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Sun X, Song H, Sun X, Liao C, Wang G, Xu Y, Li L, Han Y, Xu C, Wang W, Cai S, Liang H, Yu H. A 15-Inflammation-Related Gene Signature Predicts the Prognosis of Patients With Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Invest 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38616304 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2024.2340577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation promotes the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and PDAC-related inflammatory tumor microenvironment facilitates tumor growth and metastasis. Thus, we aimed to study the association between inflammatory response and prognosis in patients with PDAC. We conducted the whole transcriptomic sequencing using tissue samples collected from patients diagnosed with PDAC (n = 106) recruited from Shandong Cancer Hospital. We first constructed a prognostic signature using 15 inflammation-related genes in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort (n = 177) and further validated it in an independent International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) cohort (n = 90) and our in-house cohort. PDAC patients with a higher risk score had poorer overall survival (OS) (P < 0.001; HR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.94-4.70). The association between the prognostic signature and OS remained significant in the multivariable Cox regression adjusting for age, sex, alcohol exposure, diabetes, and stage (P < 0.001; HR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.73-4.89). This gene signature also robustly predicted prognosis in the ICGC cohort (P = 0.01; HR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.14-3.30) and our cohort (P < 0.001; HR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.45-3.97). Immune subtype C3 (inflammatory) was enriched and CD8+ T cells were higher in patients with a lower risk score (P < 0.05). Furthermore, PDAC patients with higher risk scores were more sensitive to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and PARP inhibitors (P < 0.05). In sum, we identified a novel gene signature that was associated with inflammatory response for risk stratification, prognosis prediction, and therapy guidance in PDAC patients. Future studies are warranted to validate the clinical utility of the signature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hao Song
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoran Sun
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | | | | | - Yu Xu
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Leo Li
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yusheng Han
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chunwei Xu
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Wenxian Wang
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Shangli Cai
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Hua Liang
- Qingdao Central Hospital, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Hao Yu
- Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, P. R. China
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2
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Lekan AA, Weiner LM. The Role of Chemokines in Orchestrating the Immune Response to Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:559. [PMID: 38339310 PMCID: PMC10854906 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are small molecules that function as chemotactic factors which regulate the migration, infiltration, and accumulation of immune cells. Here, we comprehensively assess the structural and functional role of chemokines, examine the effects of chemokines that are present in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor microenvironment (TME), specifically those produced by cancer cells and stromal components, and evaluate their impact on immune cell trafficking, both in promoting and suppressing anti-tumor responses. We further explore the impact of chemokines on patient outcomes in PDAC and their role in the context of immunotherapy treatments, and review clinical trials that have targeted chemokine receptors and ligands in the treatment of PDAC. Lastly, we highlight potential strategies that can be utilized to harness chemokines in order to increase cytotoxic immune cell infiltration and the anti-tumor effects of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louis M. Weiner
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3970 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA;
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3
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Pan M, Wei X, Xiang X, Liu Y, Zhou Q, Yang W. Targeting CXCL9/10/11-CXCR3 axis: an important component of tumor-promoting and antitumor immunity. Clin Transl Oncol 2023; 25:2306-2320. [PMID: 37076663 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03126-4] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Chemokines are chemotactic-competent molecules composed of a family of small cytokines, playing a key role in regulating tumor progression. The roles of chemokines in antitumor immune responses are of great interest. CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 are important members of chemokines. It has been widely investigated that these three chemokines can bind to their common receptor CXCR3 and regulate the differentiation, migration, and tumor infiltration of immune cells, directly or indirectly affecting tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we summarize the mechanism of how the CXCL9/10/11-CXCR3 axis affects the tumor microenvironment, and list the latest researches to find out how this axis predicts the prognosis of different cancers. In addition, immunotherapy improves the survival of tumor patients, but some patients show drug resistance. Studies have found that the regulation of CXCL9/10/11-CXCR3 on the tumor microenvironment is involved in the process of changing immunotherapy resistance. Here we also describe new approaches to restoring sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors through the CXCL9/10/11-CXCR3 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjie Pan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China
| | - Xiaoshan Wei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China
| | - Xuan Xiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China
| | - Yanhong Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China
| | - Qiong Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China
| | - Weibing Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China.
