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Pu J, Sharma A, Liu T, Hou J, Schmidt‐Wolf IGH. Synergistic integration of histone deacetylase inhibitors apparently enhances the cytokine-induced killer cell efficiency in multiple myeloma via the NKG2D pathway. Clin Transl Immunology 2024; 13:e1500. [PMID: 38529413 PMCID: PMC10961996 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives The rapid recognition of epigenetic manipulation's potential in restricting cancer cell capabilities spurred translational initiatives, including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis). Clinical trials on multiple myeloma (MM) demonstrated substantial benefits of HDACis, coupled with promising outcomes from cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK) immunotherapy. Intriguingly, the unexplored synergy of HDACis and CIK cell immunotherapy in MM prompted our study. Methods We examined clinically relevant HDACis (panobinostat/LBH589 and romidepsin) alongside CIK cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells across diverse MM cell lines (U266, RPMI8226, OPM-2 and NCI-H929). Utilising various in vitro methodologies, we investigated how HDACis enhance CIK cell lysis of myeloma cells through NKG2D/NKG2D ligand interactions. Results The results of our analysis indicated several key findings. (1) Enhanced cytotoxicity of CIK cells in MM cells when combined with HDACis. (2) Significant increase in apoptosis, suggesting HDACis and CIK may together enhance apoptotic effects in specific MM cell lines. (3) Elevated IFN-γ secretion and alterations in granzyme B secretion because of the independent activity of HDACis. (4) Notably, HDACis increased the expression of MICA/B and ULBP2, crucial for inducing antitumor cytotoxicity of NKT cells. Validation through NKG2D receptor blocking in CIK cells with a purified mouse antihuman NKG2D antibody further supported our findings. Conclusions Our analyses provide sufficient evidence to consider this clinically forgotten instance (HDACis-CIK cell combination) as a therapeutic priority for MM treatment. Furthermore, we suggest that NKG2D/NKG2D-ligand interactions activating NK/NKT cells may contribute to enhanced myeloma cell lysis in response to HDACis treatment by CIK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Pu
- Department of Integrated Oncology, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO) BonnUniversity Hospital BonnBonnGermany
| | - Amit Sharma
- Department of Integrated Oncology, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO) BonnUniversity Hospital BonnBonnGermany
| | - Ting Liu
- Translational Biogerontology LabGerman Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)BonnGermany
| | - Jian Hou
- Renji Hospital, School of MedicineShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ingo GH Schmidt‐Wolf
- Department of Integrated Oncology, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO) BonnUniversity Hospital BonnBonnGermany
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2
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MiR-30c facilitates natural killer cell cytotoxicity to lung cancer through targeting GALNT7. Genes Genomics 2023; 45:247-260. [PMID: 36040682 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-022-01306-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play important roles in regulating natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity to cancer cells. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effects and potential mechanism of miR-30c in regulating NK cell cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells. METHODS Primary NK cells were derived from the peripheral blood of lung cancer and normal participants. Exosomes were isolated and validated via transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The levels of miR-30c, polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 7 (GALNT7) and proteins in PI3K/AKT pathway were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or western blot. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels and the cytotoxicity of effector NK cells to target lung cancer cells were measured via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, cell apoptosis or xenograft experiments. The relationship between miR-30c and GALNT7 was analyzed by luciferase activity, RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. And a xenograft mice model was established to verify the effect of miR-30c in regulating NK cell cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells in vivo. RESULTS NK cell-derived exosomes carrying miR-30c, and miR-30c level was significantly downregulated in primary NK cells of lung cancer patients. MiR-30c overexpression promoted TNF-α and IFN-γ secretion and enhanced the cytotoxicity of interleukin 2 (IL-2)-treated NK cells to lung cancer cells, while knockdown of miR-30c played an opposite effect in regulating the cytotoxicity of NK cells to lung cancer cells. GALNT7 was a target of miR-30c and was negatively regulated by miR-30c. Besides, miR-30c targeted GALNT7 to exert its function in regulating NK cell cytotoxicity. Furthermore, GALNT7 prompted the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway in NK cells. Additionally, miR-30c overexpression enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION miR-30c enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells via decreasing GALNT7 and inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting that regulating miR-30c expression maybe a promising approach for enhancing NK cell-based antitumor therapies.
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Tang J, Gong Y, Ma X. Bispecific Antibodies Progression in Malignant Melanoma. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:837889. [PMID: 35401191 PMCID: PMC8984188 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.837889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of oncogenes and immune checkpoints has revolutionized the treatment of melanoma in the past 10 years. However, the current PD-L1 checkpoints lack specificity for tumors and target normal cells expressing PD-L1, thus reducing the efficacy on malignant melanoma and increasing the side effects. In addition, the treatment options for primary or secondary drug-resistant melanoma are limited. Bispecific antibodies bind tumor cells and immune cells by simultaneously targeting two antigens, enhancing the anti-tumor targeting effect and cytotoxicity and reducing drug-resistance in malignant melanoma, thus representing an emerging strategy to improve the clinical efficacy. This review focused on the treatment of malignant melanoma by bispecific antibodies and summarized the effective results of the experiments that have been conducted, also discussing the different aspects of these therapies. The role of the melanoma epitopes, immune cell activation, cell death and cytotoxicity induced by bispecific antibodies were evaluated in the clinical or preclinical stage, as these therapies appear to be the most suitable in the treatment of malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Tang
- Department of Oncology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Youling Gong
- Department of Oncology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Department of Oncology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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The Class I HDAC Inhibitor Valproic Acid Strongly Potentiates Gemcitabine Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer by Immune System Activation. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030517. [PMID: 35327319 PMCID: PMC8945828 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Gemcitabine efficacy in pancreatic cancer is often impaired due to limited intracellular uptake and metabolic activation. Epi-drugs target gene expression patterns and represent a promising approach to reverse chemoresistance. In this study, we investigate the chemosensitizing effect of different epi-drugs when combined with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer. Methods: Mouse KPC3 cells were used for all experiments. Five different epi-drugs were selected for combination therapy: 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, hydralazine, mocetinostat, panobinostat, and valproic acid (VPA). Treatment effects were determined by cell proliferation and colony forming assays. Expression of genes were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR. The most promising epi-drug for combination therapy was studied in immune competent mice. Intratumor changes were defined using NanoString PanCancer panel IO360. Results: All epi-drugs, except hydralazine, potentiated the gemcitabine response in KPC3 cells (range decrease IC50 value 1.7−2-fold; p < 0.001). On colony formation, the cytotoxic effect of 0.5 ng/mL gemcitabine was 1.4 to 6.3 times stronger (p < 0.01). Two out of three drug-transporter genes were strongly upregulated following epi-drug treatment (a range fold increase of 17−124 and 9−60 for Slc28a1 and Slc28a3, respectively; all p < 0.001). VPA combined with gemcitabine significantly reduced tumor size with 74% compared to vehicle-treated mice and upregulated expression of immune-related pathways (range pathway score 0.86−1.3). Conclusions: These results provide a strong rationale for combining gemcitabine with VPA treatment. For the first time, we present intratumor changes and show activation of the immune system. Clinical trials are warranted to assess efficacy and safety of this novel combination in pancreatic cancer patients.
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Han W, Guan W. Valproic Acid: A Promising Therapeutic Agent in Glioma Treatment. Front Oncol 2021; 11:687362. [PMID: 34568018 PMCID: PMC8461314 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.687362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioma, characterized by infiltrative growth and treatment resistance, is regarded as the most prevalent intracranial malignant tumor. Due to its poor prognosis, accumulating investigation has been performed for improvement of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in glioma patients. Valproic acid (VPA), one of the most common histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs), has been detected to directly or synergistically exert inhibitory effects on glioma in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we generalize the latest advances of VPA in treating glioma and its underlying mechanisms and clinical implications, providing a clearer profile for clinical application of VPA as a therapeutic agent for glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Guan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
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Fuertes MB, Domaica CI, Zwirner NW. Leveraging NKG2D Ligands in Immuno-Oncology. Front Immunol 2021; 12:713158. [PMID: 34394116 PMCID: PMC8358801 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.713158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) revolutionized the field of immuno-oncology and opened new avenues towards the development of novel assets to achieve durable immune control of cancer. Yet, the presence of tumor immune evasion mechanisms represents a challenge for the development of efficient treatment options. Therefore, combination therapies are taking the center of the stage in immuno-oncology. Such combination therapies should boost anti-tumor immune responses and/or target tumor immune escape mechanisms, especially those created by major players in the tumor microenvironment (TME) such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAM). Natural killer (NK) cells were recently positioned at the forefront of many immunotherapy strategies, and several new approaches are being designed to fully exploit NK cell antitumor potential. One of the most relevant NK cell-activating receptors is NKG2D, a receptor that recognizes 8 different NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL), including MICA and MICB. MICA and MICB are poorly expressed on normal cells but become upregulated on the surface of damaged, transformed or infected cells as a result of post-transcriptional or post-translational mechanisms and intracellular pathways. Their engagement of NKG2D triggers NK cell effector functions. Also, MICA/B are polymorphic and such polymorphism affects functional responses through regulation of their cell-surface expression, intracellular trafficking, shedding of soluble immunosuppressive isoforms, or the affinity of NKG2D interaction. Although immunotherapeutic approaches that target the NKG2D-NKG2DL axis are under investigation, several tumor immune escape mechanisms account for reduced cell surface expression of NKG2DL and contribute to tumor immune escape. Also, NKG2DL polymorphism determines functional NKG2D-dependent responses, thus representing an additional challenge for leveraging NKG2DL in immuno-oncology. In this review, we discuss strategies to boost MICA/B expression and/or inhibit their shedding and propose that combination strategies that target MICA/B with antibodies and strategies aimed at promoting their upregulation on tumor cells or at reprograming TAM into pro-inflammatory macrophages and remodeling of the TME, emerge as frontrunners in immuno-oncology because they may unleash the antitumor effector functions of NK cells and cytotoxic CD8 T cells (CTL). Pursuing several of these pipelines might lead to innovative modalities of immunotherapy for the treatment of a wide range of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Beatriz Fuertes
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Inés Domaica
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Norberto Walter Zwirner
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Peng X, Chen L, Jiao Y, Wang Y, Hao Z, Zhan X. Application of natural killer cells in pancreatic cancer. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:647. [PMID: 34386069 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, a highly malignant disease, is characterized by rapid progression and early metastasis. Although the integrative treatment of pancreatic cancer has made great progress, the prognosis of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer remains extremely poor. In recent years, with the advancements in tumor immunology, immunotherapy has become a promising remedy for pancreatic cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells are the key lymphocytes in the innate immune system. NK cell function does not require antigen pre-sensitization and is not major histocompatibility complex restricted. By targeting tumors or virus-infected cells, the cells play a key role in immune surveillance. Although several questions about NK cells in pancreatic cancer still need to be further studied, there are extensive theories supporting the clinical application prospects of NK cell immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Since very few studies have evaluated the role of NK cells in pancreatic cancer, this review provides a comprehensive update of the role of NK cells in pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Peng
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Jiao
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Zhibin Hao
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Xianbao Zhan
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
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Three-Dimensional Culture Models to Study Innate Anti-Tumor Immune Response: Advantages and Disadvantages. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143417. [PMID: 34298630 PMCID: PMC8303518 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Several approaches have shown that the immune response against tumors strongly affects patients' clinical outcome. Thus, the study of anti-tumor immunity is critical to understand and potentiate the mechanisms underlying the elimination of tumor cells. Natural killer (NK) cells are members of innate immunity and represent powerful anti-tumor effectors, able to eliminate tumor cells without a previous sensitization. Thus, the study of their involvement in anti-tumor responses is critical for clinical translation. This analysis has been performed in vitro, co-incubating NK with tumor cells and quantifying the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. In vivo confirmation has been applied to overcome the limits of in vitro testing, however, the innate immunity of mice and humans is different, leading to discrepancies. Different activating receptors on NK cells and counter-ligands on tumor cells are involved in the antitumor response, and innate immunity is strictly dependent on the specific microenvironment where it takes place. Thus, three-dimensional (3D) culture systems, where NK and tumor cells can interact in a tissue-like architecture, have been created. For example, tumor cell spheroids and primary organoids derived from several tumor types, have been used so far to analyze innate immune response, replacing animal models. Herein, we briefly introduce NK cells and analyze and discuss in detail the properties of 3D tumor culture systems and their use for the study of tumor cell interactions with NK cells.
