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Mastrogeorgiou M, Chatzikalil E, Theocharis S, Papoudou-Bai A, Péoc'h M, Mobarki M, Karpathiou G. The immune microenvironment of cancer of the uterine cervix. Histol Histopathol 2024; 39:1245-1271. [PMID: 38483012 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
While several treatment choices exist for cervical cancer, such as surgical therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, some patients will still show poor prognosis. HPV infection is a principal factor for cervical cancer development, from early inflammation to proliferation, angiogenesis, and neoplastic growth. While HPV T-cell responses exist, the tumor seems to evade the immune system upon its tolerance. The latter suggests the existence of a confluent tumor microenvironment responsible for the evasion tactics employed by the neoplasm. Therefore, novel biomarkers governing prognosis and treatment planning must be developed, with several studies tackling the significance of the tumor microenvironment in the genesis, development, proliferation, and overall response of cervical cancer during neoplastic processes. This review aims to analyze and contemplate the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment and its role in prognosis, progression, evasion, and invasion, including therapeutic outcome and overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail Mastrogeorgiou
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Elena Chatzikalil
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Michel Péoc'h
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Mousa Mobarki
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Georgia Karpathiou
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.
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2
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Rademacher MJ, Faber ML, Bone KM, Medin JA, Schloemer NJ. Fate control engagement augments NK cell responses in LV/hu-IL-12 transduced sarcoma. Exp Mol Pathol 2024; 137:104898. [PMID: 38729059 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2024.104898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION NK cells are an untapped resource for cancer therapy. Sarcomas transduced with lentiviruses to express human IL-12 are only cleared in mice bearing mature human NK cells. However, systemic inflammation limits IL-12 utilization. Fate control a.k.a. "suicide mechanisms" regulate unchecked systemic inflammation caused by cellular immunotherapies. Despite increasing utilization, there remains limited data on immune consequences or tumor-directed effects of fate control. OBJECTIVES We sought to engage the mutant thymidylate kinase (mTMPK) metabolic fate control system to regulate systemic inflammation and assess the impact on NK cell effector functions. METHODS Primary human sarcoma short-passage samples and cell lines were transduced with LV/hu-IL-12_mTMPK engineering expression of IL-12 and an AZT-associated fate control enzyme. We assessed transduced sarcoma responses to AZT engagement and subsequent modulation of NK cell functions as measured by inflammatory cytokine production and cytotoxicity. RESULTS AZT administration to transduced (LV/hu-IL-12_mTMPK) short-passage primary human sarcomas and human Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, abrogated the robust expression of human IL-12. Fate control activation elicited a specific dose-dependent cytotoxic effect measured by metabolic activity (WST-1) and cell death (Incucyte). NK effector functions of IFN-γ and cytotoxic granule release were significantly augmented despite IL-12 abrogation. This correlated with preferentially induced expression of NK cell activation ligands. CONCLUSIONS mTMPK fate control engagement terminates transduced sarcoma IL-12 production and triggers cell death, but also augments an NK cell-mediated response coinciding with metabolic stress activating surface ligand induction. Fate control engagement could offer a novel immune activation method for NK cell-mediated cancer clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Rademacher
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Mary L Faber
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Kathleen M Bone
- Departments of Pathology; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Medin
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Departments of Biochemisty; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Nathan J Schloemer
- Departments of Pediatrics; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
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Verhaar ER, van Keizerswaard WJC, Knoflook A, Balligand T, Ploegh HL. Nanobody-based CAR NK cells for possible immunotherapy of MICA + tumors. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae184. [PMID: 38756234 PMCID: PMC11096969 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The glycoproteins MICA and MICB are upregulated on the surface of cells undergoing stress, for instance due to (viral) infection or malignant transformation. MICA/B are the ligands for the activating receptor NKG2D, found on cytotoxic immune cells like NK cells, CD8+ T cells, and γδ T cells. Upon engagement of NKG2D, these cells are activated to eradicate the MICA/B-positive targets, assisted by the secretion of cytokines. Nanobodies, or VHHs, are derived from the variable regions of camelid heavy-chain only immunoglobulins. Nanobodies are characterized by their small size, ease of production, stability, and specificity of recognition. We generated nanobodies that recognize membrane-bound MICA with high affinity. Here, we use these nanobodies as building blocks for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to establish VHH-based CAR NK cells. These anti-MICA nanobody-based CAR NK cells recognize and selectively kill MICA-positive tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. We track localization of the VHH-based CAR NK cells to MICA-positive lung metastases by immuno-positron emission tomography imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisha R Verhaar
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Anouk Knoflook
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas Balligand
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hidde L Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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4
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Verhaar ER, Knoflook A, Pishesha N, Liu X, van Keizerswaard WJC, Wucherpfennig KW, Ploegh HL. MICA-specific nanobodies for diagnosis and immunotherapy of MICA + tumors. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1368586. [PMID: 38550583 PMCID: PMC10973119 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1368586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
MICA and MICB are Class I MHC-related glycoproteins that are upregulated on the surface of cells in response to stress, for instance due to infection or malignant transformation. MICA/B are ligands for NKG2D, an activating receptor on NK cells, CD8+ T cells, and γδ T cells. Upon engagement of MICA/B with NKG2D, these cytotoxic cells eradicate MICA/B-positive targets. MICA is frequently overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells of epithelial and hematopoietic origin. Here, we created nanobodies that recognize MICA. Nanobodies, or VHHs, are the recombinantly expressed variable regions of camelid heavy chain-only immunoglobulins. They retain the capacity of antigen recognition but are characterized by their stability and ease of production. The nanobodies described here detect surface-disposed MICA on cancer cells in vitro by flow cytometry and can be used therapeutically as nanobody-drug conjugates when fused to the Maytansine derivative DM1. The nanobody-DM1 conjugate selectively kills MICA positive tumor cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisha R. Verhaar
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Anouk Knoflook
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Novalia Pishesha
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xin Liu
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Kai W. Wucherpfennig
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hidde L. Ploegh
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
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5
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Song C, Liu W, Jiang G, He Z, Wang R, Wang X, Chen R, Mao W, Zhu S. Identification and validation of a novel NK cells-related signature to predict prognosis and immune microenvironment in LUAD. Immunobiology 2023; 228:152751. [PMID: 37774597 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2023.152751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence and fatality rates of lung cancer are experiencing a rapid escalation. Natural Killer (NK) cells have been established to have a crucial role in both tumor initiation and progression. Nevertheless, uncertainties persist regarding their precise implications in the prognosis of LUAD. METHODS The data were obtained from reputable sources, such as the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and our internally generated sequencing data. Utilizing the TCGA data as a background, we selected intersecting genes, validated by cluster analysis, to establish a Cox model and validated it using the GEO datasets. Furthermore, we conducted extensive analyses to investigate the significance of potential biomarkers in relation to immune cell infiltration, single-cell data, differential gene expression, and drug sensitivity. RESULTS 67 immune-related genes associated with NK cells (NK-IRGs) were identified in the TCGA datasets, whose research potential was demonstrated by cluster analysis. A prognostic signature was identified utilizing the univariate and multivariate Cox model, resulting in the identification of five genes, which was validated using GEO datasets. Additionally, the nomogram's calibration curve demonstrated exceptional concordance between the projected and actual survival rates. Subsequent investigations uncovered that this prognostic signature demonstrated its independence as a risk factor. Notably, in the low-risk group, NK cells exhibited elevated levels of immune checkpoint molecules, indicating heightened sensitivity to immune therapy. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing this signature as a valuable tool in the selection of patients who could benefit from targeted immune interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghu Song
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China
| | - Weici Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China
| | - Guanyu Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China
| | - Zhao He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China
| | - Ruixin Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China
| | - Xiaokun Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China
| | - Ruo Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China.
| | - Wenjun Mao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China.
| | - Shaojin Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, China.