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4
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Gautam SK, Batra SK, Jain M. Molecular and metabolic regulation of immunosuppression in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:118. [PMID: 37488598 PMCID: PMC10367391 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01813-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppression is a hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), contributing to early metastasis and poor patient survival. Compared to the localized tumors, current standard-of-care therapies have failed to improve the survival of patients with metastatic PDAC, that necessecitates exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. While immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and therapeutic vaccines have emerged as promising treatment modalities in certain cancers, limited responses have been achieved in PDAC. Therefore, specific mechanisms regulating the poor response to immunotherapy must be explored. The immunosuppressive microenvironment driven by oncogenic mutations, tumor secretome, non-coding RNAs, and tumor microbiome persists throughout PDAC progression, allowing neoplastic cells to grow locally and metastasize distantly. The metastatic cells escaping the host immune surveillance are unique in molecular, immunological, and metabolic characteristics. Following chemokine and exosomal guidance, these cells metastasize to the organ-specific pre-metastatic niches (PMNs) constituted by local resident cells, stromal fibroblasts, and suppressive immune cells, such as the metastasis-associated macrophages, neutrophils, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The metastatic immune microenvironment differs from primary tumors in stromal and immune cell composition, functionality, and metabolism. Thus far, multiple molecular and metabolic pathways, distinct from primary tumors, have been identified that dampen immune effector functions, confounding the immunotherapy response in metastatic PDAC. This review describes major immunoregulatory pathways that contribute to the metastatic progression and limit immunotherapy outcomes in PDAC. Overall, we highlight the therapeutic vulnerabilities attributable to immunosuppressive factors and discuss whether targeting these molecular and immunological "hot spots" could improve the outcomes of PDAC immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra K Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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5
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Burrack AL, Spartz EJ, Rollins MR, Miller EA, Firulyova M, Cruz E, Goldberg MF, Wang IX, Nanda H, Shen S, Zaitsev K, Stromnes IM. Cxcr3 constrains pancreatic cancer dissemination through instructing T cell fate. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:1461-1478. [PMID: 36472588 PMCID: PMC10198906 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03338-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal and metastatic malignancy resistant to therapy. Elucidating how pancreatic tumor-specific T cells differentiate and are maintained in vivo could inform novel therapeutic avenues to promote T cell antitumor activity. Here, we show that the spleen is a critical site harboring tumor-specific CD8 T cells that functionally segregate based on differential Cxcr3 and Klrg1 expression. Cxcr3+ Klrg1- T cells express the memory stem cell marker Tcf1, whereas Cxcr3-Klrg1 + T cells express GzmB consistent with terminal differentiation. We identify a Cxcr3+ Klrg1+ intermediate T cell subpopulation in the spleen that is highly enriched for tumor specificity. However, tumor-specific T cells infiltrating primary tumors progressively downregulate both Cxcr3 and Klrg1 while upregulating exhaustion markers PD-1 and Lag-3. We show that antigen-specific T cell infiltration into PDA is Cxcr3 independent. Further, Cxcr3-deficiency results in enhanced antigen-specific T cell IFNγ production in primary tumors, suggesting that Cxcr3 promotes loss of effector function. Ultimately, however, Cxcr3 was critical for mitigating cancer cell dissemination following immunotherapy with CD40 agonist + anti-PD-L1 or T cell receptor engineered T cell therapy targeting mesothelin. In the absence of Cxcr3, splenic Klrg1 + GzmB + antitumor T cells wain while pancreatic cancer disseminates suggesting a role for these cells in eliminating circulating metastatic tumor cells. Intratumoral myeloid cells are poised to produce Cxcl10, whereas splenic DC subsets produce Cxcl9 following immunotherapy supporting differential roles for these chemokines on T cell differentiation. Together, our study supports that Cxcr3 mitigates tumor cell dissemination by impacting peripheral T cell fate rather than intratumoral T cell trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Burrack
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Ellen J Spartz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Meagan R Rollins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Ebony A Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Maria Firulyova
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Eduardo Cruz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Michael F Goldberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Iris X Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Hezkiel Nanda
- Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Clinical Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Steven Shen
- Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
- Clinical Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Konstantin Zaitsev
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ingunn M Stromnes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2101 6th St SE, 2-186 WMBB, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA.
- Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, USA.
