1
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Hu Y, Zhang Y, Shi F, Yang R, Yan J, Han T, Guan L. Reversal of T-cell exhaustion: Mechanisms and synergistic approaches. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 138:112571. [PMID: 38941674 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112571] [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: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
T cells suffer from long-term antigen stimulation and insufficient energy supply, leading to a decline in their effector functions, memory capabilities, and proliferative capacity, ultimately resulting in T cell exhaustion and an inability to perform normal immune functions in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, exploring how to restore these exhausted T cells to a state with effector functions is of great significance. Exhausted T cells exhibit a spectrum of molecular alterations, such as heightened expression of inhibitory receptors, shifts in transcription factor profiles, and modifications across epigenetic, metabolic, and transcriptional landscapes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various strategies to reverse T cell exhaustion, including immune checkpoint blockade, and explores the potential synergistic effects of combining multiple approaches to reverse T cell exhaustion. It offers new insights and methods for achieving more durable and effective reversal of T cell exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Hu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yaqi Zhang
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Fenfen Shi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ruihan Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jiayu Yan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Tao Han
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China.
| | - Liping Guan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.
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2
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Kang K, Lin X, Chen P, Liu H, Liu F, Xiong W, Li G, Yi M, Li X, Wang H, Xiang B. T cell exhaustion in human cancers. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189162. [PMID: 39089484 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189162] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
T cell exhaustion refers to a progressive state in which T cells become functionally impaired due to sustained antigenic stimulation, which is characterized by increased expression of immune inhibitory receptors, but weakened effector functions, reduced self-renewal capacity, altered epigenetics, transcriptional programme and metabolism. T cell exhaustion is one of the major causes leading to immune escape of cancer, creating an environment that supports tumor development and metastatic spread. In addition, T cell exhaustion plays a pivotal role to the efficacy of current immunotherapies for cancer. This review aims to provide a comprehensive view of roles of T cell exhaustion in cancer development and progression. We summerized the regulatory mechanisms that involved in T cell exhaustion, including transcription factors, epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming events, and various microenvironmental factors such as cytokines, microorganisms, and tumor autocrine substances. The paper also discussed the challenges posed by T cell exhaustion to cancer immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies and chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy, highlightsing the obstacles encountered in ICB therapies and CAR-T therapies due to T cell exhaustion. Finally, the article provides an overview of current therapeutic options aimed to reversing or alleviating T cell exhaustion in ICB and CAR-T therapies. These therapeutic approaches seek to overcome T cell exhaustion and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies in treating tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Kang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Lin
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Pan Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Huai Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Mei Yi
- Department of Dermatology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Xiayu Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Infammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
| | - Bo Xiang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China.
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Espinosa-Carrasco G, Chiu E, Scrivo A, Zumbo P, Dave A, Betel D, Kang SW, Jang HJ, Hellmann MD, Burt BM, Lee HS, Schietinger A. Intratumoral immune triads are required for immunotherapy-mediated elimination of solid tumors. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:1202-1216.e8. [PMID: 38906155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Tumor-specific CD8+ T cells are frequently dysfunctional and unable to halt tumor growth. We investigated whether tumor-specific CD4+ T cells can be enlisted to overcome CD8+ T cell dysfunction within tumors. We find that the spatial positioning and interactions of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, but not their numbers, dictate anti-tumor responses in the context of adoptive T cell therapy as well as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB): CD4+ T cells must engage with CD8+ T cells on the same dendritic cell during the effector phase, forming a three-cell-type cluster (triad) to license CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity and cancer cell elimination. When intratumoral triad formation is disrupted, tumors progress despite equal numbers of tumor-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. In patients with pleural mesothelioma treated with ICB, triads are associated with clinical responses. Thus, CD4+ T cells and triads are required for CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity during the effector phase and tumor elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edison Chiu
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aurora Scrivo
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, and Institute for Aging Studies, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Paul Zumbo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Asim Dave
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Doron Betel
- Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sung Wook Kang
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hee-Jin Jang
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Matthew D Hellmann
- Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bryan M Burt
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Division of Thoracic Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hyun-Sung Lee
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrea Schietinger
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Sobottka B, Vetter V, Banaei-Esfahani A, Nowak M, Lorch A, Sirek A, Mertz KD, Brunelli M, Berthold D, de Leval L, Kahraman A, Koelzer VH, Moch H. Immune phenotype-genotype associations in primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma and matched metastatic tissue. Mod Pathol 2024:100558. [PMID: 38969270 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100558] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Adjuvant immunotherapy has been recently recommended for patients with metastatic ccRCC, but there are no tissue biomarkers to predict treatment response in ccRCC. Potential predictive biomarkers are mainly assessed in primary tumor tissue, whereas metastases remain understudied. To explore potential differences between genomic alterations and immune phenotypes in primary tumors and their matched metastases, we analyzed primary tumors (PTs) of 47 ccRCC patients and their matched distant metastases (METs) by comprehensive targeted parallel sequencing, whole-genome copy number variation (CNV) analysis, determination of microsatellite instability (MSI) and tumor mutational burden (TMB). We quantified the spatial distribution of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, and co-expression of the T-cell-exhaustion marker TOX by digital immunoprofiling and quantified tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). Most METs were pathologically "cold". Inflamed, pathologically "hot" PTs were associated with a decreased disease-free survival (DFS), worst for patients with high levels of CD8+TOX+ T cells. Interestingly, inflamed METs showed a relative increase of exhausted CD8+TOX+ T cells and increased accumulative size of TLS compared to PTs. Integrative analysis of molecular and immune phenotypes revealed BAP1 and CDKN2A/B deficiency to be associated with an inflamed immune phenotype. Our results highlight the distinct spatial distribution and differentiation of CD8+ T cells at metastatic sites, and the association of an inflamed microenvironment with specific genomic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Sobottka
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Viola Vetter
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Amir Banaei-Esfahani
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marta Nowak
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anja Lorch
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrej Sirek
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Kirsten D Mertz
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland; Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Brunelli
- Università di Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona (AOUI), Verona, Italy
| | - Dominik Berthold
- Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurence de Leval
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Abdullah Kahraman
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland; School of Life Sciences FHNW, Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Viktor Hendrik Koelzer
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Holger Moch
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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5
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Wang Y, Ma L, Chen Y, Yun W, Yu J, Meng X. Prognostic effect of TCF1+ CD8+ T cell and TOX+ CD8+ T cell infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:2184-2195. [PMID: 38590234 PMCID: PMC11247562 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the pivotal roles of T cell transcription factors TCF-1 and TOX in modulating the immune response in cancer, with TCF-1 maintaining CD8+ T cell stemness and TOX promoting T cell exhaustion. The prognostic significance of these factors in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains a critical area of investigation. The retrospective study included 191 patients with LUAD who underwent surgery, of whom 83% were in stages II and III. These patients were divided into exploratory (n = 135) and validation (n = 56) groups based on the time of diagnosis. Multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to examine the infiltration levels of CD8+ T cells, TCF1+ CD8+ T cells, and TOX+ CD8+ T cells. The percentage of CD8+ T cells in tumor was markedly lower than that in stroma (p < 0.05). In tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) invaded by tumor, the proportion of stem-like TCF1+ CD8+ T cells was significantly decreased (p < 0.01). Importantly, higher infiltration levels of CD8+ T cells and TCF1+ CD8+ T cells were associated with improved disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.009 and p = 0.006, respectively) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.018 and p = 0.010, respectively). This study underscores the potential of TCF1+ CD8+ T cells as prognostic biomarkers in LUAD, providing insights into the tumor immune microenvironment and guiding future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and InstituteShandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
- Research Unit of Radiation OncologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
| | - Lin Ma
- Research Unit of Radiation OncologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
- Department of OncologyRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yu Chen
- Research Unit of Radiation OncologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
- Cheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Wenhua Yun
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and InstituteShandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
- Research Unit of Radiation OncologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and InstituteShandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
- Research Unit of Radiation OncologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
| | - Xiangjiao Meng
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and InstituteShandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
- Research Unit of Radiation OncologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesJinanChina
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Morel D, Robert C, Paragios N, Grégoire V, Deutsch E. Translational Frontiers and Clinical Opportunities of Immunologically Fitted Radiotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:2317-2332. [PMID: 38477824 PMCID: PMC11145173 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation can have a wide range of impacts on tumor-immune interactions, which are being studied with the greatest interest and at an accelerating pace by the medical community. Despite its undeniable immunostimulatory potential, it clearly appears that radiotherapy as it is prescribed and delivered nowadays often alters the host's immunity toward a suboptimal state. This may impair the full recovery of a sustained and efficient antitumor immunosurveillance posttreatment. An emerging concept is arising from this awareness and consists of reconsidering the way of designing radiation treatment planning, notably by taking into account the individualized risks of deleterious radio-induced immune alteration that can be deciphered from the planned beam trajectory through lymphocyte-rich organs. In this review, we critically appraise key aspects to consider while planning immunologically fitted radiotherapy, including the challenges linked to the identification of new dose constraints to immune-rich structures. We also discuss how pharmacologic immunomodulation could be advantageously used in combination with radiotherapy to compensate for the radio-induced loss, for example, with (i) agonists of interleukin (IL)2, IL4, IL7, IL9, IL15, or IL21, similarly to G-CSF being used for the prophylaxis of severe chemo-induced neutropenia, or with (ii) myeloid-derived suppressive cell blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphné Morel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- INSERM U1030, Molecular Radiotherapy, Villejuif, France
| | - Charlotte Robert
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- INSERM U1030, Molecular Radiotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Paris-Saclay University, School of Medicine, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Nikos Paragios
- Therapanacea, Paris, France
- CentraleSupélec, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Vincent Grégoire
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Eric Deutsch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- INSERM U1030, Molecular Radiotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Paris-Saclay University, School of Medicine, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
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7
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Marius W, Leticia OF, Friedrich KN, Stephan M, Louisa H, Tabea S, Elisa S, Pauline W, Yi D, Qi M, Barbara S, Carsten B, Walter F, Jasmin W, Franziska B. Expression of CD39 is associated with T cell exhaustion in ovarian cancer and its blockade reverts T cell dysfunction. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2346359. [PMID: 38737794 PMCID: PMC11087076 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2346359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune exhaustion is a hallmark of ovarian cancer. Using multiparametric flow cytometry, the study aimed to analyze protein expression of novel immunological targets on CD3+ T cells isolated from the peripheral blood (n = 20), malignant ascites (n = 16), and tumor tissue (n = 6) of patients with ovarian cancer (OVCA). The study revealed an increased proportion of effector memory CD8+ T cells in OVCA tissue and malignant ascites. An OVCA-characteristic PD-1high CD8+ T cell population was detected, which differed from PD-1lowCD8+ T cells by increased co-expression of TIGIT, CD39, and HLA-DR. In addition, these OVCA-characteristic CD8+ T cells showed reduced expression of the transcription factor TCF-1, which may also indicate reduced effector function and memory formation. On the contrary, the transcription factor TOX, which significantly regulates terminal T cell-exhaustion, was found more frequently in these cells. Further protein and gene analysis showed that CD39 and CD73 were also expressed on OVCA tumor cells isolated from solid tumors (n = 14) and malignant ascites (n = 9). In the latter compartment, CD39 and CD73 were also associated with the expression of the "don't eat me" molecule CD24 on tumor cells. Additionally, ascites-derived CD24+EpCAM+ tumor cells showed a higher frequency of CD39+ or CD73+ cells. Furthermore, CD39 expression was associated with unfavorable clinical parameters. Expression of CD39 on T cells was upregulated through CD3/CD28 stimulation and its blockade by a newly developed nanobody construct resulted in increased proliferation (eFluor), activation (CD25 and CD134), and production of cytotoxic cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and granzyme-B) of CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Witt Marius
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Koch-Nolte Friedrich
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Menzel Stephan
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center HaTriCS4, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Core Facility Nanobodies, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | - Seubert Elisa
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Weimer Pauline
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ding Yi
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Minyue Qi
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Bioinformatics Core, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Schmalfeldt Barbara
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bokemeyer Carsten
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fiedler Walter
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wellbrock Jasmin
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Brauneck Franziska
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center HaTriCS4, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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8
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Du Q, An Q, Zhang J, Liu C, Hu Q. Unravelling immune microenvironment features underlying tumor progression in the single-cell era. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:143. [PMID: 38649887 PMCID: PMC11036673 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03335-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The relationship between the immune cell and tumor occurrence and progression remains unclear. Profiling alterations in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) at high resolution is crucial to identify factors influencing cancer progression and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. However, traditional sequencing methods, including bulk RNA sequencing, exhibit varying degrees of masking the cellular heterogeneity and immunophenotypic changes observed in early and late-stage tumors. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has provided significant and precise TIME landscapes. Consequently, this review has highlighted TIME cellular and molecular changes in tumorigenesis and progression elucidated through recent scRNA-seq studies. Specifically, we have summarized the cellular heterogeneity of TIME at different stages, including early, late, and metastatic stages. Moreover, we have outlined the related variations that may promote tumor occurrence and metastasis in the single-cell era. The widespread applications of scRNA-seq in TIME will comprehensively redefine the understanding of tumor biology and furnish more effective immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilian Du
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Qi An
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Jiajun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
| | - Qinyong Hu
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.
