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Liu J, Gong W, Liu P, Li Y, Jiang H, Wu C, Wu X, Zhao Y, Ren J. Osteopontin regulation of MerTK + macrophages promotes Crohn's disease intestinal fibrosis. iScience 2024; 27:110226. [PMID: 39021800 PMCID: PMC11253513 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110226] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease (CD) remains unclear. Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (MerTK) is an immunosuppressive protein specifically expressed in macrophages. Osteopontin (OPN), also known as secreted phosphoprotein 1, contributes to inflammation and wound repair. This study investigates the potential profibrotic pathway in MerTK+ macrophages in order to provide a possible therapeutic target for intestinal fibrosis. MerTK expression in the inflamed and stenotic bowels was evaluated. The MerTK/ERK/TGF-β1 pathway was overactivated in the fibrotic intestinal tissues of patients with CD. This pathway was induced by epithelial cell apoptosis, resulting in activated fibroblasts with increased TGF-β1 secretion. OPN upregulated TGF production by altering ERK1/2 phosphorylation, as evidenced by OPN or MerTK knockdown and OPN overexpression in vitro. MerTK inhibitor UNC2025 alleviated intestinal fibrosis in mouse colitis models, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for intestinal fibrosis in patients with CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanhan Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenbin Gong
- Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peizhao Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yangguang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiyang Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, Nanjing Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Cunxia Wu
- Department of General Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, Nanjing Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiuwen Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, BenQ Medical Center, Nanjing Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianan Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Hagan CE, Snyder AG, Headley M, Oberst A. Apoptotic cells promote circulating tumor cell survival and metastasis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.21.595217. [PMID: 38826267 PMCID: PMC11142129 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.21.595217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
During tumor progression and especially following cytotoxic therapy, cell death of both tumor and stromal cells is widespread. Despite clinical observations that high levels of apoptotic cells correlate with poorer patient outcomes, the physiological effects of dying cells on tumor progression remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that circulating apoptotic cells robustly enhance tumor cell metastasis to the lungs. Using intravenous metastasis models, we observed that the presence of apoptotic cells, but not cells dying by other mechanisms, supports circulating tumor cell (CTC) survival following arrest in the lung vasculature. Apoptotic cells promote CTC survival by recruiting platelets to the forming metastatic niche. Apoptotic cells externalize the phospholipid phosphatidylserine to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, which we found increased the activity of the coagulation initiator Tissue Factor, thereby triggering the formation of platelet clots that protect proximal CTCs. Inhibiting the ability of apoptotic cells to induce coagulation by knocking out Tissue Factor, blocking phosphatidylserine, or administering the anticoagulant heparin abrogated the pro-metastatic effect of apoptotic cells. This work demonstrates a previously unappreciated role for apoptotic cells in facilitating metastasis by establishing CTC-supportive emboli, and suggests points of intervention that may reduce the pro-metastatic effect of apoptotic cells. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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Ghosh S, Finnemann SC, Vollrath D, Rothlin CV. In the Eyes of the Beholder-New Mertk Knockout Mouse and Re-Evaluation of Phagocytosis versus Anti-Inflammatory Functions of MERTK. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5299. [PMID: 38791338 PMCID: PMC11121519 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105299] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Greg Lemke's laboratory was one of the pioneers of research into the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Not only was Tyro3 cloned in his laboratory, but his group also extensively studied mice knocked out for individual or various combinations of the TAM RTKs Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk. Here we primarily focus on one of the paralogs-MERTK. We provide a historical perspective on rodent models of loss of Mertk function and their association with retinal degeneration and blindness. We describe later studies employing mouse genetics and the generation of newer knockout models that point out incongruencies with the inference that loss of MERTK-dependent phagocytosis is sufficient for severe, early-onset photoreceptor degeneration in mice. This discussion is meant to raise awareness with regards to the limitations of the original Mertk knockout mouse model generated using 129 derived embryonic stem cells and carrying 129 derived alleles and the role of these alleles in modifying Mertk knockout phenotypes or even displaying Mertk-independent phenotypes. We also suggest molecular approaches that can further Greg Lemke's scintillating legacy of dissecting the molecular functions of MERTK-a protein that has been described to function in phagocytosis as well as in the negative regulation of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Ghosh
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Silvia C. Finnemann
- Center for Cancer, Genetic Diseases and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458, USA;
| | - Douglas Vollrath
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Carla V. Rothlin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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Sheng Y, Hu W, Chen S, Zhu X. Efferocytosis by macrophages in physiological and pathological conditions: regulatory pathways and molecular mechanisms. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1275203. [PMID: 38779685 PMCID: PMC11109379 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1275203] [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: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Efferocytosis is defined as the highly effective phagocytic removal of apoptotic cells (ACs) by professional or non-professional phagocytes. Tissue-resident professional phagocytes ("efferocytes"), such as macrophages, have high phagocytic capacity and are crucial to resolve inflammation and aid in homeostasis. Recently, numerous exciting discoveries have revealed divergent (and even diametrically opposite) findings regarding metabolic immune reprogramming associated with efferocytosis by macrophages. In this review, we highlight the key metabolites involved in the three phases of efferocytosis and immune reprogramming of macrophages under physiological and pathological conditions. The next decade is expected to yield further breakthroughs in the regulatory pathways and molecular mechanisms connecting immunological outcomes to metabolic cues as well as avenues for "personalized" therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan−Ran Sheng
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen−Ting Hu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siman Chen
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao−Yong Zhu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Lahey KC, Varsanyi C, Wang Z, Aquib A, Gadiyar V, Rodrigues AA, Pulica R, Desind S, Davra V, Calianese DC, Liu D, Cho JH, Kotenko SV, De Lorenzo MS, Birge RB. Regulation of Mertk Surface Expression via ADAM17 and γ-Secretase Proteolytic Processing. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4404. [PMID: 38673989 PMCID: PMC11050108 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084404] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mertk, a type I receptor tyrosine kinase and member of the TAM family of receptors, has important functions in promoting efferocytosis and resolving inflammation under physiological conditions. In recent years, Mertk has also been linked to pathophysiological roles in cancer, whereby, in several cancer types, including solid cancers and leukemia/lymphomas. Mertk contributes to oncogenic features of proliferation and cell survival as an oncogenic tyrosine kinase. In addition, Mertk expressed on macrophages, including tumor-associated macrophages, promotes immune evasion in cancer and is suggested to act akin to a myeloid checkpoint inhibitor that skews macrophages towards inhibitory phenotypes that suppress host T-cell anti-tumor immunity. In the present study, to better understand the post-translational regulation mechanisms controlling Mertk expression in monocytes/macrophages, we used a PMA-differentiated THP-1 cell model to interrogate the regulation of Mertk expression and developed a novel Mertk reporter cell line to study the intracellular trafficking of Mertk. We show that PMA treatment potently up-regulates Mertk as well as components of the ectodomain proteolytic processing platform ADAM17, whereas PMA differentially regulates the canonical Mertk ligands Gas6 and Pros1 (Gas6 is down-regulated and Pros1 is up-regulated). Under non-stimulated homeostatic conditions, Mertk in PMA-differentiated THP1 cells shows active constitutive proteolytic cleavage by the sequential activities of ADAM17 and the Presenilin/γ-secretase complex, indicating that Mertk is cleaved homeostatically by the combined sequential action of ADAM17 and γ-secretase, after which the cleaved intracellular fragment of Mertk is degraded in a proteasome-dependent mechanism. Using chimeric Flag-Mertk-EGFP-Myc reporter receptors, we confirm that inhibitors of γ-secretase and MG132, which inhibits the 26S proteasome, stabilize the intracellular fragment of Mertk without evidence of nuclear translocation. Finally, the treatment of cells with active γ-carboxylated Gas6, but not inactive Warfarin-treated non-γ-carboxylated Gas6, regulates a distinct proteolytic itinerary-involved receptor clearance and lysosomal proteolysis. Together, these results indicate that pleotropic and complex proteolytic activities regulate Mertk ectodomain cleavage as a homeostatic negative regulatory event to safeguard against the overactivation of Mertk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C. Lahey
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Christopher Varsanyi
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Ziren Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Ahmed Aquib
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Varsha Gadiyar
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Alcina A. Rodrigues
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Rachael Pulica
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Samuel Desind
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Viralkumar Davra
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - David C. Calianese
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07101, USA; (D.L.); (J.-H.C.)
| | - Jong-Hyun Cho
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07101, USA; (D.L.); (J.-H.C.)