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
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6
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Wang X, Zhang Y, Wang S, Ni H, Zhao P, Chen G, Xu B, Yuan L. The role of CXCR3 and its ligands in cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1022688. [PMID: 36479091 PMCID: PMC9720144 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1022688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are a class of small cytokines or signaling proteins that are secreted by cells. Owing to their ability to induce directional chemotaxis of nearby responding cells, they are called chemotactic cytokines. Chemokines and chemokine receptors have now been shown to influence many cellular functions, including survival, adhesion, invasion, and proliferation, and regulate chemokine levels. Most malignant tumors express one or more chemokine receptors. The CXC subgroup of chemokine receptors, CXCR3, is mainly expressed on the surface of activated T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells, and plays an essential role in infection, autoimmune diseases, and tumor immunity by binding to specific receptors on target cell membranes to induce targeted migration and immune responses. It is vital to treat infections, autoimmune diseases, and tumors. CXCR3 and its ligands, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11, are closely associated with the development and progression of many tumors. With the elucidation of its mechanism of action, CXCR3 is expected to become a new indicator for evaluating the prognosis of patients with tumors and a new target for clinical tumor immunotherapy. This article reviews the significance and mechanism of action of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 and its specific ligands in tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Zhang
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sen Wang
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Ni
- Department of Surgery, Henan No.3 Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guangyu Chen
- Department of Immunotherapy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Benling Xu
- Department of Immunotherapy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Long Yuan
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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7
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Bhatia R, Bhyravbhatla N, Kisling A, Li X, Batra SK, Kumar S. Cytokines chattering in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumor microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:499-510. [PMID: 35346801 PMCID: PMC9510605 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of multiple cell types interspersed by dense fibrous stroma. These cells communicate through low molecular weight signaling molecules called cytokines. The cytokines, through their receptors, facilitate PDAC initiation, progression, metastasis, and distant colonization of malignant cells. These signaling mediators secreted from tumor-associated macrophages, and cancer-associated fibroblasts in conjunction with oncogenic Kras mutation initiate acinar to ductal metaplasia (ADM), resulting in the appearance of early preneoplastic lesions. Further, M1- and M2-polarized macrophages provide proinflammatory conditions and promote deposition of extracellular matrix, whereas myofibroblasts and T-lymphocytes, such as Th17 and T-regulatory cells, create a fibroinflammatory and immunosuppressive environment with a significantly reduced cytotoxic T-cell population. During PDAC progression, cytokines regulate the expression of various oncogenic regulators such as NFκB, c-myc, growth factor receptors, and mucins resulting in the formation of high-grade PanIN lesions, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, invasion, and extravasation of malignant cells, and metastasis. During metastasis, PDAC cells colonize at the premetastatic niche created in the liver, and lung, an organotropic function primarily executed by cytokines in circulation or loaded in the exosomes from the primary tumor cells. The indispensable contribution of these cytokines at every stage of PDAC tumorigenesis makes them exciting candidates in combination with immune-, chemo- and targeted radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Bhatia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Namita Bhyravbhatla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Andrew Kisling
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Xiaoqi Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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8
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A Novel lncRNA Mediates the Delayed Tooth Eruption of Cleidocranial Dysplasia. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172729. [PMID: 36078141 PMCID: PMC9454660 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Delayed eruption of permanent teeth is a common symptom of cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD). Previous studies have focused on the anomaly of osteogenesis resulting from mutations in the Runt-related transcription factor-2 gene (RUNX2). However, deficiencies in osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, and the epigenetic regulation mediated by long non-coding (lnc)RNAs in CCD remain to be elucidated. Here, a novel osteoclast-specific lncRNA (OC-lncRNA) was identified during the osteoclast differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells transfected with a RUNX2 mutation expression cassette. We further confirmed that OC-lncRNA positively regulated osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. The OC-lncRNA promoted the expression of CXC chemokine receptor type 3 (CXCR3) by competitively binding to microRNA (miR)-221-5p. The CXCR3–CXC-motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) interaction and nuclear factor-κB constituted a positive feedback that positively regulated osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. These results demonstrate that OC-lncRNA-mediated osteoclast dysfunction via the OC-lncRNA–miR-221-5p–CXCR3 axis, which is involved in the process of delayed tooth eruption of CCD.
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Gorchs L, Oosthoek M, Yucel-Lindberg T, Moro CF, Kaipe H. Chemokine Receptor Expression on T Cells Is Modulated by CAFs and Chemokines Affect the Spatial Distribution of T Cells in Pancreatic Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153826. [PMID: 35954489 PMCID: PMC9367555 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The infiltration of T cells in pancreatic tumors has been correlated with better overall survival. However, the dense desmoplastic stroma, mainly composed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), can sequester the T cells in the stroma preventing them from reaching the tumor nests. Chemokines are small molecules capable of directing T cell migration. Here, we explored whether CAFs could modulate the expression of chemokine receptors on T cells and examined if the spatial distribution of T cells within tumors was correlated to chemokine secretion patterns. Overall, we found that CXCR3 ligands was associated with an increased number of T cells in tumor rich areas and that CAFs downregulated the expression of CXCR3 on T cells. Understanding the mechanisms by which T cells are prevented from reaching the tumor nests is of great importance for the development of novel targeting therapies. Abstract The accumulation of T cells is associated with a better prognosis in pancreatic cancer. However, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, largely composed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), can prevent T cells from reaching the tumor nests. We examined how human CAFs modulated chemokine receptors known to be associated with T cell trafficking, CXCR3 and CCR5, and T cell exclusion, CXCR4. CAFs decreased the expression of CXCR3 and CCR5 but increased CXCR4 expression in both 2D and 3D cultures, affecting the migratory capacity of T cells towards CXCL10. An immunohistochemistry analysis showed that very few T cells were found in the tumor nests. Within the stroma, CD8+ T cells were localized more distantly from the malignant cells whereas CD4+ T cells were more equally distributed. Tumor tissues with a high production of chemokines were associated with less T cell infiltration when the whole tissue was analyzed. However, when the spatial localization of CD8+ T cells within the tissue was taken into account, levels of CXCR3 ligands and the CCR5 ligand CCL8 showed a positive association with a high relative T cell infiltration in tumor-rich areas. Thus, CXCR3 ligands could mediate T cell trafficking but CAFs could prevent T cells from reaching the malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Gorchs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (H.K.)
