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Pesini C, Artal L, Paúl Bernal J, Sánchez Martinez D, Pardo J, Ramírez-Labrada A. In-depth analysis of the interplay between oncogenic mutations and NK cell-mediated cancer surveillance in solid tumors. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2379062. [PMID: 39036370 PMCID: PMC11259085 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2379062] [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: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in antitumoral and antiviral responses. Yet, cancer cells can alter themselves or the microenvironment through the secretion of cytokines or other factors, hindering NK cell activation and promoting a less cytotoxic phenotype. These resistance mechanisms, often referred to as the "hallmarks of cancer" are significantly influenced by the activation of oncogenes, impacting most, if not all, of the described hallmarks. Along with oncogenes, other types of genes, the tumor suppressor genes are frequently mutated or modified during cancer. Traditionally, these genes have been associated with uncontrollable tumor growth and apoptosis resistance. Recent evidence suggests oncogenic mutations extend beyond modulating cell death/proliferation programs, influencing cancer immunosurveillance. While T cells have been more studied, the results obtained highlight NK cells as emerging key protagonists for enhancing tumor cell elimination by modulating oncogenic activity. A few recent studies highlight the crucial role of oncogenic mutations in NK cell-mediated cancer recognition, impacting angiogenesis, stress ligands, and signaling balance within the tumor microenvironment. This review will critically examine recent discoveries correlating oncogenic mutations to NK cell-mediated cancer immunosurveillance, a relatively underexplored area, particularly in the era dominated by immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells. Building on these insights, we will explore opportunities to improve NK cell-based immunotherapies, which are increasingly recognized as promising alternatives for treating low-antigenic tumors, offering significant advantages in terms of safety and manufacturing suitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Pesini
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatry and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura Artal
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Institute of Carbochemistry (ICB-CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jorge Paúl Bernal
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Diego Sánchez Martinez
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Aragón I + D Foundation (ARAID), Government of Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julián Pardo
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatry and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ariel Ramírez-Labrada
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
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Liang J, Yu M, Li Y, Zhao L, Wei Q. Glycogen synthase kinase-3: A potential immunotherapeutic target in tumor microenvironment. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116377. [PMID: 38442671 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116377] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3(GSK-3) is a protein kinase that can phosphorylate over a hundred substrates and regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, and death. Researchers have acknowledged the pivotal role of abnormal activation of GSK-3 in the progression of various diseases over the past few decades. Recent studies have mostly concentrated on investigating the function of GSK-3 in the tumor microenvironment, specifically examining the interaction between TAM, NK cells, B cells, and T cells. Furthermore, GSK-3 exhibits a strong association with immunological checkpoints, such as programmed cell death protein 1. Novel GSK-3 inhibitors have potential in tumor immunotherapy, exerting beneficial effects on hematologic diseases and solid tumors. Nevertheless, there is a lack of reviews about the correlation between tumor-associated immune cells and GSK-3. This study intends to analyze the function and mechanism of GSK-3 comprehensively and systematically in the tumor microenvironment, with a special focus on its influence on various immune cells. The objective is to present novel perspectives for GSK-3 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Liang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Liaoning Province, China Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China.
| | - Meng Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
| | - Yunong Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Liaoning Province, China Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China.
| | - Lin Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Liaoning Province, China Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China.
| | - Qian Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Liaoning Province, China Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China.
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Interleukin-37 promotes colitis-associated carcinogenesis via SIGIRR-mediated cytotoxic T cells dysfunction. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:19. [PMID: 35046386 PMCID: PMC8770466 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00820-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-37b (hereafter called IL-37) was identified as fundamental inhibitor of natural and acquired immunity. The molecular mechanism and function of IL-37 in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been elusive. Here, we found that IL-37 transgenic (IL-37tg) mice were highly susceptible to colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) and suffered from dramatically increased tumor burdens in colon. Nevertheless, IL-37 is dispensable for intestinal mutagenesis, and CRC cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. Notably, IL-37 dampened protective cytotoxic T cell-mediated immunity in CAC and B16-OVA models. CD8+ T cell dysfunction is defined by reduced retention and activation as well as failure to proliferate and produce cytotoxic cytokines in IL-37tg mice, enabling tumor evasion of immune surveillance. The dysfunction led by IL-37 antagonizes IL-18-induced proliferation and effector function of CD8+ T cells, which was dependent on SIGIRR (single immunoglobulin interleukin-1 receptor-related protein). Finally, we observed that IL-37 levels were significantly increased in CRC patients, and positively correlated with serum CRC biomarker CEA levels, but negatively correlated with the CD8+ T cell infiltration in CRC patients. Our findings highlight the role of IL-37 in harnessing antitumor immunity by inactivation of cytotoxic T cells and establish a new defined inhibitory factor IL-37/SIGIRR in cancer-immunity cycle as therapeutic targets in CRC.