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Kim N, Kim MY, Choi WS, Yi E, Lee HJ, Kim HS. GSK-3α Inhibition in Drug-Resistant CML Cells Promotes Susceptibility to NK Cell-Mediated Lysis in an NKG2D- and NKp30-Dependent Manner. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081802. [PMID: 33918810 PMCID: PMC8070516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081802] [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: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that has gained considerable interest as a therapeutic target for cancer due to its key involvement in growth arrest and apoptosis of tumor cells. Moreover, GSK-3, especially GSK-3β, limits the activation of NK cells, key innate effectors in cancer immunosurveillance, triggered by diverse activating receptors. However, the role of GSK-3 in the regulation of activating ligands on target cells that confer susceptibility to NK cells remains unclear and is the aim of this study. Here, we provide evidence that GSK-3α primarily restrains the expression of ligands for activating receptors such as NKG2D, NKp30 but not DNAM-1, thereby reducing target susceptibility to NK cells. Thus, our results suggest a distinct role of GSK-3 isoforms in target cells vs NK cells for regulating NK cell reactivity and GSK-3α inhibition as a relevant strategy to enhance target susceptibility to NK cells. Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphocytes that provide early protection against cancer. NK cell cytotoxicity against cancer cells is triggered by multiple activating receptors that recognize specific ligands expressed on target cells. We previously demonstrated that glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, but not GSK-3α, is a negative regulator of NK cell functions via diverse activating receptors, including NKG2D and NKp30. However, the role of GSK-3 isoforms in the regulation of specific ligands on target cells is poorly understood, which remains a challenge limiting GSK-3 targeting for NK cell-based therapy. Here, we demonstrate that GSK-3α rather than GSK-3β is the primary isoform restraining the expression of NKG2D ligands, particularly ULBP2/5/6, on tumor cells, thereby regulating their susceptibility to NK cells. GSK-3α also regulated the expression of the NKp30 ligand B7-H6, but not the DNAM-1 ligands PVR or nectin-2. This regulation occurred independently of BCR-ABL1 mutation that confers tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance. Mechanistically, an increase in PI3K/Akt signaling in concert with c-Myc was required for ligand upregulation in response to GSK-3α inhibition. Importantly, GSK-3α inhibition improved cancer surveillance by human NK cells in vivo. Collectively, our results highlight the distinct role of GSK-3 isoforms in the regulation of NK cell reactivity against target cells and suggest that GSK-3α modulation could be used to enhance tumor cell susceptibility to NK cells in an NKG2D- and NKp30-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayoung Kim
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea;
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Mi Yeon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (W.S.C.); (E.Y.); (H.J.L.)
| | - Woo Seon Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (W.S.C.); (E.Y.); (H.J.L.)
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center (SCIRC), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Eunbi Yi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (W.S.C.); (E.Y.); (H.J.L.)
| | - Hyo Jung Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (W.S.C.); (E.Y.); (H.J.L.)
| | - Hun Sik Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (W.S.C.); (E.Y.); (H.J.L.)
- Stem Cell Immunomodulation Research Center (SCIRC), Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-3010-2207
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Toffoli EC, Sheikhi A, Höppner YD, de Kok P, Yazdanpanah-Samani M, Spanholtz J, Verheul HMW, van der Vliet HJ, de Gruijl TD. Natural Killer Cells and Anti-Cancer Therapies: Reciprocal Effects on Immune Function and Therapeutic Response. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040711. [PMID: 33572396 PMCID: PMC7916216 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that play an important role in the immune response against cancer. Their activity is controlled by a balance of inhibitory and activating receptors, which in cancer can be skewed to favor their suppression in support of immune escape. It is therefore imperative to find ways to optimize their antitumor functionality. In this review, we explore and discuss how their activity influences, or even mediates, the efficacy of various anti-cancer therapies and, vice versa, how their activity can be affected by these therapies. Knowledge of the mechanisms underlying these observations could provide rationales for combining anti-cancer treatments with strategies enhancing NK cell function in order to improve their therapeutic efficacy. Abstract Natural Killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells with the unique ability to recognize and kill virus-infected and cancer cells without prior immune sensitization. Due to their expression of the Fc receptor CD16, effector NK cells can kill tumor cells through antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, making them relevant players in antibody-based cancer therapies. The role of NK cells in other approved and experimental anti-cancer therapies is more elusive. Here, we review the possible role of NK cells in the efficacy of various anti-tumor therapies, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, as well as the impact of these therapies on NK cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa C. Toffoli
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
| | - Abdolkarim Sheikhi
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful 64616-43993, Iran
| | - Yannick D. Höppner
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
| | - Pita de Kok
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
| | - Mahsa Yazdanpanah-Samani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-45794, Iran;
| | - Jan Spanholtz
- Glycostem, Kloosterstraat 9, 5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands;
| | - Henk M. W. Verheul
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Hans J. van der Vliet
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
- Lava Therapeutics, Yalelaan 60, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja D. de Gruijl
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.T.); (A.S.); (Y.D.H.); (P.d.K.); (H.J.v.d.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-20-4444063
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Ozman Z, Ozbek Iptec B, Sahin E, Guney Eskiler G, Deveci Ozkan A, Kaleli S. Regulation of valproic acid induced EMT by AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway in triple negative breast cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:1335-1343. [PMID: 33515347 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06173-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is a selective histone deacetylation (HDAC) inhibitor and exerts anti-cancer properties in different types of cancer. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mediating by different signaling cascade can be a potential target in aggressive human cancers. Therefore, we aimed to clarified the unravel relationship between AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signalling pathway and VPA-induced EMT in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The cytotoxicity of VPA in MDA-MB-231 TNBC and MCF-10A control cells was evaluated. Alterations in the expression levels of Snail, E-cadherin, AKT, GSK3β, β-catenin were analyzed by RT-PCR. Additionally, Annexin V, cell cycle and wound healing assays were performed. Our results showed that VPA remarkably inhibited the growth of TNBC cell and triggered apoptotic cell death through G0/G1 arrest. Furthermore, VPA increased cell migration and activated the EMT process through significantly increasing Snail expression and in turn downregulation of E-cadherin and GKS3β levels. However, the level of AKT and β-catenin was reduced after treatment of VPA. Our data showed that VPA induced EMT process and cell migration in TNBC cells. However, AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway did not mediate EMT activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Ozman
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Betul Ozbek Iptec
- Medical Biochemistry Laboratory, Kızılcahamam State Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Elvan Sahin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Gamze Guney Eskiler
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Asuman Deveci Ozkan
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey.
| | - Suleyman Kaleli
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey
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Wu Z, Zhang H, Wu M, Peng G, He Y, Wan N, Zeng Y. Targeting the NKG2D/NKG2D-L axis in acute myeloid leukemia. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111299. [PMID: 33508619 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) receptor is a crucial activating receptor in the immune recognition and eradication of abnormal cells by natural killer (NK) cells, and T lymphocytes. NKG2D can transmit activation signals and activate the immune system by recognizing the NKG2D ligands (NKG2D-L) on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Downregulation of NKG2D-L in AML can circumvent resistance to chemotherapy and immune recognition. Considering this effect, the exploration of targeting the NKG2D/NKG2D-L axis is considered to have tremendous potential for the discovery of novel biomacromolecule antibodies and pharmacological modulators in AML. This review was to outline the impact of NKG2D/NKG2D-L axis on intrinsic immunosurveillance and the development of AML. Furthermore, the NKG2D/NKG2D-L axis related modulators and progress in preclinical and clinical trials was also to be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhui Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Min Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Guorui Peng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yanqiu He
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Na Wan
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, Jiangxi Province, China.
| | - Yingjian Zeng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China.
