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Hua W, Qi J, Zhou M, Han S, Xu X, Su J, Pan T, Wu D, Han Y. Overexpression of REC8 induces aberrant gamete meiotic division and contributes to AML pathogenesis - a multiplexed microarray analysis and mendelian randomization study. Ann Hematol 2024; 103:3563-3572. [PMID: 39012516 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-024-05882-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a notably lethal disease, characterized by malignant clonal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. This study seeks to unveil potential therapeutic targets for AML, using a combined approach of microarray analysis and Mendelian randomization (MR). We collected data samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and extracted pQTL data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify overlapping genes between the DEGs and GWAS data. Gene enrichment and pathway annotation analyses were performed on these genes. Furthermore, we validated gene expression levels and assessed their clinical relevance. By taking the intersection of these gene sets, we obtained a list of co-expressed genes, including four upregulated genes (REC8, TPM2, ZMIZ1, CD82) and two downregulated genes (IFNAR1, TMCO3). MR analysis demonstrated that genetically predicted protein levels of CD82, REC8, ZMIZ1, and TPM2 were significantly associated with increased odds of AML, while IFNAR1 and TMCO3 showed a protective effect. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses revealed significant enrichment in functions related to female gamete generation, meiosis, p53 signaling pathway, and cardiac muscle contraction. Differences in immune cell profiles were observed between AML survivors and those with poor prognosis, including lower levels of neutrophils and higher levels of follicular helper T cells in the latter group. This study identifies a causal relationship between gene expression and AML and highlights the potential role of REC8 in leukemogenesis, possibly through its impact on gametocyte meiotic abnormalities. The findings provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Hua
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiaqian Qi
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis of Ministry of Health, Suzhou, China
| | - Meng Zhou
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis of Ministry of Health, Suzhou, China
| | - Shiyu Han
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis of Ministry of Health, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinwen Su
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tingting Pan
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis of Ministry of Health, Suzhou, China
| | - Depei Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis of Ministry of Health, Suzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Yue Han
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
- Institute of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis of Ministry of Health, Suzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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2
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Maurer K, Antin JH. The graft versus leukemia effect: donor lymphocyte infusions and cellular therapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1328858. [PMID: 38558819 PMCID: PMC10978651 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1328858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative therapy for many hematologic malignancies as well as non-malignant conditions. Part of the curative basis underlying HSCT for hematologic malignancies relies upon induction of the graft versus leukemia (GVL) effect in which donor immune cells recognize and eliminate residual malignant cells within the recipient, thereby maintaining remission. GVL is a clinically evident phenomenon; however, specific cell types responsible for inducing this effect and molecular mechanisms involved remain largely undefined. One of the best examples of GVL is observed after donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI), an established therapy for relapsed disease or incipient/anticipated relapse. DLI involves infusion of peripheral blood lymphocytes from the original HSCT donor into the recipient. Sustained remission can be observed in 20-80% of patients treated with DLI depending upon the underlying disease and the intrinsic burden of targeted cells. In this review, we will discuss current knowledge about mechanisms of GVL after DLI, experimental strategies for augmenting GVL by manipulation of DLI (e.g. neoantigen vaccination, specific cell type selection/depletion) and research outlook for improving DLI and cellular immunotherapies for hematologic malignancies through better molecular definition of the GVL effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph H. Antin
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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3
