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Carvalho MI, Silva-Carvalho R, Prada J, Pinto C, Gregório H, Lobo L, Pires I, Queiroga FL. TGFβ in malignant canine mammary tumors: relation with angiogenesis, immunologic markers and prognostic role. Vet Q 2024; 44:1-12. [PMID: 39165025 PMCID: PMC11340227 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2024.2390941] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) and FoxP3 regulatory T cells (Treg) are involved in human breast carcinogenesis. This topic is not well documented in canine mammary tumors (CMT). In this work, the tumoral TGFβ expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 67 malignant CMT and its correlation to previously determined FoxP3, VEGF, and CD31 markers and other clinicopathologic parameters was evaluated. The high levels of TGFβ were statistically significantly associated with skin ulceration, tumor necrosis, high histological grade of malignancy (HGM), presence of neoplastic intravascular emboli and presence of lymph node metastases. The observed levels of TGFβ were positively correlated with intratumoral FoxP3 (strong correlation), VEGF (weak correlation) and CD31 (moderate correlation). Tumors that presented a concurrent high expression of TGFβ/FoxP3, TGFβ/VEGF, and TGFβ/CD31 markers were statistically significantly associated with parameters of tumor malignancy (high HGM, presence of vascular emboli and nodal metastasis). Additionally, shorter overall survival (OS) time was statistically significantly associated with tumors with an abundant TGFβ expression and with concurrent high expression of TGFβ/FoxP3, TGFβ/VEGF, and TGFβ/CD31. The presence of lymph node metastasis increased 11 times the risk of disease-related death, arising as an independent predictor of poor prognosis in the multivariable analysis. In conclusion, TGFβ and Treg cells seem involved in tumor progression emerging as potential therapeutic targets for future immunotherapy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isabel Carvalho
- MVET Research in Veterinary Medicine. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University – Lisbon Centre, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Silva-Carvalho
- CEB – Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS – Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Justina Prada
- Veterinary and Animal Research Center (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Carla Pinto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Hugo Gregório
- Anicura Centro Hospitalar Veterinário, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luis Lobo
- MVET Research in Veterinary Medicine. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University – Lisbon Centre, Lisboa, Portugal
- Onevet Hospital Veterinário do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Center for the Study of Animal Sciences, CECA-ICETA, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pires
- Veterinary and Animal Research Center (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Felisbina L. Queiroga
- Veterinary and Animal Research Center (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- Center for the Study of Animal Sciences, CECA-ICETA, University of Porto, Portugal
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2
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Chang L, Wei Y, Qu Y, Zhao M, Zhou X, Long Y, Hashimoto K. Role of oxidative phosphorylation in the antidepressant effects of arketamine via the vagus nerve-dependent spleen-brain axis. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 199:106573. [PMID: 38901783 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106573] [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: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Arketamine, the (R)-enantiomer of ketamine, exhibits antidepressant-like effects in mice, though the precise molecular mechanisms remain elusive. It has been shown to reduce splenomegaly and depression-like behaviors in the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model of depression. This study investigated whether the spleen contributes to the antidepressant-like effects of arketamine in the CSDS model. We found that splenectomy significantly inhibited arketamine's antidepressant-like effects in CSDS-susceptible mice. RNA-sequencing analysis identified the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) as a key mediator of splenectomy's impact on arketamine's effects. Furthermore, oligomycin A, an inhibitor of the OXPHOS pathway, reversed the suppressive effects of splenectomy on arketamine's antidepressant-like effects. Specific genes within the OXPHOS pathways, such as COX11, UQCR11 and ATP5e, may contribute to these inhibitory effects. Notably, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, along with COX11, appears to modulate the suppressive effects of splenectomy and contribute to arketamine's antidepressant-like effects. Additionally, SRI-01138, an agonist of the TGF-β1 receptor, alleviated the inhibitory effects of splenectomy on arketamine's antidepressant-like effects. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy also counteracted the inhibitory effects of splenectomy on arketamine's antidepressant-like effects in CSDS-susceptible mice. These findings suggest that the OXPHOS pathway and TGF-β1 in the PFC play significant roles in the antidepressant-like effects of arketamine, mediated through the spleen-brain axis via the vagus nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijia Chang
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Yan Wei
