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Ogawa M, Tanaka A, Maekawa M, Namba K, Otani Y, Shia J, Wang JY, Roehrl MH. Protein expression of the amino acid transporter SLC7A5 in tumor tissue is prognostic in early-stage colorectal cancer. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298362. [PMID: 38722983 PMCID: PMC11081336 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteins overexpressed in early-stage cancers may serve as early diagnosis and prognosis markers as well as targets for cancer therapies. In this study, we examined the expression of an essential amino acid carrier SLC7A5 (LAT1, CD98, or 4F2 light chain) in cancer tissue from two well-annotated cohorts of 575 cases of early-stage and 106 cases of late-stage colorectal cancer patients. Immunohistochemistry showed SLC7A5 overexpression in 72.0% of early-stage and 56.6% of late-stage cases. SLC7A5 expression was not influenced by patient gender, age, location, or mismatch repair status, although it appeared to be slightly less prevalent in tumors of mucinous differentiation or with lymphovascular invasion. Statistical analyses revealed a positive correlation between SLC7A5 overexpression and both overall survival and disease-free survival in early-stage but not late-stage cancers. Co-expression analyses of the TCGA and CPTAC colorectal cancer cohorts identified a network of gene transcripts positively related to SLC7A5, with its heterodimer partner SLC3A2 having the highest co-expression score. Network analysis uncovered the SLC7A network to be significantly associated with ncRNA such as tRNA processing and the mitotic cell cycle. Since SLC7A5 is also a marker of activated lymphocytes such as NK, T, and B lymphocytes, SLC7A5 overexpression in early colorectal cancers might trigger a strong anti-tumor immune response which could results in better clinical outcome. Overall, our study provides clear evidence of differential SLC7A5 expression and its prognostic value for early-stage colorectal cancer, although the understanding of its functions in colorectal tumorigenesis and cancer immunity is currently rather limited and awaits further characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Ogawa
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Masaki Maekawa
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Kei Namba
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Yusuke Otani
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jinru Shia
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Michael H. Roehrl
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
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2
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Zeng X, Dong X, Ma Y, Yao J. Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 maintains the immune surveillance function of natural killer cells via the PDK2/mTOR signaling pathway. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:2227-2241. [PMID: 35304656 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-022-09708-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) is mainly expressed on neutrophils and macrophages and has neutrophil chemoattractant activity. However, natural killer (NK) cells also express CXCL1. We were curious about the role played by CXCL1 in NK cells. Knocking out CXCL1 in hematopoietic cells does not affect the occurrence of NK cells; however, it does hinder NK cell maturity. CXCL1 deletion enhances the expression of immature markers and decreases the expression of functional markers in NK cells, which may explain why it hinders the maturation of NK cells. Specific knockout of CXCL1 in NK cells (CXCL1flox/flox Ncr1-cre) leads to impaired IFN-γ production and degranulation of NK cells. The lack of CXCL1 may prevent IFN-γ production and degranulation of NK cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKTS473 and S6. Therefore, we have discovered a new role for CXCL1 in regulating NK cell development and immune surveillance, providing a novel theoretical basis for immunotherapy based on NK cells and potential therapeutic targets for the clinical use of NK cells. 1. Knockout of CXCL1 in hematopoietic cells inhibits the maturation of NK cells. 2. Knockout of CXCL1 in NK cells inhibits the clearance of lymphoma by NK cells and reduces IFN-γ production and CD107 expression in NK cells. 3. CXCL1 activates the PKD2/mTOR signaling pathway, and promotes the production of IFN-γ and the expression of CD107a in NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokang Zeng
- Central Laboratory, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), No.1, Jiazi Road, Lunjiao Street, Shunde District, Foshan, 528300, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xinhuai Dong
- Central Laboratory, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), No.1, Jiazi Road, Lunjiao Street, Shunde District, Foshan, 528300, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanning Ma
- Clinical Laboratory, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, 528300, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Yao
- Central Laboratory, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), No.1, Jiazi Road, Lunjiao Street, Shunde District, Foshan, 528300, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde, Foshan), Foshan, 528300, Guangdong, China.