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Maurer K, Soiffer RJ. The delicate balance of graft versus leukemia and graft versus host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Expert Rev Hematol 2023; 16:943-962. [PMID: 37906445 PMCID: PMC11195539 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2023.2273847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The curative basis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) relies in part upon the graft versus leukemia (GvL) effect, whereby donor immune cells recognize and eliminate recipient malignant cells. However, alloreactivity of donor cells against recipient tissues may also be deleterious. Chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD) is an immunologic phenomenon wherein alloreactive donor T cells aberrantly react against host tissues, leading to damaging inflammatory symptoms. AREAS COVERED Here, we discuss biological insights into GvL and cGvHD and strategies to balance the prevention of GvHD with maintenance of GvL in modern HSCT. EXPERT OPINION/COMMENTARY Relapse remains the leading cause of mortality after HSCT with rates as high as 40% for some diseases. GvHD is a major cause of morbidity after HSCT, occurring in up to half of patients and responsible for 15-20% of deaths after HSCT. Intriguingly, the development of chronic GvHD may be linked to lower relapse rates after HSCT, suggesting that GvL and GvHD may be complementary sides of the immunologic foundation of HSCT. The ability to fine tune the balance of GvL and GvHD will lead to improvements in survival, relapse rates, and quality of life for patients undergoing HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Maurer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert J Soiffer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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4
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Pagliuca S, Gurnari C, Hercus C, Hergalant S, Hong S, Dhuyser A, D'Aveni M, Aarnink A, Rubio MT, Feugier P, Ferraro F, Carraway HE, Sobecks R, Hamilton BK, Majhail NS, Visconte V, Maciejewski JP. Leukemia relapse via genetic immune escape after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3153. [PMID: 37258544 PMCID: PMC10232425 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38113-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) reactions are responsible for the effectiveness of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation as a treatment modality for myeloid neoplasia, whereby donor T- effector cells recognize leukemia neoantigens. However, a substantial fraction of patients experiences relapses because of the failure of the immunological responses to control leukemic outgrowth. Here, through a broad immunogenetic study, we demonstrate that germline and somatic reduction of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) heterogeneity enhances the risk of leukemic recurrence. We show that preexistent germline-encoded low evolutionary divergence of class II HLA genotypes constitutes an independent factor associated with disease relapse and that acquisition of clonal somatic defects in HLA alleles may lead to escape from GvL control. Both class I and II HLA genes are targeted by somatic mutations as clonal selection factors potentially impairing cellular immune responses and response to immunomodulatory strategies. These findings define key molecular modes of post-transplant leukemia escape contributing to relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Pagliuca
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Hematology, CHRU de Nancy, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- CNRS UMR 7365, IMoPA, Biopole of University of Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Carmelo Gurnari
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, PhD in Immunology, Molecular Medicine and Applied Biotechnology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Colin Hercus
- Novocraft Technologies Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sébastien Hergalant
- Inserm UMR-S 1256 Nutrition-Genetics-Environmental Risk Exposure, University of Lorraine, 54500, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Sanghee Hong
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Adele Dhuyser
- CNRS UMR 7365, IMoPA, Biopole of University of Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- Histocompatibility Department, CHRU de Nancy, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Maud D'Aveni
- Department of Hematology, CHRU de Nancy, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- CNRS UMR 7365, IMoPA, Biopole of University of Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Alice Aarnink
- CNRS UMR 7365, IMoPA, Biopole of University of Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- Histocompatibility Department, CHRU de Nancy, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Marie Thérèse Rubio
- Department of Hematology, CHRU de Nancy, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- CNRS UMR 7365, IMoPA, Biopole of University of Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Pierre Feugier
- Department of Hematology, CHRU de Nancy, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Francesca Ferraro
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hetty E Carraway
- Leukemia Program, Hematology Department, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ronald Sobecks
- Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Betty K Hamilton
- Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Navneet S Majhail
- Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Network, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Valeria Visconte
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jaroslaw P Maciejewski
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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5