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, (Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases), Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Youge Qu
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Mingming Zhao
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Xiangyu Zhou
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China; Department of Thyroid and Vascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Yang Long
- Metabolic Vascular Disease Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China; Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Kenji Hashimoto
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
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3
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Danielpour D. Advances and Challenges in Targeting TGF-β Isoforms for Therapeutic Intervention of Cancer: A Mechanism-Based Perspective. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:533. [PMID: 38675493 PMCID: PMC11054419 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040533] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The TGF-β family is a group of 25 kDa secretory cytokines, in mammals consisting of three dimeric isoforms (TGF-βs 1, 2, and 3), each encoded on a separate gene with unique regulatory elements. Each isoform plays unique, diverse, and pivotal roles in cell growth, survival, immune response, and differentiation. However, many researchers in the TGF-β field often mistakenly assume a uniform functionality among all three isoforms. Although TGF-βs are essential for normal development and many cellular and physiological processes, their dysregulated expression contributes significantly to various diseases. Notably, they drive conditions like fibrosis and tumor metastasis/progression. To counter these pathologies, extensive efforts have been directed towards targeting TGF-βs, resulting in the development of a range of TGF-β inhibitors. Despite some clinical success, these agents have yet to reach their full potential in the treatment of cancers. A significant challenge rests in effectively targeting TGF-βs' pathological functions while preserving their physiological roles. Many existing approaches collectively target all three isoforms, failing to target just the specific deregulated ones. Additionally, most strategies tackle the entire TGF-β signaling pathway instead of focusing on disease-specific components or preferentially targeting tumors. This review gives a unique historical overview of the TGF-β field often missed in other reviews and provides a current landscape of TGF-β research, emphasizing isoform-specific functions and disease implications. The review then delves into ongoing therapeutic strategies in cancer, stressing the need for more tools that target specific isoforms and disease-related pathway components, advocating mechanism-based and refined approaches to enhance the effectiveness of TGF-β-targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Danielpour
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Laboratories, The Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; ; Tel.: +1-216-368-5670; Fax: +1-216-368-8919
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Institute of Urology, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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4
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Khadka VD, Markey L, Boucher M, Lieberman TD. Commensal skin bacteria exacerbate inflammation and delay skin barrier repair. J Invest Dermatol 2024:S0022-202X(24)00277-X. [PMID: 38604402 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.03.033] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The skin microbiome can both trigger beneficial immune stimulation and pose a potential infection threat. Previous studies have shown that colonization of mouse skin with the model human skin commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis is protective against subsequent excisional wound or pathogen challenge. However, less is known about concurrent skin damage and exposure to commensal microbes, despite growing interest in interventional probiotic therapy. Here, we address this open question by applying commensal skin bacteria at a high dose to abraded skin. While depletion of the skin microbiome via antibiotics delayed repair from damage, probiotic-like application of commensals-- including the mouse commensal Staphylococcus xylosus, three distinct isolates of S. epidermidis, and all other tested human skin commensals-- also significantly delayed barrier repair. Increased inflammation was observed within four hours of S. epidermidis exposure and persisted through day four, at which point the skin displayed a chronic wound-like inflammatory state with increased neutrophil infiltration, increased fibroblast activity, and decreased monocyte differentiation. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that the prolonged upregulation of early canonical proliferative pathways inhibited the progression of barrier repair. These results highlight the nuanced role of members of the skin microbiome in modulating barrier integrity and indicate the need for caution in their development as probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veda D Khadka
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Laura Markey
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Magalie Boucher
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Tami D Lieberman
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States; Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT and Harvard; Cambridge. MA, United States.