| | - Sergei V. Kotenko
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Mariana S. De Lorenzo
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA;
| | - Raymond B. Birge
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
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Yao X, Zhang L, Sun S, Fu A, Ge Y. Progress of research on the relationship between efferocytosis and tumor. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1361327. [PMID: 38655133 PMCID: PMC11035832 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1361327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors are genetic changes that develop in an organism as a result of many internal and external causes. They affect the biological behavior of cells, cause them to grow independently, and give rise to new, perpetually proliferating organisms. Recent research has supported the critical function of tumor-associated macrophages in the development, progression, and metastasis of tumors through efferocytosis. Yet, there is still much to learn about the mechanisms behind their contribution to tumor pathological processes. As a result, it's critical to actively investigate how cytosolic processes contribute to the growth of tumors and to create novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yanlei Ge
- North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan, China
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Kur IM, Weigert A. Phosphatidylserine externalization as immune checkpoint in cancer. Pflugers Arch 2024:10.1007/s00424-024-02948-7. [PMID: 38573347 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-02948-7] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Despite recent advances in cancer treatment including immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, new unconventional biomarkers and targets for the detection, prognosis, and treatment of cancer are still in high demand. Tumor cells are characterized by mutations that allow their unlimited growth, program their local microenvironment to support tumor growth, and spread towards distant sites. While a major focus has been on altered tumor genomes and proteomes, crucial signaling molecules such as lipids have been underappreciated. One of these molecules is the membrane phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) that is usually found at cytosolic surfaces of cellular membranes but can be rapidly and massively shuttled to the extracellular leaflet of the plasma membrane during apoptosis to serve as a limiting factor for immune responses. These immunosuppressive interactions are exploited by tumor cells to evade the immune system. In this review, we describe mechanisms of immune regulation in tumors, discuss if PS may constitute an inhibitory immune checkpoint, and describe current and future strategies for targeting PS to reactivate the tumor-associated immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan-Maximiliano Kur
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Weigert
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Hu Y, Revenko A, Barsoumian H, Bertolet G, Fowlkes NW, Maazi H, Green MM, He K, Sezen D, Voss TA, Leyton CSK, Masrorpour F, Rafiq Z, Puebla-Osorio N, Leuschner C, MacLeod R, Cortez MA, Welsh JW. Inhibition of MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase by an antisense oligonucleotide enhances treatment efficacy of immunoradiotherapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:70. [PMID: 38443968 PMCID: PMC10916163 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-02992-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy (immunoradiotherapy) has been increasingly used for treating a wide range of cancers. However, some tumors are resistant to immunoradiotherapy. We have previously shown that MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MerTK) expressed on macrophages mediates resistance to immunoradiotherapy. We therefore sought to develop therapeutics that can mitigate the negative impact of MerTK. We designed and developed a MerTK specific antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and characterized its effects on eliciting an anti-tumor immune response in mice. METHODS 344SQR cells were injected into the right legs on day 0 and the left legs on day 4 of 8-12 weeks old female 129sv/ev mice to establish primary and secondary tumors, respectively. Radiation at a dose of 12 Gy was given to the primary tumors on days 8, 9, and 10. Mice received either anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA-4 or/and MerTK ASO starting from day 1 post tumor implantation. The composition of the tumor microenvironment and the level of MerTK on macrophages in the tumor were evaluted by flow cytometry. The expression of immune-related genes was investigated with NanoString. Lastly, the impact of MerTK ASO on the structure of the eye was histologically evaluated. RESULTS Remarkably, the addition of MerTK ASO to XRT+anti-PD1 and XRT+anti-CTLA4 profoundly slowed the growth of both primary and secondary tumors and significantly extended survival. The ASO significantly reduced the expression of MerTK in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), reprograming their phenotype from M2 to M1. In addition, MerTK ASO increased the percentage of Granzyme B+ CD8+ T cells in the secondary tumors when combined with XRT+anti-CTLA4. NanoString results demonstrated that the MerTK ASO favorably modulated immune-related genes for promoting antitumor immune response in secondary tumors. Importantly, histological analysis of eye tissues demonstrated that unlike small molecules, the MerTK ASO did not produce any detectable pathology in the eyes. CONCLUSIONS The MerTK ASO can significantly downregulate the expression of MerTK on TAMs, thereby promoting antitumor immune response. The combination of MerTK ASO with immunoradiotherapy can safely and significantly slow tumor growth and improve survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Hampartsoum Barsoumian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Genevieve Bertolet
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Natalie Wall Fowlkes
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hadi Maazi
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, 92008, USA
| | - Morgan Maureen Green
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kewen He
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Duygu Sezen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tiffany A Voss
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Claudia S Kettlun Leyton
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Fatemeh Masrorpour
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zahid Rafiq
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nahum Puebla-Osorio
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Carola Leuschner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Maria Angelica Cortez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - James W Welsh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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9
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Mohammad-Rafiei F, Negahdari S, Tahershamsi Z, Gheibihayat SM. Interface between Resolvins and Efferocytosis in Health and Disease. Cell Biochem Biophys 2024; 82:53-65. [PMID: 37794303 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01187-4] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Acute inflammation resolution acts as a vital process for active host response, tissue support, and homeostasis maintenance, during which resolvin D (RvD) and E (RvE) as mediators derived from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids display specific and stereoselective anti-inflammations like restricting neutrophil infiltration and pro-resolving activities. On the other side of the coin, potent macrophage-mediated apoptotic cell clearance, namely efferocytosis, is essential for successful inflammation resolution. Further studies mentioned a linkage between efferocytosis and resolvins. For instance, resolvin D1 (RvD1), which is endogenously formed from docosahexaenoic acid within the inflammation resolution, thereby provoking efferocytosis. There is still limited information regarding the mechanism of action of RvD1-related efferocytosis enhancement at the molecular level. The current review article was conducted to explore recent data on how the efferocytosis process and resolvins relate to each other during the inflammation resolution in illness and health. Understanding different aspects of this connection sheds light on new curative approaches for medical conditions caused by defective efferocytosis and disrupted inflammation resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Mohammad-Rafiei
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Samira Negahdari
- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Tahershamsi
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Gheibihayat
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Munich, Germany.
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10
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Zhou X, Li D, Xia S, Ma X, Li R, Mu Y, Liu Z, Zhang L, Zhou Q, Zhuo W, Ding K, Lin A, Liu W, Liu X, Zhou T. RNA-based modulation of macrophage-mediated efferocytosis potentiates antitumor immunity in colorectal cancer. J Control Release 2024; 366:128-141. [PMID: 38104775 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.12.018] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages play pivotal roles in tumor progression and metastasis. Macrophage-mediated clearance of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) supports inflammation resolution, contributing to immune evasion in colorectal cancers. To reverse this immunosuppressive process, we propose a readily translatable RNA therapy to selectively inhibit macrophage-mediated efferocytosis in tumor microenvironment. A clinically approved lipid nanoparticle platform (LNP) is employed to encapsulate siRNA for the phagocytic receptor MerTK (siMerTK), enabling selective MerTK inhibition in the diseased organ. Decreased MerTK expression in tumor-associated macrophages results in apoptotic cell accumulation and immune activation in tumor microenvironment, leading to suppressed tumor growth and better survival in both liver and peritoneal metastasis models of colorectal cancers. siMerTK delivery combined with PD-1 blockade further produces enhanced antimetastatic efficacy with reactivated intratumoral immune milieu. Collectively, LNP-based siMerTK delivery combined with immune checkpoint therapy may present a feasible modality for metastatic colorectal cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefei Zhou
- International Institutes of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China.
| | - Dezhi Li
- Department of Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Shenglong Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xixi Ma
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310020, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yongli Mu
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zimo Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Quan Zhou
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wei Zhuo
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kefeng Ding
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310020, China
| | - Aifu Lin
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wei Liu
- International Institutes of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Xiangrui Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing 314100, China.
| | - Tianhua Zhou
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310020, China.
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11
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Li R, Dere E, Kwong M, Fei M, Dave R, Masih S, Wang J, McNamara E, Huang H, Liang WC, Schutt L, Kamath AV, Ovacik MA. A Bispecific Modeling Framework Enables the Prediction of Efficacy, Toxicity, and Optimal Molecular Design of Bispecific Antibodies Targeting MerTK. AAPS J 2024; 26:11. [PMID: 38167740 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-023-00881-8] [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] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting MerTK on macrophages is a promising therapeutic strategy for augmenting anti-tumor immunity. However, blocking MerTK on retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs) results in retinal toxicity. Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) containing an anti-MerTK therapeutic and anti-PD-L1 targeting arm were developed to reduce drug binding to MerTK on RPEs, since PD-L1 is overexpressed on macrophages but not RPEs. In this study, we present a modeling framework using in vitro receptor occupancy (RO) and pharmacokinetics (PK) data to predict efficacy, toxicity, and therapeutic index (TI) of anti-MerTK bsAbs. We first used simulations and in vitro RO data of anti-MerTK monospecific antibody (msAb) to estimate the required MerTK RO for in vivo efficacy and toxicity. Using these estimated RO thresholds, we employed our model to predict the efficacious and toxic doses for anti-MerTK bsAbs with varying affinities for MerTK. Our model predicted the highest TI for the anti-MerTK/PD-L1 bsAb with an attenuated MerTK binding arm, which was consistent with in vivo efficacy and toxicity observations. Subsequently, we used the model, in combination with sensitivity analysis and parameter scans, to suggest an optimal molecular design of anti-MerTK bsAb with the highest predicted TI in humans. Our prediction revealed that this optimized anti-MerTK bsAb should contain a MerTK therapeutic arm with relatively low affinity, along with a high affinity targeting arm that can bind to a low abundance target with slow turnover rate. Overall, these results demonstrated that our modeling framework can guide the rational design of bsAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Li
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA.
| | - Edward Dere
- Safety Assessment, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA
| | - Mandy Kwong
- Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA
| | - Mingjian Fei
- Molecular Oncology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA
| | - Rutwij Dave
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA
| | - Shabkhaiz Masih
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA
| | - Joy Wang
- Molecular Oncology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA
| | - Erin McNamara
- Molecular Oncology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA
| | - Haochu Huang
- Molecular Oncology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA
| | - Wei-Ching Liang
- Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA
| | - Leah Schutt
- Safety Assessment, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA
| | - Amrita V Kamath
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA
| | - Meric A Ovacik
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California, 94080, USA.
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12
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Gulia S, Chandra P, Das A. The Prognosis of Cancer Depends on the Interplay of Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Anoikis within the Tumor Microenvironment. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023; 81:621-658. [PMID: 37787970 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01179-4] [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] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Within the tumor microenvironment, the fight between the immune system and cancer influences tumor transformation. Metastasis formation is an important stage in the progression of cancer. This process is aided by cellular detachment and resistance to anoikis, which are achieved by altering intercellular signaling. Autophagy, specifically pro-survival autophagy, aids cancer cells in developing treatment resistance. Numerous studies have shown that autophagy promotes tumor growth and resistance to anoikis. To regulate protective autophagy, cancer-related genes phosphorylate both pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. Apoptosis, a type of controlled cell death, eliminates damaged or unwanted cells. Anoikis is a type of programmed cell death in which cells lose contact with the extracellular matrix. The dysregulation of these cellular pathways promotes tumor growth and spread. Apoptosis, anoikis, and autophagy interact meticulously and differently depending on the cellular circumstances. For instance, autophagy can protect cancer cells from apoptosis by removing cellular components that are damaged and might otherwise trigger apoptotic pathways. Similarly, anoikis dysregulation can trigger autophagy by causing cellular harm and metabolic stress. In order to prevent or treat metastatic disease, specifically, targeting these cellular mechanisms may present a promising prospect for cancer therapy. This review discourses the state of our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tumor transformation and the establishment of metastatic tumors. To enhance the prognosis for cancer, we highlight and discuss potential therapeutic approaches that target these processes and genes involved in them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Gulia
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Prakash Chandra
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Asmita Das
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India.