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Rimando JC, Chendamarai E, Rettig MP, Jayasinghe R, Christopher MJ, Ritchey JK, Christ S, Kim MY, Bonvini E, DiPersio JF. Flotetuzumab and other T-cell immunotherapies upregulate MHC class II expression on acute myeloid leukemia cells. Blood 2023; 141:1718-1723. [PMID: 36563336 PMCID: PMC10273090 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022017795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse is one of the most common and significant adverse events following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Downregulation of major histocompatibility class II (MHC-II) surface expression on AML blasts may represent a mechanism of escape from the graft-versus-malignancy effect and facilitate relapse. We hypothesized that T-cell immunotherapies targeting AML antigens would upregulate MHC-II surface expression via localized release of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), a protein known to upregulate MHC-II expression via JAK-STAT signaling. We demonstrate that flotetuzumab (FLZ), a CD123 × CD3 bispecific DART molecule, and chimeric antigen receptor expressing T cells targeting CD123, CD33, or CD371 upregulate MHC-II surface expression in vitro on a THP-1 AML cell line with intermediate MHC-II expression and 4 primary AML samples from patients relapsing after HCT with low MHC-II expression. We additionally show that FLZ upregulates MHC-II expression in a patient-derived xenograft model and in patients with relapsed or refractory AML who were treated with FLZ in a clinical trial. Finally, we report that FLZ-induced MHC-II upregulation is mediated by IFN-γ. In conclusion, we provide evidence that T-cell immunotherapies targeting relapsed AML can kill AML via both MHC-independent mechanisms and by an MHC-dependent mechanism through local release of IFN-γ and subsequent upregulation of MHC-II expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Rimando
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Ezhilarasi Chendamarai
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Michael P. Rettig
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Reyka Jayasinghe
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Matthew J. Christopher
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Julie K. Ritchey
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Stephanie Christ
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Miriam Y. Kim
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | | | - John F. DiPersio
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
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6
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Pagliuca S, Gurnari C, Hercus C, Hergalant S, Hong S, Dhuyser A, D'Aveni M, Aarnink A, Rubio MT, Feugier P, Ferraro F, Carraway HE, Sobecks R, Hamilton BK, Majhail NS, Visconte V, Maciejewski JP. Leukemia relapse via genetic immune escape after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2773498. [PMID: 37066269 PMCID: PMC10104200 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2773498/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) reactions are responsible for the effectiveness of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation as a treatment modality for myeloid neoplasia, whereby donor T- effector cells recognize leukemia neoantigens. However, a substantial fraction of patients experience relapses because of the failure of the immunological responses to control leukemic outgrowth. Here, through a broad immunogenetic study, we demonstrate that germline and somatic reduction of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) heterogeneity enhances the risk of leukemic recurrence. We show that preexistent germline-encoded low evolutionary divergence of class II HLA genotypes constitutes an independent factor associated with disease relapse and that acquisition of clonal somatic defects in HLA alleles may lead to escape from GvL control. Both class I and II HLA genes are targeted by somatic mutations as clonal selection factors potentially impairing cellular immune reactions and response to immunomodulatory strategies. These findings define key molecular modes of post-transplant leukemia escape contributing to relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carmelo Gurnari
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Colin Hercus
- Novocraft Technologies Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sébastien Hergalant
- Inserm UMR S1256 Nutrition-Genetics-Environmental Risk Exposure, University of Lorraine, 54500 Nancy, France
| | - Sanghee Hong
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Adele Dhuyser
- Histocompatibility department, CHRU Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Maud D'Aveni
- Department of Clinical Hematology, CHRU Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Alice Aarnink
- Histocompatibility department, CHRU Nancy, Nancy, France
| | | | - Pierre Feugier
- Department of Clinical Hematology, CHRU Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Francesca Ferraro
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hetty E Carraway
- Leukemia program, Hematology Department, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ronald Sobecks
- Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Betty K Hamilton
- Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Navneet S Majhail
- Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Network, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Valeria Visconte
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Jaroslaw P Maciejewski
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
