1
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Regulatory T cells induce a suppressive immune milieu and promote lymph node metastasis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:757-765. [PMID: 35597869 PMCID: PMC9381563 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01838-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emerging evidence indicates that immunogenicity plays an important role in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Herein, we systematically evaluated the clinical relevance of immunogenicity in ICC. Methods Highly immunogenic ICCs identified in the public dataset and the Cancer Immunome Atlas (TCIA) were assessed to determine the prognostic impact of immunogenicity in ICC and key components after curative resection. We also investigated the clinical relevance of the immune milieu in ICC. Results Using the Gene Expression Omnibus dataset 89749 and TCIA, we identified CD8+/forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)+ tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3) and human leukocyte antigen-A (HLA-A) in highly immunogenic ICCs. Immunohistochemical analysis of the in-house cohort showed that intratumoral FoxP3+ TILs correlated with CD8+ TILs (P = 0.045, Fisher’s exact test) and that high FoxP3+/CD8+ ratio (FCR) was an important marker for poor survival (P < 0.001, log-rank test). Furthermore, the FCR was higher in tumour-free lymph nodes in ICCs with lymph node metastases than in those without lymph node metastases (P = 0.003, Mann–Whitney U test). Conclusions FCR should be considered an important biomarker that represents the immune environment of ICC based on its potentially important role in tumour progression, especially lymph node metastasis.
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2
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Tabana Y, Okoye IS, Siraki A, Elahi S, Barakat KH. Tackling Immune Targets for Breast Cancer: Beyond PD-1/PD-L1 Axis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:628138. [PMID: 33747948 PMCID: PMC7973280 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.628138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The burden of breast cancer is imposing a huge global problem. Drug discovery research and novel approaches to treat breast cancer have been carried out extensively over the last decades. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors are showing promising preclinical and clinical results in treating breast cancer, they are facing multiple limitations. From an immunological perspective, a recent report highlighted breast cancer as an "inflamed tumor" with an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Consequently, researchers have been focusing on identifying novel immunological targets that can tune up the tumor immune microenvironment. In this context, several novel non-classical immune targets have been targeted to determine their ability to uncouple immunoregulatory pathways at play in the tumor microenvironment. This article will highlight strategies designed to increase the immunogenicity of the breast tumor microenvironment. It also addresses the latest studies on targets which can enhance immune responses to breast cancer and discusses examples of preclinical and clinical trial landscapes that utilize these targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser Tabana
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Isobel S. Okoye
- School of Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Arno Siraki
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Shokrollah Elahi
- School of Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Khaled H. Barakat
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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3
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Zhou Y, Heitmann JS, Clar KL, Kropp KN, Hinterleitner M, Engler T, Koch A, Hartkopf AD, Zender L, Salih HR, Maurer S, Hinterleitner C. Platelet-expressed immune checkpoint regulator GITRL in breast cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:2483-2496. [PMID: 33538861 PMCID: PMC8360840 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02866-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Owing to their key role in several diseases including cancer, activating and inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules are increasingly exploited as targets for immunotherapy. Recently, we demonstrated that platelets, which largely influence tumor progression and immune evasion, functionally express the ligand of the checkpoint molecule GITR. This immunoreceptor modulates effector functions of T cells and NK cells with its function varying dependent on cellular context and activation state. Here, we provide a comparative analysis of platelet-derived GITRL (pGITRL) in breast cancer patients and healthy volunteers. The levels of pGITRL were found to be higher on platelets derived from cancer patients and appeared to be specifically regulated during tumor progression as exemplified by several clinical parameters including tumor stage/grade, the occurrence of metastases and tumor proliferation (Ki67) index. In addition, we report that pGITRL is upregulated during platelet maturation and particularly induced upon exposure to tumor-derived soluble factors. Our data indicate that platelets modulate the GITR/GITRL immune checkpoint in the context of malignant disease and provide a rationale to further study the GITR/GITRL axis for exploitation for immunotherapeutic intervention in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Zhou
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jonas S Heitmann
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Kim L Clar
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Korbinian N Kropp
- Department of Hematology, Medical Oncology and Pneumology, University Medical Center of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Martina Hinterleitner
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Engler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - André Koch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Andreas D Hartkopf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Lars Zender
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Tübingen, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Helmut R Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Maurer
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Clemens Hinterleitner
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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4
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Varied functions of immune checkpoints during cancer metastasis. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 70:569-588. [PMID: 32902664 PMCID: PMC7907026 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02717-2] [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: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoints comprise diverse receptors and ligands including costimulatory and inhibitory molecules, which play monumental roles in regulating the immune system. Immune checkpoints retain key potentials in maintaining the immune system homeostasis and hindering the malignancy development and autoimmunity. The expression of inhibitory immune checkpoints delineates an increase in a plethora of metastatic tumors and the inhibition of these immune checkpoints can be followed by promising results. On the other hand, the stimulation of costimulatory immune checkpoints can restrain the metastasis originating from diverse tumors. From the review above, key findings emerged regarding potential functions of inhibitory and costimulatory immune checkpoints targeting the metastatic cascade and point towards novel potential Achilles’ heels of cancer that might be exploited therapeutically in the future.