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5
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Khadka VD, Markey L, Boucher M, Lieberman TD. Commensal skin bacteria exacerbate inflammation and delay skin healing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.04.569980. [PMID: 38106058 PMCID: PMC10723327 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.04.569980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The skin microbiome can both trigger beneficial immune stimulation and pose a potential infection threat. Previous studies have shown that colonization of mouse skin with the model human skin commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis is protective against subsequent excisional wound or pathogen challenge. However, less is known about concurrent skin damage and exposure to commensal microbes, despite growing interest in interventional probiotic therapy. Here, we address this open question by applying commensal skin bacteria at a high dose to abraded skin. While depletion of the skin microbiome via antibiotics delayed repair from damage, application of commensals-- including the mouse commensal Staphylococcus xylosus, three distinct isolates of S. epidermidis, and all other tested human skin commensals-- also significantly delayed barrier repair. Increased inflammation was observed within four hours of S. epidermidis exposure and persisted through day four, at which point the skin displayed a chronic-wound-like inflammatory state with increased neutrophil infiltration, increased fibroblast activity, and decreased monocyte differentiation. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that the prolonged upregulation of early canonical proliferative pathways inhibited the progression of barrier repair. These results highlight the nuanced role of members of the skin microbiome in modulating barrier integrity and indicate the need for caution in their development as probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veda D Khadka
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Laura Markey
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Magalie Boucher
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Tami D Lieberman
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT and Harvard; Cambridge. MA, United States
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6
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Taber A, Konecny A, Oda SK, Scott-Browne J, Prlic M. TGF-β broadly modifies rather than specifically suppresses reactivated memory CD8 T cells in a dose-dependent manner. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2313228120. [PMID: 37988468 PMCID: PMC10691214 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313228120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) directly acts on naive, effector, and memory T cells to control cell fate decisions, which was shown using genetic abrogation of TGF-β signaling. TGF-β availability is altered by infections and cancer; however, the dose-dependent effects of TGF-β on memory CD8 T cell (Tmem) reactivation are still poorly defined. We examined how activation and TGF-β signals interact to shape the functional outcome of Tmem reactivation. We found that TGF-β could suppress cytotoxicity in a manner that was inversely proportional to the strength of the activating TCR or proinflammatory signals. In contrast, even high doses of TGF-β had a comparatively modest effect on IFN-γ expression in the context of weak and strong reactivation signals. Since CD8 Tmem may not always receive TGF-β signals concurrently with reactivation, we also explored whether the temporal order of reactivation versus TGF-β signals is of importance. We found that exposure to TGF-β before or after an activation event were both sufficient to reduce cytotoxic effector function. Concurrent ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analysis revealed that TGF-β altered ~10% of the regulatory elements induced by reactivation and also elicited transcriptional changes indicative of broadly modulated functional properties. We confirmed some changes on the protein level and found that TGF-β-induced expression of CCR8 was inversely proportional to the strength of the reactivating TCR signal. Together, our data suggest that TGF-β is not simply suppressing CD8 Tmem but modifies functional and chemotactic properties in context of their reactivation signals and in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Taber
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Seattle, WA98109
| | - Andrew Konecny
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Seattle, WA98109
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
| | - Shannon K. Oda
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA98101
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98105
| | - James Scott-Browne
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO80206
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO80045
| | - Martin Prlic
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Seattle, WA98109
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
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7
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Bojalil R, Ruíz-Hernández A, Villanueva-Arias A, Amezcua-Guerra LM, Cásarez-Alvarado S, Hernández-Dueñas AM, Rodríguez-Galicia V, Pavón L, Marquina B, Becerril-Villanueva E, Hernández-Pando R, Márquez-Velasco R. Two murine models of sepsis: immunopathological differences between the sexes-possible role of TGFβ1 in female resistance to endotoxemia. Biol Res 2023; 56:54. [PMID: 37875957 PMCID: PMC10594922 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-023-00469-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Endotoxic shock (ExSh) and cecal ligature and puncture (CLP) are models that induce sepsis. In this work, we investigated early immunologic and histopathologic changes induced by ExSh or CLP models in female and male mice. Remarkable results showed that females supported twice the LD100 of LPS for males, CLP survival and CFU counts were similar between genders, high circulating LPS levels in ExSh mice and low levels of IgM anti-LPS in males. In the serum of ExSh males, TNF and IL-6 increased in the first 6 h, in CLP males at 12 h. In the liver of ExSh mice, TNF increased at 1.5 and 12 h, IL-1 at 6 h. TGFβ1 increased in females throughout the study and at 12 h in males. In CLP mice, IL-6 decreased at 12 h, TGFβ1 increased at 6-12 h in males and at 12 h in females. In the lungs of ExSh males, IL-1β increased at 1.5-6 h and TGFβ1 at 12 h; in females, TNF decrease at 6 h and TGFβ1 increased from 6 h; in CLP females, TNF and IL-1β decreased at 12 h and 1.5 h, respectively, and TGFβ1 increased from 6 h; in males, TGFβ1 increased at 12 h. In the livers of ExSh mice, signs of inflammation were more common in males; in the CLP groups, inflammation was similar but less pronounced. ExSh females had leucocytes with TGFβ1. The lungs of ExSh males showed patches of hyaline membranes and some areas of inflammatory cells, similar but fewer and smaller lesions were seen in male mice with CLP. In ExSh females, injuries were less extent than in males, similar pulmonary lesions were seen in female mice with CLP. ExSh males had lower levels of TGFβ1 than females, and even lower levels were seen in CLP males. We conclude that the ExSh was the most lethal model in males, associated with high levels of free LPS, low IgM anti-LPS, exacerbated inflammation and target organ injury, while females showed early TGFβ1 production in the lungs and less tissue damage. We didn't see any differences between CLP mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Bojalil
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Atención a la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Armando Ruíz-Hernández
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico
| | - Arturo Villanueva-Arias
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis Manuel Amezcua-Guerra
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Atención a la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sergio Cásarez-Alvarado
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Lenin Pavón
- Laboratorio de Psicoinmunología, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Brenda Marquina
- Departamento de Patología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Rogelio Hernández-Pando
- Departamento de Patología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Márquez-Velasco
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico.
