou Y. Spectrum of Treg and self-reactive T cells: single cell perspectives from old friend HTLV-1. DISCOVERY IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 3:kyae006. [PMID: 38863793 PMCID: PMC11165433 DOI: 10.1093/discim/kyae006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite extensive regulatory T cell (Treg) research, fundamental questions on in vivo dynamics remain to be answered. The current study aims to dissect several interwoven concepts in Treg biology, highlighting the 'self-reactivity' of Treg and their counterparts, namely naturally-arising memory-phenotype T-cells, as a key mechanism to be exploited by a human retroviral infection. We propose the novel key concept, Periodic T cell receptor (TCR)-signalled T-cells, capturing self-reactivity in a quantifiable manner using the Nr4a3-Timer-of-cell-kinetics-and-activity (Tocky) technology. Periodic and brief TCR signals in self-reactive T-cells contrast with acute TCR signals during inflammation. Thus, we propose a new two-axis model for T-cell activation by the two types of TCR signals or antigen recognition, elucidating how Foxp3 expression and acute TCR signals actively regulate Periodic TCR-signalled T-cells. Next, we highlight an underappreciated branch of immunological research on Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) that precedes Treg studies, illuminating the missing link between the viral infection, CD25, and Foxp3. Based on evidence by single-cell analysis, we show how the viral infection exploits the regulatory mechanisms for T-cell activation and suggests a potential role of periodic TCR signalling in infection and malignant transformation. In conclusion, the new perspectives and models in this study provide a working framework for investigating Treg within the self-reactive T-cell spectrum, expected to advance understanding of HTLV-1 infection, cancer, and immunotherapy strategies for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Ono
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yorifumi Satou
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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17
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Sammut SJ, Galson JD, Minter R, Sun B, Chin SF, De Mattos-Arruda L, Finch DK, Schätzle S, Dias J, Rueda OM, Seoane J, Osbourn J, Caldas C, Bashford-Rogers RJM. Predictability of B cell clonal persistence and immunosurveillance in breast cancer. Nat Immunol 2024; 25:916-924. [PMID: 38698238 PMCID: PMC11065701 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-01821-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
B cells and T cells are important components of the adaptive immune system and mediate anticancer immunity. The T cell landscape in cancer is well characterized, but the contribution of B cells to anticancer immunosurveillance is less well explored. Here we show an integrative analysis of the B cell and T cell receptor repertoire from individuals with metastatic breast cancer and individuals with early breast cancer during neoadjuvant therapy. Using immune receptor, RNA and whole-exome sequencing, we show that both B cell and T cell responses seem to coevolve with the metastatic cancer genomes and mirror tumor mutational and neoantigen architecture. B cell clones associated with metastatic immunosurveillance and temporal persistence were more expanded and distinct from site-specific clones. B cell clonal immunosurveillance and temporal persistence are predictable from the clonal structure, with higher-centrality B cell antigen receptors more likely to be detected across multiple metastases or across time. This predictability was generalizable across other immune-mediated disorders. This work lays a foundation for prioritizing antibody sequences for therapeutic targeting in cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Female
- Breast Neoplasms/immunology
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Immunologic Surveillance
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Monitoring, Immunologic
- Exome Sequencing
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Neoplasm Metastasis
- Clone Cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen-John Sammut
- Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | | | | | - Bo Sun
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Suet-Feung Chin
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Leticia De Mattos-Arruda
- IrsiCaixa, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Oscar M Rueda
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joan Seoane
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Caldas
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Rachael J M Bashford-Rogers
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Oxford Cancer Centre, Oxford, UK.
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18
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Li Z, Liu S, Gao Z, Ji L, Jiao J, Zheng N, Li X, Wang G, Qin J, Wang Y. Dynamic Proteomic Changes in Tumor and Immune Organs Reveal Systemic Immune Response to Tumor Development. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100756. [PMID: 38554776 PMCID: PMC11060955 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100756] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In orthotopic mouse tumor models, tumor progression is a complex process, involving interactions among tumor cells, host cell-derived stromal cells, and immune cells. Much attention has been focused on the tumor and its tumor microenvironment, while the host's macroenvironment including immune organs in response to tumorigenesis is poorly understood. Here, we report a temporal proteomic analysis on a subcutaneous tumor and three immune organs (LN, MLN, and spleen) collected on Days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 after inoculation of mouse forestomach cancer cells in a syngeneic mouse model. Bioinformatics analysis identified key biological processes during distinct tumor development phases, including an initial acute immune response, the attack by the host immune system, followed by the adaptive immune activation, and the build-up of extracellular matrix. Proteomic changes in LN and spleen largely recapitulated the dynamics of the immune response in the tumor, consistent with an acute defense response on D3, adaptive immune response on D10, and immune evasion by D21. In contrast, the immune response in MLN showed a gradual and sustained activation, suggesting a delayed response from a distal immune organ. Combined analyses of tumors and host immune organs allowed the identification of potential therapeutic targets. A proof-of-concept experiment demonstrated that significant growth reduction can be achieved by dual inhibition of MEK and DDR2. Together, our temporal proteomic dataset of tumors and immune organs provides a useful resource for understanding the interaction between tumors and the immune system and has the potential for identifying new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhike Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Shuwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Zhouyong Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Baodi Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; Department of Child Health Care, Kunshan Maternity and Child Health Care Institute, Kunshan, China
| | - Linlin Ji
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Baodi Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Jiaqi Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Nairen Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Xianju Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Baodi Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China.
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19
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Kumagai S, Itahashi K, Nishikawa H. Regulatory T cell-mediated immunosuppression orchestrated by cancer: towards an immuno-genomic paradigm for precision medicine. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:337-353. [PMID: 38424196 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00870-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that aberrant signalling stemming from genetic abnormalities in cancer cells has a fundamental role in their evasion of antitumour immunity. Immune escape mechanisms include enhanced expression of immunosuppressive molecules, such as immune-checkpoint proteins, and the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells, including regulatory T (Treg) cells, in the tumour microenvironment. Therefore, Treg cells are key targets for cancer immunotherapy. Given that therapies targeting molecules predominantly expressed by Treg cells, such as CD25 or GITR, have thus far had limited antitumour efficacy, elucidating how certain characteristics of cancer, particularly genetic abnormalities, influence Treg cells is necessary to develop novel immunotherapeutic strategies. Hence, Treg cell-targeted strategies based on the particular characteristics of cancer in each patient, such as the combination of immune-checkpoint inhibitors with molecularly targeted agents that disrupt the immunosuppressive networks mediating Treg cell recruitment and/or activation, could become a new paradigm of cancer therapy. In this Review, we discuss new insights on the mechanisms by which cancers generate immunosuppressive networks that attenuate antitumour immunity and how these networks confer resistance to cancer immunotherapy, with a focus on Treg cells. These insights lead us to propose the concept of 'immuno-genomic precision medicine' based on specific characteristics of cancer, especially genetic profiles, that correlate with particular mechanisms of tumour immune escape and might, therefore, inform the optimal choice of immunotherapy for individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Kumagai
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
- Division of Cellular Signalling, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kota Itahashi
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan.
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan.