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13
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Ponath V, Frech M, Bittermann M, Al Khayer R, Neubauer A, Brendel C, Pogge von Strandmann E. The Oncoprotein SKI Acts as A Suppressor of NK Cell-Mediated Immunosurveillance in PDAC. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102857. [PMID: 33023028 PMCID: PMC7601115 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic ductal adeno carcinoma is one of the most lethal solid tumors and the survival rate has not improved significantly over the past decades. The disease is characterized by an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment, which promotes the limited response to novel immunotherapies. The aim of our study was to contribute to a better understanding of the diminished Natural Killer (NK) cell-activity in pancreatic cancer. We showed that oncoprotein SKI, which is involved in CBP/p300-mediated acetylation, diminished the expression of activating ligands for the cytotoxicity receptor NKG2D on tumor cells, thereby counteracting NK cell-dependent cytotoxicity. Treatment of tumor cells with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) induced the expression of these ligands and improved NK cell-dependent killing. Thus, we unraveled a so far unknown role of SKI in NK cell-mediated immunosurveillance. Our results suggest that the combination of HDACi with NK cell-based immunotherapies may be beneficial for pancreatic cancer patients. Abstract Drugs targeting epigenetic mechanisms such as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) suppress tumor growth. HDACi also induce the expression of ligands for the cytotoxicity receptor NKG2D rendering tumors more susceptible to natural killer (NK) cell-dependent killing. The major acetylases responsible for the expression of NKG2D ligands (NKG2D-L) are CBP and p300. The role of the oncogene and transcriptional repressor SKI, an essential part of an HDAC-recruiting co-repressor complex, which competes with CBP/p300 for binding to SMAD3 in TGFβ signaling, is unknown. Here we show that the siRNA-mediated downregulation of SKI in the pancreatic cancer cell lines Panc-1 and Patu8988t leads to an increased target cell killing by primary NK cells. However, the higher cytotoxicity of NK cells did not correlate with the induction of NKG2D-L. Of note, the expression of NKG2D-L and consequently NK cell-dependent killing could be induced upon LBH589 (LBH, panobinostat) or valproic acid (VPA) treatment irrespective of the SKI expression level but was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer cells upon genetic ablation of SKI. These data suggest that SKI represses the inducible expression of NKG2D-L. The combination of HDACi with NK cell-based immunotherapy is an attractive treatment option for pancreatic tumors, specifically for patients with high SKI protein levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Ponath
- Institute for Tumor Immunology, Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 3, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (V.P.); (M.B.); (R.A.K.)
| | - Miriam Frech
- Clinic for Hematology, Oncology, Immunology and Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35037 Marburg, Germany; (M.F.); (A.N.); (C.B.)
| | - Mathis Bittermann
- Institute for Tumor Immunology, Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 3, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (V.P.); (M.B.); (R.A.K.)
| | - Reem Al Khayer
- Institute for Tumor Immunology, Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 3, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (V.P.); (M.B.); (R.A.K.)
| | - Andreas Neubauer
- Clinic for Hematology, Oncology, Immunology and Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35037 Marburg, Germany; (M.F.); (A.N.); (C.B.)
| | - Cornelia Brendel
- Clinic for Hematology, Oncology, Immunology and Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35037 Marburg, Germany; (M.F.); (A.N.); (C.B.)
| | - Elke Pogge von Strandmann
- Institute for Tumor Immunology, Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Philipps University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 3, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (V.P.); (M.B.); (R.A.K.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +49-6421-2821640; Fax: +49-64212868923
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14
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Avendaño-Félix M, Aguilar-Medina M, Bermudez M, Lizárraga-Verdugo E, López-Camarillo C, Ramos-Payán R. Refocusing the Use of Psychiatric Drugs for Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancers. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1452. [PMID: 32923398 PMCID: PMC7456997 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancers (GICs) are the most common human tumors worldwide. Treatments have limited effects, and increasing global cancer burden makes it necessary to investigate alternative strategies such as drug repurposing. Interestingly, it has been found that psychiatric drugs (PDs) are promising as a new generation of cancer chemotherapies due to their anti-neoplastic properties. This review compiles the state of the art about how PDs have been redirected for cancer therapeutics in GICs. PDs, especially anti-psychotics, anti-depressants and anti-epileptic drugs, have shown effects on cell viability, cell growth, inhibition of proliferation (cell cycle arrest), apoptosis promotion by caspases activation or cytochrome C release, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nuclear fragmentation over esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver and pancreatic cancers. Additionally, PDs can inhibit neovascularization, invasion and metastasis in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, they can induce chemosensibilization to 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin and can act synergistically with anti-neoplastic drugs such as gemcitabine, paclitaxel and oxaliplatin. All anti-cancer activities are given by activation or inhibition of pathways such as HDAC1/PTEN/Akt, EGFR/ErbB2/ErbB3, and PI3K/Akt; PI3K-AK-mTOR, HDAC1/PTEN/Akt; Wnt/β-catenin. Further investigations and clinical trials are needed to elucidate all molecular mechanisms involved on anti-cancer activities as well as adverse effects on patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Avendaño-Félix
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
| | - Maribel Aguilar-Medina
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
| | - Mercedes Bermudez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
| | - Erik Lizárraga-Verdugo
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
| | - César López-Camarillo
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosalío Ramos-Payán
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
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15
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Xia C, Liu C, He Z, Cai Y, Chen J. Metformin inhibits cervical cancer cell proliferation by modulating PI3K/Akt-induced major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A gene expression. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:127. [PMID: 32631421 PMCID: PMC7336474 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01627-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Recent studies have shown that the classic hypoglycemic drug metformin inhibits tumor growth; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We previously showed that metformin disrupts the sponge effect of long non-coding RNA MALAT1/miR-142-3p to inhibit cervical cancer cell proliferation. In this study, we interrogated the ability of metformin to modulate the anti-tumor immune response in cervical cancer. Methods The cell counting kit-8 assay was used to detect the viability of cervical cancer cells. Flow cytometry assays were performed to measure cell apoptosis and cell cycle. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay was used to detect NK Cell Cytotoxicity. Relative protein levels were determined by immunoblotting and relative gene levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Tumor Xenograft Modeling was used to evaluate the effect of metformin in vivo. Results Metformin inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation, cervical cancer xenograft growth, expression of PCNA, p-PI3K and p-Akt. Moreover metformin induced cervical cancer cell apoptosis and caused cancer cell cycle arrest. In addition, metformin upregulated the expression of DDR-1 and p53 in human cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, metformin also regulated the mRNA and protein expression of MICA and HSP70 on the surface of human cervical cancer cells via the PI3K/Akt pathway, enhancing NK cell cytotoxicity. Conclusions In conclusion, our results suggest that metformin may be used as immunopotentiator to inhibit cervical cancer progression and may be considered a viable candidate for combination therapy with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglai Xia
- South Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, China. .,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China.
| | - Chang Liu
- South Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, China.,Foshan Women and Child hospital, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Zhihong He
- South Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, China.,Foshan Women and Child hospital, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Yantao Cai
- South Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, China.,Foshan Women and Child hospital, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Jinman Chen
- South Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, China.,Foshan Women and Child hospital, Foshan, 528000, China
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16
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Idso JM, Lao S, Schloemer NJ, Knipstein J, Burns R, Thakar MS, Malarkannan S. Entinostat augments NK cell functions via epigenetic upregulation of IFIT1-STING-STAT4 pathway. Oncotarget 2020; 11:1799-1815. [PMID: 32499867 PMCID: PMC7244011 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are an emerging cancer therapy; however, their effect on natural killer (NK) cell-mediated anti-tumor responses remain unknown. Here, we evaluated the impact of a benzamide HDACi, entinostat, on human primary NK cells as well as tumor cell lines. Entinostat significantly upregulated the expression of NKG2D, an essential NK cell activating receptor. Independently, entinostat augmented the expression of ULBP1, HLA, and MICA/B on both rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Additionally, entinostat increased both cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production in human NK cells following coculture with these tumor cells. Mechanistically, entinostat treatment resulted in increased chromatin accessibility to the promoter region for interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (IFIT1) gene and thereby increasing the transcript and protein levels of IFIT1 that augmented the IFIT1-mediated IRF1, STAT4, and STING pathways. Corresponding transcriptome analysis revealed enrichment of IRF1 and STAT4 and gene sets responsible for NK cell-mediated IFN-γ production and cytotoxicity, respectively. Our results show a novel mechanism by which entinostat initiates an IFIT1-STING-mediated potentiation of STAT4 via IRF1 to augment NK cell-mediated anti-tumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Idso
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Shunhua Lao
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Nathan J Schloemer
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-BMT, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Jeffrey Knipstein
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-BMT, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Robert Burns
- Bioinformatics Core, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Monica S Thakar
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-BMT, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Co-senior authors
| | - Subramaniam Malarkannan
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunotherapy, Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-BMT, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Divson of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Co-senior authors
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17
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Xia C, He Z, Cai Y, Liang S. Vorinostat upregulates MICA via the PI3K/Akt pathway to enhance the ability of natural killer cells to kill tumor cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 875:173057. [PMID: 32135122 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Vorinostat has good therapeutic efficacy against primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in the refractory stage. However, the molecular mechanism by which it inhibits solid tumors has not been clarified. To investigate the tumor inhibitory mechanism of vorinostat in cervical cancer, this study used Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, cell invasion and migration assays and the wound healing assay to evaluate the effects of vorinostat on cervical cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and invasion. Real-time quantitative PCR and immunoblotting were used to detect gene and protein expression, respectively, of major histocompatibility class I-related chain A, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, phosphorylated PI3K p55 (Tyr199), and p-Akt (Ser473). The lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay was used to evaluate the ability of natural killer-92 cells to lyse cervical cancer cells. A xenograft nude mouse model was established to analyze the anti-tumor effect of vorinostat in vivo. Our results showed that vorinostat inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cervical cancer cells. Vorinostat also induced apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest in the S phase, inhibited PI3K (p110α), p-PI3K p55 (Tyr199), and p-Akt (Ser473) protein expression and upregulated MICA expression in vitro and in vivo, and promoted NK-92 cell-mediated cervical cancer cell lysis. The ability of vorinostat to upregulate MICA expression in cervical cancer cells was related to PI3K/Akt signaling. In brief, vorinostat upregulated MICA through the PI3K/Akt pathway and enhanced the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to the NK cell-mediated cytolytic reaction. The results of this study demonstrate that vorinostat has anti-solid tumor effects on cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglai Xia
- The College of Pharmacy in Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China; Foshan Maternal and Child Health Research Institute, South Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, China.