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Luo Y, Ni R, Jin X, Feng P, Dai C, Jiang L, Chen P, Yang L, Zhu Y. FOXD1 expression-based prognostic model for uveal melanoma. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21333. [PMID: 38027647 PMCID: PMC10651470 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21333] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
FOXD1, a new member of the FOX transcription factor family, serves as a mediator and biomarker for cell reprogramming. But its contribution to prognosis of uveal melanoma (UVM) is unclear. This study demonstrated that FOXD1 might promote tumor growth and invasion, because FOXD1 expression was negatively correlated with overall survival, progression-free survival, and disease-specific survival in UVM patients. This conjecture was verified in cell culture with human uveal melanoma cell line (MUM2B) as model cells. Additionally, the biological mechanisms of FOXD1 based on FOXD1-related genomic spectrum, molecular pathways, tumor microenvironment, and drug treatment sensitivity were examined using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, aiming to reasonably explain why FOXD1 leads to poor prognosis of UVM. On these bases, a novel tumor prognostic model was established using the FOXD1-related immunomodulators TMEM173, TNFRSF4, TNFSF13, and ULBP1, which will enable the stratification of disease seriousness and clinical treatment for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Luo
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Renhao Ni
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Xiaojun Jin
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Peipei Feng
- Ningbo Institute of Innovation for Combined Medicine and Engineering, Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, 315000, China
| | - Chenyi Dai
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Lingjing Jiang
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | | | - Lu Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315010, China
| | - Yabin Zhu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
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7
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Tan G, Spillane KM, Maher J. The Role and Regulation of the NKG2D/NKG2D Ligand System in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1079. [PMID: 37626965 PMCID: PMC10452210 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The family of human NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) consists of eight stress-induced molecules. Over 80% of human cancers express these ligands on the surface of tumour cells and/or associated stromal elements. In mice, NKG2D deficiency increases susceptibility to some types of cancer, implicating this system in immune surveillance for malignancy. However, NKG2DL can also be shed, released via exosomes and trapped intracellularly, leading to immunosuppressive effects. Moreover, NKG2D can enhance chronic inflammatory processes which themselves can increase cancer risk and progression. Indeed, tumours commonly deploy a range of countermeasures that can neutralise or even corrupt this surveillance system, tipping the balance away from immune control towards tumour progression. Consequently, the prognostic impact of NKG2DL expression in human cancer is variable. In this review, we consider the underlying biology and regulation of the NKG2D/NKG2DL system and its expression and role in a range of cancer types. We also consider the opportunities for pharmacological modulation of NKG2DL expression while cautioning that such interventions need to be carefully calibrated according to the biology of the specific cancer type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Tan
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | | | - John Maher
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD, UK
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
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8
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Caforio M, Tumino N, Sorino C, Manni I, Di Giovenale S, Piaggio G, Iezzi S, Strimpakos G, Mattei E, Moretta L, Fanciulli M, Vacca P, Locatelli F, Folgiero V. AATF/Che-1 RNA polymerase II binding protein overexpression reduces the anti-tumor NK-cell cytotoxicity through activating receptors modulation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1191908. [PMID: 37435061 PMCID: PMC10332273 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1191908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction AATF/Che-1 over-expression in different tumors is well known and its effect on tumorigenicity is mainly due to its central role demonstrated in the oncogenic pathways of solid tumors, where it controls proliferation and viability. The effect exerted by tumors overexpressing Che-1 on the immune response has not yet been investigated. Methods Starting from ChIP-sequencing data we confirmed Che-1 enrichment on Nectin-1 promoter. Several co-cultures experiments between NK-cells and tumor cells transduced by lentiviral vectors carrying Che-1-interfering sequence, analyzed by flow-cytometry have allowed a detailed characterization of NK receptors and tumor ligands expression. Results Here, we show that Che-1 is able to modulate the expression of Nectin-1 ligand at the transcriptional level, leading to the impairment of killing activity of NK-cells. Nectin-1 down-modulation induces a modification in NK-cell ligands expression able to interact with activating receptors and to stimulate NK-cell function. In addition, NK-cells from Che-1 transgenic mice, confirming a reduced expression of activating receptors, exhibit impaired activation and a preferential immature status. Discussion The critical equilibrium between NK-cell ligand expression on tumor cells and the interaction with NK cell receptors is affected by Che-1 over-expression and partially restored by Che-1 interference. The evidence of a new role for Che-1 as regulator of anti-tumor immunity supports the necessity to develop approaches able to target this molecule which shows a dual tumorigenic function as cancer promoter and immune response modulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Caforio
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Research Area, Innate Lymphoid Cells Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Sorino
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Manni
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Giovenale
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Iezzi
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Georgios Strimpakos
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Mattei
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)-Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Tumor Immunology Unit , Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, RomaLM, Rome, Italy
| | - M. Fanciulli
- Stabilimento Allevamento Fornitore e Utilizzatore (SAFU) Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Immunology Research Area, Innate Lymphoid Cells Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Folgiero
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
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Gutierrez-Silerio GY, Bueno-Topete MR, Vega-Magaña AN, Bastidas-Ramirez BE, Gutierrez-Franco J, Escarra-Senmarti M, Pedraza-Brindis EJ, Peña-Rodriguez M, Ramos-Marquez ME, Delgado-Rizo V, Banu N, Alejandre-Gonzalez AG, Fafutis-Morris M, Haramati J, Del Toro-Arreola S. Non-fitness status of peripheral NK cells defined by decreased NKp30 and perforin, and increased soluble B7H6, in cervical cancer patients. Immunology 2023; 168:538-553. [PMID: 36271832 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The NKp30 receptor is one of the three natural cytotoxic receptors reported in NK cells. This receptor is codified by the NCR3 gene, which encodes three isoforms, a consequence of the alternative splicing of exon 4. A greater expression of the three isoforms (A, B, and C), along with low levels of the NKp30 ligand B7H6, has been reported as a positive prognostic factor in different cancer types. Here, in patients with cervical cancer and precursor lesions, we report an altered immune-phenotype, characterized by non-fitness markers, that correlated with increased disease stage, from CIN 1 to FIGO IV. While overall NK cell numbers increased, loss of NKp30+ NK cells, especially in the CD56dim subpopulation, was found. Perforin levels were decreased in these cells. Decreased expression of the NKp30 C isoform and overexpression of soluble B7H6 was found in cervical cancer patients when compared against healthy subjects. PBMCs from healthy subjects downregulated NKp30 isoforms after co-culture with B7H6-expressing tumour cells. Taken together, these findings describe a unique down-modulation or non-fitness status of the immune response in cervical cancer, the understanding of which will be important for the design of novel immunotherapies against this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Yareli Gutierrez-Silerio
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Departamento de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Miriam Ruth Bueno-Topete
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Natali Vega-Magaña
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Emergentes y Reemergentes, Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Blanca Estela Bastidas-Ramirez
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Jorge Gutierrez-Franco
- Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico Biológicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Tepic, Mexico
| | | | - Eliza Julia Pedraza-Brindis
- Departamento Academia de Aparatos y Sistemas I, Unidad Académica de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Marcela Peña-Rodriguez
- Laboratorio de Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Emergentes y Reemergentes, Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Martha Eloisa Ramos-Marquez
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Vidal Delgado-Rizo
- Centro de Investigación en Inmunología y Dermatología, Departamento de Fisiología, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Nehla Banu
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Allergy and Immunology and Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Alan Guillermo Alejandre-Gonzalez
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Mary Fafutis-Morris
- Centro de Investigación en Inmunología y Dermatología, Departamento de Fisiología, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Jesse Haramati
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, CUCBA, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Susana Del Toro-Arreola
- Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Inmunología, Departamento de Fisiología, CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
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10
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Youlin K, Simin L, Jian K, Li Z. Inhibition of miR-20a by pterostilbene facilitates prostate cancer cells killed by NK cells via up-regulation of NKG2D ligands and TGF-β1down-regulation. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14957. [PMID: 37064475 PMCID: PMC10102449 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a potent role in antitumor immunity via spontaneously eliminating tumor directly. However, some tumors such as prostate cancer constantly escape this immune response by down-regulating cell surface molecule recognition and/or secreting immune impressive cytokines. Here, we found pterostilbene, a natural agent with potent anticancer activity, could enhance expression of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related proteins A and B (MICA/B) on prostate cancer cells surface, which are ligands of the natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) expressed by NK cells, and inhibit TGF-β1 secretion by prostate cancer cells. Further, we discovered that these effects were caused by inhibition of miR-20a in prostate cancer cells by pterostilbene. MiR-20a could target the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of MICA/B, resulting in their expression down-regulation. Inhibition of TGF-β1 function by its specific antibody attenuated its impairment to NKG2D on NK cells. Finally, we observed that pterostilbene-treated prostate cancer cells were more easily to be killed by NK cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrated inhibition of miR-20a by pterostilbene in prostate cancer cells could increase MICA/B expression and decrease TGF-β1 secretion, which enhanced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity againt prostate cancer cells, suggesting a potential approach for increasing anti-prostate cancer immune.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang Youlin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Liang Simin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Kang Jian
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Zhang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Corresponding author.
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11
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Circ_0060055 Promotes the Growth, Invasion, and Radioresistance of Glioblastoma by Targeting MiR-197-3p/API5 Axis. Neurotox Res 2022; 40:1292-1303. [PMID: 35849320 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-022-00548-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Circular RNA (circRNA) has been shown to be involved in the regulation of human disease progression. Our study aims to reveal the role of circ_0060055 in the progression of glioblastoma (GBM) and its potential molecular mechanism. The expression of circ_0060055, microRNA (miR)-197-3p, and apoptosis inhibitor 5 (API5) was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. GBM cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion were assessed using cell counting kit 8 assay, colony formation assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assay. Besides, the radiosensitivity of cells also was assessed using colony formation assay. The interaction between miR-197-3p and circ_0060055 or API5 was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay. Animal experiments were conducted to measure the effect of circ_0060055 on GBM tumor growth and radiosensitivity in vivo. Circ_0060055 was overexpressed in GBM tumor tissues and cells, and its silencing suppressed GBM cell proliferation and invasion, while promoted apoptosis and radiosensitivity. In terms of mechanism, circ_0060055 could interact with miR-197-3p, and miR-197-3p could target API5. API5 expression also could be positively regulated by circ_0060055. Function experiments suggested that miR-197-3p inhibitor abolished the effect of circ_0060055 knockdown on GBM cell growth, invasion, and radiosensitivity. MiR-197-3p repressed GBM cell progression and improved radiosensitivity, and this effect was eliminated by API5 upregulation. In vivo experiments confirmed that circ_0060055 knockdown reduced GBM tumor growth and enhanced the radiosensitivity of tumors. This study revealed that circ_0060055 contributed to GBM progression and radioresistance through miR-197-3p/API5 pathway, providing a potential target for GBM treatment.
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12
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Expressional regulation of NKG2DLs is associated with the tumor development and shortened overall survival in lung adenocarcinoma. Immunobiology 2022; 227:152239. [PMID: 35780757 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2022.152239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer group 2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are expressed on tumor cells as a ligand for Natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) receptors. NKG2DLs interact with NKG2D to induce immune cell-mediated cytotoxicity for eliminating tumors. Studies demonstrated that tumor cells can reduce NKG2DLs' expression to escape from anti-tumor immunity, leading to an aggressive cancer phenotype and poor prognosis in some cancers. However, these studies are limited and there is no comprehensive work on the regulation of NKG2DLs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) which is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Here, we conducted an in silico analysis to evaluate the changes in NKG2DLs in LUAD by analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Gene Expression Omnibus datasets including tumor vs. normal comparisons, TNM stages, survival and infiltrating immune estimation profile. Results indicated that some members of NKG2DL were downregulated in LUAD as compared to normal samples. We determined that MICA (MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A) was the most and significantly downregulated ligand among others and the results were nearly consistent with the different datasets which we used. Furthermore, survival analysis revealed that down-regulated MICA transcript expression might be one of the prognostic indicators of LUAD. Interestingly, according to the immune cell infiltrating analysis, there wasn't a direct correlation between the MICA transcript expression and immune cell infiltration, while for MICB there was. In addition, in genetic alteration, DNA methylation and miRNA analyses, we did not observe critical outcomes that would clarify the down-regulated MICA expression in detail. Regardless, this study is highly comprehensive and contributes valuable suggestions to further functional studies about the regulation of NKG2DLs and promising immunotherapeutic approaches in LUAD.