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico.
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8
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Matsuoka T, Yashiro M. The Role of the Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling Pathway in Gastrointestinal Cancers. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1551. [PMID: 37892233 PMCID: PMC10605301 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has attracted attention as a tumor suppressor because of its potent growth-suppressive effect on epithelial cells. Dysregulation of the TGF-β signaling pathway is considered to be one of the key factors in carcinogenesis, and genetic alterations affecting TGF-β signaling are extraordinarily common in cancers of the gastrointestinal system, such as hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer and pancreatic cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that TGF-β is produced from various types of cells in the tumor microenvironment and mediates extracellular matrix deposition, tumor angiogenesis, the formation of CAFs, and suppression of the anti-tumor immune reaction. It is also being considered as a factor that promotes the malignant transformation of cancer, particularly the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Therefore, elucidating the role of TGF-β signaling in carcinogenesis, cancer invasion, and metastasis will provide novel basic insight for diagnosis and prognosis and the development of new molecularly targeted therapies for gastrointestinal cancers. In this review, we outline an overview of the complex mechanisms and functions of TGF-β signaling. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic potentials of targeting the TGF-β signaling pathway for gastrointestinal cancer treatment and discuss the remaining challenges and future perspectives on targeting this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masakazu Yashiro
- Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 5458585, Japan;
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9
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Gauthier T, Yao C, Dowdy T, Jin W, Lim YJ, Patiño LC, Liu N, Ohlemacher SI, Bynum A, Kazmi R, Bewley CA, Mitrovic M, Martin D, Morell RJ, Eckhaus M, Larion M, Tussiwand R, O’Shea J, Chen W. TGF-β uncouples glycolysis and inflammation in macrophages and controls survival during sepsis. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eade0385. [PMID: 37552767 PMCID: PMC11145950 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.ade0385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Changes in metabolism of macrophages are required to sustain macrophage activation in response to different stimuli. We showed that the cytokine TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) regulates glycolysis in macrophages independently of inflammatory cytokine production and affects survival in mouse models of sepsis. During macrophage activation, TGF-β increased the expression and activity of the glycolytic enzyme PFKL (phosphofructokinase-1 liver type) and promoted glycolysis but suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The increase in glycolysis was mediated by an mTOR-c-MYC-dependent pathway, whereas the inhibition of cytokine production was due to activation of the transcriptional coactivator SMAD3 and suppression of the activity of the proinflammatory transcription factors AP-1, NF-κB, and STAT1. In mice with LPS-induced endotoxemia and experimentally induced sepsis, the TGF-β-induced enhancement in macrophage glycolysis led to decreased survival, which was associated with increased blood coagulation. Analysis of septic patient cohorts revealed that the expression of PFKL, TGFBRI (which encodes a TGF-β receptor), and F13A1 (which encodes a coagulation factor) in myeloid cells positively correlated with COVID-19 disease. Thus, these results suggest that TGF-β is a critical regulator of macrophage metabolism and could be a therapeutic target in patients with sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Gauthier
- Mucosal Immunology Section, National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Chen Yao
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Tyrone Dowdy
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Wenwen Jin
- Mucosal Immunology Section, National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Yun-Ji Lim
- Mucosal Immunology Section, National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Liliana C. Patiño
- Mucosal Immunology Section, National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Na Liu
- Mucosal Immunology Section, National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Shannon I. Ohlemacher
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Andrew Bynum
- Mucosal Immunology Section, National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Rida Kazmi
- Mucosal Immunology Section, National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Carole A. Bewley
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Mladen Mitrovic
- Immune Regulation Unit, National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Daniel Martin
- Genomics and Computational Biology Core, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Robert J. Morell
- Genomics and Computational Biology Core, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Michael Eckhaus
- Division of Veterinary Resources, Pathology Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Mioara Larion
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - Roxane Tussiwand
- Immune Regulation Unit, National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - John O’Shea
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
| | - WanJun Chen
- Mucosal Immunology Section, National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 20892
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10