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9
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Xiang M, Li H, Zhan Y, Ma D, Gao Q, Fang Y. Functional CRISPR screens in T cells reveal new opportunities for cancer immunotherapies. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:73. [PMID: 38581063 PMCID: PMC10996278 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01987-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
T cells are fundamental components in tumour immunity and cancer immunotherapies, which have made immense strides and revolutionized cancer treatment paradigm. However, recent studies delineate the predicament of T cell dysregulation in tumour microenvironment and the compromised efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. CRISPR screens enable unbiased interrogation of gene function in T cells and have revealed functional determinators, genetic regulatory networks, and intercellular interactions in T cell life cycle, thereby providing opportunities to revamp cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we briefly described the central roles of T cells in successful cancer immunotherapies, comprehensively summarised the studies of CRISPR screens in T cells, elaborated resultant master genes that control T cell activation, proliferation, fate determination, effector function, and exhaustion, and highlighted genes (BATF, PRDM1, and TOX) and signalling cascades (JAK-STAT and NF-κB pathways) that extensively engage in multiple branches of T cell responses. In conclusion, this review bridged the gap between discovering element genes to a specific process of T cell activities and apprehending these genes in the global T cell life cycle, deepened the understanding of T cell biology in tumour immunity, and outlined CRISPR screens resources that might facilitate the development and implementation of cancer immunotherapies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghua Xiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huayi Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhan
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ding Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yong Fang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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10
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Hu D, Yang R, Wang G, Li H, Fan X, Liang G. Emerging Strategies to Overcome Current CAR-T Therapy Dilemmas - Exosomes Derived from CAR-T Cells. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:2773-2791. [PMID: 38525009 PMCID: PMC10959326 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s445101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cells immunotherapy, specifically chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), has shown promising therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. As extensive research on CAR-T therapies has been conducted, various challenges have emerged that significantly hampered their clinical application, including tumor recurrence, CAR-T cell exhaustion, and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). To overcome the hurdles of CAR-T therapy in clinical treatment, cell-free emerging therapies based on exosomes derived from CAR-T cells have been developed as an effective and promising alternative approach. In this review, we present CAR-T cell-based therapies for the treatment of tumors, including the features and benefits of CAR-T therapies, the limitations that exist in this field, and the measures taken to overcome them. Furthermore, we discuss the notable benefits of utilizing exosomes released from CAR-T cells in tumor treatment and anticipate potential issues in clinical trials. Lastly, drawing from previous research on exosomes from CAR-T cells and the characteristics of exosomes, we propose strategies to overcome these restrictions. Additionally, the review discusses the plight in large-scale preparation of exosome and provides potential solutions for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hu
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruyue Yang
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guidan Wang
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xulong Fan
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gaofeng Liang
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science & Technology, Luoyang, 471023, People’s Republic of China
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11
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Sun W, Qiu F, Zheng J, Fang L, Qu J, Zhang S, Jiang N, Zhou J, Zeng X, Zhou J. CD57-positive CD8 + T cells define the response to anti-programmed cell death protein-1 immunotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:25. [PMID: 38297019 PMCID: PMC10830454 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00513-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed the treatment landscape of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, accurately identifying patients who will benefit from immunotherapy remains a challenge. This study aimed to discover potential biomarkers for predicting immunotherapy response in NSCLC patients. Single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF) was utilized to analyze immune cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from NSCLC patients before and 12 weeks after single-agent immunotherapy. The CyTOF findings were subsequently validated using flow cytometry and multiplex immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence in PBMCs and tumor tissues, respectively. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In the CyTOF cohort (n = 20), a high frequency of CD57+CD8+ T cells in PBMCs was associated with durable clinical benefit from immunotherapy in NSCLC patients (p = 0.034). This association was further confirmed in an independent cohort using flow cytometry (n = 27; p < 0.001), with a determined cutoff value of 12.85%. The cutoff value was subsequently validated in another independent cohort (AUC = 0.733). We also confirmed the CyTOF findings in pre-treatment formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues (n = 90; p < 0.001). RNA-seq analysis revealed 475 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CD57+CD8+ T cells and CD57-CD8+ T cells, with functional analysis identifying DEGs significantly enriched in immune-related signaling pathways. This study highlights CD57+CD8+ T cells as a promising biomarker for predicting immunotherapy success in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjia Sun
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fengqi Qiu
- Cancer Center, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Zheng
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liangjie Fang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Qu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shumeng Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianying Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jianya Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Liang J, Qiao X, Qiu L, Xu H, Xiang H, Ding H, Chen Y. Engineering Versatile Nanomedicines for Ultrasonic Tumor Immunotherapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305392. [PMID: 38041509 PMCID: PMC10797440 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Due to the specific advantages of ultrasound (US) in therapeutic disease treatments, the unique therapeutic US technology has emerged. In addition to featuring a low-invasive targeted cancer-cell killing effect, the therapeutic US technology has been demonstrated to modulate the tumor immune landscape, amplify the therapeutic effect of other antitumor therapies, and induce immunosensitization of tumors to immunotherapy, shedding new light on the cancer treatment. Tremendous advances in nanotechnology are also expected to bring unprecedented benefits to enhancing the antitumor efficiency and immunological effects of therapeutic US, as well as therapeutic US-derived bimodal and multimodal synergistic therapies. This comprehensive review summarizes the immunological effects induced by different therapeutic US technologies, including ultrasound-mediated micro-/nanobubble destruction (UTMD/UTND), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), and focused ultrasound (FUS), as well as the main underlying mechanisms involved. It is also discussed that the recent research progress of engineering intelligent nanoplatform in improving the antitumor efficiency of therapeutic US technologies. Finally, focusing on clinical translation, the key issues and challenges currently faced are summarized, and the prospects for promoting the clinical translation of these emerging nanomaterials and ultrasonic immunotherapy in the future are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liang
- Department of UltrasoundHuashan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200040China
| | - Xiaohui Qiao
- Department of UltrasoundHuashan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200040China
| | - Luping Qiu
- Department of UltrasoundHuashan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200040China
| | - Huning Xu
- Department of UltrasoundHuashan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200040China
| | - Huijing Xiang
- Materdicine LabSchool of Life SciencesShanghai UniversityShanghai2000444China
| | - Hong Ding
- Department of UltrasoundHuashan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200040China
| | - Yu Chen
- Materdicine LabSchool of Life SciencesShanghai UniversityShanghai2000444China
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13
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Landy E, Varghese J, Dang V, Szymczak-Workman A, Kane LP, Canna SW. Complementary HLH susceptibility factors converge on CD8 T-cell hyperactivation. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6949-6963. [PMID: 37738167 PMCID: PMC10690564 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) are life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndromes. Familial HLH is caused by genetic impairment of granule-mediated cytotoxicity (eg, perforin deficiency). MAS is linked to excess activity of the inflammasome-activated cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18). Though individually tolerated, mice with dual susceptibility (Prf1⁻/⁻Il18tg; DS) succumb to spontaneous, lethal hyperinflammation. We hypothesized that understanding how these susceptibility factors synergize would uncover key pathomechanisms in the activation, function, and persistence of hyperactivated CD8 T cells. In IL-18 transgenic (Il18tg) mice, IL-18 effects on CD8 T cells drove MAS after a viral (lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus), but not innate (toll like receptor 9), trigger. In vitro, CD8 T cells also required T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation to fully respond to IL-18. IL-18 induced but perforin deficiency impaired immunoregulatory restimulation-induced cell death (RICD). Paralleling hyperinflammation, DS mice displayed massive postthymic oligoclonal CD8 T-cell hyperactivation in their spleens, livers, and bone marrow as early as 3 weeks. These cells increased proliferation and interferon gamma production, which contrasted with increased expression of receptors and transcription factors associated with exhaustion. Broad-spectrum antibiotics and antiretrovirals failed to ameliorate the disease. Attempting to genetically "fix" TCR antigen-specificity instead demonstrated the persistence of spontaneous HLH and hyperactivation, chiefly on T cells that had evaded TCR fixation. Thus, drivers of HLH may preferentially act on CD8 T cells: IL-18 amplifies activation and demand for RICD, whereas perforin supplies critical immunoregulation. Together, these factors promote a terminal CD8 T-cell activation state, combining features of exhaustion and effector function. Therefore, susceptibility to hyperinflammation may converge on a unique, unrelenting, and antigen-dependent state of CD8 T-cell hyperactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Landy
