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Ren X, Wang X, Zheng G, Wang S, Wang Q, Yuan M, Xu T, Xu J, Huang P, Ge M. Targeting one-carbon metabolism for cancer immunotherapy. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1521. [PMID: 38279895 PMCID: PMC10819114 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One-carbon (1C) metabolism is a metabolic network that plays essential roles in biological reactions. In 1C metabolism, a series of nutrients are used to fuel metabolic pathways, including nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism, cellular redox defence and epigenetic maintenance. At present, 1C metabolism is considered the hallmark of cancer. The 1C units obtained from the metabolic pathways increase the proliferation rate of cancer cells. In addition, anticancer drugs, such as methotrexate, which target 1C metabolism, have long been used in the clinic. In terms of immunotherapy, 1C metabolism has been used to explore biomarkers connected with immunotherapy response and immune-related adverse events in patients. METHODS We collected numerous literatures to explain the roles of one-carbon metabolism in cancer immunotherapy. RESULTS In this review, we focus on the important pathways in 1C metabolism and the function of 1C metabolism enzymes in cancer immunotherapy. Then, we summarise the inhibitors acting on 1C metabolism and their potential application on cancer immunotherapy. Finally, we provide a viewpoint and conclusion regarding the opportunities and challenges of targeting 1C metabolism for cancer immunotherapy in clinical practicability in the future. CONCLUSION Targeting one-carbon metabolism is useful for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Ren
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Department of PathologyCancer CenterZhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of PharmacyAffiliated Hangzhou First People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Guowan Zheng
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Qiyue Wang
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Mengnan Yuan
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Tong Xu
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Jiajie Xu
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Ping Huang
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Minghua Ge
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
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Alkailani MI, Gibbings D. The Regulation and Immune Signature of Retrotransposons in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4340. [PMID: 37686616 PMCID: PMC10486412 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174340] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in sequencing technologies and the bioinformatic analysis of big data facilitate the study of jumping genes' activity in the human genome in cancer from a broad perspective. Retrotransposons, which move from one genomic site to another by a copy-and-paste mechanism, are regulated by various molecular pathways that may be disrupted during tumorigenesis. Active retrotransposons can stimulate type I IFN responses. Although accumulated evidence suggests that retrotransposons can induce inflammation, the research investigating the exact mechanism of triggering these responses is ongoing. Understanding these mechanisms could improve the therapeutic management of cancer through the use of retrotransposon-induced inflammation as a tool to instigate immune responses to tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maisa I. Alkailani
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Derrick Gibbings
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada;
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Stricker E, Peckham-Gregory EC, Scheurer ME. HERVs and Cancer-A Comprehensive Review of the Relationship of Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Human Cancers. Biomedicines 2023; 11:936. [PMID: 36979914 PMCID: PMC10046157 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability and genetic mutations can lead to exhibition of several cancer hallmarks in affected cells such as sustained proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppression, activated invasion, deregulation of cellular energetics, and avoidance of immune destruction. Similar biological changes have been observed to be a result of pathogenic viruses and, in some cases, have been linked to virus-induced cancers. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), once external pathogens, now occupy more than 8% of the human genome, representing the merge of genomic and external factors. In this review, we outline all reported effects of HERVs on cancer development and discuss the HERV targets most suitable for cancer treatments as well as ongoing clinical trials for HERV-targeting drugs. We reviewed all currently available reports of the effects of HERVs on human cancers including solid tumors, lymphomas, and leukemias. Our review highlights the central roles of HERV genes, such as gag, env, pol, np9, and rec in immune regulation, checkpoint blockade, cell differentiation, cell fusion, proliferation, metastasis, and cell transformation. In addition, we summarize the involvement of HERV long terminal repeat (LTR) regions in transcriptional regulation, creation of fusion proteins, expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and promotion of genome instability through recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Stricker
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
| | | | - Michael E. Scheurer
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
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Cai Z, Chen J, Yu Z, Li H, Liu Z, Deng D, Liu J, Chen C, Zhang C, Ou Z, Chen M, Hu J, Zu X. BCAT2 Shapes a Noninflamed Tumor Microenvironment and Induces Resistance to Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Immunotherapy by Negatively Regulating Proinflammatory Chemokines and Anticancer Immunity. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2207155. [PMID: 36642843 PMCID: PMC10015882 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
To improve response rate of monotherapy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), it is necessary to find an emerging target in combination therapy. Through analyzing tumor microenvironment (TME)-related indicators, it is validated that BCAT2 shapes a noninflamed TME in bladder cancer. The outcomes of multiomics indicate that BCAT2 has an inhibitory effect on cytotoxic lymphocyte recruitment by restraining activities of proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine-related pathways and T-cell-chemotaxis pathway. Immunoassays reveal that secretion of CD8+ T-cell-related chemokines keeps a robust negative correlation with BCAT2, generating a decreasing tendency of CD8+ T cells around BCAT2+ tumor cells from far to near. Cotreatment of BCAT2 deficiency and anti-PD-1 antibody has a synergistic effect in vivo, implying the potential of BCAT2 in combination therapy. Moreover, the value of BCAT2 in predicting efficacy of immunotherapy is validated in multiple immunotherapy cohorts. Together, as a key molecule in TME, BCAT2 is an emerging target in combination with ICB and a biomarker of guiding precision therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Cai
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Jinbo Chen
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Zhengzheng Yu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted TherapyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Huihuang Li
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Zhi Liu
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Dingshan Deng
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Jinhui Liu