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13
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DeRyckere D, Huelse JM, Earp HS, Graham DK. TAM family kinases as therapeutic targets at the interface of cancer and immunity. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:755-779. [PMID: 37667010 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00813-7] [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] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Novel treatment approaches are needed to overcome innate and acquired mechanisms of resistance to current anticancer therapies in cancer cells and the tumour immune microenvironment. The TAM (TYRO3, AXL and MERTK) family receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are potential therapeutic targets in a wide range of cancers. In cancer cells, TAM RTKs activate signalling pathways that promote cell survival, metastasis and resistance to a variety of chemotherapeutic agents and targeted therapies. TAM RTKs also function in innate immune cells, contributing to various mechanisms that suppress antitumour immunity and promote resistance to immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, TAM antagonists provide an unprecedented opportunity for both direct and immune-mediated therapeutic activity provided by inhibition of a single target, and are likely to be particularly effective when used in combination with other cancer therapies. To exploit this potential, a variety of agents have been designed to selectively target TAM RTKs, many of which have now entered clinical testing. This Review provides an essential guide to the TAM RTKs for clinicians, including an overview of the rationale for therapeutic targeting of TAM RTKs in cancer cells and the tumour immune microenvironment, a description of the current preclinical and clinical experience with TAM inhibitors, and a perspective on strategies for continued development of TAM-targeted agents for oncology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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14
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Gregory CD. Hijacking homeostasis: Regulation of the tumor microenvironment by apoptosis. Immunol Rev 2023; 319:100-127. [PMID: 37553811 PMCID: PMC10952466 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancers are genetically driven, rogue tissues which generate dysfunctional, obdurate organs by hijacking normal, homeostatic programs. Apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved regulated cell death program and a profoundly important homeostatic mechanism that is common (alongside tumor cell proliferation) in actively growing cancers, as well as in tumors responding to cytotoxic anti-cancer therapies. Although well known for its cell-autonomous tumor-suppressive qualities, apoptosis harbors pro-oncogenic properties which are deployed through non-cell-autonomous mechanisms and which generally remain poorly defined. Here, the roles of apoptosis in tumor biology are reviewed, with particular focus on the secreted and fragmentation products of apoptotic tumor cells and their effects on tumor-associated macrophages, key supportive cells in the aberrant homeostasis of the tumor microenvironment. Historical aspects of cell loss in tumor growth kinetics are considered and the impact (and potential impact) on tumor growth of apoptotic-cell clearance (efferocytosis) as well as released soluble and extracellular vesicle-associated factors are discussed from the perspectives of inflammation, tissue repair, and regeneration programs. An "apoptosis-centric" view is proposed in which dying tumor cells provide an important platform for intricate intercellular communication networks in growing cancers. The perspective has implications for future research and for improving cancer diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D. Gregory
- Centre for Inflammation ResearchInstitute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarterEdinburghUK
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15
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Myers Chen KV, de Groot AE, Mendez SA, Mallin MM, Amend SR, Pienta KJ. Targeting MerTK decreases efferocytosis and increases anti-tumor immune infiltrate in prostate cancer. Med Oncol 2023; 40:284. [PMID: 37644281 PMCID: PMC10465384 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02153-z] [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: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The prostate cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) is comprised of many cell types that can contribute to and influence tumor progression. Some of the most abundant prostate cancer TME cells are macrophages, which can be modeled on a continuous spectrum of M1-like (anti-tumor macrophages) to M2-like (pro-tumor macrophages). A function of M2-like macrophages is efferocytosis, the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Based on literature from other models and contexts, efferocytosis further supports the M2-like macrophage phenotype. MerTK is a receptor tyrosine kinase that mediates efferocytosis by binding phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells. We hypothesize efferocytosis in the prostate cancer TME is a tumor-promoting function of macrophages and that targeting MerTK-mediated efferocytosis will slow prostate cancer growth and promote an anti-tumor immune infiltrate. The aims of this study are to measure efferocytosis of prostate cancer cells by in vitro human M1/M2 macrophage models and assess changes in the M2-like, pro-tumor macrophage phenotype following prostate cancer efferocytosis. Additionally, this study aims to demonstrate that targeting MerTK decreases prostate cancer efferocytosis and promotes an anti-tumor immune infiltrate. We have developed methodology using flow cytometry to quantify efferocytosis of human prostate cancer cells using the LNCaP cell line. We observed that M2 macrophages efferocytose the LNCaP cell line more than M1 macrophages. Following efferocytosis of LNCaP cells by M2 human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs), we observed an increase in the M2-like, pro-tumor phenotype by flow cytometry cell surface marker analysis. By qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, and Western blot, we detected greater MerTK expression in M2 than M1 macrophages. Targeting MerTK with antibody Mer590 decreased LNCaP efferocytosis by M2 HMDMs, establishing the role of MerTK in prostate cancer efferocytosis. In the prostate cancer mouse model hi-myc, Mertk KO increased anti-tumor immune infiltrate including CD8 T cells. These findings support targeting MerTK-mediated efferocytosis as a novel therapy for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla V Myers Chen
- Cancer Ecology Center, The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St., Marburg Building Room 113, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Amber E de Groot
- Cancer Ecology Center, The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St., Marburg Building Room 113, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sabrina A Mendez
- Cancer Ecology Center, The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St., Marburg Building Room 113, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Mikaela M Mallin
- Cancer Ecology Center, The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St., Marburg Building Room 113, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Sarah R Amend
- Cancer Ecology Center, The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St., Marburg Building Room 113, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth J Pienta
- Cancer Ecology Center, The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St., Marburg Building Room 113, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, USA
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16
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Du Y, Dong S, Jiang W, Li M, Li W, Li X, Zhou W. Integration of Single-Cell RNA Sequencing and Bulk RNA Sequencing Reveals That TAM2-Driven Genes Affect Immunotherapeutic Response and Prognosis in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12787. [PMID: 37628967 PMCID: PMC10454560 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612787] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages M2 (TAM2), which are highly prevalent infiltrating immune cells in the stroma of pancreatic cancer (PC), have been found to induce an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, thus enhancing tumor initiation and progression. However, the immune therapy response and prognostic significance of regulatory genes associated with TAM2 in PC are currently unknown. Based on TCGA transcriptomic data and single-cell sequencing data from the GEO database, we identified TAM2-driven genes using the WGCNA algorithm. Molecular subtypes based on TAM2-driven genes were clustered using the ConsensusClusterPlus algorithm. The study constructed a prognostic model based on TAM2-driven genes through Lasso-COX regression analysis. A total of 178 samples obtained by accessing TCGA were accurately categorized into two molecular subtypes, including the high-TAM2 infiltration (HMI) cluster and the low-TAM2 infiltration (LMI) cluster. The HMI cluster exhibits a poor prognosis, a malignant tumor phenotype, immune-suppressive immune cell infiltration, resistance to immunotherapy, and a high number of genetic mutations, while the LMI cluster is the opposite. The prognostic model composed of six hub genes from TAM2-driven genes exhibits a high degree of accuracy in predicting the prognosis of patients with PC and serves as an independent risk factor. The induction of TAM2 was employed as a means of verifying these six gene expressions, revealing the significant up-regulation of BCAT1, BST2, and MERTK in TAM2 cells. In summary, the immunophenotype and prognostic model based on TAM2-driven genes offers a foundation for the clinical management of PC. The core TAM2-driven genes, including BCAT1, BST2, and MERTK, are involved in regulating tumor progression and TAM2 polarization, which are potential targets for PC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Du
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (Y.D.); (S.D.); (W.J.); (M.L.); (W.L.)
| | - Shi Dong
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (Y.D.); (S.D.); (W.J.); (M.L.); (W.L.)
| | - Wenkai Jiang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (Y.D.); (S.D.); (W.J.); (M.L.); (W.L.)
| | - Mengyao Li
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (Y.D.); (S.D.); (W.J.); (M.L.); (W.L.)
| | - Wancheng Li
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (Y.D.); (S.D.); (W.J.); (M.L.); (W.L.)
| | - Xin Li
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Wence Zhou
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China; (Y.D.); (S.D.); (W.J.); (M.L.); (W.L.)