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Graduate Program in Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Jemy Varghese
- Rheumatology & Immune Dysregulation, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Vinh Dang
- Rheumatology & Immune Dysregulation, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Lawrence P. Kane
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Scott W. Canna
- Rheumatology & Immune Dysregulation, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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14
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Borràs DM, Verbandt S, Ausserhofer M, Sturm G, Lim J, Verge GA, Vanmeerbeek I, Laureano RS, Govaerts J, Sprooten J, Hong Y, Wall R, De Hertogh G, Sagaert X, Bislenghi G, D'Hoore A, Wolthuis A, Finotello F, Park WY, Naulaerts S, Tejpar S, Garg AD. Single cell dynamics of tumor specificity vs bystander activity in CD8 + T cells define the diverse immune landscapes in colorectal cancer. Cell Discov 2023; 9:114. [PMID: 37968259 PMCID: PMC10652011 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00605-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cell activation via immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is successful in microsatellite instable (MSI) colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. By comparison, the success of immunotherapy against microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC is limited. Little is known about the most critical features of CRC CD8+ T cells that together determine the diverse immune landscapes and contrasting ICB responses. Hence, we pursued a deep single cell mapping of CRC CD8+ T cells on transcriptomic and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire levels in a diverse patient cohort, with additional surface proteome validation. This revealed that CRC CD8+ T cell dynamics are underscored by complex interactions between interferon-γ signaling, tumor reactivity, TCR repertoire, (predicted) TCR antigen-specificities, and environmental cues like gut microbiome or colon tissue-specific 'self-like' features. MSI CRC CD8+ T cells showed tumor-specific activation reminiscent of canonical 'T cell hot' tumors, whereas the MSS CRC CD8+ T cells exhibited tumor unspecific or bystander-like features. This was accompanied by inflammation reminiscent of 'pseudo-T cell hot' tumors. Consequently, MSI and MSS CRC CD8+ T cells showed overlapping phenotypic features that differed dramatically in their TCR antigen-specificities. Given their high discriminating potential for CD8+ T cell features/specificities, we used the single cell tumor-reactive signaling modules in CD8+ T cells to build a bulk tumor transcriptome classification for CRC patients. This "Immune Subtype Classification" (ISC) successfully distinguished various tumoral immune landscapes that showed prognostic value and predicted immunotherapy responses in CRC patients. Thus, we deliver a unique map of CRC CD8+ T cells that drives a novel tumor immune landscape classification, with relevance for immunotherapy decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Morales Borràs
- Cell Stress and Immunity (CSI) Lab, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara Verbandt
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Markus Ausserhofer
- Universität Innsbruck, Department of Molecular Biology, Digital Science Center (DiSC), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gregor Sturm
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jinyeong Lim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gil Arasa Verge
- Cell Stress and Immunity (CSI) Lab, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isaure Vanmeerbeek
- Cell Stress and Immunity (CSI) Lab, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raquel S Laureano
- Cell Stress and Immunity (CSI) Lab, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jannes Govaerts
- Cell Stress and Immunity (CSI) Lab, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jenny Sprooten
- Cell Stress and Immunity (CSI) Lab, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yourae Hong
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rebecca Wall
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gert De Hertogh
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Xavier Sagaert
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gabriele Bislenghi
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - André D'Hoore
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Albert Wolthuis
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Finotello
- Universität Innsbruck, Department of Molecular Biology, Digital Science Center (DiSC), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Woong-Yang Park
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Stefan Naulaerts
- Cell Stress and Immunity (CSI) Lab, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sabine Tejpar
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Abhishek D Garg
- Cell Stress and Immunity (CSI) Lab, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Koh CH, Lee S, Kwak M, Kim BS, Chung Y. CD8 T-cell subsets: heterogeneity, functions, and therapeutic potential. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:2287-2299. [PMID: 37907738 PMCID: PMC10689838 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01105-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
CD8 T cells play crucial roles in immune surveillance and defense against infections and cancer. After encountering antigenic stimulation, naïve CD8 T cells differentiate and acquire effector functions, enabling them to eliminate infected or malignant cells. Traditionally, cytotoxic T cells, characterized by their ability to produce effector cytokines and release cytotoxic granules to directly kill target cells, have been recognized as the constituents of the predominant effector T-cell subset. However, emerging evidence suggests distinct subsets of effector CD8 T cells that each exhibit unique effector functions and therapeutic potential. This review highlights recent advancements in our understanding of CD8 T-cell subsets and the contributions of these cells to various disease pathologies. Understanding the diverse roles and functions of effector CD8 T-cell subsets is crucial to discern the complex dynamics of immune responses in different disease settings. Furthermore, the development of immunotherapeutic approaches that specifically target and regulate the function of distinct CD8 T-cell subsets holds great promise for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choong-Hyun Koh
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Suyoung Lee
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Plus Program, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyeong Kwak
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Plus Program, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Seok Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonseok Chung
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- BK21 Plus Program, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, Gangwon, 25159, Republic of Korea.
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Abascal J, Oh MS, Liclican EL, Dubinett SM, Salehi-Rad R, Liu B. Dendritic Cell Vaccination in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Remodeling the Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Cells 2023; 12:2404. [PMID: 37830618 PMCID: PMC10571973 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. While NSCLCs possess antigens that can potentially elicit T cell responses, defective tumor antigen presentation and T cell activation hinder host anti-tumor immune responses. The NSCLC tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of cellular and soluble mediators that can promote or combat tumor growth. The composition of the TME plays a critical role in promoting tumorigenesis and dictating anti-tumor immune responses to immunotherapy. Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical immune cells that activate anti-tumor T cell responses and sustain effector responses. DC vaccination is a promising cellular immunotherapy that has the potential to facilitate anti-tumor immune responses and transform the composition of the NSCLC TME via tumor antigen presentation and cell-cell communication. Here, we will review the features of the NSCLC TME with an emphasis on the immune cell phenotypes that directly interact with DCs. Additionally, we will summarize the major preclinical and clinical approaches for DC vaccine generation and examine how effective DC vaccination can transform the NSCLC TME toward a state of sustained anti-tumor immune signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jensen Abascal
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA; (J.A.); (M.S.O.); (E.L.L.); (S.M.D.)
| | - Michael S. Oh
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA; (J.A.); (M.S.O.); (E.L.L.); (S.M.D.)
| | - Elvira L. Liclican
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA; (J.A.); (M.S.O.); (E.L.L.); (S.M.D.)
| | - Steven M. Dubinett
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA; (J.A.); (M.S.O.); (E.L.L.); (S.M.D.)
- Department of Medicine, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA
| | - Ramin Salehi-Rad
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA; (J.A.); (M.S.O.); (E.L.L.); (S.M.D.)
- Department of Medicine, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA; (J.A.); (M.S.O.); (E.L.L.); (S.M.D.)
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17
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Borys SM, Reilly SP, Magill I, Zemmour D, Brossay L. PD-1 Mediated Regulation of Unique Activated CD8 + T Cells by NK Cells in the Submandibular Gland. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.15.557930. [PMID: 37745414 PMCID: PMC10515922 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.15.557930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The increasing utilization of anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has led to the emergence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including sicca syndrome. Interestingly, we found that the submandibular gland (SMG) of PD-1 deficient mice harbors a large population of CD8 + T cells, reminiscing ICB induced sicca. This phenotype was also observed in the SMG of both NK cell-depleted C57BL/6 animals and NK cell-deficient animals. Mechanistically, using mice conditionally deficient for PD-L1 in the NK cell lineage, we discovered that NK cells regulate CD8 + T cell homeostasis via the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in this organ. Importantly, single-cell RNA sequencing of PD-1 deficient SMG CD8 + T cells reveals a unique transcriptional profile consistent with TCR activation. These cells have limited TCR diversity and phenotypically overlap with GzmK + CD8 + T autoimmune cells identified in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients. These insights into NK cell immunoregulation in the SMG, and the consequences of disrupted CD8 + T cell homeostasis, provide opportunities for preventing the development of irAEs. Highlights Elevated CD8 + T cells in the submandibular gland (SMG) of PD-1 deficient mice parallel sicca-like irAEs seen in ICB patients. In addition to their previously described hyporesponsive phenotype, NK cells in the SMG regulate CD8 + T cell homeostasis through the PD-L1/PD-1 axis. PD-1 deficient SMG CD8 + T cells display unique transcriptional profiles associated with proinflammatory functions, TCR activation, interferon stimulation, and exhaustion. Oligoclonal expansion and similarities in TCR sequences indicate T cell activation and a preference for recognizing specific antigens.
