1
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Li L, Ye R, Li Y, Pan H, Han S, Lu Y. Targeting TNFR2 for cancer immunotherapy: recent advances and future directions. J Transl Med 2024; 22:812. [PMID: 39223671 PMCID: PMC11367783 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05620-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths every year. Immune checkpoint blockade approaches have changed the therapeutic landscape for many tumor types. However, current immune checkpoint inhibitors PD-1 or CTLA-4 are far from satisfactory, due to high immune-related adverse event incident (up to 60%) and the inefficiency in cases of "cold" tumor microenvironment. TNFR2, a novel hopeful tumor immune target, was initially proposed in 2017. It not only promotes tumor cell proliferation, but also correlates with the suppressive function of Treg cells, implicating in the development of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In preclinical studies, TNFR2 antibody therapy has demonstrated efficacy alone or a potential synergistic effect when combined with classical PD-1/ CTLA-4 antibodies. The focus of this review is on the characteristics, functions, and recent advancements in TNFR2 therapy, providing a new direction for the next generation of anti-tumor alternative therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxue Li
- Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 201908, China
| | - Ruiwei Ye
- Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 201908, China
| | - Yingying Li
- Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 201908, China
| | - Hanyu Pan
- Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 201908, China
| | - Sheng Han
- Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 201908, China.
| | - Yiming Lu
- Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 201908, China.
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2
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Emamalipour M, Shamdani S, Mansoori B, Uzan G, Naserian S. The implications of the TNFα-TNFR2 immune checkpoint signaling pathway in cancer treatment: From immunoregulation to angiogenesis. Int J Cancer 2024. [PMID: 39140321 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.35130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Despite the tremendous advances that have been made in biomedical research, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Several therapeutic approaches have been suggested and applied to treat cancer with impressive results. Immunotherapy based on targeting immune checkpoint signaling pathways proved to be one of the most efficient. In this review article, we will focus on the recently discovered TNFα-TNFR2 signaling pathway, which controls the immunological and pro-angiogenic properties of many immunoregulatory and pro-angiogenic cells such as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Due to their biological properties, these cells can play a major role in cancer progression and metastasis. Therefore, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of an anti-TNFR2 treatment that could carry two faces under one hood. It interrupts the immunosuppressive and pro-angiogenic behaviors of the above-mentioned cells and interferes with tumor growth and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Shamdani
- CellMedEx, Saint Maur Des Fossés, France
- INSERM UMR-S-MD 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France
| | - Behzad Mansoori
- The Wistar Institute, Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Georges Uzan
- INSERM UMR-S-MD 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France
| | - Sina Naserian
- CellMedEx, Saint Maur Des Fossés, France
- INSERM UMR-S-MD 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France
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3
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Veerasubramanian PK, Jacobson BA, Karlsson FJ, Duffen JL. Quantifying NF-κB Activation by Flow Cytometry of IκBα Degradation. Curr Protoc 2024; 4:e1026. [PMID: 38733265 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.1026] [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] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a crucial pro-inflammatory transcription factor whose activation is of immense interest to immunology research. Estimation of NF-κB activation through flow cytometry is not possible due to the unavailability of robust flow cytometry antibodies that can bind to its phosphorylated, active, nuclear form. In this protocol, we describe a flow cytometry assay that measures the activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in stimulated immune cells by quantifying the degradation of its upstream regulator IκBα. We demonstrate the utility of this protocol by assessment of intracellular IκBα in human primary regulatory T cells experiencing TNFR2 agonism, a process previously reported to activate NF-κB in these cells. We also show that this assay may be applied to study NF-κB activation in other cell types, such as human primary T cells and THP-1 cell-derived macrophages, when induced by their corresponding inflammatory cues. Thus, this robust and reproducible protocol will be of interest to a wide range of scientists who aim to measure NF-κB activity in medium-to-high-throughput assays. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Quantifying inflammatory activation by flow cytometry of IκBα degradation Support Protocol 1: Isolating and expanding human regulatory T cells Support Protocol 2: Calculating IC50 from flow cytometry data using Excel.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bruce A Jacobson
- Inflammation and Immunology Research Unit, Pfizer, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Fridrik J Karlsson
- Inflammation and Immunology Research Unit, Pfizer, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer L Duffen
- Inflammation and Immunology Research Unit, Pfizer, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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4
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Carvalho BF, Gomez GVB, Carron J, Macedo LT, Gonçalves GM, Vazquez VDL, Serrano SV, Lourenço GJ, Lima CSP. TNFRSF1B Gene Variants in Clinicopathological Aspects and Prognosis of Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2868. [PMID: 38474115 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052868] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T lymphocytes play a critical role in immune regulation and are involved in the aberrant cell elimination by facilitating tumor necrosis factor connection to the TNFR2 receptor, encoded by the TNFRSF1B polymorphic gene. We aimed to examine the effects of single nucleotide variants TNFRSF1B c.587T>G, c.*188A>G, c.*215C>T, and c.*922C>T on the clinicopathological characteristics and survival of cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients. Patients were genotyped using RT-PCR. TNFRSF1B levels were measured using qPCR. Luciferase reporter assay evaluated the interaction of miR-96 and miR-1271 with the 3'-UTR of TNFRSF1B. The c.587TT genotype was more common in patients younger than 54 years old than in older patients. Patients with c.*922CT or TT, c.587TG or GG + c.*922CT or TT genotypes, as well as those with the haplotype TATT, presented a higher risk of tumor progression and death due to the disease effects. Individuals with the c.*922TT genotype had a higher TNFRSF1B expression than those with the CC genotype. miR-1271 had less efficient binding with the 3'-UTR of the T allele when compared with the C allele of the SNV c.*922C>T. Our findings, for the first time, demonstrate that TNFRSF1B c.587T>G and c.*922C>T variants can serve as independent prognostic factors in CM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Fernandes Carvalho
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Vilas Bôas Gomez
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Carron
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
| | - Ligia Traldi Macedo
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
- Department of Anesthesiology, Oncology, and Radiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
| | - Gisele Melo Gonçalves
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Surgery Department, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos 14784-400, SP, Brazil
| | - Vinicius de Lima Vazquez
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Surgery Department, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos 14784-400, SP, Brazil
| | - Sergio Vicente Serrano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos 14784-400, SP, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Jacob Lourenço
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
| | - Carmen Silvia Passos Lima
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
- Department of Anesthesiology, Oncology, and Radiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil
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5
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Park EJ, Lee CW. Soluble receptors in cancer: mechanisms, clinical significance, and therapeutic strategies. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:100-109. [PMID: 38182653 PMCID: PMC10834419 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01150-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Soluble receptors are soluble forms of receptors found in the extracellular space. They have emerged as pivotal regulators of cellular signaling and disease pathogenesis. This review emphasizes their significance in cancer as diagnostic/prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets. We provide an overview of the mechanisms by which soluble receptors are generated along with their functions. By exploring their involvement in cancer progression, metastasis, and immune evasion, we highlight the importance of soluble receptors, particularly soluble cytokine receptors and immune checkpoints, in the tumor microenvironment. Although current research has illustrated the emerging clinical relevance of soluble receptors, their therapeutic applications remain underexplored. As the landscape of cancer treatment evolves, understanding and targeting soluble receptors might pave the way for novel strategies for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ji Park
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Woo Lee
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
- SKKU Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Chen Y, Jiang M, Chen X. Therapeutic potential of TNFR2 agonists: a mechanistic perspective. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1209188. [PMID: 37662935 PMCID: PMC10469862 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1209188] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
TNFR2 agonists have been investigated as potential therapies for inflammatory diseases due to their ability to activate and expand immunosuppressive CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Despite TNFR2 being predominantly expressed in Treg cells at high levels, activated effector T cells also exhibit a certain degree of TNFR2 expression. Consequently, the role of TNFR2 signaling in coordinating immune or inflammatory responses under different pathological conditions is complex. In this review article, we analyze possible factors that may determine the therapeutic outcomes of TNFR2 agonism, including the levels of TNFR2 expression on different cell types, the biological properties of TNFR2 agonists, and disease status. Based on recent progress in the understanding of TNFR2 biology and the study of TNFR2 agonistic agents, we discuss the future direction of developing TNFR2 agonists as a therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Mengmeng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macau SAR, China
- Ministry of Education (MoE) Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macau, Macau SAR, China
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macau SAR, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Macau, Macau SAR, China
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7
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Mattsson J, Ljungars A, Carlsson A, Svensson C, Nilsson B, Ohlin M, Frendéus B. Sequence enrichment profiles enable target-agnostic antibody generation for a broad range of antigens. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100475. [PMID: 37323567 PMCID: PMC10261905 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic drug discovery (PDD) enables the target-agnostic generation of therapeutic drugs with novel mechanisms of action. However, realizing its full potential for biologics discovery requires new technologies to produce antibodies to all, a priori unknown, disease-associated biomolecules. We present a methodology that helps achieve this by integrating computational modeling, differential antibody display selection, and massive parallel sequencing. The method uses the law of mass action-based computational modeling to optimize antibody display selection and, by matching computationally modeled and experimentally selected sequence enrichment profiles, predict which antibody sequences encode specificity for disease-associated biomolecules. Applied to a phage display antibody library and cell-based antibody selection, ∼105 antibody sequences encoding specificity for tumor cell surface receptors expressed at 103-106 receptors/cell were discovered. We anticipate that this approach will be broadly applicable to molecular libraries coupling genotype to phenotype and to the screening of complex antigen populations for identification of antibodies to unknown disease-associated targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Mattsson
- BioInvent, Research, Lund, Sweden
- Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anne Ljungars
- BioInvent, Research, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Carolin Svensson
- BioInvent, Research, Lund, Sweden
- Section of Medical Inflammation Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Björn Nilsson
- Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Broad Institute, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mats Ohlin
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- SciLifeLab Human Antibody Therapeutics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Björn Frendéus
- BioInvent, Research, Lund, Sweden
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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8
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Wang B, Zhang Z, Liu W, Tan B. Targeting regulatory T cells in gastric cancer: Pathogenesis, immunotherapy, and prognosis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114180. [PMID: 36586241 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Despite immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer treatment and obtained durable clinical responses, only a fraction of GC patients benefit from it. As an important component of T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a vital role in the pathogenesis of GC, keep a core balance between immune suppression and autoimmunity, and function as predictive biomarkers for prognosis of GC patients. In this review, we discuss the role of Tregs in the pathogenesis of GC, and targeting Tregs via influencing their transcription factor, migration, co-stimulatory receptors, immune checkpoints, and cytokines. We also focus on the currently important findings of Tregs metabolism including amino acid, fatty acid, and lactic acid metabolism of GC. The emerging role of microbiome and clinical combined therapy in modulating Tregs in GC treatment is also summarized. Meanwhile, this review recapitulates a novel regulator, magnesium, is involved in mediating Tregs in GC. These research advances on Treg-related strategies provide new insights and challenges for GC progression, treatment, and prognosis. And we hope our review can stimulate further discovery and implication of mediators and pathways targeting Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyu Wang
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 050011 Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zaibo Zhang
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 050011 Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wenbo Liu
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 050011 Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bibo Tan
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 050011 Shijiazhuang, China.