| | - Marlies Oosthoek
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Carlos Fernández Moro
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 57 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helen Kaipe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 52 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (H.K.)
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10
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Jiang J, Zhan X, Qu H, Liang T, Li H, Chen L, Huang S, Sun X, Jiang W, Chen J, Chen T, Yao Y, Wu S, Zhu J, Liu C. Upregulated of ANXA3, SORL1, and Neutrophils May Be Key Factors in the Progressionof Ankylosing Spondylitis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:861459. [PMID: 35464477 PMCID: PMC9019158 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.861459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The specific pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remains unclear, and our study aimed to investigate the possible pathogenesis of AS. Materials and Methods Two datasets were downloaded from the GEO database to perform differentially expressed gene analysis, GO enrichment analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, DO enrichment analysis, GSEA analysis of differentially expressed genes, and construction of diagnostic genes using SVM and WGCNA along with Hypoxia-related genes. Also, drug sensitivity analysis was performed on diagnostic genes. To identify the differentially expressed immune genes in the AS and control groups, we analyzed the composition of immune cells between them. Then, we examined differentially expressed genes in three AS interspinous ligament specimens and three Degenerative lumbar spine specimens using high-throughput sequencing while the immune cells were examined using the neutrophil count data from routine blood tests of 1770 HLA-B27-positive samples and 7939 HLA-B27-negative samples. To assess the relationship between ANXA3 and SORL1 and disease activity, we took the neutrophil counts of the first 50 patients with above-average BASDAI scores and the last 50 patients with below-average BASDAI scores for statistical analysis. We used immunohistochemistry to verify the expression of ANXA3 and SORL1 in AS and in controls. Results ANXA3 and SORL1 were identified as new diagnostic genes for AS. These two genes showed a significant differential expression between AS and controls, along with showing a significant positive correlation with the neutrophil count. The results of high-throughput sequencing verified that these two gene deletions were indeed differentially expressed in AS versus controls. Data from a total of 9707 routine blood tests showed that the neutrophil count was significantly higher in AS patients than in controls (p < 0.001). Patients with AS with a high BASDAI score had a much higher neutrophil count than those with a low score, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of ANXA3 and SORL1 in AS was significantly higher than that in the control group. Conclusion Upregulated of ANXA3, SORL1, and neutrophils may be a key factor in the progression of Ankylosing spondylitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jiang
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xinli Zhan
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Haishun Qu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonmous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Tuo Liang
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Liyi Chen
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Shengsheng Huang
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xuhua Sun
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Wenyong Jiang
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiarui Chen
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Tianyou Chen
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yuanlin Yao
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Shaofeng Wu
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jichong Zhu
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Chong Liu
- Department of Spinal Orthopedic Surgery, The First Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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11
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Fan T, Liu Y, Liu H, Wang L, Tian H, Zheng Y, Zheng B, Xue L, Li C, He J. Transmembrane Protein-Based Risk Model and H3K4me3 Modification Characteristics in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:828814. [PMID: 35392225 PMCID: PMC8980838 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.828814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The role and mechanism of transmembrane proteins (TMEMs) in tumorigenesis remain unclear. Based on 4 independent cohorts containing 1,208 cases, we identified 3 TMEMs (TMEM273, TMEM164, and TMEM125), which were used to construct a risk model to predict the prognosis of LUAD. The two patterns based on the risk score exhibited a high degree of consistency with the characteristics of immune cell infiltration and epigenetic distribution. Patients with a low-risk score, characterized by an increased activation of immunity, H3K4me3 modification, tumor cell apoptosis, chemokine secretion, and TMB, had better disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Obvious immunosuppression, increased epithelial–mesenchymal transition, a low H3K4me3 level, shortened cell cycle, and accelerated cell division manifested in high-risk patients, with poorer DFS and OS. The model showed a better prognostic value than the tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score. Correlation analysis told us that patients with high scores were suitable for treatment with CD276 inhibitors for their higher levels of CD276 expression. The risk score had a strong negative correlation with HAVCR2 and ICOS among patients with EGFR-WT, KRAS-WT, STK11-WT, or TP53-MUT, and patients with these mutation types with low scores were suitable for treatment with HAVCR2 or ICOS inhibitors. This work comprehensively analyzed the role and mechanism of TMEMs in LUAD and revealed the characteristics of histone methylation modification. The TMEM-based signature gave us deep insight into immune cell infiltration profiles and provided an individualized immunotherapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Fan
