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Muraro E, Montico B, Lum B, Colizzi F, Giurato G, Salvati A, Guerrieri R, Rizzo A, Comaro E, Canzonieri V, Anichini A, Del Vecchio M, Mortarini R, Milione M, Weisz A, Pizzichetta MA, Simpson F, Dolcetti R, Fratta E, Sigalotti L. Antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity-inducing anti-EGFR antibodies as effective therapeutic option for cutaneous melanoma resistant to BRAF inhibitors. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1336566. [PMID: 38510242 PMCID: PMC10950948 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1336566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction About 50% of cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients present activating BRAF mutations that can be effectively targeted by BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi). However, 20% of CM patients exhibit intrinsic drug resistance to BRAFi, while most of the others develop adaptive resistance over time. The mechanisms involved in BRAFi resistance are disparate and globally seem to rewire the cellular signaling profile by up-regulating different receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). RTKs inhibitors have not clearly demonstrated anti-tumor activity in BRAFi resistant models. To overcome this issue, we wondered whether the shared up-regulated RTK phenotype associated with BRAFi resistance could be exploited by using immune weapons as the antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC)-mediated effect of anti-RTKs antibodies, and kill tumor cells independently from the mechanistic roots. Methods and results By using an in vitro model of BRAFi resistance, we detected increased membrane expression of EGFR, both at mRNA and protein level in 4 out of 9 BRAFi-resistant (VR) CM cultures as compared to their parental sensitive cells. Increased EGFR phosphorylation and AKT activation were observed in the VR CM cultures. EGFR signaling appeared dispensable for maintaining resistance, since small molecule-, antibody- and CRISPR-targeting of EGFR did not restore sensitivity of VR cells to BRAFi. Importantly, immune-targeting of EGFR by the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab efficiently and specifically killed EGFR-expressing VR CM cells, both in vitro and in humanized mouse models in vivo, triggering ADCC by healthy donors' and patients' peripheral blood cells. Conclusion Our data demonstrate the efficacy of immune targeting of RTKs expressed by CM relapsing on BRAFi, providing the proof-of-concept supporting the assessment of anti-RTK antibodies in combination therapies in this setting. This strategy might be expected to concomitantly trigger the crosstalk of adaptive immune response leading to a complementing T cell immune rejection of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Muraro
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Barbara Montico
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Benedict Lum
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Francesca Colizzi
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno and Rete Oncologica Campana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Roberto Guerrieri
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Aurora Rizzo
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Elisa Comaro
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Canzonieri
- Division of Pathology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Anichini
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Del Vecchio
- Melanoma Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Mortarini
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Milione
- Pathology Unit 1, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno and Rete Oncologica Campana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Pizzichetta
- Division of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
- Department of Dermatology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fiona Simpson
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Translational and Clinical Immunotherapy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Elisabetta Fratta
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Luca Sigalotti
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
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Liu J, Wang W, Kong N, Yu S, Dong M, Yang W, Li Y, Zhou X, Wang L, Song L. A pattern recognition receptor CgTLR3 involves in regulating the proliferation of haemocytes in oyster Crassostrea gigas. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 147:104762. [PMID: 37353060 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.104762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed on various immune cells as key elements of innate and adaptive immunity, and they also play significant roles in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. In the present study, the binding activity of CgTLR3 to PAMPs and CgMyD88-2, and its role in mediating the proliferation of haemocytes was investigated. The recombinant proteins of the extracellular six LRR domains (rCgTLR3-LRR) and intracellular TIR domain (rCgTLR3-TIR) of CgTLR3 were obtained respectively. rCgTLR3-LRR exhibited binding activity to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan (PGN), mannan (MAN) and Poly (I:C), with the highest affinity for LPS. While rCgTLR3-TIR displayed binding activity to the recombinant protein of rCgMyD88-2, with KD value of 7.22 × 10-7 M. The CgTLR3 mRNA and protein were detected in three subpopulations of oyster haemocytes, and they were mainly concentrated in granulocytes, which was 7.27-fold (p < 0.05) of that in semi-granulocytes and 8.51-fold (p < 0.01) of that in agranulocytes. The percentage of CgTLR3 positive cells (FITC+ haemocytes) in granulocytes was 4.45-fold (p < 0.01) and 2.57-fold (p < 0.05) of that in agranulocytes and semi-granulocytes, respectively. After Vibrio splendidus stimulation, the mRNA expression level of CgTLR3 in haemocytes significantly upregulated at 6 h and 12 h, which was 2.93-fold (p < 0.05) and 4.15-fold (p < 0.05) of that in the control group. After the expression of CgTLR3 was inhibited by the injection of si-CgTLR3, the expression levels of transcription factors associated with hematopoiesis (CgGATA, CgRunx), cell cycle-related genes (CgPCNA, CgCDC-45, CgCDK-2), the agranulocyte marker CgCD-9, the granulocyte marker CgAATase, and the inflammatory factor CgIL17-1 significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after the V. splendidus stimulation, which were 0.43-fold, 0.83-fold, 0.48-fold, 0.44-fold, 0.53-fold, 0.7-fold, 0.62-fold, and 0.47-fold of that in NC + V. s group in vivo, respectively. Meanwhile, the percentage of EdU+ haemocytes in si-CgTLR3+V. s group was significantly reduced by 0.54-fold (p < 0.05) compared to the control group (2.7%). These results collectively indicated that CgTLR3 was involved in modulating the proliferation of haemocytes by regulating the expression of proliferation-related genes and inflammatory factor in oyster C. gigas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Liu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Functional Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Process, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266235, China