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Taber A, Konecny A, Scott-Browne J, Prlic M. TGF-β broadly modifies rather than specifically suppresses reactivated memory CD8 T cells in a dose-dependent manner. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.27.550871. [PMID: 37546887 PMCID: PMC10402134 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.27.550871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) directly acts on naïve, effector and memory T cells to control cell fate decisions, which was shown using genetic abrogation of TGF-β signaling. TGF-β availability is altered by infections and cancer, however the dose-dependent effects of TGF-β on memory CD8 T cell (Tmem) reactivation are still poorly defined. We examined how activation and TGF-β signals interact to shape the functional outcome of Tmem reactivation. We found that TGF-β could suppress cytotoxicity in a manner that was inversely proportional to the strength of the activating TCR or pro-inflammatory signals. In contrast, even high doses of TGF-β had a comparatively modest effect on IFN-γ expression in the context of weak and strong reactivation signals. Since CD8 Tmem may not always receive TGF-β signals concurrently with reactivation, we also explored whether the temporal order of reactivation versus TGF-β signals is of importance. We found that exposure to TGF-β prior to as well as after an activation event were both sufficient to reduce cytotoxic effector function. Concurrent ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analysis revealed that TGF-β altered ~10% of the regulatory elements induced by reactivation and also elicited transcriptional changes indicative of broadly modulated functional properties. We confirmed some changes on the protein level and found that TGF-β-induced expression of CCR8 was inversely proportional to the strength of the reactivating TCR signal. Together, our data suggest that TGF-β is not simply suppressing CD8 Tmem, but modifies functional and chemotactic properties in context of their reactivation signals and in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Taber
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Andrew Konecny
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - James Scott-Browne
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Martin Prlic
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
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Guo H, Li J, Wang Y, Cao X, Lv X, Yang Z, Chen Z. Progress in Research on Key Factors Regulating Lactation Initiation in the Mammary Glands of Dairy Cows. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1163. [PMID: 37372344 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061163] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactation initiation refers to a functional change in the mammary organ from a non-lactating state to a lactating state, and a series of cytological changes in the mammary epithelium from a non-secreting state to a secreting state. Like the development of the mammary gland, it is regulated by many factors (including hormones, cytokines, signaling molecules, and proteases). In most non-pregnant animals, a certain degree of lactation also occurs after exposure to specific stimuli, promoting the development of their mammary glands. These specific stimuli can be divided into two categories: before and after parturition. The former inhibits lactation and decreases activity, and the latter promotes lactation and increases activity. Here we present a review of recent progress in research on the key factors of lactation initiation to provide a powerful rationale for the study of the lactation initiation process and mammary gland development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | | | - Yuhao Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xiang Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xiaoyang Lv
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory in Universities of Jiangsu Province of China for Domestic Animal Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhangping Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Huanshan Group, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Huanshan Group, Qingdao 266000, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory in Universities of Jiangsu Province of China for Domestic Animal Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Yangzhou 225009, China
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12
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Dysregulated balance in Th17/Treg axis of Pristane-induced lupus mouse model, are mesenchymal stem cells therapeutic? Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 117:109699. [PMID: 36867923 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109699] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite advances in general and targeted immunosuppressive therapies, limiting all mainstay treatment options in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cases has necessitated the development of new therapeutic strategies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have recently emerged with unique properties, including a solid propensity to reduce inflammation, exert immunomodulatory effects, and repair injured tissues. METHODS An animal model of acquired SLE mice was induced via intraperitoneal immunization with Pristane and affirmed by measuring specific biomarkers. Bone marrow (BM) MSCs were isolated from healthy BALB/c mice and cultured in vitro, then were identified and confirmed by flow cytometry and cytodifferentiation. Systemic MSCs transplantation was performed and then several parameters were analyzed and compared, including specific cytokines (IL-17, IL-4, IFN-ɣ, TGF-β) at the serum level, the percentage of Th cell subsets (Treg/Th17, Th1/Th2) in splenocytes, and also the relief of lupus nephritis, respectively by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry analysis and by hematoxylin & eosin staining and also immunofluorescence assessment. Experiments were carried out with different initiation treatment time points (early and late stages of disease). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc Tukey's test was used for multiple comparisons. RESULTS The rate of proteinuria, anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (anti-dsDNA) antibodies, and serum creatinine levels decreased with BM-MSCs transplantation. These results were associated with attenuated lupus renal pathology in terms of reducing IgG and C3 deposition and lymphocyte infiltration. Our findings suggested that TGF-β (associated with lupus microenvironment) can contribute to MSC-based immunotherapy by modulating the population of TCD4+ cell subsets. Obtained results indicated that MSCs-based cytotherapy could negatively affect the progression of induced SLE by recovering the function of Treg cells, suppressing Th1, Th2, and Th17 lymphocyte function, and downregulating their pro-inflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSION MSC-based immunotherapy showed a delayed effect on the progression of acquired SLE in a lupus microenvironment-dependent manner. Allogenic MSCs transplantation revealed the ability to re-establish the balance of Th17/Treg, Th1/Th2 and restore the plasma cytokines network in a pattern dependent on disease conditions. The conflicting results of early versus advanced therapy suggest that MSCs may produce different effects depending on when they are administered and their activation status.