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13
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Jones AB, Rocco A, Lamb LS, Friedman GK, Hjelmeland AB. Regulation of NKG2D Stress Ligands and Its Relevance in Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2339. [PMID: 35565467 PMCID: PMC9105350 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Under cellular distress, multiple facets of normal homeostatic signaling are altered or disrupted. In the context of the immune landscape, external and internal stressors normally promote the expression of natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) ligands that allow for the targeted recognition and killing of cells by NKG2D receptor-bearing effector populations. The presence or absence of NKG2D ligands can heavily influence disease progression and impact the accessibility of immunotherapy options. In cancer, tumor cells are known to have distinct regulatory mechanisms for NKG2D ligands that are directly associated with tumor progression and maintenance. Therefore, understanding the regulation of NKG2D ligands in cancer will allow for targeted therapeutic endeavors aimed at exploiting the stress response pathway. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of regulatory mechanisms controlling the induction and repression of NKG2D ligands in cancer. Additionally, we highlight current therapeutic endeavors targeting NKG2D ligand expression and offer our perspective on considerations to further enhance the field of NKG2D ligand biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber B. Jones
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Abbey Rocco
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.R.); (G.K.F.)
| | | | - Gregory K. Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.R.); (G.K.F.)
| | - Anita B. Hjelmeland
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
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14
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Zhou Y, Espenel S, Achkar S, Leary A, Gouy S, Chargari C. Combined modality including novel sensitizers in gynecological cancers. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2022; 32:389-401. [DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2021-002529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Standard treatment of locally advanced gynecological cancers relies mainly on platinum-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by brachytherapy. Current chemotherapeutic drugs are only transiently effective and patients with advanced disease often develop resistance and subsequently, distant metastases despite significant initial responses of the primary tumor. In addition, some patients still develop local failure or progression, suggesting that there is still a place for increasing the anti-tumor radiation effect. Several strategies are being developed to increase the probability of curing patients. Vaginal cancer and vulva cancer are rare diseases, which resemble cervical cancer in their histology and pathogenesis. These gynecological cancers are predominantly associated with human papilloma virus infection. Treatment strategies in other unresectable gynecologic cancers are usually derived from evidence in locally advanced cervical cancers. In this review, we discuss mechanisms by which novel therapies could work synergistically with conventional chemoradiotherapy, from pre-clinical and ongoing clinical data. Trimodal, even quadrimodal treatment are currently being tested in clinical trials. Novel combinations derived from a metastatic setting, and being tested in locally advanced tumors, include anti-angiogenic agents, immunotherapy, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes therapy, adoptive T-cell therapy and apoptosis inducers to enhance chemoradiotherapy efficacy through complementary molecular pathways. In parallel, radiosensitizers, such as nanoparticles and radiosensitizers of hypoxia aim to maximize the effect of radiotherapy locally.
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15
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A study of the association between long non coding RNA (ULBP1 and MICA/B) expression and preeclampsia in Egypt. GENE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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16
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Oliviero B, Varchetta S, Mele D, Pessino G, Maiello R, Falleni M, Tosi D, Donadon M, Soldani C, Franceschini B, Torzilli G, Piccolo G, Barabino M, Opocher E, Maestri M, Bernuzzi S, Wucherpfennig KW, Mondelli MU, Mantovani S. MICA/B-targeted antibody promotes NK cell-driven tumor immunity in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2035919. [PMID: 35223192 PMCID: PMC8865231 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2035919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex-class I chain related proteins A and B (MICA/B) is upregulated because of cellular stress and MICA/B shedding by cancer cells causes escape from NKG2D recognition favoring the emergence of cancers. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a relatively rare, though increasingly prevalent, primary liver cancer characterized by a late clinical presentation and a dismal prognosis. We explored the NKG2D-MICA/B axis in NK cells from 41 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). The MICA/B-specific 7C6 mAb was used for ex vivo antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) experiments using circulating, non tumor liver- and tumor-infiltrating NK cells against the HuCCT-1 cell line and patient-derived primary iCCA cells as targets. MICA/B were more expressed in iCCA than in non-tumoral tissue, MICA transcription being higher in moderately-differentiated compared with poorly-differentiated cancer. Serum MICA was elevated in iCCA patients in line with higher expression of ADAM10 and ADAM17 that are responsible for proteolytic release of MICA/B from tumor. Addition of 7C6 significantly boosted peripheral, liver- and tumor-infiltrating-NK cell degranulation and IFNγ production toward MICA/B-expressing established cell lines and autologous iCCA patient target cells. Our data show that anti-MICA/B drives NK cell anti-tumor activity, and provide preclinical evidence in support of 7C6 as a potential immunotherapeutic tool for iCCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Oliviero
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefania Varchetta
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Dalila Mele
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Greta Pessino
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberta Maiello
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Monica Falleni
- Department of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, State University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Delfina Tosi
- Department of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, State University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Donadon
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Cristiana Soldani
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Barbara Franceschini
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Guido Torzilli
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Gaetano Piccolo
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, and State University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Barabino
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, and State University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Opocher
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, and State University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marcello Maestri
- Division of General Surgery 1, Department of Surgery, Fondazione Irccs Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Bernuzzi
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Service, Department of Diagnostic Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Kai W. Wucherpfennig
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mario U. Mondelli
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy,Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy,CONTACT Mario U. Mondelli UOC Immunologia Clinica – Malattie Infettive, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Golgi 19, Pavia27100, Italy
| | - Stefania Mantovani
- Division of Clinical Immunology - Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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17
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NK Cell Regulation in Cervical Cancer and Strategies for Immunotherapy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113104. [PMID: 34831327 PMCID: PMC8619016 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent gynaecological malignancies worldwide and is related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, viral persistence, progression, and invasion. Therefore, the immune response is linked to HPV status. Natural killer (NK) cells play a central role against virus-infected cells and tumours through a delicate balance between activating and inhibitory receptors and secretion of cytokines and chemokines. These cells also play a crucial role in tumour immunosurveillance. For these reasons, there is growing interest in harnessing NK cells as an immunotherapy for cervical cancer. These studies are diverse and include many strategies such as transferring activated autologous or allogeneic NK cells, improving the activation and cytolytic activity of NK cells using cytokines or analogues and modifying chimeric antigen receptors to increase specificity and targeting NK cells. However, research regarding the application of NK cells in immunotherapy is limited. This article focuses on recent discoveries about using NK cells to prevent and treat cervical cancer and the possibility of cellular immunotherapy becoming one of the best strategies to exploit the immune system to fight tumours.
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18
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Wu J, Chen Z, Wickström SL, Gao J, He X, Jing X, Wu J, Du Q, Yang M, Chen Y, Zhang D, Yin X, Guo Z, Jensen L, Yang Y, Tao W, Lundqvist A, Kiessling R, Cao Y. Interleukin-33 is a Novel Immunosuppressor that Protects Cancer Cells from TIL Killing by a Macrophage-Mediated Shedding Mechanism. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2101029. [PMID: 34486239 PMCID: PMC8564439 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202101029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Recognition of specific antigens expressed in cancer cells is the initial process of cytolytic T cell-mediated cancer killing. However, this process can be affected by other non-cancerous cellular components in the tumor microenvironment. Here, it is shown that interleukin-33 (IL-33)-activated macrophages protect melanoma cells from tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte-mediated killing. Mechanistically, IL-33 markedly upregulates metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9) expression in macrophages, which acts as a sheddase to trim NKG2D, an activating receptor expressed on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells, CD8+ T cells, subsets of CD4+ T cells, iNKT cells, and γδ T cells. Further, MMP-9 also cleaves the MHC class I molecule, cell surface antigen-presenting complex molecules, expressed in melanoma cells. Consequently, IL-33-induced macrophage MMP-9 robustly mitigates the tumor killing-effect by T cells. Genetic and pharmacological loss-of-function of MMP-9 sheddase restore T cell-mediated cancer killing. Together, these data provide compelling in vitro and in vivo evidence showing novel mechanisms underlying the IL-33-macrophage-MMP-9 axis-mediated immune tolerance against cancer cells. Targeting each of these signaling components, including IL-33 and MMP-9 provides a new therapeutic paradigm for improving anticancer efficacy by immune therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunity/drug effects
- Interleukin-33/pharmacology
- Killer Cells, Natural/cytology
- Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/cytology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Macrophages/cytology
- Macrophages/drug effects
- Macrophages/immunology
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/chemistry
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism
- Melanoma/immunology
- Melanoma/therapy
- Mice
- NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K/metabolism
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- RNA Interference
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Up-Regulation/drug effects
- Zebrafish
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wu
- Department of MicrobiologyTumor and Cell BiologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 65Sweden
- Department of PharmacyThe Second Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250000China
| | - Ziqing Chen
- Department of Oncology and PathologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 77Sweden
| | - Stina L. Wickström
- Department of Oncology and PathologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 77Sweden
| | - Juan Gao
- Department of MicrobiologyTumor and Cell BiologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 65Sweden
| | - Xingkang He
- Department of MicrobiologyTumor and Cell BiologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 65Sweden
- Institute of GastroenterologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310016China
| | - Xu Jing
- Department of MicrobiologyTumor and Cell BiologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 65Sweden
| | - Jieyu Wu
- Department of MicrobiologyTumor and Cell BiologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 65Sweden
| | - Qiqiao Du