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5
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Woelfinger P, Epp K, Schaefer L, Kriege D, Theobald M, Bopp T, Wagner-Drouet EM. CD52-negative T cells predict acute graft-versus-host disease after an alemtuzumab-based conditioning regimen. Br J Haematol 2020; 191:253-262. [PMID: 32410220 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen with fludarabine, melphalan and alemtuzmab is an effective therapy for haematological malignancies. Alemtuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against CD52, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor-bound surface protein on lymphocytes, depletes T cells to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Despite this, acute and chronic GVHD (a/cGVHD) remain life-threatening complications after HSCT. The aim of the present study was to identify parameters to predict GVHD. In 69 patients after HSCT, T-cell subsets were functionally analysed. Reconstitution of CD52neg T cells and CD52neg regulatory T cells (Tregs) correlated with onset, severity and clinical course of aGVHD. Patients with aGVHD showed significantly lower levels of CD52pos T cells compared to patients with cGVHD or without GVHD (P < 0·001). Analysis of T-cell reconstitution revealed a percentage of <40% of CD52pos CD4pos T cells or CD52pos Tregs at day +50 as a risk factor for the development of aGVHD. In contrast, CD52neg Tregs showed significant decreased levels of glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP; P < 0·001), glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein (GITR; P < 0·001), chemokine receptor (CXCR3; P = 0·023), C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5; P = 0·004), but increased levels of immunoglobulin-like transcript 3 (ILT3; P = 0·001), as well as a reduced suppressive capacity. We conclude that reconstitution of CD52neg T cells and CD52neg Tregs is a risk factor for development of aGVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Woelfinger
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Cancer Center Mainz (UCT), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Katharina Epp
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Cancer Center Mainz (UCT), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lukas Schaefer
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Cancer Center Mainz (UCT), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Diana Kriege
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Cancer Center Mainz (UCT), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Theobald
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Cancer Center Mainz (UCT), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tobias Bopp
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Wagner-Drouet
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Cancer Center Mainz (UCT), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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6
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Cai Q, Kang J, Yu T. Bayesian Network Marker Selection via the Thresholded Graph Laplacian Gaussian Prior. BAYESIAN ANALYSIS 2020; 15:79-102. [PMID: 32802246 PMCID: PMC7428197 DOI: 10.1214/18-ba1142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Selecting informative nodes over large-scale networks becomes increasingly important in many research areas. Most existing methods focus on the local network structure and incur heavy computational costs for the large-scale problem. In this work, we propose a novel prior model for Bayesian network marker selection in the generalized linear model (GLM) framework: the Thresholded Graph Laplacian Gaussian (TGLG) prior, which adopts the graph Laplacian matrix to characterize the conditional dependence between neighboring markers accounting for the global network structure. Under mild conditions, we show the proposed model enjoys the posterior consistency with a diverging number of edges and nodes in the network. We also develop a Metropolis-adjusted Langevin algorithm (MALA) for efficient posterior computation, which is scalable to large-scale networks. We illustrate the superiorities of the proposed method compared with existing alternatives via extensive simulation studies and an analysis of the breast cancer gene expression dataset in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingpo Cai
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jian Kang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tianwei Yu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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7
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Millán-Pérez Peña L, Martin PS, Herrera-Camacho I, Bandala C, Anaya-Ruiz M. Colon carcinoma treatment using bispecific anti-GITR/CTLA-4 antibodies: a patent evaluation of WO2018091739. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2020; 30:307-311. [PMID: 32106724 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2020.1732352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: GITR is a receptor that increases the activation of T lymphocytes against tumor cells. There is a great need to discover and develop new therapies focused on activating GITR to increase the immune response in various types of cancer. The authors of WO2018091739 patent propose a method to eradicate cancer by using bispecific anti-GITR/anti-CTLA-4 antibodies.Areas covered: WO2018091739 patent describes anti-GITR/anti-CTLA-4 antibodies, pharmaceutical composition that contains it, and their application for cancer treatment, particularly colon carcinoma. Anti-GITR/anti-CTLA-4 antibodies are used at a dosage of 0.0003-3 mg antibody/kg patient weight and is suspended in an isotonic solution consisting of sodium phosphate, sucrose, NaCl, and polysorbate 80.Expert opinion: WO2018091739 only demonstrates that bispecific antibodies activate T cells, an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of CHO cells, and tumor inhibition in murine models of colon carcinoma. There are no clinical trials that show that treatment with bispecific antibodies can induce an antitumor response in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Millán-Pérez Peña
- Laboratorio De Bioquímica Y Biología Molecular, Centro De Química Del Instituto De Ciencias (ICUAP), Ciudad Universitaria, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma De Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - Perez-Santos Martin
- Dirección De Innovación Y Transferencia De Conocimiento, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma De Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - Irma Herrera-Camacho