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
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17
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Hänggi K, Ruffell B. Cell death, therapeutics, and the immune response in cancer. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:381-396. [PMID: 36841748 PMCID: PMC10121860 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Induction of cell death is inexorably linked with cancer therapy, but this can also initiate wound-healing processes that have been linked to cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. Here we describe the contribution of apoptosis and the lytic cell death pathways in the response to therapy (including chemotherapy and immunotherapy). We also discuss how necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis function to promote tumor immunogenicity, along with emerging findings that these same forms of death can paradoxically contribute to immune suppression and tumor progression. Understanding the duality of cell death in cancer may allow for the development of therapeutics that shift the balance towards regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Hänggi
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Brian Ruffell
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
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18
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Cruz Cruz J, Allison KC, Page LS, Jenkins AJ, Wang X, Earp HS, Frye SV, Graham DK, Verneris MR, Lee-Sherick AB. Inhibiting efferocytosis reverses macrophage-mediated immunosuppression in the leukemia microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1146721. [PMID: 36960055 PMCID: PMC10027704 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1146721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies show that the spleen and bone marrow can serve as leukemia microenvironments in which macrophages play a significant role in immune evasion and chemoresistance. We hypothesized that the macrophage driven tolerogenic process of efferocytosis is a major contributor to the immunosuppressive leukemia microenvironment and that this was driven by aberrant phosphatidylserine expression from cell turnover and cell membrane dysregulation. Methods Since MerTK is the prototypic efferocytosis receptor, we assessed whether the MerTK inhibitor MRX2843, which is currently in clinical trials, would reverse immune evasion and enhance immune-mediated clearance of leukemia cells. Results We found that inhibition of MerTK decreased leukemia-associated macrophage expression of M2 markers PD-L1, PD-L2, Tim-3, CD163 and Arginase-1 compared to vehicle-treated controls. Additionally, MerTK inhibition led to M1 macrophage repolarization including elevated CD86 and HLA-DR expression, and increased production of T cell activating cytokines, including IFN-β, IL-18, and IL-1β through activation of NF-κB. Collectively, this macrophage repolarization had downstream effects on T cells within the leukemia microenvironment, including decreased PD-1+Tim-3+ and LAG3+ checkpoint expression, and increased CD69+CD107a+ expression. Discussion These results demonstrate that MerTK inhibition using MRX2843 altered the leukemia microenvironment from tumor-permissive toward immune responsiveness to leukemia and culminated in improved immune-mediated clearance of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn Cruz Cruz
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Kristen C. Allison
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Lauren S. Page
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alexis J. Jenkins
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michael R. Verneris
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alisa B. Lee-Sherick
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
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19
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Matsuzaki H, Komohara Y, Yano H, Fujiwara Y, Kai K, Yamada R, Yoshii D, Uekawa K, Shinojima N, Mikami Y, Mukasa A. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor potentially induces recruitment and maturation of macrophages in recurrent pituitary neuroendocrine tumors. Microbiol Immunol 2023; 67:90-98. [PMID: 36461910 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.13041] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Although pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are usually benign, some are highly invasive and recurrent. Recurrent PitNETs are often treatment-resistant and there is currently no effective evidence-based treatment. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote tumor growth in many cancers, but the effect of TAMs on PitNETs remains unclear. This study investigated the role of TAMs in the incidence of recurrent PitNETs. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the densities of CD163- and CD204-positive TAMs tended to increase in recurrent PitNETs. Compared with TAMs in primary lesions, those in recurrent lesions were enlarged. To clarify the cell-cell interactions between TAMs and PitNETs, in vitro experiments were performed using a mouse PitNET cell line AtT20 and the mouse macrophage cell line J774. Several cytokines related to macrophage chemotaxis and differentiation, such as M-CSF, were elevated significantly by stimulation with macrophage conditioned medium. When M-CSF immunohistochemistry analysis was performed using human PitNET samples, M-CSF expression increased significantly in recurrent lesions compared with primary lesions. Although no M-CSF receptor (M-CSFR) expression was observed in tumor cells of primary and recurrent PitNETs, flow cytometric analysis revealed that the mouse PitNET cell line expressed M-CSFR. Cellular proliferation in mouse PitNETs was inhibited by high concentrations of M-CSFR inhibitors, suggesting that cell-to-cell communication between PitNETs and macrophages induces M-CSF expression, which in turn enhances TAM chemotaxis and maturation in the tumor microenvironment. Blocking the M-CSFR signaling pathway might be a novel therapeutic adjuvant in treating recurrent PitNETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Matsuzaki
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Komohara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiromu Yano
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yukio Fujiwara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Keitaro Kai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Rin Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Daiki Yoshii
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ken Uekawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoki Shinojima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Mikami
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Akitake Mukasa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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20
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Zhang X, Ji L, Li MO. Control of tumor-associated macrophage responses by nutrient acquisition and metabolism. Immunity 2023; 56:14-31. [PMID: 36630912 PMCID: PMC9839308 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Metazoan tissue specification is associated with integration of macrophage lineage cells in sub-tissular niches to promote tissue development and homeostasis. Oncogenic transformation, most prevalently of epithelial cell lineages, results in maladaptation of resident tissue macrophage differentiation pathways to generate parenchymal and interstitial tumor-associated macrophages that largely foster cancer progression. In addition to growth factors, nutrients that can be consumed, stored, recycled, or converted to signaling molecules have emerged as crucial regulators of macrophage responses in tumor. Here, we review how nutrient acquisition through plasma membrane transporters and engulfment pathways control tumor-associated macrophage differentiation and function. We also discuss how nutrient metabolism regulates tumor-associated macrophages and how these processes may be targeted for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Zhang
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Liangliang Ji
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ming O Li
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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21
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Zhou J, Lin Y, Yang X, Shen B, Hao J, Wang J, Wang J. Metabolic disorders sensitise endometrial carcinoma through endoplasmic reticulum stress. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:110. [PMID: 36526973 PMCID: PMC9756454 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00412-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic disorder is considered a well-established risk factor for endometrial carcinoma (EC). However, the mechanism remains unclear. Insulin resistance and excessive flux of free fatty acids serve as fundamental pathogenic factors in metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to test the correlation between insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia in EC and to determine the effect of insulin and saturated fatty acids on EC cells. METHODS A retrospective study on the medical records of patients with EC and RNA-seq from the TCGA database analysed with edgR and Gene Ontology (GO) were used to assess the correlation of dyslipidaemia and diabetes as well as obesity. Crystal violet assays and CCK-8 assays were used to detect the proliferation of EC cells, and Annexin V-PI was used to examine apoptosis. Transient changes in mitochondrial Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were monitored via confocal microscopy. DNA damage was assessed by comet assays. Changes in signalling pathways were detected via phospho-kinase array. western blotting was used to assess the molecular changes in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and DNA damage. RESULTS We found that glucose metabolism disorders accompanied dyslipidaemia in patients with EC. As a key regulator of glucose metabolism disorders, insulin promoted DNA damage, ROS and Ca2+ homoeostasis imbalance in a panel of established EC cell lines. Interestingly, excessive insulin boosted saturated fatty acid-induced pro-apoptotic effects in EC cells. Furthermore, our data showed that insulin synergised with saturated fatty acids to activate the mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase/70 kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (mTOR/p70S6K) pathway and ER stress, resulting in Ca2+ release from ER and unfolded protein response (UPR) activation, which contributed to combined insulin and saturated fatty acid treatment-induced apoptosis and tumour progression. CONCLUSIONS Our data are the first to illustrate that impaired glucose metabolism accelerates dyslipidaemia-promoted EC progression, which is attributed to hyperinsulinaemia and saturated fatty acid-induced Ca2+ dyshomoeostasis and UPR activation in EC cells via ER stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Zhou
- grid.411634.50000 0004 0632 4559Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, 100044 China
| | - Yanying Lin
- grid.411634.50000 0004 0632 4559Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, 100044 China ,grid.256112.30000 0004 1797 9307Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China ,grid.459516.aFujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children’s Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- grid.411634.50000 0004 0632 4559Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, 100044 China
| | - Boqiang Shen
- grid.411634.50000 0004 0632 4559Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, 100044 China
| | - Juan Hao
- grid.411634.50000 0004 0632 4559Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, 100044 China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- grid.411634.50000 0004 0632 4559Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, 100044 China
| | - Jianliu Wang
- grid.411634.50000 0004 0632 4559Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, 100044 China ,Beijing Key Laboratory of Female Pelvic Floor Disorders Disease, Beijing, 100044 China
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22
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Mendoza-Reinoso V, Schnepp PM, Baek DY, Rubin JR, Schipani E, Keller ET, McCauley LK, Roca H. Bone Marrow Macrophages Induce Inflammation by Efferocytosis of Apoptotic Prostate Cancer Cells via HIF-1α Stabilization. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233712. [PMID: 36496973 PMCID: PMC9737180 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233712] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The clearance of apoptotic cancer cells by macrophages, known as efferocytosis, fuels the bone-metastatic growth of prostate cancer cells via pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive processes. However, the exact molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, single-cell transcriptomics of bone marrow (BM) macrophages undergoing efferocytosis of apoptotic prostate cancer cells revealed a significant enrichment in their cellular response to hypoxia. Here, we show that BM macrophage efferocytosis increased hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) and STAT3 phosphorylation (p-STAT3 at Tyr705) under normoxic conditions, while inhibitors of p-STAT3 reduced HIF-1α. Efferocytosis promoted HIF-1α stabilization, reduced its ubiquitination, and induced HIF-1α and p-STAT3 nuclear translocation. HIF-1α stabilization in efferocytic BM macrophages resulted in enhanced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine MIF, whereas BM macrophages with inactive HIF-1α reduced MIF expression upon efferocytosis. Stabilization of HIF-1α using the HIF-prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor, Roxadustat, enhanced MIF expression in BM macrophages. Furthermore, BM macrophages treated with recombinant MIF protein activated NF-κB (p65) signaling and increased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Altogether, these findings suggest that the clearance of apoptotic cancer cells by BM macrophages triggers p-STAT3/HIF-1α/MIF signaling to promote further inflammation in the bone tumor microenvironment where a significant number of apoptotic cancer cells are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Mendoza-Reinoso
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Patricia M. Schnepp
- Department of Urology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dah Youn Baek
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - John R. Rubin
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ernestina Schipani
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Evan T. Keller
- Department of Urology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence: (E.T.K.); (L.K.M.); (H.R.)
| | - Laurie K. McCauley
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence: (E.T.K.); (L.K.M.); (H.R.)
| | - Hernan Roca
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence: (E.T.K.); (L.K.M.); (H.R.)