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Namba S, Iwata M, Yamanishi Y. From drug repositioning to target repositioning: prediction of therapeutic targets using genetically perturbed transcriptomic signatures. Bioinformatics 2022; 38:i68-i76. [PMID: 35758779 PMCID: PMC9235496 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btac240] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Motivation A critical element of drug development is the identification of therapeutic targets for diseases. However, the depletion of therapeutic targets is a serious problem. Results In this study, we propose the novel concept of target repositioning, an extension of the concept of drug repositioning, to predict new therapeutic targets for various diseases. Predictions were performed by a trans-disease analysis which integrated genetically perturbed transcriptomic signatures (knockdown of 4345 genes and overexpression of 3114 genes) and disease-specific gene transcriptomic signatures of 79 diseases. The trans-disease method, which takes into account similarities among diseases, enabled us to distinguish the inhibitory from activatory targets and to predict the therapeutic targetability of not only proteins with known target–disease associations but also orphan proteins without known associations. Our proposed method is expected to be useful for understanding the commonality of mechanisms among diseases and for therapeutic target identification in drug discovery. Availability and implementation Supplemental information and software are available at the following website [http://labo.bio.kyutech.ac.jp/~yamani/target_repositioning/]. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Namba
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Michio Iwata
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yamanishi
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan
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8
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Gambacorta V, Beretta S, Ciccimarra M, Zito L, Giannetti K, Andrisani A, Gnani D, Zanotti L, Oliveira G, Carrabba MG, Cittaro D, Merelli I, Ciceri F, Di Micco R, Vago L. Integrated Multiomic Profiling Identifies the Epigenetic Regulator PRC2 as a Therapeutic Target to Counteract Leukemia Immune Escape and Relapse. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:1449-1461. [PMID: 35255120 PMCID: PMC9394393 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-0980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Immune escape represents a major driver of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) reemergence after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), with up to 40% of relapses prompted by nongenomic loss of HLA class II expression in leukemia cells. By integrative analysis of gene expression, DNA methylation, and chromatin accessibility in paired diagnosis/relapse primary samples and in the respective patient-derived xenografts (PDX), we identify the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) as a key epigenetic driver of this immune escape modality. We report that loss of expression of HLA class II molecules is accompanied by a PRC2-dependent reduction in chromatin accessibility. Pharmacologic inhibition of PRC2 subunits rescues HLA class II expression in AML relapses in vitro and in vivo, with consequent recovery of leukemia recognition by CD4+ T cells. Our results uncover a novel link between epigenetics and leukemia immune escape, which may rapidly translate into innovative strategies to cure or prevent AML posttransplantation relapse. SIGNIFICANCE Loss of HLA class II expression represents a frequent mechanism of leukemia posttransplantation relapse. Here we identify PRC2 as the main epigenetic driver of this immune escape modality and show that its chemical inhibition can reinstate a proficient graft-versus-leukemia effect, providing an innovative rationale for personalized epigenetic immunotherapies. See related commentary by Köhler and Zeiser, p. 1410. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1397.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Gambacorta
- Unit of Immunogenetics, Leukemia Genomics and Immunobiology, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.,Unit of Senescence in Stem Cell Aging, Differentiation and Cancer, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.,University of Milano Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Beretta
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Segrate, Italy.,San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Martina Ciccimarra
- Unit of Immunogenetics, Leukemia Genomics and Immunobiology, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Zito
- Unit of Immunogenetics, Leukemia Genomics and Immunobiology, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Kety Giannetti
- Unit of Senescence in Stem Cell Aging, Differentiation and Cancer, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Angela Andrisani
- Unit of Immunogenetics, Leukemia Genomics and Immunobiology, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniela Gnani
- Unit of Senescence in Stem Cell Aging, Differentiation and Cancer, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Zanotti
- Unit of Immunogenetics, Leukemia Genomics and Immunobiology, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Giacomo Oliveira
- Unit of Immunogenetics, Leukemia Genomics and Immunobiology, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Matteo Giovanni Carrabba
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Cittaro