| | - Zhihong He
- The College of Pharmacy in Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Yantao Cai
- Department of Dermatology and Rheumatology, Foshan Women and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Foshan, 528000, China
| | - Shaofen Liang
- The College of Pharmacy in Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China; Foshan Maternal and Child Health Research Institute, South Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, China
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18
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Hu B, Tian X, Li Y, Liu Y, Yang T, Han Z, An J, Kong L, Li Y. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition may be involved in the immune evasion of circulating gastric tumor cells via downregulation of ULBP1. Cancer Med 2020; 9:2686-2697. [PMID: 32077634 PMCID: PMC7163085 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing numbers of studies have demonstrated that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) undergo a phenotypic change termed epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), and researchers have proposed that EMT might provide CTCs with increased potential to survive in the different microenvironments encountered during metastasis through various ways, such as by increasing cell survival and early colonization. However, the exact role of EMT in CTCs remains unclear. Methods In this study, we identified CTCs of 41 patients with gastric cancer using Cyttel‐CTC and im‐FISH (immune‐fluorescence in situ hybridization) methods, and tested the expression of EMT markers and ULBP1 (a major member of the NKG2D—natural killer [NK] group 2 member D—ligand family) on CTCs. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between the expression of EMT markers and ULBP1 on CTCs and gastric cancer cell lines. Results Our results showed that the CTCs of gastric cancer patients exhibited three EMT marker subtypes, and that the expression of ULBP1 was significantly lower on mesenchymal phenotypic CTCs (M+CTCs) than on epithelial phenotypic CTCs (E+CTCs). EMT induced by TGF‐β in vitro produced a similar phenomenon, and we therefore proposed that EMT might be involved in the immune evasion of CTCs from NK cells by altering the expression of ULBP1. Conclusions Our study indicated that EMT might play a vital role in the immune invasion of CTCs by regulating the expression of ULBP1 on CTCs. These findings could provide potential strategies for targeting the immune evasion capacity of CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoguang Hu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Xiaokun Tian
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China.,Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, the Sixth People's Hospital of Zibo, Zibo, China
| | - Yanbin Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Yangchun Liu
- Jiangxi Medical College, Queen Mary College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Zhaodong Han
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Jiajia An
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Lingqun Kong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Yuming Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
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19
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Chen Z, Yang Y, Liu LL, Lundqvist A. Strategies to Augment Natural Killer (NK) Cell Activity against Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11071040. [PMID: 31340613 PMCID: PMC6678934 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11071040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system plays a crucial role to prevent local growth and dissemination of cancer. Therapies based on activating the immune system can result in beneficial responses in patients with metastatic disease. Treatment with antibodies targeting the immunological checkpoint axis PD-1 / PD-L1 can result in the induction of anti-tumor T cell activation leading to meaningful long-lasting clinical responses. Still, many patients acquire resistance or develop dose-limiting toxicities to these therapies. Analysis of tumors from patients who progress on anti-PD-1 treatment reveal defective interferon-signaling and antigen presentation, resulting in immune escape from T cell-mediated attack. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that can kill tumor cells without prior sensitization to antigens and can be activated to kill tumor cells that have an impaired antigen processing and presentation machinery. Thus, NK cells may serve as useful effectors against tumor cells that have become resistant to classical immune checkpoint therapy. Various approaches to activate NK cells are being increasingly explored in clinical trials against cancer. While clinical benefit has been demonstrated in patients with acute myeloid leukemia receiving haploidentical NK cells, responses in patients with solid tumors are so far less encouraging. Several hurdles need to be overcome to provide meaningful clinical responses in patients with solid tumors. Here we review the recent developments to augment NK cell responses against solid tumors with regards to cytokine therapy, adoptive infusion of NK cells, NK cell engagers, and NK cell immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, S-17164 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, S-17164 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa L Liu
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, S-17164 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, S-17164 Stockholm, Sweden.
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20
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Fang C, Guo X, Lv X, Yin R, Lv X, Wang F, Zhao J, Bai Q, Yao X, Chen Y. Dysbindin promotes progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via direct activation of PI3K. J Mol Cell Biol 2019; 9:504-515. [PMID: 29040676 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjx043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents a biggest challenge in clinic oncology due to its invasiveness and lack of targeted therapeutics. Our recent study showed that schizophrenia susceptibility factor dysbindin exhibited significant higher level in serum of PDAC patients. However, the functional relevance of dysbindin in PDAC is still unclear. Here, we show that dysbindin promotes tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo by accelerating the G1/S phase transition in cell cycle via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Mechanistically, dysbindin interacts with PI3K and stimulates the kinase activity of PI3K. Moreover, overexpression of dysbindin in PDAC is correlated with clinicopathological characteristics significantly, such as histological differentiation (P = 0.011) and tumor size (P = 0.007). Kaplan-Meier survival curves show that patients with high dysbindin expression exhibit poorer overall survival, compared to those with low dysbindin expression (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis reveals that dysbindin is an independent prognostic factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (P = 0.001). Thus, our findings reveal that dysbindin is a novel PI3K activator and promotes PDAC progression via stimulation of PI3K/AKT. Dysbindin therefore represents a potential target for prognosis and therapy of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Fang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xing Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ruozhe Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaohui Lv
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fengsong Wang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Quan Bai
- Institute of Modern Separation Science, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuebiao Yao
- Department of Hefei Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Life Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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21
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Exploring the Drug Repurposing Versatility of Valproic Acid as a Multifunctional Regulator of Innate and Adaptive Immune Cells. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:9678098. [PMID: 31001564 PMCID: PMC6437734 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9678098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is widely recognized for its use in the control of epilepsy and other neurological disorders in the past 50 years. Recent evidence has shown the potential of VPA in the control of certain cancers, owed in part to its role in modulating epigenetic changes through the inhibition of histone deacetylases, affecting the expression of genes involved in the cell cycle, differentiation, and apoptosis. The direct impact of VPA in cells of the immune system has only been explored recently. In this review, we discuss the effects of VPA in the suppression of some activation mechanisms in several immune cells that lead to an anti-inflammatory response. As expected, immune cells are not exempt from the effect of VPA, as it also affects the expression of genes of the cell cycle and apoptosis through epigenetic modifications. In addition to inhibiting histone deacetylases, VPA promotes RNA interference, activates histone methyltransferases, or represses the activation of transcription factors. However, during the infectious process, the effectiveness of VPA is subject to the biological nature of the pathogen and the associated immune response; this is because VPA can promote the control or the progression of the infection. Due to its various effects, VPA is a promising alternative for the control of autoimmune diseases and hypersensitivity and needs to be further explored.
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22
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Increase of Tumor Infiltrating γδ T-cells in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Through Remodeling of the Extracellular Matrix by a Hyaluronan Synthesis Suppressor, 4-Methylumbelliferone. Pancreas 2019; 48:292-298. [PMID: 30589828 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000001211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Desmoplastic changes of extracellular matrix (ECM) containing large amounts of hyaluronan (HA) are of interest in chemo- and immunoresistance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of 4-methylumbelliferone (MU), a selective inhibitor of HA, on ECM and to examine how MU affects adoptive immunotherapy. METHODS The effect of MU on cell proliferation, HA synthesis and formation of ECM were investigated in four PDAC cell lines. In addition, the cytotoxicity of γδ T-cell-rich peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from healthy donors and stimulated with zoledronate and interleukin-2 was examined in the presence of MU. The amount of HA and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were also investigated in mice xenograft models. RESULTS In vitro, 1.0 mM MU inhibited cell proliferation by 45-70% and HA synthesis by 55-80% in all four PDAC cell lines, and enhanced γδ T-cell-rich PBMC-mediated cytotoxicity against PDAC cells. In vivo, MU reduced intratumoral HA and promoted infiltration of inoculated γδ T-cells into tumor tissue, and consequently suppressed tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS 4-methylumbelliferone may be an effective immunosensitizer against PDAC through induction of structural changes in the ECM.
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Schmiedel D, Mandelboim O. NKG2D Ligands-Critical Targets for Cancer Immune Escape and Therapy. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2040. [PMID: 30254634 PMCID: PMC6141707 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damage, oncogene activation and excessive proliferation, chromatin modulations or oxidative stress are all important hallmarks of cancer. Interestingly, all of these abnormalities also induce a cellular stress response. By upregulating “stress-induced ligands,” damaged or transformed cells can be recognized by immune cells and cleared. The human genome encodes eight functional “stress-induced ligands”: MICA, MICB, and ULBP1-6. All of them are recognized by a single receptor, NKG2D, which is expressed on natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic T cells and other T cell subsets. The NKG2D ligand/NKG2D-axis is well-recognized as an important mediator of anti-tumor activity; however, patient data about the role of NKG2D ligands in immune surveillance and escape appears conflicting. As these ligands are often actively transcribed, tumor cells are urged to manipulate the expression of these ligands on post-transcriptional or post-translational level. Although our knowledge on the regulation of NKG2D ligand expression remains fragmentary, research of the past years revealed multiple cellular mechanisms that are adopted by tumor cells to reduce the expression of “stress-induced ligands” and therefore escape immune recognition. Here, we review the post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms by which NKG2D ligands are modulated in cancer cells and their impact on patient prognosis.We discuss controversies and approaches to apply our understanding of the NKG2D ligand/NKG2D-axis for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Schmiedel
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, The BioMedical Research Institute Israel Canada of the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, The BioMedical Research Institute Israel Canada of the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
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24
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Bhat SA, Vedpathak DM, Chiplunkar SV. Checkpoint Blockade Rescues the Repressive Effect of Histone Deacetylases Inhibitors on γδ T Cell Function. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1615. [PMID: 30072989 PMCID: PMC6060239 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDAC) are one of the key epigenetic modifiers that control chromatin accessibility and gene expression. Their role in tumorigenesis is well established and HDAC inhibitors have emerged as an effective treatment modality. HDAC inhibitors have been investigated for their specific antitumor activities and also clinically evaluated in treatment of various malignancies. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of HDAC inhibitors on the effector functions of human γδ T cells. HDAC inhibitors inhibit the antigen-specific proliferative response of γδ T cells and cell cycle progression. In antigen-activated γδ T cells, the expression of transcription factors (Eomes and Tbet) and effector molecules (perforin and granzyme B) were decreased upon treatment with HDAC inhibitors. Treatment with HDAC inhibitors attenuated the antitumor cytotoxic potential of γδ T cells, which correlated with the enhanced expression of immune checkpoints programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand-1 in γδ T cells. Interestingly, PD-1 blockade improves the antitumor effector functions of HDAC inhibitor-treated γδ T cells, which is reflected in the increased expression of Granzyme B and Lamp-1. This study provides a rationale for designing HDAC inhibitor and immune check point blockade as a combinatorial treatment modality for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad A Bhat
- Chiplunkar Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India.,HomiBhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Disha Mohan Vedpathak
- Chiplunkar Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India.,HomiBhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Shubhada V Chiplunkar
- Chiplunkar Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India.,HomiBhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
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25
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Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is among the three deadliest cancers worldwide with the lowest 5-year survival of all cancers. Despite all efforts, therapeutic improvements have barely been made over the last decade. Even recent highly promising targeted and immunotherapeutic approaches did not live up to their expectations. Therefore, other horizons have to be explored. Natural Killer (NK) cells are gaining more and more interest as a highly attractive target for cancer immunotherapies, both as pharmaceutical target and for cell therapies. In this systematic review we summarise the pathophysiological adaptions of NK cells in pancreatic cancer and highlight possible (future) therapeutic NK cell-related targets. Furthermore, an extensive overview of recent therapeutic approaches with an effect on NK cells is given, including cytokine-based, viro- and bacteriotherapy and cell therapy. We also discuss ongoing clinical trials that might influence NK cells. In conclusion, although several issues regarding NK cells in pancreatic cancer remain unsolved and need further investigation, extensive evidence is already provided that support NK cell oriented approaches in pancreatic cancer.