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hengchang Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Liyu Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - He Tian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yujia Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Zheng
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Liyan Xue
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chunxiang Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jie He
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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12
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Contribution of CXCR3-mediated signaling in the metastatic cascade of solid malignancies. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188628. [PMID: 34560199 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is a significant cause of the mortality resulting from solid malignancies. The process of metastasis is complex and is regulated by numerous cancer cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic factors. CXCR3 is a chemokine receptor that is frequently expressed by cancer cells, endothelial cells and immune cells. CXCR3A signaling in cancer cells tends to promote the invasive and migratory phenotype of cancer cells. Indirectly, CXCR3 modulates the anti-tumor immune response resulting in variable effects that can permit or inhibit metastatic progression. Finally, the activity of CXCR3B in endothelial cells is generally angiostatic, which limits the access of cancer cells to key conduits to secondary sites. However, the interaction of these activities within a tumor and the presence of opposing CXCR3 splice variants clouds the picture of the role of CXCR3 in metastasis. Consequently, thorough analysis of the contributions of CXCR3 to cancer metastasis is necessary. This review is an in-depth examination of the involvement of CXCR3 in the metastatic process of solid malignancies.
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13
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Pandey V, Fleming-Martinez A, Bastea L, Doeppler HR, Eisenhauer J, Le T, Edenfield B, Storz P. CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling contributes to an inflammatory microenvironment and its blockade enhances progression of murine pancreatic precancerous lesions. eLife 2021; 10:60646. [PMID: 34328416 PMCID: PMC8360647 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of pancreatic cancer requires recruitment and activation of different macrophage populations. However, little is known about how macrophages are attracted to the pancreas after injury or an oncogenic event, and how they crosstalk with lesion cells or other cells of the lesion microenvironment. Here, we delineate the importance of CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling during the early phase of murine pancreatic cancer. We show that CXCL10 is produced by pancreatic precancerous lesion cells in response to IFNγ signaling and that inflammatory macrophages are recipients for this chemokine. CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling in macrophages mediates their chemoattraction to the pancreas, enhances their proliferation, and maintains their inflammatory identity. Blocking of CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling in vivo shifts macrophage populations to a tumor-promoting (Ym1+, Fizz+, Arg1+) phenotype, increases fibrosis, and mediates progression of lesions, highlighting the importance of this pathway in PDA development. This is reversed when CXCL10 is overexpressed in PanIN cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veethika Pandey
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Alicia Fleming-Martinez
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Ligia Bastea
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Heike R Doeppler
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Jillian Eisenhauer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Tam Le
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Brandy Edenfield
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
| | - Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, United States
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14
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Gorchs L, Kaipe H. Interactions between Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and T Cells in the Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment and the Role of Chemokines. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2995. [PMID: 34203869 PMCID: PMC8232575 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Less than 10% of patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) survive 5 years or more, making it one of the most fatal cancers. Accumulation of T cells in pancreatic tumors is associated with better prognosis, but immunotherapies to enhance the anti-tumor activity of infiltrating T cells are failing in this devastating disease. Pancreatic tumors are characterized by a desmoplastic stroma, which mainly consists of activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Pancreatic CAFs have emerged as important regulators of the tumor microenvironment by contributing to immune evasion through the release of chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors, which alters T-cell migration, differentiation and cytotoxic activity. However, recent discoveries have also revealed that subsets of CAFs with diverse functions can either restrain or promote tumor progression. Here, we discuss our current knowledge about the interactions between CAFs and T cells in PDAC and summarize different therapy strategies targeting the CAF-T cell axis with focus on CAF-derived soluble immunosuppressive factors and chemokines. Identifying the functions of different CAF subsets and understanding their roles in T-cell trafficking within the tumor may be fundamental for the development of an effective combinational treatment for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Gorchs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helen Kaipe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden
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