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9
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The Immunosuppressive Effect of TNFR2 Expression in the Colorectal Cancer Microenvironment. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010173. [PMID: 36672682 PMCID: PMC9856189 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents one of the most common causes of death among cancers worldwide. Its incidence has been increasing among the young population. Many risk factors contribute to the development and progression of CRC and about 70% of them are sporadic. The CRC microenvironment is highly heterogeneous and represents a very complex immunosuppressive platform. Many cytokines and their receptors are vital participants in this immunosuppressive microenvironment. Tumor necrosis factors (TNFs) and TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) are critical players in the development of CRC. TNFR2 was observed to have increased the immunosuppressive activity of CRC cells via regulatory T cells (T regs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in the CRC microenvironment. However, the exact mechanism of TNFR2 in regulating the CRC prognosis remains elusive. Here, we discuss the role of TNFR2 in immune escape mechanism of CRC in the immunosuppressive cells, including Tregs and MDSCs, and the complex signaling pathways that facilitate the development of CRC. It is suggested that extensive studies on TNFR2 downstream signaling must be done, since TNFR2 has a high potential to be developed into a therapeutic agent and cancer biomarker in the future.
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10
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Tulika T, Ljungars A. Deep Mining of Complex Antibody Phage Pools. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2702:419-431. [PMID: 37679633 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3381-6_22] [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] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
An important, and rapidly growing class of drugs are antibodies which can be discovered through phage display technology. In this technique, antibodies are typically first enriched through consecutive rounds of selection on a target antigen with amplification in bacteria between each selection round. Thereafter, a subset of random individual clones is analyzed for binding in a screening procedure. This results in discovery of the most abundant antibodies in the pool. However, there are multiple factors affecting the enrichment of antibodies during the selection resulting in a very complex output pool of antibodies. A few antibodies are present in many copies and others only in a few copies, where the most abundant antibodies are not necessarily the functionally best ones. In order to utilize the full potential of the output from a phage display selection, and enable discovery of low abundant, potentially functionally important clones, deep mining technologies are needed. In this chapter, two methods for deep mining of an antibody pool are described, protein depletion and antibody blocking. The methods can be applied both when the target is a single antigen and on complex antigen mixtures such as whole cells and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulika Tulika
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anne Ljungars
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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11
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Quazi S. TNFR2 antagonist and agonist: a potential therapeutics in cancer immunotherapy. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:215. [PMID: 36175687 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01772-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 or TNFR2 is considered an appealing target protein due to its limited frequency to TREGs, which are highly immunosuppressive and present on human malignancies. Numerous studies have revealed that TNFR2 is primarily found on MDSCs (myeloid-derived suppressor cells) and CD + Foxp3 + regulatory T cells (TREGs). Therefore, it has great importance in the proliferation and functional activity of TREGs and MDSCs. TNFR2 suppression must be downregulated or upregulated as required to treat malignancies and diseases like autoimmune disorders. Therefore, at the molecular level, advances in the comprehension of TNFR2's complex structure and its binding to TNF have opened the door to structure-guided drug development. Two critical obstacles to cancer treatment are the dearth of TREG-specific inhibitors and the lack of widely applicable ways to target tumours via frequently expressed surface oncogenes directly. Many researchers have discovered potential antagonists and agonists of TNFR2, which were successful in inhibiting TREGs proliferation, reducing soluble TNFR2 secretion from normal cells, and expanding T effector cells. The data represented in the following review article elucidates the clinically administrated TNFR2 antagonist and agonist in treating cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Quazi
- GenLab Biosolutions Private Limited, Bangalore, 560043, Karnataka, India.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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12
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Medler J, Kucka K, Wajant H. Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 (TNFR2): An Emerging Target in Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112603. [PMID: 35681583 PMCID: PMC9179537 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the great success of TNF blockers in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and the identification of TNF as a factor that influences the development of tumors in many ways, the role of TNFR2 in tumor biology and its potential suitability as a therapeutic target in cancer therapy have long been underestimated. This has been fundamentally changed with the identification of TNFR2 as a regulatory T-cell (Treg)-stimulating factor and the general clinical breakthrough of immunotherapeutic approaches. However, considering TNFR2 as a sole immunosuppressive factor in the tumor microenvironment does not go far enough. TNFR2 can also co-stimulate CD8+ T-cells, sensitize some immune and tumor cells to the cytotoxic effects of TNFR1 and/or acts as an oncogene. In view of the wide range of cancer-associated TNFR2 activities, it is not surprising that both antagonists and agonists of TNFR2 are considered for tumor therapy and have indeed shown overwhelming anti-tumor activity in preclinical studies. Based on a brief summary of TNFR2 signaling and the immunoregulatory functions of TNFR2, we discuss here the main preclinical findings and insights gained with TNFR2 agonists and antagonists. In particular, we address the question of which TNFR2-associated molecular and cellular mechanisms underlie the observed anti-tumoral activities of TNFR2 agonists and antagonists.