- Department of MicrobiologyTumor and Cell BiologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 65Sweden
| | - Muyi Yang
- Department of Oncology and PathologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 77Sweden
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Oncology and PathologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 77Sweden
| | - Dingding Zhang
- Department of MicrobiologyTumor and Cell BiologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 65Sweden
- School of MedicineSichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengdu611731China
| | - Xin Yin
- Department of MicrobiologyTumor and Cell BiologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 65Sweden
| | - Ziheng Guo
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610045China
| | - Lasse Jensen
- Division of Cardiovascular MedicineDepartment of Medical and Health SciencesLinkoping UniversitySweden
| | - Yunlong Yang
- Department of Cellular and Genetic MedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Wei Tao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of AnesthesiologyBrigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA02115USA
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology and PathologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 77Sweden
| | - Rolf Kiessling
- Department of Oncology and PathologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 77Sweden
- Karolinska University HospitalSolnaStockholm171 64Sweden
| | - Yihai Cao
- Department of MicrobiologyTumor and Cell BiologyKarolinska InstituteStockholm171 65Sweden
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19
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Gao F, He S, Jin A. MiRNAs and lncRNAs in NK cell biology and NK/T-cell lymphoma. Genes Dis 2021; 8:590-602. [PMID: 34291131 PMCID: PMC8278539 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The important role of lncRNAs and miRNAs in directing immune responses has become increasingly clear. Recent evidence conforms that miRNAs and lncRNAs are involved in NK cell biology and diseases through RNA-protein, RNA-RNA, or RNA-DNA interactions. In this view, we summarize the contribution of miRNAs and lncRNAs to NK cell lineage development, activation and function, highlight the biological significance of functional miRNAs or lncRNAs in NKTL and discuss the potential of these miRNAs and lncRNAs as innovative biomarkers/targets for NKTL early diagnosis, target treatment and prognostic evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- FengXia Gao
- Department of Immunology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, PR China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Tumor Immunotherapy, Chongqing Medical University, No.1, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, PR China
| | - SiRong He
- Department of Immunology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, PR China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Tumor Immunotherapy, Chongqing Medical University, No.1, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, PR China
| | - AiShun Jin
- Department of Immunology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, PR China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Tumor Immunotherapy, Chongqing Medical University, No.1, Medical School Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, PR China
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20
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Dhar P, Basher F, Ji Z, Huang L, Qin S, Wainwright DA, Robinson J, Hagler S, Zhou J, MacKay S, Wu JD. Tumor-derived NKG2D ligand sMIC reprograms NK cells to an inflammatory phenotype through CBM signalosome activation. Commun Biol 2021; 4:905. [PMID: 34294876 PMCID: PMC8298432 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02440-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cell dysfunction is associated with poorer clinical outcome in cancer patients. What regulates NK cell dysfunction in tumor microenvironment is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that the human tumor-derived NKG2D ligand soluble MIC (sMIC) reprograms NK cell to secrete pro-tumorigenic cytokines with diminished cytotoxicity and polyfunctional potential. Antibody clearing sMIC restores NK cell to a normal cytotoxic effector functional state. We discovered that sMIC selectively activates the CBM-signalosome inflammatory pathways in NK cells. Conversely, tumor cell membrane-bound MIC (mMIC) stimulates NK cell cytotoxicity through activating PLC2γ2/SLP-76/Vav1 pathway. Ultimately, antibody targeting sMIC effectuated the in vivo anti-tumor effect of adoptively transferred NK cells. Our findings uncover an unrecognized mechanism that could instruct NK cell to a dysfunctional state in response to cues in the tumor microenvironment. Our findings provide a rationale for co-targeting sMIC to enhance the efficacy of the ongoing NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payal Dhar
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Fahmin Basher
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Zhe Ji
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lei Huang
- Center for Research Informatics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Si Qin
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Derek A Wainwright
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Jing Zhou
- Isoplexis Corporation, Branford, CT, USA
| | | | - Jennifer D Wu
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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21
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Cadoux M, Caruso S, Pham S, Gougelet A, Pophillat C, Riou R, Loesch R, Colnot S, Nguyen CT, Calderaro J, Celton-Morizur S, Guerra N, Zucman-Rossi J, Desdouets C, Couty JP. Expression of NKG2D ligands is downregulated by β-catenin signalling and associates with HCC aggressiveness. J Hepatol 2021; 74:1386-1397. [PMID: 33484773 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The NKG2D system is a potent immunosurveillance mechanism in cancer, wherein the activating NK cell receptor (NKG2D) on immune cells recognises its cognate ligands on tumour cells. Herein, we evaluated the expression of NKG2D ligands in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in both humans and mice, taking the genomic features of HCC tumours into account. METHODS The expression of NKG2D ligands (MICA, MICB, ULBP1 and ULBP2) was analysed in large human HCC datasets by Fluidigm TaqMan and RNA-seq methods, and in 2 mouse models (mRNA and protein levels) reproducing the features of both major groups of human tumours. RESULTS We provide compelling evidence that expression of the MICA and MICB ligands in human HCC is associated with tumour aggressiveness and poor patient outcome. We also found that the expression of ULBP1 and ULBP2 was associated with poor patient outcome, and was downregulated in CTNNB1-mutated HCCs displaying low levels of inflammation and associated with a better prognosis. We also found an inverse correlation between ULBP1/2 expression levels and the expression of β-catenin target genes in patients with HCC, suggesting a role for β-catenin signalling in inhibiting expression. We showed in HCC mouse models that β-catenin signalling downregulated the expression of Rae-1 NKG2D ligands, orthologs of ULBPs, through TCF4 binding. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that the expression of NKG2D ligands is associated with aggressive liver tumorigenesis and that the downregulation of these ligands by β-catenin signalling may account for the less aggressive phenotype of CTNNB1-mutated HCC tumours. LAY SUMMARY The NKG2D system is a potent immunosurveillance mechanism in cancer. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma development has not been widely investigated. Herein, we should that the expression of NKG2D ligands by tumour cells is associated with a more aggressive tumour subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Cadoux
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Stefano Caruso
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Functional genomics of solid tumors Team, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Pham
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Angélique Gougelet
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Oncogenic functions of β-catenin signalling in the liver team F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Céline Pophillat
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Rozenn Riou
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Oncogenic functions of β-catenin signalling in the liver team F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Robin Loesch
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Oncogenic functions of β-catenin signalling in the liver team F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Sabine Colnot
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Oncogenic functions of β-catenin signalling in the liver team F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Công Trung Nguyen
- Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, INSERM U955, Créteil, France
| | - Julien Calderaro
- Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, INSERM U955, Créteil, France
| | - Séverine Celton-Morizur
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Nadia Guerra
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Functional genomics of solid tumors Team, Labex Immuno-Oncology, Paris, France
| | - Chantal Desdouets
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Couty
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Team Proliferation Stress and Liver Physiopathology, F-75006 Paris, France.
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22
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Lan T, Liu W, Lu Y, Luo H. A five-gene signature for predicting overall survival of esophagus adenocarcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e25305. [PMID: 33832101 PMCID: PMC8036055 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000025305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is common and aggressive with increasing trend of incidence. Urgent need for an effective signature to assess EAC prognosis and facilitate tailored treatment is required.Differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs) were identified by analyzing EAC tissues and adjacent normal samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Then univariate regression analyses were performed to confirm prognostic DEMs. We used least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to build a prognostic mRNA signature whose performance was assessed by Kaplan-Meier curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC). GSE72874 were used as an external test set. The performances of the signature were also validated in internal TCGA and external test sets. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and tumor immunity analysis were performed to decipher the biological mechanisms of the signature.A 5-mRNA signature consisted of SLC26A9, SINHCAF, MICB, KRT19, and MT1X was developed to predict prognosis of EAC. The 5-mRNA signature was promising as a biomarker for predicting 3-year survival rate of EAC in the internal test set, the entire TCGA set, and the external test set with areas under the curve (AUC) = 0.849, 0.924, and 0.747, respectively. Patients were divided into low- and high-risk groups based on risk scores of the signature. The high-risk group was mainly associated with cancer-related pathways and low levels of B cell infiltration.The 5-mRNA prognostic signature we identified can reliably predict prognosis and facilitate individualized treatment decisions for EAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Lan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou
| | - Weiguo Liu
- Department of Oncology, The People's Hospital of Jiangshan, Quzhou
| | - Yunyan Lu
- Department of Cardiology, The First People's Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
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The Newly Synthetized Chalcone L1 Is Involved in the Cell Growth Inhibition, Induction of Apoptosis and Suppression of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of HeLa Cells. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26051356. [PMID: 33802621 PMCID: PMC7961543 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051356] [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: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, natural products have emerged as promising agents with multiple biological activities. Many studies suggest the antioxidant, antiangiogenic, antiproliferative and anticancer effects of chalcones and their derivatives. Based on these findings, we decided to evaluate the effects of the newly synthetized chalcone L1 in a human cervical carcinoma cell (HeLa) model. Presented results were obtained by western blot and flow cytometric analyses, live cell imaging and antimigratory potential of L1 in HeLa cells was demonstrated by scratch assay. In the present study, we proved the role of L1 as an effective agent with antiproliferative activity supported by G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, we proved that L1 is involved in modulating Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGF-β) signal transduction through Smad proteins and it also modulates other signalling pathways including Akt, JNK, p38 MAPK, and Erk1/2. The involvement of L1 in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition was demonstrated by the regulation of N-cadherin, E-cadherin, and MMP-9 levels. Here, we also evaluated the effect of conditioned medium from BJ-5ta human foreskin fibroblasts in HeLa cell cultures with subsequent L1 treatment. Taken together, these data suggest the potential role of newly synthesized chalcone L1 as an anticancer-tumour microenvironment modulating agent.