- Center for Omics Sciences at the IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele (COSR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Ivan Merelli
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Segrate, Italy.,San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.,San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, Milano, Italy
| | - Raffaella Di Micco
- Unit of Senescence in Stem Cell Aging, Differentiation and Cancer, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.,Corresponding Authors: Luca Vago, Unit of Immunogenetics, Leukemia Genomics and Immunobiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 60, Milano, Italy. Phone: 39 02-2643-4341; E-mail: ; and Raffaella Di Micco, Unit of Senescence in Stem Cell Aging, Differentiation and Cancer, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 60, Milano, Italy. Phone: 39 02-2643-5024; E-mail:
| | - Luca Vago
- Unit of Immunogenetics, Leukemia Genomics and Immunobiology, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Disease, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.,Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.,San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, Milano, Italy.,Corresponding Authors: Luca Vago, Unit of Immunogenetics, Leukemia Genomics and Immunobiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 60, Milano, Italy. Phone: 39 02-2643-4341; E-mail: ; and Raffaella Di Micco, Unit of Senescence in Stem Cell Aging, Differentiation and Cancer, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 60, Milano, Italy. Phone: 39 02-2643-5024; E-mail:
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9
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Epigenetic Maintenance Strategies after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Exp Hematol 2022; 109:1-10.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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10
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Guo H, Chang YJ, Hong Y, Xu LP, Wang Y, Zhang XH, Wang M, Chen H, Chen YH, Wang FR, Wei-Han, Sun YQ, Yan CH, Tang FF, Mo XD, Liu KY, Huang XJ. Dynamic immune profiling identifies the stronger graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects with haploidentical allografts compared to HLA-matched stem cell transplantation. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:1172-1185. [PMID: 33408344 PMCID: PMC8093297 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-00597-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT) achieves superior or at least comparable clinical outcomes to HLA-matched sibling donor transplantation (MSDT) in treating hematological malignancies. To define the underlying regulatory dynamics, we analyzed time courses of leukemia burden and immune abundance of haplo-SCT or MSDT from multiple dimension. First, we employed two nonirradiated leukemia mouse models which carried human AML-ETO or MLL-AF9 fusion gene to establish haplo-identical and major histocompatibility (MHC)-matched transplantation models and investigated the immune cell dynamic response during leukemia development in vivo. We found that haplo-matching the MHCs of leukemia cells with recipient mouse T cells prolonged leukemic mice survival and reduced leukemia burden. The stronger graft-versus-leukemia activity in haplo-SCT group mainly induced by decreased apoptosis and increased cytotoxic cytokine secretion including tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, pore-forming proteins and CD107a secreted by T cells or natural killer cells. Furthermore, we conducted a prospective clinical trial which enrolled 135 patients with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia that displayed minimal residual disease before transplantation and underwent either haplo-SCT or MSDT. The results showed that the haplo-SCT slowed the kinetics of the leukemia burden in vivo and reduced the cumulative incidence of relapse compared with MSDT. Ex vivo experiments showed that, 1 year after transplantation, cytotoxic T lymphocytes from the haplo-SCT group had higher cytotoxicity than those from the MSDT group during the same period. Our results unraveled the role of immune cells in superior antileukemia effects of haplo-SCT compared with MSDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huidong Guo
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Jun Chang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Hong
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Lan-Ping Xu
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Zhang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Wang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Chen
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Hong Chen
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Feng-Rong Wang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Han
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Qian Sun
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Chen-Hua Yan
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Fei-Fei Tang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Mo
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Kai-Yan Liu
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Huang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, No. 11 South Street of Xizhimen, Xicheng District, 100044, Beijing, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, 100871, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Key Technique for Diagnosis and Treatments of Hematologic Malignancies, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU029, Beijing, China.