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Chunliang Chen
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Chunyu Zhang
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Zhenyu Ou
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Minfeng Chen
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Jiao Hu
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
| | - Xiongbing Zu
- Department of UrologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410008P. R. China
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Jiang Y, Zhang H, Wang J, Chen J, Guo Z, Liu Y, Hua H. Exploiting RIG-I-like receptor pathway for cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:8. [PMID: 36755342 PMCID: PMC9906624 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01405-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) are intracellular pattern recognition receptors that detect viral or bacterial infection and induce host innate immune responses. The RLRs family comprises retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-I), melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) and laboratory of genetics and physiology 2 (LGP2) that have distinctive features. These receptors not only recognize RNA intermediates from viruses and bacteria, but also interact with endogenous RNA such as the mislocalized mitochondrial RNA, the aberrantly reactivated repetitive or transposable elements in the human genome. Evasion of RLRs-mediated immune response may lead to sustained infection, defective host immunity and carcinogenesis. Therapeutic targeting RLRs may not only provoke anti-infection effects, but also induce anticancer immunity or sensitize "immune-cold" tumors to immune checkpoint blockade. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of RLRs signaling and discuss the rationale for therapeutic targeting RLRs in cancer. We describe how RLRs can be activated by synthetic RNA, oncolytic viruses, viral mimicry and radio-chemotherapy, and how the RNA agonists of RLRs can be systemically delivered in vivo. The integration of RLRs agonism with RNA interference or CAR-T cells provides new dimensions that complement cancer immunotherapy. Moreover, we update the progress of recent clinical trials for cancer therapy involving RLRs activation and immune modulation. Further studies of the mechanisms underlying RLRs signaling will shed new light on the development of cancer therapeutics. Manipulation of RLRs signaling represents an opportunity for clinically relevant cancer therapy. Addressing the challenges in this field will help develop future generations of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangfu Jiang
- Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Hongying Zhang
- Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Jinzhu Chen
- Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zeyu Guo
- Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yongliang Liu
- Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hui Hua
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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6
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Han YJ, Zhang J, Hardeman A, Liu M, Karginova O, Romero R, Khramtsova GF, Zheng Y, Huo D, Olopade OI. An enhancer variant associated with breast cancer susceptibility in Black women regulates TNFSF10 expression and antitumor immunity in triple-negative breast cancer. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:139-150. [PMID: 35930348 PMCID: PMC9837834 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Women of African ancestry have the highest mortality from triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) of all racial groups. To understand the genomic basis of breast cancer in the populations, we previously conducted genome-wide association studies and identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with breast cancer in Black women. In this study, we investigated the functional significance of the top associated SNP rs13074711. We found the SNP served as an enhancer variant and regulated TNFSF10 (TRAIL) expression in TNBC cells, with a significant association between the SNP genotype and TNFSF10 expression in breast tumors. Mechanistically, rs13074711 modulated the binding activity of c-MYB at the motif and thereby controlled TNFSF10 expression. Interestingly, TNFSF10 expression in many cancers was consistently lower in African Americans compared with European Americans. Furthermore, TNFSF10 expression in TNBC was significantly correlated with the expression of antiviral immune genes and was regulated by type I interferons (IFNs). Accordingly, loss of TNFSF10 resulted in a profound decrease in apoptosis of TNBC cells in response to type I IFNs and poly(I:C), a synthetic analogue of double stranded virus. Lastly, in a syngeneic mouse model of breast cancer, TNFSF10-deficiency in breast tumors decreased tumor-infiltrated CD4+ and CD8+ T cell quantities. Collectively, our results suggested that TNFSF10 plays an important role in the regulation of antiviral immune responses in TNBC, and the expression is in part regulated by a genetic variant associated with breast cancer in Black women. Our results underscore the important contributions of genetic variants to immune defense mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Jane Han
- Section of Hematology/Oncology & Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Section of Hematology/Oncology & Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ashley Hardeman
- Section of Hematology/Oncology & Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Margaret Liu
- Section of Hematology/Oncology & Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Olga Karginova
- Section of Hematology/Oncology & Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Roger Romero
- Section of Hematology/Oncology & Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Galina F Khramtsova
- Section of Hematology/Oncology & Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yonglan Zheng
- Section of Hematology/Oncology & Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Dezheng Huo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Olufunmilayo I Olopade
- Section of Hematology/Oncology & Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Wang Y, Zhang Z, Sun W, Zhang J, Xu Q, Zhou X, Mao L. Ferroptosis in colorectal cancer: Potential mechanisms and effective therapeutic targets. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113524. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
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Zhao H, Song S, Ma J, Yan Z, Xie H, Feng Y, Che S. CD47 as a promising therapeutic target in oncology. Front Immunol 2022; 13:757480. [PMID: 36081498 PMCID: PMC9446754 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.757480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CD47 is ubiquitously expressed on the surface of cells and plays a critical role in self-recognition. By interacting with SIRPα, TSP-1 and integrins, CD47 modulates cellular phagocytosis by macrophages, determines life span of individual erythrocytes, regulates activation of immune cells, and manipulates synaptic pruning during neuronal development. As such, CD47 has recently be regarded as one of novel innate checkpoint receptor targets for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we will discuss increasing awareness about the diverse functions of CD47 and its role in immune system homeostasis. Then, we will discuss its potential therapeutic roles against cancer and outlines, the possible future research directions of CD47- based therapeutics against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shuangshuang Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Junwei Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhiyong Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongwei Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Department of Emergency, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shusheng Che