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Anti-TGF-β1 aptamer enhances therapeutic effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib, on non-small cell lung cancer in xenograft model. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:969-978. [PMID: 36189081 PMCID: PMC9481871 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays crucial pathophysiological roles in various diseases, such as cancer and fibrosis. However, the disease modulation by targeting TGF-β1 isoform remains to be established, regardless of several studies employed with limited antibodies. Here, we developed an RNA aptamer to human active TGF-β1, named APT-β1, and characterized its properties in vitro and in vivo. APT-β1 bound to human and mouse active TGF-β1 proteins with high affinity and specificity and strongly inhibited TGF-β1-induced downstream signaling and cell morphology with 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) values at picomolar concentrations. In a xenograft mouse model of non-small cell lung cancer, APT-β1 alone showed no appreciable effect on tumor growth, while it greatly enhanced the anti-tumor effect of gefitinib, an approved tyrosine kinase inhibitor. These findings strongly suggest that the anti-TGF-β1 medication may be a promising cancer therapy to suppress repopulation of lung cancer in combination with certain anti-cancer drugs, such as gefitinib.
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Liu Q, Chen G, Moore J, Guix I, Placantonokis D, Barcellos-Hoff MH. Exploiting Canonical TGFβ Signaling in Cancer Treatment. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 21:16-24. [PMID: 34670783 PMCID: PMC8742762 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays critical roles to define cancer cell phenotypes, construct the tumor microenvironment, and suppress anti-tumor immune responses. As such, TGFβ is a lynchpin for integrating cancer cell intrinsic pathways and communication among host cells in the tumor and beyond that together affect responses to genotoxic, targeted, and immune therapy. Despite decades of preclinical and clinical studies, evidence of clinical benefit from targeting TGFβ in cancer remains elusive. Here, we review the mechanisms by which TGFβ acts to oppose successful cancer therapy, the reported prognostic and predictive value of TGFβ biomarkers, and the potential impact of inhibiting TGFβ in precision oncology. Paradoxically, the diverse mechanisms by which TGFβ impedes therapeutic response are a principal barrier to implementing TGFβ inhibitors because it is unclear which TGFβ mechanism is functional in which patient. Companion diagnostic tools and specific biomarkers of TGFβ targeted biology will be the key to exploiting TGFβ biology for patient benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Institute for Biomedical Engineering
| | - Genwen Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Jade Moore
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francicsco
| | - Ines Guix
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francicsco
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15
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Finger AM, Jäschke S, Del Olmo M, Hurwitz R, Granada AE, Herzel H, Kramer A. Intercellular coupling between peripheral circadian oscillators by TGF-β signaling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/30/eabg5174. [PMID: 34301601 PMCID: PMC8302137 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg5174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Coupling between cell-autonomous circadian oscillators is crucial to prevent desynchronization of cellular networks and disruption of circadian tissue functions. While neuronal oscillators within the mammalian central clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, couple intercellularly, coupling among peripheral oscillators is controversial and the molecular mechanisms are unknown. Using two- and three-dimensional mammalian culture models in vitro (mainly human U-2 OS cells) and ex vivo, we show that peripheral oscillators couple via paracrine pathways. We identify transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) as peripheral coupling factor that mediates paracrine phase adjustment of molecular clocks through transcriptional regulation of core-clock genes. Disruption of TGF-β signaling causes desynchronization of oscillator networks resulting in reduced amplitude and increased sensitivity toward external zeitgebers. Our findings reveal an unknown mechanism for peripheral clock synchrony with implications for rhythmic organ functions and circadian health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Marie Finger
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute for Medical Immunology, Laboratory of Chronobiology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Jäschke
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute for Medical Immunology, Laboratory of Chronobiology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Marta Del Olmo
- Charité and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Laboratory of Theoretical Chronobiology, Philippstraße 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Hurwitz
- Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Biochemistry-Protein Purification Core Facility, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Adrián E Granada
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Laboratory of Systems Oncology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center, Partner Site Berlin, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hanspeter Herzel