- Laboratorio De Bioquímica Y Biología Molecular, Centro De Química Del Instituto De Ciencias (ICUAP), Ciudad Universitaria, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma De Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - Cindy Bandala
- Departamento De Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional De Rehabilitación, Ciudad De México, Mexico
| | - Maricruz Anaya-Ruiz
- Laboratorio De Biología Celular, Centro De Investigación Biomédica De Oriente, Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social, Puebla, México
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8
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Hashemi V, Maleki LA, Esmaily M, Masjedi A, Ghalamfarsa G, Namdar A, Yousefi M, Yousefi B, Jadidi-Niaragh F. Regulatory T cells in breast cancer as a potent anti-cancer therapeutic target. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 78:106087. [PMID: 31841758 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.106087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite marked advances in treatment approaches, breast cancer is still going to be more prevalent, worldwide. High levels of regulatory T (Treg) cells have repeatedly been demonstrated in circulation, lymph nodes, and tumor samples from patients with various cancer types. The transcription factor Forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3)-expressing Treg cells have the high suppressive potential of the immune system and are fundamental in preserving immune homeostasis and self-tolerance. However, they enhance tumor development by curbing efficient anti-tumor immune mechanisms in malignancies. Moreover, the accumulation of Treg cells in breast tumors is related to the short overall survival of patients. Treg cell frequency has been applied as an independent predicting factor to diagnose patients with a high risk of relapse. Pulling out all populations of Treg cells to promote the efficacy of anticancer treatment methods may potentially lead to hazardous autoimmune disorders. Thus, realizing the exact structure of tumor-infiltrating Treg cells is pivotal to efficiently target Treg cells in tumors. There are exclusive and non-exclusive approaches to lower down and degrade the number/function of Treg cells. These approaches can include inhibiting tumoral migration, depletion, interference with function, and utilizing T cell plasticity. This review article attempts to clarify the implications concerning the involvement of Treg cells in breast cancer progression and discuss the current approaches in the treatment of this cancer via modulation of Treg cells function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Hashemi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Esmaily
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Masjedi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ghasem Ghalamfarsa
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Afshin Namdar
- Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Bahman Yousefi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farhad Jadidi-Niaragh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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9
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Kawashima A, Uemura M, Nonomura N. Importance of Multiparametric Evaluation of Immune-Related T-Cell Markers in Renal-Cell Carcinoma. Clin Genitourin Cancer 2019; 17:e1147-e1152. [PMID: 31473121 DOI: 10.1016/j.clgc.2019.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapeutic therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors have been used in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). To overcome therapeutic resistance or identify predictive markers, a comprehensive understanding of the immunologic condition in the tumor microenvironment is important. We reviewed the latest scientific findings on the comprehensive immunologic condition within the tumor microenvironment in patients with RCC and its clinical significance. The immunologic condition evaluated by 3 different methods (flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and next-generation sequencing) in 4 different cohorts of patients with RCC could commonly divide the immunologic condition into 2 or 3 groups, all of which were significantly correlated with tumor aggressiveness and patient prognosis. In particular, patients with high T-cell infiltration and immunosuppressive cells including regulatory T cells had the worst prognosis in each cohort. This classification correlated with angiogenesis and metabolism and glycolysis, and it suggested that distinct biology exists in each immunologic classification. Moreover, around 20% to 30% of the RCC patients had intratumor immunologic diversity within each individual; this might help in understanding the presence of radiologic heterogeneity for immunotherapies. In conclusion, a comprehensive understanding of the immune condition is needed for the upcoming era of novel cancer immunotherapy using not only genetic but also phenotypic and functional classifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsunari Kawashima
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Motohide Uemura
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Therapeutic Urologic Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Norio Nonomura
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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10
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Jørgensen N, Persson G, Hviid TVF. The Tolerogenic Function of Regulatory T Cells in Pregnancy and Cancer. Front Immunol 2019; 10:911. [PMID: 31134056 PMCID: PMC6517506 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells, a subpopulation of suppressive T cells, are potent mediators of self-tolerance and essential for the suppression of triggered immune responses. The immune modulating capacity of these cells play a major role in both transplantation, autoimmune disease, allergy, cancer and pregnancy. During pregnancy, low numbers of regulatory T cells are associated with pregnancy failure and pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia. On the other hand, in cancer, low numbers of immunosuppressive T cells are correlated with better prognosis. Hence, maternal immune tolerance toward the fetus during pregnancy and the escape from host immunosurveillance by cancer seem to be based on similar immunological mechanisms being highly dependent on the balance between immune activation and suppression. As regulatory T cells hold a crucial role in several biological processes, they may also be