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26
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Murthy D, Attri KS, Singh PK. Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signaling Pathway in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Progression, Pathogenesis, and Therapeutics. Front Physiol 2018; 9:335. [PMID: 29670543 PMCID: PMC5893816 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy characterized by its sudden manifestation, rapid progression, poor prognosis, and limited therapeutic options. Genetic alterations in key signaling pathways found in early pancreatic lesions are pivotal for the development and progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplastic lesions into invasive carcinomas. More than 90% of PDAC tumors harbor driver mutations in K-Ras that activate various downstream effector-signaling pathways, including the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. The PI3K pathway also responds to stimuli from various growth factor receptors present on the cancer cell surface that, in turn, modulate downstream signaling cascades. Thus, the inositide signaling acts as a central node in the complex cellular signaling networks to impact cancer cell growth, motility, metabolism, and survival. Also, recent publications highlight the importance of PI3K signaling in stromal cells, whereby PI3K signaling modifies the tumor microenvironment to dictate disease outcome. The high incidence of mutations in the PI3K signaling cascade, accompanied by activation of parallel signaling pathways, makes PI3K a promising candidate for drug therapy. In this review, we describe the role of PI3K signaling in pancreatic cancer development and progression. We also discuss the crosstalk between PI3K and other major cellular signaling cascades, and potential therapeutic opportunities for targeting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Murthy
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Kuldeep S Attri
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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27
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Dhar P, Wu JD. NKG2D and its ligands in cancer. Curr Opin Immunol 2018; 51:55-61. [PMID: 29525346 PMCID: PMC6145810 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
NKG2D is an activating immune receptor expressed by NK and effector T cells. Induced expression of NKG2D ligand on tumor cell surface during oncogenic insults renders cancer cells susceptible to immune destruction. In advanced human cancers, tumor cells shed NKG2D ligand to produce an immune soluble form as a means of immune evasion. Soluble NKG2D ligands have been associated with poor clinical prognosis in cancer patients. Harnessing NKG2D pathway is considered a viable avenue in cancer immunotherapy over recent years. In this review, we will discuss the progress and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payal Dhar
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL60611, United States; Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago IL60611, United States
| | - Jennifer D Wu
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL60611, United States; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL60611, United States; Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago IL60611, United States.
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28
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Manzini C, Venè R, Cossu I, Gualco M, Zupo S, Dono M, Spagnolo F, Queirolo P, Moretta L, Mingari MC, Pietra G. Cytokines can counteract the inhibitory effect of MEK-i on NK-cell function. Oncotarget 2018; 7:60858-60871. [PMID: 27563819 PMCID: PMC5308621 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogene-targeted therapies based on mutated BRAF- and/or MEK-specific inhibitors have been developed for melanoma treatment. Although these drugs induce tumor regression in a high percentage of patients, clinical responses are frequently limited in time and tumors often recur. Recent studies suggested that the combination of BRAF/MEK inhibition with immunotherapy could represent a promising strategy for the cure of melanoma. NK cells are suitable effectors for tumor immunotherapy. Here we show that PLX4032 (a mutant BRAFV600 inhibitor) had no effect on the functional properties of NK cells cultured in the presence of IL-2 or IL-15. In contrast, PD0325901 (a MEK inhibitor) induced the down-regulation of the main activating NK receptors and inhibited NK cell function. Importantly, PD0325901 did not affect the anti-tumor activity of NK cells that had been exposed to a combination of IL-15 and IL-18. In addition, both PLX4032 and PD0325901 did not exert any inhibitory effect on in vitro IL-2 or IL-15 pre-activated NK cells. Our data may provide a rationale for future clinical protocols that combine IL-15/IL-18 cytokine administration with MEK inhibitors. In addition, they suggest that oncogene-targeting drugs are compatible with NK-based adoptive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberta Venè
- Oncologia Molecolare e Angiogenesi, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Irene Cossu
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marina Gualco
- Anatomia Patologica, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simonetta Zupo
- Diagnostica Molecolare, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mariella Dono
- Diagnostica Molecolare, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Paola Queirolo
- Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Immunologia, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- Immunologia, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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29
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Bhat J, Kouakanou L, Peters C, Yin Z, Kabelitz D. Immunotherapy With Human Gamma Delta T Cells-Synergistic Potential of Epigenetic Drugs? Front Immunol 2018; 9:512. [PMID: 29593742 PMCID: PMC5859364 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jaydeep Bhat
- Institute of Immunology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | | | - Zhinan Yin
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Biomedical Translational Research Institute, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Antibody Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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30
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Leveraging Epigenetics to Enhance the Cellular Response to Chemotherapies and Improve Tumor Immunogenicity. Adv Cancer Res 2018; 138:1-39. [PMID: 29551125 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs have greatly advanced our ability to successfully treat a variety of human malignancies. The different forms of stress produced by these agents in cancer cells result in both cell autonomous and cell nonautonomous effects. Desirable cell autonomous effects include reduced proliferative potential, cellular senescence, and cell death. More recently recognized cell nonautonomous effects, usually in the form of stimulating an antitumor immune response, have significant roles in therapeutic efficiency for a select number of chemotherapies. Unfortunately, the success of these therapeutics is not universal as not all tumors respond to treatment, and those that do respond will frequently relapse into therapy-resistant disease. Numerous strategies have been developed to sensitize tumors toward chemotherapies as a means to either improve initial responses, or serve as a secondary treatment strategy for therapy-resistant disease. Recently, targeting epigenetic regulators has emerged as a viable method of sensitizing tumors to the effects of chemotherapies, many of which are cytotoxic. In this review, we summarize these strategies and propose a path for future progress.
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31
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Cifaldi L, Locatelli F, Marasco E, Moretta L, Pistoia V. Boosting Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy with Anticancer Drugs: a Perspective. Trends Mol Med 2017; 23:1156-1175. [PMID: 29133133 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells efficiently recognize and kill tumor cells through several mechanisms including the expression of ligands for NK cell-activating receptors on target cells. Different clinical trials indicate that NK cell-based immunotherapy represents a promising antitumor treatment. However, tumors develop immune-evasion strategies, including downregulation of ligands for NK cell-activating receptors, that can negatively affect antitumor activity of NK cells, which either reside endogenously, or are adoptively transferred. Thus, restoration of the expression of NK cell-activating ligands on tumor cells represents a strategic therapeutic goal. As discussed here, various anticancer drugs can fulfill this task via different mechanisms. We envision that the combination of selected chemotherapeutic agents with NK cell adoptive transfer may represent a novel strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Cifaldi
- Department of Pediatric Haematology/Oncology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Haematology/Oncology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Emiliano Marasco
- Department of Rheumatology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Immunology Research Area, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vito Pistoia
- Immunology Research Area, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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32
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Zingoni A, Fionda C, Borrelli C, Cippitelli M, Santoni A, Soriani A. Natural Killer Cell Response to Chemotherapy-Stressed Cancer Cells: Role in Tumor Immunosurveillance. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1194. [PMID: 28993779 PMCID: PMC5622151 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphoid cells that actively prevent neoplastic development, growth, and metastatic dissemination in a process called cancer immunosurveillance. An equilibrium between immune control and tumor growth is maintained as long as cancer cells evade immunosurveillance. Therapies designed to kill cancer cells and to simultaneously sustain host antitumor immunity are an appealing strategy to control tumor growth. Several chemotherapeutic agents, depending on which drugs and doses are used, give rise to DNA damage and cancer cell death by means of apoptosis, immunogenic cell death, or other forms of non-apoptotic death (i.e., mitotic catastrophe, senescence, and autophagy). However, it is becoming increasingly clear that they can trigger additional stress responses. Indeed, relevant immunostimulating effects of different therapeutic programs include also the activation of pathways able to promote their recognition by immune effector cells. Among stress-inducible immunostimulating proteins, changes in the expression levels of NK cell-activating and inhibitory ligands, as well as of death receptors on tumor cells, play a critical role in their detection and elimination by innate immune effectors, including NK cells. Here, we will review recent advances in chemotherapy-mediated cellular stress pathways able to stimulate NK cell effector functions. In particular, we will address how these cytotoxic lymphocytes sense and respond to different types of drug-induced stresses contributing to anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Zingoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Fionda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Borrelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Cippitelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy.,Neuromed I.R.C.C.S. - Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Alessandra Soriani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
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33
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Miyashita T, Miki K, Kamigaki T, Makino I, Tajima H, Nakanuma S, Hayashi H, Takamura H, Fushida S, Ahmed AK, Harmon JW, Ohta T. Low-dose valproic acid with low-dose gemcitabine augments MHC class I-related chain A/B expression without inducing the release of soluble MHC class I-related chain A/B. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:5918-5926. [PMID: 29113227 PMCID: PMC5661604 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
To improve natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D)-dependent cytotoxicity, the inhibition of cleavage and release of major histocompatibility complex class 1-related chain (MIC) molecules from the tumor surface are required. Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, is able to induce cell-surface MICA/B on tumor cells. In the present study, the ability of VPA and gemcitabine (GEM) to upregulate MICA/B in pancreatic cancer cells was investigated, resulting in the inhibition of cleavage and release of MIC molecules from the tumor surface. Flow cytometry was used to quantify MICA/B expression in six human pancreatic cancer lines. Functional cytotoxic activity of γδT cells against pancreatic cancer cells treated with VPA and GEM was determined using cytotoxicity assays. At low doses of VPA (0.7 mM) and GEM (0.001 µM), which did not induce tumor growth alterations, the agents individually increased cell-surface MICA/B expression in MICA/B-positive cell lines, but not in the MICA/B-negative cell line. Furthermore, the combination of VPA and GEM synergistically induced cell-surface MICA/B expression. In MICA/B-positive cell lines, the increase in MICA/B expression was dependent on VPA concentration. The combination of low-dose VPA and GEM enhanced the susceptibility of the PANC-1 cell line to γδT cell-mediated tumor cell lysis. It was observed that soluble MIC was released from PANC-1 in the culture supernatant following treatment with GEM. However, the combination of low-dose VPA with low-dose GEM increased MICA/B expression without inducing soluble MIC, resulting in enhanced tumor cell lysis. The results of the present study suggest that the combined administration of low-dose VPA with low-dose GEM has the potential to enhance the therapeutic effects of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, it is proposed that the combination acts, in part, by upregulating MICA/B and prevents soluble MIC from being released.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoharu Miyashita