| | - Ning Kong
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Functional Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Process, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266235, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Simiao Yu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Miren Dong
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Wenwen Yang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Yinan Li
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Xiaoxu Zhou
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering, Guangdong, Zhuhai, 519000, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Linsheng Song
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology and Disease Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Functional Laboratory of Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Process, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266235, China; Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering, Guangdong, Zhuhai, 519000, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
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Thus YJ, Eldering E, Kater AP, Spaargaren M. Tipping the balance: toward rational combination therapies to overcome venetoclax resistance in mantle cell lymphoma. Leukemia 2022; 36:2165-2176. [PMID: 35725771 PMCID: PMC9418002 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01627-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), an aggressive, but incurable B-cell lymphoma, is genetically characterized by the t(11;14) translocation, resulting in the overexpression of Cyclin D1. In addition, deregulation of the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family proteins BCL-2, B-cell lymphoma-extra large (BCL-XL), and myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) is highly common in MCL. This renders these BCL-2 family members attractive targets for therapy; indeed, the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax (ABT-199), which already received FDA approval for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), shows promising results in early clinical trials for MCL. However, a significant subset of patients show primary resistance or will develop resistance upon prolonged treatment. Here, we describe the underlying mechanisms of venetoclax resistance in MCL, such as upregulation of BCL-XL or MCL-1, and the recent (clinical) progress in the development of inhibitors for these BCL-2 family members, followed by the transcriptional and (post-)translational (dys)regulation of the BCL-2 family proteins, including the role of the lymphoid organ microenvironment. Based upon these insights, we discuss how rational combinations of venetoclax with other therapies can be exploited to prevent or overcome venetoclax resistance and improve MCL patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne J Thus
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam (LYMMCARE), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam (CCA), Cancer Biology and Immunology, Target & Therapy Discovery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam (LYMMCARE), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam (CCA), Cancer Biology and Immunology, Target & Therapy Discovery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam (LYMMCARE), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam (CCA), Cancer Biology and Immunology, Target & Therapy Discovery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Spaargaren
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam (LYMMCARE), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Cancer Center Amsterdam (CCA), Cancer Biology and Immunology, Target & Therapy Discovery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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The Yin and Yang of toll-like receptors in endothelial dysfunction. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 108:108768. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Identification of the SRC-family tyrosine kinase HCK as a therapeutic target in mantle cell lymphoma. Leukemia 2020; 35:881-886. [PMID: 32591642 PMCID: PMC7932922 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-0934-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtype arising from naïve B cells. Although novel therapeutics have improved patient prognosis, drug resistance remains a key problem. Here, we show that the SRC-family tyrosine kinase hematopoietic cell kinase (HCK), which is primarily expressed in the hematopoietic lineage but not in mature B cells, is aberrantly expressed in MCL, and that high expression of HCK is associated with inferior prognosis of MCL patients. HCK expression is controlled by the toll-like receptor (TLR) adaptor protein MYD88 and can be enhanced by TLR agonists in MCL cell lines and primary MCL. In line with this, primary MCL with high HCK expression are enriched for a TLR-signaling pathway gene set. Silencing of HCK expression results in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, HCK controls integrin-mediated adhesion of MCL cells to extracellular matrix and stromal cells. Taken together, our data indicate that TLR/MYD88-controlled aberrant expression of HCK plays a critical role in MCL proliferation and survival as well as in retention of the malignant cells in the growth- and survival-supporting lymphoid organ microenvironment, thereby contributing to lymphomagenesis. These novel insights provide a strong rationale for therapeutic targeting of HCK in MCL.