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Shusheng Che,
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Fang J, She J, Lin F, Wu JC, Han R, Sheng R, Wang G, Qin ZH. RRx-001 Exerts Neuroprotection Against LPS-Induced Microglia Activation and Neuroinflammation Through Disturbing the TLR4 Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:889383. [PMID: 35462935 PMCID: PMC9020799 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.889383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many central nervous system diseases. Here, we investigated the effect of an anti-cancer compound RRx-001 on neuroinflammation and its possible new applications. BV2 cells and primary microglia cells were used to evaluate the role of RRx-001 in LPS-induced microglial activation and inflammatory response in vitro. And, we found that the increase in the synthesis and release of cytokines and the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory factors in LPS-treated microglial cells were significantly reduced by RRx-001 pretreatment. As the most classical inflammatory pathways, NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways were activated by LPS, but were inhibited by RRx-001. Transcription of NLRP3 was also reduced by RRx-001. In addition, LPS induced oxidative stress by increasing the expression of Nox mediated by transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1, while RRx-001 pretreatment ameliorated Nox-mediated oxidative stress. LPS-induced activation of TAK1, an upstream regulator of NF-κB and MAPK pathways, was significantly inhibited by RRx-001 pretreatment, whereas recruitment of MyD88 to TLR4 was not affected by RRx-001. LPS-primed BV2 condition medium induced injury of primary neurons, and this effect was inhibited by RRx-001. Furthermore, we established a neuroinflammatory mouse model by stereotactic injection of LPS into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and RRx-001 dose-dependently reduced LPS-induced microglial activation and loss of TH + neurons in the midbrain. In conclusion, the current study found that RRx-001 suppressed microglia activation and neuroinflammation through targeting TAK1, and may be a candidate for the treatment of neuroinflammation-related brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Fang
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jing She
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fang Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun-Chao Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Rong Han
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Rui Sheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Guanghui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zheng-Hong Qin
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zheng-Hong Qin,
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10
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Steiner MC, Marston JL, Iñiguez LP, Bendall ML, Chiappinelli KB, Nixon DF, Crandall KA. Locus-Specific Characterization of Human Endogenous Retrovirus Expression in Prostate, Breast, and Colon Cancers. Cancer Res 2021; 81:3449-3460. [PMID: 33941616 PMCID: PMC8260468 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) have been implicated in a variety of diseases including cancers. Recent research implicates HERVs in epigenetic gene regulation. Here we utilize a recently developed bioinformatics tool for identifying HERV expression at the locus-specific level to identify differential expression of HERVs in matched tumor-normal RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Data from 52 prostate cancer, 111 breast cancer, and 24 colon cancer cases were analyzed. Locus-specific analysis identified active HERV elements and differentially expressed HERVs in prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. In addition, differentially expressed host genes were identified across prostate, breast, and colon cancer datasets, respectively, including several involved in demethylation and antiviral response pathways, supporting previous findings regarding the pathogenic mechanisms of HERVs. A majority of differentially expressed HERVs intersected protein coding genes or lncRNAs in each dataset, and a subset of differentially expressed HERVs intersected differentially expressed genes in prostate, breast, and colon cancers, providing evidence towards regulatory function. Finally, patterns in HERV expression were identified in multiple cancer types, with 155 HERVs differentially expressed in all three cancer types. This analysis extends previous results identifying HERV transcription in cancer RNA-seq datasets to a locus-specific level, and in doing so provides a foundation for future studies investigating the functional role of HERV in cancers and identifies a number of novel targets for cancer biomarkers and immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Expressed human endogenous retroviruses are mapped at locus-specific resolution and linked to specific pathways to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in prostate, breast, and colon cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret C Steiner
- Computational Biology Institute, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
| | - Jez L Marston
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Luis P Iñiguez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Matthew L Bendall
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
- The GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
| | - Douglas F Nixon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Keith A Crandall
- Computational Biology Institute, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
- The GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
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11
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Oronsky B, Guo X, Wang X, Cabrales P, Sher D, Cannizzo L, Wardle B, Abrouk N, Lybeck M, Caroen S, Oronsky A, Reid TR. Discovery of RRx-001, a Myc and CD47 Downregulating Small Molecule with Tumor Targeted Cytotoxicity and Healthy Tissue Cytoprotective Properties in Clinical Development. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7261-7271. [PMID: 34043360 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
After extensive screening of aerospace compounds in an effort to source a novel anticancer agent, RRx-001, a first-in-class dinitroazetidine small molecule, was selected for advancement into preclinical and clinical development. RRx-001 is a minimally toxic small molecule with a distinct chemical structure and mechanism of action. The paradox of RRx-001 is that it mediates both antitumor cytotoxicity and normal tissue protection. The question of exactly how RRx-001 does this, and by means of what mechanism(s), depending on the route of delivery, intravenous or intratumoral, are explored. RRx-001 is currently in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for the treatment of multiple solid tumor malignancies and as a supportive care drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Oronsky
- EpicentRx Inc., 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 160, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - XiaoNing Guo
- SciClone Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., 22 Floor, Shanghai Central Plaza, No. 381 Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu, Shanghai 200020, China
| | - XiaoHui Wang
- SciClone Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., 22 Floor, Shanghai Central Plaza, No. 381 Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu, Shanghai 200020, China