promising subjects for therapeutic use. Especially in the field of cancer, cell therapy and checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated that immune-based therapies have a very promising potential in treatment of human malignancies. However, these therapies are often accompanied by adverse autoimmune side effects. Therefore, expanding the knowledge to recognize the complexities of immune regulation pathways shared across different immunological scenarios is extremely important in order to improve and develop new strategies for immune-based therapy. The intent of this review is to highlight the functional characteristics of regulatory T cells in the context of mechanisms of immune regulation in pregnancy and cancer, and how manipulation of these mechanisms potentially may improve therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Vauvert F. Hviid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Centre for Immune Regulation and Reproductive Immunology (CIRRI), The ReproHealth Consortium ZUH, Zealand University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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11
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Chrétien S, Zerdes I, Bergh J, Matikas A, Foukakis T. Beyond PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibition: What the Future Holds for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E628. [PMID: 31060337 PMCID: PMC6562626 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has altered the management of human malignancies, improving outcomes in an expanding list of diseases. Breast cancer - presumably due to its perceived low immunogenicity - is a late addition to this list. Furthermore, most of the focus has been on the triple negative subtype because of its higher tumor mutational load and lymphocyte-enriched stroma, although emerging data show promise on the other breast cancer subtypes as well. To this point the clinical use of immunotherapy is limited to the inhibition of two immune checkpoints, Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1) and Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4). Consistent with the complexity of the regulation of the tumor - host interactions and their lack of reliance on a single regulatory pathway, combinatory approaches have shown improved efficacy albeit at the cost of increased toxicity. Beyond those two checkpoints though, a large number of co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory molecules play major roles on tumor evasion from immunosurveillance. These molecules likely represent future targets of immunotherapy provided that the promise shown in early data is translated into improved patient survival in randomized trials. The biological role, prognostic and predictive implications regarding breast cancer and early clinical efforts on exploiting these immune-related therapeutic targets are herein reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Chrétien
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Ioannis Zerdes
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Jonas Bergh
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Alexios Matikas
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Theodoros Foukakis
- Department of Oncology - Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.
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12
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Attias M, Al-Aubodah T, Piccirillo CA. Mechanisms of human FoxP3 + T reg cell development and function in health and disease. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 197:36-51. [PMID: 30864147 PMCID: PMC6591147 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells represent an essential component of peripheral tolerance. Given their potently immunosuppressive functions that is orchestrated by the lineage‐defining transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3), clinical modulation of these cells in autoimmunity and cancer is a promising therapeutic target. However, recent evidence in mice and humans indicates that Treg cells represent a phenotypically and functionally heterogeneic population. Indeed, both suppressive and non‐suppressive Treg cells exist in human blood that are otherwise indistinguishable from one another using classical Treg cell markers such as CD25 and FoxP3. Moreover, murine Treg cells display a degree of plasticity through which they acquire the trafficking pathways needed to home to tissues containing target effector T (Teff) cells. However, this plasticity can also result in Treg cell lineage instability and acquisition of proinflammatory Teff cell functions. Consequently, these dysfunctional CD4+FoxP3+ T cells in human and mouse may fail to maintain peripheral tolerance and instead support immunopathology. The mechanisms driving human Treg cell dysfunction are largely undefined, and obscured by the scarcity of reliable immunophenotypical markers and the disregard paid to Treg cell antigen‐specificity in functional assays. Here, we review the mechanisms controlling the stability of the FoxP3+ Treg cell lineage phenotype. Particular attention will be paid to the developmental and functional heterogeneity of human Treg cells, and how abrogating these mechanisms can lead to lineage instability and Treg cell dysfunction in diseases like immunodysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy X‐linked (IPEX) syndrome, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Attias
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - T Al-Aubodah
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - C A Piccirillo
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Rahman S, Archana A, Jan AT, Dutta D, Shankar A, Kim J, Minakshi R. Molecular Insights Into the Relationship Between Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases and Breast Cancer: A Critical Perspective on Autoimmunity and ER Stress. Front Immunol 2019; 10:344. [PMID: 30881358 PMCID: PMC6405522 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The etiopathologies behind autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) unravel misbehavior of immune components leading to the corruption of immune homeostasis where thyroid autoantigens turn foe to the self. In AITDs lymphocytic infiltration in the thyroid shows up a deranged immune system charging the follicular cells of the thyroid gland (thyrocytes) leading to the condition of either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The inflammation in AITDs consistently associate with ER function due to which disturbances in the ER protein homeostasis leads to unfolded protein