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
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20
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Boccarelli A, Del Buono N, Esposito F. Review of Patient Gene Profiles Obtained through a Non-Negative Matrix Factorization-Based Framework to Determine the Role Inflammation Plays in Neuroblastoma Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4406. [PMID: 38673990 PMCID: PMC11050151 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084406] [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: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. It is a highly heterogeneous tumor consisting of different subcellular types and genetic abnormalities. Literature data confirm the biological and clinical complexity of this cancer, which requires a wider availability of gene targets for the implementation of personalized therapy. This paper presents a study of neuroblastoma samples from primary tumors of untreated patients. The focus of this analysis is to evaluate the impact that the inflammatory process may have on the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma. Eighty-eight gene profiles were selected and analyzed using a non-negative matrix factorization framework to extract a subset of genes relevant to the identification of an inflammatory phenotype, whose targets (PIK3CG, NFATC2, PIK3R2, VAV1, RAC2, COL6A2, COL6A3, COL12A1, COL14A1, ITGAL, ITGB7, FOS, PTGS2, PTPRC, ITPR3) allow further investigation. Based on the genetic signals automatically derived from the data used, neuroblastoma could be classified according to stage rather than as a "cold" or "poorly immunogenic" tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Boccarelli
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Polo Jonico, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70121 Bari, Italy;
| | - Nicoletta Del Buono
- Department of Mathematics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Flavia Esposito
- Department of Mathematics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
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21
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Zhou L, Liu Y, Wu Y, Yang X, Spring Kong FM, Lu Y, Xue J. Low-dose radiation therapy mobilizes antitumor immunity: New findings and future perspectives. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:1143-1157. [PMID: 38059788 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy has unique immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive effects. Although high-dose radiotherapy has been found to have systemic antitumor effects, clinically significant abscopal effects were uncommon on the basis of irradiating single lesion. Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) emerges as a novel approach to enhance the antitumor immune response due to its role as a leverage to reshape the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). In this article, from bench to bedside, we reviewed the possible immunomodulatory role of LDRT on TIME and systemic tumor immune environment, and outlined preclinical evidence and clinical application. We also discussed the current challenges when LDRT is used as a combination therapy, including the optimal dose, fraction, frequency, and combination of drugs. The advantage of low toxicity makes LDRT potential to be applied in multiple lesions to amplify antitumor immune response in polymetastatic disease, and its intersection with other disciplines might also make it a direction for radiotherapy-combined modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laiyan Zhou
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Disaster Medical Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanxin Liu
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanjun Wu
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Feng-Ming Spring Kong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - You Lu
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Laboratory of Clinical Cell Therapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianxin Xue
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Laboratory of Clinical Cell Therapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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22
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He J, Miao R, Chen Y, Wang H, Liu M. The dual role of regulatory T cells in hepatitis B virus infection and related hepatocellular carcinoma. Immunology 2024; 171:445-463. [PMID: 38093705 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to cancer-related deaths worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major etiologic factor leading to HCC. While there have been significant advancements in controlling HBV replication, achieving a complete cure for HBV-related HCC (HBV-HCC) remains an intricate challenge. HBV persistence is attributed to a myriad of mechanisms, encompassing both innate and adaptive immune responses. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are pivotal in upholding immune tolerance and modulating excessive immune activation. During HBV infection, Tregs mediate specific T cell suppression, thereby contributing to both persistent infection and the mitigation of liver inflammatory responses. Studies have demonstrated an augmented expression of circulating and intrahepatic Tregs in HBV-HCC, which correlates with impaired CD8+ T cell function. Consequently, Tregs play a dual role in the context of HBV infection and the progression of HBV-HCC. In this comprehensive review, we discuss pertinent studies concerning Tregs in HBV infection, HBV-related cirrhosis and HCC. Furthermore, we summarize Treg responses to antiviral therapy and provide Treg-targeted therapies specific to HBV and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinan He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rui Miao
- Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Northeast Yunnan Regional Central Hospital, Zhaotong, Yunan, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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23
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Kumarasamy V, Wang J, Frangou C, Wan Y, Dynka A, Rosenheck H, Dey P, Abel EV, Knudsen ES, Witkiewicz AK. The Extracellular Niche and Tumor Microenvironment Enhance KRAS Inhibitor Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1115-1132. [PMID: 38294344 PMCID: PMC10982648 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease that lacks effective treatment options, highlighting the need for developing new therapeutic interventions. Here, we assessed the response to pharmacologic inhibition of KRAS, the central oncogenic driver of PDAC. In a panel of PDAC cell lines, inhibition of KRASG12D with MRTX1133 yielded variable efficacy in suppressing cell growth and downstream gene expression programs in 2D cultures. On the basis of CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screens, ITGB1 was identified as a target to enhance the therapeutic response to MRTX1133 by regulating mechanotransduction signaling and YAP/TAZ expression, which was confirmed by gene-specific knockdown and combinatorial drug synergy. Interestingly, MRTX1133 was considerably more efficacious in 3D cell cultures. Moreover, MRTX1133 elicited a pronounced cytostatic effect in vivo and controlled tumor growth in PDAC patient-derived xenografts. In syngeneic models, KRASG12D inhibition led to tumor regression that did not occur in immune-deficient hosts. Digital spatial profiling on tumor tissues indicated that MRTX1133-mediated KRAS inhibition enhanced IFNγ signaling and induced antigen presentation that modulated the tumor microenvironment. Further investigation of the immunologic response using single-cell sequencing and multispectral imaging revealed that tumor regression was associated with suppression of neutrophils and influx of effector CD8+ T cells. Together, these findings demonstrate that both tumor cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic events contribute to response to MRTX1133 and credential KRASG12D inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy for a large percentage of patients with PDAC. SIGNIFICANCE Pharmacologic inhibition of KRAS elicits varied responses in pancreatic cancer 2D cell lines, 3D organoid cultures, and xenografts, underscoring the importance of mechanotransduction and the tumor microenvironment in regulating therapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishnu Kumarasamy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Jianxin Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Costakis Frangou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Yin Wan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Andrew Dynka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Hanna Rosenheck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Prasenjit Dey
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Ethan V. Abel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Erik S. Knudsen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Agnieszka K. Witkiewicz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
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24
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Salnikov MY, MacNeil KM, Mymryk JS. The viral etiology of EBV-associated gastric cancers contributes to their unique pathology, clinical outcomes, treatment responses and immune landscape. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1358511. [PMID: 38596668 PMCID: PMC11002251 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1358511] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a pathogen known to cause a number of malignancies, often taking years for them to develop after primary infection. EBV-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) is one such malignancy, and is an immunologically, molecularly and pathologically distinct entity from EBV-negative gastric cancer (EBVnGC). In comparison with EBVnGCs, EBVaGCs overexpress a number of immune regulatory genes to help form an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), have improved prognosis, and overall have an "immune-hot" phenotype. This review provides an overview of the histopathology, clinical features and clinical outcomes of EBVaGCs. We also summarize the differences between the TMEs of EBVaGCs and EBVnGCs, which includes significant differences in cell composition and immune infiltration. A list of available EBVaGC and EBVnGC gene expression datasets and computational tools are also provided within this review. Finally, an overview is provided of the various chemo- and immuno-therapeutics available in treating gastric cancers (GCs), with a focus on EBVaGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Y. Salnikov
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Katelyn M. MacNeil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Joe S. Mymryk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Otolaryngology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
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25
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Zhang H, Zhang P, Lin X, Tan L, Wang Y, Jia X, Wang K, Li X, Sun D. Integrative single-cell analysis of LUAD: elucidating immune cell dynamics and prognostic modeling based on exhausted CD8+ T cells. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1366096. [PMID: 38596689 PMCID: PMC11002145 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1366096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in the progression and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the detailed characteristics of LUAD and its associated microenvironment are yet to be extensively explored. This study aims to delineate a comprehensive profile of the immune cells within the LUAD microenvironment, including CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and myeloid cells. Subsequently, based on marker genes of exhausted CD8+ T cells, we aim to establish a prognostic model for LUAD. Method Utilizing the Seurat and Scanpy packages, we successfully constructed an immune microenvironment atlas for LUAD. The Monocle3 and PAGA algorithms were employed for pseudotime analysis, pySCENIC for transcription factor analysis, and CellChat for analyzing intercellular communication. Following this, a prognostic model for LUAD was developed, based on the marker genes of exhausted CD8+ T cells, enabling effective risk stratification in LUAD patients. Our study included a thorough analysis to identify differences in TME, mutation landscape, and enrichment across varying risk groups. Moreover, by integrating risk scores with clinical features, we developed a new nomogram. The expression of model genes was validated via RT-PCR, and a series of cellular experiments were conducted, elucidating the potential oncogenic mechanisms of GALNT2. Results Our study developed a single-cell atlas for LUAD from scRNA-seq data of 19 patients, examining crucial immune cells in LUAD's microenvironment. We underscored pDCs' role in antigen processing and established a Cox regression model based on CD8_Tex-LAYN genes for risk assessment. Additionally, we contrasted prognosis and tumor environments across risk groups, constructed a new nomogram integrating clinical features, validated the expression of model genes via RT-PCR, and confirmed GALNT2's function in LUAD through cellular experiments, thereby enhancing our understanding and approach to LUAD treatment. Conclusion The creation of a LUAD single-cell atlas in our study offered new insights into its tumor microenvironment and immune cell interactions, highlighting the importance of key genes associated with exhausted CD8+ T cells. These discoveries have enabled the development of an effective prognostic model for LUAD and identified GALNT2 as a potential therapeutic target, significantly contributing to the improvement of LUAD diagnosis and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Clinical School of Thoracic, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Pengpeng Zhang