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24
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Immunological status of peripheral blood is associated with prognosis in patients with bone and soft-tissue sarcoma. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:212. [PMID: 33510813 PMCID: PMC7836390 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising antitumor effects against certain types of cancer. However, specific immune-checkpoint inhibitors for patients with sarcoma have yet to be identified, whereas the immunological status of peripheral blood in patients with bone sarcoma and soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) remains unknown. In addition, it is unclear whether the immunological status from the peripheral blood could be used as a prognostic indicator. Therefore, the present study aimed to clarify the immunological status of peripheral blood samples derived from patients with bone sarcoma and STS. Immune monitoring was performed using the peripheral blood samples of 61 patients with no metastasis of high-grade sarcoma. A total of 25 patients with metastatic sarcoma were used for comparison. A total of 41 immune cell subsets were analyzed using multicolor-flow cytometry. The patients that did not have metastasis demonstrated higher quantities of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (Tim-3)+ CD8+ T cells, which were significantly associated with poor disease-free survival (DFS) time, while higher quantities of NKG2D+ CD8+ T cells were significantly associated with improved DFS time. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the number of Tim-3+ CD8+ T cells was associated with lower DFS time. A significant association was also found between the number of M-MDSCs and progression-free survival (PFS) time in patients with metastasis. The results suggested the occurrence of immune surveillance, which indicated that the host immune reaction against cancer existed in patients with bone sarcoma and STS. Notably, a high number of M-MDSCs was associated with both DFS and PFS time, suggesting a strong prognostic value. The data suggested that the immune status of peripheral blood was associated with the prognosis in patients with sarcoma, as previously reported in patients with other cancer types. In summary, the results may assist with the development of novel strategies for sarcoma treatment, based on the use of biomarkers or immunotherapy.
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25
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NK Cell Adoptive Immunotherapy of Cancer: Evaluating Recognition Strategies and Overcoming Limitations. Transplant Cell Ther 2020; 27:21-35. [PMID: 33007496 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2020.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, the primary effector cells of the innate immune system, utilize multiple strategies to recognize tumor cells by (1) detecting the presence of activating receptor ligands, which are often upregulated in cancer; (2) targeting cells that have a loss of major histocompatibility complex (MHC); and (3) binding to antibodies that bind to tumor-specific antigens on the tumor cell surface. All these strategies have been successfully harnessed in adoptive NK cell immunotherapies targeting cancer. In this review, we review the applications of NK cell therapies across different tumor types. Similar to other forms of immunotherapy, tumor-induced immune escape and immune suppression can limit NK cell therapies' efficacy. Therefore, we also discuss how these limitations can be overcome by conferring NK cells with the ability to redirect their tumor-targeting capabilities and survive the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, we also discuss how future iterations can benefit from combination therapies with other immunotherapeutic agents.
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26
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Sekiba K, Otsuka M, Seimiya T, Tanaka E, Funato K, Miyakawa Y, Koike K. The fatty-acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 inhibits MICA/B shedding. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15556. [PMID: 32968163 PMCID: PMC7512021 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72688-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
MICA/B proteins are expressed on the surface of various types of stressed cells, including cancer cells. Cytotoxic lymphocytes expressing natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) receptor recognize MICA/B and eliminate the cells. However, cancer cells evade such immune recognition by inducing proteolytic shedding of MICA/B proteins. Therefore, preventing the shedding of MICA/B proteins could enhance antitumor immunity. Here, by screening a protease inhibitor library, we found that the fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor, URB597, suppresses the shedding of MICA/B. URB597 significantly reduced the soluble MICA level in culture medium and increased the MICA level on the surface of cancer cells. The effect was indirect, being mediated by increased expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3). Knockdown of TIMP3 expression reversed the effect of URB597, confirming that TIMP3 is required for the MICA shedding inhibition by URB597. In contrast, FAAH overexpression reduced TIMP3 expression and the cell-surface MICA level and increased the soluble MICA level. These results suggest that inhibition of FAAH could prevent human cancer cell evasion of immune-mediated clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuma Sekiba
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
- Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Otsuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Seimiya
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
- Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eri Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Funato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Yu Miyakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Koike
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
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Novel cellular immunotherapy using NKG2D CAR-T for the treatment of cervical cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 131:110562. [PMID: 32920508 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cell therapy, has been regarded as one of the most potential antineoplastic drugs for hematological malignancies and solid tumor. However, due to lacking the suitable target, there is no CAR-T drug had been appoved by FDA for the treatment of cervical cancer, one of the most malignant cancers for women. In current study, we designed a NKG2D CAR-T targeting NKG2DL. The NKG2D CAR-T exhibited high-efficient anti-tumor capacity for NKG2DL positive cervical cancer cell line in vitro. In addition, the amount of cytokines secreted from CAR-T cells have had significantly enhanced after co-cultured with NKG2DL positive tumor cell in vitro. In vivo, NKG2D CAR-T cells presented a robust capacity of significantly suppressing tumor growth. Moreover, there was no obvious off-target toxicity after NKG2D CAR-T infusion. Taken together, NKG2D CAR-T showed excellent therapy effect for cervical cancer and might be used as a novel cellular therapeutic agent for treating cervical cancer.
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28
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Jee B, Yadav R, Pankaj S, Shahi SK. Immunology of HPV-mediated cervical cancer: current understanding. Int Rev Immunol 2020; 40:359-378. [PMID: 32853049 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2020.1811859] [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] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Human papilloma virus (HPV) has emerged as a primary cause of cervical cancer worldwide. HPV is a relatively small (55 nm in diameter) and non-enveloped virus containing approximately 8 kb long double stranded circular DNA genome. To date, 228 genotypes of HPV have been identified. Although all HPV infections do not lead to the development of malignancy of cervix, only persistent infection of high-risk types of HPV (mainly with HPV16 and HPV18) results in the disease. In addition, the immunity of the patients also acts as a key determinant in the carcinogenesis. Since, no HPV type specific medication is available for the patient suffering with cervical cancer, hence, a deep understanding of the disease etiology may be vital for developing an effective strategy for its prevention and management. From the immunological perspectives, the entire mechanisms of disease progression still remain unclear despite continuous efforts. In the present review, the recent developments in immunology of HPV-mediated cervix carcinoma were discussed. At the end, the prevention of disease using HPV type specific recombinant vaccines was also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babban Jee
- Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Renu Yadav
- Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, India
| | - Sangeeta Pankaj
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Regional Cancer Centre, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Shivendra Kumar Shahi
- Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
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Zhao Z, Li J, Li H, Yuan Wu NY, Ou-Yang P, Liu S, Cai J, Wang J. Integrative Bioinformatics Approaches to Screen Potential Prognostic Immune-Related Genes and Drugs in the Cervical Cancer Microenvironment. Front Genet 2020; 11:727. [PMID: 32733542 PMCID: PMC7359727 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In developing countries, cervical cancer is still the major cause of cancer-related death among women. To better understand the correlation between tumor microenvironment (TME) and prognosis of cervical cancer, we screened 1367 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of cervical cancer samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database using Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm-derived immune scores. Then, we extracted 401 tumor immune microenvironment (TIME)-related DEGs that related to patients' survival outcomes. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and functional enrichment analysis revealed that the prognostic genes mainly participated in myeloid leukocyte activation, adaptive immune response regulation, and receptor signaling pathways. A total of 79 key prognostic DEGs were obtained through PPI network. A TF-lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed to explore the potential regulatory mechanism. 4 genes (CCR7, PD-1, ZAP70, and CD28) were validated in another independent cohort of cervical cancer from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Finally, potential drugs for key prognostics DEGs were predicted using DrugBank. In conclusion, we obtained a list of potential prognostic TIME-related genes and potential predicted drugs by integrative bioinformatics approaches. A comprehensive understanding of prognostic genes within the TIME may provide new strategies for cervical cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zitong Zhao
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Jigang Li
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - He Li
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Na-Yi Yuan Wu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peilin Ou-Yang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jingting Cai
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
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30
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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: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [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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31
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Chintala S, Levan J, Robinson K, Quist K, Katzenellenbogen RA. Genes Regulated by HPV 16 E6 and High Expression of NFX1-123 in Cervical Cancers. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:6143-6156. [PMID: 32617009 PMCID: PMC7326398 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s251926] [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: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose High-risk human papillomaviruses (HR HPV) cause cervical cancer, and in these cancers, HPV type 16 is the most common HR type. The HR viral oncogenes E6 and E7 partner with cellular proteins to drive cancer and modulate immune pathways; previously, we demonstrated in keratinocytes that HPV 16 E6 and high expression of the endogenous host protein partner NFX1-123 led to the increased expression of multiple genes, including Notch1, secretory leukocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI), and retinoic acid early transcript 1G (RAET1G). The present study was conducted to determine if NFX1-123 was highly expressed in cervical cancer and if genes increased by NFX1-123 and 16E6 in keratinocytes were also increased in cervical cancers. Materials and Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and The Human Protein Atlas database were used to compare relative mRNA and protein gene expression, respectively, in the normal cervix and cervical cancers. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) normal cervix and HPV 16 positive cervical cancer samples were analyzed for relative protein expression by immunohistochemical staining. Protein expression of a subset of regulated genes was quantified by Western blot of HPV positive and negative cell lines. Results Immunohistochemical staining of HPV 16 positive cervical dysplasias and cancers revealed high NFX1-123, Ki67, and Notch1 expression. NFX1 and NFX1L1 mRNA levels were increased in cervical cancers compared to normal cervix in the TCGA database. Fourteen genes previously identified as upregulated in keratinocytes with 16E6 and overexpressed NFX1-123 also had high mRNA expression and selected genes had high protein expression in cervical cancers and cell lines. Conclusion In cervical cancer, NFX1-123 is highly expressed, and 16E6 and NFX1-123 together alter the expression of a wide set of genes. The involvement of these genes in cell proliferation, differentiation, invasion, and metastasis provides further insight into potential ways that HR HPVs promote cancer initiation and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreenivasulu Chintala