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23
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Lang C, Roy S, Wang Y, Graves D, Xu Y, Serezani CH, Korrer M, Kim YJ. Efferocytosis drives myeloid NLRP3 dependent inflammasome signaling secretion of IL-1β to promote tumor growth. Front Immunol 2022; 13:993771. [PMID: 36439171 PMCID: PMC9681818 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.993771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Caspase-1 signaling in myeloid suppressor cells can promote T-cell independent cancer progression, but the regulation of inflammasome signaling within the highly heterogeneous myeloid population in the tumor milieu remains elusive. To resolve this complexity, single cell transcriptomic profile of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) identified distinct inflammasome-associated genes within specific clusters of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells. Among these myeloid cells, the sensor protein, NLRP3, and downstream effector IL-1β transcripts were enriched in discreet monocytic and macrophage subtypes in the TME. We showed that deletion of NLRP3, but not AIM2, phenocopied caspase-1/IL-1β dependent tumor progression in vivo. Paradoxically, we found myeloid-intrinsic caspase-1 signaling increased myeloid survival contrary to what would be predicted from the canonical pyroptotic function of caspase-1. This myeloid NLRP3/IL-1β signaling axis promotion of tumor growth was found to be gasdermin D independent. Mechanistically, we found that phagocyte-mediated efferocytosis of dying tumor cells in the TME directly activated NLRP3-dependent inflammasome signaling to drive IL-1β secretion. Subsequently we showed that NLRP3-mediated IL-1β production drives tumor growth in vivo. Dynamic RNA velocity analysis showed a robust directional flow from efferocytosis gene-set high macrophages to an inflammasome gene-set high macrophage population. We provide a novel efferocytosis-dependent inflammasome signaling pathway which mediates homeostatic tumor cell apoptosis that characterizes chronic inflammation-induced malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara Lang
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Sohini Roy
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Diana Graves
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Yaomin Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - C. Henrique Serezani
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Michael Korrer
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Young J. Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- *Correspondence: Young J. Kim,
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24
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Bae SH, Kim JH, Park TH, Lee K, Lee BI, Jang H. BMS794833 inhibits macrophage efferocytosis by directly binding to MERTK and inhibiting its activity. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:1450-1460. [PMID: 36056187 PMCID: PMC9534909 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00840-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid epithelial reproductive proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK) plays an essential role in modulating cancer immune tolerance by regulating macrophage efferocytosis. Studies are underway to develop small-molecule chemicals that inhibit MERTK as cancer immunotherapeutic agents, but these efforts are in their early stages. This study identified BMS794833, whose primary targets are MET and VEGFR2, as a potent MERTK inhibitor and developed a real-time efferocytosis monitoring system. The X-ray cocrystal structure revealed that BMS794833 was in contact with the ATP-binding pocket and the allosteric back pocket, rendering MERTK inactive. Homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence kinetic and Western blotting analyses showed that BMS794833 competitively inhibited MERTK activity in vitro and inhibited the autophosphorylation of MERTK in macrophages. We developed a system to monitor MERTK-dependent efferocytosis in real time, and using this system, we confirmed that BMS794833 significantly inhibited the efferocytosis of differentiated macrophages. Finally, BMS794833 significantly inhibited efferocytosis in vivo in a mouse model. These data show that BMS794833 is a type II MERTK inhibitor that regulates macrophage efferocytosis. In addition, the real-time efferocytosis monitoring technology developed in this study has great potential for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hyun Bae
- Reasearch Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hoon Kim
- Reasearch Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hyun Park
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Kyeong Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Il Lee
- Reasearch Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyonchol Jang
- Reasearch Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
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25
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Akalu YT, Mercau ME, Ansems M, Hughes LD, Nevin J, Alberto EJ, Liu XN, He LZ, Alvarado D, Keler T, Kong Y, Philbrick WM, Bosenberg M, Finnemann SC, Iavarone A, Lasorella A, Rothlin CV, Ghosh S. Tissue-specific modifier alleles determine Mertk loss-of-function traits. eLife 2022; 11:80530. [PMID: 35969037 PMCID: PMC9433089 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Knockout (KO) mouse models play critical roles in elucidating biological processes behind disease-associated or disease-resistant traits. As a presumed consequence of gene KO, mice display certain phenotypes. Based on insight into the molecular role of said gene in a biological process, it is inferred that the particular biological process causally underlies the trait. This approach has been crucial towards understanding the basis of pathological and/or advantageous traits associated with Mertk KO mice. Mertk KO mice suffer from severe, early-onset retinal degeneration. MERTK, expressed in retinal pigment epithelia, is a receptor tyrosine kinase with a critical role in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells or cellular debris. Therefore, early-onset, severe retinal degeneration was described to be a direct consequence of failed MERTK-mediated phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments by retinal pigment epithelia. Here, we report that the loss of Mertk alone is not sufficient for retinal degeneration. The widely used Mertk KO mouse carries multiple coincidental changes in its genome that affect the expression of a number of genes, including the Mertk paralog Tyro3. Retinal degeneration manifests only when the function of Tyro3 is concomitantly lost. Furthermore, Mertk KO mice display improved anti-tumor immunity. MERTK is expressed in macrophages. Therefore, enhanced anti-tumor immunity was inferred to result from the failure of macrophages to dispose of cancer cell corpses, resulting in a pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment. The resistance against two syngeneic mouse tumor models observed in Mertk KO mice is not, however, phenocopied by the loss of Mertk alone. Neither Tyro3 nor macrophage phagocytosis by alternate genetic redundancy accounts for the absence of anti-tumor immunity. Collectively, our results indicate that context-dependent epistasis of independent modifier alleles determines Mertk KO traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yemsratch T Akalu
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Maria E Mercau
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Marleen Ansems
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Lindsey D Hughes
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - James Nevin
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Emily J Alberto
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Xinran N Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Li-Zhen He
- Celldex TherapeuticsNew HavenUnited States
| | | | | | - Yong Kong
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, W. M. Keck Foundation Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, School of Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
| | - William M Philbrick
- Center on Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale Genome Editing Center, School of Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
| | - Marcus Bosenberg
- Departments of Dermatology, Pathology and Immunobiology, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Silvia C Finnemann
- Center for Cancer, Genetic Diseases and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham UniversityBronxUnited States
| | - Antonio Iavarone
- Departments of Neurology and Pathology and Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia Medical CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Anna Lasorella
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology and Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Carla V Rothlin
- Departments of Immunobiology and Pharmacology, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Sourav Ghosh
- Departments of Neurology and Pharmacology, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
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26
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Hitchcock J, Hughes K, Pensa S, Lloyd-Lewis B, Watson CJ. The immune environment of the mammary gland fluctuates during post-lactational regression and correlates with tumour growth rate. Development 2022; 149:275060. [PMID: 35420674 PMCID: PMC9124574 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Post-lactational mammary gland regression encompasses extensive programmed cell death and removal of milk-producing epithelial cells, breakdown of extracellular matrix components and redifferentiation of stromal adipocytes. This highly regulated involution process is associated with a transient increased risk of breast cancer in women. Using a syngeneic tumour model, we show that tumour growth is significantly altered depending on the stage of involution at which tumour cells are implanted. Tumour cells injected at day 3 involution grew faster than those in nulliparous mice, whereas tumours initiated at day 6 involution grew significantly slower. These differences in tumour progression correlate with distinct changes in innate immune cells, in particular among F4/80-expressing macrophages and among TCRδ+ unconventional T cells. Breast cancer post-pregnancy risk is exacerbated in older first-time mothers and, in our model, initial tumour growth is moderately faster in aged mice compared with young mice. Our results have implications for breast cancer risk and the use of anti-inflammatory therapeutics for postpartum breast cancers. Summary: Mammary gland involution is associated with dynamic changes in immune cell types and numbers at different stages that correlates with the initial rate of growth of implanted tumour cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Hitchcock
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Katherine Hughes
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Sara Pensa
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Bethan Lloyd-Lewis
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Christine J. Watson
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
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27
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Which Has a Greater Impact on the Recurrence in Young Breast Cancer Patients: Recent Childbirth or Recent Breastfeeding? Breast J 2022; 2022:5823867. [PMID: 35711888 PMCID: PMC9187285 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5823867] [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: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose. This study explored the effects of recent childbirth and recent breastfeeding on the risk of recurrence in patients with postpartum breast cancer (PPBC). Materials and Methods. A bidirectional cohort study was conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. 1013 young female breast cancer patients between May 2003 and October 2019 were enrolled. Breast cancer cases were grouped according to the time between giving birth or weaning and diagnosis. The end point of the analysis was disease-free survival (DFS). Results. Breast cancer patients diagnosed within 2 years after parturition showed more tumor characteristics that represented poor prognosis and remained at an increased risk for recurrence, even after adjusting for confounding factors (HR = 1.83,
). When the analysis was limited to patients with ER positive or histological grades I and II, they had a higher risk of recurrence. When weaning was used as the grouping node, patients diagnosed within 2 years after weaning did not show a higher risk of recurrence after adjustment, even when analysis was nearly limited to ER-positive patients. Conclusion. Recent reproductive history is an independent prognostic factor and seems to have a stronger impact on breast cancer with lower malignancy. In addition, the effect of recent childbirth on the recurrence of young breast cancer is significantly stronger than that of recent breastfeeding.
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28
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Sekar D, Dillmann C, Sirait-Fischer E, Fink AF, Zivkovic A, Baum N, Strack E, Klatt S, Zukunft S, Wallner S, Descot A, Olesch C, da Silva P, von Knethen A, Schmid T, Grösch S, Savai R, Ferreirós N, Fleming I, Ghosh S, Rothlin CV, Stark H, Medyouf H, Brüne B, Weigert A. Phosphatidylserine Synthase PTDSS1 Shapes the Tumor Lipidome to Maintain Tumor-Promoting Inflammation. Cancer Res 2022; 82:1617-1632. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
An altered lipidome in tumors may affect not only tumor cells themselves but also their microenvironment. In this study, a lipidomics screen reveals increased amounts of phosphatidylserine (PS), particularly ether-PS (ePS), in murine mammary tumors compared with normal tissue. PS was produced by phosphatidylserine synthase 1 (PTDSS1), and depletion of Ptdss1 from tumor cells in mice reduced ePS levels accompanied by stunted tumor growth and decreased tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) abundance. Ptdss1-deficient tumor cells exposed less PS during apoptosis, which was recognized by the PS receptor MERTK. Mammary tumors in macrophage-specific Mertk−/− mice showed similarly suppressed growth and reduced TAM infiltration. Transcriptomic profiles of TAMs from Ptdss1-knockdown tumors and Mertk−/− TAMs revealed that macrophage proliferation was reduced when the Ptdss1/Mertk pathway was targeted. Moreover, PTDSS1 expression correlated positively with TAM abundance but negatively with breast carcinoma patient survival. PTDSS1 thus may be a target to modify tumor-promoting inflammation.