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11
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Li M, Xu Y, Liang J, Lin H, Qi X, Li F, Han P, Gao Y, Yang X. USP22 deficiency in melanoma mediates resistance to T cells through IFNγ-JAK1-STAT1 signal axis. Mol Ther 2021; 29:2108-2120. [PMID: 33601053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9)-mediated loss-of-function screens are powerful tools for identifying genes responsible for diverse phenotypes. Here, we perturbed genes in melanoma cells to screen for genes involved in tumor escape from T cell-mediated killing. Multiple interferon gamma (IFNγ) signaling-related genes were enriched in melanoma cells resistant to T cell killing. In addition, deletion of the deubiquitinating protease ubiquitin specific peptidase 22 (USP22) in mouse melanoma (B16-OVA) cells decreased the efficacy of T cell-mediated killing, both in vitro and in vivo, while overexpression enhanced tumor-cell sensitivity to T (OT-I) cell-mediated killing. USP22 deficiency in both mouse and human melanoma cells showed impaired sensitivity to interferon pathway and USP22 was positively correlated with key molecules of interferon pathway in clinical melanoma samples. Mechanistically, USP22 may directly interact with signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), deubiquitinate it, and improve its stability in both human and mouse melanoma cells. Our findings identified a previously unknown function of USP22 and linked the loss of genes in tumor cells that are essential for escaping the effector function of CD8+ T cells during immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanqin Xu
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Liang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Lin
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyue Qi
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanlin Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Han
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuanming Yang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Rimando JC, Christopher MJ, Rettig MP, DiPersio JF. Biology of Disease Relapse in Myeloid Disease: Implication for Strategies to Prevent and Treat Disease Relapse After Stem-Cell Transplantation. J Clin Oncol 2021; 39:386-396. [PMID: 33434062 PMCID: PMC8462627 DOI: 10.1200/jco.20.01587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Rimando
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO
| | - Matthew J. Christopher
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO
| | - Michael P. Rettig
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO
| | - John F. DiPersio
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO
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13
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Oravecz-Wilson K, Rossi C, Zajac C, Sun Y, Li L, Decoville T, Fujiwara H, Kim S, Peltier D, Reddy P. ATG5-Dependent Autophagy Uncouples T-cell Proliferative and Effector Functions and Separates Graft-versus-Host Disease from Graft-versus-Leukemia. Cancer Res 2020; 81:1063-1075. [PMID: 33277367 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a vital cellular process whose role in T immune cells is poorly understood, specifically, in its regulation of allo-immunity. Stimulation of wild-type T cells in vitro and in vivo with allo-antigens enhances autophagy. To assess the relevance of autophagy to T-cell allo-immunity, we generated T-cell-specific Atg5 knock-out mice. Deficiency of ATG5-dependent autophagy reduced T-cell proliferation and increased apoptosis following in vitro and in vivo allo-stimulation. The absence of ATG5 in allo-stimulated T cells enhanced their ability to release effector cytokines and cytotoxic functions, uncoupling their proliferation and effector functions. Absence of autophagy reduced intracellular degradation of cytotoxic enzymes such as granzyme B, thus enhancing the cytotoxicity of T cells. In several in vivo models of allo-HSCT, ATG5-dependent dissociation of T-cell functions contributed to significant reduction in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) but retained sufficient graft versus tumor (GVT) response. Our findings demonstrate that ATG5-dependent autophagy uncouples T-cell proliferation from its effector functions and offers a potential new strategy to enhance outcomes after allo-HSCT. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate that induction of autophagy in donor T-cell promotes GVHD, while inhibition of T-cell autophagy mitigates GVHD without substantial loss of GVL responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Oravecz-Wilson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Corinne Rossi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Cynthia Zajac
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Yaping Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Thomas Decoville
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Hideaki Fujiwara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Stephanie Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Daniel Peltier
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Pavan Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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14
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Park S, Griesenauer B, Jiang H, Adom D, Mehrpouya-Bahrami P, Chakravorty S, Kazemian M, Imam T, Srivastava R, Hayes TA, Pardo J, Janga SC, Paczesny S, Kaplan MH, Olson MR. Granzyme A-producing T helper cells are critical for acute graft-versus-host disease. JCI Insight 2020; 5:124465. [PMID: 32809971 PMCID: PMC7526544 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.124465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) can occur after hematopoietic cell transplant in patients undergoing treatment for hematological malignancies or inborn errors. Although CD4+ T helper (Th) cells play a major role in aGVHD, the mechanisms by which they contribute, particularly within the intestines, have remained elusive. We have identified a potentially novel subset of Th cells that accumulated in the intestines and produced the serine protease granzyme A (GrA). GrA+ Th cells were distinct from other Th lineages and exhibited a noncytolytic phenotype. In vitro, GrA+ Th cells differentiated in the presence of IL-4, IL-6, and IL-21 and were transcriptionally unique from cells cultured with either IL-4 or the IL-6/IL-21 combination alone. In vivo, both STAT3 and STAT6 were required for GrA+ Th cell differentiation and played roles in maintenance of the lineage identity. Importantly, GrA+ Th cells promoted aGVHD-associated morbidity and mortality and contributed to crypt destruction within intestines but were not required for the beneficial graft-versus-leukemia effect. Our data indicate that GrA+ Th cells represent a distinct Th subset and are critical mediators of aGVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungtae Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Brad Griesenauer