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Justine Levan
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kristin Robinson
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kevin Quist
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Torres N, Regge MV, Secchiari F, Friedrich AD, Spallanzani RG, Raffo Iraolagoitia XL, Núñez SY, Sierra JM, Ziblat A, Santilli MC, Gilio N, Almada E, Lauche C, Pardo R, Domaica CI, Fuertes MB, Madauss KP, Hance KW, Gloger IS, Zylberman V, Goldbaum FA, Zwirner NW. Restoration of antitumor immunity through anti-MICA antibodies elicited with a chimeric protein. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2019-000233. [PMID: 32518090 PMCID: PMC7282397 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Natural killer and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells are major players during antitumor immunity. They express NKG2D, an activating receptor that promotes tumor elimination through recognition of the MHC class I chain-related proteins A and B (MICA and MICB). Both molecules are overexpressed on a great variety of tumors from different tissues, making them attractive targets for immunotherapy. However, tumors shed MICA and MICB, and the soluble forms of both (sMICA and sMICB) mediate tumor-immune escape. Some reports indicate that anti-MICA antibodies (Ab) can promote the restoration of antitumor immunity through the induction of direct antitumor effects (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, ADCC) and scavenging of sMICA. Therefore, we reasoned that an active induction of anti-MICA Ab with an immunogenic protein might represent a novel therapeutic and prophylactic alternative to restore antitumor immunity. Methods We generated a highly immunogenic chimeric protein (BLS-MICA) consisting of human MICA fused to the lumazine synthase from Brucella spp (BLS) and used it to generate anti-MICA polyclonal Ab (pAb) and to investigate if these anti-MICA Ab can reinstate antitumor immunity in mice using two different mouse tumors engineered to express MICA. We also explored the underlying mechanisms of this expected therapeutic effect. Results Immunization with BLS-MICA and administration of anti-MICA pAb elicited by BLS-MICA significantly delayed the growth of MICA-expressing mouse tumors but not of control tumors. The therapeutic effect of immunization with BLS-MICA included scavenging of sMICA and the anti-MICA Ab-mediated ADCC, promoting heightened intratumoral M1/proinflammatory macrophage and antigen-experienced CD8+ T cell recruitment. Conclusions Immunization with the chimeric protein BLS-MICA constitutes a useful way to actively induce therapeutic anti-MICA pAb that resulted in a reprogramming of the antitumor immune response towards an antitumoral/proinflammatory phenotype. Hence, the BLS-MICA chimeric protein constitutes a novel antitumor vaccine of potential application in patients with MICA-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Torres
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Victoria Regge
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florencia Secchiari
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adrián David Friedrich
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Raúl Germán Spallanzani
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ximena Lucía Raffo Iraolagoitia
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sol Yanel Núñez
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jessica Mariel Sierra
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Ziblat
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Santilli
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Gilio
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Evangelina Almada
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Carolina Inés Domaica
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Beatriz Fuertes
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Kevin Patrick Madauss
- Trust in Science, Global Health R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, United States
| | | | - Israel S Gloger
- Trust in Science, Global Health R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | | | - Fernando Alberto Goldbaum
- Inmunova, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Norberto Walter Zwirner
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina .,Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Song M, Wang C, Wang H, Zhang T, Li J, Benezra R, Chouchane L, Sun YH, Cui XG, Ma X. Targeting ubiquitin protein ligase E3 component N-recognin 5 in cancer cells induces a CD8+ T cell mediated immune response. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1746148. [PMID: 32363114 PMCID: PMC7185213 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1746148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
UBR5 is a nuclear phosphoprotein of obscure functions. Clinical analyses reveal that UBR5 amplifications and overexpression occur in over 20% cases of human breast cancers. Breast cancer patients carrying UBR5 genetic lesions with overexpression have significantly reduced survival. Experimental work in vitro and in vivo demonstrates that UBR5, functioning as an oncoprotein, plays a profound role in breast cancer growth and metastasis. UBR5 drives tumor growth largely through paracrine interactions with the immune system, particularly through inhibiting the cytotoxic response mediated by CD8+ T lymphocytes, whereas it facilitates metastasis in a tumor cell-autonomous manner via its transcriptional control of key regulators of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, ID1 and ID3. Furthermore, simultaneous targeting of UBR5 and PD-L1 yields strong therapeutic benefit to tumor-bearing hosts. This work significantly expands our scarce understanding of the pathophysiology and immunobiology of a fundamentally important molecule and has strong implications for the development of novel immunotherapy to treat highly aggressive breast cancers that resist conventional treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Song
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Gongli Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, China.,Department of Urology, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tuo Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jiuqi Li
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Robert Benezra
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lotfi Chouchane
- Laboratory of Genetic Medicine and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yin-Hao Sun
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Gang Cui
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Gongli Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojing Ma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
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Clinicopathological relevance of tumor expression of NK group 2 member D ligands in resected non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6805-6815. [PMID: 31827723 PMCID: PMC6887580 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
UL16-binding protein (ULBP) 1-6 and MHC class I chain-related molecule A and B (MICA/B) are NK group 2, member D (NKG2D) ligands, which are specifically expressed in infected or transformed cells and are recognized by NK cells via NKG2D-NKG2D ligand interactions. We previously reported that MICA/B overexpression predicted improved clinical outcomes in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the clinicopathological features and prognostic significance of ULBPs in NSCLC remain unclear. Here,ULBP1-6 expression was evaluated based on immunohistochemistry of 91 NSCLC samples from patients following radical surgery. ULBPs were expressed by the majority of NSCLC. Either ULBP1 or ULBP2/5/6 overexpression was associated with squamous-cell carcinoma histology, whereas ULBP4 overexpression was associated with younger age and adenocarcinoma histology. Although overexpression of ULBP1-6 did not impact clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients, integrative profiling with cluster analysis classified patients into 3 subgroups based on the expression pattern of NKG2D ligands. The subgroup characterized by ULBP1 or ULBP2/5/6 high expressing but ULBP4 low expressing tumors showed poor overall survival. Taken together with previous results, NSCLC histological subtype strongly correlates with NKG2D ligands expression pattern. NKG2D ligands expression levels assessed by multiple immune parameters could predict clinical outcomes of patients with NSCLC.
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Alshabi AM, Shaikh IA, Vastrad C. Exploring the Molecular Mechanism of the Drug-Treated Breast Cancer Based on Gene Expression Microarray. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9070282. [PMID: 31311202 PMCID: PMC6681318 DOI: 10.3390/biom9070282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
: Breast cancer (BRCA) remains the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the present study, we identified novel biomarkers expressed during estradiol and tamoxifen treatment of BRCA. The microarray dataset of E-MTAB-4975 from Array Express database was downloaded, and the differential expressed genes (DEGs) between estradiol-treated BRCA sample and tamoxifen-treated BRCA sample were identified by limma package. The pathway and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, module analysis, construction of target genes-miRNA interaction network and target genes-transcription factor (TF) interaction network were performed using bioinformatics tools. The expression, prognostic values, and mutation of hub genes were validated by SurvExpress database, cBioPortal, and human protein atlas (HPA) database. A total of 856 genes (421 up-regulated genes and 435 down-regulated genes) were identified in T47D (overexpressing Split Ends (SPEN) + estradiol) samples compared to T47D (overexpressing Split Ends (SPEN) + tamoxifen) samples. Pathway and GO enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in response to lysine degradation II (pipecolate pathway), cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, cell cycle pathway, and response to cytokine pathway. DEGs (MCM2, TCF4, OLR1, HSPA5, MAP1LC3B, SQSTM1, NEU1, HIST1H1B, RAD51, RFC3, MCM10, ISG15, TNFRSF10B, GBP2, IGFBP5, SOD2, DHF and MT1H) , which were significantly up- and down-regulated in estradiol and tamoxifen-treated BRCA samples, were selected as hub genes according to the results of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, module analysis, target genes-miRNA interaction network and target genes-TF interaction network analysis. The SurvExpress database, cBioPortal, and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database further confirmed that patients with higher expression levels of these hub genes experienced a shorter overall survival. A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was performed, and potential therapeutic applications of estradiol and tamoxifen were predicted in BRCA samples. The data may unravel the future molecular mechanisms of BRCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mohamed Alshabi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran, 66237, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Ahmed Shaikh
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran, 66237, Saudi Arabia
| | - Chanabasayya Vastrad
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, ChanabasavaNilaya, Bharthinagar, Dharwad 580001, Karnataka, India.
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The Host-Microbe Interplay in Human Papillomavirus-Induced Carcinogenesis. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7070199. [PMID: 31337018 PMCID: PMC6680694 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7070199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Every year nearly half a million new cases of cervix cancer are diagnosed worldwide, making this malignancy the fourth commonest cancer in women. In 2018, more than 270,000 women died of cervix cancer globally with 85% of them being from developing countries. The majority of these cancers are caused by the infection with carcinogenic strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is also causally implicated in the development of other malignancies, including cancer of the anus, penis cancer and head and neck cancer. HPV is by far the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide, however, most infected people do not develop cancer and do not even have a persistent infection. The development of highly effective HPV vaccines against most common high-risk HPV strains is a great medical achievement of the 21st century that could prevent up to 90% of cervix cancers. In this article, we review the current understanding of the balanced virus-host interaction that can lead to either virus elimination or the establishment of persistent infection and ultimately malignant transformation. We also highlight the influence of certain factors inherent to the host, including the immune status, genetic variants and the coexistence of other microbe infections and microbiome composition in the dynamic of HPV infection induced carcinogenesis.