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13
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Ledsgaard L, Ljungars A, Rimbault C, Sørensen CV, Tulika T, Wade J, Wouters Y, McCafferty J, Laustsen AH. Advances in antibody phage display technology. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:2151-2169. [PMID: 35550436 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Phage display technology can be used for the discovery of antibodies for research, diagnostic, and therapeutic purposes. In this review, we present and discuss key parameters that can be optimized when performing phage display selection campaigns, including the use of different antibody formats and advanced strategies for antigen presentation, such as immobilization, liposomes, nanodiscs, virus-like particles, and whole cells. Furthermore, we provide insights into selection strategies that can be used for the discovery of antibodies with complex binding requirements, such as targeting a specific epitope, cross-reactivity, or pH-dependent binding. Lastly, we provide a description of specialized phage display libraries for the discovery of bispecific antibodies and pH-sensitive antibodies. Together, these methods can be used to improve antibody discovery campaigns against all types of antigen. Teaser: This review provides an overview of the different strategies that can be exploited to improve the success rate of antibody phage display discovery campaigns, addressing key parameters, such as antigen presentation, selection methodologies, and specialized libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Ledsgaard
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Anne Ljungars
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Rimbault
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christoffer V Sørensen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tulika Tulika
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jack Wade
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Yessica Wouters
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - John McCafferty
- Department of Medicine, Addenbrookes Hospital, Box 157, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK; Department of Medicine, Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Andreas H Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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14
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Li M, Zhang X, Bai X, Liang T. Targeting TNFR2: A Novel Breakthrough in the Treatment of Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:862154. [PMID: 35494080 PMCID: PMC9048045 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.862154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor type II (TNFR2) is expressed in various tumor cells and some immune cells, such as regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressing cells. TNFR2 contributes a lot to the tumor microenvironment. For example, it directly promotes the occurrence and growth of some tumor cells, activates immunosuppressive cells, and supports immune escape. Existing studies have proved the importance of TNFR2 in cancer treatment. Here, we reviewed the activation mechanism of TNFR2 and its role in signal transduction in the tumor microenvironment. We summarized the expression and function of TNFR2 within different immune cells and the potential opportunities and challenges of targeting TNFR2 in immunotherapy. Finally, the advantages and limitations of TNFR2 to treat tumor-related diseases are discussed, and the problems that may be encountered in the clinical development and application of targeted anti-TNFR2 agonists and inhibitors are analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muchun Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Tingbo Liang, ; Xueli Bai,
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Tingbo Liang, ; Xueli Bai,
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15
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Zhang X, Lao M, Xu J, Duan Y, Yang H, Li M, Ying H, He L, Sun K, Guo C, Chen W, Jiang H, Zhang X, Bai X, Liang T. Combination cancer immunotherapy targeting TNFR2 and PD-1/PD-L1 signaling reduces immunosuppressive effects in the microenvironment of pancreatic tumors. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e003982. [PMID: 35260434 PMCID: PMC8906048 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS In advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), immune therapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, has limited efficacy, encouraging the study of combination therapy. METHODS Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) was analyzed via immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and ELISAs. The in vitro mechanism that TNFR2 regulates programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) was investigated using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, western blotting, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). In vivo efficacy and mechanistic studies, using C57BL/6 mice and nude mice with KPC cell-derived subcutaneous and orthotopic tumors, employed antibodies against TNFR2 and PD-L1. Survival curves were constructed for the orthotopic model and a genetically engineered PDAC model (LSL-KrasG12D/+; LSL-Trp53R172H/+; Pdx1-Cre). Mass cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry analyzed local and systemic alterations in the immunophenotype. RESULTS TNFR2 showed high expression and is a prognostic factor in CD8+ T cell-enriched pancreatic cancer. TNFR2 promotes tumorigenesis and progression of pancreatic cancer via dual effect: suppressing cancer immunogenicity and partially accelerating tumor growth. TNFR2 positivity correlated with PD-L1, and in vitro and in vivo, it could regulate the expression of PDL1 at the transcription level via the p65 NF-κB pathway. Combining anti-TNFR2 and PD-L1 antibodies eradicated tumors, prolonged overall survival in pancreatic cancer, and induced strong antitumor immune memory and secondary prevention by reducing the infiltration of Tregs and tumor-associated macrophages and inducing CD8+ T cell activation in the PDAC microenvironment. Finally, the antitumor immune response derived from combination therapy is mainly dependent on CD8+ T cells, partially dependent on CD4+ T cells, and independent of natural killer cells. CONCLUSIONS Anti-TNFR2 and anti-PD-L1 combination therapy eradicated tumors by inhibiting their growth, relieving tumor immunosuppression, and generating robust memory recall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhen Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengyi Lao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hanshen Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Muchun Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Honggang Ying
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lihong He
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kang Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengxiang Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haitao Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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16
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Luo R, Liu H, Cheng Z. Protein scaffolds: Antibody alternative for cancer diagnosis and therapy. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:830-847. [PMID: 35866165 PMCID: PMC9257619 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00094f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Although antibodies are well developed and widely used in cancer therapy and diagnostic fields, some defects remain, such as poor tissue penetration, long in vivo metabolic retention, potential cytotoxicity, patent limitation, and high production cost. These issues have led scientists to explore and develop novel antibody alternatives. Protein scaffolds are small monomeric proteins with stable tertiary structures and mutable residues, which emerged in the 1990s. By combining robust gene engineering and phage display techniques, libraries with sufficient diversity could be established for target binding scaffold selection. Given the properties of small size, high affinity, and excellent specificity and stability, protein scaffolds have been applied in basic research, and preclinical and clinical fields over the past two decades. To date, more than 20 types of protein scaffolds have been developed, with the most frequently used being affibody, adnectin, ANTICALIN®, DARPins, and knottin. In this review, we focus on the protein scaffold applications in cancer therapy and diagnosis in the last 5 years, and discuss the pros and cons, and strategies of optimization and design. Although antibodies are well developed and widely used in cancer therapy and diagnostic fields, some defects remain, such as poor tissue penetration, long in vivo metabolic retention, potential cytotoxicity, patent limitation, and high production cost.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Renli Luo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Hongguang Liu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Zhen Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Molecular Imaging Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- Drug Discovery Shandong Laboratory, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery Yantai Shandong 264117 China
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17
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Fu Q, Shen Q, Tong J, Huang L, Cheng Y, Zhong W. Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 Antibody Combined With Anti-PD-L1 Therapy Exerts Robust Antitumor Effects in Breast Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:720472. [PMID: 34900985 PMCID: PMC8655985 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.720472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a leading type of malignant tumor in women; however, the immunotherapy in breast cancer is still underappreciated. In this study, we demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) is highly expressed in both breast tumor tissue and tumor-infiltrating immunosuppressive CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). We found that TNFR2 antagonistic antibody reduced Foxp3 expression and the proliferation of Tregs and impaired the inhibitory effect of Tregs on CD4+CD25– effector T (Teff) cells in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of anti-TNFR2 antibody not only inhibited the proliferation of breast tumor cells in vitro but also suppressed the tumorigenesis of murine mammary carcinoma 4T1 cells in vivo. Mice recovered from tumor growth also developed 4T1-specific immunity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that anti-TNFR2 antibody in combination with anti-PD-L1 exhibited augmented antitumor effects than monotherapy. Anti-TNFR2 treatment also tended to increase the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in tumor tissues. In conclusion, our study suggests that TNFR2 antagonist could potentially offer a clinical benefit as a single agent or in combination with immune checkpoint blockade treatment for breast cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Fu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Shen
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Tong
- Department of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liu Huang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Cheng
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- Department of Breast Cancer, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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18
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Jiang M, Liu J, Yang D, Tross D, Li P, Chen F, Alam MM, Faustman DL, Oppenheim JJ, Chen X. A TNFR2 antibody by countering immunosuppression cooperates with HMGN1 and R848 immune stimulants to inhibit murine colon cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 101:108345. [PMID: 34794079 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Immunosuppressive CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) promote tumor immune evasion and thus targeting of Tregs has become an strategy in cancer immunotherapy. Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) is highly expressed and important for the immunosuppressive function of Tregs in humans and mice. Thus, the benefit of targeting TNFR2 in cancer immunotherapy merits more investigation. A previous report identified a new murine monoclonal anti-TNFR2 antibody (designated TY101), which showed therapeutic efficacy in murine cancer models, but its mechanism of action was less understood. In this study, the capacity of a combination of immunostimulants to enhance the effect of this inhibitor of Tregs was investigated. We examined the efficacy of TY101 as an anti-tumor immune reagent combined with HMGN1 (N1, a dendritic cell activating TLR4 agonist) and R848 (a synthetic TLR7/8 agonist). This immunotherapeutic combination exerted synergistic antitumor effects as compared with any single treatment. The antitumor response was mainly mediated by the depletion of Tregs and stimulation of cytotoxic CD8 T cell activation. The result also suggested that the effect of TY101 was similar to that of anti-PD-L1 when used in combination with these immunostimulants. Therefore, we propose that treatment strategies of antagonizing TNFR2 on Tregs would behave as potent checkpoint inhibitors and can potentially be utilized to develop a novel antitumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Jiang
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA; Department of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin 130117, China
| | - De Yang
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Debra Tross
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Fengyang Chen
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Md Masud Alam
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Denise L Faustman
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joost J Oppenheim
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Xin Chen
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China.