- Charité and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Laboratory of Theoretical Chronobiology, Philippstraße 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Achim Kramer
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute for Medical Immunology, Laboratory of Chronobiology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
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Welsh BT, Faucette R, Bilic S, Martin CJ, Schürpf T, Chen D, Nicholls S, Lansita J, Kalra A. Nonclinical Development of SRK-181: An Anti-Latent TGFβ1 Monoclonal Antibody for the Treatment of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors. Int J Toxicol 2021; 40:226-241. [PMID: 33739172 PMCID: PMC8135237 DOI: 10.1177/1091581821998945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Checkpoint inhibitors offer a promising immunotherapy strategy for cancer treatment; however, due to primary or acquired resistance, many patients do not achieve lasting clinical responses. Recently, the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling pathway has been identified as a potential target to overcome primary resistance, although the nonselective inhibition of multiple TGFβ isoforms has led to dose-limiting cardiotoxicities. SRK-181 is a high-affinity, fully human antibody that selectively binds to latent TGFβ1 and inhibits its activation. To support SRK-181 clinical development, we present here a comprehensive preclinical assessment of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and safety across multiple species. In vitro studies showed that SRK-181 has no effect on human platelet function and does not induce cytokine release in human peripheral blood. Four-week toxicology studies with SRK-181 showed that weekly intravenous administration achieved sustained serum exposure and was well tolerated in rats and monkeys, with no treatment-related adverse findings. The no-observed-adverse-effect levels levels were 200 mg/kg in rats and 300 mg/kg in monkeys, the highest doses tested, and provide a nonclinical safety factor of up to 813-fold (based on Cmax) above the phase 1 starting dose of 80 mg every 3 weeks. In summary, the nonclinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetic, and toxicology data demonstrate that SRK-181 is a selective inhibitor of latent TGFβ1 that does not produce the nonclinical toxicities associated with nonselective TGFβ inhibition. These data support the initiation and safe conduct of a phase 1 trial with SRK-181 in patients with advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Welsh
- 436132ToxStrategies, Research Blvd Building, Austin, TX, USA
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17
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Gonzalez-Junca A, Reiners O, Borrero-Garcia LD, Beckford-Vera D, Lazar AA, Chou W, Braunstein S, VanBrocklin H, Franc BL, Barcellos-Hoff MH. Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Functional Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) Activity and Benefit of TGFβ Inhibition in Irradiated Intracranial Tumors. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 109:527-539. [PMID: 33007434 PMCID: PMC7856163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) promotes cell survival by endorsing DNA damage repair and mediates an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Thus, TGFβ activation in response to radiation therapy is potentially targetable because it opposes therapeutic control. Strategies to assess this potential in the clinic are needed. METHODS AND MATERIALS We evaluated positron emission tomography (PET) to image 89Zr -fresolimumab, a humanized TGFβ neutralizing monoclonal antibody, as a means to detect TGFβ activation in intracranial tumor models. Pathway activity of TGFβ was validated by immunodetection of phosphorylated SMAD2 and the TGFβ target, tenascin. The contribution of TGFβ to radiation response was assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of mice bearing intracranial murine tumor models GL261 and SB28 glioblastoma and brain-adapted 4T1 breast cancer (4T1-BrA) treated with TGFβ neutralizing monoclonal antibody, 1D11, and/or focal radiation (10 Gy). RESULTS 89Zr-fresolimumab PET imaging detected engineered, physiological, and radiation-induced TGFβ activation, which was confirmed by immunostaining of biological markers. GL261 glioblastoma tumors had a greater PET signal compared with similar-sized SB28 glioblastoma tumors, whereas the widespread PET signal of 4T1-BrA intracranial tumors was consistent with their highly dispersed histologic distribution. Survival of mice bearing intracranial tumors treated with 1D11 neutralizing antibody alone was similar to that of mice treated with control antibody, whereas 1D11 improved survival when given in combination with focal radiation. The extent of survival benefit of a combination of radiation and 1D11 was associated with the degree of TGFβ activity detected by PET. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that 89Zr-fresolimumab PET imaging detects radiation-induced TGFβ activation in tumors. Functional imaging indicated a range of TGFβ activity in intracranial tumors, but TGFβ blockade provided survival benefit only in the context of radiation treatment. This study provides further evidence that radiation-induced TGFβ activity opposes therapeutic response to radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Gonzalez-Junca
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Oliver Reiners
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Luis D. Borrero-Garcia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Denis Beckford-Vera