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Roué G, Sola B. Management of Drug Resistance in Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061565. [PMID: 32545704 PMCID: PMC7352245 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare but aggressive B-cell hemopathy characterized by the translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32) that leads to the overexpression of the cell cycle regulatory protein cyclin D1. This translocation is the initial event of the lymphomagenesis, but tumor cells can acquire additional alterations allowing the progression of the disease with a more aggressive phenotype and a tight dependency on microenvironment signaling. To date, the chemotherapeutic-based standard care is largely inefficient and despite the recent advent of different targeted therapies including proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, relapses are frequent and are generally related to a dismal prognosis. As a result, MCL remains an incurable disease. In this review, we will present the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance learned from both preclinical and clinical experiences in MCL, detailing the main tumor intrinsic processes and signaling pathways associated to therapeutic drug escape. We will also discuss the possibility to counteract the acquisition of drug refractoriness through the design of more efficient strategies, with an emphasis on the most recent combination approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Roué
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Correspondence: (G.R.); (B.S.); Tel.: +34-935572800 (ext. 4080) (G.R.); +33-231068210 (B.S.)
| | - Brigitte Sola
- MICAH Team, INSERM U1245, UNICAEN, CEDEX 5, 14032 Caen, France
- Correspondence: (G.R.); (B.S.); Tel.: +34-935572800 (ext. 4080) (G.R.); +33-231068210 (B.S.)
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Loss of Spry1 reduces growth of BRAF V600-mutant cutaneous melanoma and improves response to targeted therapy. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:392. [PMID: 32444628 PMCID: PMC7244546 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2585-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation is a central step in BRAFV600-mutant cutaneous melanoma (CM) pathogenesis. In the last years, Spry1 has been frequently described as an upstream regulator of MAPK signaling pathway. However, its specific role in BRAFV600-mutant CM is still poorly defined. Here, we report that Spry1 knockdown (Spry1KO) in three BRAFV600-mutant CM cell lines markedly induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, repressed cell proliferation in vitro, and impaired tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, our findings indicated that Spry1KO reduced the expression of several markers of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, such as MMP-2 both in vitro and in vivo. These effects were associated with a sustained and deleterious phosphorylation of ERK1/2. In addition, p38 activation along with an increase in basal ROS levels were found in Spry1KO clones compared to parental CM cell lines, suggesting that BRAFV600-mutant CM may restrain the activity of Spry1 to avoid oncogenic stress and to enable tumor growth. Consistent with this hypothesis, treatment with the BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) vemurafenib down-regulated Spry1 levels in parental CM cell lines, indicating that Spry1 expression is sustained by the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in a positive feedback loop that safeguards cells from the potentially toxic effects of ERK1/2 hyperactivation. Disruption of this feedback loop rendered Spry1KO cells more susceptible to apoptosis and markedly improved response to BRAFi both in vitro and in vivo, as a consequence of the detrimental effect of ERK1/2 hyperactivation observed upon Spry1 abrogation. Therefore, targeting Spry1 might offer a treatment strategy for BRAFV600-mutant CM by inducing the toxic effects of ERK-mediated signaling.