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19
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Qu Y, Wang X, Bai S, Niu L, Zhao G, Yao Y, Li B, Li H. The effects of TNF-α/TNFR2 in regulatory T cells on the microenvironment and progression of gastric cancer. Int J Cancer 2021; 150:1373-1391. [PMID: 34766338 PMCID: PMC9298834 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
TNFR2+ regulatory T cells preferentially accumulate in the tumor microenvironment, express high levels of immunosuppressive molecules and possess strong suppressive activity. Our study aimed to explore the characteristics and role of TNFR2+ Tregs in the microenvironment and progression of gastric cancer via polychromatic immunofluorescence, single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry assays. The TNFR2+ Treg infiltration level in the tumor microenvironment increased significantly as gastric cancer progressed and was demonstrated to be a prognostic marker. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed high levels of TNFR2 in tumor-infiltrating Tregs. The TNF-α/TNFR2 signaling pathway was activated, accompanied by the upregulation of costimulatory molecules. Unlike blood Tregs, tumor-infiltrating Tregs existed in activated and effector states. In addition to expressing costimulatory molecules such as TNFR2, 4-1BB, OX40 and GITR, tumor-infiltrating Tregs were also characterized by high expression levels of immune checkpoints such as CTLA-4 and TIGIT and chemokines such as CCR6. In vitro studies showed that the TNF-α/TNFR2 pathway increased the Foxp3 expression in CD4+ CD25+ T cells and the latent TGF-β production in Tregs as well as enhanced the immunosuppressive function of Tregs. In summary, our study revealed high infiltration levels of TNFR2+ Tregs that were in activated and effector states in the tumor microenvironment. The infiltration level of TNFR2+ Tregs is a prognostic marker and an independent risk factor for gastric cancer. Activation of the TNF-α/TNFR2 pathway promotes the immunosuppressive phenotype and function of Tregs. Our study provides a new theoretical basis for TNFR2+ Tregs as a therapeutic target in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Qu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Xianhao Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuai Bai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Liling Niu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuan Yao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Bin Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Gastric Surgery Department, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
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20
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Moatti A, Cohen JL. The TNF-α/TNFR2 Pathway: Targeting a Brake to Release the Anti-tumor Immune Response. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:725473. [PMID: 34712661 PMCID: PMC8546260 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.725473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Newly discovered anti-cancer immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T cells, focus on spurring the anti-tumor effector T cell (Teff) response. Although such strategies have already demonstrated a sustained beneficial effect in certain malignancies, a substantial proportion of treated patients does not respond. CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), a suppressive subset of T cells, can impair anti-tumor responses and reduce the efficacy of currently available immunotherapies. An alternative view that has emerged over the last decade proposes to tackle this immune brake by targeting the suppressive action of Tregs on the anti-tumoral response. It was recently demonstrated that the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) is critical for the phenotypic stabilization and suppressive function of human and mouse Tregs. The broad non-specific effects of TNF-α infusion in patients initially led clinicians to abandon this signaling pathway as first-line therapy against neoplasms. Previously unrecognized, TNFR2 has emerged recently as a legitimate target for anti-cancer immune checkpoint therapy. Considering the accumulation of pre-clinical data on the role of TNFR2 and clinical reports of TNFR2+ Tregs and tumor cells in cancer patients, it is now clear that a TNFR2-centered approach could be a viable strategy, once again making the TNF-α pathway a promising anti-cancer target. Here, we review the role of the TNFR2 signaling pathway in tolerance and the equilibrium of T cell responses and its connections with oncogenesis. We analyze recent discoveries concerning the targeting of TNFR2 in cancer, as well as the advantages, limitations, and perspectives of such a strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Moatti
- Université Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne, INSERM, IMRB, Créteil, France.,AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalo-Universitaire Chenevier Mondor, Centre d'Investigation Clinique Biothérapie, Créteil, France
| | - José L Cohen
- Université Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne, INSERM, IMRB, Créteil, France.,AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalo-Universitaire Chenevier Mondor, Centre d'Investigation Clinique Biothérapie, Créteil, France
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21
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Segués A, van Duijnhoven SMJ, Parade M, Driessen L, Vukovic N, Zaiss D, Sijts AJAM, Berraondo P, van Elsas A. Generation and characterization of novel co-stimulatory anti-mouse TNFR2 antibodies. J Immunol Methods 2021; 499:113173. [PMID: 34699840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2021.113173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) has gained much research interest in recent years because of its potential pivotal role in autoimmune disease and cancer. However, its function in regulating different immune cells is not well understood. There is a need for well-characterized reagents to selectively modulate TNFR2 function, thereby enabling definition of TNFR2-dependent biology in human and mouse surrogate models. Here, we describe the generation, production, purification, and characterization of a panel of novel antibodies targeting mouse TNFR2. The antibodies display functional differences in binding affinity and potency to block TNFα. Furthermore, epitope binding showed that the anti-mTNFR2 antibodies target different domains on the TNFR2 protein, associated with varying capacity to enhance CD8+ T-cell activation and costimulation. Moreover, the anti-TNFR2 antibodies demonstrate binding to isolated splenic mouse Tregs ex vivo and activated CD8+ cells, reinforcing their potential use to establish TNFR2-dependent immune modulation in translational models of autoimmunity and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina Segués
- Aduro Biotech Europe, Oss, the Netherlands; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Nataša Vukovic
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Dietmar Zaiss
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute of Immune Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Alice J A M Sijts
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Division of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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22
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Benoot T, Piccioni E, De Ridder K, Goyvaerts C. TNFα and Immune Checkpoint Inhibition: Friend or Foe for Lung Cancer? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168691. [PMID: 34445397 PMCID: PMC8395431 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) can bind two distinct receptors (TNFR1/2). The transmembrane form (tmTNFα) preferentially binds to TNFR2. Upon tmTNFα cleavage by the TNF-alpha-converting enzyme (TACE), its soluble (sTNFα) form is released with higher affinity for TNFR1. This assortment empowers TNFα with a plethora of opposing roles in the processes of tumor cell survival (and apoptosis) and anti-tumor immune stimulation (and suppression), in addition to angiogenesis and metastases. Its functions and biomarker potential to predict cancer progression and response to immunotherapy are reviewed here, with a focus on lung cancer. By mining existing sequencing data, we further demonstrate that the expression levels of TNF and TACE are significantly decreased in lung adenocarcinoma patients, while the TNFR1/TNFR2 balance are increased. We conclude that the biomarker potential of TNFα alone will most likely not provide conclusive findings, but that TACE could have a key role along with the delicate balance of sTNFα/tmTNFα as well as TNFR1/TNFR2, hence stressing the importance of more research into the potential of rationalized treatments that combine TNFα pathway modulators with immunotherapy for lung cancer patients.
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Ghods A, Mehdipour F, Shariat M, Talei AR, Ghaderi A. Regulatory T cells express Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 with the highest intensity among CD4 + T cells in the draining lymph nodes of breast cancer. Mol Immunol 2021; 137:52-56. [PMID: 34214829 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 (TNFR2) is one of the receptors of TNF-α, which is expressed on various cell types. TNFR2 signaling has a balancing role between regulatory and effector functions of T cells. Herein, we investigated the expression of TNFR2 on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and non-Tregs in breast tumor-draining lymph nodes. Mononuclear cells were isolated from 16 axillary lymph nodes, and the expressions of TNFR2, Foxp3 and CD25 were assessed in CD4+ T cells by flow cytometry. Our results showed that the majority of TNFR2+CD4+ T cells were Foxp3-CD25-. However, the percentage of TNFR2+ cells was significantly higher in Foxp3+CD25+CD4+ Tregs compared to Foxp3-CD25-CD4+, Foxp3+CD25-CD4+, and Foxp3-CD25+CD4+ T cell subsets. Among these subsets, Foxp3+CD25+TNFR2+CD4+ T cells were found to have the highest intensity of TNFR2 expression. The intensity of Foxp3 expression in Foxp3+CD25+TNFR2+CD4+ Treg cells was significantly higher than in their TNFR2- counterpart. Collectively, we showed that most of TNFR2+CD4+ T lymphocytes were Foxp3-CD25-, while the majority of Foxp3+CD25+CD4+ Tregs were TNFR2+, and they expressed TNFR2 with the highest intensity. This report highlights the importance of TNFR2 expression on Tregs and paves the way for further investigation of the effects of TNF-α on the suppressive activity of Tregs in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atri Ghods
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Mehdipour
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Mahmoud Shariat
- Department of Pathology, Shiraz Central Hospital, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Abdol-Rasoul Talei
- Breast Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Abbas Ghaderi
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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24
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Baram T, Erlichman N, Dadiani M, Balint-Lahat N, Pavlovski A, Meshel T, Morzaev-Sulzbach D, Gal-Yam EN, Barshack I, Ben-Baruch A. Chemotherapy Shifts the Balance in Favor of CD8+ TNFR2+ TILs in Triple-Negative Breast Tumors. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061429. [PMID: 34201054 PMCID: PMC8229590 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is primarily treated via chemotherapy; in parallel, efforts are made to introduce immunotherapies into TNBC treatment. CD4+ TNFR2+ lymphocytes were reported as Tregs that contribute to tumor progression. However, our published study indicated that TNFR2+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TNFR2+ TILs) were associated with improved survival in TNBC patient tumors. Based on our analyses of the contents of CD4+ and CD8+ TILs in TNBC patient tumors, in the current study, we determined the impact of chemotherapy on CD4+ and CD8+ TIL subsets in TNBC mouse tumors. We found that chemotherapy led to (1) a reduction in CD4+ TNFR2+ FOXP3+ TILs, indicating that chemotherapy decreased the content of CD4+ TNFR2+ Tregs, and (2) an elevation in CD8+ TNFR2+ and CD8+ TNFR2+ PD-1+ TILs; high levels of these two subsets were significantly associated with reduced tumor growth. In spleens of tumor-bearing mice, chemotherapy down-regulated CD4+ TNFR2+ FOXP3+ cells but the subset of CD8+ TNFR2+ PD-1+ was not present prior to chemotherapy and was not increased by the treatment. Thus, our data suggest that chemotherapy promotes the proportion of protective CD8+ TNFR2+ TILs and that, unlike other cancer types, therapeutic strategies directed against TNFR2 may be detrimental in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamir Baram
- George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978-01, Israel; (T.B.); (N.E.); (T.M.)