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18
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Shao Y, Gui X, Wang Y, Sheng L, Sun D, Zeng Q, Wang H. Serum soluble immune checkpoint levels predict cervical lymph node metastasis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients. Cancer Med 2023; 12:17648-17659. [PMID: 37501393 PMCID: PMC10524022 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) is common in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC); however, the efficiency to distinguish CLNM before surgery is limited. T cell exhaustion, characterized by the overexpression of immune checkpoints, plays a critical role in the immune evasion of tumors. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between serum levels of soluble immune checkpoints (sICs) and CLNM in DTC patients. METHODS Levels of sICs in serum of 71 DTC patients and 56 healthy volunteers were analyzed by ELISA. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cervical lymph nodes of DTC patients were isolated and their expression of sICs were analyzed. Lymphocytes in cervical lymph nodes were analyzed for immune checkpoints expression and transcription of exhaustion-associated factors. 30 out of 71 DTC patients were followed up from 3 to 9 months after the operation, and postoperative sTIM-3 were analyzed. RESULTS Four sICs, including LAG-3, PD-1, PD-L1, and TIM-3, were increased in DTC patients. All four sICs exhibited higher sensitivity at discriminating CLNM than cervical ultrasound. In the patient-matched comparison, higher sTIM-3 levels were observed in tumor-involved lymph nodes (TILNs) than in normal lymph nodes (nLNs). T lymphocytes in TILNs had higher TIM-3 surface expression and increased secretion of sTIM-3 than those in patient-matched nLNs. Finally, postoperative serum sTIM-3 levels were decreased in DTC patients with CLNM compared to their preoperative levels. CONCLUSION Serum levels of sICs, especially sTIM-3, could help to predict CLNM and provide evidence for surgical decision-making in DTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Shao
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Xinru Gui
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Yuxin Wang
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Lei Sheng
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Dong Sun
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryShandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical ScienceJinanChina
| | - Qingdong Zeng
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Huayang Wang
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
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19
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Ueyama A, Nogami W, Nashiki K, Haruna M, Miwa H, Hagiwara M, Nagira M, Wada H, Nagira Y. Immunotherapy Targeting CCR8+ Regulatory T Cells Induces Antitumor Effects via Dramatic Changes to the Intratumor CD8+ T Cell Profile. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:673-682. [PMID: 37350632 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) contribute to the formation of a tumor-immunosuppressive microenvironment. CCR8 is reportedly selectively expressed in tumor Tregs, and an anti-CCR8 Ab can exert potent antitumor effects by eliminating intratumor Tregs in murine tumor models. In this study, we analyzed changes to intratumor immunity after anti-CCR8 Ab administration, especially in CD8+ T cells, which are involved in cancer cell killing, using the CT26 colorectal carcinoma mouse model. Immunophenotyping of tumor-infiltrating cells by mass cytometry after Ab administration on day 5 of tumor inoculation revealed that CD8+ T cell subsets were dramatically altered in the CCR8 Ab-treated group, with an increase in naive cells and nonexhausted effector cells and a decrease in exhausted cells with high expression levels of TOX. These results were corroborated with flow cytometry analysis. Delayed administration of the anti-CCR8 Ab on day 9 or 12, when the amount of CCR8+ Tregs and CD8+ T cell exhaustion were more progressed, also resulted in a decrease in exhausted CD8+ T cells, leading to tumor regression. Finally, we confirmed that high CCR8+ Treg infiltration was associated with high TOX expression in CD8+ T cells in human cancer patients. In conclusion, administration of an anti-CCR8 Ab can dramatically alter the activation and exhaustion state of intratumor CD8+ T cells, resulting in strong antitumor effects. In cancer patients with an advanced tumor-immunosuppressive environment, CD8+ T cell exhaustion has progressed along with CCR8+ Treg induction. Therefore, targeted depletion of CCR8+ Tregs is expected to be effective in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azumi Ueyama
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Wataru Nogami
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Kunitaka Nashiki
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Miya Haruna
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Hiroto Miwa
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Masaki Hagiwara
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Morio Nagira
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Hisashi Wada
- Department of Clinical Research in Tumor Immunology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoji Nagira
- Laboratory for Bio-Drug Discovery, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Japan
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20
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Zhang Z, Chen H, Yan D, Chen L, Sun J, Zhou M. Deep learning identifies a T-cell exhaustion-dependent transcriptional signature for predicting clinical outcomes and response to immune checkpoint blockade. Oncogenesis 2023; 12:37. [PMID: 37433793 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-023-00482-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies have brought unprecedented advances in cancer treatment, but responses are limited to a fraction of patients. Therefore, sustained and substantial efforts are required to advance clinical and translational investigation on managing patients receiving ICB. In this study, we investigated the dynamic changes in molecular profiles of T-cell exhaustion (TEX) during ICB treatment using single-cell and bulk transcriptome analysis, and demonstrated distinct exhaustion molecular profiles associated with ICB response. By applying an ensemble deep-learning computational framework, we identified an ICB-associated transcriptional signature consisting of 16 TEX-related genes, termed ITGs. Incorporating 16 ITGs into a machine-learning model called MLTIP achieved reliable predictive power for clinical ICB response with an average AUC of 0.778, and overall survival (pooled HR = 0.093, 95% CI, 0.031-0.28, P < 0.001) across multiple ICB-treated cohorts. Furthermore, the MLTIP consistently demonstrated superior predictive performance compared to other well-established markers and signatures, with an average increase in AUC of 21.5%. In summary, our results highlight the potential of this TEX-dependent transcriptional signature as a tool for precise patient stratification and personalized immunotherapy, with clinical translation in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zicheng Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 325027, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 325027, Wenzhou, China
| | - Dongxue Yan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 325027, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lu Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 325027, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jie Sun
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 325027, Wenzhou, China.
| | - Meng Zhou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 325027, Wenzhou, China.
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21
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Espinosa-Carrasco G, Scrivo A, Zumbo P, Dave A, Betel D, Hellmann M, Burt BM, Lee HS, Schietinger A. Intratumoral immune triads are required for adoptive T cell therapy-mediated elimination of solid tumors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.03.547423. [PMID: 37461721 PMCID: PMC10349998 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.03.547423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-reactive CD8 T cells found in cancer patients are frequently dysfunctional, unable to halt tumor growth. Adoptive T cell transfer (ACT), the administration of large numbers of in vitro-generated cytolytic tumor-reactive CD8 T cells, is an important cancer immune therapy being pursued. However, a limitation of ACT is that transferred CD8 T cells often rapidly lose effector function, and despite exciting results in certain malignancies, few ACT clinical trials have shown responses in solid tumors. Here, we developed preclinical cancer mouse models to investigate if and how tumor-specific CD4 T cells can be enlisted to overcome CD8 T cell dysfunction in the setting of ACT. In situ confocal microscopy of color-coded cancer cells, tumor-specific CD8 and CD4 T cells, and antigen presenting cells (APC), combined with functional studies, revealed that the spatial positioning and interactions of CD8 and CD4 T cells, but not their numbers, dictates ACT efficacy and anti-tumor responses. We uncover a new role of antigen-specific CD4 T cells in addition to the known requirement for CD4 T cells during priming/activation of naïve CD8 T cells. CD4 T cells must co-engage with CD8 T cells and APC cross-presenting CD8- and CD4-tumor antigens during the effector phase, forming a three-cell-cluster (triad), to license CD8 T cell cytotoxicity and mediate cancer cell elimination. Triad formation transcriptionally and epigenetically reprogram CD8 T cells, prevent T cell dysfunction/exhaustion, and ultimately lead to the elimination of large established tumors and confer long-term protection from recurrence. When intratumoral triad formation was disrupted, adoptively transferred CD8 T cells could not be reprogrammed, and tumors progressed despite equal numbers of tumor-infiltrating CD8 and CD4 T cells. Strikingly, the formation of CD4 T cell::CD8 T cell::APC triads in tumors of patients with lung cancers treated with immune checkpoint blockade was associated with clinical responses, but not CD4::APC dyads or overall numbers of CD8 or CD4 T cells, demonstrating the importance of triads in non-ACT settings in humans. Our work uncovers intratumoral triads as a key requirement for anti-tumor immunity and a new role for CD4 T cells in CD8 T cell cytotoxicity and cancer cell eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aurora Scrivo
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, and Institute for Aging Studies, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Paul Zumbo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Asim Dave
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Doron Betel
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew Hellmann
- Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bryan M Burt
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Hyun-Sung Lee
- Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Andrea Schietinger
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
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22
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Yeckes AR, Victor AR, Zhu Z, Narayanan M, Srinivasan B, Bruce B, Kaye J. The Tox Gene Encodes Two Proteins with Distinct and Shared Roles in Gene Regulation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:1889-1898. [PMID: 37115203 PMCID: PMC10247481 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Here we report that the murine Tox gene encodes two proteins from a single mRNA, and we investigate the mechanism of production and function of these proteoforms. The annotated thymocyte selection-associated HMG-box protein (TOX) coding sequence is predicted to produce a 526-aa protein (TOXFL). However, Western blots reveal two bands. We found that the lower band consists of an N-terminally truncated variant of TOX (TOXΔN), whereas the slower-migrating band is TOXFL. The TOXΔN proteoform is alternatively translated via leaky ribosomal scanning from an evolutionarily conserved translation initiation site downstream of the annotated translation initiation site. When expressed exogenously from a cDNA in murine CD8 T cells or HEK cells, or endogenously from the murine Tox locus, both forms are translated, although the ratio of TOXFL/TOXΔN significantly varies with cellular context. This includes regulation of proteoform production during development of murine CD4 T cells in the thymus, where the positive selection of CD4+CD8+ cells and subsequent differentiation to CD4+CD8lo transitional and CD4SP cell subsets is associated with both an increase in total TOX protein and increased TOXΔN production relative to TOXFL. Finally, we found that sole expression of TOXFL had a greater effect on gene regulation during chronic stimulation of murine CD8 T cells in culture mimicking exhaustion than did TOXΔN, including uniquely regulated cell cycle and other genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyson R. Yeckes
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Aaron R. Victor
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Zheng Zhu
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Meena Narayanan
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Bharani Srinivasan
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Bethany Bruce
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Jonathan Kaye
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048
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23
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Najafi A, Sabaghi M, Asgarian-Omran H, Valadan R, Shekarriz R, Zaboli E, Janbabai G, Tehrani M. Relative Expression of BATF and CD112 in PBMC of Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2023; 24:2171-2176. [PMID: 37378949 PMCID: PMC10505859 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2023.24.6.2171] [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: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE BATF, as a transcription factor, and CD112, as a receptor for TIGIT, are involved in T-cell exhaustion. We investigated BATF and CD112 gene expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CLL patients and healthy subjects. METHODS In a case-control study, 33 patients with CLL and 20 sex- and age-matched healthy individual were enrolled. Diagnosis and classification of patients was done according to immunophenotyping via flow cytometry and RAI staging system, respectively. Relative mRNA expression of BATF and CD112 was measured using qRT-PCR. RESULT Our results showed that the expression of BATF and CD112 in CLL samples were significantly decreased in comparison those of the healthy controls (P = 0.0236 and P = 0.0002, respectively). CONCLUSION These findings suggest the role of BATF and CD112 not only as a role in T cell exhaustion, but in effector differentiation program in CLL, which warrants further studies in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Najafi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Matineh Sabaghi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Hossein Asgarian-Omran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Reza Valadan
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Ramin Shekarriz
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Ehsan Zaboli
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Ghasem Janbabai
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Tehrani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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24