response (UPR) that promotes pathogenesis of autoimmunity. The roles of ER stress in the instantaneous downregulation of MHC class I molecules on thyrocytes and the relevance of IFN γ in the pathogenesis of AITD has been well-documented. Thyroglobulin being the major target of autoantibodies in most of the AITDs is because of its unusual processing in the ER. Autoimmune disorders display a conglomeration of ER stress-induced UPR activated molecules. Several epidemiological data highlight the preponderance of AITDs in women as well as its concurrence with breast cancer. Both being an active glandular system displaying endocrine activity, thyroid as well as breast tissue show various commonalities in the expression pattern of heterogenous molecules that not only participate in the normal functioning but at the same time share the blame during disease establishment. Studies on the development and progression of breast carcinoma display a deranged and uncontrolled immune response, which is meticulously exploited during tumor metastasis. The molecular crosstalks between AITDs and breast tumor microenvironment rely on active participation of immune cells. The induction of ER stress by Tunicamycin advocates to provide a model for cancer therapy by intervening glycosylation. Therefore, this review attempts to showcase the molecules that are involved in feeding up the relationship between breast carcinoma and AITDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safikur Rahman
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Ayyagari Archana
- Department of Microbiology, Swami Shraddhanand College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Arif Tasleem Jan
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, India
| | - Durgashree Dutta
- Department of Biochemistry, Jan Nayak Chaudhary Devilal Dental College, Sirsa, India
| | - Abhishek Shankar
- Department of Preventive Oncology, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Jihoe Kim
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Rinki Minakshi
- Department of Microbiology, Swami Shraddhanand College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
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Functional heterogeneity of circulating T regulatory cell subsets in breast cancer patients. Breast Cancer 2018; 25:687-697. [PMID: 29797233 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-018-0874-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a major role in tumor escape from immunosurveillance by suppressing effector cells. The number of Tregs is increased in tumor sites and peripheral blood of breast cancer patients. However, the data regarding phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of Treg subpopulations in breast cancer are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the number and suppressive potential of Tregs that possess natural naïve-(N nTregs), effector/memory-like (EM nTregs), and Tr1-like phenotypes in breast cancer patients and healthy women. METHODS The study included 10 HW and 17 primary breast cancer patients. Numbers of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+CD45RA+ N nTregs, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+CD45RA- EM nTregs, and CD4+IL-4-IL-10+ Tr1 subsets and the expression of CTLA-4, CD39, GITR, LAP, and IL-35 by these Treg subsets were measured in freshly obtained peripheral blood by flow cytometry. RESULTS Herein, we demonstrate that the percentages of N nTregs, EM nTregs, CD25+ and FoxP3+ Tr1 cells are elevated in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients, but do not correlate with cancer stages. Nevertheless, the frequency of CD25+ Tr1 cells was associated with nodal involvement, while the number of EM nTregs correlated with clinical outcome. The expression of CTLA-4 and IL-35 by all assessed Treg subsets was increased throughout all tumor stages (I-III). CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the current study shows phenotypic alterations in suppressive receptors of Treg subsets, suggesting that breast cancer patients have increased activity of N nTregs, EM nTregs and Tr1 cells; and EM nTregs and CD25+ Tr1 cells represent prospective markers for assessing disease prognosis.
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15
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Burugu S, Dancsok AR, Nielsen TO. Emerging targets in cancer immunotherapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2017; 52:39-52. [PMID: 28987965 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The first generation of immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1) targeted natural immune homeostasis pathways, co-opted by cancers, to drive anti-tumor immune responses. These agents led to unprecedented results in patients with previously incurable metastatic disease and may become first-line therapies for some advanced cancers. However, these agents are efficacious in only a minority of patients. Newer strategies are becoming available that target additional immunomodulatory mechanisms to activate patients' own anti-tumor immune responses. Herein, we present a succinct summary of emerging immune targets with reported pre-clinical efficacy that have progressed to active investigation in clinical trials. These emerging targets include co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory markers of the innate and adaptive immune system. In this review, we discuss: 1) T lymphocyte markers: Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 [LAG-3], T-cell Immunoglobulin- and Mucin-domain-containing molecule 3 [TIM-3], V-domain containing Ig Suppressor of T cell Activation [VISTA], T cell ImmunoGlobulin and ITIM domain [TIGIT], B7-H3, Inducible T-cell Co-stimulator [ICOS/ICOS-L], CD27/CD70, and Glucocorticoid-Induced TNF Receptor [GITR]; 2) macrophage markers: CD47/Signal-Regulatory Protein alpha [SIRPα] and Indoleamine-2,3-Dioxygenase [IDO]; and 3) natural killer cell markers: CD94/NKG2A and the Killer Immunoglobulin-like receptor [KIR] family. Finally, we briefly highlight combination strategies and potential biomarkers of response and resistance to these cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Burugu
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, Koerner Pavilion, #G-227 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Amanda R Dancsok
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, Koerner Pavilion, #G-227 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Torsten O Nielsen
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, Koerner Pavilion, #G-227 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada.