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Meng S, Li Y, Zang X, Jiang Z, Ning H, Li J. Effect of TLR2 on the proliferation of inflammation-related colorectal cancer and sporadic colorectal cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:95. [PMID: 32256204 PMCID: PMC7104506 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01184-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Colitis-associated cancer (CAC) is a complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with a poor prognosis because it is often diagnosed in advanced stages with local progression or metastasis. Compared with the more common polyp-induced sporadic colorectal cancer (sCRC), CAC has different molecular mechanisms. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression is not limited to cells related to inflammation and immune function. High levels of TLR2 expression in tumor tissues of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients have been reported. This report is to investigate the effects of knockout and knockdown of the TLR2 gene on the proliferation of CAC and sCRC. Methods Twelve C57BL/6 J wild-type mice (WT) and 12 TLR2 knockout mice (TLR2-/-) were used to rapidly establish a colitis-associated cancer (CAC) model via the 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-dextran sodium sulfate (DMH-DSS) method and were divided into the normal WT control group (NC), TLR2 knockout control group (KC), normal wild-type tumor modeling group (NT), and TLR2 knockout tumor modeling group (KT), with 6 mice in each group. The general performance of the mice during modeling, the gross changes of the colon and the rectum, and the pathological score of HE staining were used to observe tumor growth. The expression of TLR2 was detected by immunohistochemistry, and tumor proliferation was detected by Ki67 labeling. Lentivirus carrying TLR2-RNAi was used to stably infect colorectal cancer cells (HCT116 and HT29) to knock down TLR2 gene expression. The experimental groups included the uninfected control group, negative control group, and gene knockdown group. After infection, the expression of TLR2 protein was detected by Western blot, and cell proliferation and the cell cycle were detected by the CCK-8 method and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of p- NF-κβ, cyclin D1 and cyclin D3 protein in each group of cells. Results TLR2 knockout in the CAC model resulted in greater changes in body weight and more severe diarrhea and colorectal hemorrhage. However, knocking out the TLR2 gene reduced the shortening of colorectal length, the number of tumors, and the total tumor volume and inhibited the growth of CAC. Knocking out the TLR2 gene also reduced the pathological score and tumor severity. TLR2 was localized in the cell membrane of the colorectal epithelium of the NC group and of the colorectal tumors of the NT group and was highly expressed in the NT group, while antigen Ki67 was localized in the nucleus of the colorectal tumor cells of the NT group and the KT group, and its expression was reduced in the KT group. In an in vitro sporadic colorectal cancer cell experiment, TLR2 protein in the TLR2 knockdown group was significantly downregulated, and TLR2 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 and HT29 colorectal cancer cells, resulting in G1 phase arrest. The expression levels of p-NF-κβ, cyclin D1 and cyclin D3 proteins in TLR2 gene knockdown group cells were significantly reduced. Conclusion Knockout and knockdown of TLR2 can inhibit the proliferation of inflammation-related colorectal cancer and sporadic colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Meng
- 1Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 2, Section 5 Renmin Street, Guta District, Jinzhou City, 121001 Liaoning Province China.,2Jinzhou Medical University, No. 40, Section 3, Songpo Road, Linghe District, Jinzhou City, 121001 Liaoning Province China
| | - Yingjie Li
- 1Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 2, Section 5 Renmin Street, Guta District, Jinzhou City, 121001 Liaoning Province China
| | - Xiaozhen Zang
- 1Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 2, Section 5 Renmin Street, Guta District, Jinzhou City, 121001 Liaoning Province China
| | - Zheng Jiang
- Jinzhou No. 2 Hospital, No. 2, Section 6, Nanjing Road, Linghe District, Jinzhou City, 121001 Liaoning Province China
| | - Huahan Ning
- 1Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 2, Section 5 Renmin Street, Guta District, Jinzhou City, 121001 Liaoning Province China
| | - Jing Li
- 1Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 2, Section 5 Renmin Street, Guta District, Jinzhou City, 121001 Liaoning Province China
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Toll-Like Receptors Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1223:81-97. [PMID: 32030686 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-35582-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of inflammation in cancer progression is well-established. The immune system can play both tumor-promoting and -suppressive roles, and efforts to harness the immune system to help fight tumor growth are at the forefront of research. Of particular importance is the inflammatory profile at the site of the tumor, with respect to both the leukocyte population numbers, the phenotype of these cells, as well as the contribution of the tumor cells themselves. In this regard, the pro-inflammatory effects of pattern recognition receptor expression and activation in the tumor microenvironment have emerged as a relevant issue both for therapy and to understand tumor development.Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) were originally recognized as components of immune cells, particularly innate immune cells, as detectors of pathogens. PRR signaling in immune cells activates them, inducing robust antimicrobial responses. In particular, toll-like receptors (TLRs) constitute a family of membrane-bound PRRs which can recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) carried by bacteria, virus, and fungi. In addition, PRRs can recognize products generated by stressed cells or damaged tissues, namely damage-associated molecular patterns or DAMPS. Taking into account the role of the immune system in fighting tumors together with the presence of immune cells in the microenvironment of different types of tumors, strategies to activate immune cells via PRR ligands have been envisioned as an anticancer therapeutic approach.In the last decades, it has been determined that PRRs are present and functional on nonimmune cells and that their activation in these cells contributes to the inflammation in the tumor microenvironment. Both tumor-promoting and antitumor effects have been observed when tumor cell PRRs are activated. This argues against nonspecific activation of PRR ligands in the tumor microenvironment as a therapeutic approach. Therefore, the use of PRR ligands for anticancer therapy might benefit from strategies that specifically deliver these ligands to immune cells, thus avoiding tumor cells in some settings. This review focuses on these aspects of TLR signaling in the tumor microenvironment.