| | - Nofar Erlichman
- George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978-01, Israel; (T.B.); (N.E.); (T.M.)
| | - Maya Dadiani
- Sheba Medical Center, Breast Oncology Institute, Ramat Gan 5211401, Israel; (M.D.); (D.M.-S.); (E.N.G.-Y.)
| | - Nora Balint-Lahat
- Sheba Medical Center, Pathology Institute, Ramat Gan 5211401, Israel; (N.B.-L.); (A.P.); (I.B.)
| | - Anya Pavlovski
- Sheba Medical Center, Pathology Institute, Ramat Gan 5211401, Israel; (N.B.-L.); (A.P.); (I.B.)
| | - Tsipi Meshel
- George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978-01, Israel; (T.B.); (N.E.); (T.M.)
| | - Dana Morzaev-Sulzbach
- Sheba Medical Center, Breast Oncology Institute, Ramat Gan 5211401, Israel; (M.D.); (D.M.-S.); (E.N.G.-Y.)
| | - Einav Nili Gal-Yam
- Sheba Medical Center, Breast Oncology Institute, Ramat Gan 5211401, Israel; (M.D.); (D.M.-S.); (E.N.G.-Y.)
| | - Iris Barshack
- Sheba Medical Center, Pathology Institute, Ramat Gan 5211401, Israel; (N.B.-L.); (A.P.); (I.B.)
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978-01, Israel
| | - Adit Ben-Baruch
- George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978-01, Israel; (T.B.); (N.E.); (T.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-3-6407933 or +972-3-6405491; Fax: +972-3-6422046
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25
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Yang Y, Islam MS, Hu Y, Chen X. TNFR2: Role in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy. Immunotargets Ther 2021; 10:103-122. [PMID: 33907692 PMCID: PMC8071081 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s255224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including anti-CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4) and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 (programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1), represent a turning point in the cancer immunotherapy. However, only a minor fraction of patients could derive benefit from such therapy. Therefore, new strategies targeting additional immune regulatory mechanisms are urgently needed. CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent a major cellular mechanism in cancer immune evasion. There is compelling evidence that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor type II (TNFR2) plays a decisive role in the activation and expansion of Tregs and other types of immunosuppressive cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Furthermore, TNFR2 is also expressed by some tumor cells. Emerging experimental evidence indicates that TNFR2 may be a therapeutic target to enhance naturally occurring or immunotherapeutic-triggered anti-tumor immune responses. In this article, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of the mechanistic basis underlying the Treg-boosting effect of TNFR2. The role of TNFR2-expressing highly suppressive Tregs in tumor immune evasion and their possible contribution to the non-responsiveness to checkpoint treatment are analyzed. Moreover, the role of TNFR2 expression on tumor cells and the impact of TNFR2 signaling on other types of cells that shape the immunological landscape in the tumor microenvironment, such as MDSCs, MSCs, ECs, EPCs, CD8+ CTLs, and NK cells, are also discussed. The reports revealing the effect of TNFR2-targeting pharmacological agents in the experimental cancer immunotherapy are summarized. We also discuss the potential opportunities and challenges for TNFR2-targeting immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, 999078, People's Republic of China
| | - Md Sahidul Islam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, 999078, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanjia Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, 999078, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, SAR, 999078, People's Republic of China
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26
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Mercogliano MF, Bruni S, Mauro F, Elizalde PV, Schillaci R. Harnessing Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha to Achieve Effective Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030564. [PMID: 33540543 PMCID: PMC7985780 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is a pleiotropic cytokine known to have contradictory roles in oncoimmunology. Indeed, TNFα has a central role in the onset of the immune response, inducing both activation and the effector function of macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and B and T lymphocytes. Within the tumor microenvironment, however, TNFα is one of the main mediators of cancer-related inflammation. It is involved in the recruitment and differentiation of immune suppressor cells, leading to evasion of tumor immune surveillance. These characteristics turn TNFα into an attractive target to overcome therapy resistance and tackle cancer. This review focuses on the diverse molecular mechanisms that place TNFα as a source of resistance to immunotherapy such as monoclonal antibodies against cancer cells or immune checkpoints and adoptive cell therapy. We also expose the benefits of TNFα blocking strategies in combination with immunotherapy to improve the antitumor effect and prevent or treat adverse immune-related effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Florencia Mercogliano
- Laboratorio de Biofisicoquímica de Proteínas, Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IQUIBICEN-CONICET), Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina;
| | - Sofía Bruni
- Laboratory of Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; (S.B.); (F.M.); (P.V.E.)
| | - Florencia Mauro
- Laboratory of Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; (S.B.); (F.M.); (P.V.E.)
| | - Patricia Virginia Elizalde
- Laboratory of Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; (S.B.); (F.M.); (P.V.E.)
| | - Roxana Schillaci
- Laboratory of Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; (S.B.); (F.M.); (P.V.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +54-11-4783-2869; Fax: +54-11-4786-2564
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27
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Yang M, Tran L, Torrey H, Song Y, Perkins H, Case K, Zheng H, Takahashi H, Kuhtreiber WM, Faustman DL. Optimizing TNFR2 antagonism for immunotherapy with tumor microenvironment specificity. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 107:971-980. [PMID: 32202358 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5ab0320-415rrrrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Most approved cancer immunotherapies lack T-regulatory (Treg) or tumor specificity. TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) antibody antagonism is emerging as an attractive immunotherapy due to its tumor microenvironment (TME) specificity. Here we show that the human TNFR2 receptor is overexpressed on both human tumor cells and on human tumor-residing Tregs, but negligibly expressed on beneficial T effectors (Teffs). Further, we found widespread, if variable, TNFR2 expression on 788 human tumor cell lines from diverse cancer tissues. These findings provided strong rationale for developing a targeted immunotherapy using a TNFR2 antibody antagonist. We designed a novel, human-directed TNFR2 antibody antagonist and tested it for function using three cell-based TME assays. The antagonist showed TME specificity by killing of TNFR2-expressing tumor cells and Tregs, but sparing Teffs, which proliferated. However, the antagonist shuffled between five isoforms, only one of which showed the desirable function. We designed and tested several new chimeric human versions of the antagonist, finding that the IgG2 isotype functioned better than the IgG1 isotype. To further improve function, we introduced targeted mutations to its amino acid sequence to stabilize the natural variability of the IgG2 isotype's hinge. Altogether, our findings suggest that optimal TNFR2 antagonists are of the human IgG2 isotype, have hinge stabilization, and have wide separation of antibody arms to bind to newly synthesized TNFR2 on rapidly growing tumor cells. Antagonistic antibodies with these characteristics, when bound to TNFR2, can form a nonsignaling cell surface dimer that functions with high TME specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Yang
- Immunobiology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lisa Tran
- Immunobiology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Heather Torrey
- Immunobiology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yaerin Song
- Immunobiology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Haley Perkins
- Immunobiology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine Case
- Immunobiology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hui Zheng
- Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Takahashi
- Immunobiology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Willem M Kuhtreiber
- Immunobiology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Denise L Faustman
- Immunobiology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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28
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Dadiani M, Necula D, Kahana-Edwin S, Oren N, Baram T, Marin I, Morzaev-Sulzbach D, Pavlovski A, Balint-Lahat N, Anafi L, Wiemann S, Korner C, Gal-Yam EN, Avivi C, Kaufman B, Barshack I, Ben-Baruch A. TNFR2+ TILs are significantly associated with improved survival in triple-negative breast cancer patients. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:1315-1326. [PMID: 32198536 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02549-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In view of the relatively limited efficacy of immunotherapies targeting the PD-1-PD-L1 axis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and of published reports on tumor-promoting roles of TNFR2+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TNFR2+ TILs), we determined the incidence of TNFR2+ TILs in TNBC patient tumors, their association with disease outcome and relations with PD-1+ TILs. Using a cohort of treatment-naïve TNBC patients with long follow-up (n = 70), we determined the presence of TNFR2+ TILs and PD-1+ TILs by immunohistochemistry. TILs (≥ 1% of cellular mass) and TNFR2+ TILs (≥ 1% of total TILs) were detected in 96% and 74% of tumors, respectively. The presence of TILs at > 5% of tumor cell mass ("Positive TILs"), as well as of positive TNFR2+ TILs (> 5%), was independently associated with good prognosis, and combination of both parameters demonstrated superior outcome relative to their lower levels. PD1+ TILs (> 5/hot spot) were detected in 63% of patients. High levels of PD-1+ TILs (> 20/hot spot) showed an unfavorable disease outcome, and in their presence, the favorable outcome of positive TNFR2+ TILs was ablated. Thus, TNFR2+ TILs are strongly connected to improved prognosis in TNBC; these findings suggest that TNFR2+ TILs have favorable effects in TNBC patients, unlike the tumor-promoting roles attributed to them in other cancer systems. Overall, our observations propose that the TNFR2+ TIL subset should not be targeted in the course of TNBC therapy; rather, its beneficial impacts may become into power when anti-PD-1 regimens-that may potentiate immune activities-are administered to TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Dadiani
- Cancer Research Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Daniela Necula
- Pathology Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Nino Oren
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamir Baram
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Irina Marin
- Pathology Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Anya Pavlovski
- Pathology Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Liat Anafi
- Pathology Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Stefan Wiemann
- Division of Molecular Genome Analysis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cindy Korner
- Division of Molecular Genome Analysis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Camila Avivi
- Pathology Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Bella Kaufman
- Breast Oncology Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Iris Barshack
- Pathology Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adit Ben-Baruch
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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29
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Otano I, Alvarez M, Minute L, Ochoa MC, Migueliz I, Molina C, Azpilikueta A, de Andrea CE, Etxeberria I, Sanmamed MF, Teijeira Á, Berraondo P, Melero I. Human CD8 T cells are susceptible to TNF-mediated activation-induced cell death. Theranostics 2020; 10:4481-4489. [PMID: 32292509 PMCID: PMC7150490 DOI: 10.7150/thno.41646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation-induced cell death (AICD) is a complex immunoregulatory mechanism that causes the demise of a fraction of T-lymphocytes upon antigen-driven activation. In the present study we investigated the direct role of TNF in AICD of CD8 T lymphocytes. Methods: Human peripheral mononuclear cells were isolated from healthy donors and fresh tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were obtained from cancer patients undergoing surgery. T cells were activated with anti-CD3/CD28 mAbs or with a pool of virus peptides, in combination with clinical-grade TNF blocking agents. Results: A portion of CD8 T cells undergoes apoptosis upon CD3/CD28 activation in a manner that is partially prevented by the clinically used anti-TNF agents infliximab and etanercept. TNF-mediated AICD was also observed upon activation of virus-specific CD8 T cells and tumor-infiltrating CD8 T lymphocytes. The mechanism of TNF-driven T cell death involves TNFR2 and production of mitochondrial oxygen free radicals which damage DNA. Conclusion: The use of TNF blocking agents reduces oxidative stress, hyperpolarization of mitochondria, and the generation of DNA damage in CD8 T celss undergoing activation. The fact that TNF mediates AICD in human tumor-reactive CD8 T cells suggests that the use of TNF-blocking agents can be exploited in immunotherapy strategies.