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Mohanraj L, Wolf H, Silvey S, Liu J, Toor A, Swift-Scanlan T. DNA Methylation Changes in Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients. Biol Res Nurs 2023; 25:310-325. [PMID: 36321693 PMCID: PMC10236442 DOI: 10.1177/10998004221135628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood cancers may be potentially cured with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT); however, standard pre-assessments for transplant eligibility do not capture all contributing factors for transplant outcomes. Epigenetic biomarkers predict outcomes in various diseases. This pilot study aims to explore epigenetic changes (epigenetic age and differentially methylated genes) in patients before and after autologous HCT, that can serve as potential biomarkers to better predict HCT outcomes. METHODS This study used a prospective longitudinal study design to compare genome wide DNA methylation changes in 36 autologous HCT eligible patients recruited from the Cellular Immunotherapies and Transplant clinic at a designated National Cancer Center. RESULTS Genome-wide DNA methylation, measured by the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 850K BeadChip, showed a significant difference in DNA methylation patterns post-HCT compared to pre-HCT. Compared to baseline levels of DNA methylation pre-HCT, 3358 CpG sites were hypo-methylated and 3687 were hyper-methylated. Identified differentially methylated positions overlapped with genes involved in hematopoiesis, blood cancers, inflammation and immune responses. Enrichment analyses showed significant alterations in biological processes such as immune response and cell structure organization, however no significant pathways were noted. Though participants had an advanced epigenetic age compared to chronologic age before and after HCT, both epigenetic age and accelerated age decreased post-HCT. CONCLUSION Epigenetic changes, both in epigenetic age and differentially methylated genes were observed in autologous HCT recipients, and should be explored as biomarkers to predict transplant outcomes after autologous HCT in larger, longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lathika Mohanraj
- Department of Adult Health and Nursing
Systems, VCU School of Nursing, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Hope Wolf
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Scott Silvey
- Department of Biostatistics, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jinze Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Amir Toor
- Department of Internal Medicine, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Theresa Swift-Scanlan
- Endowed Professor and Director,
Biobehavioral Research Lab, VCU School of Nursing, Richmond, VA, USA
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25
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Zhang C, Sheng Q, Zhang X, Xu K, Jin X, Zhou W, Zhang M, Lv D, Yang C, Li Y, Xu J, Li X. Prioritizing exhausted T cell marker genes highlights immune subtypes in pan-cancer. iScience 2023; 26:106484. [PMID: 37091230 PMCID: PMC10119613 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Exhausted T (TEX) cells are main immunotherapy targets in cancer, but it lacks a general identification method to characterize TEX cell in disease. To assess the characterization of TEX cell, we extract signature of TEX cell from large cancer and chronic infection cohorts. Based on single-cell transcriptomes, a systematic T cell exhaustion prediction (TEXP) model is designed to define TEX cell in cancer and chronic infection. We then prioritize 42 marker genes, including HAVCR2, PDCD1, TOX, TIGIT and LAG3, which are associated with T cell exhaustion. TEXP could identify high TEX and low TEX subtypes in pan-cancer of TCGA. The high TEX subtypes are characterized by high immune score, immune cell infiltration, high expression of TEX marker genes and poor prognosis. In summary, TEXP and marker genes provide a resource for understanding the function of TEX cell, with implications for immune prediction and immunotherapy in chronic infection and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlong Zhang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
- College of Information and Computer Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Qi Sheng
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Kang Xu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Xiaoyan Jin
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Weiwei Zhou
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Mengying Zhang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Dezhong Lv
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Changbo Yang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Yongsheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 571199, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Juan Xu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Xia Li
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 571199, China
- Corresponding author
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26
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Yang F, Yu Y, Zhou H, Zhou Y. Prognostic subtypes of thyroid cancer was constructed based on single cell and bulk-RNA sequencing data and verified its authenticity. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:89. [PMID: 36933059 PMCID: PMC10024289 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01027-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
There has been an increase in the mortality rate of thyroid cancer (THCA), which is the most common endocrine malignancy. We identified six distinct cell types in the THAC microenvironment by analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing (Sc-RNAseq) data from 23 THCA tumor samples, indicating high intratumoral heterogeneity. Through re-dimensional clustering of immune subset cells, myeloid cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and thyroid cell subsets, we deeply reveal differences in the tumor microenvironment of thyroid cancer. Through an in-depth analysis of thyroid cell subsets, we identified the process of thyroid cell deterioration (normal, intermediate, malignant cells). Through cell-to-cell communication analysis, we found a strong link between thyroid cells and fibroblasts and B cells in the MIF signaling pathway. In addition, we found a strong correlation between thyroid cells and B cells, TampNK cells, and bone marrow cells. Finally, we developed a prognostic model based on differentially expressed genes in thyroid cells from single-cell analysis. Both in the training set and the testing set, it can effectively predict the survival of thyroid patients. In addition, we identified significant differences in the composition of immune cell subsets between high-risk and low-risk patients, which may be responsible for their different prognosis. Through in vitro experiments, we identify that knockdown of NPC2 can significantly promote thyroid cancer cell apoptosis, and NPC2 may be a potential therapeutic target for thyroid cancer. In this study, we developed a well-performing prognostic model based on Sc-RNAseq data, revealing the cellular microenvironment and tumor heterogeneity of thyroid cancer. This will help to provide more accurate personalized treatment for patients in clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Yu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongzhong Zhou
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yili Zhou
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
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27
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Niu H, Wang H. TOX regulates T lymphocytes differentiation and its function in tumor. Front Immunol 2023; 14:990419. [PMID: 36969216 PMCID: PMC10035881 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.990419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box protein (TOX) is expressed differently at all T lymphocytes development stages. Owing to more advanced scientific and technological means, including single-cell sequencing technology, heterogeneity of T lymphocytes and TOX has gradually been revealed. Further exploration of such heterogeneity will help us comprehend the developmental stage and functional characteristics of T lymphocytes in greater detail. Emerging evidence supports its regulation not only in exhausting, but also in activating T lymphocytes, thereby verifying TOX heterogeneity. TOX can be used not only as a latent intervention target for tumor diseases and chronic infections, and a therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases, but also as a critical factor predicting the drug response and overall survival of patients with malignant tumors.
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28
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Choi JH, Lee BS, Jang JY, Lee YS, Kim HJ, Roh J, Shin YS, Woo HG, Kim CH. Single-cell transcriptome profiling of the stepwise progression of head and neck cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1055. [PMID: 36828832 PMCID: PMC9958029 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36691-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoes stepwise progression from normal tissues to precancerous leukoplakia, primary HNSCC, and metastasized tumors. To delineate the heterogeneity of tumor cells and their interactions during the progression of HNSCC, we employ single-cell RNA-seq profiling for normal to metastasized tumors. We can identify the carcinoma in situ cells in leukoplakia lesions that are not detected by pathological examination. In addition, we identify the cell type subsets of the Galectin 7B (LGALS7B)-expressing malignant cells and CXCL8-expressing fibroblasts, demonstrating that their abundance in tumor tissue is associated with unfavorable prognostic outcomes. We also demonstrate the interdependent ligand-receptor interaction of COL1A1 and CD44 between fibroblasts and malignant cells, facilitating HNSCC progression. Furthermore, we report that the regulatory T cells in leukoplakia and HNSCC tissues express LAIR2, providing a favorable environment for tumor growth. Taken together, our results update the pathobiological insights into cell-cell interactions during the stepwise progression of HNSCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hye Choi
- Department of Physiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Ajou University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bok-Soon Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeon Yeob Jang
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Ajou University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Sang Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Jeong Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Roh
- Department of Pathology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Seob Shin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Goo Woo
- Department of Physiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Ajou University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chul-Ho Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pathology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
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Dong W, Li W, Zhang S, Zeng X, Qin Q, Fan H, Tang Z, Wu X, Lu G. Exhaustion‑like dysfunction of T and NKT cells in an X‑linked severe combined immunodeficiency patient with maternal engraftment by single‑cell analysis. Int J Mol Med 2023; 51:25. [PMID: 36799159 PMCID: PMC9943537 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2023.5228] [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: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal engraftment is frequently present in X‑linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X‑SCID) patients caused by pathogenic mutations in IL2GR. However, the functional status of the engrafted cells remains unclear because of the difficulty in separately evaluating the function of the maternal and autologous cells. The present study reported an X‑SCID patient with a de novo c.677C>T (p.R226H) variant in exon 5 of IL2RG, exhibiting recurrent and persistent infections from 3‑months‑old. After the male patient suffering recurrent pneumonia and acute hematogenous disseminated tuberculosis when 13‑months‑old, single‑cell RNA sequencing was applied to characterize the transcriptome landscape of his bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs). A novel bioinformatic analysis strategy was designed to discriminate maternal and autologous cells at single‑cell resolution. The maternal engrafted cells consisted primarily of T, NKT and NK cells and the patient presented with the coexistence of autologous cells of these cell types. When compared respectively with normal counterparts, both maternal and autologous T and NKT cells increased the transcription of some important cytokines (GZMB, PRF1 and NKG7) against infections, but decreased the expression of a number of key transcription factors (FOS, JUN, TCF7 and LEF1) related to lymphocyte activation, proliferation and differentiation. Notably, the expression of multiple inhibitory factors (LAG3, CTLA4 and HAVCR2) were substantially enhanced in the T and NKT cells of both origins. In conclusion, both maternal and autologous T and NKT cells exhibited exhaustion‑like dysfunction in this X‑SCID patient suffering recurrent and persistent infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Dong
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Wenyan Li
- Department of Respiratory, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, P.R. China
| | - Shaojin Zhang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Xian Zeng
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Qi Qin
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Huifeng Fan
- Department of Respiratory, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, P.R. China
| | - Zhonghui Tang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Xia Wu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China,Dr Xia Wu, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China, E-mail:
| | - Gen Lu
- Department of Respiratory, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, P.R. China,Correspondence to: Dr Gen Lu, Department of Respiratory, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, 318 Renmin Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, P.R. China, E-mail:
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30
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Cheng D, Qiu K, Rao Y, Mao M, Li L, Wang Y, Song Y, Chen J, Yi X, Shao X, Huang SH, Zhang Y, Chen X, Wu S, Yu S, Liu J, Wang H, Peng X, Li D, Yang L, Chen L, Ying Z, Zheng Y, Zheng M, Ying B, Zeng X, Zhang W, Xu W, Liu G, Chen F, Yu H, Zhao Y, Ren J. Proliferative exhausted CD8 + T cells exacerbate long-lasting anti-tumor effects in human papillomavirus-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. eLife 2023; 12:82705. [PMID: 36811599 PMCID: PMC9946444 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The survival prognosis of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is largely different, and little is known about the anti-tumor mechanism of tumor-infiltrated exhausted CD8+ T cells (Tex) in HNSCC. We performed cell-level multi-omics sequencing on human HNSCC samples to decipher the multi-dimensional characteristics of Tex cells. A proliferative exhausted CD8+ T cell cluster (P-Tex) which was beneficial to survival outcomes of patients with HPV-positive HNSCC was identified. Interestingly, P-Tex cells expressed CDK4 genes as high as cancer cells, which could be simultaneously inhibited by CDK4 inhibitors and might be a potential reason for the ineffectiveness of CDK4 inhibitors in treating HPV-positive HNSCC. P-Tex cells could aggregate in the antigen-presenting cell niches and activate certain signaling pathways. Together, our findings suggest a promising role for P-Tex cells in the prognosis of patients with HPV-positive HNSCC by providing modest but persistent anti-tumor effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Cheng
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ke Qiu
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yufang Rao
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Minzi Mao