Significance:
This study shows that inhibiting the production of ether-phosphatidylserine by targeting phosphatidylserine synthase PTDSS1 limits tumor-associated macrophage expansion and breast tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Sekar
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany,
| | - Christina Dillmann
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany,
| | - Evelyn Sirait-Fischer
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany,
| | - Annika F. Fink
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany,
| | - Aleksandra Zivkovic
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Natalie Baum
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Strack
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany,
| | - Stephan Klatt
- Institute of Vascular Signalling, Department of Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sven Zukunft
- Institute of Vascular Signalling, Department of Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Wallner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Arnaud Descot
- Georg-Speyer-Haus Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Catherine Olesch
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany,
| | - Priscila da Silva
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany,
| | - Andreas von Knethen
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany,
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tobias Schmid
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany,
| | - Sabine Grösch
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rajkumar Savai
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of the Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Bad Nauheim, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nerea Ferreirós
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ingrid Fleming
- Institute of Vascular Signalling, Department of Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sourav Ghosh
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Carla V. Rothlin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Holger Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Hind Medyouf
- Georg-Speyer-Haus Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Bernhard Brüne
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany,
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Frankfurt, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Weigert
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany,
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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29
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Liang X, Luo M, Shao B, Yang JY, Tong A, Wang RB, Liu YT, Jun R, Liu T, Yi T, Zhao X, Wei YQ, Wei XW. Phosphatidylserine released from apoptotic cells in tumor induces M2-like macrophage polarization through the PSR-STAT3-JMJD3 axis. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 42:205-222. [PMID: 35191227 PMCID: PMC8923121 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding how the tumor microenvironment is shaped by various factors is important for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Tumor cells often undergo spontaneous apoptotic cell death in tumor microenvironment, these apoptotic cells are histologically co‐localized with immunosuppressive macrophages. However, the mechanism by which tumor cell apoptosis modulates macrophage polarization is not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the tumor promoting effects of apoptotic tumor cells and the signal pathways involved. Methods Apoptotic cells and macrophages in tumors were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Morphological analysis was performed with Giemsa staining. Lipids generated from apoptotic cells were detected by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Phosphatidylserine‐containing liposomes were prepared to mimic apoptotic cells. The expression of protein was determined by real‐time PCR, immunohistochemistry enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. Mouse malignant ascites and subcutaneous tumor models were designed for in vivo analysis. Transgenic mice with specific genes knocked out and inhibitors specific to certain proteins were used for the mechanistic studies. Results The location and the number of apoptotic cells were correlated with that of macrophages in several types of carcinomas. Phosphatidylserine, a lipid molecule generated in apoptotic cells, induced polarization and accumulation of M2‐like macrophages in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, sustained administration of phosphoserine promoted tumor growth in the malignant ascites and subcutaneous tumor models. Further analyses suggested that phosphoserine induced a M2‐like phenotype in macrophages, which was related to the activation of phosphoserine receptors including T‐cell immunoglobin mucin 4 (TIM4) and the FAK‐SRC‐STAT3 signaling pathway as well as elevated the expression of the histone demethylase Jumonji domain‐containing protein 3 (JMJD3). Administration of specific inhibitors of these pathways could reduce tumor progression. Conclusions This study suggest that apoptotic cell‐generated phosphoserine might be a notable signal for immunosuppressive macrophages in tumors, and the related pathways might be potential therapeutic targets for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Liang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Min Luo
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Bin Shao
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Jing-Yun Yang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - An Tong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Rui-Bo Wang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Yan-Tong Liu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Ren Jun
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Tao Yi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Quan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xia-Wei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
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30
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Morana O, Wood W, Gregory CD. The Apoptosis Paradox in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031328. [PMID: 35163253 PMCID: PMC8836235 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer growth represents a dysregulated imbalance between cell gain and cell loss, where the rate of proliferating mutant tumour cells exceeds the rate of those that die. Apoptosis, the most renowned form of programmed cell death, operates as a key physiological mechanism that limits cell population expansion, either to maintain tissue homeostasis or to remove potentially harmful cells, such as those that have sustained DNA damage. Paradoxically, high-grade cancers are generally associated with high constitutive levels of apoptosis. In cancer, cell-autonomous apoptosis constitutes a common tumour suppressor mechanism, a property which is exploited in cancer therapy. By contrast, limited apoptosis in the tumour-cell population also has the potential to promote cell survival and resistance to therapy by conditioning the tumour microenvironment (TME)-including phagocytes and viable tumour cells-and engendering pro-oncogenic effects. Notably, the constitutive apoptosis-mediated activation of cells of the innate immune system can help orchestrate a pro-oncogenic TME and may also effect evasion of cancer treatment. Here, we present an overview of the implications of cell death programmes in tumour biology, with particular focus on apoptosis as a process with "double-edged" consequences: on the one hand, being tumour suppressive through deletion of malignant or pre-malignant cells, while, on the other, being tumour progressive through stimulation of reparatory and regenerative responses in the TME.
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31
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Lin J, Xu A, Jin J, Zhang M, Lou J, Qian C, Zhu J, Wang Y, Yang Z, Li X, Yu W, Liu B, Tao H. MerTK-mediated efferocytosis promotes immune tolerance and tumor progression in osteosarcoma through enhancing M2 polarization and PD-L1 expression. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2024941. [PMID: 35036076 PMCID: PMC8757471 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.2024941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The poor progress of immunotherapy on osteosarcoma patients requires deeper delineation of immune tolerance mechanisms in the osteosarcoma microenvironment and a new therapeutic strategy. Clearance of apoptotic cells by phagocytes, a process termed “efferocytosis,” is ubiquitous in tumors and mediates the suppression of innate immune inflammatory response. Considering the massive infiltrated macrophages in osteosarcoma, efferocytosis probably serves as a potential target, but is rarely studied in osteosarcoma. Here, we verified M2 polarization and PD-L1 expression of macrophages following efferocytosis. Pharmacological inhibition and genetic knockdown were used to explore the underlying pathway. Moreover, tumor progression and immune landscape were evaluated following inhibition of efferocytosis in osteosarcoma model. Our study indicated that efferocytosis promoted PD-L1 expression and M2 polarization of macrophages. Ëfferocytosis was mediated by MerTK receptor in osteosarcoma and regulated the phenotypes of macrophages through the p38/STAT3 pathway. By establishing the murine osteosarcoma model, we emphasized that inhibition of MerTK suppressed tumor growth and enhanced the T cell cytotoxic function by increasing the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and decreasing their exhaustion. Our findings demonstrate that MerTK-mediated efferocytosis promotes osteosarcoma progression by enhancing M2 polarization of macrophages and PD-L1-induced immune tolerance, which were regulated through the p38/STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinti Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Ankai Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Jiakang Jin
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Man Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Jianan Lou
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Chao Qian
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Jian Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Yitian Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Zhengming Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Xiumao Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Wei Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Huimin Tao
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Orthopedics Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
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32
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Wang J, Yu C, Zhuang J, Qi W, Jiang J, Liu X, Zhao W, Cao Y, Wu H, Qi J, Zhao RC. The role of phosphatidylserine on the membrane in immunity and blood coagulation. Biomark Res 2022; 10:4. [PMID: 35033201 PMCID: PMC8760663 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-021-00346-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The negatively charged aminophospholipid, phosphatidylserine (PtdSer), is located in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in normal cells, and may be exposed to the outer leaflet under some immune and blood coagulation processes. Meanwhile, Ptdser exposed to apoptotic cells can be recognized and eliminated by various immune cells, whereas on the surface of activated platelets Ptdser interacts with coagulation factors prompting enhanced production of thrombin which significantly facilitates blood coagulation. In the case where PtdSer fails in exposure or mistakenly occurs, there are occurrences of certain immunological and haematological diseases, such as the Scott syndrome and Systemic lupus erythematosus. Besides, viruses (e.g., Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Ebola virus (EBOV)) can invade host cells through binding the exposed PtdSer. Most recently, the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been similarly linked to PtdSer or its receptors. Therefore, it is essential to comprehensively understand PtdSer and its functional characteristics. Therefore, this review summarizes Ptdser, its eversion mechanism; interaction mechanism, particularly with its immune receptors and coagulation factors; recognition sites; and its function in immune and blood processes. This review illustrates the potential aspects for the underlying pathogenic mechanism of PtdSer-related diseases, and the discovery of new therapeutic strategies as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| | - Changxin Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Junyi Zhuang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Wenxin Qi
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Jiawen Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Xuanting Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Wanwei Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Yiyang Cao
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Hao Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Jingxuan Qi
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Robert Chunhua Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China.
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, No. 5 Dongdansantiao, Beijing, 100005, China.
- Centre of Excellence in Tissue Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Therapy (BZ0381), Beijing, China.
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33
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Werfel TA. Assessment of the Immune Response to Tumor Cell Apoptosis and Efferocytosis. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2543:45-55. [PMID: 36087258 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2553-8_5] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Apoptotic cells are cleared from the body principally through recognition and engulfment by neighboring phagocytes, a process known as efferocytosis. During efferocytosis, phagocytes are recruited to the site/activated by "find me" signals released from apoptotic cells, precisely identify apoptotic cells by the recognition of "eat me" signals on the apoptotic cell surface, and engulf the apoptotic cells to prevent secondary necrosis and inflammation. Thus, efferocytosis is critical for tissue homeostasis in normal physiology. However, efferocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells-performed by tumor-associated macrophages-suppresses immunity within the tumor microenvironment and limits the antitumor response. This phenomenon is further exacerbated in tumor residual disease because of the high apoptotic cell burden generated by cytotoxic therapies. Blocking efferocytosis could be a powerful approach to boost tumor immunogenicity, particularly as a combination approach with cytotoxic therapies that produce many apoptotic cells, but little is currently known about the immune response to efferocytosis. Moreover, there is a dearth of in vivo models available to study the immunologic and therapeutic consequences of blocking efferocytosis in tumor residual disease.Here, we describe a model that enables in vivo studies of tumor immunology in the aftermath of cytotoxic therapy with an emphasis on the impact of efferocytosis. Orthotopic HER2+ mammary tumors are established in immune-competent mice, followed by a single administration of lapatinib, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor of HER2, to the mice that induces widespread, transient apoptosis in the tumor microenvironment. In the days following lapatinib treatment, agents that block efferocytosis such as BMS-777607 are administered. Tissue is collected from cohorts of mice at day 2 (after lapatinib treatment only) to assess apoptosis, day 8 (after lapatinib treatment followed by blockade of efferocytosis) to assess the immune response to apoptosis and efferocytosis, and day 28 (after 4 consecutive weeks of treatment) to assess therapeutic efficacy. This model enables mechanistic studies of tumor immunology in residual disease as well as therapeutic efficacy studies of targeted agents that disrupt efferocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Werfel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Mississippi, University, Oxford, MS, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA.
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA.
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34
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Kuzheleva EA, Fedyunina VA, Garganeeva AA. [Patterns of immunological reactions in the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure: review]. KARDIOLOGIIA 2021; 61:94-104. [PMID: 35057726 DOI: 10.18087/cardio.2021.12.n1598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The immune system is essential for maintaining the homeostasis. At present, there is convincing evidence for participation of the immune system in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular pathology, including the final step of cardiovascular continuum, heart failure. Objective difficulties in understanding subtle processes of loss of the normal cardiac structure and function are based on the diversity of pathogenetic factors of development and progression of chronic heart failure (CHF) and the involvement of most organs and body systems. Russian and international scientists actively study issues of immune homeostasis, including the efficacy of current immune therapy. At the same time, available reports are largely uncompiled and reflect isolated parts of the immunopathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. This review focuses on comprehensive elucidation of major patterns of immune processes in the CHF pathogenesis to form an integral view of the problem under study.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Kuzheleva
- Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - V A Fedyunina
- Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - A A Garganeeva
- Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
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35
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Postpartum breast cancer has a distinct molecular profile that predicts poor outcomes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6341. [PMID: 34732713 PMCID: PMC8566602 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26505-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Young women's breast cancer (YWBC) has poor prognosis and known interactions with parity. Women diagnosed within 5-10 years of childbirth, defined as postpartum breast cancer (PPBC), have poorer prognosis compared to age, stage, and biologic subtype-matched nulliparous patients. Genomic differences that explain this poor prognosis remain unknown. In this study, using RNA expression data from clinically matched estrogen receptor positive (ER+) cases (n = 16), we observe that ER+ YWBC can be differentiated based on a postpartum or nulliparous diagnosis. The gene expression signatures of PPBC are consistent with increased cell cycle, T-cell activation and reduced estrogen receptor and TP53 signaling. When applied to a large YWBC cohort, these signatures for ER+ PPBC associate with significantly reduced 15-year survival rates in high compared to low expressing cases. Cumulatively these results provide evidence that PPBC is a unique entity within YWBC with poor prognostic phenotypes.