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Lin Tan
- Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuhang Wang
- Clinical School of Thoracic, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoteng Jia
- Clinical School of Thoracic, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Li
- Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Daqiang Sun
- Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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26
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Li Y, Wang L, Gao Z, Zhou J, Xie S, Li G, Hou C, Wang Z, Lv Z, Wang R, Han G. Neuropeptide Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Promotes Immune Homeostasis of Bacterial Meningitis by Inducing Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Ubiquitination. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:855-865. [PMID: 37603461 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad358] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), an immunomodulatory neuropeptide, is important for regulating pain transmission, vasodilation, and the inflammatory response. However, the molecular mechanisms of the CGRP-mediated immune response remain unknown. METHODS The effects of CGRP on bacterial meningitis (BM) and its underlying mechanisms were investigated in BM mice in vivo and macrophages in vitro. RESULTS Peripheral injection of CGRP attenuated cytokine storms and protected mice from fatal pneumococcal meningitis, marked by increased bacterial clearance, improved neuroethology, and reduced mortality. When the underlying mechanisms were investigated, we found that CGRP induces proteasome-dependent degradation of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) in macrophages and then inhibits CD4+ T-cell activation. MARCH1 was identified as an E3 ligase that can be induced by CGRP engagement and promote K48-linked ubiquitination and degradation of MHC-II in macrophages. These results provide new insights into neuropeptide CGRP-mediated immune regulation mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that targeting the nervous system and manipulating neuroimmune communication is a promising strategy for treating intracranial infections like BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Li
- Department of Neuroimmune and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing
| | - Lanying Wang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, School of Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng
| | - Zhenfang Gao
- Department of Neuroimmune and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing
| | - Jie Zhou
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, School of Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng
| | - Shun Xie
- Department of Neuroimmune and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing
| | - Ge Li
- Department of Neuroimmune and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing
| | - Chunmei Hou
- Department of Neuroimmune and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing
| | - Zhiding Wang
- Department of Neuroimmune and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing
| | - Zhonglin Lv
- Department of Hematology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing
| | - Renxi Wang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Gencheng Han
- Department of Neuroimmune and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing
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27
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Yang Y, Wei Z, Cia G, Song X, Pucci F, Rooman M, Xue F, Hou Q. MHCII-peptide presentation: an assessment of the state-of-the-art prediction methods. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1293706. [PMID: 38646540 PMCID: PMC11027168 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1293706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex Class II (MHCII) proteins initiate and regulate immune responses by presentation of antigenic peptides to CD4+ T-cells and self-restriction. The interactions between MHCII and peptides determine the specificity of the immune response and are crucial in immunotherapy and cancer vaccine design. With the ever-increasing amount of MHCII-peptide binding data available, many computational approaches have been developed for MHCII-peptide interaction prediction over the last decade. There is thus an urgent need to provide an up-to-date overview and assessment of these newly developed computational methods. To benchmark the prediction performance of these methods, we constructed an independent dataset containing binding and non-binding peptides to 20 human MHCII protein allotypes from the Immune Epitope Database, covering DP, DR and DQ alleles. After collecting 11 known predictors up to January 2022, we evaluated those available through a webserver or standalone packages on this independent dataset. The benchmarking results show that MixMHC2pred and NetMHCIIpan-4.1 achieve the best performance among all predictors. In general, newly developed methods perform better than older ones due to the rapid expansion of data on which they are trained and the development of deep learning algorithms. Our manuscript not only draws a full picture of the state-of-art of MHCII-peptide binding prediction, but also guides researchers in the choice among the different predictors. More importantly, it will inspire biomedical researchers in both academia and industry for the future developments in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqing Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- National Institute of Health Data Science of China, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhonghui Wei
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- National Institute of Health Data Science of China, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Gabriel Cia
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xixi Song
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- National Institute of Health Data Science of China, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fabrizio Pucci
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marianne Rooman
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fuzhong Xue
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- National Institute of Health Data Science of China, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qingzhen Hou
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- National Institute of Health Data Science of China, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Pasquier N, Jaulin F, Peglion F. Inverted apicobasal polarity in health and disease. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261659. [PMID: 38465512 PMCID: PMC10984280 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261659] [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] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Apicobasal epithelial polarity controls the functional properties of most organs. Thus, there has been extensive research on the molecular intricacies governing the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity. Whereas loss of apicobasal polarity is a well-documented phenomenon associated with multiple diseases, less is known regarding another type of apicobasal polarity alteration - the inversion of polarity. In this Review, we provide a unifying definition of inverted polarity and discuss multiple scenarios in mammalian systems and human health and disease in which apical and basolateral membrane domains are interchanged. This includes mammalian embryo implantation, monogenic diseases and dissemination of cancer cell clusters. For each example, the functional consequences of polarity inversion are assessed, revealing shared outcomes, including modifications in immune surveillance, altered drug sensitivity and changes in adhesions to neighboring cells. Finally, we highlight the molecular alterations associated with inverted apicobasal polarity and provide a molecular framework to connect these changes with the core cell polarity machinery and to explain roles of polarity inversion in health and disease. Based on the current state of the field, failure to respond to extracellular matrix (ECM) cues, increased cellular contractility and membrane trafficking defects are likely to account for most cases of inverted apicobasal polarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Pasquier
- Collective Invasion Team, Inserm U-1279, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif F-94805, France
- Cell Adhesion and Cancer lab, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Fanny Jaulin
- Collective Invasion Team, Inserm U-1279, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif F-94805, France
| | - Florent Peglion
- Collective Invasion Team, Inserm U-1279, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif F-94805, France
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29
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Navikas V, Kowal J, Rodriguez D, Rivest F, Brajkovic S, Cassano M, Dupouy D. Semi-automated approaches for interrogating spatial heterogeneity of tissue samples. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5025. [PMID: 38424144 PMCID: PMC10904364 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55387-w] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissues are spatially orchestrated ecosystems composed of heterogeneous cell populations and non-cellular elements. Tissue components' interactions shape the biological processes that govern homeostasis and disease, thus comprehensive insights into tissues' composition are crucial for understanding their biology. Recently, advancements in the spatial biology field enabled the in-depth analyses of tissue architecture at single-cell resolution, while preserving the structural context. The increasing number of biomarkers analyzed, together with whole tissue imaging, generate datasets approaching several hundreds of gigabytes in size, which are rich sources of valuable knowledge but require investments in infrastructure and resources for extracting quantitative information. The analysis of multiplex whole-tissue images requires extensive training and experience in data analysis. Here, we showcase how a set of open-source tools can allow semi-automated image data extraction to study the spatial composition of tissues with a focus on tumor microenvironment (TME). With the use of Lunaphore COMET platform, we interrogated lung cancer specimens where we examined the expression of 20 biomarkers. Subsequently, the tissue composition was interrogated using an in-house optimized nuclei detection algorithm followed by a newly developed image artifact exclusion approach. Thereafter, the data was processed using several publicly available tools, highlighting the compatibility of COMET-derived data with currently available image analysis frameworks. In summary, we showcased an innovative semi-automated workflow that highlights the ease of adoption of multiplex imaging to explore TME composition at single-cell resolution using a simple slide in, data out approach. Our workflow is easily transferrable to various cohorts of specimens to provide a toolset for spatial cellular dissection of the tissue composition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joanna Kowal
- Lunaphore Technologies SA, Tolochenaz, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Diego Dupouy
- Lunaphore Technologies SA, Tolochenaz, Switzerland.