| | - Pedro Cabrales
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - David Sher
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 2280 Inwood Road, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Lou Cannizzo
- Department of Space Systems, Northrop Grumman Corporation, 2980 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, Virginia 22042, United States
| | - Bob Wardle
- Department of Space Systems, Northrop Grumman Corporation, 2980 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, Virginia 22042, United States
| | - Nacer Abrouk
- EpicentRx Inc., 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 160, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Michelle Lybeck
- EpicentRx Inc., 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 160, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Scott Caroen
- EpicentRx Inc., 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 160, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Arnold Oronsky
- InterWest Partners, 467 First Street, Suite 201, Los Altos, California 94022, United States
| | - Tony R Reid
- EpicentRx Inc., 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 160, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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12
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Jansz N, Faulkner GJ. Endogenous retroviruses in the origins and treatment of cancer. Genome Biol 2021; 22:147. [PMID: 33971937 PMCID: PMC8108463 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02357-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are emerging as promising therapeutic targets in cancer. As remnants of ancient retroviral infections, ERV-derived regulatory elements coordinate expression from gene networks, including those underpinning embryogenesis and immune cell function. ERV activation can promote an interferon response, a phenomenon termed viral mimicry. Although ERV expression is associated with cancer, and provisionally with autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, ERV-mediated inflammation is being explored as a way to sensitize tumors to immunotherapy. Here we review ERV co-option in development and innate immunity, the aberrant contribution of ERVs to tumorigenesis, and the wider biomedical potential of therapies directed at ERVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Jansz
- Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.
| | - Geoffrey J Faulkner
- Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia. .,Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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13
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Gazquez-Gutierrez A, Witteveldt J, R Heras S, Macias S. Sensing of transposable elements by the antiviral innate immune system. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 27:rna.078721.121. [PMID: 33888553 PMCID: PMC8208052 DOI: 10.1261/rna.078721.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Around half of the genome in mammals is composed of transposable elements (TEs) such as DNA transposons and retrotransposons. Several mechanisms have evolved to prevent their activity and the detrimental impact of their insertional mutagenesis. Despite these potentially negative effects, TEs are essential drivers of evolution, and in certain settings, beneficial to their hosts. For instance, TEs have rewired the antiviral gene regulatory network and are required for early embryonic development. However, due to structural similarities between TE-derived and viral nucleic acids, cells can misidentify TEs as invading viruses and trigger the major antiviral innate immune pathway, the type I interferon (IFN) response. This review will focus on the different settings in which the role of TE-mediated IFN activation has been documented, including cancer and senescence. Importantly, TEs may also play a causative role in the development of complex autoimmune diseases characterised by constitutive type I IFN activation. All these observations suggest the presence of strong but opposing forces driving the coevolution of TEs and antiviral defence. A better biological understanding of the TE replicative cycle as well as of the antiviral nucleic acid sensing mechanisms will provide insights into how these two biological processes interact and will help to design better strategies to treat human diseases characterised by aberrant TE expression and/or type I IFN activation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeroen Witteveldt
- University of Edinburgh - Institute of Immunology and Infection Research
| | - Sara R Heras
- GENYO. Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer University of Granada
| | - Sara Macias
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research
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14
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15
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Deblois G, Tonekaboni SAM, Grillo G, Martinez C, Kao YI, Tai F, Ettayebi I, Fortier AM, Savage P, Fedor AN, Liu X, Guilhamon P, Lima-Fernandes E, Murison A, Kuasne H, Ba-alawi W, Cescon DW, Arrowsmith CH, De Carvalho DD, Haibe-Kains B, Locasale JW, Park M, Lupien M. Epigenetic Switch–Induced Viral Mimicry Evasion in Chemotherapy-Resistant Breast Cancer. Cancer Discov 2020; 10:1312-1329. [DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-19-1493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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16
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Maryamchik E, Gallagher KME, Preffer FI, Kadauke S, Maus MV. New directions in chimeric antigen receptor T cell [CAR-T] therapy and related flow cytometry. CYTOMETRY PART B-CLINICAL CYTOMETRY 2020; 98:299-327. [PMID: 32352629 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.21880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells provide a promising approach to the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Flow cytometry is a powerful analytical modality, which plays an expanding role in all stages of CAR T therapy, from lymphocyte collection, to CAR T cell manufacturing, to in vivo monitoring of the infused cells and evaluation of their function in the tumor environment. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the new directions is important for designing and implementing CAR T-related flow cytometry assays in the clinical and investigational settings. However, the speed of new discoveries and the multitude of clinical and preclinical trials make it challenging to keep up to date in this complex field. In this review, we summarize the current state of CAR T therapy, highlight the areas of emergent research, discuss applications of flow cytometry in modern cell therapy, and touch upon several considerations particular to CAR detection and assessing the effectiveness of CAR T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Maryamchik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Frederic I Preffer
- Clinical Cytometry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephan Kadauke
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cell and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Department of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Oronsky B, Carter CA, Caroen S, Scribner C, Oronsky A, Reid TR. RRx-001, a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of MYC and a downregulator of CD47, is an "erythrophagoimmunotherapeutic". Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1746172. [PMID: 33457091 PMCID: PMC7790525 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1746172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The main mechanism of action of RRx-001, a pharmaceutically unprecedented sui generis Phase 3 small molecule that is derived from the aerospace industry, is clarified. RRx-001 has demonstrated anticancer activity through antiangiogenic, immune, epigenetic, antioxidant, apoptotic and nitric oxide (NO) pathways, resulting in its pleiomorphic description as an antiangiogenic/vascular normalizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Oronsky
