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Franzolin G, Brundu S, Cojocaru CF, Curatolo A, Ponzo M, Mastrantonio R, Mihara E, Kumanogoh A, Suga H, Takagi J, Tamagnone L, Giraudo E. PlexinB1 Inactivation Reprograms Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment, Inhibiting Breast Cancer Growth and Metastatic Dissemination. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:1286-1301. [PMID: 38874583 PMCID: PMC11369622 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Semaphorin-plexin signaling plays a major role in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In particular, Semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D) has been shown to promote tumor growth and metastasis; however, the role of its high-affinity receptor Plexin-B1 (PLXNB1), which is expressed in the TME, is poorly understood. In this study, we directly targeted PLXNB1 in the TME of triple-negative murine breast carcinoma to elucidate its relevance in cancer progression. We found that primary tumor growth and metastatic dissemination were strongly reduced in PLXNB1-deficient mice, which showed longer survival. PLXNB1 loss in the TME induced a switch in the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) toward a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and enhanced the infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes both in primary tumors and in distant metastases. Moreover, PLXNB1 deficiency promoted a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance of the T-cell population and an antitumor gene signature, with the upregulation of Icos, Perforin-1, Stat3, and Ccl5 in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). We thus tested the translational relevance of TME reprogramming driven by PLXNB1 inactivation for responsiveness to immunotherapy. Indeed, in the absence of PLXNB1, the efficacy of anti-PD-1 blockade was strongly enhanced, efficiently reducing tumor growth and distant metastasis. Consistent with this, pharmacological PLXNB1 blockade by systemic treatment with a specific inhibitor significantly hampered breast cancer growth and enhanced the antitumor activity of the anti-PD-1 treatment in a preclinical model. Altogether, these data indicate that PLXNB1 signaling controls the antitumor immune response in the TME and highlight this receptor as a promising immune therapeutic target for metastatic breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Franzolin
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.
- Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Serena Brundu
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.
- Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Carina F. Cojocaru
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.
- Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Aurora Curatolo
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.
- Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Matteo Ponzo
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.
| | - Roberta Mastrantonio
- Department Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
- Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli–IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Emiko Mihara
- Laboratory for Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Kumanogoh
- Department of Immunopathology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Suga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Junichi Takagi
- Laboratory for Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Luca Tamagnone
- Department Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
- Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli–IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Giraudo
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.
- Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Xu R, Höß C, Swiercz JM, Brandt DT, Lutz V, Petersen N, Li R, Zhao D, Oleksy A, Creigh-Pulatmen T, Trokter M, Fedorova M, Atzberger A, Strandby RB, Olsen AA, Achiam MP, Matthews D, Huber M, Gröne HJ, Offermanns S, Worzfeld T. A semaphorin-plexin-Rasal1 signaling pathway inhibits gastrin expression and protects against peptic ulcers. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabf1922. [PMID: 35857828 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf1922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Peptic ulcer disease is a frequent clinical problem with potentially serious complications such as bleeding or perforation. A decisive factor in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcers is gastric acid, the secretion of which is controlled by the hormone gastrin released from gastric G cells. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating gastrin plasma concentrations are poorly understood. Here, we identified a semaphorin-plexin signaling pathway that operates in gastric G cells to inhibit gastrin expression on a transcriptional level, thereby limiting food-stimulated gastrin release and gastric acid secretion. Using a systematic siRNA screening approach combined with biochemical, cell biology, and in vivo mouse experiments, we found that the RasGAP protein Rasal1 is a central mediator of plexin signal transduction, which suppresses gastrin expression through inactivation of the small GTPase R-Ras. Moreover, we show that Rasal1 is pathophysiologically relevant for the pathogenesis of peptic ulcers induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a main risk factor of peptic ulcers in humans. Last, we show that application of recombinant semaphorin 4D alleviates peptic ulcer disease in mice in vivo, demonstrating that this signaling pathway can be harnessed pharmacologically. This study unravels a mode of G cell regulation that is functionally important in gastric homeostasis and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xu
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany.,Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Carsten Höß
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Jakub M Swiercz
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Dominique T Brandt
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Veronika Lutz