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30
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Zhou W, Kawashima S, Ishino T, Kawase K, Ueda Y, Yamashita K, Watanabe T, Kawazu M, Dansako H, Suzuki Y, Nishikawa H, Inozume T, Nagasaki J, Togashi Y. Stem-like progenitor and terminally differentiated T FH-like CD4 + T cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113797. [PMID: 38363680 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113797] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors exert clinical efficacy against various types of cancer through reinvigoration of exhausted CD8+ T cells that attack cancer cells directly in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Using single-cell sequencing and mouse models, we show that CXCL13, highly expressed in tumor-infiltrating exhausted CD8+ T cells, induces CD4+ follicular helper T (TFH) cell infiltration, contributing to anti-tumor immunity. Furthermore, a part of the TFH cells in the TME exhibits cytotoxicity and directly attacks major histocompatibility complex-II-expressing tumors. TFH-like cytotoxic CD4+ T cells have high LAG-3/BLIMP1 and low TCF1 expression without self-renewal ability, whereas non-cytotoxic TFH cells express low LAG-3/BLIMP1 and high TCF1 with self-renewal ability, closely resembling the relationship between terminally differentiated and stem-like progenitor exhaustion in CD8+ T cells, respectively. Our findings provide deep insights into TFH-like CD4+ T cell exhaustion with helper progenitor and cytotoxic differentiated functions, mediating anti-tumor immunity orchestrally with CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Zhou
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan; Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; Department of Urology Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Shusuke Kawashima
- Department of Dermatology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Chiba Cancer Center, Research Institute, Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba 260-8717, Japan
| | - Takamasa Ishino
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan; Chiba Cancer Center, Research Institute, Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba 260-8717, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Katsushige Kawase
- Chiba Cancer Center, Research Institute, Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba 260-8717, Japan; Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Youki Ueda
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | | | - Tomofumi Watanabe
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan; Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-0932, Japan
| | - Masahito Kawazu
- Chiba Cancer Center, Research Institute, Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba 260-8717, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Dansako
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Kashiwa 277-8568, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; Division of Cancer Immunology, National Cancer Center, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), Tokyo 104-0045, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan
| | - Takashi Inozume
- Department of Dermatology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Chiba Cancer Center, Research Institute, Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba 260-8717, Japan
| | - Joji Nagasaki
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan; Chiba Cancer Center, Research Institute, Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba 260-8717, Japan.
| | - Yosuke Togashi
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan; Chiba Cancer Center, Research Institute, Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba 260-8717, Japan; Division of Cancer Immunology, National Cancer Center, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), Tokyo 104-0045, Kashiwa 277-8577, Japan.
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31
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Krishna C, Tervi A, Saffern M, Wilson EA, Yoo SK, Mars N, Roudko V, Cho BA, Jones SE, Vaninov N, Selvan ME, Gümüş ZH, Lenz TL, Merad M, Boffetta P, Martínez-Jiménez F, Ollila HM, Samstein RM, Chowell D. An immunogenetic basis for lung cancer risk. Science 2024; 383:eadi3808. [PMID: 38386728 DOI: 10.1126/science.adi3808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Cancer risk is influenced by inherited mutations, DNA replication errors, and environmental factors. However, the influence of genetic variation in immunosurveillance on cancer risk is not well understood. Leveraging population-level data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen, we show that heterozygosity at the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-II loci is associated with reduced lung cancer risk in smokers. Fine-mapping implicated amino acid heterozygosity in the HLA-II peptide binding groove in reduced lung cancer risk, and single-cell analyses showed that smoking drives enrichment of proinflammatory lung macrophages and HLA-II+ epithelial cells. In lung cancer, widespread loss of HLA-II heterozygosity (LOH) favored loss of alleles with larger neopeptide repertoires. Thus, our findings nominate genetic variation in immunosurveillance as a critical risk factor for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirag Krishna
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Anniina Tervi
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Miriam Saffern
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Eric A Wilson
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Seong-Keun Yoo
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Nina Mars
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Vladimir Roudko
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Byuri Angela Cho
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Samuel Edward Jones
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Natalie Vaninov
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Myvizhi Esai Selvan
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Zeynep H Gümüş
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Center for Thoracic Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Tobias L Lenz
- Research Unit for Evolutionary Immunogenomics, Department of Biology, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Merad
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Human Immune Monitoring Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Paolo Boffetta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, New York, NY 11794, USA
| | - Francisco Martínez-Jiménez
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona 08035, Spain
- Hartwig Medical Foundation, Amsterdam 1098 XH, the Netherlands
| | - Hanna M Ollila
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Robert M Samstein
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Center for Thoracic Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Diego Chowell
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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32
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Dupéré-Richer D, Riva A, Maji S, Barwick BG, Román HC, Sobh A, Quickstad G, Li J, De U, Piper C, Kulis M, Ezponda T, Martin-Subero JI, Tonon G, Zhang W, Mitsiades CS, Boise LH, Bennett RL, Licht JD. KDM6A Regulates Immune Response Genes in Multiple Myeloma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.12.579179. [PMID: 38405853 PMCID: PMC10888870 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.12.579179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The histone H3K27 demethylase KDM6A is a tumor suppressor in multiple cancers, including multiple myeloma (MM). We created isogenic MM cells disrupted for KDM6A and tagged the endogenous protein to facilitate genome wide studies. KDM6A binds genes associated with immune recognition and cytokine signaling. Most importantly, KDM6A binds and activates NLRC5 and CIITA encoding regulators of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes. Patient data indicate that NLRC5 and CIITA, are downregulated in MM with low KDM6A expression. Chromatin analysis shows that KDM6A binds poised and active enhancers and KDM6A loss led to decreased H3K27ac at enhancers, increased H3K27me3 levels in body of genes bound by KDM6A and decreased gene expression. Reestablishing histone acetylation with an HDAC3 inhibitor leads to upregulation of MHC expression, offering a strategy to restore immunogenicity of KDM6A deficient tumors. Loss of Kdm6a in murine RAS-transformed fibroblasts led to increased growth in vivo associated with decreased T cell infiltration. Statement of significance We show that KDM6A participates in immune recognition of myeloma tumor cells by directly regulating the expression of the master regulators of MHC-I and II, NLRC5 and CIITA. The expression of these regulators can by rescued by the HDAC3 inhibitors in KDM6A-null cell lines.
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Zhao WB, Shen Y, Cai GX, Li YM, Liu WH, Wu JC, Xu YC, Chen SQ, Zhou Z. Superantigen-fused T cell engagers for tumor antigen-mediated robust T cell activation and tumor cell killing. Mol Ther 2024; 32:490-502. [PMID: 38098228 PMCID: PMC10861957 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.12.011] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Inadequate T cell activation has severely limited the success of T cell engager (TCE) therapy, especially in solid tumors. Enhancing T cell activity while maintaining the tumor specificity of TCEs is the key to improving their clinical efficacy. However, currently, there needs to be more effective strategies in clinical practice. Here, we design novel superantigen-fused TCEs that display robust tumor antigen-mediated T cell activation effects. These innovative drugs are not only armed with the powerful T cell activation ability of superantigens but also retain the dependence of TCEs on tumor antigens, realizing the ingenious combination of the advantages of two existing drugs. Superantigen-fused TCEs have been preliminarily proven to have good (>30-fold more potent) and specific (>25-fold more potent) antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Surprisingly, they can also induce the activation of T cell chemotaxis signals, which may promote T cell infiltration and further provide an additional guarantee for improving TCE efficacy in solid tumors. Overall, this proof-of-concept provides a potential strategy for improving the clinical efficacy of TCEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Bin Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang University Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Ying Shen
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang University Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Guo-Xin Cai
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi-Ming Li
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wen-Hui Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jing-Cheng Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ying-Chun Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shu-Qing Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Zhan Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang University Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Innovative Anticancer Drugs, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310018, China; The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China.