- Clinical and Scientific Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Corey A Carter
- Clinical and Scientific Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Scott Caroen
- Clinical and Scientific Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Curtis Scribner
- Clinical and Scientific Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Arnold Oronsky
- Clinical and Scientific Department, InterWest Partners, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Tony R Reid
- Clinical and Scientific Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
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18
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Lee AK, Pan D, Bao X, Hu M, Li F, Li CY. Endogenous Retrovirus Activation as a Key Mechanism of Anti-Tumor Immune Response in Radiotherapy. Radiat Res 2020; 193:305-317. [PMID: 32074012 DOI: 10.1667/rade-20-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The generation of DNA double-strand breaks has historically been taught as the mechanism through which radiotherapy kills cancer cells. Recently, radiation-induced cytosolic DNA release and activation of the cGAS/STING pathway, with ensuing induction of interferon secretion and immune activation, have been recognized as important mechanisms for radiation-mediated anti-tumor efficacy. Here we demonstrate that radiation-induced activation of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) also plays a major role in regulating the anti-tumor immune response during irradiation. Radiation-induced ERV-associated dsRNA transcription and subsequent activation of the innate antiviral MDA5/MAVS/TBK1 pathway led to downstream transcription of interferon-stimulated genes. Additionally, genetic knockout of KAP1, a chromatin modulator responsible for suppressing ERV transcription sites within the genome, enhanced the effect of radiation-induced anti-tumor response in vivo in two different tumor models. This anti-tumor response was immune-mediated and required an intact host immune system. Our findings indicate that radiation-induced ERV-dsRNA expression and subsequent immune response play critical roles in clinical radiotherapy, and manipulation of epigenetic regulators and the dsRNA-sensing innate immunity pathway could be promising targets to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy and cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Graduate School, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | | | | | | | - Chuan-Yuan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Graduate School, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Dermatology.,Department of Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
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19
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Sylvestre M, Tarte K, Roulois D. Epigenetic mechanisms driving tumor supportive microenvironment differentiation and function: a role in cancer therapy? Epigenomics 2019; 12:157-169. [PMID: 31849241 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2019-0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a central role in tumor development and drug resistance. Within TME, the stromal cell subset, called cancer-associated fibroblasts, is a heterogeneous population originating from poorly characterized precursors. Since cancer-associated fibroblasts do not acquire somatic mutations, other mechanisms like epigenetic regulation, could be involved in the development of these cells and in the acquisition of tumor supportive phenotypes. Moreover, such epigenetic modulations have been correlated to the emergence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment facilitating tumor evasion. These findings underline the need to deepen our knowledge on epigenetic mechanisms driving TME development and function, and to understand the impact of epigenetic drugs that could be used in future to target both tumor cells and their TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Sylvestre
- UMR _S 1236, Université de Rennes 1, INSERM, Établissement français du sang (EFS) Bretagne, Rennes, France
| | - Karin Tarte
- UMR _S 1236, Université de Rennes 1, INSERM, Établissement français du sang (EFS) Bretagne, Rennes, France.,Laboratoire Suivi Immunologique des Thérapeutiques Innovantes (SITI), Centre Hospitalier Universitaires de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - David Roulois
- UMR _S 1236, Université de Rennes 1, INSERM, Établissement français du sang (EFS) Bretagne, Rennes, France.,Niches & Epigenetics of Tumors from Cancéropole Grand Ouest, France
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20
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Qamar SA, Asgher M, Khalid N, Sadaf M. Nanobiotechnology in health sciences: Current applications and future perspectives. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2019.101388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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21
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Ribeiro ML, Reyes-Garau D, Armengol M, Fernández-Serrano M, Roué G. Recent Advances in the Targeting of Epigenetic Regulators in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Front Genet 2019; 10:986. [PMID: 31681423 PMCID: PMC6807552 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last 10 years, major advances have been made in the diagnosis and development of selective therapies for several blood cancers, including B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), a heterogeneous group of malignancies arising from the mature B lymphocyte compartment. However, most of these entities remain incurable and current treatments are associated with variable efficacy, several adverse events, and frequent relapses. Thus, new diagnostic paradigms and novel therapeutic options are required to improve the prognosis of patients with B-NHL. With the recent deciphering of the mutational landscapes of B-cell disorders by high-throughput sequencing, it came out that different epigenetic deregulations might drive and/or promote B lymphomagenesis. Consistently, over the last decade, numerous epigenetic drugs (or epidrugs) have emerged in the clinical management of B-NHL patients. In this review, we will present an overview of the most relevant epidrugs tested and/or used so far for the treatment of different subtypes of B-NHL, from first-generation epigenetic therapies like histone acetyl transferases (HDACs) or DNA-methyl transferases (DNMTs) inhibitors to new agents showing selectivity for proteins that are mutated, translocated, and/or overexpressed in these diseases, including EZH2, BET, and PRMT. We will dissect the mechanisms of action of these epigenetic inhibitors, as well as the molecular processes underlying their lack of efficacy in refractory patients. This review will also provide a summary of the latest strategies being employed in preclinical and clinical settings, and will point out the most promising lines of investigation in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo L Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Molecular Biology, Sao Francisco University Medical School, Braganca Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diana Reyes-Garau
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Armengol
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miranda Fernández-Serrano
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gaël Roué
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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22