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research and.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Hua Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research and.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Djamilatou Adom
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research and.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Srishti Chakravorty
- Departments of Biochemistry and Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Majid Kazemian
- Departments of Biochemistry and Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Tanbeena Imam
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research and
| | - Rajneesh Srivastava
- Department of Biohealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Tristan A Hayes
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research and
| | - Julian Pardo
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), Department of Microbiology, Preventative Medicine and Public Health, Nanoscience Institute of Aragon (INA), Aragon I+D Foundation, IIS Aragon/University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sarath Chandra Janga
- Department of Biohealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Sophie Paczesny
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research and.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Mark H Kaplan
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research and.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Matthew R Olson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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15
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Zhou M, Sacirbegovic F, Zhao K, Rosenberger S, Shlomchik WD. T cell exhaustion and a failure in antigen presentation drive resistance to the graft-versus-leukemia effect. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4227. [PMID: 32839441 PMCID: PMC7445289 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17991-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In hematopoietic cell transplants, alloreactive T cells mediate the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. However, leukemia relapse accounts for nearly half of deaths. Understanding GVL failure requires a system in which GVL-inducing T cells can be tracked. We used such a model wherein GVL is exclusively mediated by T cells that recognize the minor histocompatibility antigen H60. Here we report that GVL fails due to insufficient H60 presentation and T cell exhaustion. Leukemia-derived H60 is inefficiently cross-presented whereas direct T cell recognition of leukemia cells intensifies exhaustion. The anti-H60 response is augmented by H60-vaccination, an agonist αCD40 antibody (FGK45), and leukemia apoptosis. T cell exhaustion is marked by inhibitory molecule upregulation and the development of TOX+ and CD39-TCF-1+ cells. PD-1 blockade diminishes exhaustion and improves GVL, while blockade of Tim-3, TIGIT or LAG3 is ineffective. Of all interventions, FGK45 administration at the time of transplant is the most effective at improving memory and naïve T cell anti-H60 responses and GVL. Our studies define important causes of GVL failure and suggest strategies to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhou
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Faruk Sacirbegovic
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kai Zhao
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sarah Rosenberger
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Warren D Shlomchik
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- The Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- The Hillman UPMC Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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16
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Choi EY, Choi K, Nam G, Kim W, Chung M. H60: A Unique Murine Hematopoietic Cell-Restricted Minor Histocompatibility Antigen for Graft-versus-Leukemia Effect. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1163. [PMID: 32587590 PMCID: PMC7297985 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an important treatment for many types of hematological malignancies. Matching of donor and recipient for the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) improves the HSCT reconstitution, but donor-derived T cells reactive to non-MHC encoded minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHAs) can induce graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) while also being needed for graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects. MiHAs are allelically variant self-peptides presented conventionally on MHC molecules, but are alloantigenic in transplantation settings. Immunodominant MiHAs are most strongly associated with GVHD and GVL. There is need for mouse paradigms to understand these contradictory effects. H60 is a highly immunodominant mouse MiHA with hematopoietic cell-restricted expression. Immunodominance of H60 is tightly associated with its allelic nature (presence vs. absence of the transcripts), and the qualitative (TCR diversity) and quantitative (frequency) traits of the reactive T cells. The identity as a hematopoietic cell-restricted antigen (HRA) of H60 assists the appearance of the immunodominace in allo-HSCT circumstances, and generation of GVL effects without induction of serious GVHD after adoptive T cell transfer. Also it allows the low avidity T cells to escape thymic negative selection and exert GVL effect in the periphery, which is a previously unevaluated finding related to HRAs. In this review, we describe the molecular features and immunobiology in detail through which H60 selectively exerts its potent GVL effect. We further describe how lessons learned can be extrapolated to human allo-HCST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Young Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Human Environment Interface Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyungho Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Giri Nam