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yan Wang
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yao Song
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Junren Chen
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiaowei Yi
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiuli Shao
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Shao Hui Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Yi Zhang
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Sisi Wu
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Shuaishuai Yu
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Haiyang Wang
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xingchen Peng
- Department of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Daibo Li
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lin Yang
- MinSheng Ear-Nose-Throat HospitalChengduChina
| | - Li Chen
- MinSheng Ear-Nose-Throat HospitalChengduChina
| | - Zhiye Ying
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yongbo Zheng
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Meijun Zheng
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Binwu Ying
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina,Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiaoxi Zeng
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina,West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Wei Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dalla Lana School of Public HealthTorontoCanada
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Haopeng Yu
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina,West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina,West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Jianjun Ren
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina,West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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31
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Xue Q, Peng W, Zhang S, Wei X, Ye L, Wang Z, Xiang X, Zhang P, Zhou Q. Promising immunotherapeutic targets in lung cancer based on single-cell RNA sequencing. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1148061. [PMID: 37187731 PMCID: PMC10175686 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1148061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has made great strides in the treatment of lung cancer, but a significant proportion of patients still do not respond to treatment. Therefore, the identification of novel targets is crucial to improving the response to immunotherapy. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex niche composed of diverse pro-tumor molecules and cell populations, making the function and mechanism of a unique cell subset difficult to understand. However, the advent of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology has made it possible to identify cellular markers and understand their potential functions and mechanisms in the TME. In this review, we highlight recent advances emerging from scRNA-seq studies in lung cancer, with a particular focus on stromal cells. We elucidate the cellular developmental trajectory, phenotypic remodeling, and cell interactions during tumor progression. Our review proposes predictive biomarkers and novel targets for lung cancer immunotherapy based on cellular markers identified through scRNA-seq. The identification of novel targets could help improve the response to immunotherapy. The use of scRNA-seq technology could provide new strategies to understand the TME and develop personalized immunotherapy for lung cancer patients.
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32
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Li Q, Han J, Yang Y, Chen Y. PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1070961. [PMID: 36601120 PMCID: PMC9806143 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1070961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high prevalence and mortality rate worldwide. Sorafenib monotherapy has been the standard of first-line treatment for advanced HCC for a long time, but there are still many shortcomings. In recent years, with the deepening of research on tumor immune microenvironment, researchers have begun to explore new approaches in immunotherapy, and the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors has brought fundamental changes to the treatment of HCC. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is an immune checkpoint molecule that plays an important role in down-regulating immune system function and promoting tolerance. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL-1) is involved in tumor immune evasion by binding to PD-1, resulting in failure of treatment. Currently, immunotherapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis has achieved unprecedented success in HCC, but it also faces great challenges, with its low remission rate still to be solved. For most patients with HCC, the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is not the only rate limiting factor of antitumor immunity, and blocking only the PD-1/PD-L1 axis is not enough to stimulate an effective antitumor immune response; thus, combination therapy may be a better option. In this study, changes in the immune microenvironment of HCC patients were reviewed to clarify the feasibility of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, and a series of monotherapy and combination therapy clinical trials were summarized to verify the safety and efficacy of this newly developed treatment in patients with advanced HCC. Furthermore, we focused on hyperprogressive disease and drug resistance to gain a better understanding of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade as a promising treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjing Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yonglin Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, China,*Correspondence: Yonglin Yang, ; Yu Chen,
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Yonglin Yang, ; Yu Chen,
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Li S, Yang S, Hong Y. Higher thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box (TOX) expression predicts poor prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1216. [PMID: 36434543 PMCID: PMC9701062 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10336-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynecologic malignancies with a dismal prognosis that poses a serious threat to human health, highlighting the need for more knowledge about what is required for identifying some biomarkers for early diagnosis, prediction of prognosis and disease monitoring. TOX, a critical transcription factor related to the development of malignancies that contributing to lymphocytes not just T cells, had been proved prognostic value in some spectrum of cancers. Here, we aimed to study the prognostic role of TOX in ovarian cancer. RESULTS We found that TOX was not only expressed in CD8 T cells but also tumor cells. TOX expression score was higher in ovarian cancer tissues and correlated with survival status. Survival analysis revealed that ovarian cancer patients with high TOX expression score generally shorter overall survival and disease-free survival times. Univariate and Multivariate Cox demonstrated that TOX expression score could be used as an independent prognostic factor for patients with ovarian cancer. CONCLUSION TOX expression in ovarian cancer could be a promising tool for predict overall survival of ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Li
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of gynecologic oncology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University school of medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sifu Yang
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang China
| | - Yupeng Hong
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang China
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34
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Guo C, Liu Q, Zong D, Zhang W, Zuo Z, Yu Q, Sha Q, Zhu L, Gao X, Fang J, Tao J, Wu Q, Li X, Qu K. Single-cell transcriptome profiling and chromatin accessibility reveal an exhausted regulatory CD4+ T cell subset in systemic lupus erythematosus. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111606. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Establishment of a mechanism-based in vitro coculture assay for evaluating the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:2777-2789. [DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03201-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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36
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Xiao W, Ahluwalia P, Wang L, Howard J, Kolhe R, Rojiani AM, Rojiani MV. TIMP-1 Dependent Modulation of Metabolic Profiles Impacts Chemoresistance in NSCLC. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193036. [PMID: 36230997 PMCID: PMC9562647 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of chemoresistance remains a significant barrier to treating NSCLC. Alteration of cancer cell metabolism is an important mechanism for chemoresistance. This study explored the role of aberrant metabolism in TIMP-1-mediated chemoresistance. Bioinformatics analysis identified an association of high TIMP-1 with altered energy metabolism. We have defined the role of depolarized mitochondria through a reduction in lactate secretion, higher ROS levels in TIMP-1 KD cells and reduced GSH levels. TIMP-1 modulates the metabolic profile via acetylation of mitochondrial STAT3 and its interaction with CD44. Intriguingly, monomers of acetylated STAT3 were critical for altered metabolism, whereas STAT3 dimers abrogated this function. Further, the mitochondrial metabolic profile was also altered in a cisplatin-resistant clone of A549 cells. We also correlated the immunoexpression of CD44, STAT3 and TIMP-1 in patient samples. This study provided evidence that TIMP-1 alters the metabolic profile by modulating mitochondrial metabolism via the CD44-STAT3 axis through its effects on STAT3 acetylation. It also lent further support to the critical role of TIMP-1 in chemoresistance. Interrogation of the TCGA-LUAD dataset revealed perturbations in the critical modulator that can alter metabolic states in cancer cells. Higher expression of a five-gene signature, including TIMP-1, correlated with immunosuppressive cells and was found to be associated with overall survival. This study identified several metabolic mechanisms that could influence therapeutic options and prognosis in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Pankaj Ahluwalia
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - John Howard
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Ravindra Kolhe
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Amyn M. Rojiani
- Department of Pathology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Room T3409, Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Mumtaz V. Rojiani
- Department of Pathology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Room T3409, Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-717-531-0003 (ext. 322422)
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de Vos L, Carrillo Cano TM, Zarbl R, Klümper N, Ralser DJ, Franzen A, Herr E, Gabrielpillai J, Vogt TJ, Dietrich J, Strieth S, Landsberg J, Dietrich D. CTLA4 , PD-1 , PD-L1 , PD-L2 , TIM-3 , TIGIT , and LAG3 DNA Methylation Is Associated With BAP1 -Aberrancy, Transcriptional Activity, and Overall Survival in Uveal Melanoma. J Immunother 2022; 45:324-334. [PMID: 35862127 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is an aggressive disease with poor response to oncological treatment, including immunotherapy. Loss of the epigenetic modifier BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) function drives UM oncogenesis and is associated with an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment, poor prognosis, and a distinct DNA methylation and gene expression profile. Our study aimed to analyze comprehensively the DNA methylation status of the immune checkpoint genes PD-1 , PD-L1 , PD-L2 , CTLA4, TIM-3 ( HAVCR2 ), TIGIT , and LAG3 and its association with mRNA expression, BAP1 -aberrancy, and patients' survival. We analyzed the DNA methylation landscape of immune checkpoint genes at single CpG resolution in N=80 UM samples provided by The Cancer Genome Atlas. We analyzed CpG methylation levels of the immune checkpoints with regard to their transcriptional signatures and patient outcomes.Methylation of specific CpG sites within the immune checkpoint genes PD-1 , PD-L1 , PD-L2 , CTLA4 , TIM-3 , TIGIT , and LAG3 correlated strongly with mRNA expression levels, indicating a strong regulation of gene expression through DNA methylation. Moreover, immune checkpoint gene methylation was strongly associated with BAP1 -mutation status and associated with overall survival in UM. Our data indicate an epigenetic regulation of immune checkpoints through DNA methylation in UM. Further, our data highlight the prognostic significance of DNA methylation of immune checkpoint genes in UM thereby providing a rationale for methylation testing as predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Emmanuelle Herr
- Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
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Neuropilin-1 is a valuable biomarker for predicting response of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients to hypofractionated radiotherapy and PD-1 blockade. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 109:108732. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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39
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Asami T, Endo K, Matsui R, Sawa T, Tanaka Y, Saiki T, Tanba N, Haga H, Tanaka S. Long-term caloric restriction ameliorates T cell immunosenescence in mice. Mech Ageing Dev 2022; 206:111710. [PMID: 35868542 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2022.111710] [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: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Aging is associated with a decrease in the function of the immune system, a phenomenon known as immunosenescence, which results in reduced resistance to infection. Caloric restriction (CR) is known to prolong lifespan and to regulate immune function. However, whether and how CR affects immunosenescence remains unclear. Here, we evaluated the effect of long- and short-term CR on immunosenescence by subjecting wild-type mice to CR between 6 and 18 months of age or between 17 and 18 months of age, respectively. Compared with a normal diet or short-term CR, long-term CR induced marked or complete attenuation of age-related decreases in the frequency of spleen NK cells and NKT cells; naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells; and cytokine- and granzyme B-secreting T cells. In contrast, both long- and short-term CR significantly suppressed age-related upregulation of the T cell exhaustion markers PD-1, Tim-3, and KLRG1, as well as the transcription factors NR4A1 and TOX, which regulate the expression of genes associated with the T cell exhaustion phenotype. These results suggest that CR might suppress age-associated immunosenescence by regulating the expression of transcription factors and target genes that control T cell exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Asami
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Katsunori Endo
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Rina Matsui
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Toko Sawa
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Yuna Tanaka
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Takeru Saiki
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Naotaka Tanba
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Hadsuki Haga
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Sachi Tanaka
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan.