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Vlummens P, De Veirman K, Menu E, De Bruyne E, Offner F, Vanderkerken K, Maes K. The Use of Murine Models for Studying Mechanistic Insights of Genomic Instability in Multiple Myeloma. Front Genet 2019; 10:740. [PMID: 31475039 PMCID: PMC6704229 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by the accumulation of clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow. In normal plasma cell development, cells undergo programmed DNA breaks and translocations, a process necessary for generation of a wide repertoire of antigen-specific antibodies. This process also makes them vulnerable for the acquisition of chromosomal defects. Well-known examples of these aberrations, already seen at time of MM diagnosis, are hyperdiploidy or the translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain. Over the recent years, however, novel aspects concerning genomic instability and its role in tumor development, disease progression and nascence of refractory disease were identified. As such, genomic instability is becoming a very relevant research topic with the potential identification of novel disease pathways. In this review, we aim to describe recent studies involving murine MM models focusing on the deregulation of processes implicated in genomic instability and their clinical impact. More specifically, we will discuss chromosomal instability, DNA damage and repair responses, development of drug resistance, and recent insights into the study of clonal hierarchy using different murine MM models. Lastly, we will discuss the importance and the use of murine MM models in the pre-clinical evaluation of promising novel therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Vlummens
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Clinical Hematology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eline Menu
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fritz Offner
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ken Maes
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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23
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Morgensztern D, Rose M, Waqar SN, Morris J, Ma PC, Reid T, Brzezniak CE, Zeman KG, Padmanabhan A, Hirth J, I Spira A, Trepel JB, Padda SK. RRx-001 followed by platinum plus etoposide in patients with previously treated small-cell lung cancer. Br J Cancer 2019; 121:211-217. [PMID: 31231122 PMCID: PMC6738071 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0504-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This exploratory single-arm phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of RRx-001 followed by reintroduction of platinum plus etoposide in patients with previously treated small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Methods Patients were treated with RRx-001 4 mg IV on day 1 of each week of a 21-day cycle followed at progression by re-challenge with etoposide 80–100 IV mg/m2 on days 1, 2 and 3 and cisplatin 60–80 mg/m2 IV on day 1 or carboplatin AUC 5–6 IV on day 1, every 21 days. The primary end points were overall survival (OS) and overall response rate to platinum regimen. Results Twenty-six patients were enroled and received at least one dose of RRx-001. The median number of prior lines of therapy was 2 (range 1–9) and 19 (73.1%) patients had platinum-resistant disease. In the intention-to-treat population, one patient (3.8%) had complete response and six (23.1%) had partial response on platinum plus etoposide. The estimated median and 12-month OS from enrolment were 8.6 months and 44.1%, respectively. The most common treatment-emergent adverse event from RRx-001 was mild discomfort at the infusion site (23%). Conclusions RRx-001 followed by re-challenge with platinum plus etoposide chemotherapy is feasible and associated with promising results. Clinical trial registration NCT02489903.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Saiama N Waqar
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - John Morris
- University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | | | | | - Karen G Zeman
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - JoAnn Hirth
- Henry Ford Allegiance Health, Jackson, MI, USA
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24
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Morra F, Merolla F, Criscuolo D, Insabato L, Giannella R, Ilardi G, Cerrato A, Visconti R, Staibano S, Celetti A. CCDC6 and USP7 expression levels suggest novel treatment options in high-grade urothelial bladder cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:90. [PMID: 30786932 PMCID: PMC6381716 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1087-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background The muscle invasive form of urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) is a deadly disease. Currently, the therapeutic approach of UBC is mostly based on surgery and standard chemotherapy. Biomarkers to establish appropriate drugs usage are missing. Deficiency of the tumor suppressor CCDC6 determines PARP-inhibitor sensitivity. The CCDC6 levels are modulated by the deubiquitinase USP7. In this work we scored CCDC6 and USP7 expression levels in primary UBC and we evaluated the expression levels of CCDC6 in correlation with the effects of the PARP-inhibitors combined with the USP7 inhibitor, P5091, in vitro. Since PARP-inhibitors could be enhanced by conventional chemotherapy or DNA damage inducers, we tested the new agent RRx-001, able to induce DNA damage, to prove the benefit of combined treatments in bladder cancer cells. Methods The J82, T24, 5637 and KU-19-19 bladder cancer cells were exposed to USP7 inhibitor P5091 in presence of cycloheximide to analyse the CCDC6 stability. Upon the CCDC6 degradation induced by P5091, the cells sensitivity to PARP-inhibitor was evaluated by cell viability assays. The ability of the DNA damage inducer RRx-001 to modulate CCDC6 protein levels and H2AX phosphorylation was detected at immunoblot. The combination of USP7 inhibitor plus RRx-001 enhanced the PARP-inhibitor sensitivity, as evaluated by cell viability assays. The results of the scores and correlation of CCDC6 and USP7 expression levels obtained by UBC primary biopsies staining were used to cluster patients by a K-mean cluster analysis. Results P5091 determining CCDC6 degradation promoted bladder cancer cells sensitivity to PARP-inhibitor drugs. RRx-001, by inducing DNA damage, enhanced the effects of the combined treatment. The immunohistochemical staining of both CCDC6 and USP7 proteins allowed to cluster the high grade (G3) UBC patients, on the basis of CCDC6 expression levels. Conclusions In high grade UBC the identification of two clusters of patients based on CCDC6 and USP7 expession can possibly indicate the use of PARP-inhibitor drugs, in combination with USP7 inhibitor in addition to the DNA damage inducer RRx-001, that also acts as an immunomodulatory agent, offering novel therapeutic strategy for personalized medicine in bladder cancer patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1087-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Morra
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Merolla
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Daniela Criscuolo
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Insabato
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Gennaro Ilardi
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Aniello Cerrato
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Visconti
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Staibano
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Celetti
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, Naples, Italy.