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34
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Xu Y, Shao B, Zhang Y. The significance of targeting lysosomes in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1308070. [PMID: 38370407 PMCID: PMC10869645 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1308070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Lysosomes are intracellular digestive organelles that participate in various physiological and pathological processes, including the regulation of immune checkpoint molecules, immune cell function in the tumor microenvironment, antigen presentation, metabolism, and autophagy. Abnormalities or dysfunction of lysosomes are associated with the occurrence, development, and drug resistance of tumors. Lysosomes play a crucial role and have potential applications in tumor immunotherapy. Targeting lysosomes or harnessing their properties is an effective strategy for tumor immunotherapy. However, the mechanisms and approaches related to lysosomes in tumor immunotherapy are not fully understood at present, and further basic and clinical research is needed to provide better treatment options for cancer patients. This review focuses on the research progress related to lysosomes and tumor immunotherapy in these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxin Xu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bo Shao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yafeng Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan, Zhengzhou, China
- Institute for Hospital Management of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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35
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Zhu M, Wang X, Zhang Q, Xie C, Wang T, Shen K, Zhang L, Zhou X. Integrative analysis confirms TPX2 as a novel biomarker for clinical implication, tumor microenvironment, and immunotherapy response across human solid tumors. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:2563-2590. [PMID: 38315450 PMCID: PMC10911359 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205498] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Targeting Protein for Xenopus Kinesin Like Protein 2 (TPX2) serves as a microtubule associated protein for the regulation of spindle assembly and tumorigenesis. We aim to investigate the prognostic and immunological role of TPX2 in pan-cancer. TCGA database, Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub (TISCH), and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) were retrieved to evaluate the expression pattern of TPX2 as well as its diagnostic and prognostic value in solid tumors. Genomic alterations of TPX2 were assessed with cBioPortal database. In vitro experiments in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) were performed to confirm the potential role of TPX2. Overexpression of TPX2 was found in 22 types of cancers, and was positively related with copy number variations (CNV) and negative with methylation. Up-regulated TPX2 could predict worse outcomes in the majority of cancers. Single-cell analysis revealed that TPX2 was mainly distributed in malignant cells (especially in glioma) and proliferating T cells. Genomic alteration of TPX2 was common in different types of tumors, while with prognostic value in two types of cancers. Additionally, significant correlations were found between TPX2 expression and tumor microenvironment (including stromal cells and immune cells) as well as immune related genes across cancer types. Drug sensitivity analysis revealed that TPX2 could predict response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Functional analyses demonstrated close relationship of TPX2 with immune function and malignant phenotypes. Finally, it was confirmed that knockdown of TPX2 could reduce proliferation and migration ability of LUAD cells. In summary, TPX2 could serve as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and a potential immunotherapy marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxia Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Xiaping Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinghua People’s Hospital, Xinghua 225700, China
| | - Chen Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Tongshan Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Kai Shen
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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36
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Du H, Liu J, Jude KM, Yang X, Li Y, Bell B, Yang H, Kassardjian A, Mobedi A, Parekh U, Sperberg RAP, Julien JP, Mellins ED, Garcia KC, Huang PS. A general platform for targeting MHC-II antigens via a single loop. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.26.577489. [PMID: 38352315 PMCID: PMC10862749 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.26.577489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Class-II major histocompatibility complexes (MHC-IIs) are central to the communications between CD4+ T cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs), but intrinsic structural features associated with MHC-II make it difficult to develop a general targeting system with high affinity and antigen specificity. Here, we introduce a protein platform, Targeted Recognition of Antigen-MHC Complex Reporter for MHC-II (TRACeR-II), to enable the rapid development of peptide-specific MHC-II binders. TRACeR-II has a small helical bundle scaffold and uses an unconventional mechanism to recognize antigens via a single loop. This unique antigen-recognition mechanism renders this platform highly versatile and amenable to direct structural modeling of the interactions with the antigen. We demonstrate that TRACeR-II binders can be rapidly evolved across multiple alleles, while computational protein design can produce specific binding sequences for a SARS-CoV-2 peptide of unknown complex structure. TRACeR-II sheds light on a simple and straightforward approach to address the MHC peptide targeting challenge, without relying on combinatorial selection on complementarity determining region (CDR) loops. It presents a promising basis for further exploration in immune response modulation as well as a broad range of theragnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haotian Du
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jingjia Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Kevin M. Jude
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xinbo Yang
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Human Gene Therapy and Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Braxton Bell
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hongli Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Audrey Kassardjian
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Ali Mobedi
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Udit Parekh
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | | | - Jean-Philippe Julien
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Elizabeth D. Mellins
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Human Gene Therapy and Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - K. Christopher Garcia
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Po-Ssu Huang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
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Caraban BM, Aschie M, Deacu M, Cozaru GC, Pundiche MB, Orasanu CI, Voda RI. A Narrative Review of Current Knowledge on Cutaneous Melanoma. Clin Pract 2024; 14:214-241. [PMID: 38391404 PMCID: PMC10888040 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract14010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a public health problem. Efforts to reduce its incidence have failed, as it continues to increase. In recent years, many risk factors have been identified. Numerous diagnostic systems exist that greatly assist in early clinical diagnosis. The histopathological aspect illustrates the grim nature of these cancers. Currently, pathogenic pathways and the tumor microclimate are key to the development of therapeutic methods. Revolutionary therapies like targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are starting to replace traditional therapeutic methods. Targeted therapy aims at a specific molecule in the pathogenic chain to block it, stopping cell growth and dissemination. The main function of immune checkpoint inhibitors is to boost cellular immunity in order to combat cancer cells. Unfortunately, these therapies have different rates of effectiveness and side effects, and cannot be applied to all patients. These shortcomings are the basis of increased incidence and mortality rates. This study covers all stages of the evolutionary sequence of melanoma. With all these data in front of us, we see the need for new research efforts directed at therapies that will bring greater benefits in terms of patient survival and prognosis, with fewer adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Marian Caraban
- Clinical Department of Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery-Reconstructive, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mariana Aschie
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Academy of Medical Sciences of Romania, 030171 Bucharest, Romania
- The Romanian Academy of Scientists, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mariana Deacu
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Georgeta Camelia Cozaru
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Genetics, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mihaela Butcaru Pundiche
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Department of General Surgery, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Cristian Ionut Orasanu
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Raluca Ioana Voda
- Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Service of Pathology, Departments of Pathology, "Sf. Apostol Andrei" Emergency County Hospital, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology (CEDMOG), "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
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Chai C, Liang L, Mikkelsen NS, Wang W, Zhao W, Sun C, Bak RO, Li H, Lin L, Wang F, Luo Y. Single-cell transcriptome analysis of epithelial, immune, and stromal signatures and interactions in human ovarian cancer. Commun Biol 2024; 7:131. [PMID: 38278958 PMCID: PMC10817929 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05826-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive investigation of ovarian cancer (OC) progression at the single-cell level is crucial for enhancing our understanding of the disease, as well as for the development of better diagnoses and treatments. Here, over half a million single-cell transcriptome data were collected from 84 OC patients across all clinical stages. Through integrative analysis, we identified heterogeneous epithelial-immune-stromal cellular compartments and their interactions in the OC microenvironment. The epithelial cells displayed clinical subtype features with functional variance. A significant increase in distinct T cell subtypes was identified including Tregs and CD8+ exhausted T cells from stage IC2. Additionally, we discovered antigen-presenting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), with myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs) exhibiting enriched extracellular matrix (ECM) functionality linked to tumor progression at stage IC2. Furthermore, the NECTIN2-TIGIT ligand-receptor pair was identified to mediate T cells communicating with epithelial, fibroblast, endothelial, and other cell types. Knock-out of NECTIN2 using CRISPR/Cas9 inhibited ovarian cancer cell (SKOV3) proliferation, and increased T cell proliferation when co-cultured. These findings shed light on the cellular compartments and functional aspects of OC, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying stage IC2 and potential therapeutic strategies for OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaochao Chai
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Langchao Liang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | | | - Wei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wandong Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China
| | - Chengcheng Sun
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China
| | - Rasmus O Bak
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hanbo Li
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Fei Wang
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China.
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, 518083, China.
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Yonglun Luo
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for LifeScience, BGI Research, Qingdao, 266555, China.
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, 518083, China.