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Braunstein MJ, Kucharczyk J, Adams S. Targeting Toll-Like Receptors for Cancer Therapy. Target Oncol 2019; 13:583-598. [PMID: 30229471 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-018-0589-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The immune system encompasses a broad array of defense mechanisms against foreign threats, including invading pathogens and transformed neoplastic cells. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are critically involved in innate immunity, serving as pattern recognition receptors whose stimulation leads to additional innate and adaptive immune responses. Malignant cells exploit the natural immunomodulatory functions of TLRs, expressed mainly by infiltrating immune cells but also aberrantly by tumor cells, to foster their survival, invasion, and evasion of anti-tumor immune responses. An extensive body of research has demonstrated context-specific roles for TLR activation in different malignancies, promoting disease progression in certain instances while limiting cancer growth in others. Despite these conflicting roles, TLR agonists have established therapeutic benefits as anti-cancer agents that activate immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and facilitate the expression of cytokines that allow for infiltration of anti-tumor lymphocytes and the suppression of oncogenic signaling pathways. This review focuses on the clinical application of TLR agonists for cancer treatment. We also highlight agents that are undergoing development in clinical trials, including investigations of TLR agonists in combination with other immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc J Braunstein
- Department of Medicine, NYU Winthrop Hospital, 120 Mineola Blvd. Suite 500, Mineola, 11501, NY, USA
| | - John Kucharczyk
- Department of Medicine, NYU Winthrop Hospital, 120 Mineola Blvd. Suite 500, Mineola, 11501, NY, USA
| | - Sylvia Adams
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, 160 East 34th Street, 4th Floor, New York, 10016, NY, USA.
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Zanwar S, Ansell SM. Prognostic significance of PD-L1 and TLR5 expression in peripheral T-cell lymphomas. Leuk Lymphoma 2019; 60:2599-2601. [PMID: 31039669 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2019.1608534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Zanwar
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Stephen M Ansell
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Balaji S, Ahmed M, Lorence E, Yan F, Nomie K, Wang M. NF-κB signaling and its relevance to the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma. J Hematol Oncol 2018; 11:83. [PMID: 29907126 PMCID: PMC6002979 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-018-0621-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mantle cell lymphoma is an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma that is characterized by a poor prognosis determined by Ki67 and Mantle Cell International Prognostic Index scores, but it is becoming increasingly treatable. The majority of patients, especially if young, achieve a progression-free survival of at least 5 years. Mantle cell lymphoma can initially be treated with an anti-CD20 antibody in combination with a chemotherapy backbone, such as VR-CAP (the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab administered with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone) or R-CHOP (the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab administered with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone). While initial treatment can facilitate recovery and complete remission in a few patients, many patients experience relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma within 2 to 3 years after initial treatment. Targeted agents such as ibrutinib, an inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase, which has been approved only in the relapsed setting, can be used to treat patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. However, mantle cell lymphoma cells often acquire resistance to such targeted agents and continue to survive by activating alternate signaling pathways such as the PI3K-Akt pathway or the NF-κB pathways. NF-κB is a transcription factor family that regulates the growth and survival of B cells; mantle cell lymphoma cells depend on NF-κB signaling for continued growth and proliferation. The NF-κB signaling pathways are categorized into canonical and non-canonical types, wherein the canonical pathway prompts inflammatory responses, immune regulation, and cell proliferation, while the non-canonical leads to B cell maturation and lymphoid organogenesis. Since these pathways upregulate survival genes and tumor-promoting cytokines, they can be activated to overcome the inhibitory effects of targeted agents, thereby having profound effects on tumorigenesis. The NF-κB pathways are also highly targetable in that they are interconnected with numerous other pathways, including B cell receptor signaling, PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, and toll-like receptor signaling pathways. Additionally, elements of the non-canonical NF- κB pathway, such as NF-κB-inducing kinase, can be targeted to overcome resistance to targeting of the canonical NF- κB pathway. Targeting the molecular mechanisms of the NF-κB pathways can facilitate the development of novel agents to treat malignancies and overcome drug resistance in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swathi Balaji
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Unit 0429, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA
| | - Makhdum Ahmed
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Unit 0429, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lorence
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Unit 0429, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA
| | - Fangfang Yan
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Unit 0429, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA
| | - Krystle Nomie
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Unit 0429, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA
| | - Michael Wang
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Unit 0429, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA.