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25
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Ojemuyiwa M, Zeman K, Spira A, Oronsky B, Ray C, Trepel JB, Lee M, Onyiuke I, Brzezniak C. Complete metabolic response of metastatic castration-resistant neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate after treatment with RRx-001 and reintroduced platinum doublets. Clin Case Rep 2018; 6:2478-2481. [PMID: 30564353 PMCID: PMC6293266 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.1880] [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: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Presented herein is the case of a heavily pretreated patient with high-grade neuroendocrine prostate cancer that achieved a complete metabolic response on platinum-based chemotherapy after treatment with the dual CD-47 and SIRP-α inhibitor, RRx-001, in a Phase II clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen Zeman
- Walter Reed National Military Medical CenterBethesdaMaryland
| | | | | | - Carolyn Ray
- St. Francis Hospital & Medical CenterHartfordConnecticut
| | - Jane B. Trepel
- Developmental Therapeutics BranchNational Cancer Institute, NIHBethesdaMaryland
| | - Min‐Jung Lee
- Developmental Therapeutics BranchNational Cancer Institute, NIHBethesdaMaryland
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Matteucci C, Balestrieri E, Argaw-Denboba A, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P. Human endogenous retroviruses role in cancer cell stemness. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:17-30. [PMID: 30317035 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer incidence and mortality, metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence are still the critical issues of oncological diseases. In this scenario, increasing scientific evidences demonstrate that the activation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) is involved in the aggressiveness of tumors such as melanoma, breast, germ cell, renal, ovarian, liver and haematological cancers. In their dynamic regulation, HERVs have also proved to be important determinants of pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells (ESC) and of the reprogramming process of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In many types of tumors, essential characteristics of aggressiveness have been associated with the achievement of stemness features, often accompanied with the identification of defined subpopulations, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), which possess stem cell-like properties and sustain tumorigenesis. Indeed, CSCs show high self-renewal capacity with a peculiar potential in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, heterogeneity, recurrence, radiotherapy and drug resistance. However, HERVs role in CSCs biology is still not fully elucidated. In this regard, CD133 is a widely recognized marker of CSCs, and our group demonstrated, for the first time, the requirement of HERV-K activation to expand and maintain a CD133+ melanoma cell subpopulation with stemness features in response to microenvironmental modifications. The review will discuss HERVs expression as cancer hallmark, with particular focus on their role in the regulation of cancer stemness features and the potential involvement as targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Matteucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Balestrieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Ayele Argaw-Denboba
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
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Ishak CA, Classon M, De Carvalho DD. Deregulation of Retroelements as an Emerging Therapeutic Opportunity in Cancer. Trends Cancer 2018; 4:583-597. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2018.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Romero-Masters JC, Ohashi M, Djavadian R, Eichelberg MR, Hayes M, Bristol JA, Ma S, Ranheim EA, Gumperz J, Johannsen EC, Kenney SC. An EBNA3C-deleted Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) mutant causes B-cell lymphomas with delayed onset in a cord blood-humanized mouse model. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007221. [PMID: 30125329 PMCID: PMC6117096 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
EBV causes human B-cell lymphomas and transforms B cells in vitro. EBNA3C, an EBV protein expressed in latently-infected cells, is required for EBV transformation of B cells in vitro. While EBNA3C undoubtedly plays a key role in allowing EBV to successfully infect B cells, many EBV+ lymphomas do not express this protein, suggesting that cellular mutations and/or signaling pathways may obviate the need for EBNA3C in vivo under certain conditions. EBNA3C collaborates with EBNA3A to repress expression of the CDKN2A-encoded tumor suppressors, p16 and p14, and EBNA3C-deleted EBV transforms B cells containing a p16 germline mutation in vitro. Here we have examined the phenotype of an EBNAC-deleted virus (Δ3C EBV) in a cord blood-humanized mouse model (CBH). We found that the Δ3C virus induced fewer lymphomas (occurring with a delayed onset) in comparison to the wild-type (WT) control virus, although a subset (10/26) of Δ3C-infected CBH mice eventually developed invasive diffuse large B cell lymphomas with type III latency. Both WT and Δ3C viruses induced B-cell lymphomas with restricted B-cell populations and heterogeneous T-cell infiltration. In comparison to WT-infected tumors, Δ3C-infected tumors had greatly increased p16 levels, and RNA-seq analysis revealed a decrease in E2F target gene expression. However, we found that Δ3C-infected tumors expressed c-Myc and cyclin E at similar levels compared to WT-infected tumors, allowing cells to at least partially bypass p16-mediated cell cycle inhibition. The anti-apoptotic proteins, BCL2 and IRF4, were expressed in Δ3C-infected tumors, likely helping cells avoid c-Myc-induced apoptosis. Unexpectedly, Δ3C-infected tumors had increased T-cell infiltration, increased expression of T-cell chemokines (CCL5, CCL20 and CCL22) and enhanced type I interferon response in comparison to WT tumors. Together, these results reveal that EBNA3C contributes to, but is not essential for, EBV-induced lymphomagenesis in CBH mice, and suggest potentially important immunologic roles of EBNA3C in vivo.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Transformation, Viral/genetics