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Villagomez FR, Lang J, Webb P, Neville M, Woodruff ER, Bitler BG. Claudin-4 modulates autophagy via SLC1A5/LAT1 as a tolerance mechanism for genomic instability in ovarian cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.18.576263. [PMID: 38293054 PMCID: PMC10827183 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.18.576263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Genome instability is key for tumor heterogeneity and derives from defects in cell division and DNA damage repair. Tumors show tolerance for this characteristic, but its accumulation is regulated somehow to avoid catastrophic chromosomal alterations and cell death. Claudin-4 is upregulated and closely associated with genome instability and worse patient outcome in ovarian cancer. This protein is commonly described as a junctional protein participating in processes such as cell proliferation and DNA repair. However, its biological association with genomic instability is still poorly-understood. Here, we used CRISPRi and a claudin mimic peptide (CMP) to modulate the cladudin-4 expression and its function, respectively in in-vitro (high-grade serous carcinoma cells) and in-vivo (patient-derived xenograft in a humanized-mice model) systems. We found that claudin-4 promotes a protective cellular-mechanism that links cell-cell junctions to genome integrity. Disruption of this axis leads to irregular cellular connections and cell cycle that results in chromosomal alterations, a phenomenon associated with a novel functional link between claudin-4 and SLC1A5/LAT1 in regulating autophagy. Consequently, claudin-4's disruption increased autophagy and associated with engulfment of cytoplasm-localized DNA. Furthermore, the claudin-4/SLC1A5/LAT1 biological axis correlates with decrease ovarian cancer patient survival and targeting claudin-4 in-vivo with CMP resulted in increased niraparib (PARPi) efficacy, correlating with increased tumoral infiltration of T CD8+ lymphocytes. Our results show that the upregulation of claudin-4 enables a mechanism that promotes tolerance to genomic instability and immune evasion in ovarian cancer; thus, suggesting the potential of claudin-4 as a translational target for enhancing ovarian cancer treatment.
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Bawden EG, Wagner T, Schröder J, Effern M, Hinze D, Newland L, Attrill GH, Lee AR, Engel S, Freestone D, de Lima Moreira M, Gressier E, McBain N, Bachem A, Haque A, Dong R, Ferguson AL, Edwards JJ, Ferguson PM, Scolyer RA, Wilmott JS, Jewell CM, Brooks AG, Gyorki DE, Palendira U, Bedoui S, Waithman J, Hochheiser K, Hölzel M, Gebhardt T. CD4 + T cell immunity against cutaneous melanoma encompasses multifaceted MHC II-dependent responses. Sci Immunol 2024; 9:eadi9517. [PMID: 38241401 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adi9517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Whereas CD4+ T cells conventionally mediate antitumor immunity by providing help to CD8+ T cells, recent clinical studies have implied an important role for cytotoxic CD4+ T cells in cancer immunity. Using an orthotopic melanoma model, we provide a detailed account of antitumoral CD4+ T cell responses and their regulation by major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) in the skin. Intravital imaging revealed prominent interactions of CD4+ T cells with tumor debris-laden MHC II+ host antigen-presenting cells that accumulated around tumor cell nests, although direct recognition of MHC II+ melanoma cells alone could also promote CD4+ T cell control. CD4+ T cells stably suppressed or eradicated tumors even in the absence of other lymphocytes by using tumor necrosis factor-α and Fas ligand (FasL) but not perforin-mediated cytotoxicity. Interferon-γ was critical for protection, acting both directly on melanoma cells and via induction of nitric oxide synthase in myeloid cells. Our results illustrate multifaceted and context-specific aspects of MHC II-dependent CD4+ T cell immunity against cutaneous melanoma, emphasizing modulation of this axis as a potential avenue for immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma G Bawden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Experimental Oncology (IEO), Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany
| | - Teagan Wagner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jan Schröder
- Computational Sciences Initiative, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maike Effern
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Experimental Oncology (IEO), Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany
| | - Daniel Hinze
- Institute of Experimental Oncology (IEO), Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany
| | - Lewis Newland
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Experimental Oncology (IEO), Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany
| | - Grace H Attrill
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ariane R Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sven Engel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David Freestone
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marcela de Lima Moreira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Elise Gressier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nathan McBain
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Annabell Bachem
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashraful Haque
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ruining Dong
- Computational Sciences Initiative, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Angela L Ferguson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation theme, School of Medical Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jarem J Edwards
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter M Ferguson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Tissue Oncology and Diagnostic Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Tissue Oncology and Diagnostic Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James S Wilmott
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher M Jewell
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, College Park, MD, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew G Brooks
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David E Gyorki
- Division of Cancer Surgery, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Umaimainthan Palendira
- Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sammy Bedoui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jason Waithman
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Katharina Hochheiser
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology (IEO), Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany
| | - Thomas Gebhardt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Amrane K, Le Meur C, Besse B, Hemon P, Le Noac’h P, Pradier O, Berthou C, Abgral R, Uguen A. HLA-DR expression in melanoma: from misleading therapeutic target to potential immunotherapy biomarker. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1285895. [PMID: 38299143 PMCID: PMC10827890 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1285895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the advent of anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy, cutaneous melanoma has undergone a true revolution with prolonged survival, as available 5-year updates for progression-free survival and overall survival demonstrate a durable clinical benefit for melanoma patients receiving ICI. However, almost half of patients fail to respond to treatment, or relapse sooner or later after the initial response to therapy. Little is known about the reasons for these failures. The identification of biomarkers seems necessary to better understand this resistance. Among these biomarkers, HLA-DR, a component of MHC II and abnormally expressed in certain tumor types including melanoma for unknown reasons, seems to be an interesting marker. The aim of this review, prepared by an interdisciplinary group of experts, is to take stock of the current literature on the potential interest of HLA-DR expression in melanoma as a predictive biomarker of ICI outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Amrane
- Department of Oncology, Regional Hospital of Morlaix, Morlaix, France
- Inserm, Unité mixte de recherche (UMR1227), Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunité, Univ Brest, Inserm, LabEx Immunotherapy-Graft-Oncology (IGO), Brest, France
| | - Coline Le Meur
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - Benjamin Besse
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Patrice Hemon
- Inserm, Unité mixte de recherche (UMR1227), Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunité, Univ Brest, Inserm, LabEx Immunotherapy-Graft-Oncology (IGO), Brest, France
| | - Pierre Le Noac’h
- Inserm, Unité mixte de recherche (UMR1227), Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunité, Univ Brest, Inserm, LabEx Immunotherapy-Graft-Oncology (IGO), Brest, France
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - Olivier Pradier
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - Christian Berthou
- Inserm, Unité mixte de recherche (UMR1227), Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunité, Univ Brest, Inserm, LabEx Immunotherapy-Graft-Oncology (IGO), Brest, France
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - Ronan Abgral
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
- UMR Inserm 1304 Groupe d'Étude de la Thrombose de Bretagne Occidentale (GETBO), IFR 148, University of Western Brittany, Brest, France
| | - Arnaud Uguen
- Inserm, Unité mixte de recherche (UMR1227), Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunité, Univ Brest, Inserm, LabEx Immunotherapy-Graft-Oncology (IGO), Brest, France
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
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42
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Ma F, Wang S, Xu L, Huang W, Shi G, Sun Z, Cai W, Wu Z, Huang Y, Meng J, Sun Y, Fang M, Cheng M, Ji Y, Hu T, Zhang Y, Gu B, Zhang J, Song S, Sun Y, Yan W. Single-cell profiling of the microenvironment in human bone metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Commun Biol 2024; 7:91. [PMID: 38216635 PMCID: PMC10786927 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05772-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Bone metastasis is of common occurrence in renal cell carcinoma with poor prognosis, but no optimal treatment approach has been established for bone metastatic renal cell carcinoma. To explore the potential therapeutic targets for bone metastatic renal cell carcinoma, we profile single cell transcriptomes of 6 primary renal cell carcinoma and 9 bone metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We also include scRNA-seq data of early-stage renal cell carcinoma, late-stage renal cell carcinoma, normal kidneys and healthy bone marrow samples in the study to better understand the bone metastasis niche. The molecular properties and dynamic changes of major cell lineages in bone metastatic environment of renal cell carcinoma are characterized. Bone metastatic renal cell carcinoma is associated with multifaceted immune deficiency together with cancer-associated fibroblasts, specifically appearance of macrophages exhibiting malignant and pro-angiogenic features. We also reveal the dominance of immune inhibitory T cells in the bone metastatic renal cell carcinoma which can be partially restored by the treatment. Trajectory analysis showes that myeloid-derived suppressor cells are progenitors of macrophages in the bone metastatic renal cell carcinoma while monocytes are their progenitors in primary tumors and healthy bone marrows. Additionally, the infiltration of immune inhibitory CD47+ T cells is observed in bone metastatic tumors, which may be a result of reduced phagocytosis by SIRPA-expressing macrophages in the bone microenvironment. Together, our results provide a systematic view of various cell types in bone metastatic renal cell carcinoma and suggest avenues for therapeutic solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, 201203, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuoer Wang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Lun Xu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Wending Huang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Guohai Shi
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengwang Sun
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiluo Cai
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiming Huang
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Meng
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yining Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Fang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Mo Cheng
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingzheng Ji
- Department of Orthopedic, Naval Medical Center of PLA, Second Military Medical University, 338 Huaihai West Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Tu Hu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunkui Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingxin Gu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiwei Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, 201203, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shaoli Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yidi Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wangjun Yan
- Department of Musculoskeletal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 138 Medical College Road, Shanghai, China.