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Kegasawa T, Tatsumi T, Yoshioka T, Suda T, Ikezawa K, Nakabori T, Yamada R, Kodama T, Shigekawa M, Hikita H, Sakamori R, Takehara T. Soluble UL16-binding protein 2 is associated with a poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 517:84-88. [PMID: 31303272 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The immune system plays important roles in pancreatic cancer. MHC class I-chain-related proteins A and B (MICA/B) and UL16-binding proteins (ULBPs) are known natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) ligands. Soluble NKG2D ligands can inhibit the activation of Natural killer (NK) cells. In pancreatic cancer, soluble ULBPs are relatively unstudied in contrast to soluble MICA/B. We examined the significance of soluble ULBPs, especially ULBP2, in pancreatic cancer. Soluble ULBP2 but neither soluble ULBP1 nor soluble ULBP3, was etected in the supernatants of pancreatic cancer cells. Soluble ULBP2 derived from pancreatic cancer cells could reduce the cytotoxicity of NK cells. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that serum soluble ULBP2 was a significant independent factor associated with poor overall survival (OS) in all pancreatic cancer patients, specifically in stage IV patients. In conclusion, pancreatic cancer-derived soluble ULBP2 might affect the prognosis in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Kegasawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohide Tatsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Teppei Yoshioka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Suda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenji Ikezawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tasuku Nakabori
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryoko Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Minoru Shigekawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hayato Hikita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Sakamori
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
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De Nola R, Menga A, Castegna A, Loizzi V, Ranieri G, Cicinelli E, Cormio G. The Crowded Crosstalk between Cancer Cells and Stromal Microenvironment in Gynecological Malignancies: Biological Pathways and Therapeutic Implication. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20102401. [PMID: 31096567 PMCID: PMC6567055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment plays a pillar role in the progression and the distance dissemination of cancer cells in the main malignancies affecting women-epithelial ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and cervical cancer. Their milieu acquires specific properties thanks to intense crosstalk between stromal and cancer cells, leading to a vicious circle. Fibroblasts, pericytes, lymphocytes and tumor associated-macrophages orchestrate most of the biological pathways. In epithelial ovarian cancer, high rates of activated pericytes determine a poorer prognosis, defining a common signature promoting ovarian cancer proliferation, local invasion and distant spread. Mesenchymal cells also release chemokines and cytokines under hormonal influence, such as estrogens that drive most of the endometrial cancers. Interestingly, the architecture of the cervical cancer milieu is shaped by the synergy of high-risk Human Papilloma Virus oncoproteins and the activity of stromal estrogen receptor α. Lymphocytes represent a shield against cancer cells but some cell subpopulation could lead to immunosuppression, tumor growth and dissemination. Cytotoxic tumor infiltrating lymphocytes can be eluded by over-adapted cancer cells in a scenario of immune-tolerance driven by T-regulatory cells. Therefore, the tumor microenvironment has a high translational potential offering many targets for biological and immunological therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba De Nola
- Department of Tissues and Organs Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, D.E.O.T., University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11-Policlinico 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Alessio Menga
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Castegna
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Vera Loizzi
- Department of Biomedical and Human Oncological Science, 2nd Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11-Policlinico 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Girolamo Ranieri
- Interventional Oncology Unit with Integrate Section of Translational Medical Oncology, IRCCS, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Ettore Cicinelli
- Department of Biomedical and Human Oncological Science, 2nd Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11-Policlinico 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Gennaro Cormio
- Department of Biomedical and Human Oncological Science, 2nd Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11-Policlinico 70124 Bari, Italy.
- Gynaecologic Oncology Unit, IRCCS, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70142 Bari, Italy.
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Zhu Z, Bai Y, Lu X, Ding J, Qi C. Rapamycin downregulates NKG2D ligands in acute myeloid leukemia cells via an activation of the STAT3 pathway: a potential mechanism for rapamycin-induced immune escape in leukemia. Transl Cancer Res 2019; 8:473-482. [PMID: 35116779 PMCID: PMC8798175 DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2019.03.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background The constitutive activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is involved in the pathogenesis of many cancers. Rapamycin (RAPA), a specific inhibitor of mTOR, has been applied to the clinical treatment of tumors, and its anti-leukemia effect has also been confirmed. Methods We detected apoptosis and the NKG2D ligands expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells using flow cytometry and investigated the cytotoxicity of AML cells that had been co-cultured with natural killer (NK) cells using CFSE staining. We evaluated the signal pathways with a western blot assay. Results In this study, we found that RAPA can significantly inhibit the proliferation of AML cells. Further studies showed that the use of RAPA alone reduced the expression of NKG2D ligands on the membranes of HL-60 and THP-1 AML cells. Also, RAPA blocked the upregulation of the NKG2D ligand when AML cells were cultured with the demethylation drug decitabine (DAC). We found that RAPA decreased the expression of the NKG2D ligands by inducing the STAT3 phosphorylation of AML cells. Conclusions The discovery of this mechanism might further optimize the clinical use of RAPA for the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Zhu
- Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Yu Bai
- Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Xuzhang Lu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Jun Ding
- Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Chunjian Qi
- Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213003, China
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Gravett AM, Dalgleish AG, Copier J. In vitro culture with gemcitabine augments death receptor and NKG2D ligand expression on tumour cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1544. [PMID: 30733494 PMCID: PMC6367314 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38190-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Much effort has been made to try to understand the relationship between chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer and the immune system. Whereas much of that focus has been on the direct effect of chemotherapy drugs on immune cells and the release of antigens and danger signals by malignant cells killed by chemotherapy, the effect of chemotherapy on cells surviving treatment has often been overlooked. In the present study, tumour cell lines: A549 (lung), HCT116 (colon) and MCF-7 (breast), were treated with various concentrations of the chemotherapeutic drugs cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine (GEM) and oxaliplatin (OXP) for 24 hours in vitro. In line with other reports, GEM and OXP upregulated expression of the death receptor CD95 (fas) on live cells even at sub-cytotoxic concentrations. Further investigation revealed that the increase in CD95 in response to GEM sensitised the cells to fas ligand treatment, was associated with increased phosphorylation of stress activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase and that other death receptors and activatory immune receptors were co-ordinately upregulated with CD95 in certain cell lines. The upregulation of death receptors and NKG2D ligands together on cells after chemotherapy suggest that although the cells have survived preliminary treatment with chemotherapy they may now be more susceptible to immune cell-mediated challenge. This re-enforces the idea that chemotherapy-immunotherapy combinations may be useful clinically and has implications for the make-up and scheduling of such treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Gravett
- Oncology Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK.
| | - Angus G Dalgleish
- Oncology Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - John Copier
- Oncology Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
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Liu X, Chen X, Wei X, Meng Y, Liu L, Dai S. Genetic polymorphism analysis of MICB gene in Jing ethnic minority of Southern China. HLA 2018; 92:224-230. [PMID: 29934983 DOI: 10.1111/tan.13325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the polymorphism in the 5'-upstream regulation region (5'-URR), coding region (exons 2-4), and the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of MICB gene were investigated for 150 healthy unrelated Jing individuals in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, by using PCR-SBT method. A total of 14 variation sites in the 5'-URR, 9 in coding region, and 6 in the 3'-UTR were detected in the Jing population. The MICB gene seems to present two different lineages showing functional variations mainly in nucleotides of the promoter region. Nineteen different MICB extended haplotypes (EHs) encompassing the 5'-URR, exons 2-4, and 3'-UTR were found in this population, and the most frequent was EH2 (20.33%). The findings here are of importance for future studies on the potential role of regulation region of MICB gene in disease association, transplantation, viral infection, and tumor progression among Jing population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexiang Liu
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Xiaomou Wei
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Yuming Meng
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Limin Liu
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
| | - Shengming Dai
- Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China
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Sheppard S, Ferry A, Guedes J, Guerra N. The Paradoxical Role of NKG2D in Cancer Immunity. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1808. [PMID: 30150983 PMCID: PMC6099450 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The activating receptor NKG2D and its ligands are recognized as a potent immune axis that controls tumor growth and microbial infections. With regards to cancer surveillance, various studies have demonstrated the antitumor function mediated by NKG2D on natural killer cells and on conventional and unconventional T cells. The use of NKG2D-deficient mice established the importance of NKG2D in delaying tumor development in transgenic mouse models of cancer. However, we recently demonstrated an unexpected, flip side to this coin, the ability for NKG2D to contribute to tumor growth in a model of inflammation-driven liver cancer. With a focus on the liver, here, we review current knowledge of NKG2D-mediated tumor surveillance and discuss evidence supporting a dual role for NKG2D in cancer immunity. We postulate that in certain advanced cancers, expression of ligands for NKG2D can drive cancer progression rather than rejection. We propose that the nature of the microenvironment within and surrounding tumors impacts the outcome of NKG2D activation. In a form of autoimmune attack, NKG2D promotes tissue damage, mostly in the inflamed tissue adjacent to the tumor, facilitating tumor progression while being ineffective at rejecting transformed cells in the tumor bed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Sheppard
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Zuckerman Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amir Ferry
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joana Guedes
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Guerra
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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43
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Park A, Lee Y, Kim MS, Kang YJ, Park YJ, Jung H, Kim TD, Lee HG, Choi I, Yoon SR. Prostaglandin E2 Secreted by Thyroid Cancer Cells Contributes to Immune Escape Through the Suppression of Natural Killer (NK) Cell Cytotoxicity and NK Cell Differentiation. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1859. [PMID: 30140269 PMCID: PMC6094168 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play important roles in immune surveillance. However, the tumor microenvironment suppresses NK cell function and allows cancer cells to evade immune detection. In this study, we investigated whether the thyroid cancer cell microenvironment has this effect on NK cells. We found that prostaglandin (PG) E2 produced by thyroid cancer cells suppressed the cytolytic activity of NK cells by inhibiting the expression of the natural cytotoxicity receptors NKp44 and NKp30 and the death receptor tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. PGE2 and cyclooxygenase-2 were highly expressed in thyroid cancer cells; moreover, anaplastic thyroid cancer cells released higher amounts of PGE2 than the papillary subtype, which was associated with suppression of NK cell-inducing nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways via PGE2 receptor (EP) 2 and EP4 expressed on the NK cell surface. In addition, PGE2 inhibited the functional maturation of NK cells and reduced their cytotoxicity against target cells. These results indicate that PGE2 promotes thyroid cancer progression by inhibiting NK cell maturation and cytotoxicity. Thus, therapeutic strategies that target PGE2 in thyroid cancer could potentiate the immune response and improve patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arum Park
- Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yunhee Lee
- Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Biochemistry, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Mi Sun Kim
- Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Young Ju Kang
- New Drug Development Center, OSONG Medical Innovation Foundation, Cheongju-si, South Korea
| | - Young-Jun Park
- Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Haiyoung Jung
- Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Tae-Don Kim
- Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hee Gu Lee
- Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Inpyo Choi
- Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Suk Ran Yoon
- Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
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44
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Bugide S, Janostiak R, Wajapeyee N. Epigenetic Mechanisms Dictating Eradication of Cancer by Natural Killer Cells. Trends Cancer 2018; 4:553-566. [PMID: 30064663 PMCID: PMC6085095 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells of the innate immune system are the first line of defense against infectious agents and cancer cells. However, only a few mechanisms that regulate eradication of tumors by NK cells have been identified. In this review, we present an account of epigenetic mechanisms that modulate the ability of NK cells to eradicate cancer cells. To date, several drugs that target epigenetic modifiers have shown clinical efficacy in cancer. Therefore, once a given epigenetic modifier is validated as a regulator of NK cell function, it can be targeted for NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Bugide
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Radoslav Janostiak
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Narendra Wajapeyee
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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45
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Barros MR, de Melo CML, Barros MLCMGR, de Cássia Pereira de Lima R, de Freitas AC, Venuti A. Activities of stromal and immune cells in HPV-related cancers. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:137. [PMID: 29976244 PMCID: PMC6034319 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0802-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system is composed of immune as well as non-immune cells. As this system is a well-established component of human papillomavirus- (HPV)-related carcinogenesis, high risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) prevents its routes and mechanisms in order to cause the persistence of infection. Among these mechanisms are those originated from stromal cells, which include the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and the host infected cells themselves, i.e. the keratinocytes. These types of cells play central role since they modulate immune cells activities to create a prosperous milieu for cancer development, and the knowledge how such interactions occur are essential for prognostic assessment and development of preventive and therapeutic approaches. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms are not completely understood, and this lack of knowledge precluded the development of entirely efficient immunotherapeutic strategies for HPV-associated tumors. As a result, an intense work for attaining how host immune response works, and developing of effective therapies has been applied in the last decade. Based on this, this review aims to discuss the major mechanisms of immune and non-immune cells modulated by hrHPV and the potential and existing immunotherapies involving such mechanisms in HPV-related cancers. It is noticed that the combination of immunotherapies has been demonstrated to be essential for obtaining better results, especially because the possibility of increasing the modulating capacity of the HPV-tumor microenvironment has been shown to be central in strengthening the host immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marconi Rego Barros
- Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy (LEMTE), Department of Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Cidade Universitária, Av. Prof Moraes Rego, 1235, Recife, PE CEP-50670-901 Brazil
| | - Cristiane Moutinho Lagos de Melo
- Laboratory of Immunological and Antitumor Analysis (LAIA), Department of Antibiotics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Cidade Universitária, Av. Prof Artur de Sá, s/n, Recife, PE CEP-50740-525 Brazil
| | | | - Rita de Cássia Pereira de Lima
- Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy (LEMTE), Department of Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Cidade Universitária, Av. Prof Moraes Rego, 1235, Recife, PE CEP-50670-901 Brazil
| | - Antonio Carlos de Freitas
- Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy (LEMTE), Department of Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Cidade Universitária, Av. Prof Moraes Rego, 1235, Recife, PE CEP-50670-901 Brazil
| | - Aldo Venuti
- HPV-Unit, Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
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Decreased expression of the NKG2D ligand ULBP4 may be an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 8:42007-42019. [PMID: 28159927 PMCID: PMC5522045 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
U16-binding protein 4 (ULBP4), a human ligand for natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) receptor on NK cells and subsets of T cells, is thought to activate anticancer immune responses. However, the expression pattern and prognostic effect of ULBP4 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been investigated. We first compared ULBP4 expression between archival 15 NPC tissues and 8 normal nasopharynx (NP) tissues using qPCR. Then ULBP4 expression among 111 NPC specimens was validated on immunohistochemical examination. In addition, the association of ULBP4 expression with clinical characteristics and survival outcomes was analyzed. Furthermore, the impact of ULBP4 expression in NPC cells on the cytotoxic activity of NK cells was investigated. Both mRNA and protein ULBP4 expressions of NPC tissues were significantly lower than those in normal NP tissues. However, no association of ULBP4 expression with clinical characteristics was observed. Patients with NPC having decreased expression of UBLP4 had significantly poorer overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) than those with preserved levels of ULBP4. On multivariate analyses, low expression of ULBP4 was of borderline significance for OS, PFS, and DMFS (P = 0.060, 0.053, and 0.076, respectively). Further, LDH analysis demonstrated that the cytotoxic activitity of NK cells against C666-1 or 5-8F NPC cells with lenti-ULBP4 was considerably increased as compared to those with lenti-vector at various E/T ratios. Hence, restoration of ULBP4 expression may be a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of NPC. However, further study is required to confirm these findings.
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47
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Prognostic value of MICA/B in cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oncotarget 2017; 8:96384-96395. [PMID: 29221214 PMCID: PMC5707108 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose MHC class I chain related-proteins A (MICA) and B (MICB) are natural killer group 2D ligands that mediate tumor surveillance. Several studies have suggested that MICA/B levels predict clinical outcomes in patients with cancer; however, this remains contentious. Here, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of available studies of the prognostic value of MICA/B in cancer. Materials and Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Library to identify studies published from inception to July 2017 that assessed MICA/B in patients with cancer. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of MICA/B were extracted for overall survival (OS) analysis. Results A total of 19 studies comprising 2,588 patients with 10 different types of cancer were included in the study. Low sMICA/B levels were found associated with significantly longer OS (HR = 1.65, 95% CI [1.42–1.92], P < 0.00001). Patients with cancers of digestive system that exhibited high MICA/B expression had significantly longer OS in (HR = 0.56, 95% CI [0.39–0.80], P = 0.002) compared with those with lower MICA/B expression (I2 = 35%, P = 0.18). Conclusions Serum soluble MICA/B represents a potential prognostic marker in various human cancers. High cell-surface MICA/B expression in cancers of the digestive system was found associated with increased survival.
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Lin F, Dai C, Ge X, Tang W, Lin Y, Wang Y, Li J. Prognostic significance and functional implication of immune activating receptor NKG2D in gastric cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 487:619-624. [PMID: 28433635 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.04.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
NKG2D, an activating receptor expressed on CD8+ T lymphocytes, serves as a co-stimulation molecule by engagement with its ligands MICA/B and ULBPs to trigger immune activation against tumors. Currently, the biological function and clinical significance of NKG2D in gastric cancer remains unexplored. The study aims to investigate the expression of NKG2D in gastric cancer in association with clinical prognosis and its biological function. Real-time PCR was used to analyze NKG2D expression in paired cancer and adjacent non-malignant tissues in 139 gastric cancer patients between 2007 and 2010 in Shanghai Cancer Center. NKG2D expression showed no association with any clinical characteristic parameters. High NKG2D level was significantly associated with better outcome (P = 0.018 for OS, P = 0.041 for DFS). Using univariate Cox regression model, high NKG2D mRNA resulted in 43% risk reduction in gastric cancer patients (HR = 0.57, CI (0.36-0.91), P = 0.019). High NKG2D level displayed a significant association with longer OS in the multivariate analysis (HR = 0.59, CI (0.363-0.96), P = 0.034), independent of other prognostic factors including Lauren classification, neural infiltration, vascular/lymphatic invasion, TNM stage. Upon co-incubation with cancer cells, NKG2D expression in CD8+ T cells was markedly down-regulated. Functional study suggested that either blocking NKG2D or its ligand ULBP-2 could suppress tumor-killing activity of CD8+ T cells. Our data showed that NKG2D receptor could be an independent favorable prognostic indicator for gastric cancer. Furthermore, decreased NKG2D expression might be the mechanism underlying immune evasion by tumors in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengjuan Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China
| | - Congqi Dai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China; Department of Oncology, Tongji University East Hospital, Tongji University, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Ge
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China; Department of Oncology, Tongji University East Hospital, Tongji University, China
| | - Wenbo Tang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China
| | - Ying Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China; Department of Oncology, Tongji University East Hospital, Tongji University, China.
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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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Hu J, Bernatchez C, Zhang L, Xia X, Kleinerman ES, Hung MC, Hwu P, Li S. Induction of NKG2D Ligands on Solid Tumors Requires Tumor-Specific CD8 + T Cells and Histone Acetyltransferases. Cancer Immunol Res 2017; 5:300-311. [PMID: 28223282 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-16-0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
NKG2D-mediated immune surveillance is crucial for inhibiting tumor growth and metastases. Malignant tumor cells often downregulate NKG2D ligands to escape from immune surveillance. High-profile studies have shown that restoring NKG2D ligand expression via genetic engineering inhibits tumor formation and progression. However, no effective in vivo approaches are available to restore these ligands across different types of solid tumors because the classic stress signal-dependent induction of this ligand in vitro is transient and has rarely been duplicated in solid tumors in vivo We found that coadministration of an immune stimulatory signal (IL12) and chemotherapy (doxorubicin) restored the NKG2D ligand Rae-1 in multiple tumor types, including a human tumor model. The restored expression of NKG2D ligands was associated with tumor cell death and delay of tumor progression in vivo Induction of tumor-specific NKG2D ligands required the engagement of CD8+ T cells and was regulated by the histone acetyltransferases GCN5 and PCAF. The tumor-specific restoration of NKG2D ligands in a variety of tumor models, including a human tumor model, resulted in NKG2D-dependent tumor regression and extended survival time. The elucidation of a CD8+ T cell-dependent mechanism suggests that activated NKG2D+CD8+ T-cell therapy alone may be able to restore the NKG2D ligand in tumors. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(4); 300-11. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiemiao Hu
- Department of Pediatrics-Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Chantale Bernatchez
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Center for Cancer Immunology Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Liangfang Zhang
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Xueqing Xia
- Department of Pediatrics-Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Eugenie S Kleinerman
- Department of Pediatrics-Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Center of Molecular Medicine and Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Patrick Hwu
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Center for Cancer Immunology Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Shulin Li
- Department of Pediatrics-Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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