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16
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Li J, Huang L, Wang S, Yao Y, Zhang Z. Astragaloside IV attenuates inflammatory reaction via activating immune function of regulatory T-cells inhibited by HMGB1 in mice. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2016; 54:3217-3225. [PMID: 27564970 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2016.1216133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein is a highly abundant protein that can promote the pathogenesis of inflammatory. Some experiments have demonstrated a vital role for HMGB1 to modulate the immune function of regulatory T-cells (Tregs). Astragaloside IV (AST IV), an extract from Astragalus membranaceus Moench (Leguminosae), has been shown to exert potent cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. It is still unclear whether AST IV has a latent effect on the proinflammatory ability of HMGB1 with subsequent activation of Tregs in vivo. OBJECTIVE This research explores the antagonism of different doses of AST IV on the immunologic function of Tregs mediated by HMGB1. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mouse models (BALB/c) were constructed by which normal saline or AST IV was administered i.p. at 2, 4 and 6 days after the administration i.p. of 20 μg recombinate HMGB1. Spleen was used to procure Treg and CD4 + CD25- T-cells which were co-cultured with Treg. Cell phenotypes of Tregs(Foxp3) were examined, and the cytokine levels in supernatants and the proliferation of T-cells were assayed. Gene expression was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS (1) The expression levels of Foxp3 in Treg on post-stimulus days (PSD) 1-7 were significantly decreased in the HMGB1 group in comparison to those in the control group mice (p < 0.01). The Foxp3 expression was markedly increased in a dose-dependent manner in the AST group as compared with those in the HMGB1 group (p < 0.0 1-0.05). The same results were found in the contents of cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β) released into supernatants by Treg. (2) When CD4 + CD25- T-cells were co-cultured with Treg stimulated by HMGB1, the cell proliferation and the levels of cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ) in supernatant were markedly increased as compared with those in the HMGB1 group. The level of IL-4 was markedly decreased as compared with that in the HMGB1 group. The same results were found when CD4 + CD25- T-cells were co-cultured with Treg in the NS group. Compared with those in the NS group, the contrary results were shown in a dose-dependent manner in the AST group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION These results showed that AST IV has a therapeutic effect on inflammation promoted by HMGB1, and it should be studied as a new drug for the treatment of sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Li
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University , Beijing , China
| | - Lifeng Huang
- b Department of Surgical Intensive Care Unit , Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University , Beijing , China
| | - Shuzhen Wang
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University , Beijing , China
| | - Yongming Yao
- c Trauma Research Center, First Hospital Affiliated to the Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing , China
| | - Zhenyu Zhang
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University , Beijing , China
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Nocentini G, Cari L, Ronchetti S, Riccardi C. Modulation of tumor immunity: a patent evaluation of WO2015026684A1. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2016; 26:417-25. [DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2016.1118061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor-related protein: a key marker of functional regulatory T cells. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:171520. [PMID: 25961057 PMCID: PMC4413981 DOI: 10.1155/2015/171520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR, TNFRSF18, and CD357) is expressed at high levels in activated T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs). In this review, we present data from mouse and human studies suggesting that GITR is a crucial player in the differentiation of thymic Tregs (tTregs), and expansion of both tTregs and peripheral Tregs (pTregs). The role of GITR in Treg expansion is confirmed by the association of GITR expression with markers of memory T cells. In this context, it is not surprising that GITR appears to be a marker of active Tregs, as suggested by the association of GITR expression with other markers of Treg activation or cytokines with suppressive activity (e.g., IL-10 and TGF-β), the presence of GITR(+) cells in tissues where Tregs are active (e.g., solid tumours), or functional studies on Tregs. Furthermore, some Treg subsets including Tr1 cells express either low or no classical Treg markers (e.g., FoxP3 and CD25) and do express GITR. Therefore, when evaluating changes in the number of Tregs in human diseases, GITR expression must be evaluated. Moreover, GITR should be considered as a marker for isolating Tregs.