- Medical Research Center, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), No.1, Jiazi Road, Lunjiao Street, Shunde District, Foshan, 528300, China.
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3
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Dong S, Li W, Li X, Wang Z, Chen Z, Shi H, He R, Chen C, Zhou W. Glucose metabolism and tumour microenvironment in pancreatic cancer: A key link in cancer progression. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1038650. [PMID: 36578477 PMCID: PMC9792100 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1038650] [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: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer (PC) remain challenging endeavors globally. Late diagnosis lag, high invasiveness, chemical resistance, and poor prognosis are unresolved issues of PC. The concept of metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer cells. Increasing evidence shows that PC cells alter metabolic processes such as glucose, amino acids, and lipids metabolism and require continuous nutrition for survival, proliferation, and invasion. Glucose metabolism, in particular, regulates the tumour microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, the link between glucose metabolism and TME also plays an important role in the targeted therapy, chemoresistance, radiotherapy ineffectiveness, and immunosuppression of PC. Altered metabolism with the TME has emerged as a key mechanism regulating PC progression. This review shed light on the relationship between TME, glucose metabolism, and various aspects of PC. The findings of this study provide a new direction in the development of PC therapy targeting the metabolism of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Dong
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wancheng Li
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhengfeng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhou Chen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Huaqing Shi
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ru He
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chen Chen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wence Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China,*Correspondence: Wence Zhou,
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4
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Cluff E, Magdaleno CC, Fernandez E, House T, Swaminathan S, Varadaraj A, Rajasekaran N. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha expression is induced by IL-2 via the PI3K/mTOR pathway in hypoxic NK cells and supports effector functions in NKL cells and ex vivo expanded NK cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:1989-2005. [PMID: 34999917 PMCID: PMC9294031 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03126-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic innate lymphocytes that are specialized to kill tumor cells. NK cells are responsive to the primary cytokine IL-2 in the tumor microenvironment (TME), to activate its effector functions against tumors. Despite their inherent ability to kill tumor cells, dysfunctional NK cells observed within advanced solid tumors are associated with poor patient survival. Hypoxia in the TME is a major contributor to immune evasion in solid tumors that could contribute to impaired NK cell function. HIF-1α is a nodal regulator of hypoxia in driving the adaptive cellular responses to changes in oxygen concentrations. Whether HIF-1α is expressed in hypoxic NK cells in the context of IL-2 and whether its expression regulates NK cell effector function are unclear. Here, we report that freshly isolated NK cells from human peripheral blood in hypoxia could not stabilize HIF-1α protein coincident with impaired anti-tumor cytotoxicity. However, ex vivo expansion of these cells restored HIF-1α levels in hypoxia to promote antitumor cytotoxic functions. Similarly, the human NK cell line NKL expressed HIF-1α upon IL-2 stimulation in hypoxia and exhibited improved anti-tumor cytotoxicity and IFN-γ secretion. We found that ex vivo expanded human NK cells and NKL cells required the concerted activation of PI3K/mTOR pathway initiated by IL-2 signaling in combination with hypoxia for HIF-1α stabilization. These findings highlight that HIF-1α stabilization in hypoxia maximizes NK cell effector function and raises the prospect of NK cells as ideal therapeutic candidates for solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Cluff
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, 700 S Osbourne Drive, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004, USA
| | - Carina C Magdaleno
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, 700 S Osbourne Drive, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004, USA
| | - Emyly Fernandez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, 700 S Osbourne Drive, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004, USA
| | - Trenton House
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, 700 S Osbourne Drive, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004, USA
| | - Srividya Swaminathan
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Archana Varadaraj
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, 700 S Osbourne Drive, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004, USA
| | - Narendiran Rajasekaran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, 700 S Osbourne Drive, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004, USA.