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30
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Freeth J, Soden J. New Advances in Cell Microarray Technology to Expand Applications in Target Deconvolution and Off-Target Screening. SLAS DISCOVERY 2019; 25:223-230. [PMID: 31885307 DOI: 10.1177/2472555219897567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Identifying the cell surface receptors of natural ligands, and deconvoluting the receptor targets of candidate drug leads, presents a challenge in medical research and drug discovery. Traditionally, success rates have been low, and screening efforts often generate numerous false-positive hits that require extensive follow-up to either validate or disregard. If successful, receptor identification enables the discovery of previously unknown, disease-relevant targets, provides critical insights into biological pathways and disease processes, and allows for secondary targets to be uncovered. By expressing the majority of the human plasma membrane proteome in human cells on glass slides in situ, human cell microarray technology provides a powerful approach for identifying receptor target interactions. This approach significantly increases the success rates in identifying specific primary receptor targets and off-targets while limiting the number of false-positive hits. Here we describe cell microarray technology, focusing on new advances including the use of whole cells as bait for receptor interactions, and the inclusion of secreted proteins that widens the utility of the technology in off-target screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Freeth
- Retrogenix Limited, Chinley, High Peak, UK
| | - Jo Soden
- Retrogenix Limited, Chinley, High Peak, UK
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31
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Al-Hatamleh MAI, E.A.R. ENS, Boer JC, Ferji K, Six JL, Chen X, Elkord E, Plebanski M, Mohamud R. Synergistic Effects of Nanomedicine Targeting TNFR2 and DNA Demethylation Inhibitor-An Opportunity for Cancer Treatment. Cells 2019; 9:E33. [PMID: 31877663 PMCID: PMC7016661 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) is expressed on some tumor cells, such as myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma, colon cancer and ovarian cancer, as well as immunosuppressive cells. There is increasingly evidence that TNFR2 expression in cancer microenvironment has significant implications in cancer progression, metastasis and immune evasion. Although nanomedicine has been extensively studied as a carrier of cancer immunotherapeutic agents, no study to date has investigated TNFR2-targeting nanomedicine in cancer treatment. From an epigenetic perspective, previous studies indicate that DNA demethylation might be responsible for high expressions of TNFR2 in cancer models. This perspective review discusses a novel therapeutic strategy based on nanomedicine that has the capacity to target TNFR2 along with inhibition of DNA demethylation. This approach may maximize the anti-cancer potential of nanomedicine-based immunotherapy and, consequently, markedly improve the outcomes of the management of patients with malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A. I. Al-Hatamleh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kelantan, Malaysia;
| | - Engku Nur Syafirah E.A.R.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia;
| | - Jennifer C. Boer
- Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Unit, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia (M.P.)
| | - Khalid Ferji
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LCPM, F-5400 Nancy, France; (K.F.); (J.-L.S.)
| | - Jean-Luc Six
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LCPM, F-5400 Nancy, France; (K.F.); (J.-L.S.)
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences. University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
| | - Eyad Elkord
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, 34110 Doha, Qatar;
| | - Magdalena Plebanski
- Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Unit, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia (M.P.)
| | - Rohimah Mohamud
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kelantan, Malaysia;
- Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia
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32
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Chen PY, Wu CYJ, Fang JH, Chen HC, Feng LY, Huang CY, Wei KC, Fang JY, Lin CY. Functional Change of Effector Tumor-Infiltrating CCR5 +CD38 +HLA-DR +CD8 + T Cells in Glioma Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2395. [PMID: 31649684 PMCID: PMC6794477 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human glioma facilitates an impaired anti-tumor immunity response, including defects in circulation of T lymphocytes. The level of CD8+ T-cell activation acts as an immune regulator associated with disease progression. However, little is known about the characteristics of peripheral and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells in patients with glioma. In this study, we examined the level of CD8+ T-cell activation in a group of 143 patients with glioma and determined that peripheral CD3+ T cells decreased in accordance with disease severity. The patients' peripheral CD8+ T-cell populations were similar to that of healthy donors, and a small amount of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was identified in glioma tissues. An increase in activated CD8+ T cells, characterized as CD38+HLA-DR+, and their association with disease progression were identified in the patients' peripheral blood and glioma, and shown to display enriched CCR5+ and TNFR2+ expression levels. Ex vivo examination of CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells indicated that this subset of cells displayed stronger secretion of IFN-γ and IL-2 before and after a 6-h stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin (ION) relative to healthy CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells, indicating the functional feasibility of CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells. Higher CCL5 protein and mRNA levels were identified in glioma tissues, which was consistent with the immunohistochemistry results revealing both CCL5 and CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cell expression. Patients' CCR5+CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells were further validated and shown to display increases in CD45RA+CCR7- and T-bet+ accompanied by substantial CD107-a, IFN-γ, and Granzyme B levels in response to glioma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Yuan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Caren Yu-Ju Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.,Pharmaceutics Laboratory, Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jian-He Fang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Chi Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ying Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Yin Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chen Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jia-You Fang
- Pharmaceutics Laboratory, Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Anesthesiology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yen Lin
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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33
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Tam EM, Fulton RB, Sampson JF, Muda M, Camblin A, Richards J, Koshkaryev A, Tang J, Kurella V, Jiao Y, Xu L, Zhang K, Kohli N, Luus L, Hutto E, Kumar S, Lulo J, Paragas V, Wong C, Suchy J, Grabow S, Dugast AS, Zhang H, Depis F, Feau S, Jakubowski A, Qiao W, Craig G, Razlog M, Qiu J, Zhou Y, Marks JD, Croft M, Drummond DC, Raue A. Antibody-mediated targeting of TNFR2 activates CD8+ T cells in mice and promotes antitumor immunity. Sci Transl Med 2019; 11:11/512/eaax0720. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax0720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) is the alternate receptor for TNF and can mediate both pro- and anti-inflammatory activities of T cells. Although TNFR2 has been linked to enhanced suppressive activity of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in autoimmune diseases, the viability of TNFR2 as a target for cancer immunotherapy has been underappreciated. Here, we show that new murine monoclonal anti-TNFR2 antibodies yield robust antitumor activity and durable protective memory in multiple mouse cancer cell line models. The antibodies mediate potent Fc-dependent T cell costimulation and do not result in significant depletion of Tregs. Corresponding human agonistic monoclonal anti-TNFR2 antibodies were identified and also had antitumor effects in humanized mouse models. Anti-TNFR2 antibodies could be developed as a novel treatment option for patients with cancer.