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Fischer-Fodor E, Vălean AM, Virag P, Ilea P, Tatomir C, Imre-Lucaci F, Schrepler MP, Krausz LT, Tudoran LB, Precup CG, Lupan I, Hey-Hawkins E, Silaghi-Dumitrescu L. Gallium phosphinoarylbisthiolato complexes counteract drug resistance of cancer cells. Metallomics 2014; 6:833-44. [PMID: 24413432 DOI: 10.1039/c3mt00278k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In cancer therapy the platinum-based drugs are used frequently with a good clinical outcome, but besides unwanted side effects which occur, the tumour cells subjected to treatment are prone to develop tolerance or even multidrug resistance (MDR). Metal compounds with a central atom other than platinum are efficient in targeting the chemoresistant cells, therefore the biological outcome of two recently synthesized gallium phosphinoarylbisthiolato complexes was studied, having the formula [X][Ga{PPh(2-SC6H4)2-κ(3)S,S',P}{PPh(2-SC6H4)2-κ(2)S,S'}] where [X] is either the NEt3H (1) or PPh4 (2) cation. Compounds 1 and 2 display in vitro cytotoxicity against both platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant cell lines (A2780 and A2780cis). Morphological and ultrastructural evidence points toward their capacity to impair tumour cells survival. This behaviour is based on malignant cells capacity to selectively intake gallium, and to bind to the cellular DNA. They are able to cause massive DNA damage in treated cancer cells, focusing on 7-methylguanine and 8-oxoguanine sites and oxidizing the pyrimidine bases; this leads to early apoptosis of a significant percent of treated cells. The intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways are influenced through the modulation of gene expression following the treatment with complexes 1 and 2, which accompanies the negative regulation of P-glycoprotein 1 (Pgp-1), an important cellular ABC-type transporter from the multidrug resistance (MDR) family. The studied Ga(III) compounds demonstrated the capacity to counteract the chemoresistance mechanisms in the tumours defiant to standard drug action. Compound 2 shows a good anticancer potential and it could represent an alternative to platinum-based drugs especially in the situation of standard treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Fischer-Fodor
- Research Department, Oncology Institute "Prof. Dr. I. Chiricuta", 34-36 Republicii Street, Cluj Napoca, RO-400015, Romania.
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20
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Petrillo MG, Ronchetti S, Ricci E, Alunno A, Gerli R, Nocentini G, Riccardi C. GITR+ regulatory T cells in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmun Rev 2014; 14:117-26. [PMID: 25449679 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2014.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases decrease life expectancy and quality of life for millions of women and men. Although treatments can slow disease progression and improve quality of life, all currently available drugs have adverse effects and none of them are curative; therefore, requiring patients to take immunosuppressive drugs for the remainder of their lives. A curative therapy that is safe and effective is urgently needed. We believe that therapies promoting the in vivo expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) or injection of in vitro expanded autologous/heterologous Tregs (cellular therapy) can alter the natural history of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we present data from murine and human studies suggesting that 1) glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR) plays a crucial role in thymic Treg (tTreg) differentiation and expansion; 2) GITR plays a crucial role in peripheral Treg (pTreg) expansion; 3) in patients with Sjögren syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus, CD4(+)GITR(+) pTregs are expanded in patients with milder forms of the disease; and 4) GITR is superior to other cell surface markers to differentiate Tregs from other CD4(+) T cells. In this context, we consider two potential new approaches for treating autoimmune diseases consisting of the in vivo expansion of GITR(+) Tregs by GITR-triggering drugs and in vitro expansion of autologous or heterologous GITR(+) Tregs to be infused in patients. Advantages of such an approach, technical problems, and safety issues are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simona Ronchetti
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Erika Ricci
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Alessia Alunno
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberto Gerli
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nocentini
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Perugia, Italy.
| | - Carlo Riccardi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Perugia, Italy
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21
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Inhibiting cardiac allograft rejection with interleukin-35 therapy combined with decitabine treatment in mice. Transpl Immunol 2013; 29:99-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2013.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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22
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Natural Killer Dendritic Cells Enhance Immune Responses Elicited by α -Galactosylceramide-Stimulated Natural Killer T Cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:460706. [PMID: 23878807 PMCID: PMC3708385 DOI: 10.1155/2013/460706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2012] [Revised: 04/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer dendritic cells (NKDCs) possess potent anti-tumor activity, but the cellular effect of NKDC interactions with other innate immune cells is unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the interaction of NKDCs and natural killer T (NKT) cells is required for the anti-tumor immune responses that are elicited by α-galactosylceramide (α-GC) in mice. The rapid and strong expression of interferon-γ by NKDCs after α-GC stimulation was dependent on NKT cells. Various NK and DC molecular markers and cytotoxic molecules were up-regulated following α-GC administration. This up-regulation could improve NKDC presentation of tumor antigens and increase cytotoxicity against tumor cells. NKDCs were required for the stimulation of DCs, NK cells, and NKT cells. The strong anti-tumor immune responses elicited by α-GC may be due to the down-regulation of regulatory T cells. Furthermore, the depletion of NKDCs dampened the tumor clearance mediated by α-GC-stimulated NKT cells in vivo. Taken together, these results indicate that complex interactions of innate immune cells might be required to achieve optimal anti-tumor immune responses during the early stages of tumorigenesis.