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36
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Rothlin CV, Ghosh S. Lifting the innate immune barriers to antitumor immunity. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000695. [PMID: 32273348 PMCID: PMC7254113 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system evolved for adequate surveillance and killing of pathogens while minimizing host damage, such as due to chronic or exaggerated inflammation and autoimmunity. This is achieved by negative regulators and checkpoints that limit the magnitude and time course of the immune response. Tumor cells often escape immune surveillance and killing. Therefore, disrupting the brakes built into the immune system should effectively boost the anticancer immune response. The success of anti-CTLA4, anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 have firmly established this proof of concept. Since the response rate of anti-CTLA4, anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 is still limited, there is an intense effort for the identification of new targets and development of approaches that can expand the benefits of immunotherapy to a larger patient pool. Additional T cell checkpoints are obvious targets; however, here we focus on the unusual suspects—cells that function to initiate and guide T cell activity. Innate immunity is both an obligate prerequisite for the initiation of adaptive immune responses and a requirement for the recruitment of activated T cells to the site of action. We discuss some of the molecules present in innate immune cells, including natural killer cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, endothelial cells and stromal cells, that can activate or enhance innate immune cell functions, and more importantly, the inhibitors or checkpoints present in these cells that restrain their functions. Boosting innate immunity, either by enhancing activator functions or, preferably, by blocking the inhibitors, may represent a new anticancer treatment modality or at least function as adjuvants to T cell checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla V Rothlin
- Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, United States .,Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, United States
| | - Sourav Ghosh
- Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, United States .,Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, United States
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37
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Tajbakhsh A, Gheibi Hayat SM, Movahedpour A, Savardashtaki A, Loveless R, Barreto GE, Teng Y, Sahebkar A. The complex roles of efferocytosis in cancer development, metastasis, and treatment. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 140:111776. [PMID: 34062411 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
When tumor cells are killed by targeted therapy, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, they trigger their primary tumor by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Microenvironmental interactions can also promote tumor heterogeneity and development. In this line, several immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, including macrophages, dendritic cells, regulatory T-cells, and CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, are involved in the clearance of apoptotic tumor cells through a process called efferocytosis. Although the efficiency of apoptotic tumor cell efferocytosis is positive under physiological conditions, there are controversies regarding its usefulness in treatment-induced apoptotic tumor cells (ATCs). Efferocytosis can show the limitation of cytotoxic treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Since cytotoxic treatments lead to extensive cell mortality, efferocytosis, and macrophage polarization toward an M2 phenotype, the immune response may get involved in tumor recurrence and metastasis. Tumor cells can use the anti-inflammatory effect of apoptotic tumor cell efferocytosis to induce an immunosuppressive condition that is tumor-tolerant. Since M2 polarization and efferocytosis are tumor-promoting processes, the receptors on macrophages act as potential targets for cancer therapy. Moreover, researchers have shown that efferocytosis-related molecules/pathways are potential targets for cancer therapy. These include phosphatidylserine and calreticulin, Tyro3, Axl, and Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK), receptors of tyrosine kinase, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1, annexin V, CD47, TGF-β, IL-10, and macrophage phenotype switch are combined with conventional therapy, which can be more effective in cancer treatment. Thus, we set out to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of efferocytosis in treatment-induced apoptotic tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Tajbakhsh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Gheibi Hayat
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ahmad Movahedpour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Savardashtaki
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Reid Loveless
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - George E Barreto
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Yong Teng
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; Georgia Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; Department of Medical Laboratory, Imaging and Radiologic Sciences, College of Allied Health, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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38
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Zhou L, Matsushima GK. Tyro3, Axl, Mertk receptor-mediated efferocytosis and immune regulation in the tumor environment. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 361:165-210. [PMID: 34074493 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Three structurally related tyrosine receptor cell surface kinases, Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk (TAM) have been recognized to modulate immune function, tissue homeostasis, cardiovasculature, and cancer. The TAM receptor family appears to operate in adult mammals across multiple cell types, suggesting both widespread and specific regulation of cell functions and immune niches. TAM family members regulate tissue homeostasis by monitoring the presence of phosphatidylserine expressed on stressed or apoptotic cells. The detection of phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells requires intermediary molecules that opsonize the dying cells and tether them to TAM receptors on phagocytes. This complex promotes the engulfment of apoptotic cells, also known as efferocytosis, that leads to the resolution of inflammation and tissue healing. The immune mechanisms dictating these processes appear to fall upon specific family members or may involve a complex of different receptors acting cooperatively to resolve and repair damaged tissues. Here, we focus on the role of TAM receptors in triggering efferocytosis and its consequences in the regulation of immune responses in the context of inflammation and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Zhou
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina-CH, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Glenn K Matsushima
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina-CH, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; UNC Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of North Carolina-CH, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; UNC Integrative Program for Biological & Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina-CH, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
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39
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Reprograming of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Breast Tumor-Bearing Mice under Chemotherapy by Targeting Heme Oxygenase-1. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10030470. [PMID: 33809707 PMCID: PMC8002331 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10030470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent one of the most abundant components of the tumor microenvironment and play important roles in tumor development and progression. TAMs display plasticity and functional heterogeneity as reflected by distinct phenotypic subsets. TAMs with an M1 phenotype have proinflammatory and anti-tumoral properties whereas M2-like TAMs exert anti-inflammatory and pro-tumoral functions. Tumor cell debris generated during chemotherapy can stimulate primary tumor growth and recurrence. According to our previous study, phagocytic engulfment of breast tumor cell debris by TAMs attenuated chemotherapeutic efficacy through the upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). To verify the impact of HO-1 upregulation on the profile of macrophage polarization during cytotoxic therapy, we utilized a syngeneic murine breast cancer (4T1) model in which tumor bearing mice were treated with paclitaxel (PTX). PTX treatment markedly downregulated the surface expression of the M1 marker CD86 in infiltrated TAMs. Notably, there were significantly more cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in tumors of mice treated with PTX plus the HO-1 inhibitor, zinc protophorphyrin IX (ZnPP) than in mice treated with PTX alone. Interestingly, the tumor-inhibiting efficacy of PTX and ZnPP co-treatment was abrogated when macrophages were depleted by clodronate liposomes. Macrophage depletion also decreased the intratumoral CD8+ T cell population and downregulated the expression of Cxcl9 and Cxcl10. The expression of the M1 phenotype marker, CD86 was higher in mice injected with PTX plus ZnPP than that in mice treated with PTX alone. Conversely, the PTX-induced upregulation of the M2 marker gene, Il10 in CD11b+ myeloid cells from 4T1 tumor-bearing mice treated was dramatically reduced by the administration of the HO-1 inhibitor. Genetic ablation of HO-1 abolished the inhibitory effect of 4T1 tumor cell debris on expression of M1 marker genes, Tnf and Il12b, in LPS-stimulated BMDMs. HO-1-deficient BMDMs exposed to tumor cell debris also exhibited a diminished expression of the M2 macrophage marker, CD206. These findings, taken all together, provide strong evidence that HO-1 plays a pivotal role in the transition of tumor-inhibiting M1-like TAMs to tumor-promoting M2-like ones during chemotherapy.
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40
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Donadon M, Torzilli G, Cortese N, Soldani C, Di Tommaso L, Franceschini B, Carriero R, Barbagallo M, Rigamonti A, Anselmo A, Colombo FS, Maggi G, Lleo A, Cibella J, Peano C, Kunderfranco P, Roncalli M, Mantovani A, Marchesi F. Macrophage morphology correlates with single-cell diversity and prognosis in colorectal liver metastasis. J Exp Med 2021; 217:152014. [PMID: 32785653 PMCID: PMC7596819 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20191847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It has long been known that in vitro polarized macrophages differ in morphology. Stemming from a conventional immunohistology observation, we set out to test the hypothesis that morphology of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in colorectal liver metastasis (CLM) represents a correlate of functional diversity with prognostic significance. Density and morphological metrics of TAMs were measured and correlated with clinicopathological variables. While density of TAMs did not correlate with survival of CLM patients, the cell area identified small (S-TAM) and large (L-TAM) macrophages that were associated with 5-yr disease-free survival rates of 27.8% and 0.2%, respectively (P < 0.0001). RNA sequencing of morphologically distinct macrophages identified LXR/RXR as the most enriched pathway in large macrophages, with up-regulation of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism, scavenger receptors, MERTK, and complement. In single-cell analysis of mononuclear phagocytes from CLM tissues, S-TAM and L-TAM signatures were differentially enriched in individual clusters. These results suggest that morphometric characterization can serve as a simple readout of TAM diversity with strong prognostic significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Donadon
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Guido Torzilli
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Nina Cortese
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Cristiana Soldani
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Luca Di Tommaso
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Barbara Franceschini
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Roberta Carriero
- Bioinformatics Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Barbagallo
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rigamonti
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Achille Anselmo
- Flow Cytometry Core, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Maggi
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Ana Lleo
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy.,Division of Internal Medicine and Hepathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Javier Cibella
- Genomic Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Clelia Peano
- Genomic Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research, UoS Milan, National Research Council, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Kunderfranco
- Bioinformatics Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Massimo Roncalli
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Alberto Mantovani
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Federica Marchesi
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Italy
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41
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Rios-Doria J, Favata M, Lasky K, Feldman P, Lo Y, Yang G, Stevens C, Wen X, Sehra S, Katiyar K, Liu K, Wynn R, Harris JJ, Ye M, Spitz S, Wang X, He C, Li YL, Yao W, Covington M, Scherle P, Koblish H. A Potent and Selective Dual Inhibitor of AXL and MERTK Possesses Both Immunomodulatory and Tumor-Targeted Activity. Front Oncol 2020; 10:598477. [PMID: 33425754 PMCID: PMC7793849 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.598477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK constitute the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases, which play important roles in tumor growth, survival, cell adhesion, as well as innate immunity, phagocytosis, and immune-suppressive activity. Therefore, targeting both AXL and MERTK kinases may directly impact tumor growth and relieve immunosuppression. We describe here the discovery of INCB081776, a potent and selective dual inhibitor of AXL and MERTK that is currently in phase 1 clinical trials. In cellular assays, INCB081776 effectively blocked autophosphorylation of AXL or MERTK with low nanomolar half maximal inhibitory concentration values in tumor cells and Ba/F3 cells transfected with constitutively active AXL or MERTK. INCB081776 inhibited activation of MERTK in primary human macrophages and partially reversed M2 macrophage–mediated suppression of T-cell proliferation, which was associated with increased interferon-γ production. In vivo, the antitumor activity of INCB081776 was enhanced in combination with checkpoint blockade in syngeneic models, and resulted in increased proliferation of intratumoral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Finally, antitumor activity of INCB081776 was observed in a subset of sarcoma patient–derived xenograft models, which was linked with inhibition of phospho-AKT. These data support the potential therapeutic utility of INCB081776 as an immunotherapeutic agent capable of both enhancing tumor immune surveillance and blocking tumor cell survival mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kerri Lasky
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | | | - Yvonne Lo
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Gengjie Yang
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | | | - Xiaoming Wen
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Sarita Sehra
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Kamna Katiyar
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Ke Liu
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Richard Wynn
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | | | - Min Ye
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Susan Spitz
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Xiaozhao Wang
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Chunhong He
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Yun-Long Li
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Wenqing Yao
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | | | - Peggy Scherle
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Holly Koblish
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
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42
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Das Mahapatra A, Choubey R, Datta B. Small Molecule Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors in Multitarget and Combination Therapies for Inflammation and Cancer. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25235488. [PMID: 33255197 PMCID: PMC7727688 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) plays a central role in metabolism of bioactive lipid signaling molecules. The substrate-specific hydrolase activity of sEH converts epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) to less bioactive dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids. EETs exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antihypertensive, cardio-protective and organ-protective properties. Accordingly, sEH inhibition is a promising therapeutic strategy for addressing a variety of diseases. In this review, we describe small molecule architectures that have been commonly deployed as sEH inhibitors with respect to angiogenesis, inflammation and cancer. We juxtapose commonly used synthetic scaffolds and natural products within the paradigm of a multitarget approach for addressing inflammation and inflammation induced carcinogenesis. Structural insights from the inhibitor complexes and novel strategies for development of sEH-based multitarget inhibitors are also presented. While sEH inhibition is likely to suppress inflammation-induced carcinogenesis, it can also lead to enhanced angiogenesis via increased EET concentrations. In this regard, sEH inhibitors in combination chemotherapy are described. Urea and amide-based architectures feature prominently across multitarget inhibition and combination chemotherapy applications of sEH inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amarjyoti Das Mahapatra
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar 382355, India; (A.D.M.); (R.C.)