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ann A. Lazar
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of Oral Epidemiology, School of Dentistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - William Chou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Steve Braunstein
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Henry VanBrocklin
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin L. Franc
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Current address: Department of Radiology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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18
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Liu S, Ren J, Ten Dijke P. Targeting TGFβ signal transduction for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:8. [PMID: 33414388 PMCID: PMC7791126 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00436-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) family members are structurally and functionally related cytokines that have diverse effects on the regulation of cell fate during embryonic development and in the maintenance of adult tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of TGFβ family signaling can lead to a plethora of developmental disorders and diseases, including cancer, immune dysfunction, and fibrosis. In this review, we focus on TGFβ, a well-characterized family member that has a dichotomous role in cancer progression, acting in early stages as a tumor suppressor and in late stages as a tumor promoter. The functions of TGFβ are not limited to the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and metastasis of cancer cells. Recent reports have related TGFβ to effects on cells that are present in the tumor microenvironment through the stimulation of extracellular matrix deposition, promotion of angiogenesis, and suppression of the anti-tumor immune reaction. The pro-oncogenic roles of TGFβ have attracted considerable attention because their intervention provides a therapeutic approach for cancer patients. However, the critical function of TGFβ in maintaining tissue homeostasis makes targeting TGFβ a challenge. Here, we review the pleiotropic functions of TGFβ in cancer initiation and progression, summarize the recent clinical advancements regarding TGFβ signaling interventions for cancer treatment, and discuss the remaining challenges and opportunities related to targeting this pathway. We provide a perspective on synergistic therapies that combine anti-TGFβ therapy with cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Liu
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jiang Ren
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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19
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Derynck R, Turley SJ, Akhurst RJ. TGFβ biology in cancer progression and immunotherapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2020; 18:9-34. [DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-0403-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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20
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Knudson KM, Hicks KC, Luo X, Chen JQ, Schlom J, Gameiro SR. M7824, a novel bifunctional anti-PD-L1/TGFβ Trap fusion protein, promotes anti-tumor efficacy as monotherapy and in combination with vaccine. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1426519. [PMID: 29721396 PMCID: PMC5927523 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1426519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors evade host immune surveillance through multiple mechanisms, including the generation of a tumor microenvironment that suppresses immune effector function. Secretion of TGFβ and upregulation of immune checkpoint programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) are two main contributors to immune evasion and tumor progression. Here, we examined the efficacy of a first-in-class bifunctional checkpoint inhibitor, the fusion protein M7824, comprising the extracellular domain of human TGFβRII (TGFβ Trap) linked to the C-terminus of human anti-PD-L1 heavy chain (αPD-L1). We demonstrate that M7824 reduces plasma TGFβ1, binds to PD-L1 in the tumor, and decreases TGFβ-induced signaling in the tumor microenvironment in mice. In murine breast and colon carcinoma models, M7824 decreased tumor burden and increased overall survival as compared to targeting TGFβ alone. M7824 treatment promoted CD8+ T cell and NK cell activation, and both of these immune populations were required for optimal M7824-mediated tumor control. M7824 was superior to TGFβ- or αPD-L1-targeted therapies when in combination with a therapeutic cancer vaccine. These findings demonstrate the value of using M7824 to simultaneously target TGFβ and PD-L1/PD-1 immunosuppressive pathways to promote anti-tumor responses and efficacy. The studies also support the potential clinical use of M7824 as a monotherapy or in combination with other immunotherapies, such as therapeutic cancer vaccines, including for patients who have progressed on αPD-L1/αPD-1 checkpoint blockade therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin M Knudson
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kristin C Hicks
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoling Luo
- Collaborative Protein Technology Resource (CPTR), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jin-Qiu Chen
- Collaborative Protein Technology Resource (CPTR), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sofia R Gameiro
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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