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Kenji Miki
- Medinet Medical Institute, MEDINET Co., Ltd., Tokyo 158-0096, Japan
| | - Takashi Kamigaki
- Medinet Medical Institute, MEDINET Co., Ltd., Tokyo 158-0096, Japan
| | - Isamu Makino
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Hidehiro Tajima
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Shinichi Nakanuma
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Hironori Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takamura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Sachio Fushida
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Ali K Ahmed
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - John W Harmon
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Tetsuo Ohta
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
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34
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Kanhaiya K, Czeizler E, Gratie C, Petre I. Controlling Directed Protein Interaction Networks in Cancer. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10327. [PMID: 28871116 PMCID: PMC5583175 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10491-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Control theory is a well-established approach in network science, with applications in bio-medicine and cancer research. We build on recent results for structural controllability of directed networks, which identifies a set of driver nodes able to control an a-priori defined part of the network. We develop a novel and efficient approach for the (targeted) structural controllability of cancer networks and demonstrate it for the analysis of breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer. We build in each case a protein-protein interaction network and focus on the survivability-essential proteins specific to each cancer type. We show that these essential proteins are efficiently controllable from a relatively small computable set of driver nodes. Moreover, we adjust the method to find the driver nodes among FDA-approved drug-target nodes. We find that, while many of the drugs acting on the driver nodes are part of known cancer therapies, some of them are not used for the cancer types analyzed here; some drug-target driver nodes identified by our algorithms are not known to be used in any cancer therapy. Overall we show that a better understanding of the control dynamics of cancer through computational modelling can pave the way for new efficient therapeutic approaches and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Kanhaiya
- Computational Biomodeling Laboratory, Turku Centre for Computer Science, and Department of Computer Science, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, 20500, Finland
| | - Eugen Czeizler
- Computational Biomodeling Laboratory, Turku Centre for Computer Science, and Department of Computer Science, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, 20500, Finland
- National Institute for Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Gratie
- Computational Biomodeling Laboratory, Turku Centre for Computer Science, and Department of Computer Science, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, 20500, Finland
| | - Ion Petre
- Computational Biomodeling Laboratory, Turku Centre for Computer Science, and Department of Computer Science, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, 20500, Finland.
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35
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Godbersen C, Coupet TA, Huehls AM, Zhang T, Battles MB, Fisher JL, Ernstoff MS, Sentman CL. NKG2D Ligand-Targeted Bispecific T-Cell Engagers Lead to Robust Antitumor Activity against Diverse Human Tumors. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:1335-1346. [PMID: 28500232 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Two new bispecific T-cell engaging (BiTE) molecules with specificity for NKG2D ligands were developed and functionally characterized. One, huNKG2D-OKT3, was derived from the extracellular portion of the human NKG2D receptor fused to a CD3ε binding single-chain variable fragment (scFv), known as OKT3. NKG2D has multiple ligands, including MICA, which are expressed by a variety of malignant cells. A second molecule, B2-OKT3, was created in the tandem scFv BiTE format that targets MICA on tumor cells and CD3ε on human T cells. Both BiTEs specifically activated T cells to kill human tumor cell lines. Cytotoxicity by B2-OKT3, but not huNKG2D-OKT3, is blocked by soluble rMICA. The huNKG2D-OKT3 induced greater T-cell cytokine production in comparison with B2-OKT3. No T-cell pretreatment was required for IFNγ production upon coculture of B2-OKT3 or huNKG2D-OKT3 with T cells and target cells. The effector memory T-cell compartment was the primary source of IFNγ, and culture of T cells and these BiTEs with plate-bound rMICA showed ligand density-dependent production of IFNγ from both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. There was 2-fold more IFNγ produced per CD8+ T cell and 5-fold greater percentage of CD8+ T cells producing IFNγ compared with CD4+ T cells. In addition, both BiTEs elicited significant antitumor responses against human metastatic melanoma tumor samples using autologous or healthy donor T cells. These data demonstrate the robust antitumor activity of these NKG2D ligand-binding bispecific proteins and support their further development for clinical use. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(7); 1335-46. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Godbersen
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
- The Center for Synthetic Immunity, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Tiffany A Coupet
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
- The Center for Synthetic Immunity, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Amelia M Huehls
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
- The Center for Synthetic Immunity, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
- The Center for Synthetic Immunity, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Michael B Battles
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
- The Center for Synthetic Immunity, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | | | | | - Charles L Sentman
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire.
- The Center for Synthetic Immunity, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
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Shen J, Pan J, Du C, Si W, Yao M, Xu L, Zheng H, Xu M, Chen D, Wang S, Fu P, Fan W. Silencing NKG2D ligand-targeting miRNAs enhances natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity in breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2740. [PMID: 28383557 PMCID: PMC5477582 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
NKG2D is one of the major activating receptors of natural killer (NK) cells and binds to several ligands (NKG2DLs). NKG2DLs are expressed on malignant cells and sensitize them to early elimination by cytotoxic lymphocytes. We investigated the clinical importance of NKG2DLs and the mechanism of NKG2DL regulation in breast cancer (BC). Among the NKG2DLs MICA/B and ULBP1/2/3, the expression levels of MICA/B in BC tissues were inversely associated with the Tumor Node Metastasis stage. We first found that the high expression of MICB, but not MICA, was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with BC. Investigation into the mechanism revealed that a group of microRNAs (miRNAs) belonging to the miR-17-92 cluster, especially miR-20a, decreased the expression of ULBP2 and MICA/B. These miRNAs downregulated the expression of MICA/B by targeting the MICA/B 3'-untranslated region and downregulated ULBP2 by inhibiting the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Functional analysis showed that the silencing of NKG2DL-targeting miRNAs in BC cells increased NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro and inhibited immune escape in vivo. In addition, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) increased NKG2DL expression in BC cells by inhibiting members of the miR-17-92 cluster. Thus, targeting miRNAs with antisense inhibitors or HDACis may represent a novel approach for increasing the immunogenicity of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Shen
- Program of Cancer Innovative Therapeutics, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Jie Pan
- Program of Cancer Innovative Therapeutics, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Chengyong Du
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Wengong Si
- Program of Cancer Innovative Therapeutics, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Minya Yao
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Liang Xu
- Program of Cancer Innovative Therapeutics, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310000, China.,Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Huilin Zheng
- Program of Cancer Innovative Therapeutics, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Mingjie Xu
- Program of Cancer Innovative Therapeutics, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Danni Chen
- Program of Cancer Innovative Therapeutics, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Shu Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Peifen Fu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Weimin Fan
- Program of Cancer Innovative Therapeutics, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310000, China.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Ni L, Wang L, Yao C, Ni Z, Liu F, Gong C, Zhu X, Yan X, Watowich SS, Lee DA, Zhu S. The histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid inhibits NKG2D expression in natural killer cells through suppression of STAT3 and HDAC3. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45266. [PMID: 28338101 PMCID: PMC5364405 DOI: 10.1038/srep45266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
NKG2D is a major activating receptor of NK cells and plays a critical role in tumor immunosurveillance. NKG2D expression in NK cells is inhibited by the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) and enhanced by the narrow-spectrum HDAC inhibitor entinostat. We previously demonstrated that entinostat enhanced NKG2D transcription by increasing acetylation of Histones H3 and H4. However, the mechanism by which VPA reduces NKG2D expression in NK cells is not known. We have also shown that NKG2D transcription is regulated by STAT3 phosphorylation. In this study, we investigated regulation of NKG2D expression in NK cells by VPA and entinostat by assessing protein expression, phosphorylation, and interaction of HDACs and STAT3. We find that VPA selectively inhibits STAT3 tyrosine705 phosphorylation, but entinostat does not. STAT3 complexes with HDAC3, and HDAC3 inhibition represses STAT3 phosphorylation and therefore NKG2D expression. NK cells from STAT3 wild-type mice downregulate NKG2D in response to VPA, but not NK cells from STAT3 knockout mice. These results show that VPA is a potent inhibitor of STAT3 phosphorylation and demonstrate that histone acetylation and STAT3 tyrosine705 phosphorylation cooperate in regulating NKG2D expression in NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Ni
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 CaiLun Rd., Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Lixin Wang
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 CaiLun Rd., Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Chao Yao
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 CaiLun Rd., Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Zhongya Ni
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 CaiLun Rd., Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Fei Liu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 CaiLun Rd., Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Chenyuan Gong
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 CaiLun Rd., Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Xiaowen Zhu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 CaiLun Rd., Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Xuewei Yan
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 CaiLun Rd., Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Stephanie S Watowich
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dean A Lee
- Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, WA4023, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Shiguo Zhu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 CaiLun Rd., Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.,Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 CaiLun Rd., Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