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Giordano G, Pancione M. MHC class III lymphocyte antigens 6 as endogenous immunotoxins: Unlocking immunotherapy in proficient mismatch repair colorectal cancer. WIREs Mech Dis 2024; 16:e1631. [PMID: 37818781 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
A majority of cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC) with intact DNA mismatch repair, exhibit a paralyzed antitumor immune response and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Members of MHC class III lymphocyte antigen 6G (LY6G) encode glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) proteins anchored to the membrane. Snake venom neurotoxins and LY6G proteins share a three-finger (3F) folding domain. LY6 proteins such as LY6G6D are gaining a reputation as excellent tumor-associated antigens that can potently inhibit anti-tumor immunity in cancers with proficient mismatch repair. Thus, we called MHC class III LY6G endogenous immunotoxins. Since the discovery of LY6G6D as a tumor-associated antigen, T-cell engagers (TcEs) have been developed to simultaneously bind LY6G6D on cancer cells and CD3 on T cells, improving the treatment of metastatic solid tumors that are resistant to ICIs. We present a current understanding of how alterations in MHC class III genes inhibit antitumor immunity, and how these understandings can be turned into effective treatments for patients who are refractory to standard immunotherapy. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Giordano
- Unit of Medical Oncology and Biomolecular Therapy, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Massimo Pancione
- Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Jafari N, Khajenabi F, Masumi N, Abediankenari S, Ranjbaran H. Evaluation of HLA-DR and HLA-DQ expression in gastric cancer tissues. J Cancer Res Ther 2024; 20:204-210. [PMID: 38554322 DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_144_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Despite recent advances in understanding the gastric cancer (GC) biology, the precise molecular mechanism of gastric carcinogenesis and role of deregulated immune responses in GC progression are still not well understood. In this study, mRNA levels of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRA and -DQA1 were assessed in GC patients to find a potential association between expression of these HLA-II molecules and gastric carcinogenesis. METHODS Using quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR, mRNA levels of HLA-DRA and -DQA1 were assessed in 20 pairs of matched GC and normal tissues. RESULTS Our results showed that overall mRNA level of HLA-DRA was decreased in the tumor samples relative to control tissues (median fold change [FC] = 0.693; P = 0.445). Overall HLA-DQA1 level was increased in the tumor samples relative to control tissues (median FC = 1.659; P = 0.5117). However, the mentioned data were not statistically significant. Meanwhile, using a ≥ 2.5 FC as the cutoff to determine upregulation or downregulation, 35% of patients showed a downregulated expression of HLA-DRA, while 10% of those showed upregulation in HLA-DRA expression. Upregulation and downregulation of HLA-DQA1 expression were detected, respectively, in 35% and 25% of samples. A strong positive correlation was determined between HLA-DRA and HLA-DQA1 levels in tumor tissues (r = 0.7298; P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION The results reported here along with future studies can be useful to understand the interplay between immune system and GC, therefore, may be helpful to design an effective immune-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Jafari
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Khajenabi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital, Behshahr, Iran
| | - Nastaran Masumi
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Saeid Abediankenari
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hossein Ranjbaran
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Ghimire P, Kinnersley B, Karami G, Arumugam P, Houlston R, Ashkan K, Modat M, Booth TC. Radiogenomic biomarkers for immunotherapy in glioblastoma: A systematic review of magnetic resonance imaging studies. Neurooncol Adv 2024; 6:vdae055. [PMID: 38680991 PMCID: PMC11046988 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdae055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Immunotherapy is an effective "precision medicine" treatment for several cancers. Imaging signatures of the underlying genome (radiogenomics) in glioblastoma patients may serve as preoperative biomarkers of the tumor-host immune apparatus. Validated biomarkers would have the potential to stratify patients during immunotherapy clinical trials, and if trials are beneficial, facilitate personalized neo-adjuvant treatment. The increased use of whole genome sequencing data, and the advances in bioinformatics and machine learning make such developments plausible. We performed a systematic review to determine the extent of development and validation of immune-related radiogenomic biomarkers for glioblastoma. Methods A systematic review was performed following PRISMA guidelines using the PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases. Qualitative analysis was performed by incorporating the QUADAS 2 tool and CLAIM checklist. PROSPERO registered: CRD42022340968. Extracted data were insufficiently homogenous to perform a meta-analysis. Results Nine studies, all retrospective, were included. Biomarkers extracted from magnetic resonance imaging volumes of interest included apparent diffusion coefficient values, relative cerebral blood volume values, and image-derived features. These biomarkers correlated with genomic markers from tumor cells or immune cells or with patient survival. The majority of studies had a high risk of bias and applicability concerns regarding the index test performed. Conclusions Radiogenomic immune biomarkers have the potential to provide early treatment options to patients with glioblastoma. Targeted immunotherapy, stratified by these biomarkers, has the potential to allow individualized neo-adjuvant precision treatment options in clinical trials. However, there are no prospective studies validating these biomarkers, and interpretation is limited due to study bias with little evidence of generalizability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prajwal Ghimire
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Ben Kinnersley
- Department of Oncology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Richard Houlston
- Division of Genetics and Epidemiology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Keyoumars Ashkan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Marc Modat
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas C Booth
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
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Zhu Y, Xia T, Chen DQ, Xiong X, Shi L, Zuo Y, Xiao H, Liu L. Promising role of protein arginine methyltransferases in overcoming anti-cancer drug resistance. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 72:101016. [PMID: 37980859 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance remains a major challenge in cancer treatment, necessitating the development of novel strategies to overcome it. Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are enzymes responsible for epigenetic arginine methylation, which regulates various biological and pathological processes, as a result, they are attractive therapeutic targets for overcoming anti-cancer drug resistance. The ongoing development of small molecules targeting PRMTs has resulted in the generation of chemical probes for modulating most PRMTs and facilitated clinical treatment for the most advanced oncology targets, including PRMT1 and PRMT5. In this review, we summarize various mechanisms underlying protein arginine methylation and the roles of specific PRMTs in driving cancer drug resistance. Furthermore, we highlight the potential clinical implications of PRMT inhibitors in decreasing cancer drug resistance. PRMTs promote the formation and maintenance of drug-tolerant cells via several mechanisms, including altered drug efflux transporters, autophagy, DNA damage repair, cancer stem cell-related function, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and disordered tumor microenvironment. Multiple preclinical and ongoing clinical trials have demonstrated that PRMT inhibitors, particularly PRMT5 inhibitors, can sensitize cancer cells to various anti-cancer drugs, including chemotherapeutic, targeted therapeutic, and immunotherapeutic agents. Combining PRMT inhibitors with existing anti-cancer strategies will be a promising approach for overcoming anti-cancer drug resistance. Furthermore, enhanced knowledge of the complex functions of arginine methylation and PRMTs in drug resistance will guide the future development of PRMT inhibitors and may help identify new clinical indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxia Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tong Xia
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Da-Qian Chen
- Department of Medicine Oncology, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen 518110, China
| | - Xia Xiong
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Lihong Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yueqi Zuo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Institute of Basic Translational Medicine, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710021, China.