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40
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Xu L, Zou C, Zhang S, Chu TSM, Zhang Y, Chen W, Zhao C, Yang L, Xu Z, Dong S, Yu H, Li B, Guan X, Hou Y, Kong FM. Reshaping the systemic tumor immune environment (STIE) and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in solid tumors. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:87. [PMID: 35799264 PMCID: PMC9264569 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01307-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of combination immunotherapy based on the mediation of regulatory mechanisms of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is promising. However, a deep understanding of tumor immunology must involve the systemic tumor immune environment (STIE) which was merely illustrated previously. Here, we aim to review recent advances in single-cell transcriptomics and spatial transcriptomics for the studies of STIE, TIME, and their interactions, which may reveal heterogeneity in immunotherapy responses as well as the dynamic changes essential for the treatment effect. We review the evidence from preclinical and clinical studies related to TIME, STIE, and their significance on overall survival, through different immunomodulatory pathways, such as metabolic and neuro-immunological pathways. We also evaluate the significance of the STIE, TIME, and their interactions as well as changes after local radiotherapy and systemic immunotherapy or combined immunotherapy. We focus our review on the evidence of lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, aiming to reshape STIE and TIME to enhance immunotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Xu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518053, China
| | - Chang Zou
- Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China.,Shenzhen Public Service Platform on Tumor Precision Medicine and Molecular Diagnosis, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Education Ministry, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646100, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Life and Marine Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Timothy Shun Man Chu
- Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, UK.,Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518053, China
| | - Weiwei Chen
- Department of Clinical Oncology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Caining Zhao
- Department of Clinical Oncology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518053, China
| | - Zhiyuan Xu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518053, China
| | - Shaowei Dong
- Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Hao Yu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Bo Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, China
| | - Xinyuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518053, China. .,Department of Clinical Oncology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, Guangdong, 528200, China.
| | - Yuzhu Hou
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
| | - Feng-Ming Kong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518053, China. .,Department of Clinical Oncology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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41
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Han J, Wan M, Ma Z, He P. The TOX subfamily: all-round players in the immune system. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 208:268-280. [PMID: 35485425 PMCID: PMC9226143 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymocyte selection-related HMG box protein (TOX) subfamily comprises evolutionarily conserved DNA-binding proteins, and is expressed in certain immune cell subsets and plays key roles in the development of CD4+ T cells, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, and in CD8+ T-cell exhaustion. Although its roles in CD4+ T and natural killer (NK) cells have been extensively studied, recent findings have demonstrated previously unknown roles for TOX in the development of ILCs, Tfh cells, as well as CD8+ T-cell exhaustion; however, the molecular mechanism underlying TOX regulation of these immune cells remains to be elucidated. In this review, we discuss recent studies on the influence of TOX on the development of various immune cells and CD8+ T-cell exhaustion and the roles of specific TOX family members in the immune system. Moreover, this review suggests candidate regulatory targets for cell therapy and immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Han
- Central Laboratory, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Minjie Wan
- Central Laboratory, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.,Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhanchuan Ma
- Central Laboratory, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ping He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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42
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Tiong KL, Lin YW, Yeang CH. Characterization of gene cluster heterogeneity in single-cell transcriptomic data within and across cancer types. Biol Open 2022; 11:275538. [PMID: 35665803 PMCID: PMC9235070 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059256] [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: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the remarkable progress in probing tumor transcriptomic heterogeneity by single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNAseq) data, several gaps exist in prior studies. Tumor heterogeneity is frequently mentioned but not quantified. Clustering analyses typically target cells rather than genes, and differential levels of transcriptomic heterogeneity of gene clusters are not characterized. Relations between gene clusters inferred from multiple datasets remain less explored. We provided a series of quantitative methods to analyze cancer sc-RNAseq data. First, we proposed two quantitative measures to assess intra-tumoral heterogeneity/homogeneity. Second, we established a hierarchy of gene clusters from sc-RNAseq data, devised an algorithm to reduce the gene cluster hierarchy to a compact structure, and characterized the gene clusters with functional enrichment and heterogeneity. Third, we developed an algorithm to align the gene cluster hierarchies from multiple datasets to a small number of meta gene clusters. By applying these methods to nine cancer sc-RNAseq datasets, we discovered that cancer cell transcriptomes were more homogeneous within tumors than the accompanying normal cells. Furthermore, many gene clusters from the nine datasets were aligned to two large meta gene clusters, which had high and low heterogeneity and were enriched with distinct functions. Finally, we found the homogeneous meta gene cluster retained stronger expression coherence and associations with survival times in bulk level RNAseq data than the heterogeneous meta gene cluster, yet the combinatorial expression patterns of breast cancer subtypes in bulk level data were not preserved in single-cell data. The inference outcomes derived from nine cancer sc-RNAseq datasets provide insights about the contributing factors for transcriptomic heterogeneity of cancer cells and complex relations between bulk level and single-cell RNAseq data. They demonstrate the utility of our methods to enable a comprehensive characterization of co-expressed gene clusters in a wide range of sc-RNAseq data in cancers and beyond. Summary: We propose quantitative methods to analyze cancer sc-RNAseq data: measures of intra-tumoral heterogeneity, characterization of a hierarchy of gene clusters, and alignment of gene cluster hierarchies from multiple datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khong-Loon Tiong
- Institute of Statistical Science, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Lin
- Institute of Statistical Science, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Taipei 115, Taiwan.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, School of Health Profession, Master Program of Diagnostic Genetics, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Chen-Hsiang Yeang
- Institute of Statistical Science, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Taipei 115, Taiwan
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43
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The transcription factor TOX is involved in the regulation of T-cell exhaustion in neuroblastoma. Immunol Lett 2022; 248:16-25. [PMID: 35691410 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2022.06.004] [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: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
T-cell exhaustion is one of the key reasons for attenuated T-cell cytotoxicity against tumours. At both the expression and epigenetic levels, a number of genes, including the transcription factor TOX, are believed to be implicated in regulating T-cell exhaustion. In the present study, we found that in NB patients, the ratio of exhausted T cells, featuring upregulated PD-1 and Tim-3, was increased. Meanwhile, the expression of inhibitory surface receptors, including Lag-3, CD160, VISTA and KLRG1, was also increased, but this was accompanied by a reduced ability to release the effector molecules IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α and Granzyme B in CD3+ T cells from NB patients. It is noteworthy that NB-derived memory T cells (Tm) showed more obvious exhausted characteristics than other T cells. Moreover, the T cells from NB patients possessed a higher potential for exhaustion conversion upon in vitro TCR stimulation in our time-course culture experiment. In NB patients, T-cell exhaustion was demonstrated to correlate with the elevated expression of TOX in freshly sorted CD3+ T cells as well as in anti-CD3 stimulated PBMCs. Most importantly, our data supported the idea that the hypomethylation of the TOX promoter may be one of the initiators that regulates TOX expression and enables TOX to play a crucial role in T-cell exhaustion reprogramming in NB patients.
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44
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Immune Checkpoint Proteins, Metabolism and Adhesion Molecules: Overlooked Determinants of CAR T-Cell Migration? Cells 2022; 11:cells11111854. [PMID: 35681548 PMCID: PMC9180731 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T cells genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) has demonstrated striking efficacy for the treatment of several hematological malignancies, including B-cell lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. However, many patients still do not respond to this therapy or eventually relapse after an initial remission. In most solid tumors for which CAR T-cell therapy has been tested, efficacy has been very limited. In this context, it is of paramount importance to understand the mechanisms of tumor resistance to CAR T cells. Possible factors contributing to such resistance have been identified, including inherent CAR T-cell dysfunction, the presence of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and tumor-intrinsic factors. To control tumor growth, CAR T cells have to migrate actively enabling a productive conjugate with their targets. To date, many cells and factors contained within the tumor microenvironment have been reported to negatively control the migration of T cells and their ability to reach cancer cells. Recent evidence suggests that additional determinants, such as immune checkpoint proteins, cellular metabolism, and adhesion molecules, may modulate the motility of CAR T cells in tumors. Here, we review the potential impact of these determinants on CAR T-cell motility, and we discuss possible strategies to restore intratumoral T-cell migration with a special emphasis on approaches targeting these determinants.