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5
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Gustafson MP, Wheatley-Guy CM, Rosenthal AC, Gastineau DA, Katsanis E, Johnson BD, Simpson RJ. Exercise and the immune system: taking steps to improve responses to cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e001872. [PMID: 34215686 PMCID: PMC8256759 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The remarkable success of cancer immunotherapies has provided new hope to cancer patients. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of patients remain unable to respond to immunotherapy or maintain durable clinical responses. The lack of objective responses likely results from profound immune dysfunction often observed in patients with cancer. There is substantial evidence that exercise and physical activity can reduce incidence and improve outcomes in cancer patients. As the immune system is highly responsive to exercise, one potential avenue to improve immune function is through exercise and physical activity. A single event of dynamic exercise results in the substantial mobilization of leukocytes with increased functional capacities into the circulation. Chronic, or long-term, exercise leads to higher physical fitness in terms of greater cardiorespiratory function and/or muscle strength and endurance. High aerobic capacity, as measured by maximal oxygen uptake, has been associated with the reduction of dysfunctional T cells and improvements in the abundance of some T cell populations. To be sure, however, the mechanisms of exercise-mediated immune changes are both extensive and diverse. Here, we examine the evidence and theorize how acute and chronic exercise could be used to improve responses to cancer immunotherapies including immune checkpoint inhibitors, dendritic cell vaccines, natural killer cell therapies, and adoptive T cell therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Although the parameters of optimal exercise to yield defined outcomes remain to be determined, the available current data provide a compelling justification for additional human studies and clinical trials investigating the adjuvant use of exercise in immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Gustafson
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | - Dennis A Gastineau
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Emmanuel Katsanis
- Pediatrics, Immunobiology, University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Bruce D Johnson
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Richard J Simpson
- Pediatrics, Immunobiology, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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6
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Terrén I, Orrantia A, Mosteiro A, Vitallé J, Zenarruzabeitia O, Borrego F. Metabolic changes of Interleukin-12/15/18-stimulated human NK cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6472. [PMID: 33742092 PMCID: PMC7979769 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85960-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells acquire memory-like properties following a brief stimulation with IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18. These IL-12/15/18-preactivated NK cells, also known as cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) NK cells, have been revealed as a powerful tool in cancer immunotherapy due to their persistence in the host and their increased effector functions. Several studies have shown that NK cells modulate their metabolism in response to cytokine-stimulation and other stimuli, suggesting that there is a link between metabolism and cellular functions. In this paper, we have analyzed metabolic changes associated to IL-12/15/18-stimulation and the relevance of glycolytic pathway for NK cell effector functions. We have found CIML NK cells are able to retain a metabolic profile shifted towards glycolysis seven days after cytokine withdrawal. Furthermore, we found that treatment with 2-DG differently affects distinct NK cell effector functions and is stimuli-dependent. These findings may have implications in the design of NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Terrén
- Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Ane Orrantia
- Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Alba Mosteiro
- Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Joana Vitallé
- Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Olatz Zenarruzabeitia
- Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
| | - Francisco Borrego
- Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
- Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
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7
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Walls JF, Subleski JJ, Palmieri EM, Gonzalez-Cotto M, Gardiner CM, McVicar DW, Finlay DK. Metabolic but not transcriptional regulation by PKM2 is important for natural killer cell responses. eLife 2020; 9:59166. [PMID: 32812866 PMCID: PMC7467725 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells have an important role in immune responses to viruses and tumours. Integrating changes in signal transduction pathways and cellular metabolism is essential for effective NK cells responses. The glycolytic enzyme Pyruvate Kinase Muscle 2 (PKM2) has described roles in regulating glycolytic flux and signal transduction, particularly gene transcription. While PKM2 expression is robustly induced in activated NK cells, mice lacking PKM2 in NK cells showed no defect in NK cell metabolism, transcription or antiviral responses to MCMV infection. NK cell metabolism was maintained due to compensatory PKM1 expression in PKM2-null NK cells. To further investigate the role of PKM2, we used TEPP-46, which increases PKM2 catalytic activity while inhibiting any PKM2 signalling functions. NK cells activated with TEPP-46 had reduced effector function due to TEPP-46-induced increases in oxidative stress. Overall, PKM2-regulated glycolytic metabolism and redox status, not transcriptional control, facilitate optimal NK cells responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica F Walls
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, United States
| | - Jeff J Subleski
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, United States
| | - Erika M Palmieri
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, United States
| | - Marieli Gonzalez-Cotto
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, United States
| | - Clair M Gardiner
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniel W McVicar
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, United States
| | - David K Finlay
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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