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Wu L, Feng H, Hu J, Tian X, Zhang C. Valproic acid (VPA) promotes the epithelial mesenchymal transition of hepatocarcinoma cells via transcriptional and post-transcriptional up regulation of Snail. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 84:1029-1035. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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MICB gene diversity and balancing selection on its promoter region in Yao population in southern China. Hum Immunol 2016; 77:1187-1193. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2016.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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40
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Feng J, Cen J, Li J, Zhao R, Zhu C, Wang Z, Xie J, Tang W. Histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) promotes the epithelial mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer cells via up regulation of Snail. Cell Adh Migr 2016; 9:495-501. [PMID: 26632346 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2015.1112486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) have been shown to have antiproliferative activity through cell-cycle arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Our present study revealed that one HDAC inhibitor, valproic acid (VPA), can obviously promote in vitro motility of HCT-116 and SW480 cells. VPA treatment significantly down regulates the expression of epithelial markers E-Cadherin (E-Cad) and Zona occludin-1(ZO-1) while up regulates the mesenchymal markers Vimentin (Vim) and N-cadherin (N-Cad), suggesting that VPA can trigger the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CRC cells. VPA treatment significantly increases the expression and nuclear localization of Snail, the key transcription factors of EMT. Snail knockdown by siRNAs obviously reverses VPA induced EMT of HCT-116 and SW480 cells. Further, VPA can decrease the ubiquitination, increase the acetylation, and then elevate the stabilization of Snail. VPA also increases the phosphorylation of Akt/GSK-3β. The inhibitor of PI3K/Akt, LY2994002, significantly attenuates VPA induced phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β and up regulation of Snail and Vim. Collectively, our data reveal that VPA can trigger the EMT of CRC cells via up regulation of Snail through AKT/GSK-3β signals and post-transcriptional modification. It suggests that more attention should be paid when VPA used as a new anticancer drug for CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutao Feng
- a Hepatobiliary Surgery Department ; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University ; Guangzhou , China
| | - Junhua Cen
- a Hepatobiliary Surgery Department ; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University ; Guangzhou , China
| | - Jun Li
- a Hepatobiliary Surgery Department ; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University ; Guangzhou , China
| | - Rujin Zhao
- a Hepatobiliary Surgery Department ; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University ; Guangzhou , China
| | - Canhua Zhu
- a Hepatobiliary Surgery Department ; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University ; Guangzhou , China
| | - Zongxin Wang
- a Hepatobiliary Surgery Department ; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University ; Guangzhou , China
| | - Jiafen Xie
- a Hepatobiliary Surgery Department ; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University ; Guangzhou , China
| | - Wei Tang
- a Hepatobiliary Surgery Department ; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University ; Guangzhou , China
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Duffy S, Fam HK, Wang YK, Styles EB, Kim JH, Ang JS, Singh T, Larionov V, Shah SP, Andrews B, Boerkoel CF, Hieter P. Overexpression screens identify conserved dosage chromosome instability genes in yeast and human cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:9967-76. [PMID: 27551064 PMCID: PMC5018746 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1611839113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic copy number amplification and gene overexpression are common features of many cancers. To determine the role of gene overexpression on chromosome instability (CIN), we performed genome-wide screens in the budding yeast for yeast genes that cause CIN when overexpressed, a phenotype we refer to as dosage CIN (dCIN), and identified 245 dCIN genes. This catalog of genes reveals human orthologs known to be recurrently overexpressed and/or amplified in tumors. We show that two genes, TDP1, a tyrosyl-DNA-phosphdiesterase, and TAF12, an RNA polymerase II TATA-box binding factor, cause CIN when overexpressed in human cells. Rhabdomyosarcoma lines with elevated human Tdp1 levels also exhibit CIN that can be partially rescued by siRNA-mediated knockdown of TDP1 Overexpression of dCIN genes represents a genetic vulnerability that could be leveraged for selective killing of cancer cells through targeting of an unlinked synthetic dosage lethal (SDL) partner. Using SDL screens in yeast, we identified a set of genes that when deleted specifically kill cells with high levels of Tdp1. One gene was the histone deacetylase RPD3, for which there are known inhibitors. Both HT1080 cells overexpressing hTDP1 and rhabdomyosarcoma cells with elevated levels of hTdp1 were more sensitive to histone deacetylase inhibitors valproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA), recapitulating the SDL interaction in human cells and suggesting VPA and TSA as potential therapeutic agents for tumors with elevated levels of hTdp1. The catalog of dCIN genes presented here provides a candidate list to identify genes that cause CIN when overexpressed in cancer, which can then be leveraged through SDL to selectively target tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supipi Duffy
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Hok Khim Fam
- Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 4H4; Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Yi Kan Wang
- BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 4E6
| | - Erin B Styles
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 1A8; The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3E1
| | - Jung-Hyun Kim
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - J Sidney Ang
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Tejomayee Singh
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Vladimir Larionov
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | | | - Brenda Andrews
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 1A8; The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3E1
| | - Cornelius F Boerkoel
- Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 4H4; Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Philip Hieter
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4; Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3;
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Chen J, Zhu XX, Xu H, Fang HZ, Zhao JQ. Expression and prognostic significance of unique ULBPs in pancreatic cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:5271-9. [PMID: 27621649 PMCID: PMC5010155 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s107771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide, due to the lack of efficient therapy and difficulty in early diagnosis. ULBPs have been shown to behave as important protectors with prognostic significance in various cancers. Materials and methods Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to explore the expression of ULBPs in cancer tissue and in serum, while survival analysis was used to evaluate the subsequent clinical value of ULBPs. Results Statistics showed that high expression of membrane ULBP1 was a good biomarker of overall survival (18 months vs 13 months), and a high level of soluble ULBP2 was deemed an independent poor indicator for both overall survival (P<0.001) and disease-free survival (P<0.001). Conclusion ULBP1 provides additional information for early diagnosis, and soluble ULBP2 can be used as a novel tumor marker to evaluate the risk of pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiong Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Xing Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Heng-Zhong Fang
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Qian Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, People's Republic of China
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Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Enhance CD4 T Cell Susceptibility to NK Cell Killing but Reduce NK Cell Function. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005782. [PMID: 27529554 PMCID: PMC4986965 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the search for a cure for HIV-1 infection, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are being investigated as activators of latently infected CD4 T cells to promote their targeting by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). However, HDACi may also inhibit CTL function, suggesting different immunotherapy approaches may need to be explored. Here, we study the impact of different HDACi on both Natural Killer (NK) and CTL targeting of HIV-1 infected cells. We found HDACi down-regulated HLA class I expression independently of HIV-1 Nef which, without significantly compromising CTL function, led to enhanced targeting by NK cells. HDACi-treated HIV-1-infected CD4 T cells were also more effectively cleared than untreated controls during NK co-culture. However, HDACi impaired NK function, reducing degranulation and killing capacity. Depending on the HDACi and dose, this impairment could counteract the benefit gained by treating infected target cells. These data suggest that following HDACi-induced HLA class I down-regulation NK cells kill HIV-1-infected cells, although HDACi-mediated NK cell inhibition may negate this effect. Our data emphasize the importance of studying the effects of potential interventions on both targets and effectors. Antiretroviral therapy successfully controls HIV-1 viraemia and can restore life expectancy to within normal limits. However, antiretroviral therapy is not a cure as HIV-1 persists in a treatment-resistant latent reservoir. Therapy also comes with a high cost, side effects, and a lifetime commitment to pills. Therefore, there is growing interest in finding a cure. One proposed strategy is to use novel agents to stimulate HIV-1 transcription in latently-infected cells, after which the cells could be targeted and cleared by the immune system. Of current interest are the latency-reversing histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), with CD8 T cells and NK cells potentially serving as the HIV-1 killing agents. However, previous studies suggested HDACi negatively affected CD8 T cell function, compromising their role as killers. Here we studied whether NK cells might serve as effective killers of HDACi treated CD4 T cells, especially as HDACi may induce HLA class I down-regulation. We found that although treating infected cells with HDACi resulted in HLA class I down-regulation and enhanced their visibility to NK cells, HDACi inhibited NK cell function overall, suggesting additional killing strategies will be required.
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Yang X, Xu Y, Brooks A, Guo B, Miskimins KW, Qian SY. Knockdown delta-5-desaturase promotes the formation of a novel free radical byproduct from COX-catalyzed ω-6 peroxidation to induce apoptosis and sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs. Free Radic Biol Med 2016; 97:342-350. [PMID: 27368132 PMCID: PMC5807006 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated that colon cancer cell proliferation can be suppressed in the cells that overexpress COX-2 via generating 8-hydroxyoctanoic acid (a free radical byproduct) during dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA, an ω-6 fatty acid) peroxidation from knocking down cellular delta-5-desaturase (D5D, the key enzyme for converting DGLA to the downstream ω-6, arachidonic acid). Here, this novel research finding is extended to pancreatic cancer growth, as COX-2 is also commonly overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. The pancreatic cancer cell line, BxPC-3 (with high COX-2 expression and mutated p53), was used to assess not only the inhibitory effects of the enhanced formation of 8-hydroxyoctanoic acid from cellular COX-2-catalyzed DGLA peroxidation but also its potential synergistic and/or additive effect on current chemotherapy drugs. This work demonstrated that, by inducing DNA damage through inhibition of histone deacetylase, a threshold level of 8-hydroxyoctanoic acid achieved in DGLA-treated and D5D-knockdown BxPC-3 cells subsequently induce cancer cell apoptosis. Furthermore, it was shown that a combination of D5D knockdown along with DGLA treatment could also significantly sensitize BxPC-3 cells to various chemotherapy drugs, likely via a p53-independent pathway through downregulating of anti-apoptotic proteins (e.g., Bcl-2) and activating pro-apoptotic proteins (e.g., caspase 3, -9). This study reinforces the supposition that using commonly overexpressed COX-2 for molecular targeting, a strategy conceptually distinct from the prevailing COX-2 inhibition strategy used in cancer treatment, is an important as well as viable alternative to inhibit cancer cell growth. Based on the COX-2 metabolic cascade, the outcomes presented here could guide the development of a novel ω-6-based dietary care strategy in combination with chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, United States
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, United States
| | - Amanda Brooks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, United States
| | - Bin Guo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, United States
| | - Keith W Miskimins
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, United States
| | - Steven Y Qian
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, United States.