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45
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Wu Z, Zhou J, Xiao Y, Ming J, Zhou J, Dong F, Zhou X, Xu Z, Zhao X, Lei P, Huang T. CD20 +CD22 +ADAM28 + B Cells in Tertiary Lymphoid Structures Promote Immunotherapy Response. Front Immunol 2022; 13:865596. [PMID: 35634306 PMCID: PMC9130862 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.865596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As the indication for immunotherapy is rapidly expanding, it is crucial to accurately identify patients who are likely to respond. Infiltration of B cells into many tumor types correlates with a good response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. However, B cells' roles in the anti-tumor response are far from clear. Methods Based on single-cell transcriptomic data for ICI-treated patients, we identified a B-cell cluster [BIR (ICI-Responsive B) cells] and described the phenotype, cell-cell communication, biological processes, gene signature, and prognosis value of BIR cells through bioinformatic analysis, tissue immunofluorescence, and animal experiments. Surgery samples from 12 non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients with adjuvant checkpoint blockade were evaluated as external validation. Results BIR cells were identified as a subset of CD20+CD22+ADAM28+ B cells with a memory phenotype. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that BIR cells had enhanced cell viability and epigenetic regulation, and that ALOX5AP, MIF, and PTPRC/CD45 expressed by myeloid cells may be critical coordinators of diverse biological processes of BIR cells. Immunofluorescence confirmed the presence of BIR cells in tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in skin SCC, RCC, CRC, and breast cancer. BIR-associated gene signatures correlate with positive outcomes in patients with melanoma, glioblastoma, NSCLC, HNSCC, or RCC treated with ICI therapy, and BIR-cell density predicted NSCLC patients' response to checkpoint immunotherapy. In line with this, melanoma-bearing mice depleted of BIR cells were resistant to ICIs. Conclusions CD20+CD22+ADAM28+ BIR cells were present in cancer-associated TLS and promoted the response to ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghao Wu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Junjie Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunxiao Xiao
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Ming
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Dong
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoqi Zhou
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhuoshuo Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangwang Zhao
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Lei
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Weisshaar N, Wu J, Ming Y, Madi A, Hotz-Wagenblatt A, Ma S, Mieg A, Hering M, Zettl F, Mohr K, Schlimbach T, Ten Bosch N, Hertel F, Müller L, Byren H, Wang M, Borgers H, Munz M, Schmitt L, van der Hoeven F, Kloz U, Carretero R, Schleußner N, Jackstadt RF, Hofmann I, Cui G. Rgs16 promotes antitumor CD8 + T cell exhaustion. Sci Immunol 2022; 7:eabh1873. [PMID: 35622904 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abh1873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
T cells become functionally exhausted in tumors, limiting T cell-based immunotherapies. Although several transcription factors regulating the exhausted T (Tex) cell differentiation are known, comparatively little is known about the regulators of Tex cell survival. Here, we reported that the regulator of G protein signaling 16 (Rgs-16) suppressed Tex cell survival in tumors. By performing lineage tracing using reporter mice in which mCherry marked Rgs16-expressing cells, we identified that Rgs16+CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were terminally differentiated, expressed low levels of T cell factor 1 (Tcf1), and underwent apoptosis as early as 6 days after the onset of Rgs16 expression. Rgs16 deficiency inhibited CD8+ T cell apoptosis and promoted antitumor effector functions of CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, Rgs16 deficiency synergized with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade to enhance antitumor CD8+ T cell responses. Proteomics revealed that Rgs16 interacted with the scaffold protein IQGAP1, suppressed the recruitment of Ras and B-Raf, and inhibited Erk1 activation. Rgs16 deficiency enhanced antitumor CD8+ TIL survival in an Erk1-dependent manner. Loss of function of Erk1 decreased antitumor functions of Rgs16-deficient CD8+ T cells. RGS16 mRNA expression levels in CD8+ TILs of patients with melanoma negatively correlated with genes associated with T cell stemness, such as SELL, TCF7, and IL7R, and predicted low responses to PD-1 blockade. This study uncovers Rgs16 as an inhibitor of Tex cell survival in tumors and has implications for improving T cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Weisshaar
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jingxia Wu
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yanan Ming
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alaa Madi
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Agnes Hotz-Wagenblatt
- Core Facility Omics IT and Data Management, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sicong Ma
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alessa Mieg
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marvin Hering
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ferdinand Zettl
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Mohr
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tilo Schlimbach
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nora Ten Bosch
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Franziska Hertel
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lisann Müller
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hannah Byren
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mona Wang
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Helena Borgers
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mareike Munz
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lukas Schmitt
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Franciscus van der Hoeven
- Transgenic Service (W450), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kloz
- Transgenic Service (W450), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rafael Carretero
- DKFZ-Bayer Immunotherapeutic Lab, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nikolai Schleußner
- Cancer Progression and Metastasis (A013), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, University Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rene-Filip Jackstadt
- Cancer Progression and Metastasis (A013), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ilse Hofmann
- Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis (A190), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Core Facility Antibodies (W170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guoliang Cui
- T Cell Metabolism Group (D192), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for Translational Oncology (HI-TRON), 55131 Mainz, Germany
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The genomic and transcriptional landscape of primary central nervous system lymphoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2558. [PMID: 35538064 PMCID: PMC9091224 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30050-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary lymphomas of the central nervous system (PCNSL) are mainly diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) confined to the central nervous system (CNS). Molecular drivers of PCNSL have not been fully elucidated. Here, we profile and compare the whole-genome and transcriptome landscape of 51 CNS lymphomas (CNSL) to 39 follicular lymphoma and 36 DLBCL cases outside the CNS. We find recurrent mutations in JAK-STAT, NFkB, and B-cell receptor signaling pathways, including hallmark mutations in MYD88 L265P (67%) and CD79B (63%), and CDKN2A deletions (83%). PCNSLs exhibit significantly more focal deletions of HLA-D (6p21) locus as a potential mechanism of immune evasion. Mutational signatures correlating with DNA replication and mitosis are significantly enriched in PCNSL. TERT gene expression is significantly higher in PCNSL compared to activated B-cell (ABC)-DLBCL. Transcriptome analysis clearly distinguishes PCNSL and systemic DLBCL into distinct molecular subtypes. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)+ CNSL cases lack recurrent mutational hotspots apart from IG and HLA-DRB loci. We show that PCNSL can be clearly distinguished from DLBCL, having distinct expression profiles, IG expression and translocation patterns, as well as specific combinations of genetic alterations.
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Ou HB, Wei Y, Liu Y, Zhou FX, Zhou YF. Characterization of the immune cell infiltration landscape in lung adenocarcinoma. Arch Biochem Biophys 2022; 721:109168. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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49
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Cho H, Tong F, You S, Jung S, Kim WH, Kim J. Prediction of the Immune Phenotypes of Bladder Cancer Patients for Precision Oncology. IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 3:47-57. [PMID: 35519421 PMCID: PMC9060513 DOI: 10.1109/ojemb.2022.3163533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common urinary malignancy; however accurate diagnosis and prediction of recurrence after therapies remain elusive. This study aimed to develop a biosignature of immunotherapy-based responses using gene expression data. Publicly available BC datasets were collected, and machine learning (ML) approaches were applied to identify a novel biosignature to differentiate patient subgroups. Immune phenotyping of BC in the IMvigor210 dataset included three subtypes: inflamed, excluded, and desert immune. Immune phenotypes were analyzed with gene expressions using traditional but powerful classification methods such as random forests, Deep Neural Networks (DNN), Support Vector Machines (SVM) together with boosting and feature selection methods. Specifically, DNN yielded the highest area under the curve (AUC) with precision and recall (PR) curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for each phenotype ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively) resulting in the identification of gene expression features useful for immune phenotype classification. Our results suggest significant potential to further develop and utilize machine learning algorithms for analysis of BC and its precaution. In conclusion, the findings from this study present a novel gene expression assay that can accurately discriminate BC patients from controls. Upon further validation in independent cohorts, this gene signature could be developed into a predictive test that can support clinical evaluation and patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyuna Cho
- Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence (GSAI)Pohang University of Science and TechnologyPohang37673South Korea
| | - Feng Tong
- Department of Computer Science and EngineeringUniversity of Texas at ArlingtonArlingtonTX76019USA
| | - Sungyong You
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical SciencesCedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCA90048USA
| | - Sungyoung Jung
- Department of Electrical EngineeringUniversity of Texas at ArlingtonArlingtonTX76019USA
| | - Won Hwa Kim
- Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence (GSAI)Pohang University of Science and TechnologyPohang37673South Korea
- Department of Computer Science and EngineeringUniversity of Texas at ArlingtonArlingtonTX76019USA
- Department of Computer Science and EngineeringPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohang37673South Korea
| | - Jayoung Kim
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical SciencesCedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCA90048USA
- Department of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCA90095USA
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Huang S, Liang C, Zhao Y, Deng T, Tan J, Zha X, Li Y, Chen S. Increased TOX expression concurrent with PD-1, Tim-3, and CD244 expression in T cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia. CYTOMETRY. PART B, CLINICAL CYTOMETRY 2022; 102:143-152. [PMID: 34913594 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.22049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND T cell dysregulation is a common event in leukemia. Recent findings have indicated that aberrant expression of immune checkpoint proteins may be associated with disease relapse and progression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). TOX, a transcription factor in the HMG-box protein superfamily, was found to be a potential target for immunotherapy not only in solid tumors but also in hematological malignancies. However, little is known about TOX expression and co-expression with immune checkpoint proteins or the exhausted phenotype in the T cell subsets in AML. Thus, in this study, we analyzed TOX expression and co-expression with PD-1, Tim-3, and CD244 in T cells. METHODS TOX expression and co-expression with PD-1, Tim-3, and CD244 in CD3+, CD4+, regulatory T (Treg), and CD8+ T cells were analyzed by multi-color fluorescent flow cytometry in peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples from patients with de novo AML and AML in complete remission (CR) and healthy individuals (HIs). RESULTS A significantly increased percentage of TOX+CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells was found in PB from patients with de novo AML in comparison with HIs. Double-positive TOX+CD244+, TOX+PD-1+, and TOX+Tim-3+ T cells markedly increased in the CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cell populations in de novo AML patients compared with HIs, and similar trends were demonstrated for TOX+Tim-3+CD3+/CD4+/CD8+ T cells in de novo AML compared with AML-CR patients. In addition, the number of TOX+, TOX+PD-1+, and TOX+Tim-3+Treg cells significantly increased in de novo AML patients compared with HIs, and TOX+PD-1+Treg cells were higher in de novo AML compared with AML-CR patients. Moreover, TOX positively correlated with Tim-3 expression in CD8+ and Treg cells, and a positive correlation between the expression of TOX+ CD4+ and CD244+CD4+ T cells was found. Furthermore, an increased percentage of TOX+Tim-3+ T cells in BM was also found in de novo AML patients compared with HIs. CONCLUSIONS Increased TOX concurrent with PD-1, Tim-3, and CD244 in T cells may contribute to T cell exhaustion and impair their function in AML. Such exhausted T cells may be partially revised when AML patients achieve CR after chemotherapy. TOX may be considered a potential target for reversing T cell exhaustion and improving T cell function in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxin Huang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chaofeng Liang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tairan Deng
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaxiong Tan
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianfeng Zha
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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