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Feng X, Luo Q, Zhang H, Wang H, Chen W, Meng G, Chen F. The role of NLRP3 inflammasome in 5-fluorouracil resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2017. [PMID: 28637493 PMCID: PMC5479028 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-017-0553-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used drug for the therapy of cancer. However, the chemoresistance of tumor cells to 5-FU usually limits its clinical effectiveness. In this study, we explored the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in 5-FU resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods The mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase1 and IL-1β in resected OSCC specimens or cell lines were measured respectively by quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. NLRP3 and Ki-67 expression in paraffin-embedded OSCC tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between 5-FU treatment and the expression and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome was further examined by evaluating NLRP3 and IL-1β expression in OSCC cell lines without or with NLRP3 knocked down. Cell viabilities of OSCC cells were determined by the MTT assay. Apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) of OSCC cells induced by 5-FU were measured by the flow cytometer. The carcinogen-induced tongue squamous carcinoma mice model was established by continuous oral administration of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide in wild-type BALB/c, Nlrp3−/− and Caspase1−/− mice. Tumor incidence were observed and tumor area were evaluated. Results In the clinical analysis, expression and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome was clearly increased in OSCC tissues of patients who received 5-FU-based chemotherapy. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that this high expression was significantly correlated with tumor stage and differentiation, and was associated with poor prognosis. Moreover, 5-FU treatment increased expression and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in OSCC cells in a cell culture system and xenograft mouse model. Silencing of NLRP3 expression significantly inhibited OSCC cell proliferation and enhanced 5-FU-induced apoptosis of OSCC cells. Further investigation showed that intracellular ROS induced by 5-FU promoted the expression and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and increased the production of interleukin (IL)-1β, which then mediated the chemoresistance. With the carcinogen-induced OSCC model, we found less and later tumor incidence in Nlrp3−/− and Caspase1−/− mice than wild-type mice. And greater decrease of tumor area was observed in the gene deficient mice treated with 5-FU. Conclusions Our findings suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome promoted 5-FU resistance of OSCC both in vitro and in vivo, and targeting the ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β signaling pathway may help 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Feng
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingqiong Luo
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wantao Chen
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangxun Meng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Fuxiang Chen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Zheng G, Li W, Zuo B, Guo Z, Xi W, Wei M, Chen P, Wen W, Yang AG. High expression of CREPT promotes tumor growth and is correlated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 480:436-442. [PMID: 27773816 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.10.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
CREPT (cell cycle-related and expression elevated protein in tumor) is highly expressed in many kinds of cancer, and has been shown to be prognostic in certain cancers. However, the clinical significance of CREPT in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been sufficiently investigated. In this study, we examined the CREPT expression in 225 clinical CRC tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues, and analyzed the correlation between CREPT expression and other clinicopathological features. We also evaluated the biological function of CREPT both in vitro and in vivo using knockdown or overexpressing CRC cells. Our results showed that CREPT expressed in 175 of 225 (77.8%) CRC patients and the CREPT expression was significantly associated with tumor differentiation (P = 0.000), Dukes' stages (P = 0.013) and metastasis (P = 0.038). Patients with high CREPT expression tended to have shorter survival time. Multivariate analysis showed that positive CREPT expression can be used as an independent predictor for CRC prognosis. CREPT knockdown cells showed inhibited cell proliferation and arrested cell cycle, while CREPT overexpressing cells showed increased proliferation and promoted cell cycle. In addition, CREPT overexpression significantly promoted tumor growth in vivo. Mechanism study showed that CREPT may regulate cell proliferation and cell cycle through the regulation on cyclin D3, CDK4 and CDK6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Weimiao Li
- Department of Respiration, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Baile Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Zhangyan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Wenjin Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ming Wei
- Department of Urology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Weihong Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - An-Gang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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