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Guo SW, Du Y, Liu X. Platelet-derived TGF-β1 mediates the down-modulation of NKG2D expression and may be responsible for impaired natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity in women with endometriosis. Hum Reprod 2016; 31:1462-74. [PMID: 27130956 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does platelet-derived transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) have any role in the reduced cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells in women with endometriosis? SUMMARY ANSWER Platelet-derived TGF-β1 suppresses the expression of NK Group 2, Member D (NKG2D) on NK cells, resulting in reduced cytotoxicity in women with endometriosis, but neutralization of TGF-β1 reverses the reduction. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY NK cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that play an important role in peritoneal immune surveillance, and their function is known to be impaired in women with endometriosis. There is increased platelet aggregation in endometriotic lesions and increased platelet activation rate in the peripheral blood in women with endometriosis, yet activated platelets release copiousTGF-β1, which is known to be a potent immunosuppressive molecule that suppresses NK cell function and NKG2D expression. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Cross-sectional clinical studies of 30 women with endometriosis and 33 women without endometriosis and in vitro experimentation with and without TGF-β1 blockade. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Peritoneal fluid (PF) samples from premenopausal women with endometriosis and age- and menstrual phase-matched controls were collected. Platelet count, white blood cell (WBC) count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet activation rate, TGF-β1 concentration, expression levels of NKG2D on NK cells in the PF were evaluated. The apoptosis of freshly isolated NK cells treated with PF from women with endometriosis, the NK cytotoxicity and NKG2D expression treated with PF in the presence or absence of an anti-TGF-β1 antibody were also determined. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The platelet count, WBC count, MPV, platelet activation rate and the TGF-β1 concentration in the PF from women with endometriosis were significantly elevated when compared with those of women without endometriosis. The TGF-β1 concentration correlated positively with the platelet activation rate (r = 0.59, P < 0.01), suggesting that activated platelets are responsible, at least in part, for the increased TGF-β1 concentration. The cytotoxicity of freshly isolated NK cells treated with PF of women with endometriosis is significantly reduced when compared with that of women without endometriosis. Both the platelet activation rate and the TGF-β1 concentration in the PF correlated negatively with the NKG2D expression in NK cells isolated from the PF (r = -0.36, P < 0.01, and r = -0.45, P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the NKG2D expression level and the cytotoxicity in freshly isolated NK cells were found to be significantly reduced if co-cultured with PF from women with endometriosis, but the TGF-β1 blockade effectively reverses the reduction. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study is limited by the cross-sectional nature of the study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS NKG2D is known to potently activate NK cells, so potent that it even overrides inhibitory signals transduced by other inhibitory receptors. This is the first time we demonstrate that platelet-derived TGF-β1 may be responsible for reduced NKG2D expression as well as reduced cytotoxicity of NK cells in women with endometriosis. This study provides yet another piece of evidence that platelets play critical roles in the development of endometriosis, and anti-platelet treatment should improve NK cell functionality in treating endometriosis. Equally important, this study highlights the critical role of the lesion microenvironment in shaping NK cell-mediated anti-endometriotic immunity. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This research was supported in part by grants 81270676 (S.-W.G.), 81471434 (S.-W.G.), 81530040 (S.-W.G.), and 81370695 (X.L.) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and grant 2013ZYJB0019 (X.L.) from Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning. None of the authors has anything to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai 200011, China Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanbo Du
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xishi Liu
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, 419 Fangxie Road, Shanghai 200011, China Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Tsukagoshi M, Wada S, Yokobori T, Altan B, Ishii N, Watanabe A, Kubo N, Saito F, Araki K, Suzuki H, Hosouchi Y, Kuwano H. Overexpression of natural killer group 2 member D ligands predicts favorable prognosis in cholangiocarcinoma. Cancer Sci 2016; 107:116-22. [PMID: 26608587 PMCID: PMC4768394 DOI: 10.1111/cas.12853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) receptor and its ligands are important mediators of immune responses to tumors. NKG2D ligands are overexpressed in several malignant tumor types; however, the prognostic value of these ligands is unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate the role of NKG2D ligands in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC). We therefore investigated the expression of the NKG2D receptor and its ligands MHC class I chain-related proteins A and B (MICA/B), unique long 16 binding protein (ULBP) 1, and ULBP2/5/6 in resected specimens from 82 patients with EHCC. All NKG2D ligands were highly expressed in EHCC. High expression of MICA/B or ULBP2/5/6 correlated with overall and disease-free survival. In contrast, high expression of ULBP1 was significantly associated with improved overall survival, but not disease-free survival. Concurrent high expression of multiple NKG2D ligands revealed significantly better overall and disease-free survival than that observed with the overexpression of any one NKG2D ligand. Co-expression of multiple NKG2D ligands was an independent prognostic indicator of improved survival. Furthermore, co-overexpression of multiple NKG2D ligands was significantly correlated with high expression of the NKG2D receptor. Inhibiting interactions between multiple NKG2D ligands and the NKG2D receptor might be a promising approach for controlling cancer progression and improving patient prognosis in EHCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Tsukagoshi
- Department of General Surgical ScienceGunma University Graduate School of MedicineMaebashiJapan
| | - Satoshi Wada
- Department of General Surgical ScienceGunma University Graduate School of MedicineMaebashiJapan
- Department of Cancer ImmunotherapyKanagawa Cancer CenterYokohamaJapan
| | - Takehiko Yokobori
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and OncologyGunma University Graduate School of MedicineMaebashiJapan
| | - Bolag Altan
- Department of General Surgical ScienceGunma University Graduate School of MedicineMaebashiJapan
| | - Norihiro Ishii
- Department of General Surgical ScienceGunma University Graduate School of MedicineMaebashiJapan
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Department of General Surgical ScienceGunma University Graduate School of MedicineMaebashiJapan
| | - Norio Kubo
- Department of General Surgical ScienceGunma University Graduate School of MedicineMaebashiJapan
| | - Fumiyoshi Saito
- Department of General Surgical ScienceGunma University Graduate School of MedicineMaebashiJapan
| | - Kenichiro Araki
- Department of General Surgical ScienceGunma University Graduate School of MedicineMaebashiJapan
| | - Hideki Suzuki
- Department of General Surgical ScienceGunma University Graduate School of MedicineMaebashiJapan
| | - Yasuo Hosouchi
- Department of Surgery and Laparoscopic SurgeryGunma Prefecture Saiseikai‐Maebashi HospitalMaebashiJapan
| | - Hiroyuki Kuwano
- Department of General Surgical ScienceGunma University Graduate School of MedicineMaebashiJapan
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Mining for Candidate Genes Related to Pancreatic Cancer Using Protein-Protein Interactions and a Shortest Path Approach. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:623121. [PMID: 26613085 PMCID: PMC4647023 DOI: 10.1155/2015/623121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly malignant tumor derived from pancreas tissue and is one of the leading causes of death from cancer. Its molecular mechanism has been partially revealed by validating its oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes; however, the available data remain insufficient for medical workers to design effective treatments. Large-scale identification of PC-related genes can promote studies on PC. In this study, we propose a computational method for mining new candidate PC-related genes. A large network was constructed using protein-protein interaction information, and a shortest path approach was applied to mine new candidate genes based on validated PC-related genes. In addition, a permutation test was adopted to further select key candidate genes. Finally, for all discovered candidate genes, the likelihood that the genes are novel PC-related genes is discussed based on their currently known functions.
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48
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Kim JH, Lee JK. Sesamolin enhances NK cell lysis activity by increasing the expression of NKG2D ligands on Burkitt's lymphoma cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 28:977-84. [PMID: 26298637 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Sesamolin and sesamin are representative lignans found in sesame seed. The present study was designed to demonstrate the anti-cancer activity of sesamolin achieved by increasing the expression level of NKG2D ligands on Raji cells, which are derived from Burkitt's lymphoma. The anti-cancer activity of sesamolin was also compared with that of sesamin. The cytolysis activity of NK cells against Raji was elevated by the pretreatment of sesamolin on Raji, but not by sesamin. We found that higher NKG2D ligand expression increased the sensitivity of sesamolin-treated Raji to NK cell lysis, resulting from a more active ERK signaling pathway. Our results provide evidence that targeting the ERK signaling pathway may enhance the antitumor activity of lignans and that there is a potential immunotherapeutic value for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Hwa Kim
- Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea; College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Kwon Lee
- Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea.
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Bhat J, Kabelitz D. γδ T cells and epigenetic drugs: A useful merger in cancer immunotherapy? Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1006088. [PMID: 26155411 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1006088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
γδ T cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies in cancer patients are as yet of limited success. Drugs targeting epigenetic mechanisms including histone acetylation and DNA methylation trigger cell death in tumor cells but in addition have immunomodulatory activity. Here, we discuss the potential benefit of combining both strategies in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaydeep Bhat
- Institute of Immunology; University of Kiel and UKSH Campus Kiel ; Kiel, Germany
| | - Dieter Kabelitz
- Institute of Immunology; University of Kiel and UKSH Campus Kiel ; Kiel, Germany
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50
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Kunnimalaiyaan S, Trevino J, Tsai S, Gamblin TC, Kunnimalaiyaan M. Xanthohumol-Mediated Suppression of Notch1 Signaling Is Associated with Antitumor Activity in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:1395-403. [PMID: 25887885 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains a lethal disease with limited treatment options. At the time of diagnosis, approximately 80% of these patients present with unresectable tumors caused by either locally advanced lesions or progressive metastatic growth. Therefore, development of novel treatment strategies and new therapeutics is needed. Xanthohumol (XN) has emerged as a potential compound that inhibits various types of cancer, but the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of XN remains unclear. In the present study, we have assessed the efficacy of XN on pancreatic cancer cell lines (AsPC-1, PANC-1, L3.6pl, MiaPaCa-2, 512, and 651) against cell growth in real time and using colony-forming assays. Treatment with XN resulted in reduction in cellular proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The growth suppression effect of XN in pancreatic cancer cell lines is due to increased apoptosis via the inhibition of the Notch1 signaling pathway, as evidenced by reduction in Notch1, HES-1, and survivin both at mRNA as well as protein levels. Notch1 promoter reporter analysis after XN treatment indicated that XN downregulates Notch promoter activity. Importantly, overexpression of active Notch1 in XN-treated pancreatic cancer cells resulted in negation of growth suppression. Taken together, these findings demonstrate, for the first time, that the growth suppressive effect of XN in pancreatic cancer cells is mainly mediated by Notch1 reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvi Kunnimalaiyaan
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Jose Trevino
- Department of Surgery, Section of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, University of Florida-Gainesville, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Susan Tsai
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - T Clark Gamblin
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Muthusamy Kunnimalaiyaan
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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