| | - Rinku Choubey
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar 382355, India; (A.D.M.); (R.C.)
| | - Bhaskar Datta
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar 382355, India; (A.D.M.); (R.C.)
- Department of Biological Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar 382355, India
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +079-2395-2073; Fax: +079-2397-2622
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43
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Myers KV, Pienta KJ, Amend SR. Cancer Cells and M2 Macrophages: Cooperative Invasive Ecosystem Engineers. Cancer Control 2020; 27:1073274820911058. [PMID: 32129079 PMCID: PMC7066590 DOI: 10.1177/1073274820911058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many aspects of cancer can be explained utilizing well-defined ecological
principles. Applying these principles to cancer, cancer cells are an invasive
species to a healthy organ ecosystem. In their capacity as ecosystem engineers,
cancer cells release cytokines that recruit monocytes to the tumor and polarize
them to M2-like protumor macrophages. Macrophages, recruited by the cancer
cells, act as a secondary invasive species. The ecosystem engineering functions
of M2-macrophages in turn support and stimulate cancer cell survival and
proliferation. The cooperative ecosystem engineering of both the primary
invasive species of the cancer cell and the secondary invasive species of the
M2-macrophage thus creates a vicious cycle of tumor promotion. Targeting a
specific aspect of this tumor-promoting ecosystem engineering, such as blocking
efferocytosis by M2-like macrophages, may improve the response to
standard-of-care anticancer therapies. This strategy has the potential to
redirect cooperative protumor ecosystem engineering toward an antitumor
ecosystem engineering strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla V Myers
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Urology, The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth J Pienta
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Urology, The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sarah R Amend
- Department of Urology, The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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44
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Wang KH, Ding DC. Dual targeting of TAM receptors Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK: Role in tumors and the tumor immune microenvironment. Tzu Chi Med J 2020; 33:250-256. [PMID: 34386362 PMCID: PMC8323642 DOI: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_129_20] [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: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In both normal and tumor tissues, receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) may be pleiotropically expressed. The RTKs not only regulate ordinary cellular processes, including proliferation, survival, adhesion, and migration, but also have a critical role in the development of many types of cancer. The Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK (TAM) family of RTKs (Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK) plays a pleiotropic role in phagocytosis, inflammation, and normal cellular processes. In this article, we highlight the cellular activities of TAM receptors and discuss their roles in cancer and immune cells. We also discuss cancer therapies that target TAM receptors. Further research is needed to elucidate the function of TAM receptors in immune cells toward the development of new targeted immunotherapies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Hung Wang
- Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Dah-Ching Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
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45
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Gadiyar V, Lahey KC, Calianese D, Devoe C, Mehta D, Bono K, Desind S, Davra V, Birge RB. Cell Death in the Tumor Microenvironment: Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102207. [PMID: 33003477 PMCID: PMC7599747 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The physiological fate of cells that die by apoptosis is their prompt and efficient removal by efferocytosis. During these processes, apoptotic cells release intracellular constituents that include purine nucleotides, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) that induce migration and chemo-attraction of phagocytes as well as mitogens and extracellular membrane-bound vesicles that contribute to apoptosis-induced compensatory proliferation and alteration of the extracellular matrix and the vascular network. Additionally, during efferocytosis, phagocytic cells produce a number of anti-inflammatory and resolving factors, and, together with apoptotic cells, efferocytic events have a homeostatic function that regulates tissue repair. These homeostatic functions are dysregulated in cancers, where, aforementioned events, if not properly controlled, can lead to cancer progression and immune escape. Here, we summarize evidence that apoptosis and efferocytosis are exploited in cancer, as well as discuss current translation and clinical efforts to harness signals from dying cells into therapeutic strategies.
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46
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Giroud P, Renaudineau S, Gudefin L, Calcei A, Menguy T, Rozan C, Mizrahi J, Caux C, Duong V, Valladeau-Guilemond J. Expression of TAM-R in Human Immune Cells and Unique Regulatory Function of MerTK in IL-10 Production by Tolerogenic DC. Front Immunol 2020; 11:564133. [PMID: 33101282 PMCID: PMC7546251 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.564133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells are a key component of the immune infiltrate often correlated with a poor prognosis due to their capacities to sustain an immunosuppressive environment. Among membrane receptors implicated in myeloid cell functions, Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK, which are a family of tyrosine kinase receptors (TAM-R), have been described in the regulation of innate cell functions. Here, we have identified MerTK among TAM-R as the major marker of both human M2 macrophages and tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC). In situ, MerTK expression was found within the immune infiltrate in multiple solid tumors, highlighting its potential role in cancer immunity. TAM-R ligands Gas6 and PROS1 were found to be constitutively produced by myeloid cells in vitro. Importantly, we describe a novel function of MerTK/PROS1 axis in the regulation of IL-10 production by tolerogenic DC. Finally, the analysis of TAM-R expression within the lymphoid compartment following activation revealed that MerTK, but not Axl or Tyro3, is expressed on activated B lymphocytes and regulatory T cells, as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Thus, our findings deepen the implication of MerTK in the regulation of myeloid cell-mediated immunosuppression and identified new cellular targets expressing MerTK that could participate in the antitumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Giroud
- Elsalys Biotech SA, Lyon, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Christophe Caux
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | - Jenny Valladeau-Guilemond
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1052 CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
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47
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Huelse J, Fridlyand D, Earp S, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107577. [PMID: 32417270 PMCID: PMC9847360 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Diana Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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48
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Huelse JM, Fridlyand DM, Earp S, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020. [PMID: 32417270 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107577107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Diana M Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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49
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Asare PF, Roscioli E, Hurtado PR, Tran HB, Mah CY, Hodge S. LC3-Associated Phagocytosis (LAP): A Potentially Influential Mediator of Efferocytosis-Related Tumor Progression and Aggressiveness. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1298. [PMID: 32850405 PMCID: PMC7422669 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
One aim of cancer therapies is to induce apoptosis of tumor cells. Efficient removal of the apoptotic cells requires coordinated efforts between the processes of efferocytosis and LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP). However, this activity has also been shown to produce anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive signals that can be utilized by live tumor cells to evade immune defense mechanisms, resulting in tumor progression and aggressiveness. In the absence of LAP, mice exhibit suppressed tumor growth during efferocytosis, while LAP-sufficient mice show enhanced tumor progression. Little is known about how LAP or its regulators directly affect efferocytosis, tumor growth and treatment responses, and identifying the mechanisms involved has the potential to lead to the discovery of novel approaches to target cancer cells. Also incompletely understood is the direct effect of apoptotic cancer cells on LAP. This is particularly important as induction of apoptosis by current cytotoxic cancer therapies can potentially stimulate LAP following efferocytosis. Herein, we highlight the current understanding of the role of LAP and its relationship with efferocytosis in the tumor microenvironment with a view to presenting novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick F. Asare
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Eugene Roscioli
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Plinio R. Hurtado
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Renal Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Hai B. Tran
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Chui Yan Mah
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sandra Hodge
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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50
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Roy S, Sethi TK, Taylor D, Kim YJ, Johnson DB. Breakthrough concepts in immune-oncology: Cancer vaccines at the bedside. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:1455-1489. [PMID: 32557857 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5bt0420-585rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical approval of the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) agents for multiple cancer types has reinvigorated the long-standing work on cancer vaccines. In the pre-ICB era, clinical efforts focused on the Ag, the adjuvants, the formulation, and the mode of delivery. These translational efforts on therapeutic vaccines range from cell-based (e.g., dendritic cells vaccine Sipuleucel-T) to DNA/RNA-based platforms with various formulations (liposome), vectors (Listeria monocytogenes), or modes of delivery (intratumoral, gene gun, etc.). Despite promising preclinical results, cancer vaccine trials without ICB have historically shown little clinical activity. With the anticipation and expansion of combinatorial immunotherapeutic trials with ICB, the cancer vaccine field has entered the personalized medicine arena with recent advances in immunogenic neoantigen-based vaccines. In this article, we review the literature to organize the different cancer vaccines in the clinical space, and we will discuss their advantages, limits, and recent progress to overcome their challenges. Furthermore, we will also discuss recent preclinical advances and clinical strategies to combine vaccines with checkpoint blockade to improve therapeutic outcome and present a translational perspective on future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohini Roy
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Tarsheen K Sethi
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - David Taylor
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Young J Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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