| | - Hongtao Xiao
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
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Xiao X, Kong Y, Li R, Wang Z, Lu H. Transformer with convolution and graph-node co-embedding: An accurate and interpretable vision backbone for predicting gene expressions from local histopathological image. Med Image Anal 2024; 91:103040. [PMID: 38007979 DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2023.103040] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Inferring gene expressions from histopathological images has long been a fascinating yet challenging task, primarily due to the substantial disparities between the two modality. Existing strategies using local or global features of histological images are suffering model complexity, GPU consumption, low interpretability, insufficient encoding of local features, and over-smooth prediction of gene expressions among neighboring sites. In this paper, we develop TCGN (Transformer with Convolution and Graph-Node co-embedding method) for gene expression estimation from H&E-stained pathological slide images. TCGN comprises a combination of convolutional layers, transformer encoders, and graph neural networks, and is the first to integrate these blocks in a general and interpretable computer vision backbone. Notably, TCGN uniquely operates with just a single spot image as input for histopathological image analysis, simplifying the process while maintaining interpretability. We validate TCGN on three publicly available spatial transcriptomic datasets. TCGN consistently exhibited the best performance (with median PCC 0.232). TCGN offers superior accuracy while keeping parameters to a minimum (just 86.241 million), and it consumes minimal memory, allowing it to run smoothly even on personal computers. Moreover, TCGN can be extended to handle bulk RNA-seq data while providing the interpretability. Enhancing the accuracy of omics information prediction from pathological images not only establishes a connection between genotype and phenotype, enabling the prediction of costly-to-measure biomarkers from affordable histopathological images, but also lays the groundwork for future multi-modal data modeling. Our results confirm that TCGN is a powerful tool for inferring gene expressions from histopathological images in precision health applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics and Data Science, National Center for Translational Medicine, MoE Key Lab of Artificial Intelligence, AI Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Yan Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics and Data Science, National Center for Translational Medicine, MoE Key Lab of Artificial Intelligence, AI Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ronghan Li
- SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics and Data Science, National Center for Translational Medicine, MoE Key Lab of Artificial Intelligence, AI Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Zhiyuan College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zuoheng Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Hui Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics and Data Science, National Center for Translational Medicine, MoE Key Lab of Artificial Intelligence, AI Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Embryogenesis and Developmental Molecular Biology & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo and Reproduction Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Big Data in Pediatric Precision Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Al-Jipouri A, Eritja À, Bozic M. Unraveling the Multifaceted Roles of Extracellular Vesicles: Insights into Biology, Pharmacology, and Pharmaceutical Applications for Drug Delivery. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:485. [PMID: 38203656 PMCID: PMC10779093 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles released from various cell types that have emerged as powerful new therapeutic option for a variety of diseases. EVs are involved in the transmission of biological signals between cells and in the regulation of a variety of biological processes, highlighting them as potential novel targets/platforms for therapeutics intervention and/or delivery. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate new aspects of EVs' biogenesis, biodistribution, metabolism, and excretion as well as safety/compatibility of both unmodified and engineered EVs upon administration in different pharmaceutical dosage forms and delivery systems. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of essential physiological and pathological roles of EVs in different organs and organ systems. We provide an overview regarding application of EVs as therapeutic targets, therapeutics, and drug delivery platforms. We also explore various approaches implemented over the years to improve the dosage of specific EV products for different administration routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Al-Jipouri
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Àuria Eritja
- Vascular and Renal Translational Research Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLLEIDA), 25196 Lleida, Spain;
| | - Milica Bozic
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45147 Essen, Germany;
- Vascular and Renal Translational Research Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLLEIDA), 25196 Lleida, Spain;
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Klebanoff CA, Chandran SS, Baker BM, Quezada SA, Ribas A. T cell receptor therapeutics: immunological targeting of the intracellular cancer proteome. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:996-1017. [PMID: 37891435 PMCID: PMC10947610 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00809-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The T cell receptor (TCR) complex is a naturally occurring antigen sensor that detects, amplifies and coordinates cellular immune responses to epitopes derived from cell surface and intracellular proteins. Thus, TCRs enable the targeting of proteins selectively expressed by cancer cells, including neoantigens, cancer germline antigens and viral oncoproteins. As such, TCRs have provided the basis for an emerging class of oncology therapeutics. Herein, we review the current cancer treatment landscape using TCRs and TCR-like molecules. This includes adoptive cell transfer of T cells expressing endogenous or engineered TCRs, TCR bispecific engagers and antibodies specific for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-bound peptides (TCR mimics). We discuss the unique complexities associated with the clinical development of these therapeutics, such as HLA restriction, TCR retrieval, potency assessment and the potential for cross-reactivity. In addition, we highlight emerging clinical data that establish the antitumour potential of TCR-based therapies, including tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, for the treatment of diverse human malignancies. Finally, we explore the future of TCR therapeutics, including emerging genome editing methods to safely enhance potency and strategies to streamline patient identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Klebanoff
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Smita S Chandran
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, New York, NY, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian M Baker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, ID, USA
- The Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, ID, USA
| | - Sergio A Quezada
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Achilles Therapeutics, London, UK
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
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50
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Seifert F, Eisenblätter R, Beckmann J, Schürmann P, Hanel P, Jentschke M, Böhmer G, Strauß HG, Hirchenhain C, Schmidmayr M, Müller F, Fasching P, Luyten A, Häfner N, Dürst M, Runnebaum IB, Hillemanns P, Dörk T, Ramachandran D. Association of two genomic variants with HPV type-specific risk of cervical cancer. Tumour Virus Res 2023; 16:200269. [PMID: 37499979 PMCID: PMC10415783 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvr.2023.200269] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Human papillomavirus infection is integral to developing invasive cervical cancer in the majority of patients. In a recent genome-wide association study, rs9357152 and rs4243652 have been associated with seropositivity for HPV16 or HPV18, respectively. It is unknown whether these variants also associate with cervical cancer triggered by either HPV16 or HPV18. METHODS We investigate whether the two HPV susceptibility variants show association with type-specific cervical cancer in a genetic case-control study with cases stratified by HPV16 or HPV18, respectively. We further tested whether rs9357152 modulates gene expression of any of 36 genes at the human leukocyte antigen locus in 256 cervical tissues. RESULTS rs9357152 was associated with invasive HPV16-positive cervical cancer (OR 1.33, 95%CI 1.03-1.70, p = 0.03), and rs4243652 was associated with HPV18-positive adenocarcinomas (OR 2.96, 95%CI 1.18-7.41, p = 0.02). These associations remained borderline significant after testing against different sets of controls. rs9357152 was found to be an eQTL for HLA-DRB1 in HPV-positive cervical tissues (pANOVA = 0.0009), with the risk allele lowering mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS We find evidence that HPV seropositivity variants at chromosome 6 and 14 may modulate type-specific cervical cancer risk. rs9357152 may exert its effect through regulating HLA-DRB1 induction in the presence of HPV. In regard of multiple testing, these results need to be confirmed in larger studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finja Seifert
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hannover Medical School, D-30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rieke Eisenblätter
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hannover Medical School, D-30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia Beckmann
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hannover Medical School, D-30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Schürmann
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hannover Medical School, D-30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Patricia Hanel
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hannover Medical School, D-30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthias Jentschke
- Clinics of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Hannover Medical School, D-30625, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Hans-Georg Strauß
- Department of Gynaecology, University Clinics, Martin-Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
| | - Christine Hirchenhain
- Department of Gynaecology, Clinics Carl Gustav Carus, University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Monika Schmidmayr
- Department of Gynaecology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Müller
- Martin-Luther Hospital, Charite University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Fasching
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexander Luyten
- Dysplasia Unit, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Mare Klinikum, Kronshagen, Germany; Department of Gynaecology, Wolfsburg Hospital, Wolfsburg, Germany
| | - Norman Häfner
- Department of Gynaecology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich -Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthias Dürst
- Department of Gynaecology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich -Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Ingo B Runnebaum
- Department of Gynaecology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich -Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Hillemanns
- Clinics of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Hannover Medical School, D-30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thilo Dörk
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hannover Medical School, D-30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dhanya Ramachandran
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hannover Medical School, D-30625, Hannover, Germany.
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