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34
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Ljungars A, Svensson C, Carlsson A, Birgersson E, Tornberg UC, Frendéus B, Ohlin M, Mattsson M. Deep Mining of Complex Antibody Phage Pools Generated by Cell Panning Enables Discovery of Rare Antibodies Binding New Targets and Epitopes. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:847. [PMID: 31417405 PMCID: PMC6683657 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Phage display technology is a common approach for discovery of therapeutic antibodies. Drug candidates are typically isolated in two steps: First, a pool of antibodies is enriched through consecutive rounds of selection on a target antigen, and then individual clones are characterized in a screening procedure. When whole cells are used as targets, as in phenotypic discovery, the output phage pool typically contains thousands of antibodies, binding, in theory, hundreds of different cell surface receptors. Clonal expansion throughout the phage display enrichment process is affected by multiple factors resulting in extremely complex output phage pools where a few antibodies are highly abundant and the majority is very rare. This is a huge challenge in the screening where only a fraction of the antibodies can be tested using a conventional binding analysis, identifying mainly the most abundant clones typically binding only one or a few targets. As the expected number of antibodies and specificities in the pool is much higher, complementing methods, to reach deeper into the pool, are required, called deep mining methods. In this study, four deep mining methods were evaluated: 1) isolation of rare sub-pools of specific antibodies through selection on recombinant proteins predicted to be expressed on the target cells, 2) isolation of a sub-pool enriched for antibodies of unknown specificities through depletion of the primary phage pool on recombinant proteins corresponding to receptors known to generate many binders, 3) isolation of a sub-pool enriched for antibodies through selection on cells blocked with antibodies dominating the primary phage pool, and 4) next-generation sequencing-based analysis of isolated antibody pools followed by antibody gene synthesis and production of rare but enriched clones. We demonstrate that antibodies binding new targets and epitopes, not discovered through screening alone, can be discovered using described deep mining methods. Overall, we demonstrate the complexity of phage pools generated through selection on cells and show that a combination of conventional screening and deep mining methods are needed to fully utilize such pools. Deep mining will be important in future phenotypic antibody drug discovery efforts to increase the diversity of identified antibodies and targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Ljungars
- BioInvent International AB, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mats Ohlin
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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35
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He J, Li R, Chen Y, Hu Y, Chen X. TNFR2-expressing CD4 +Foxp3 + regulatory T cells in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2019; 164:101-117. [PMID: 31383403 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent a major cellular mechanism in tumor immune evasion. Elimination of Treg activity has become a strategy to devise an effective tumor immunotherapy. We reported that TNF receptor type II (TNFR2), one of two receptors transducing TNF biological activity, is preferentially expressed by the most suppressive subset of Tregs. By interaction with TNFR2, TNF plays a decisive role in the activation, expansion and phenotype stability of Tregs. We also found that highly suppressive TNFR2-expressing Tregs appear to be tumor-associated Tregs. This finding has been supported by recent studies in mouse tumor models and in cancer patients. In this chapter, published data revealing the important role of TNFR2+ Tregs in tumor development and metastasis in different tumor types are reviewed and analyzed. The therapeutic potential of targeting TNF-TNFR2 interaction as means to eliminate Treg activity, and consequently to enhance anti-tumor immune responses, also is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang He
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China; Investment Banking, Shenzhen Rhino Star Information Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Ruixin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yibo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yuanjia Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.
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36
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A platform for phenotypic discovery of therapeutic antibodies and targets applied on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. NPJ Precis Oncol 2018; 2:18. [PMID: 30182064 PMCID: PMC6120912 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-018-0061-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of antibody drugs against novel targets and pathways offers great opportunities to improve current cancer treatment. We here describe a phenotypic discovery platform enabling efficient identification of therapeutic antibody-target combinations. The platform utilizes primary patient cells throughout the discovery process and includes methods for differential phage display cell panning, high-throughput cell-based specificity screening, phenotypic in vitro screening, target deconvolution, and confirmatory in vivo screening. In this study the platform was applied on cancer cells from patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia resulting in discovery of antibodies with improved cytotoxicity in vitro compared to the standard of care, the CD20-specific monoclonal antibody rituximab. Isolated antibodies were found to target six different receptors on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia cells; CD21, CD23, CD32, CD72, CD200, and HLA-DR of which CD32, CD200, and HLA-DR appeared as the most potent targets for antibody-based cytotoxicity treatment. Enhanced antibody efficacy was confirmed in vivo using a patient-derived xenograft model.
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37
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Wang J, Ferreira R, Lu W, Farrow S, Downes K, Jermutus L, Minter R, Al-Lamki RS, Pober JS, Bradley JR. TNFR2 ligation in human T regulatory cells enhances IL2-induced cell proliferation through the non-canonical NF-κB pathway. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12079. [PMID: 30104686 PMCID: PMC6089958 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30621-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Human T regulatory cells (T regs) express high levels of TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2). Ligation of TNFR2 with TNF, which can recognise both TNFR1 and TNFR2, or with a TNFR2-selective binding molecule, DARPin 18 (D18) activates canonical NF-κB signalling, assessed by IκBα degradation, and the magnitude of the response correlates with the level of TNFR2 expression. RNA-seq analysis of TNF- or D18-treated human T regs revealed that TNFR2 ligation induces transcription of NFKB2 and RELB, encoding proteins that form the non-canonical NF-κB transcription factor. In combination with IL2, D18 treatment is specific for T regs in (1) stabilising NF-κB-inducing kinase protein, the activator of non-canonical NF-κB signalling, (2) inducing translocation of RelB from cytosol to nucleus, (3) increasing cell cycle entry, and (4) increasing cell numbers. However, the regulatory function of the expanded T regs is unaltered. Inhibition of RelB nuclear translocation blocks the proliferative response. We conclude that ligation of TNFR2 by D18 enhances IL2-induced T regs proliferation and expansion in cell number through the non-canonical NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Ricardo Ferreira
- JDRF/Wellcome Diabetes and Inflammation Laboratory, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Wanhua Lu
- Department of Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Samatha Farrow
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kate Downes
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lutz Jermutus
- MedImmune Ltd., Granta Park, Cambridge, CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Ralph Minter
- MedImmune Ltd., Granta Park, Cambridge, CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Rafia S Al-Lamki
- Department of Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jordan S Pober
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - John R Bradley
- Department of Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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38
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Sheng Y, Li F, Qin Z. TNF Receptor 2 Makes Tumor Necrosis Factor a Friend of Tumors. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1170. [PMID: 29892300 PMCID: PMC5985372 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is widely accepted as a tumor-suppressive cytokine via its ubiquitous receptor TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). The other receptor, TNFR2, is not only expressed on some tumor cells but also on suppressive immune cells, including regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. In contrast to TNFR1, TNFR2 diverts the tumor-inhibiting TNF into a tumor-advocating factor. TNFR2 directly promotes the proliferation of some kinds of tumor cells. Also activating immunosuppressive cells, it supports immune escape and tumor development. Hence, TNFR2 may represent a potential target of cancer therapy. Here, we focus on expression and role of TNFR2 in the tumor microenvironment. We summarize the recent progress in understanding how TNFR2-dependent mechanisms promote carcinogenesis and tumor growth and discuss the potential value of TNFR2 in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqiao Sheng
- Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Feng Li
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhihai Qin
- Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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39
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Comess KM, McLoughlin SM, Oyer JA, Richardson PL, Stöckmann H, Vasudevan A, Warder SE. Emerging Approaches for the Identification of Protein Targets of Small Molecules - A Practitioners’ Perspective. J Med Chem 2018; 61:8504-8535. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth M. Comess
- AbbVie Inc., 1 Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-1802, United States
| | - Shaun M. McLoughlin
- AbbVie Inc., 1 Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-1802, United States
| | - Jon A. Oyer
- AbbVie Inc., 1 Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-1802, United States
| | - Paul L. Richardson
- AbbVie Inc., 1 Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-1802, United States
| | - Henning Stöckmann
- AbbVie Inc., 1 Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-1802, United States
| | - Anil Vasudevan
- AbbVie Inc., 1 Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-1802, United States
| | - Scott E. Warder
- AbbVie Inc., 1 Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-1802, United States
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40