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woojin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Minho Chung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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17
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Dissecting the biology of allogeneic HSCT to enhance the GvT effect whilst minimizing GvHD. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2020; 17:475-492. [PMID: 32313224 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-0356-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was the first successful therapy for patients with haematological malignancies, predominantly owing to graft-versus-tumour (GvT) effects. Dramatic methodological changes, designed to expand eligibility for allo-HSCT to older patients and/or those with comorbidities, have led to the use of reduced-intensity conditioning regimens, in parallel with more aggressive immunosuppression to better control graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Consequently, disease relapse has become the major cause of death following allo-HSCT. Hence, the prevention and treatment of relapse has come to the forefront and remains an unmet medical need. Despite >60 years of preclinical and clinical studies, the immunological requirements necessary to achieve GvT effects without promoting GvHD have not been fully established. Herein, we review learnings from preclinical modelling and clinical studies relating to the GvT effect, focusing on mechanisms of relapse and on immunomodulatory strategies that are being developed to overcome disease recurrence after both allo-HSCT and autologous HSCT. Emphasis is placed on discussing current knowledge and approaches predicated on the use of cell therapies, cytokines to augment immune responses and dual-purpose antibody therapies or other pharmacological agents that can control GvHD whilst simultaneously targeting cancer cells.
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18
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The primacy of gastrointestinal tract antigen-presenting cells in lethal graft-versus-host disease. Blood 2020; 134:2139-2148. [PMID: 31697827 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019000823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a cornerstone of curative therapy for high-risk and/or advanced hematological malignancies but remains limited by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD is initiated by the interaction between recipient antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and donor T cells, culminating in T-cell differentiation along pathogenic type-1 and type-17 paradigms at the expense of tolerogenic regulatory T-cell patterns. Type-1 and type-17 T cells secrete cytokines (eg, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interferon-γ) critical to the cytokine storm that amplifies expansion of donor APCs and their alloantigen presentation. It has become increasingly clear that pathogenic donor T-cell differentiation is initiated by both professional recipient APCs (eg, dendritic cells [DCs]) and nonprofessional APCs (eg, epithelial and mesenchymal cells), particularly within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In the immediate peritransplantation period, these APCs are profoundly modified by pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)/damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) signals derived from conditioning and intestinal microbiota. Subsequently, donor DCs in the GI tract are activated by DAMP/PAMP signals in the colon that gain access to the lamina propria once the mucosal barrier mucosa is compromised by GVHD. This results in donor DC expansion and alloantigen presentation in the colon and subsequent migration into the mesenteric lymph nodes. Here, new donor T cells are primed, expanded, differentiated, and imprinted with gut-homing integrins permissive of migration into the damaged GI tract, resulting in the lethal feed-forward cascade of GVHD. These new insights into our understanding of the cellular and molecular factors initiating GVHD, both spatially and temporally, give rise to a number of logical therapeutic targets, focusing on the inhibition of APC function in the GI tract.
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19
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C/EBPβ is a critical mediator of IFN-α-induced exhaustion of chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells. Blood Adv 2020; 3:476-488. [PMID: 30755436 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018020503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Even in the era of ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors, eradication of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) stem cells is necessary for complete cure of the disease. Interferon-α (IFN-α) has long been used for the treatment of chronic-phase CML, but its mechanisms of action against CML stem cells remain unclear. We found that IFN-α upregulated CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) in BCR-ABL-expressing mouse cells by activating STAT1 and STAT5, which were recruited to a newly identified 3' distal enhancer of Cebpb that contains tandemly aligned IFN-γ-activated site elements. Suppression or deletion of the IFN-γ-activated site elements abrogated IFN-α-dependent upregulation of C/EBPβ. IFN-α induced differentiation and exhaustion of CML stem cells, both in vitro and in vivo, in a C/EBPβ-dependent manner. In addition, IFN-α upregulated C/EBPβ and induced exhaustion of lineage- CD34+ cells from CML patients. Collectively, these results clearly indicate that C/EBPβ is a critical mediator of IFN-α-induced differentiation and exhaustion of CML stem cells.
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