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Petitdemange C, Maucourant C, Tarantino N, Rey J, Vieillard V. Glycogen synthetase kinase 3 inhibition drives MIC-A/B to promote cytokine production by human natural killer cells in Dengue virus type 2 infection. Eur J Immunol 2019; 50:342-352. [PMID: 31743425 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201948284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is the most widespread arbovirus worldwide and is responsible for major outbreaks. The host's immune response plays a crucial role in controlling this infection but might also contribute to the promotion of viral spread and immunopathology. In response to DENV infection, NK cells preferentially produce cytokines and are cytotoxic in the presence of specific antibodies. Here, we identified that DENV-2 inhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) activity to subsequently induce MHC class-1-related chain (MIC) A and MIC-B expression and IL-12 production in monocyte-derived DCs, independently of the STAT-3 pathway. The inhibition of GSK-3 by DENV-2 or small molecules induced MIC-A/B expression on monocyte-derived DCs, resulting in autologous NK cells of a specific increase in IFN-γ and TNF-α production, in the absence of direct cytotoxicity. Together, these findings identified GSK-3 as a regulator of MIC-A/B expression and suggested its role in DENV-2 infection to specifically induce cytokine production by NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Petitdemange
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Sorbonne Université, UPMC, Paris, France
| | - Christopher Maucourant
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Sorbonne Université, UPMC, Paris, France
| | - Nadine Tarantino
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Sorbonne Université, UPMC, Paris, France
| | - Juliana Rey
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Sorbonne Université, UPMC, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Vieillard
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Sorbonne Université, UPMC, Paris, France
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Chitadze G, Flüh C, Quabius ES, Freitag-Wolf S, Peters C, Lettau M, Bhat J, Wesch D, Oberg HH, Luecke S, Janssen O, Synowitz M, Held-Feindt J, Kabelitz D. In-depth immunophenotyping of patients with glioblastoma multiforme: Impact of steroid treatment. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1358839. [PMID: 29147621 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1358839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite aggressive treatment regimens based on surgery and radiochemotherapy, the prognosis of patients with grade IV glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains extremely poor, calling for alternative options such as immunotherapy. Immunological mechanisms including the Natural Killer Group 2 member D (NKG2D) receptor-ligand system play an important role in tumor immune surveillance and targeting the NKG2D system might be beneficial. However, before considering any kind of immunotherapy, a precise characterization of the immune system is important, particularly in GBM patients where conventional therapies with impact on the immune system are frequently co-administered. Here we performed an in-depth immunophenotyping of GBM patients and age-matched healthy controls and analyzed NKG2D ligand expression on primary GBM cells ex vivo. We report that GBM patients have a compromised innate immune system irrespective of steroid (dexamethasone) medication. However, dexamethasone drastically reduced the number of immune cells in the blood of GBM patients. Moreover, higher counts of immune cells influenced by dexamethasone like CD45+ lymphocytes and non-Vδ2 γδ T cells were associated with better overall survival. Higher levels of NKG2D ligands on primary GBM tumor cells were observed in patients who received radiochemotherapy, pointing towards increased immunogenic potential of GBM cells following standard radiochemotherapy. This study sheds light on how steroids and radiochemotherapy affect immune cell parameters of GBM patients, a pre-requisite for the development of new therapeutic strategies targeting the immune system in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guranda Chitadze
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Charlotte Flüh
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, UKSH Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Elgar Susanne Quabius
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany.,Dept. of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, UKSH Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Sandra Freitag-Wolf
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Kiel University, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Christian Peters
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Marcus Lettau
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Jaydeep Bhat
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Daniela Wesch
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Hans-Heinrich Oberg
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Stefanie Luecke
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Ottmar Janssen
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Michael Synowitz
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, UKSH Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Janka Held-Feindt
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, UKSH Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
| | - Dieter Kabelitz
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Hostein, Germany
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