- Cells, Cultured
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/genetics
- Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens/genetics
- Fetal Blood/immunology
- HEK293 Cells
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology
- Humans
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/immunology
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/pathology
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/virology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, Transgenic
- Virus Latency/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- James C. Romero-Masters
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Makoto Ohashi
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Reza Djavadian
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Mark R. Eichelberg
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Mitch Hayes
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jillian A. Bristol
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Shidong Ma
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Erik A. Ranheim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jenny Gumperz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Eric C. Johannsen
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Shannon C. Kenney
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
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Oronsky B, Oronsky N, Cabrales P. Platelet inhibitory effects of the Phase 3 anticancer and normal tissue cytoprotective agent, RRx-001. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:5076-5082. [PMID: 30010241 PMCID: PMC6156345 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The platelet inhibitory effects of the Phase 3 anticancer agent and nitric oxide (NO) donor, RRx-001, (1-bromoacetyl-3,3-dinitroazetidine) were examined ex vivo and compared with the diazeniumdiolate NO donor, diethylenetriamine NONOate (DETA-NONOate), which spontaneously releases nitric oxide in aqueous solution. In the absence of red blood cells and in a dose-dependent manner, DETA-NONOate strongly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by several stimuli (ADP, epinephrine and collagen) whereas RRx-001 only slightly inhibited platelet aggregation under the same conditions in a dose-dependent manner; these antiaggregant effects were blocked when both DETA-NONOate and RRx-001 were co-incubated with carboxy-PTIO (CPTIO 0.01-100 micromol), a widely accepted NO scavenger. However, in the presence of red blood cells from healthy human donors, RRx-001, which binds covalently to haemoglobin (Hb) and catalyses the production of NO from endogenous nitrite, more strongly inhibited the aggregation of platelets than DETA-NONOate in a dose-dependent manner likely because haemoglobin avidly scavenges nitric oxide and reduces its half-life; the RRx-001-mediated platelet inhibitory effect was increased in the presence of nitrite. The results of this study suggest that RRx-001-bound Hb (within RBCs) plays an important role in the bioconversion of NO2- to NO. , which makes RRx-001 a more physiologically relevant inhibitor of platelet aggregation than other nitric oxide donors, whose effects are attenuated in the presence of red blood cells. Therefore, RRx-001-mediated platelet inhibition is a potentially useful therapeutic property, especially in hypercoagulable cancer patients that are at an increased risk of thrombotic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pedro Cabrales
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
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Bannert N, Hofmann H, Block A, Hohn O. HERVs New Role in Cancer: From Accused Perpetrators to Cheerful Protectors. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:178. [PMID: 29487579 PMCID: PMC5816757 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Initial indications that retroviruses are connected to neoplastic transformation were seen more than a century ago. This concept has also been tested for endogenized retroviruses (ERVs) that are abundantly expressed in many transformed cells. In healthy cells, ERV expression is commonly prevented by DNA methylation and other epigenetic control mechanisms. ERVs are remnants of former exogenous forms that invaded the germ line of the host and have since been vertically transmitted. Several examples of ERV-induced genomic recombination events and dysregulation of cellular genes that contribute to tumor formation have been well documented. Moreover, evidence is accumulating that certain ERV proteins have oncogenic properties. In contrast to these implications for supporting cancer induction, a recent string of papers has described favorable outcomes of increasing human ERV (HERV) RNA and DNA abundance by treatment of cancer cells with methyltransferase inhibitors. Analogous to an infecting agent, the ERV-derived nucleic acids are sensed in the cytoplasm and activate innate immune responses that drive the tumor cell into apoptosis. This "viral mimicry" induced by epigenetic drugs might offer novel therapeutic approaches to help target cancer cells that are normally difficult to treat using standard chemotherapy. In this review, we discuss both the detrimental and the new beneficial role of HERV reactivation in terms of its implications for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Bannert
- HIV and Other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henning Hofmann
- HIV and Other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Adriana Block
- HIV and Other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Hohn
- HIV and Other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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