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23
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Xia M, Zhao MQ, Wu K, Lin XY, Liu Y, Qin YJ. Investigations on the clinical significance of FOXP3 protein expression in cervical oesophageal cancer and the number of FOXP3+ tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. J Int Med Res 2013; 41:1002-8. [PMID: 23760912 DOI: 10.1177/0300060513488504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Investigations of FOXP3 protein expression in cervical oesophageal cancer cells and the number of FOXP3 + lymphocytes infiltrating tumour tissue were undertaken. METHODS FOXP3 protein expression and FOXP3 + tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes were studied immunohistochemically, in cervical oesophageal cancer tissue samples from 42 cases and paracancerous tissue samples from 30 of these cases. RESULTS The percentage of parenchymal cells expressing FOXP3 protein was significantly higher in cancer tissue (42.9%, 18/42) than in paracancerous tissue 6.67% (two of 30). FOXP3 + lymphocyte infiltration was significantly more frequent in cancer (38.1%, 16/42) than in paracancerous (13.33%, four of 30) tissue. FOXP3 protein expression in cancer parenchymal cells in patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly greater than expression in those without lymph node metastasis. FOXP3 protein expression was significantly higher in cancer tissue samples from clinical stage III or IV than those from stage I or II disease. FOXP3 + lymphocyte infiltration of tumours was significantly greater in patients with lymph node metastasis than in those without metastasis. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal FOXP3 expression in cervical oesophageal cancer parenchyma and FOXP3 + lymphocyte infiltration might be closely related to metastasis of this cancer by promoting immune escape of the tumour. FOXP3 might be a potential marker for the assessment of postoperative metastasis in cervical oesophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Xia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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24
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Padovani CTJ, Bonin CM, Tozetti IA, Ferreira AMT, Fernandes CEDS, Costa IPD. Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor expression in patients with cervical human papillomavirus infection. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2013; 46:288-92. [DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0029-2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Alunno A, Petrillo MG, Nocentini G, Bistoni O, Bartoloni E, Caterbi S, Bianchini R, Baldini C, Nicoletti I, Riccardi C, Gerli R. Characterization of a new regulatory CD4+ T cell subset in primary Sjogren's syndrome. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2013; 52:1387-96. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/ket179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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26
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Kovács E, Szilágyi L, Koncz G, Lányi S, Ábrahám B. Enhanced in vitro refolding of soluble human glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor-related ligand. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2013; 170:819-30. [PMID: 23613116 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-013-0232-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. Attachment of GITR to its ligand (GITRL) regulates diverse biological functions, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. In this study, the extracellular region of human GITRL (hGITRL) was cloned, expressed, and purified. The coding sequence of the extracellular region of hGITRL was isolated from human brain cDNA and inserted in pET20b vector. The hGITRL was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) Star at 37 and 25 °C. The majority of the protein was found in inclusion bodies. We identified three important factors for efficient refolding of hGITRL: a ratio of GSH/GSSG, pH, and addition of polyethylene glycol. The renaturated protein was purified by Ni-NTA chromatography. The overall yield of the expression and refolding was higher than 50 mg/l E. coli culture grown at 37 °C. Size exclusion chromatography showed that hGITRL exists as mixture of various multimeric forms in solution. We tested the association of recombinant hGITRL with THP-1 and U937 cell lines and its activity to promote extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase phosphorylation. The results showed that the recombinant protein was biologically active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Kovács
- Department of Bioengineering, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Piaţa Libertăţii 1, Miercurea Ciuc 530104, Romania
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Huang LF, Yao YM, Li JF, Zhang SW, Li WX, Dong N, Yu Y, Sheng ZY. The effect of Astragaloside IV on immune function of regulatory T cell mediated by high mobility group box 1 protein in vitro. Fitoterapia 2012; 83:1514-22. [PMID: 22981502 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2012.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine, contributes to the pathogenesis of diverse inflammatory and infectious disorders. Some studies have illustrated the potential effect of HMGB1 on regulatory T cells (Tregs). Astragaloside IV (AST IV) isolated from a Chinese herb, Astragalus mongholicus, is known to have a variety of immunomodulatory activities. However, it is not yet clear whether AST IV possesses potential regulatory effect on the pro-inflammatory ability of HMGB1 with subsequent activation of Tregs. This study was carried out to investigate the antagonistic effects of different doses of AST IV on the immune function of Tregs mediated by HMGB1 in vitro. Tregs isolated from the spleens of mice were co-cultured with HMGB1 and/or AST IV. Cell phenotypes of Tregs were analyzed, and the contents of various cytokines in the cell supernatants as a result of co-culture and the proliferation of CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells were determined. Results showed that HMGB1 stimulation resulted in significantly down-regulation of expressions of Tregs cell phenotypes. However, AST IV can rival the suppressing effect of HMGB1 on immune function of Tregs with a dose-dependent in vitro. These results indicate that AST IV has the potential therapeutic action on inflammation augmented by HMGB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-feng Huang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
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