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Natalia Petersen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Dandan Zhao
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Ann Atzberger
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Rune B Strandby
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - August A Olsen
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Michael P Achiam
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | | | - Magdalena Huber
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Hermann-Josef Gröne
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany.,Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Stefan Offermanns
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany.,Medical Faculty, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt 60590, Germany
| | - Thomas Worzfeld
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany.,Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
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3
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Weber SM, Carroll SL. The Role of R-Ras Proteins in Normal and Pathologic Migration and Morphologic Change. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:1499-1510. [PMID: 34111428 PMCID: PMC8420862 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The contributions that the R-Ras subfamily [R-Ras, R-Ras2/teratocarcinoma 21 (TC21), and M-Ras] of small GTP-binding proteins make to normal and aberrant cellular functions have historically been poorly understood. However, this has begun to change with the realization that all three R-Ras subfamily members are occasionally mutated in Noonan syndrome (NS), a RASopathy characterized by the development of hematopoietic neoplasms and abnormalities affecting the immune, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Consistent with the abnormalities seen in NS, a host of new studies have implicated R-Ras proteins in physiological and pathologic changes in cellular morphology, adhesion, and migration in the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems. These changes include regulating the migration and homing of mature and immature immune cells, vascular stabilization, clotting, and axonal and dendritic outgrowth during nervous system development. Dysregulated R-Ras signaling has also been linked to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, intellectual disabilities, and human cancers. This review discusses the structure and regulation of R-Ras proteins and our current understanding of the signaling pathways that they regulate. It explores the phenotype of NS patients and their implications for the R-Ras subfamily functions. Next, it covers recent discoveries regarding physiological and pathologic R-Ras functions in key organ systems. Finally, it discusses how R-Ras signaling is dysregulated in cancers and mechanisms by which this may promote neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M Weber
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Steven L Carroll
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
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Mendoza P, Martínez-Martín N, Bovolenta ER, Reyes-Garau D, Hernansanz-Agustín P, Delgado P, Diaz-Muñoz MD, Oeste CL, Fernández-Pisonero I, Castellano E, Martínez-Ruiz A, Alonso-Lopez D, Santos E, Bustelo XR, Kurosaki T, Alarcón B. R-Ras2 is required for germinal center formation to aid B cells during energetically demanding processes. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/532/eaal1506. [DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aal1506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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A thirty-year quest for a role of R-Ras in cancer: from an oncogene to a multitasking GTPase. Cancer Lett 2017; 403:59-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Kummola L, Ortutay Z, Vähätupa M, Prince S, Uusitalo-Järvinen H, Järvinen TAH, Junttila IS. R-Ras deficiency does not affect papain-induced IgE production in mice. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2017; 5:280-288. [PMID: 28497586 PMCID: PMC5569372 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Introduction R‐Ras GTPase has recently been implicated in the regulation of immune functions, particularly in dendritic cell (DC) maturation, immune synapse formation, and subsequent T cell responses. Methods Here, we investigated the role of R‐Ras in allergen‐induced immune response (type 2 immune response) in Rras deficient (R‐Ras KO) and wild type (WT) mice. Results Initially, we found that the number of conventional DC's in the lymph nodes (LNs) was reduced in R‐Ras KO mice. The expression of co‐stimulatory CD80 and CD86 molecules on these cells was also reduced on DC's from the R‐Ras KO mice. However, there was no difference in papain‐induced immune response between the R‐Ras WT and KO as measured by serum IgE levels after the immunization. Interestingly, neither the DC number nor co‐stimulatory molecule expression was different between WT and R‐Ras KO animals after the immunization. Conclusions Taken together, despite having reduced number of conventional DC's in the R‐Ras KO mice and low expression of CD80 on DC's, the R‐Ras KO mice are capable of mounting papain‐induced IgE responses comparable to that of the WT mice. To our knowledge, this is the first report addressing potential differences in in vivo allergen responses regulated by the R‐Ras GTPase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Kummola
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Zsuzsanna Ortutay
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Maria Vähätupa
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Stuart Prince
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Hannele Uusitalo-Järvinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Departments of Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Tero A H Järvinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Departments of Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ilkka S Junttila
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere, Finland
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