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Zou H, Li R, Hu H, Hu Y, Chen X. Modulation of Regulatory T Cell Activity by TNF Receptor Type II-Targeting Pharmacological Agents. Front Immunol 2018; 9:594. [PMID: 29632537 PMCID: PMC5879105 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is now compelling evidence that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-TNF receptor type II (TNFR2) interaction plays a decisive role in the activation, expansion, and phenotypical stability of suppressive CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). In an effort to translate this basic research finding into a therapeutic benefit, a number of agonistic or antagonistic TNFR2-targeting biological agents with the capacity to activate or inhibit Treg activity have been developed and studied. Recent studies also show that thalidomide analogs, cyclophosphamide, and other small molecules are able to act on TNFR2, resulting in the elimination of TNFR2-expressing Tregs. In contrast, pharmacological agents, such as vitamin D3 and adalimumab, were reported to induce the expansion of Tregs by promoting the interaction of transmembrane TNF (tmTNF) with TNFR2. These studies clearly show that TNFR2-targeting pharmacological agents represent an effective approach to modulating the function of Tregs and thus may be useful in the treatment of major human diseases such as autoimmune disorders, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and cancer. In this review, we will summarize and discuss the latest progress in the study of TNFR2-targeting pharmacological agents and their therapeutic potential based on upregulation or downregulation of Treg activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Ruixin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Hao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yuanjia Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
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41
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Ticha O, Moos L, Wajant H, Bekeredjian-Ding I. Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 Characterizes TLR9-Driven Formation of Interleukin-10-Producing B Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 8:1951. [PMID: 29403470 PMCID: PMC5780339 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
B cell-derived interleukin-10 (IL-10) production has been described as a hallmark for regulatory function in B lymphocytes. However, there is an ongoing debate on the origin of IL-10-secreting B cells and lack of specific surface markers has turned into an important obstacle for studying human B regulatory cells. In this study, we propose that tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) expression can be used for enrichment of IL-10-secreting B cells. Our data confirm that IL-10 production can be induced by TLR9 stimulation with CpG ODN and that IL-10 secretion accompanies differentiation of peripheral blood B cells into plasma blasts. We further show that CpG ODN stimulation induces TNFR2 expression, which correlates with IL-10 secretion and terminal differentiation. Indeed, flow cytometric sorting of TNFR2+ B cells revealed that TNFR2+ and TNFR2− fractions correspond to IL-10+ and IL-10− fractions, respectively. Furthermore, CpG-induced TNFR2+ B cells were predominantly found in the IgM+ CD27+ B cell subset and spontaneously released immunoglobulin. Finally, our data corroborate the functional impact of TNFR2 by demonstrating that stimulation with a TNFR2 agonist significantly augments IL-10 and IL-6 production in B cells. Altogether, our data highlight a new role for TNFR2 in IL-10-secreting human B lymphocytes along with the potential to exploit this finding for sorting and isolation of this currently ill-defined B cell subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Ticha
- Division of Microbiology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Lukas Moos
- Division of Microbiology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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42
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Vanamee ÉS, Faustman DL. TNFR2: A Novel Target for Cancer Immunotherapy. Trends Mol Med 2017; 23:1037-1046. [PMID: 29032004 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer therapy but exhibit variable efficacy and relapse and can induce autoimmunity. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 2 (TNFR2) is a signaling molecule found on the surface of a subset of potent regulatory T cells (Tregs) that can activate the proliferation of these cells through nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). TNFR2 is also abundantly expressed on the surface of many human tumors. We propose that blocking TNFR2 might target abundant TNFR2+ tumor-infiltrating Tregs and directly kill TNFR2-expressing tumors. We also posit that TNFR2 inhibitors might potentially constitute safer and more targeted alternatives to ICI cancer treatment because the expression of TNFR2 on immune cells, concentrated in the tumor microenvironment of various cancers, appears to be more selective than that of checkpoint molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éva S Vanamee
- Immunobiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - Denise L Faustman
- Immunobiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA.
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43
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Zhang D, Armstrong AA, Tam SH, McCarthy SG, Luo J, Gilliland GL, Chiu ML. Functional optimization of agonistic antibodies to OX40 receptor with novel Fc mutations to promote antibody multimerization. MAbs 2017; 9:1129-1142. [PMID: 28758875 PMCID: PMC5627589 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2017.1358838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunostimulatory receptors belonging to the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily are emerging as promising targets for cancer immunotherapies. To optimize the agonism of therapeutic antibodies to these receptors, Fc engineering of antibodies was applied to facilitate the clustering of cell surface TNFRs to activate downstream signaling pathways. One engineering strategy is to identify Fc mutations that facilitate antibody multimerization on the cell surface directly. From the analyses of the crystal packing of IgG1 structures, we identified a novel set of Fc mutations, T437R and K248E, that facilitated antibody multimerization upon binding to antigens on cell surface. In a NF-κB reporter assay, the engineered T437R/K248E mutations could facilitate enhanced agonism of an anti-OX40 antibody without the dependence on FcγRIIB crosslinking. Nonetheless, the presence of cells expressing FcγRIIB could facilitate a boost of the agonism of the engineered antibody with mutations on IgG1 Fc, but not on the silent IgG2σ Fc. The Fc engineered antibody also showed enhanced effector functions, including antibody-dependent cell-meditated cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, and complement-dependent cytotoxicity, depending on the IgG subtypes. Also, the engineered antibodies showed normal FcRn binding and pharmacokinetic profiles in mice. In summary, this study elucidated a novel Fc engineering approach to promote antibody multimerization on a cell surface, which could enhance agonism and improve effector function for anti-TNFR antibodies as well as other therapeutic antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhang
- a Janssen Research and Development, L.L.C. , Spring House , PA , USA
| | | | - Susan H Tam
- a Janssen Research and Development, L.L.C. , Spring House , PA , USA
| | | | - Jinquan Luo
- a Janssen Research and Development, L.L.C. , Spring House , PA , USA
| | - Gary L Gilliland
- a Janssen Research and Development, L.L.C. , Spring House , PA , USA
| | - Mark L Chiu
- a Janssen Research and Development, L.L.C. , Spring House , PA , USA
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44
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Guillard S, Kolasinska-Zwierz P, Debreczeni J, Breed J, Zhang J, Bery N, Marwood R, Tart J, Overman R, Stocki P, Mistry B, Phillips C, Rabbitts T, Jackson R, Minter R. Structural and functional characterization of a DARPin which inhibits Ras nucleotide exchange. Nat Commun 2017; 8:16111. [PMID: 28706291 PMCID: PMC5519984 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms16111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras mutations are the oncogenic drivers of many human cancers and yet there are still no approved Ras-targeted cancer therapies. Inhibition of Ras nucleotide exchange is a promising new approach but better understanding of this mechanism of action is needed. Here we describe an antibody mimetic, DARPin K27, which inhibits nucleotide exchange of Ras. K27 binds preferentially to the inactive Ras GDP form with a Kd of 4 nM and structural studies support its selectivity for inactive Ras. Intracellular expression of K27 significantly reduces the amount of active Ras, inhibits downstream signalling, in particular the levels of phosphorylated ERK, and slows the growth in soft agar of HCT116 cells. K27 is a potent, non-covalent inhibitor of nucleotide exchange, showing consistent effects across different isoforms of Ras, including wild-type and oncogenic mutant forms. Ras is mutated in many cancers, but so far no drug targeting Ras is in clinical use despite great efforts. Here the authors structurally and functionally characterize a DARPin that potently inhibits the nucleotide exchange of Ras, which might facilitate the development of Ras-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Guillard
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune, Milstein Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Paulina Kolasinska-Zwierz
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune, Milstein Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Judit Debreczeni
- Discovery Sciences, Innovative Medicines and Early Development, AstraZeneca, Darwin Building, Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0WG, UK
| | - Jason Breed
- Discovery Sciences, Innovative Medicines and Early Development, AstraZeneca, Darwin Building, Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0WG, UK
| | - Jing Zhang
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Nicolas Bery
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Rose Marwood
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune, Milstein Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Jon Tart
- Discovery Sciences, Innovative Medicines and Early Development, AstraZeneca, Darwin Building, Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0WG, UK
| | - Ross Overman
- Discovery Sciences, Innovative Medicines and Early Development, AstraZeneca, Darwin Building, Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0WG, UK
| | - Pawel Stocki
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune, Milstein Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Bina Mistry
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune, Milstein Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Christopher Phillips
- Discovery Sciences, Innovative Medicines and Early Development, AstraZeneca, Darwin Building, Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0WG, UK
| | - Terence Rabbitts
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Ronald Jackson
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune, Milstein Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Ralph Minter
- Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune, Milstein Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
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Minter RR, Sandercock AM, Rust SJ. Phenotypic screening-the fast track to novel antibody discovery. DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY. TECHNOLOGIES 2017. [PMID: 28647091 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddtec.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The majority of antibody therapeutics have been isolated from target-led drug discovery, where many years of target research preceded drug program initiation. However, as the search for validated targets becomes more challenging and target space becomes increasingly competitive, alternative strategies, such as phenotypic drug discovery, are gaining favour. This review highlights successful examples of antibody phenotypic screens that have led to clinical drug candidates. We also review the requirements for performing an effective antibody phenotypic screen, including antibody enrichment and target identification strategies. Finally, the future impact of phenotypic drug discovery on antibody drug pipelines will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph R Minter
- Department of Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune, Milstein Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Alan M Sandercock
- Department of Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune, Milstein Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Steven J Rust
- Department of Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune, Milstein Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK.
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